3 Best Guitar Amps with Headphone Jack [2023 Review]

Guitar headphone amplifiers have become increasingly popular, especially due to advances in technology that allow for more tone in smaller packages. Guitar headphone amplifiers provide a realistic answer to this issue with unrivaled portability.

The BOSS KTN-50-2 is our pick for the best guitar headphone amplifier. It has the sound and feel of one of the greatest guitar amplifiers ever made, but at a lower price and with more features.

We included three more quality amps for you in this review. If you are interested in these models, keep reading our 3 Best Guitar Amps with Headphone Jack review for more information below.

Our Top Pick: BOSS KTN-50-2 Katana-50 MkII-50-watt 1×12 Guitar Combo Amp (KTN-50-MK2)

Features: This amplifier sounds fantastic, however, there are a few concerns to get through first.

The lightweight fibreboard cabinet feels sturdy enough for the price, but the two rotary switches don’t always click into place, and the concentric pairs of controls occasionally stay together.

In addition, when you adjust the FX knob on our review amp, the entire control panel will shut down, requiring a restart. If you are looking for the 3 Best Guitar Amps with Headphone Jack, you should give this one a chance.

You’ll need to find your own USB Type B connector to connect the amp to a computer since one isn’t included, but after you update the firmware on our early review device, the software is simple to use and saves new sounds to the amp.

The Boss Katana is designed for guitarists on a budget who want a superb, stage-ready tone. People who wish to minimize their bulky tube rig while still getting fantastic sounds to love this amp.

Due to the option to switch the wattage, the Katana also sounds terrific in bedroom settings, making it ideal for home use – but, as we discovered while reviewing the best soundproof curtains, you may still irritate your neighbors with this amp.

Finally, because the Katana outputs audio over USB, it’s a terrific amp for home recording, sounding better than many of the most popular amp simulations.

The acoustic channel is designed for acoustic guitar, and it’s a mix of the clean channel and the guitar’s direct sound. Some claim this channel is better for electric guitars with pedals, while others argue it kills the tone.

The crunch channel has a somewhat thinner sound than the clean and, in our opinion, is the least good sounding.

Runner Up: Orange Micro Dark Terror 20 Watt Tube Preamp/ Solid State Hybrid Amp Head

Features: If you require greater volume from a tube amp with a headphone jack, your best bet could be to get ahead and includes everything you need and then purchase the cabinet separately.

This will cost you a little more in the long run, but it will allow you to personalize the equipment to your particular needs.

This particular amp head is Orange’s Micro Dark Terror, which is yet another gem. This one-of-a-kind amp head employs a hybrid design that includes tubes for the preamp and solid-state circuitry for the power.

The combination increases the amp’s versatility, allowing you to access a larger spectrum of tones whether you’re playing clean or with a lot of distortion. If you are looking for the 3 Best Guitar Amps with Headphone Jack, you should give this one a chance.

There aren’t a lot of tone-shaping controls on the amplifier itself. Shape, gain, and volume knobs are included, but there are no EQ or onboard effects. However, if you’re primarily seeking a valve tone and the ability to practice silently, it absolutely meets the bill.

The Micro Dark may appear to be a toy, but it’s far from it, featuring a very useful 20-watt solid-state power stage and a preamp that uses a single 12AX7 for realistic valve-overdrive timbres.

It has the same heavy-duty enameled steel chassis and covers as its larger brethren, and it is built to last, with all internal components installed on a single high-quality PCB.

One of the reasons the Micro Dark is so small is that it runs off of an external power supply, which is a 15-volt laptop-style brick. Apart from that, everything is where you’d expect it to be.

Best for Budget: Fender Mini ’65 Twin Amp – Miniature Electric Guitar Amplifier

Features: This miniature Fender 65 Twin Reverb puts out 1W through two 3′′ speakers. This tiny battery guitar amp features a kick-back stand and a conventional fender style.

There is a single channel input with volume, gain, and tone controls. There is a jack for headphones. The amp is powered by batteries, however, an adaptor is offered as an option.

The Fender Mini 65 Twin is attractive and well-made, but when compared to similar models such as the Blackstar Fly 3, Laney Mini Lion, or Orange Crush Mini, it falls short on features.

If you are looking for the 3 Best Guitar Amps with Headphone Jack, you should give this one a chance. The Fender Mini ’65 Twin-Amp is a unique present for a guitarist or the ideal living room amp.

The tiny guitar combo with two 3-inch speakers and one watt of power, housed in a classic Black Face design, gives the true, crystal-clear Fender sound in neighbor-friendly settings. Gain, volume, and tone controls are offered for fine-tuning the sound image.

The aesthetics of the ’65 Mini Twin have been beautifully executed by Fender. The cab is built of real wood and upholstered in a plush, high-quality tweed. Because aesthetics don’t sell amplifiers, this tiny package comes with 1 Watt of solid-state
power.

While that may not seem like much, a single Watt may produce a lot of volume. The fact that the Fender ’65 Mini Twin comes with not one, but two speakers is the most intriguing feature.

Buyer’s Guide for 3 Best Guitar Amps with Headphone Jack

Headphone amplifiers, like so many other guitar devices, have gone a long way since their introduction.

Early headphone amplifiers were merely novelty devices, but today’s models can be considered serious gear, with features such as loopers, drum tracks, and multi-effects becoming ubiquitous.

In this post, we will look at the 3 best guitar amps with a headphone jack on the market in 2021. The sound quality, features, and battery life of each amp were evaluated. Now let’s look at the features
to consider before buying the 3 best guitar amps with a headphone jack.

Quality

While all of these extra functions are entertaining to use, the overall quality of the guitar amp is crucial. Fender, for example, is a well-known guitar amp maker that offers a wide range of costs and features.

Fender guitar amplifiers are well-made and sound fantastic, making practicing a breeze. Many antique Fender amplifiers from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s are still in use today, demonstrating their excellence and endurance.

Flexibility

Another key factor to consider is the type of music you’ll be playing most of the time. From metal to country to jazz, a good practice amp will be able to cover a wide range of musical styles.

Some more seasoned musicians who have a narrower emphasis may prefer a “one-trick pony” amp that delivers their preferred tone.

It’s advisable to get a guitar amp that allows you to experiment if you’re a novice. This is usually preferable to being stuck with a single sound, and it can make practicing more enjoyable.

Distortion & Reverb

A gain knob can be found on most guitar amplifiers. The level of distortion in your sound is controlled by this setting. Heavy metal and punk bands, for example, frequently have a thick, distorted tone.

Reverb is a common effect that simulates an echo in a large empty space. While reverb isn’t found on every guitar amp, it is found on the majority of practice amps.

EQ Controls

All amplifiers will include some form of “equalization” (or EQ). Treble, mid, and bass are common names for these controls. These parameters assist you in achieving the tone you prefer. Any amplifier’s EQ is crucial.

You may modify the amp’s frequencies to sound best in any room you’re playing in with these parameters, which will help you sound fantastic in any venue.

Digital Effects

Although effects can be handy in a variety of guitar amps, it’s better not to get carried away with them if you’re a beginner. Guitarists, on the other hand, may find a use for them in the future.

You can choose from a variety of digital onboard effects on some amplifiers. Many professional musicians utilize pedalboards with multiple effects pedals that they personalize.

Because the amp has digital effects built-in, you may try out a variety of sounds without having to buy additional pedals. When it comes time to upgrade to a bigger amp to play live, you’ll be able to pick and choose the effect pedals you wish to utilize.

Size

If you live in an apartment and only need an amp for home recording, a 100-watt stack is overkill. If you perform in a band with a drummer dubbed Thunder Fist, on the other hand, a 10-watt combo is hopelessly inadequate.

Select an amplifier that is appropriate for your primary use. For performing live with a rock band, you’ll need at least 30 watts, although smaller amps may produce surprisingly big tones in the studio.

Also, if you’re going to be playing live a lot, you should aim for at least 15 watts of tube tone.

What to look for when buying 3 Best Guitar Amps with Headphone Jack?

Metronomes maintain a consistent rhythm by clicking continuously. Scales and strumming rhythms can be practiced with them.

Some headphone amplifiers now come with a variety of drum tracks, and some even allow you to change the tempo. Drum tracks provide a more realistic beat than metronomes and are ideal for practicing entire songs or even as a solo artist’s accompaniment.

Loopers are devices that record brief segments of your playing and play them back on a loop. They can be used for self-accompaniment and even for creating experimental sounds, similar to drum tracks.

Other Types of Amps

When it comes to deciding what’s ideal for your guitar, you have a variety of amps to pick from, each designed for a distinct purpose. These amplifiers are intended for more specific applications, but they could be useful for any musician.

Many amps are specifically designed for acoustic guitars and live on-stage performances. These amps let you utilize effects on your acoustic guitar just like you would on an electric guitar.

They also enable you to add sounds to your acoustic guitar that you would typically only be able to achieve with an electric guitar. You can use amp simulation software to record your electric guitar at home.

This also allows you to practice quietly using headphones or
the speakers on your computer monitor. Some bands even use the amp simulator software instead of amps in their live gigs.

Frequently Asked Questions: 3 Best Guitar Amps with Headphone Jack [2023 Review]

Conclusion: 3 Best Guitar Amps with Headphone Jack [2023 Review]

After reading our guitar amp buying guide, you should have a decent notion of how to purchase a guitar amp for beginners and what size you require for practice. Make sure you also know how to buy your first guitar as a beginner.

Taking up a new instrument can be enjoyable, but it does not have to be difficult. Choosing the appropriate guitar amp is just the start of your musical journey. We hope you liked our 3 Best Guitar Amps with Headphone Jack review and it was helpful.