Best headphone amps for guitar in 2023
Table of Contents
With our top picks for headphone amps for guitar, you can practise in private or while on the go without sacrificing tone.
Let’s face it: sometimes a setup doesn’t need to be a wall of Marshall stacks. One of the best headphone amps for guitar may be necessary if you want to practise at home without disturbing anyone. You may play guitar into the wee hours of the night by just plugging your instrument into one of these gadgets and connecting your headphones.
These clever tiny devices provide fantastic tones, effects, and even recording capabilities, allowing you to rock out without worrying about annoying neighbours. There is a headphone amp that will work with your workflow, regardless of whether you need to rehearse quietly at home or do a short recording on the go.
A nice approach to practice quietly is using a headphone amplifier. Although many standard guitar amps have a headphone output, these useful devices are significantly smaller and easy to carry about when you’re on the move. Additionally, it allows you to leave your larger amp in the practise room with confidence knowing that you still have a practice tool at home.
product review: heaphone amps for guitar
Players can currently choose from a selection of various guitar headphone amplifiers. Some have a jack plug incorporated into the device so you can just plug it into your guitar without a wire, while others need one. Even wireless solutions are accessible. Our selection of the finest headphone amps for guitar covers a wide range of players’ demands and budgets and will educate you on everything you need to know about these diminutive amps, no matter how you choose to plug it in.
1. Fender Mustang Micro
features
- All-in-one personal headphone amplifier with onboard DSP
- 12 amp models from Mustang GTX for a wide range of clean and dirty tones
- 13 effect models with parameter modify control
- Bluetooth audio streaming with audio/video sync for playing along in real time
- Rechargeable lithium ion battery (charged via USB)
specification
| Brand | Fender |
| Compatible Devices | Headphones |
| Output Wattage | 5 Watts |
| Product Dimensions | 6.25″D x 6.25″W x 2.12″H |
| Item Weight | 0.15 Pounds |
Both functionality and affordability are strong factors for the Fender Mustang Micro. This is perhaps the amp that gives the most for the least money among the best headphone guitar amps we’ve reviewed. There is no musical genre that this headphone amp can’t cover thanks to its built-in 13 effects and 12 different amp models that range from chunky distorted tones to shimmering cleans.
Alongside the headphone output, you’ve also got a USB-C output allowing you to record directly to your DAW just using this neat little device. It’s also Bluetooth-enabled meaning you can stream your music library wirelessly so you can play along with your favourite songs The layout is extremely user-friendly, and there is an EQ for fine-tuning your tone. You can use it for about four hours on a single charge before simply plugging it into a USB charger to avoid buying additional batteries.
2. VOX AP2AC amPlug 2 AC30
features
- Provides the AC30 top boost sound.
- Provides use of a tremolo circuit, as well as nine selectable effects with three types of Chorus, Delay, and Reverb.
- Foldable plug mechanism that rotates 180 degrees and an auto power-off function.
- Occupying virtually no space, it’s an ideal choice for any guitarist or bassist.
- Bundle includes headphones, picks, and an Austin Bazaar polishing cloth.
specification
| Brand | Vox |
| Color | AC30 Classic Rock |
| Compatible Devices | Guitar |
| Power Source | Aaa Batteries,Battery Powered |
One of the first widely used headphone amps for the guitar was the AmPlug from Vox. Many people, from beginners to touring professionals, have fallen in love with it because of its straightforward design and fantastic tones.
This particular model delivers that valve amp tone Vox is famous for, the AC30 Top Boost. Whilst it’s not going to touch the real thing, it does give a more than usable practice tone that’s easily tweakable thanks to the Volume, Tone, and Gain controls. Although you can crank up the gain to obtain a really crunchy overdriven sound that responds nicely to playing rhythm, it won’t do metal distortion. Additionally, it has 3 effects, each with 3 variations, giving you a total of 9 options for when you’ve established your basic tone and want to add delay, reverb, or chorus.
3. Blackstar Electric Guitar
features
- The fully-analog circuit has been totally reworked for an even clearer and more present sound!
- Clean, Crunch, and Lead channels, giving you even more variety
- Selectable Chorus, Delay, and Reverb effects
- New folding plug mechanism rotates 180 degrees to fit any guita
- Play anytime, anywhere with up to 17 hours of battery life
specification
| Brand | Blackstar |
| Compatible Devices | Guitar |
| Material | Lead |
| Output Wattage | 10 Watts |
| Product Dimensions | 1″D x 2″W x 3″H |
The amPlug Fly from Blackstar is constructed using the same architecture as the amPlug from Vox, which was really created by Korg (stay with us here). In other words, except from the branding, it looks and feels precisely the same when you first take it up as Vox’s offering.
There are three rotary controls and a button for turning on/off and choosing your channel, just like the Vox amPlug. Considering its small size, the tone on the clean setting is surprisingly warm and rich. You can fill your headphones with a very 3D sound by adding some effects. With a strong distortion that doesn’t sound the least bit tinny, it even manages higher gain levels extremely well. You have the ability to switch between an American amp tone and a British amp tone with Blackstar’s renowned ISF control.
4. Valeton Rushead Max
features
- AMP Module with Clean, Overdrive and Distortion Amp Models based on World-Class Amplifiers with Cab Sim for Headphones or Line-Out into Full Range Freq Response System
- Switchable MOD Module with Chorus, Tremolo and Flanger Effects for different Tone Demands
- Switchable AMBIENT Module with Reverb and Delay Effects for adding Ambience to the Tone
- Aux Input for Jamming along with any Audio Player
- Onboard USB Charger let you Play anytime, anywhere for Up to 5 Hours
specification
| Brand | VALETON |
| Color | Guitar |
| Compatible Devices | Guitar |
| Output Wattage | 100 Watts |
| Power Source | Battery Powered,Corded Electric |
The Valeton Rushead Max is produced by a firm that also produces many well-known pedal knockoffs, so you get excellent guitar tones at a very low cost. There is no need to purchase additional batteries because it is USB rechargeable. You can choose between three amp sounds on the Rushead Max’s front face: a classic Fender clean tone, a crunch a la Marshall, and a high gain distortion for getting heavy. These parameters, along with the tone and gain knobs, provide you a lot of flexibility for shaping.
In terms of effects, we have standard Delay and Reverb settings that range from straightforward slap-back to enormous, cosmic sound scapes. The Rushead Max is really versatile because you can also adjust the tremolo, a flanger, and some warm chorus effects in addition to this.
5. Vox amPlug 2 Headphone Guitar AmplifierÂ
features
- Delivers the classic crunch of a UK-made 100w amp
- Provides multi-effect functionality
- Foldable plug mechanism that rotates 180 degrees and an auto power-off function
- Occupying virtually no space, it’s an ideal choice for any guitarist or bassist
- Bundle includes headphones, picks, and Austin Bazaar polishing cloth
specification
| Brand | Vox |
| Color | AP2CR Rock |
| Compatible Devices | Guitar |
| Output Wattage | 100 Watts |
| Product Dimensions | 1.22″D x 1.5″W x 3.39″H |
The Vox amPlug Classic Rock, which was the first and is still among the best, is made for people who seek the heady drive of the late 1960s/early 1970s. You get a lot of power here for very little money, with nine effects and a crunch that is very reminiscent of Marshall. You’ll have plenty of playtime because the battery life is predicted to last 15–17 hours, depending on how many effects you employ. You may connect a variety of gadgets to a 3.5mm jack output so you can groove out to your favourite music.
Since this circuit is analogue, you won’t hear a digital recreation of an amp sound; instead, you’ll hear a very real amp sound. A fantastic addition, the mid-boost switch enhances your tone when you play along with r rdings.
6. Â Sonicake US Classic
features
- Ideal Carry-On/Bedroom Guitar Effects with Headphone Amplifier for Silent Practicing
- Classic Tweed Amp Clean and Overdrive Tone Tastes On Guitar Headphone Amp
- Built-in Reverb Effects adding additional Sonic Dimensions to the Overall Tone For Guitar Headphone Amp
- Headphone Splitter & 1/8” Aux Cable included, providing more possibilities for various contexts of use
- USB-Chargeable (USB Charging Cable included) for 5 Hours Continuous Operation For this Guitar Mini Headphone Amp
specification
| Brand | SONICAKE |
| Color | US Classic Reverb Effect |
| Compatible Devices | Guitar |
| Material | Rock |
| Output Wattage | 1 Watts |
The Sonicake US Classic is the amp for you if you love the Tweed-covered variety of amp tones. This guitar headphone amp offers straightforward usage to get you up and playing right away while accurately recreating that much-loved tone. With a built-in rechargeable battery, you can play for about 5 hours on a single charge, which is more than enough for several practise sessions spread out over a week. For practising with recordings or a metronome, the Aux In is fantastic.
It is a flexible practise instrument that can be used for a range of styles because it transitions from cosy clean tones all the way to delectably crispy overdrive. You may give your sound some distance with the built-in reverb, which is perfect for a clean tone and lead guitar licks.
7. Vox amPlug 2 Headphone Guitar Amplifier
features
- The amPlug is the simplest way to get serious sound; occupying virtually no space, it’s an ideal choice for any guitarist or bassist
- No need for a guitar cable, plug it directly into your guitar
- The fully-analog circuit; nine selectable effects or rhythm patterns
- Available in blues, clean & lead models
- Bundle includes headphones, picks, and Austin Bazaar polishing cloth
specification
| Brand | Vox |
| Color | AP2BL Blues |
| Compatible Devices | Guitar |
| Product Dimensions | 1.22″D x 1.5″W x 3.39″H |
| Power Source | Aaa Batteries,Battery Powered |
Yes, another Vox amPlug is present. It’s perfect for those late-night chugging sessions and is made specifically for musicians that desire crushing distortion effects for harder styles. The structure is the same as it is for the entire Vox amPlug series, and it has the same gain, volume, and tone controls, nine effects, and a line out for jamming with other devices. It has enough power to keep you going with a playing time of up to 17 hours.
As implied by the name, crushing high gain noises are prevalent in this audioscape. It is based on American-style high gain amps and sounds fantastic with guitars that have humbuckers and dropped tunings. This is an excellent practise tool for extended-range guitarists.
8. LEKATO Guitar Headphone Amp
features
- LEKATO All-in-one headphone amplifier features a variety of effects (including overdrive, distortion, CHORUS/PHASER, delay and reverb), 10 modeling amplifiers, and 10 Impulse Response (IR) cabinet models.
- Various effects can be independently adjusted and free collocation,and you can save all the changes you made to a channel for further use.
- The mini Guitar Amp support third-party IR files, so if you want to cover the original IR file, use the USB cable that comes with the product to import the third-party IR box simulation file.
- LEKATO pocket guitar amp with bluetooth receiver function to transfer music signal to guitar headphone or speaker.
specification
| Brand | LEKATO |
| Compatible Devices | Guitar |
| Product Dimensions | 11″D x 9″W x 3.5″H |
| Power Source | Corded Electric,Usb Cable |
One of the biggest surprises in the entire review was the Lekato headphone amp. This is a clear example of how an amp can be feature-rich and of excellent quality without coming from a well-known company. The tuner was the first thing we examined. Since line-in tuners are typically more accurate than clip-on tuners, having one included in this headphone amplifier was really useful.
We then went deeper into the other features. It was one of the most adaptable headphone amplifiers available since, as a modelling amp, it was loaded with 10 distinct amp modules and 10 “classic cabinet simulations.” Of course, there were Fender, Marshall, and Vox simulators there to cover everything from cleans to classic rock tones, but there was no direction as to what exactly everything was intended to be. Despite this, they all sounded genuinely fantastic.
Along with delay and reverb, there was also a bank of effects including chorus, modulation, and phaser. It was definitely unexpected to find such a broad range of FX in a bug-style headphone guitar amp.
BUYING ADVICE FOR THE BEST HEADPHONE AMPS FOR GUITAR
The best guitar headphone amp should be selected with many of the same factors as a standard guitar amp. If you like the sound of a clean Fender amp, chances are good that you’ll desire something akin in your headphone amplifier. Similarly, if you’re the type of player who prefers the heavier end of the spectrum, you’ll need to take this into account when making your choice and select something with a dirty tone. You are sure to find your ideal match among the many options from renowned amp manufacturers like Fender, Blackstar, and Vox.
These nifty little gadgets enable you to rock out without the noise complaints, delivering great tones, effects, and even recording capabilities. Whether you need to practice quietly at home or do some quick recording on the road, there’s a headphone amp that will fit into your workflow.
The type of guitar that you have plays a factor too because of the way a lot of headphone amp input jacks are designed. Some, like the Telecaster and Gibson Les Paul, might not work with guitars that have inputs on the bottom of the body. Be sure to consider that before buying since a Strat-style input jack may also have limits due to how the socket is recessed into the body. Many of the more recent guitar headphone amps include adjustable input jacks that let you find the ideal location for any type of guitar, but some do not, so keep that in mind.
If effects are a must-have, there are several electric guitar headphone amplifiers that come with them. However, keep in mind that some are intended to be pure amplifiers and may not have effects built in. While it’s relatively difficult to find traditional delay and reverb effects here, if you’re looking for anything more obscure like ring modulation, you might not be successful. Make sure your headphone amp of choice has the effects you require or works well with your current effects collection because it will be extremely helpful if your practise tools reflect your full-size rig.
best pick of headphone amps for guitar
The best product in this category is Fender’s powerful Mustang Micro, which combines affordability, usability, and exceptional functionality. It offers a wide range of amps and effects to accommodate any musician or playing style, whether you just want to mess around at home or use it as a full-fledged audio interface.
The Vox amPlug 2 AC30, a superb improvement to a standard in the headphone amp industry, comes in second. When you turn up the gain for an all-around realistic tone, it even dirties up like the real thing while delivering that iconic Vox chime-like tone without the exhausting weight.
