6 Best Mini Amps Of 2021 That Don't Suck! - Awesome, Portable Amps You Can Use ANYWHERE!

[@meatdamilkman]

I have the fly 3 with the extension cab and have been overly impressed with how great this little amp sounds!!! Everytime I turn it on im shocked on how amazing it sounds!!!

[@ivorymelmoth]

That tiny Marshall stack is comically adorable

[@bradlee.rogers]

Dude, you cracked me up throwing out the random heavy licks of famous songs throughout. Love it. Also you sold me immediately on the Blackstar Fly3

[@MirurImage]

Blackstar Fly 3 all the way

[@astrod0866]

Do you know how I can get rock tone?

[@danielwatson7319]

I just bought the Blackstar because of this video

[@Dsbm_deathmetal_wtv]

Oy can u use it for metal, also is the distortion good?

[@Ghost-vs3du]

Naw boss is the boss

[@MirurImage]

@@Ghost-vs3du Naw

[@Ray5600]

Not mentioned in the video, but Katana Mini is also a great little amp. 7W, 3 channels (clean crunch and brown), standard EQ and delay. 4 inch speaker, sounds really good and can even take pedals decently well too!

[@johannessilver8653]

Right.

[@jcardboard]

I have one of those and never really got on with it. Kind of boxy. However, I upgraded to a positive grid spark mini which is amazing. Really expensive though.

[@photoniccannon2117]

I own a Katana Mini and a Fly 3. I prefer the Fly for cleaner sounds, but the Katana Mini wins hands down when higher gain is required. Can’t really go wrong with either in my opinion. Hard to pick which one I like more, they’re both pretty versatile for practice amps.

[@jkwacker8225]

That Blackstar actually sounded pretty impressive for its size! I already own the Boss WAZA Air headphones. Originally got them to use in my apartment and on ship. I use them often and don’t regret buying them, I did turn off all the gyro stuff as I seem to have a problem where the “amp” doesn’t like to stay in one spot. It keeps circling around the room :(. Love the Bluetooth with my phone and they still work great as an amp for my head and not annoy my wife, baby, apartment neighbours, shipmates etc.

[@fretBeastForever]

Same here, I was very impressed with Fly Blackstar!

[@fretBeastForever]

Same here, I`m very Impressed with Fly Blackstar!

[@people_dead]

What about Feder Mini Tone Master?

[@motionless_horizon]

Do you recommend the Boss WAZA? I live in an apartment and need something better than turning my amp down to 2 and just hoping it’s not too loud 😅

[@jkwacker8225]

Short answer yes. Though I haven't tried any alternatives that may be out there. So long as you don't have your heart set on the whole gyro thing (others experiences may be great with the gyro?) I dialed in my tone and it hasn't moved since, even though I could fool around with it more. It pretty much a Katana amp for your head. @@motionless_horizon

[@TheCommonSenseProfessor]

I bought a Boss Katana Mini last year because of your minamps that don't suck 2020. Thanks for the great videos.

[@rickmeuser1356]

The Fly 3 blows em' all away (especially if you use the matching extension cabinet!)

[@abaddonbolero9605]

That thing at 19:50 clean ethereal preset sounded very Pat Travers-ish...? Love that song.

[@johannessilver8653]

Vox makes awesome plug amps for headphone use. I bought VoxAC30 and Metal versions and they both amazed me how great sounds they can make via proper headphones. I also like Katana mini and naturally Roland Micro Cube.

[@BassGeekz]

They are insane for sure. I agree. I own the AC30, Lead, Classic Rock, Clean. I love them all and I can plug it in effect pedals as well, perfect little basterds. :) I also own that pink Blackstar Fly 3 mini amp that was mentioned in this video, this little amp is crazy damn good.

[@eggycarrot]

Unfortunately they break easily

[@CraftZ08]

How did I not realise I could get that good of a tone from my Fly 3??? I’m gonna go and get that thing sounding the best I can

[@sixstringfun]

Great review. Personally for me I have the NUX Might Lite BT and it's amazing. Being able to use the app opens up a lot of possibilities that you can't get from just the control panel. Keep rockin' my man!

[@ParadoxFudge]

As a owner of the Fender Mustang Micro I must say it’s the best thing I’ve purchased and very user friendly. Plus it keeps the neighbours happy when I’m learning new songs 😉

[@havvadalgc8665]

Yeah sure

[@einbenutzer17]

can you use the Fender Mustang Micro into a Bluetooth speaker (i dont like headphones :d) for same or even better sound results than f.e. the first small Marshall AMP?

[@amitabhkunchey9342]

Imho, the Marshall looks cool but I'd go for the Fender's tone all day

[@amitabhkunchey9342]

@Nick Vondo Yep no denying that, blackstar fly, boss katana mini/air, and even vox and nux mini amps are far better tone-wise... The Marshall can't hold even a candle to them... it's better suited to be an expensive decorative piece lol, I have one so I know...

[@amitabhkunchey9342]

@Nick Vondo yes I wish so too... Even If they did the sad truth is it would be ridiculously overpriced... And I can't find the nux or spark where I live, so big loss for me too🥲🥲🥲

[@billydotleeds]

I bought the Vox Mini 5 Rhythm after seeing your review, 2 years ago. I love it! Power and effects are superb - just wish Vox had made a switchable pedalboard for it,

[@flickerman68]

Marshall needs to step up their game in the mini dept. Definitely would choose the Fender and Blackstar.

[@joshuamarsh2618]

There are so many great mini-amps out there, personally if money was no factor between all those options it would be between the Fender Mustang Micro and the Boss Katana Air. The headphones sound cool but I would love the wireless capabilities of these two. I have to say also that the Blackstar fly 3 is an incredible little amplifier and one thing that wasn't mentioned in this video that you can do with them is buy an additional speaker unit to plug into the Fly 3 and it not only boosts the volume, but the increase in the bass output is shocking considering the size of the unit. Definitely worth putting together! Another shout out would have to be the Vox amplugs that you can get, specifically the classic rock and ac30 models :)

[@brodyreynolds1672]

Mustang to a Dewalt 2x4 boom box. Its tough and with a 5 amp reachable Dewalt batterie you can jam high levels for a week

[@steves1015]

If you want bluetooth capability, then the fly 3 also has a version of this amp with Bluetooth, for an additional cost.

[@urliktheslayer]

Damn that tonemaster actually sounds really damn good imo 🎸🤝

[@randysutton2120]

The Marshall looks cool, but sounds like a toy. The Tone Master actually sounds usable for practice.

[@fretBeastForever]

Blackstar JUST WOW for Metal🔥🔥!

[@darronlewark6504]

Call me weird but I have always kind of liked the small fender amps with the gain cranked and a overdrive pedal and a noise gate.

[@cobrabitetheband2495]

That Marshall is bloody awseome I don’t care that it dosent have clean I’m more an AC/DC guns n roses person so love that little thing

[@abhigrg3804]

Fender over Marshall on this one

[@michaeldean7220]

NUX Mighty Plug is much better than Mustang Micro and a lot cheaper. Lots of control on effects parameters via an excellent app.

[@ravendemo4980]

I beg to differ, I have both. I originally used the Nux and to be honest, yes, being able to change the parameters is great. However, When I wanted to change volume, I had to use the app. When I wanted to change a parameter, I had to use the app. When I wanted to do anything different, I had to use the app. It was a creative killer for me. The Micro is SO much more straightforward. And, to be honest… I question the privacy of the app of the Nux. I’m not craping on your opinion, or hating, just adding my own thoughts to the matter. And again, the Nux isn’t bad, it’s just less straightforward than the Mustang Micro.

[@MrBrandonLindner]

I absolutely agree the Nux mighty plug is the best practice amp available and about half the price at 70USD. Also it just got a major update that almost doubled the options!

[@Marta1Buck]

My first amp ever is boss katana mini

[@chrisparker5278]

Wow, that mustang headphone amp is perfect for travel

[@ChrisThomas-yr5hb]

I work in camp and this is absolutely necessary to not wake the whole dorm up. I love it

[@benjaminchalker6366]

It is soooo cuuuute, seriously thanks for the review

[@petarkosovic6455]

Didn't know that Russel Brand plays guitar 🧐

[@danieltv123]

Fender used to be the worst mini.. now it's great!

[@lordapophis93]

Got me the Crush Mini here! Only took 15 years to get a tiny amp xD

[@michaelmetal71]

the feder mustang micro tops them all in my opinion,so many uses and sounds awesome best $120 i ever spent

[@carterwidmor7057]

same any recommendations for speakers to plug it into tho? my cheap bluetooth speaker works but want something better for when im not near my amp but still have my micro and aux

[@jefftucker201]

Best way to describe the Waza-Air is, it's Virtual reality for your ears. Great Vid! :)

[@blitheringrando1410]

My first amp was from a squier pack made in the year 2000. I still have that guitar but that amp was trash before the box was opened 😂. Cheap amps have come a long way (except that marshal mini stack)

[@scottbagwell9144]

Now if the title was Best Mini Amp of the early 90s....the CRATE GX20 MINI STACK. (I still have mine though I don't use the head. Boss ME 50 split in stereo with a Orange MicroDark and Orange DarkTerror out to the two Crate cabinets. The Crate head still works but I just can't part with it. 😂

[@cardideoz]

Ive got a micro stack and the way to help its boxy sound is by close mic'ing it. That way you get really usable sounds.

[@spof_XD]

A benefit of useing those style mics is that you can just take them with you and then just busk

[@adrianolopez5371]

Great Video, continue the good work man.

[@patmurphy7266]

marshall vs fender, I like the "Road to El Dorado" gif - "BOTH"🎉 then, there's the Blackstar 😎 that one has the blues/rock vibes I really love

[@NeedChocyMilk]

i have the Marshall ms4 one and it does sound ok but it definitely has a small speaker sound the fly 3 sounds a lot more professional

[@mootal2812]

Wow...with only 1W the Marshall 4S is this loud? Probaly louder than some of the higher wattage mini amps😂

[@jackhammer-ei1vr]

love the content guys!

[@ORJeeper]

How about the Orange Crush Mini..

[@DrDespicable]

I have one o' them Fender Mustang Minis, and mate, it's just a pocketful of miracles! But I will admit, that Marshall MS-4 Mini Stack does tempt me... Is there an adapter so I can plug it in, or must I go through a lot of 9V batteries?

[@jamesbagshaw8251]

I think Vox MV50s should get a mention, I love mine

[@brianpautsch2097]

Great video! I'd love to see a 2023 version...or is the list pretty much still the same? @PMTVUK

[@elektrolysid]

awesome review ! Going for the Boss Katana A

[@alexandrchagin7920]

I have Marshall, but… I would like Blackstar!!! This is a really good review ! Thanks!🤘👍😁

[@TheAkd89]

I have the blackstar… love it…. That mustang micro is next for computer 💻 recording

[@coolhand_leo]

I have the Fender Mustang Micro which replaced my VOX AmPlug. The VOX was just soooo bad compared to the Mustang Micro. Love the tones on the Fender. I added a Laney ST Mini Lion for my desk, and it's great as well. I almost bought the Waza Air but chose the Boss Pocket GT (It should be in this list), which I think is more versatile than the Waza Air.

[@johnhennessey5]

hey bro, since you’ve had both which one would you recommend between the fender mustang micro and the boss pocket GT?

[@coolhand_leo]

@@johnhennessey5 hey man! I would go for the Pocket GT, way more features and tones that you can download/share. It's a bit expensive but hopefully you can find one in the second hand market. I can also recommend the Nux Mighty plug pro

[@johnhennessey5]

@@coolhand_leo I appreciate the response, any help on this music journey is great. All these options, its a double-edged sword. What makes the mighty plug pro good enough to compete with the Pocket GT?

[@johnhennessey5]

@@coolhand_leo im pretty impressed with the spark GO one too

[@coolhand_leo]

@@johnhennessey5 if you just wan to dial 2-4 tones for practice, then as a practice tool, Nux is good, and cheaper too. Pocket GT of course you can have 99 presets at your disposal but honestly, i never got to use all of them. Sure it's nice and all , but option paralysis i think. 😅 The Spark Go also looks interesting as well, i haven't really tried it. Only the other Spark Amp. Looks amd sounds great I think.

[@mrredritehand]

Nice playing Dagon, you've been practicing ha ha! Link for guitar?

[@KB_Joys]

What, no NUX mighty air? I think most of the multi- effects, amp emulators miss the mark. They capitalize on the vast array of amp Sims, but fall short of sound quality. The Katana reminds me of the 90's attempt of digital processing amp Sims with the lack of headroom and having about the same core tone no matter what it's doing. The Mustang was a little better but meh.... Honestly I liked the sound of the Black star, even tho it only had dirty and clean. I think the cleans and overdrive sounded the best and the delay it had was really nice too.

[@carterwidmor7057]

ive got a mustang micro and will be going on vacation. On the go, i usually just plug it into my cheap $20 chinese amazon bluetooth speaker but have been looking for something with a little more life. The new JBL flips dont have aux, and neither does the Marshall Emberton. Not quite looking to spend stanmore or tufton money, more like $100 or less. Anyone else play their guitar thru their BT speaker? What you recommend?

[@jamesnash7262]

…like the mini Vox cabinet with Vox AC30 head…also the Honeytone…the Fenders Marshalls and EVHs are very cool…the Blackstar Fly and Orange Mini Crush are real amplifiers…

[@gunzero7]

Boss WAZA air is fucking amazing. If you live with a non guitar playing wife/partner you NEED this.

[@firstnamenonapplicable5138]

I used to use a blackstar fly 3, once I got a katana 50 I can't go back

[@blitheringrando1410]

Its kinda apples and oranges tho. Even the smallest katana is a bit bigger than the fly. I would hope a 12 inch speaker on an amp with more adjustments is gonna sound better. I would buy either brand depending on which item and price point I'm looking at. More blakcstar for small amps and probably a katana for a larger one, like you did.

[@OHSteve5150]

Love my Blackstar!

[@Johnny_Fox_Show]

Fender mustang mini sounded the best

[@butterflysrage]

I really like the Laney Mini with the Tonebridge app, but they are REALLY hard to find here. Is there another brand with a similar feature where I can adjust the settings with a phone app?

[@D1ckGr4ys0n]

I have a Blackstar Fly 3 Day of the Dead version! It looks fantastic. I can’t tell you how it sounds because I don’t actually own an electric guitar yet... But when I do, I’ll tell you how cool or uncool it sounds

[@wercn8948]

how does it sounds like

[@B31NG]

and?

[@vivienpalcic6135]

Thanks for the demo, Dagan. I'm wondering which of those amps (if any) would be suitable for getting a garagey/rockabilly sort of tone - eg like The Cramps, or The Animals (especially the song House Of The Rising Sun)? And do the controls rely on visual displays or can they just be dialled into place with knobs/buttons etc? (I'm blind, so this is especially important to me.)

[@andychen4212]

I watched so many videos about mini amp, and one thing I learned was expensive guitar can make them all sound good! if you use cheap guitar! They all sound bad! Most of KZbinrs they all used expensive guitars lol

[@powell.christopher]

Awesome video!

[@pastafrola3]

Yamaha THR II all day....

[@miketurnbull7410]

Haven't tried the others, so can't say how they compare, but I bought the Fender Mustang Micro and have found it to be a brilliant little piece of kit at a good price point. Does everything I need, with a range of great tones and effects, Its main selling point for me was its convenience. Small but with a full sound when used with a decent set of over ear headphones, portable and battery powered so brilliant for travel. Best bit for me is ease of use. I'm a biker and it's a bit like that - I've got specialist bikes for enduro and track and I have to set them up very carefully and precisely, so as a result I don't use them much. My other bikes include one that I just grab the keys, jump on and go, without thinking about it, so I use it much more. This little diamond is like that - don't over think, just play!. Excellent review and lets you decide for yourself which suits you and why. Good stuff PMT.

[@havvadalgc8665]

My friend and I will be a good job

[@kwlfca]

How did positive grid not make the list 😢

[@Mr.H0LLYW00D]

The guitar got out of tune after the first jam😂😂😂

[@stevebrusseau3301]

Dagon could make an empty cardboard box sound killer!

[@danielsantini4580]

Can 🧐 the mustang be plugged in a speaker cabinet.

[@ravendemo4980]

No, HOWEVER, If you have a big bluetooth speaker that has a 3.5mm aux plug, you can take a 3.5mm audio cable and connect it to the headphone out of the micro and connect it to the aux in of the speaker. Boom! A whole portable mini rig!

[@danielsantini4580]

😂 awesome

[@Elazarko]

Please, which small-medium size portable amp/pa/speaker do you recommend for a digital piano?

[@Toddy1969]

Love your videos Dagan, my only problem is I always come away with about 300 new songs that I need to learn! Awesome.

[@sleevelessace]

i love the micro its probably the best/most useful piece of gear i have! its pretty much 10,amps,and 20 fx pedals in one (for amps theres a tweed one,65twin,deluxe reverb, and a 5150 iii which is called metal 2000) n i love it cause u can do headphones but with a auxcord u can plug it into a speaker or even a amp (i plug it into my frontman 10g and works very welll

[@JC-hk5zy]

Can you explain how it’s multiple amps and pedals in one? Sorry I’m very much so a beginner and don’t understand

[@JC-hk5zy]

I did some digging around and understand now. I feel dumb sorry lol

[@acecomet]

fender amp sound awesome

[@einbenutzer17]

can you use the Fender Mustang Micro into a Bluetooth speaker (i dont like headphones :d) for same or even better sound results than f.e. the first small Marshall AMP?

[@kjellhenninghansen8885]

Only with a line cable. These headphone amps only receive bluetooth audio, they don't send.

[@metanol8]

what about orange crush mini? I cant decide whether to buy orange of Fly 3.

[@atlejohnnyrygg7124]

Those Marshalls do suck though. Only usable to check if a guitar works as it should after doing work on them. Would rather play my electric unplugged...

[@mikeseidner3085]

Can some one make a mini studio in a box to play this in . 😢

[@dorkandproudofit]

Are any of these loud enough for busking?

[@rotemeliaz]

I can't believe you didn't feature the EVH 5150 III Micro Stack. Especially knowing what a EVH fan you are. The amp, It's amazing! I don't know how the managed to fit such good tone into such a small package! Also the Fender was surprisingly good, especially those high gain tones! Somehow, it beat the Marshall for me.

[@DimKAt21]

Propably out of stock😏

[@KevinNolin]

I have a Marshall mini ms2 and it’s the worst sounding pos I own for sure. Looks kinda neat on the shelf I’ll give it that.

[@crushing3614]

are these alright for busking?

[@himax000]

Spark mini!

[@denismorissette7318]

I’d like to use one to practice with other musicians including a drummer. We’re not playing any heavy or really noisy music. Mostly ballads and blues songs. Will these amplis be loud enough?

[@musicbyclay4919]

Definitely not

[@demonghibli89]

Nice

[@CrewTapeOfficial]

10:14 song name?

[@FAHRENHEIT451JL]

If someone could advise me please. I play harmonica and loudness is key for me as often with these types of amps I'm louder than the amp.

[@thelowmein9143]

So what kind of headphones would be ‘most accurate’ to use with these little amps? I’m guessing a studio monitor headset? Are they powerful enough to drive a headset?

[@PMTVUK]

Hercules wall hangers come with optional ‘extra padding’!

[@thelowmein9143]

@@PMTVUK hi I believe this response may be meant for a different question. I was wondering what headphones would be best for these little amps, specifically like the mustang micro where you need headphones.

[@martincloutier666]

To my ears the mini Marshall doesn't sound like a stack of awesomeness at all...

[@blitheringrando1410]

I remember them sounding the same in the early 2000s when they came out. Marshall isn't putting any innovation into those mini amps at all.

[@purpleshaft234]

Isn't MS4 2W (and MS2 1W)?

[@QuikdethDeviantart]

I’ve got an Orange Micro Terror… it’s great but I’d love battery power for this size. That Blackstar is starting to make my wallet itch..

[@LordBrandoom]

Whats the song he plays at 10:30 - 10:35?

[@Mujcanal]

WAZA air, yes you need to try them on, then nothing will be the same for you.

[@roybrown9267]

What was the riff at 3.50?

[@antoniovelez5518]

Blackstar 👍🏽👍 !!!

[@shannonearley3784]

I have the fly 3 and Roland microcube gx lol

[@masterkilla77]

Which you like more?

[@glenkepic3208]

First gen Micro Cube,

[@NWTMasterWolf]

What happened to the Spark? I have one and love the hell out of it. Seems to me it's better than all of these although not to say these are not all great! little monsters and I would love to have all! of them. But! none the less is there something I am missing?

[@christophercarty675]

It’s not a mini amp. It’s a practice amp. It can’t take batteries either.

[@cosmiciron]

I own both the Spark and the Spark Mini, as well as the Katana Air. In terms of tone, the Air blows away both Sparks by a mile. The larger Spark has a very bassy sound while the Mini has a very harsh upper frequency with clean sounds. They also both are very digital sounding and totally lack dynamics (turning off the noise gate is a must but only improves the dynamics a little.) The Air, on the other hand, sounds and performs like a real amp, not sounding overly digitized at all. The Spark Mini wins as a travel rig though simply because of the form factor and the built in battery.

[@goldenultra]

The Spartan one is good for amp modelling, as it has a neutral sound, they are cheap, so good for stereo.

[@kevinmatthews9469]

Is there really a better guy to do this? No!

[@thomasdill5826]

Sorry but this review did little for me. Everything he played was heavy on the Gain. Metal music just crates on me and how can you really tell anything about the tone with all that gain. I can see where people who like that kind of music would want to hear the amps with a lot of gain but how can you really tell what is sounds like unless you can hear it clean also. The review is very one dimensional and while I enjoy Dagan's enthusiasm, I will need to go elsewhere for reviews on mini amps.