Best Guitar Amplifier Heads of 2025

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025

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Guitar amplifier heads are powerful devices that amplify the sound of an electric guitar. These heads are typically used in conjunction with speaker cabinets to produce a full, rich sound. They come in a variety of sizes and power ratings, with some models offering additional features such as built-in effects and EQ controls. Whether you're a professional musician or a hobbyist, a good amplifier head can make a huge difference in the quality of your sound. With so many options available, it's important to do your research and find the one that best suits your needs.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Vox MV50-BM Brian May 50W Guitar Amplifier Cover #TOP 1
Vox MV50-BM Brian May 50W Guitar Amplifier
ftb score rating icon 9.9
TC Electronic THRUST BQ500 Portable Bass Head Cover #TOP 2
TC Electronic THRUST BQ500 Portable Bass Head
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Orange Micro Terror Head with PPC108 Cab Stack Cover #TOP 3
Orange Micro Terror Head with PPC108 Cab Stack
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Guitar Amplifier Heads

#TOP 1

Vox MV50-BM Brian May 50W Guitar Amplifier

VOX
MV50BM
Vox MV50-BM Brian May 50W Guitar Amplifier Cover
Vox - MV50-BM - Brian May 50W Nutube Guitar Amplifier Head,Red

The Vox MV50-BM is a remarkable guitar amplifier that captures the iconic tone of Sir Brian May. Weighing just 540g, this lightweight amp makes it easy for you to transport your sound without sacrificing quality. Its striking red casing not only pays homage to Brian’s famous ‘Red Special’ guitar but also stands out visually. The Nutube technology provides a powerful 50W RMS output, while the switchable KAT treble booster helps you achieve that instantly recognisable tone, perfect for any performance.

What We Like
Lightweight and portable design
Iconic Brian May tone
Striking visual appeal
Powerful 50W output
Customisable EQ settings
#TOP 2

TC Electronic THRUST BQ500 Portable Bass Head

000-CQS04-00010
TC Electronic THRUST BQ500 Portable Bass Head Cover
TC Electronic THRUST BQ500 500 Watt Portable Bass Head with Mosfet Preamp and Thrust Compressor

The THRUST BQ500 Bass Head offers exceptional features for bass players. Its 4-band EQ section allows you to shape your tone precisely, ensuring you get the sound you desire. The balanced DI output with pre/post EQ routing makes it easy to connect directly to mixing consoles and recording equipment. You can also use the auxiliary rehearsal input to play along with tracks through the speaker or your headphones. Plus, the speaker output on a premium speakON connector ensures a reliable connection, providing you with peace of mind during performances.

What We Like
Excellent tone shaping control
Direct connection to mixing consoles
Convenient auxiliary rehearsal input
Reliable speakON connector output
Rugged steel chassis for durability
#TOP 3

Orange Micro Terror Head with PPC108 Cab Stack

Orange
Micro Terror + PPC108
Orange
Orange Micro Terror Head with PPC108 Cab Stack Cover
Orange Micro Terror Head + PPC108 Cab Mini Stack

The Orange Micro Terror Stack is a compact yet powerful guitar amplifier head, delivering 20 watts of RMS power. It features an ECC83 valve preamp, which enhances your sound with rich tonal qualities. You will find controls for volume, tone, and gain, allowing you to shape your sound exactly how you want it. Additionally, the aux input lets you connect external devices, making it convenient for practicing along with your favourite tracks.

What We Like
Compact and portable design
Rich, valve-driven sound
Customisable sound controls
Aux input for versatility
#TOP 4

VOX VGH Series Guitar Amplifier Headphones AC30

VOX
VGH-AC30
Black
One Size
VOX VGH Series Guitar Amplifier Headphones AC30 Cover
Vox - VGH Series - Guitar Amplifier Headphones - AC30

The VOX VGH Amplifier Headphones offer a fantastic plug-and-play experience, allowing you to connect directly to your guitar for immediate practice with outstanding amp sounds and effects. Enjoy the iconic VOX AC30 sound, providing you with both clean tones and classic crunchy sounds at low volumes. Built-in effects like Reverb, Chorus, and Delay let you tailor your sound precisely to your liking. Additionally, their ergonomic design ensures comfort during extended sessions, making them perfect for both practice and performance.

What We Like
Easy to use with plug-and-play
Authentic VOX AC30 sound
Customisable built-in effects
Comfortable for long wear
#TOP 5

Laney IRF Dual Top 60 Watts Guitar Amplifier

IRF-DUALTOP
Black
Laney IRF Dual Top 60 Watts Guitar Amplifier Cover
Laney IRF Dual Top Guitar Amplifier Head, 60 Watts DUALTOP

The Laney IRF Amplifier Head offers impressive features for guitarists. Its transformer isolated FX loop ensures noiseless performance, allowing you to focus on your sound without unwanted noise interference. The on-board reverb, based on the Secret Path algorithm, enriches your music with depth and ambience. The clean channel toggle provides flexibility, enabling you to choose between symmetrical gain, asymmetrical gain, or a clean sound, depending on your style. Additionally, switchable high-quality IR loaded speaker emulation enhances your tone while providing convenience in various settings.

What We Like
Noiseless performance
Rich on-board reverb
Flexible clean channel options
High-quality speaker emulation
#TOP 6

Gator G-TOURMINIHEAD2 Heavy-Duty Guitar Amp Case

G-TOURMINIHEAD2
Black
Gator G-TOURMINIHEAD2 Heavy-Duty Guitar Amp Case Cover
Gator G-TOURMINIHEAD2 Lunchbox-Style Guitar Amp Head Flightcase

The Gator G-TOURMINIHEAD2 Case offers excellent protection for your guitar amplifier. Its heavy-duty plywood construction ensures durability, making it ideal for transport. The adjustable interior allows you to customise the fit for your specific amp, giving you peace of mind while on the move. With EVA-Dur interior protection, your equipment is safeguarded against any bumps or knocks during travel. The heavy-duty Gator signature hardware adds an extra layer of reliability, ensuring that your gear remains secure wherever you go.

What We Like
Durable plywood construction
Customisable interior fit
EVA-Dur protection
Reliable heavy-duty hardware
#TOP 7

Laney IRONHEART IRT60H 60W All Tube Amp

IRT60H
Black
Laney IRONHEART IRT60H 60W All Tube Amp Cover
Laney IRONHEART Series IRT60H - All Tube Guitar Amp Head - 60W - With Reverb

The Laney IRT60H Amp is a powerful 60W all tube guitar amplifier designed for versatility and tonal quality. It features a full 3-channel pre-amp, allowing you to switch between Clean, Rhythm, and Lead channels with ease, perfect for adapting to different musical styles. The independent 3 band EQs on the Rhythm and Lead channels let you customise your sound, enhancing your performance. Additionally, the Variwatt control enables you to achieve your desired tone at any wattage level, making it ideal for both practice and studio sessions without sacrificing sound quality.

What We Like
Versatile 3-channel pre-amp
Customisable EQ settings
Variwatt control for volume
Studio-quality Digital Reverb
Multiple speaker connections
#TOP 8

OriPure 15W Tube Guitar Amplifier Head

OriPure
OA-H15
OriPure 15W Tube Guitar Amplifier Head Cover
OriPure 15W All Tube Guitar Amplifier Head Paper Insulation Handcrafted Output Transformer OA-H15

The OriPure Tube Amplifier offers versatile sound with its 15W output and dual preamp stages, allowing you to easily shape your tone from clear sounds to rich OverDrive effects. You will appreciate the handcrafted output transformer, which improves high-frequency response and overall sound clarity. The single-ended output stage ensures a clean and stable sound, perfect for various playing styles. Additionally, the durable aluminium casing not only protects the amplifier but also gives it a stylish appearance, making it a great addition to your setup.

What We Like
Versatile sound customization
Handcrafted output transformer
Stable single-ended output stage
Durable aluminium casing
#TOP 9

MOOER LITTLE MONSTER BM 5W Valve Head

Little Monster BM
MOOER LITTLE MONSTER BM 5W Valve Head Cover
MOOER LITTLE MONSTER BM 5W VALVE HEAD Electric guitar amplifiers Tube guitar heads

The MOOER BM Valve Head is a compact tube amp designed for guitarists seeking quality sound in a mini format. With a power output of 5 Watts, it is ideal for practice sessions or small gigs. The preamp lights include ECC83 and ECC81 tubes, which enhance the tonal richness and warmth of your music. Additionally, the 6 V6GT power tube delivers impressive sound dynamics, allowing you to explore various musical styles with ease.

What We Like
Compact and lightweight design
High-quality tube sound
Ideal for practice and small gigs
Rich tonal flexibility
#TOP 10

Valeton TAR-20G Guitar Amplifier Head with Cab Sim

TAR-20G
Valeton TAR-20G Guitar Amplifier Head with Cab Sim Cover
Valeton Guitar Amplifier Head TAR-20G Amp Pedal Platform Studio Desktop with CAB SIM

The Valeton TAR-20G Amp offers a pure analog preamp design, delivering a super wide tonal range. You can easily achieve sounds from a pristine chime to classic British crunch and even roaring hi-gain tones. With a maximum output power of 20W, it mimics the rich, harmonic tones of a vacuum tube amp, providing an authentic experience. Additionally, the AUX IN and phones jack with cab simulator allows you to plug directly into an audio interface or PA system, making it convenient for recording or live performances.

What We Like
Wide tonal range options
Authentic tube-like sound
Direct audio interface connectivity
Built-in reverb feature
Compatible with 8/16 Ohm speakers
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What do guitar amp heads do?

The head part determines your guitar tone and the amount of power you can deliver to your output. The cab (cabinet) is simply a passive speaker or set of speakers designed to receive the powered signal from an amplifier.

2. Can amp heads be used alone?

As a general rule, you cannot play guitar through just an amp head. The head makes no sound on its own. In fact, using a tube amp head without a speaker connected is dangerous, and can seriously damage the amp. The head requires a load to distribute its power, usually provided by a speaker cabinet.

3. What is tube amp head?

A head is simply the name for an amplifier without a speaker. ... you have more flexibility about what kind of amp and speaker you want to use (eg. Marshall head, Peavey speaker). you can use different amp and speaker combinations for different performance situations, or even just use your amp head connected to the PA.

4. What is a amp valve head?

A tube amp head is an electronic device that allows you to amplify your electric guitar signal with tube technology. It is composed by two main components, the preamplifier: this device lifts your signal to a decent level and in some cases it allows you to manipulate the frequency components of the original signal.

Editor's Notes

During our guitar amplifier head research, we found 32 guitar amplifier head products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 7,325 customer reviews through our big data system to write the guitar amplifier heads list. We found that most customers choose guitar amplifier heads with an average price of £257.49.

The guitar amplifier heads are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of guitar amplifier heads, including VOX, TC Electronic, Orange, Laney, Gator.

Written by
Hayden Bryant Avatar

Hayden was born in Liverpool, and he never left his hometown until university. In his freshman year at the University of Manchester, Hayden was the group leader of a popular music group. Hayden is responsible for the popularity of his music, and this is because of his natural ability to play with keys and strings. He graduated with BFA in 2016 and returned in 2018 as a lecturing staff in the School of Music.