Whether you’re a seasoned musician or just starting out, finding the right instrument is crucial to crafting your sound.
When it comes to acoustic guitars, a quality amplifier can make all the difference in delivering your unique tone. But with so many options on the market, it can be daunting to navigate the sea of amps and their varying price points.
In this guide, we explore the best acoustic guitar amps under $200, so you can get the most bang for your buck without sacrificing quality.
Here is a summary of the top picks:
- Fender Acoustasonic 15 Acoustic Guitar Amplifier (Best budget)
- Yamaha THR5 Mini Acoustic Guitar Amplifier (Most popular)
Do Acoustic Guitars Sound Better With Amps?
Acoustic guitars are designed to be played without an amplifier, and they can certainly sound great on their own.
However, an acoustic guitar amplifier can enhance and amplify the sound of the guitar, making it louder and more dynamic. Additionally, many acoustic guitar amps have built-in features such as tone-shaping controls and onboard effects that can further enhance the sound of the guitar.
Ultimately, deciding whether an acoustic guitar sounds better with an amp or not depends on the situation in which the guitar is being played. In a quiet setting or small room, an acoustic guitar may sound just fine on its own, but in larger performance settings or outdoor environments, an amplifier can be a valuable tool for projecting the sound of the guitar to the audience.
Best Acoustic Guitar Amps Under $200 Reviewed
Fender Acoustasonic 15 Acoustic Guitar Amplifier
The small, compact Fender Acoustasonic 15 is a 15W portable, affordable acoustic combo amp with two channels for hooking up a microphone and an acoustic-electric guitar. The guitar is played via the lusty box mini and the harmonica through the mic channel.
The harmonica mixes well when you focus on the microphone’s proximity.
The acoustic amp houses a 6” speaker, 1/4 inch jack for the guitar, and an XLR input with one volume control to set up your mic. The 1/4 input has volume, bass, middle, and treble control knobs.
It’s sturdy, and the metal corner guards provide extra security and a headphone output for silent practice. Additionally, the guitar amp embodies a handy chorus knob for fine-tuning the built-in chorus effect. There’s also a Velcro pad you can use to keep the cables out of the way when not in use.
This amp is ideal for performances in medium and slightly bigger venues, solo jamming, and street performing.
While it oozes excellent high-frequency response, its mic jack occasionally makes electronic noise.
Pros
- Good enough volume
- Quality sound
- Portable
Cons
- Limited projection and power rating
Yamaha THR5 Mini Acoustic Guitar Amplifier
If you need a portable acoustic guitar amp, Yamaha THR5 is a good choice. It offers a convenient way to record acoustic-electric guitars.
This lightweight, portable amplifier comes loaded with 3” speakers specially crafted to provide the right volume for home recording and practice. The manufacturer designed a powerful and versatile amp with studio-grade effects to get the most out of your acoustic guitar.
Yamaha THR5 is powered by an AC adapter or 8 AA batteries that can run up to 6 hours and boasts Cubase AI recording software. The compact amp can emulate different mic types thanks to its built-in Virtual Circuit Modelling (VCM), which is its stand-out feature.
The THR5 Mini comes in handy with nifty effects like compression, course, delay, flanger, phase shifter, reverb, and noise gate. In addition, onboard is a headphone output, mic type select knob that grants you access to 5 built-in voices, a blend knob that is next to tone, and offers hi-fi stereo sound.
Yamaha THR5 is generally impressive, although I didn’t like that it doesn’t have rechargeable batteries.
Pros
- Furniture friendly aesthetics
- Clean sound quality
- Hi-fi stereo sound
- It supports two playback channels
- It’s portable
Cons
- No rechargeable batteries
Vangoa Acoustic Guitar Amplifier
Acoustic players’ penchant for this Vangoa brand amp is indeed premised on the stunning features gracing the amp and the prime music emanating from it when an acoustic guitarist is in action. These qualities, alongside a host of other controls, make under 200 bucks an absolute bargain for the amp.
The amp accommodates 8 woofers, 2 coaxial speakers, and 2 piezo tweeters that assure you of authentic acoustic sound.
It has 3 channels in which three different instruments such as the guitar, piano keyboard, and microphone can be plugged simultaneously. Players with an insatiable desire to play diverse music styles would appreciate the 2 Band balance and a built-in reverb effect responsible for natural and echo-like sounds.
Additionally, guitarists would rave about this amp’s 40 watts and undeniable versatility. This amp won’t disappoint whether in practice, solo jamming, or live and studio performance.
Thanks to Bluetooth connection, phone input, USB plugin, and CD/MP3 input, it can also fit in numerous connection types. It is rechargeable but can also operate with a direct electrical connection.
However, it has a loose metal peaked cover.
Pros
- Affordable
- Portable
- Authentic acoustic sound
Cons
- Very loud bass regardless of where it is plugged
Peavey Vypyr VIP 1 Amp
Peavey Vypyr VIP is a true rarity among amps.
It is regarded as one of the best amplifiers in its price spectrum, and you should certainly try it out in your upcoming performances. This model has an appealing, lightweight body that is portable enough to take with you wherever you go, be it for rehearsals or practice in the comfort of your bedroom.
Peavey Vypyr VIP features an onboard looper activated with Sanpera I or II and six acoustic amp models. It also employs SHARC 32-bit processors that work in conjunction with Transtube analog circuitry to offer you top-tier audio sounds, and your acoustic guitar’s tones will be loud and clear.
This amp allows you to use four effects simultaneously and can work with several instruments. The control surface lets you quickly switch between different settings and provides ease of access hence eliminating guesswork.
It has an audio port and USB bi-directional data that enables you to record easily using the Vypyr software and export the proceeds to your PC.
It’s suitable for practice even though feedback could be a problem at a high volume.
Pros
- Affordable
- Versatile
- Quality controls
- Quality, lightweight body
Cons
- No noise gate
Also, read: Best Guitar Amps Under $100
FAQs
Do I Need an Acoustic Amp for an Acoustic-Electric Guitar?
Getting an amp for your acoustic electric guitar won’t disappoint if you want to produce a well-amplified tone. Acoustic amplifiers have features and specifications that provide the player with multiple channels for different needs, such as microphones and piezo pickups, alongside onboard effects such as chorus, reverb, and delay.
What Should I Look For When Buying An Acoustic Guitar Amp?
Look for an amp with onboard effects, power rating, speaker size, amp channels, and mono vs. stereo effects. However, it is no brainer that the performance of an acoustic guitar amp under 200 would differ from a high-end amp.
Is An Acoustic Guitar Amp Under 200 Worth It?
If you want to enhance the tone of your acoustic guitar, then you’ll need an amp to lend distortion-free sound and full-frequency reproduction. Features like microphones, mobile devices, and onboard effects meet the specific needs of an acoustic player.
If you are on a quest to attain a natural loud acoustic tone on a budget, an acoustic guitar amp under 200 would fit the bill.
