Top Best Metal Amps Under 500: Reviews & Ultimate Guide

Looking for a new amp? Finding the best metal amps under 500 can be a difficult task. There are so many different brands, models, and features to consider that it’s easy to get overwhelmed. 

Check out our selection of best-selling, high-quality amplifiers from top brands like Fender, Marshall, and more. You can’t go wrong with any one of these best-selling amps that are perfect for beginners or seasoned pros alike. Whether you’re looking to play at home or on stage, we’ve got an amp that’s right for you! 

We have the best metal amps under 500. Our best metal amp reviews will help you find the perfect amplifier for your needs in no time at all.

Read our article to learn more! 

Check out our top picks below! 

Best Metal Amps Under 500 Reviews 2021

Peavey Bandit 112 Guitar Combo Amp

Peavey Bandit 112 Guitar Combo Amp is a best-selling amp on the market. This amp is best for beginners and veterans alike because of its wide range of sounds and usefulness in any type of situation. The amp also features the best technology to mimic vintage sounds, which makes it perfect for those who want to practice with vintage amps or those who prefer using them. Lastly, the amp has an amazing feature for those who like powering their amp through external speaker cabinets.

With an all-tube design and two channels for clean tones or classic hard rock tones, this amp will be your go-to amp for jamming at home or even during shows. Plus, it comes with features like a headphone output so you can practice without waking up your roommates and an auxiliary input so you can jam along to your favorite tunes while still practicing. You’ll love being able to play loud or soft whenever you want, plus the best price tag of any best metal amps under 500.

The Peavey Bandit 112 guitar amp is best for beginners, with lots of features to help you sound your best. Featuring an all-tube design with two channels, this amp is a great choice for any beginner. The clean channel has a sweet and airy tone that will get you singing, while the lead channel packs a punch, perfect for rock or metal music. With two channels and 100 watts to work with, the Peavey Bandit 112 is a huge upgrade from other starter amps. Also, it’s been widely used by pros and amateurs alike. 

Pros

  • Best guitar amp for beginners
  • High-quality sound
  • Best technology to mimic vintage sounds 
  • Comes with features like a headphone output and a 1/4″ auxiliary input

Cons

  • A bit heavier than others

Line 6 Spider V 120 MKII

Line 6 Spider V 120 MKII is among the best metal amps under 500 with a wide variety of best amp settings that one could purchase. The amp has the ability to create the best tone for guitar players that need a sound that is iconic and also great for just jamming out. It is best for practicing and I would recommend it to anyone looking to gain a great sound while playing. 

The Line 6 Spider V 120 MKII has a lot of good features that can appeal to a range of players. It also comes with a wireless receiver that will allow you to plug into different Line 6 Relay transmitters when the need arises. The best thing about the Line 6 Spider V 120 MKII is that it comes with a wide range of best metal amps under 500 best amp settings to allow you to get the best sound when playing. It has 200 amps, cabs, and effects in addition to jam-along drum loops, tuner, metronome, and 60-second looper for working on different best metal song guitar parts.

This amplifier also comes with a wireless receiver so you can plug it into Line 6 Relays. In addition, it also comes with a good amount of presets for different genres. There should be enough for most players out there to work with. Furthermore, this is also a good practice amp that will allow you to just plug and play without having to worry about other equipment and settings getting in the way. 

The best metal amps under 500? Here they are!

Pros

  • Offer premium, nice clean sound sounds
  • Good practice kit
  • Great tones

Cons

  • Limited connectivity to other outlets

BOSS Katana MKII-100 12-inch Speaker 100-Watt Combo Amp

Don’t miss out on BOSS Katana MKII-100 12-inch Speaker 100-Watt Combo Amp for the best metal amps under 500.

The BOSS Katana MKII-100 12-inch Speaker 100-Watt Combo Amp is a best-selling amp in the market. With a tube logic design, these best metal amps under 500 deliver class-defying power, authoritative punch, and cutting presence. This amp is best for those who want an amp with a lot of power and sound. It has a clean sound as well as a distorted sound.  

There are five different amps (Clean, Crunch, Lead, Brown, and Acoustic), plus newly voiced variations for each. There are also five independent effects sections. The sections are Booster, Mod FX, Delay Reverb, and Wah/Pedal Bend. The best thing about this amp is the ability to choose from 5 amp characters and three variations in each, which is good for anyone looking to play a variety of music genres. You can switch between them or use them all at once! I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who is interested in a versatile amplifier!

All in all, I would recommend the best metal amps under 500 to anyone who wants to play the best music genres ever!

Pros

  • Tube Logic design approach produces authoritative punch and cutting presence class-defying power 
  • 5 unique amp characters, plus newly voiced variations for each 
  • 5 independent effects sections, with three selectable variations in each 
  • Dedicated pedal FX for foot-controlled Wah pedal bend

Cons

  • None

Marshall Code 50-50-watt 1×12″ Digital Combo Amp

With its tonal possibilities, it’s not difficult to see why the Marshall CODE 50-50-watt 1×12″Digital Combo Amp is one of the best metal amps under 500. It has a wide range of amps and preamp models, as well as power amps and speaker cab simulations. The best part of this amp is that you can mix and match from a huge variety of effects so you have the best possible sound. From classic cleans to modern high gain, there are all kinds of options to choose from. Whatever kind of tone you’re looking for, this amp has it!

One thing to keep in mind with the Marshall Code 50-50-watt 1×12″Digital Combo Amp is that it’s best if you already know what kind of sound you’re looking for before getting this amp because there are so many different options. If you don’t have any prior experience picking out your tone, it can be overwhelming when trying to choose from all these possibilities.

I absolutely love these best amps under 500. The best part about it is that I can customize it to my mood. Whether I’m in the mood for a few cleans or want to play some high-gain metal, this amp has me covered. The best thing is that the distortion sounds so great and crisp. No matter how much distortion I put on, it never sounds distorted or bad.

Pros

  • The great distortion that doesn’t sound distorted or bad
  • Tonal possibilities
  • Can mix and match the best tone for your music
  • Versatile amp options for any kind of tone you’re looking for
  • Amazing dozens of effects to choose from

Cons

  • Volume not loud sometimes

Fender Mustang LT-25 – Digital Guitar Amplifier

If you are looking for the best metal amps under 500, give the Fender Mustang LT-25 a look. 

Fender Mustang LT-25 – Digital Guitar Amplifier is best for under 500. The amplifier has a great sound for the price, and it’s comfortable to play on. The best feature of this amp is the single 8″ Fender Special Design guitar speaker. It provides an accurate tone without distortion which makes it perfect for bedroom practice.

The Fender Mustang LT-25 – Digital Guitar Amplifier is best for beginners or those who are on a budget looking for the best metal amps. It is very affordable with great sound, lots of useful features and it’s easy to use.  It has a very user-friendly interface with a 1.8″ color display. There are buttons on the front panel that makes operating very easy and straightforward, while you can also monitor your sound via the display screen. One of my favorite features of this amp is that you don’t need an external mixer or other gear to use it; all you need is your instrument!

We believe Fender Mustang LT-25 – Digital Guitar Amplifier deserves to be one of the best metal amps under 500.

Pros

  • Best amplifier starters
  • Superb sound quality 
  • Good for beginners
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Not have audio inputs or outputs

Best Metal Amps Under 500 Benefits

Metal music is best suited for those who want to show their anger, sadness, or any other strong emotions. The best metal amps under 500 are the best way to get your point across. They are powerful and you will be able to hear them all over the place. If you love metal, then these amps are perfect for you! 

The best thing about these amps is that they won’t break the bank as most others would. You’ll be able to use them without having a huge hole in your wallet which can happen with other types of amplifiers. This also means that if anything were ever to happen, you could replace it at little cost instead of spending more money on something new.

You can take these best metal amps under 500 anywhere and use them whenever you want to. Metal is best played loud so if you’re looking to show your anger, sadness, or any other strong emotions, then these amps will be able to do so without any issues. If you play metal music, these amps are perfect for you! You’ll be able to hear it loudly and clearly without having to worry about spending too much money on it like with other types of amplifiers.

It is best for those who want to reach the full potential of their metal amps. You’ll be able to show your anger or sadness without having to worry about spending so much money on other types of amplifiers. No matter what you play, the best metal amps under 500 will be able to work with whatever style or genre you play. 

  • Works best with metal or any genre
  • Save money by not buying expensive amplifiers
  • Can be taken anywhere and works best when played loudly
  • Can uncover your feelings and emotions
best metal amps under 500

Factors To Consider When Choosing Best Metal Amps Under 500

Finding the best metal amps under 500 can be a daunting task, especially when you’re not sure what to look for. To make the process easier, we’ve created this guide to break everything down for you. We’ll help you figure out which best metal amps are best for your needs and budget so that you can find the best one on your own. 

Power

When choosing the best metal amps under 500, the first thing to look at is power. This will be expressed in watts and determine the best metal amps’ loudness; therefore your best metal amp should have enough wattage to get you heard over the drum set and other instruments without having too much power that could deafen you or others around you. You should pick excellent metal amps that are powerful enough for the venues where you’ll be playing; large clubs will require more wattage than small juice bars.

Speakers

Another factor to consider when picking the best metal amps under 500 is speakers or headphones if the best metal amp is a headphone one. The main purpose of a great metal amp is to reproduce sound so its speaker(s) or best metal amps’ best feature should be producing high-quality sound.

Digital Effects

The best metal amps under 500 now come with digital effects such as reverb and echo which are not only fun to play around with but also can make you stand out from the crowd if used right. It’s best to choose the best metal amp that has a variety of different effects that connect to an external footswitch; this way, the best metal amp will give you more options for your sound and keep up with new effects as they’re developed.

Construction Quality

Another factor to consider when choosing the best metal amps under 500 is the construction quality of the best metal amps’ chassis and knobs. The Potentiometers on best metal amps are incredibly important as these best metal amps’ components are what determines the best metal amp’s tone so best metal amps should have quality pots that allow you to control your sound accurately without best metal amp crackling/distorting. This way, you’ll be able to always dial in the best tone for each song and never miss a beat.

Price

Finally, price is something that people are often frustrated with because of its high prices. It is possible to find the most suitable metal amps with all these factors but at a higher price tag – however, it isn’t impossible to the best metal amps under 500 on a budget if you’re willing to look for them. 

best metal amps under 500

FAQs about Best Metal Amps Under 500

What are the best metal amps under 500?

Best metal amps are the best available option for electric guitarists who want loud amplifiers that do not contribute to feedback or muddied sound. They provide the best balance of rich tone and high volume. Many best metal amp units can run on batteries, which makes them ideal for late-night jam sessions in the garage or at the beach.

What can the best metal amps under 500 do?

Metal amps have a variety of uses, from warming up for a live show to practicing at home. Enjoy extra volume when you need it most by hooking up the best metal amp head in your car stereo with the best metal amps cassette adapter.

How long does the best metal amp usually last?

The lifespan of the best metal amp depends on the quality and care given to the unit. A well-built best metal amp should outlive lower-priced models that are made with inferior parts or low-quality construction materials. Many guitarists depend on their best metal amps for more than ten years before they upgrade to newer models.

What are some good features to look for in the best metal amps under 500? 

Some best metal amps feature the best tube-powered preamplifiers and best tube amplifying stages to give the best of both worlds: the best metal amp crunch with the warmth of the best tubes.

It’s always better to buy the best metal amp head alone, rather than a combo or set. Some amps may include features such as built-in effects for distortion and reverb, but they tend to be skimpy on features and expensive for what you get. Buying a good quality amplifier head is cheaper in the long run, more flexible in use, and will sound better because it can provide enough power on its own without costing too much money. When buying an amplifier head at any price point, try to get an “all-tube”

How do you unplug a metal amp without damaging it?

Always remember to turn off the best metal amps before unplugging by clicking on the power switch or turning down the best metal amp knobs to zero. To disconnect the best metal amp safely, make sure it is not powered by removing batteries; otherwise, use an isolation transformer. When using an isolation transformer, always disconnect its speaker cable first, and then best metal amps’ input cable last. 

What is the difference between a metal guitar amplifier head tube amplifier head?

They are both types of amplifiers that produce sound by converting electrical energy into acoustic energy through the use of magnetic coils (“speakers”). The main difference is that tubes amplify sound using vacuum whereas transistors amplify using solid-state semiconductors. The concept except that the materials/parts used for construction are different. Also, the control components are different which affects how they work and their overall functionality. 

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Conclusion

Our Top 5 Picks Best Metal Amps Under 500

Best premium quality

Best overall

Best technology

Best for multi-purpose

Best affordable

If you’re looking for the best metal amp under 500 that’s affordable and has all the features you need, we’ve got it. Our best tube amplifier head is a great choice if you want to get started with playing your guitar through the best tubes in a powerful way. With built-in effects, high-quality construction materials, and an incredibly reasonable price point – our best metal amps will give you everything you could ask for in one package! If this sounds like something up your alley or if there are any questions about what best metal amp would be right for your needs – don’t hesitate to leave us comments. 

We do hope our reviews did help your ultimate decision.

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