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16 Best Portable Guitar Amps in 2024 (All Price Ranges)

Whether you’re out on a road trip or jamming with friends, a lightweight, and portable guitar amp is a handy piece of gear. With modern advancements in digital technology, a portable guitar amp can still give you some great classic amp tones that are perfect for practicing on the go or rehearsing at home.

Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran guitarist, I’m sure you’ll find something that meets your playing style and specification preferences on this list.

We’ll start this article by discussing the best portable guitar amps at each price point, but for those of you who want to learn more about amps before reading reviews, we also have a buying guide at the bottom of the page.

Here Are the Best Portable Guitar Amps

1. positive grid spark amp (best overall).

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My Review: The award-winning Spark amp by Positive Grid is, without a doubt, one of the most versatile small amps on the market. It’s packed with high-quality features and valuable practicing tools that many portable amps lack. This amp is perfect for practicing at home or packing up to take on the road. All the effects and amp models you could need are loaded on the amp software. Just download the Spark app on any IOS or Android device, connect, and dial in your tones using the presets that come ready to go, or start from scratch and build your own digital rig. You can then save your setup in one of four programmable channels.

I found the tones on this little amp to be really great. It’s almost intimidating at first how many effects and amp models options come loaded on this little amp, but it didn’t take long to dial in a few tones that I really liked. The app is pretty intuitive and I got the hang of it in no time. Just bring along the small power supply as well as your phone or device and you have everything you need to dial in high-quality guitar tones for your small gig or jam session. This amp also works great for electric guitar, acoustic guitar, or bass guitar.

The Spark is also loaded with practice tools such as Auto Chord Recognition and Smart Jam Technology. I found the Smart Jam Technology in particular to be an extremely useful feature, and it’s something that’s really unique about this amp compared to other portable practice amps. There wasn’t even much of a learning curve for me to get used to it. Just turn the feature on, start jamming a chord progression and the software automatically generates a bass and drum track for you to continue jamming along with. It’s an incredibly fun and easy way to get a Jam track going to practice your different scales and riffs along with, in an effectively infinite loop. You can also get the chords for millions of songs and play along with the app in real-time. I can’t say enough about what an incredible practice tool this amp is.

Overall Build: Measuring roughly 14″ x 7″ x 7.5″, the Spark is a nice desktop size amp with classic good looks. Black textured vinyl, brown grille cloth, and removable leather handle. The handle is heavy duty and great for portability, however, Positive Grid also offers a heavy duty traveler gig bag for added protection and portability, specifically sized for the Spark. The gig bag does not come standard when you order the amp and is considered an optional accessory.

Output and Wattage: At 40W output power, this is more than just a desktop amp. Along with being possibly the best practice amp on the market, the spark is also an incredible travel amp for parking up and taking to a jam session, party, or small gig. Overall this is one of the very best guitar portable amps on the market.

Controls and Built-In Effects: There are 40 built-in effects pedals including Overdrives, Distortions, Noise Gates, Delay, Reverb, Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Tremolo, etc. as well as 30 different amp models for all different types of tones from clean, crunch, metal, as well as some optimized for acoustic guitar and bass guitar. There are literally thousands of different tone combinations you can dial in using the Spark Amp.

2. BOSS Katana Mini (Best Value)

My Review: Japanese-headquartered BOSS has enjoyed widespread acclaim for decades for their pedals, effects, processors, and their Katana series of amps. The BOSS Katana mini takes this reputation one step further by packing the versatility and power of the Katana series in a significantly more travel-friendly form and weight. In fact, it sounds so rich that it’s hard to believe that it’s such a compact and mobile model. With a proprietary analog circuit for a huge projection and analog EQ, it gives you great creative control over your tone and overall sound. Given its pocket-friendly price, this amp makes for great value for money, given its wealth of effects and features and solid construction.

Overall Build: Weighing just 3.3 lbs and measuring 4.2 x 2.7 x 3.7 inches, the Katana-mini is built for effortless mobility. It can be used both with an AC power adapter (sold separately) or with batteries. This is a solidly built amp with an instrument input as well as an aux input that lets you jam with backing tracks as well, whether you’re busking or practicing scales at home.

Output and Wattage: Its 7-watt output is supported by an original multi-stage analog circuit design. Together, it delivers incredibly rich and full projection that is hard to get at such a low price point and small dimensions. This means that you can use this for small gigs as well as for group and private practice sessions.

Controls and Built-In Effects: The three amp types brown, crunch, and clean, give three quite versatile tone styles that will fit a wide range of genres and playing preferences. The built-in tape-style delay offers an awesome warm ambiance to your tone, while the three-band analog EQ stack lets you tweak your lows, mids, and highs to your liking.

The time and level of the delay can also be tweaked specifically, as can the overall volume with the master volume knob. Given the range of controls to play around with, this amp offers a lot of customizability for your sound, especially for an amp of this size.

3. Yamaha THR10II Desktop Amp (Editor’s Choice)

My Review: The Yamaha THR10II may be on the pricier side vs the rest of the options on this list, but then again, this is the only one here that can deliver a realistic tube amp tone in such a compact size. The pioneers of the ‘desktop amp’ concept, the THR1011 throws open several sonic possibilities thanks to several amp models for electric guitars, bass guitars, acoustic-electric as well as a nice flat tone for all other instruments. Plus, its striking finish and design are quite unlike most other amps that you usually come across. If you want serious power, versatility in a travel-friendly format, then this model is worth taking a look at.

Overall Build: Measuring a compact 14.5 x 5.5 x 7.2 inches and weighing a light 8 lbs, this amp can neatly fit onto your desktop, car, or baggage space. The most noteworthy feature of this model is the realistic tube amp effects its able to achieve in such a compact form. Thanks to the Bluetooth functionality, you can perform wirelessly, while also being able to tweak your tone with mobile apps if needed. With a newly redesigned speaker enclosure, the amp’s bass response has got significantly boosted, leading to a rich, balanced tone with tasty lows. Finally, the brand has gone the extra mile to give it a new aesthetic look which makes it an instant visual standout.

Output and Wattage: At 20 watts, it’s one of the most powerful of the portable amp mentioned on this list, allowing it to be way more than a desktop amp practically speaking. Its hi-fi speaker has stereo tech that projects a crystal clear, rich, and balanced sound that can fill up an entire room easily, making it ideal not only for solo or band rehearsals but for busking and other intimate performances as well.

Controls and Built-In Effects: This is where it really gets interesting. The THR1011 is a treasure trove of tones that will blend seamlessly with a wide spectrum of genres and playing styles. First off, its selection of realistic tube amp tones and feels is pretty much one of a kind in this category and price point, letting you enjoy the pristine tube amp sound in a portable setup as well.

Secondly, it also comes with an array of other built modeled effects that’ll serve you well whether you’re playing live or recording your tracks. It has modeled 15 different amps, 3 bass amps, 3 mic models as well as a pristine flat tone for every other instrument and style. The sheer number of possibilities makes it one of the most versatile amps on this list, and well worth the price if it’s your style. This is easily one of the best portable guitar amps out there.

4. VOX MINI 3 G2

My Review: A brand that’s gained legendary status for being the preferred choice of The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and many more, Vox has a long-standing reputation for peerless quality and design. And they’ve lived up to the reputation with the Mini3 G2 amp. With lightweight, compact dimensions, and versatile controls, this amp makes it possible to take your signature tone and sound with you wherever you go. Fitted with Vox’s proprietary circuitry, it’s impressively powerful for its size.

Overall Build: Weighing a pretty light 8 lbs and measuring 10.6 x 7.5 x 11.8, the Mini3 is an impressively versatile and feature-rich amp with travel-friendly dimensions. It gives you the option to use it with an AC adapter (included with the amp) as well as 6 AA batteries for added mobility, allowing you to play for up to 10 hours uninterrupted before you have to replace them. Another amazing feature about it is the fact that it is fitted with Vox’s proprietary ‘Bassilator’ circuit design, letting you enjoy heavy sounds with distinct low frequencies even at a lower volume. The Aux input jack lets you plug in your audio device and practice with backing tracks whenever you want.

Output and Wattage: At 3 watts, you may think that this output may not be enough for an intimate gig, but you’d be surprised. This tiny amp is impressively powerful for a mobile amp, and that makes it quite versatile whether you’re planning to practice or perform. actually has a huge sound that belies its size. It has enough sound to fill up an entire roomful of the crowd. And unlike other battery-powered amps, its tonal quality doesn’t suffer on battery mode or at higher volumes, you enjoy a rich tone even then.

Controls and Built-In Effects: You can choose from 11 different amp models to suit your playing style from a clean crisp tone to dirty heavier sounds depending on the genre or instrument you’re playing. Other built-in effects such as chorus, flanger, compressor, tremolo, reverb, and delay are of exceptional quality that Vox is known for. The solid low-end holds its own even after low volumes. All these features have the potential to make your playing impressively versatile, regardless of your choice of genre.

5. Orange Crush 12

My Review: With Crush 12, Orange has really ‘crushed’ it in the mobile amps market by packing its full format setup in an impressively compact size. Sleek, vibrant, and powerful, this amp is perfect for musicians looking for a great analog tone in a travel-friendly amp. The tone and effects possible on this little beast are truly remarkable, ranging from a crisp clean sound to a grungy dirty tone. If you want a great tone in a compact design at a budget-friendly price point, then do give this one a serious look.

Overall Build: Don’t be mistaken by this amp’s compact size, unlike other mobile amps that may have forgone some of their functionality in favor of a compact design, this amp is a full format Orange Crush model but in an incredibly portable size. For its power, features, and capabilities, Crush 12 is remarkably compact and easy to carry around. Measuring 11.4 x 6.8 x 12 inches and weighing 12.3 lbs, you can easily fit it in your boot space or overhead baggage without a hitch. With 1 channel for your instrument, it is fitted with a Cab sim headphone output that lets you enjoy world-class tone and sound even when practicing with headphones by yourself. The reason behind its impressive projection is the brand’s custom voice of the world 6-inch speakers that deliver a full-bodied, balanced sound that doesn’t falter at very high or low volumes.

Output and Wattage: At 12 watts, the output of Crush 12 is quite big for a portable amp, and that’s what separates it from the rest of the travel-friendly amps here. The custom voice of the world speakers offers a rich and loud projection that travels really well and makes for a great busking and practicing partner alike.

Controls and Built-In Effects: First and foremost, the Crush 12 has a fabulously powerful distortion tone that’s hard to find in amps this size. It offers a 3 band EQ, letting you modify the bass, mid, and treble intricacies of your tone. Along with the master volume control knob, you can also modify your gain and overdrive to add the right amount of bite depending upon the sound you’re going for. This lets you enjoy a goody-two-shoes clean tone to a grungy, heavy tone that’s in a class of its own.

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6. Orange Micro Terror

My Review: The Orange micro terror is 20 watts of terrifyingly awesome power in such a compact size, but do keep in mind that this is just the amp head and has to be paired with a speaker cabinet first to be amplified. Inspired by the original tiny terror model, this amp head combines a valve preamp along with a solid-state output that brings out fantastic tones that are fun to play and an asset to any traveling musician. Easy controls let you modify your volume, tone, and gain for a sound that is distinctly your own, while it’s incredibly lightweight makes it a breeze to carry wherever you go.

Overall Build: Weighing a featherweight 2 lbs and measuring 11 x 6 x 7 inches, the Orange micro terror is a massive repository of tones and power bundled up in a tiny, tiny size. As we said, this amp head needs to be hooked up to a speaker cabinet, but once you do that, you’ve truly unleashed a beast of powerful, vibrant Orange tones. The headphone output lets you practice with the signature orange guitar tones privately, while the AUX input lets you plug in and play alongside any track you want. The neat, white, and orange design with a rock-solid handle makes for a striking sight as well.

Output and Wattage: With 20 watts of pure powerful Orange tones to offer, this amp head holds a lot of power that can be unlocked with good quality cabinet speakers ranging between 8 to 16 ohm. The 12AX7 tube preamp and solid-state power amp supply a heavy-duty tone, depth, and projection that lives up to the ‘terror’ in its name.

Controls and Built-In Effects: You’ll find the master volume knob to control your projection, as well as tone and gain to tweak your sound as light and heavy as you’d like. By default, this amp gives you a really lush midrange tone with loads of headroom that will fit right in with a variety of genres and playing styles. All you have to do is plug your instrument into it, and you are good to go with a solid, luscious tone that you can be proud of.

7. VOX AP2CR amPlug 2

My Review: A great combination of ultra-portability and convenient features, Vox amPlug 2 Classic Rock embodies innovation. It is part of Vox’s amPlug G2 series, which comes in 7 variants to deliver a tailor-made tone as per your taste. Despite its palm-sized dimensions, the Classic Rock model gives a powerful and crunchy sound that can compete well with a 100W amp. The amPlug 2’s three amp modes and a bouquet of 9 effects of chorus, reverb, and delay offer a variety of tones at your disposal to add your own creative flair to your sound. Being a headphone amp, amPlug 2 makes for a great private practice and travel mate, all you need are two AAA batteries, and you are good to go for an impressive duration of time. Add to it the ultra-reasonable price tag, and this amp is quite a steal.

Overall Build: If a headphone amp is what you are looking for, amPlug 2 is probably one of the most portable ones out there, weighing a mere 3.04 ounces and measuring 7 x 1 x 5 inches. This little wonder has Vox’s proprietary fully analog design that produces a rich and complex sound akin to high-end tube amps. There’s no need for a guitar cable with amPlug 2 as it can be conveniently plugged right into your guitar and adjusted up to 180 degrees to get it into an ideal position. The plug is also foldable and makes the amp fit easily inside the gig bag. You can also connect your MP3 or a metronome to this little guy and strum away. The convenience factor is nicely rounded off with an auto power-off functionality that shuts down the amp if left idle for 30 mins.

Output and Wattage: The amPlug 2 is a 3-watt micro guitar amp that needs only 2 AAA batteries to get the magic going. It can run up to 11 hours if you use the effects and a good 17 hours without them. Of course, being a headphone amp, it’s designed exclusively for private practice sessions with your headphone plugged in, ruling out group rehearsals or performances. Controls and Built-In Effects: For its size, we are pleasantly surprised with the range of onboard features.

The amp boasts three amplification modes, with the Classic Rock variant featuring a mid-boost. Vox has ensured that the players get great tonal versatility by equipping the amp with three effects- chorus, delay, and reverb and each of these having three different modes. So you get nine different sounds out of this compact amp. In addition to the volume, gain, and tone controls, the amp also has an fx button, which lets you cycle through all of the effects with great ease. Overall, I’d say that this is easily one of the best portable amps.

8. Fender Frontman 10G

My Review: Fender’s smallest amp, Frontman 10G is also one of the most popular practice amps amongst guitar enthusiasts thanks to its compact dimensions and excellent tonal quality at a pocket-friendly price. The 10-watt lightweight amp is equipped with 6” special design speakers, giving out a clean tone similar to larger sized Frontman amps. What we loved most about this amp is the built-in overdrive effect, making it perfect for players who love some distortion. With the headphone output and aux-in jack, you can practice privately to the backing track in a practice room or on-the-go.

Overall Build: Frontman 10G sports the classic Fender look with black textured vinyl, silver grille cloth, and the brand’s logo on the face. This no-frills amp features a single channel with an overdrive switch, which renders the signature clean tone quintessential to the brand. 6” special design speakers are loud enough to fill up a decent-sized room. The closed-back design casing works well to deliver a good bass response. The control panel includes two ⅛” input jacks to plug in the headphones and mp3 players and jam to your favorite songs. The amp’s 8.5 lbs weight and 5.75 x 10.25 x 11 inches dimensions make for a fairly portable setup.

Output and Wattage: The amp’s 10-watt output and small 6” speakers make it more suited for practice rooms or similar-sized spaces than full-blown performance. However, we are pleased with the tone quality, which is pretty good for its price tag.

Controls and Built-In Effects: The amp has 2- band EQ with treble and bass, which can be tweaked around to brighten or dampen the tone to suit your style and the instrument. Apart from these, the control panel also features a master volume known and a selectable overdrive switch with a gain knob to modify the level of crunch and heaviness in your tone. The push-button channel switch lets you distort and crunch the tone to suit any style from blues to metal. Although the amp does not have a lot of effects to play around with, its clean interface, reliable features, ultra-portability, and affordable price tag make it a great practice and beginner amp.

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9. Blackstar Fly3

My Review: Blackstar Fly 3 is undeniably one of the most revered portable amplifiers out there in the guitar market. And here’s why- the amp is incredibly compact yet fantastic sounding thanks to the awe-worthy sound honing Blackstar patented Infinite Shape Feature (ISF), which offers superb tonal variety to the players. A digital tape delay effect provides a distinctive resonance during play. The amp is incredibly lightweight and travels friendly, thanks to its battery-powered design. All in all, we are quite impressed with the sonic punch packed in this ultra-compact body.

Overall Build: We are struck by the construction quality of this amp. The fly 3 is sturdily built and has a solid and weighty feel to it. It is a better sounding amp than similar amps on the market, and we believe it has to do with its sturdy and smart design. It boasts 2 channels which offer clean and overdrive tones. There is an emulated output jack for late-night silent practice or recording and an aux-in for jamming to your choice of tracks. The amp measuring 7.59 x 5.59 x 4.29 inches, weighs only 1.98 lbs and is easy to carry around, and can be conveniently stashed into a guitar case or a gig bag.

Output and Wattage: The amp delivers a sound that belies its miniature size. The sound is loud and powerful, considering it has a 3-watt output, 3-inch speaker, and battery-powered. With Fly3, what you get is excellent sound quality, which can give other similar-sized amps quite a run for their money. In addition to 6 AA batteries, the amp can also run on an optional power supply, the adapter for which is sold separately.

Controls and Built-In Effects: The amp boasts the cutting-edge Infinite Shape Feature that works in tandem with the tone control. The ISF control lets you choose the character of the tone ranging from an American characteristic with a tight bottom end and more aggressive middle to a British tone which is woodier and less aggressive. The control panel features a gain knob to adjust the level of overdrive, dial it up for rock, and mellow it down for blues. An overdrive switch instantly cranks up the volume and distortion to accompany rock and metal styles. Other than that, the controls are pretty straightforward with volume, delay level, delay time, and power switch.

10. NUX Mighty Lite BT

My Review: True to its name, NUX Mighty Lite BT Mini portable modeling amp is indeed a super lightweight and ultra-mobile amp with a host of impressive features. We found this amp to be quite player-friendly and versatile, featuring 3 channels, built-in digital reverb, and delay fx, along with the flexibility to power it through batteries or USB connection. Its 3-watt output is delivered through 3” speakers and sounds quite good for its size. The amp’s stand out feature of built-in drum beats along with an aux-in jack and Bluetooth connection makes this an excellent pick for guitar enthusiasts looking to hone their jamming skills.

Overall Build: Right off the bat, let’s talk about the star advantage of this amp- it is effortless to move around with measuring 6.54 x 3.86 x 4.88 inches with 2.25 lbs of weight and flexibility of both battery and USB power. That’s not all, this desktop amplifier offers you the freedom to play and jam to any track of your choice thanks to its 3.5mm aux, headphone input, and Bluetooth connectivity. The amp has 3 great sounding channels- clean, overdrive, and distortion which throw open the types of sounds you can get out of your guitar. NUX has also included a convenient android and iOS app that lets you tweak controls, effects, and drum machine with your smartphone via Bluetooth functionality.

Output and Wattage: The amp’s 3-watt output at 3” tiny speakers make up for the low volume and punch with great tonal flexibility. The overall sound is quite solid, considering its small dimensions and price tag. We love the fact that the Mighty Lite BT Min is so easy to power; you can use a 9V power adapter at home or 6 AA batteries if you are on the go.

Controls and Built-In Effects: NUX Mighty Lite BT is a compact modeling amp that offers its players a range of tones to suit their styles. The onboard drum feature offers 9 different drumming styles to play around with and a metronome to improve your jamming skills. The control panel has gain, volume, tone, delay/reverb knobs, and a tap tempo button to set delay and drumming speed. The coolest bit is that all of the parameters and onboard effects can also be managed from the Mighty Lite app. It lets you control the drums, customize reverb and delay effects, adjust the noise gate, and add 4 awesome modulation effects- phaser, chorus, tremolo, and vibe.

11. Sawtooth 10W Guitar Amp

My Review: If you are hunting for a practice amp that is compact, reliable, and easy on the pockets, then do give the Sawtooth 10-Watt amp a go. The amp boasts 3-band EQ and overdrive switch which makes it an excellent value for money. The crystal clear sound produced by this little guy is quite impressive for its size. A mono input jack lets you plug in mp3 players and play along to your favorite tracks, while the headphone out jack makes it convenient to practice without disturbing anyone. We like that Sawtooth has included a10ft Chromecast instrument cable with the amp as a value addition while allowing more leeway to move around while playing.

Overall Build: The combo amp sports a sophisticated look and a sturdy build with a vinyl-covered wooden frame, making it durable and well-suited for everyday use. Sawtooth has cleverly designed the amp with an open weave grill to pack a greater sonic punch than its small size would have otherwise allowed. A closed-back design works well in enhancing the bass response by giving it a more low-end punch while ensuring no back spill or side leakage or the sound. The amp has a single channel with a built-in drive effect. It weighs just 6.1 lbs and measures 10.5 x 6 x 11 inches and has a reinforced handle, which allows easy transportation. This well-built amp has a decent set of specs which makes it a popular practice amp for beginners.

Output and Wattage: The 10-watt output of this amp is a pretty neat wattage for a portable guitar amp that is not only suitable for private practicing but also good enough for a busking session or an intimate gig. The amp’s 6.5” speakers deliver a powerful sound with a remarkable degree of projection.

Controls and Built-In Effects: The amp boasts a 3-band equalizer that lets you modify the lows, mids, and highs to find the sweet spot that you’ll enjoy playing with. Moreover, the overdrive switch lets you instantly kick in the heavy-duty distortion which can be adjusted to your playing style with help of the gain knob. All in all, this is a no-frills model that keeps it simple. It may not have a range of built-in effects to choose from but it sticks to the basics and does it well.

12. Orange Amplification Crush Mini

My Review: Orange Crush Mini 3 is the perfect solution for musicians that want to enjoy a solid, formidable tone even when on the go. This battery-powered amp is ideal for at-home practicing as well as backstage warmups right before you head for your performance. not only sounds good but looks amazing as well. A simple but very effective 3 control setup gives you a lot of power to mold your tone the way you want to, even on such a small setup. If you’re looking for a durable and high-quality portable practice amp that doesn’t break the bank, then this is a seriously good contender for your attention.

Overall Build: Orange has managed to condense its iconic tone in an impressively compact amp with the Crush Mini 3. This single-channel amp is powered by a single D battery that lasts a good enough duration before having to be switched. At only 2 pounds and measuring 3.2 x 6 x 5.7 inches, this little wonder packs a big punch with its classic British tone and versatility in its travel-friendly size. The amp comes with a very helpful built-in tuner as well as a headphone output that switches from the speaker, letting you practice in silence. Finally, the AUX-in lets you jam along to your favorite tracks and polish your skills.

Output and Wattage: In its 3 watt output, this Crush mini 3 delivers a staggering projection and sound. Moreover, if you hook a cabinet speaker to its speaker output jack, then you can effortlessly use it as an amplifier for larger audiences as well.

Controls and Built-In Effects: The Crush mini 3 bears the signature easy-to-grasp and versatile control system that the brand is well known for. Aside from a master volume knob, you also have gain and shape controls to tweak your tone. The gain knob can be used to tweak just the right amount of that classic crunchy tone, while the shape knob is perfect for shaving off lows or highs from your overall tone, giving you the freedom to decide how fate or thin your tone sounds.

13. Fender Mini Deluxe Electric Guitar Amp

My Review: Lightweight, portable, and no-fuss, Fender keeps it nice and simple with the mini deluxe amp. A no-frills and affordable option for a practice amp, it has an extremely portable design that lets you take it along with you without giving it a second thought. With a solid handle, quintessential Fender looks, and classic tones, this model has been specially designed keeping electric guitars in mind. At such an affordable price point, it is a good value for money purchase for the on-the-go beginner to the intermediate guitarist.

Overall Build: At less than half a pound in weight and measuring 11.4 x 7.4 x 3.5 inches, the mini deluxe is a seriously portable model. This single-channel amplifier comes with dual 2” speakers that deliver a well-balanced sound that’s ideal for practicing. The 1/4 inch headphone jack makes it perfect for late-night solo practice sessions, and also comes with a 9V adapter jack. The build is no-frills and bears the classic Fender styling, with black chicken head knobs for controls and a simple red ‘jewel’ light to indicate when it’s powered on. The overall construction is done with Nato wood, which is a fairly solid material, and with a black finish.

Output and Wattage: This is a single watt amp, so it would be unfair to pit it against the more powerful variants in terms of projection. But it does its job pretty well as a practice amp for the traveling musician. Powered by a single 9V battery, you can use it to pay for hours without needing to hook it up to an adapter.

Controls and Built-In Effects: Aside from the classic volume control knob, you can also use the gain and the tone knobs to play with a clean, crisp tone, a crunchier, heavy sound, or a blend of the two by tweaking the levels to your liking.

14. Marshall MS2 Micro Amp

My Review: This is really as compact as it gets! The Marshall MS2 micro guitar amp is the lightest and the tiniest amp on this list. This battery-powered beauty delivers just enough power and amplification that you need to practice comfortably on the move or even perform to an intimate gathering, and we think a pocket-sized amp like this one deserves to be in every guitarist’s collection. The extremely affordable price point just sweetens the deal even more.

Overall Build: Weighing merely 0.34 lbs and 2.36 x 4.3 x 5.5 inches in dimensions, the MS-2 is a featherweight and compact amp that’s designed for the practicing guitarist that’s on the road or wants a tiny practice setup at home. Powered by a single Polaroid 9V battery, you can practice comfortably for hours before it’s time to switch the batteries. This one-channel amp also comes with a headphone jack to practice in solace without disturbing anyone else around you.

Output and Wattage: Being a micro amp, the output is only 1 watt, but then again, this is exactly what Marshall’s tiny amps are built for. And even then, you are greeted with the iconic Marshall tone, all-be-it, a miniature version. What else could you ask for in a micro setup? This makes it perfect for practicing by yourself, whether you’re at home or on the go in between concerts. Not just that, it’s in fact good enough for performing to a small gathering or in the subway. You’ll be able to project a decent volume in a 30-foot radius, after which the projection gets weaker. But then, this is more than what we could ask for in a 1-watt amp. Even with its limited output, this little wonder packs quite a punch with its volume and overall output.

Controls and Built-In Effects: Despite its diminutive measurements, Marshall has fitted the MS-2 with all the practical and controls that a guitarist would need while practicing. You can choose from both clean as well as overdrive channels, while a single tone control knob lets you tweak the exact sound to your personal preferences. We love the fact that at such an affordable price point, you still get to enjoy the legendary Marshall sound and tone.

15. Roland Mobile Cube Battery-Powered Stereo Amplifier

My Review: One of the most portable guitar amps on this list, the Roland mobile cube is extremely light and compact. And with ‘mobile’ in the name itself, we’re sure you would’ve guessed that already. Extremely lightweight and tiny, this stereo amp is battery powered and works like a dream if you’re planning to busk or even rehearse with a group. For an amp this small, it has a great sound and comes with a sweet set of built-in effects to tweak your guitar and vocal tones as you like.

Overall Build: One of the things we love most about this amp is that this little wonder weighs only 1 lb. That’s right, only 1 lb! With 14 x 6 x for dimensions, this little fella can literally be carried around and taken anywhere you want without thinking twice. Despite its size, this is a stereo amp with a pretty neat sound and can run for hours on 6 AA batteries. It’s also compatible with a host of instruments aside from the guitar. Microphones, keyboards, drum machines, and MP3 players can all be plugged into it without a hassle.

You’ll find two variations of this model, one with a handle and one without, the handle version costing slightly more. It’s up to you but we recommend shelling out slightly more and taking the one with the handle to truly benefit from its portability. This is a page about portable amps after all and this is just a really nice option feature that adds value in the portability category. The model comes in a sleek design in black with the classic Roland logo on the speaker.

Output and Wattage: The Roland Mobile cube has a modest output wattage of 5 watts, and with this small, it’s not fair to expect anymore, to be honest. This makes it ideal for a solo practice session at home, as well as band practice in a jam room. But not just that, it can also be used for busking on the street as its sound projects pretty well. The best part is that this amp can be hooked to a mini PA to massively boost its sound and even be used for a small gig type performance.

Controls and Built-In Effects: Along with the master volume control knob, you will also find a series of cool built-in effects to enjoy. You can choose from reverb, chorus, overdrive, and delay. For an amp this tiny, this is a wonderful range of styles and effects to choose from, giving you the freedom to play around with your tone. Finally, the center cancels feature is godsent for everyone that wants to sing along on karaoke with this amp since it cancels the main vocals on the track.

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16. Marshall MG10

My Review: The Marshall 10W combo amp is the perfect example of the saying “great things come in small packages”. Far from merely being a practice amp, this model goes above and beyond to give you a solid value for money. With sleek, portable dimensions and the iconic Marshall tones, this amp offers both contemporary and classic tones effortlessly. You can easily carry it along to an intimate gig, band rehearsal, or simply to a road trip without it hardly taking up any space. Given its quality, design finish, and features, this neat little monster is priced really well in our opinion.

Overall Build: With a no-frills design aesthetic, this amp looks quite unassuming at first. But this portable amp packs a lot of punch with its features. Weighing only 11.3 pounds and with 14” x 12” x 9” for dimensions, its light and compact enough to easily be carried around in the trunk of a car and cabin baggage. Fitted with a custom 6.5” speaker, this 1 channel model also comes with a headphone jack for those late-night silent practice sessions. Plus, another aux in is perfect for jamming over backing tracks as well. The classic Marshall gold metal finish and gold piping add an unmistakable clean aesthetic appeal.

Output and Wattage: With a 10W output, it’s powerful enough to work well for a personal or band practice session. It also works pretty well for playing with a cozy group of friends. Simply put, it’s a small amp with a BIG sound for its size.

Controls and Built-In Effects: This is a 1 channel amp with a master volume knob for the clean tone, and a gain and volume knob for the overdrive, plus a contour control for the gain channel as well. This gives you a nice and wide range of both clean, crisp tones as well as heavier sounds while letting you control and tweak the finer aspects of your sound. For a mobile amp, this is a great selection of tones to choose from.

Choosing the Right Portable Guitar Amp (Buying Guide)

The biggest advantage of a portable amp is precisely that it is extremely light and easy to carry! These amps can pack quite a punch and can easily fit in your car trunk or flight cabin baggage. They’re not just light in weight, but also much more compact in their dimensions when compared to regular amps.

And just because portable amps are tinier doesn’t mean they are a compromise in any way. Most travel-friendly amps are fitted with solid features, controls, and built-in effects. This lets you be in control of your tone and play around with effects even when working with a much smaller model.

In fact, the output of some of these amps can even be hooked up to bigger cabinet speakers to deliver a great sound and projection that could be good enough for a decently sized audience.

What Features To Go For When Buying A Portable Amp?

When thinking of buying a portable amp, there are a couple of features that you should look out for to make the best choice. While some features are common with other regular-sized amps, there are others that you should pay special attention to when buying an amp that you’d like to be easy to travel with:

Weight: When picking a portable guitar amp, it’s crucial to choose a model that is lightweight. Otherwise, the entire point of getting a mobile amp gets defeated if it’s heavy and cumbersome to carry around. While some amps are extremely lightweight, some even weighing under 2 lbs, they may have to shave off some features and controls to keep it light. So, it’s a good idea to balance the weight with the features you’ll be getting in your amp. Dimensions: Aside from the weight, the overall measurements of your amp also have to be compact. The dimensions are what will make your portable amp truly portable after all, it will have to be tiny enough to easily fit into limited space, be it a trunk of your car or a congested overhead cabin on your flights. So do look out for the L x H x W.

Controls and Effects: Just because you’re going for a light and portable amp doesn’t mean it has to be bare-bones or devoid of any effects. There are plenty of portable amps that are lightweight, compact, and still let you modify your tone and sound with gain, overdrive, EQ controls as well as other built-in effects. Of course, do keep in mind that a fancier selection of effects may slightly nudge the overall weight of the amp higher, but that isn’t always the case.

Wattage: Last but not the least, you will find a considerable range of wattage to choose from amongst portable guitar amps ranging from 1 watt to 20 watts as well. There is single correct wattage, and the right output completely depends on your personal preferences and what you’ll be using the amp for. If you’re picking a portable amp to simply be able to practice your chops while on the move, then a lesser wattage will do just fine. However, if you’re planning to use it for smaller gigs or busking, then it may be a good idea to also explore models with higher wattage.

Bottom Line: Whether you’re practicing in your bedroom or want to warm up when on the road, a light and portable guitar amp is a must-have for every guitarist regardless of their skill level. The perfect portable amp differs from person to person and is quite a personal choice that depends on what they’re looking for in their setup.

But if you’re asking us for some quick recommendations, then here goes. For the amp that packs the most power in the smallest possible size, go for the Orange Crush Mini 3-Watt amp. For those ok with a little more weight but a healthy mix of compact dimensions but with rich features, the Marshall Amps Guitar Combo Amplifier is a good bet. The most value for money option would well be the BOSS Katana mini amp.

We hope our in-depth review and guide helps your zero in on the model that best serves your playing style and needs. Happy jamming!

My name is Chris and I’ve had a passion for music and guitars for as long as I can remember. I started this website with some of my friends who are musicians, music teachers, gear heads, and music enthusiasts so we could provide high-quality guitar and music-related content.

I’ve been playing guitar since I was 13 years old and am an avid collector. Amps, pedals, guitars, bass, drums, microphones, studio, and recording gear, I love it all.

I was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania. My background is in Electrical Engineering, earning a Bachelor’s degree from Youngstown State University. With my engineering experience, I’ve developed as a designer of guitar amplifiers and effects. A true passion of mine, I’ve designed, built, and repaired a wide range of guitar amps and electronics. Here at the Guitar Lobby, our aim is to share our passion for Music and gear with the rest of the music community.

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The Best Portable Guitar Amps for Playing Your Tunes On the Road

By Joshua Kanter

Joshua Kanter

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

Portability doesn’t have to mean sacrificing sound quality, especially when it comes to guitar amps. While even the biggest guitar amps for electric or acoustic models still have handles that make it easy to take on the road, most still aren’t ideal for commutes to the studio or a venue. The good news is that you can still find plenty of new portable guitar amps that feature a more lightweight, travel-friendly design with all the functions you’ll need. Whether you occasionally play an open mic, or just want a great-sounding amp that’s ready to hit the road when you are, we found a range of the best portable guitar amps for every situation.

Portable Guitar Amp Buying Guide

Here’s what to look for in a powerful, portable guitar amp:

Amp Type : When you’re shopping for the best portable guitar amp for you, you’ll likely find two main options out there: solid state and tube. Solid state amps use transistors to amplify the signal, while tube amps use vacuum tubes. Generally, solid state amps tend to be more reliable and less expensive, but many guitarists prefer the warmer, more natural sound of tube amps.

Power: If you’re playing small gigs or practicing at home, a lower-wattage amp will likely suffice. However, if you’re playing larger venues or need more volume, you’ll want to look for a higher-wattage amp to reach the back row. An amp that’s 40 watts should be powerful enough to get loud for a good-sized crowd, while 20 watts and under will keep the coffeehouse patrons happy.

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Effects: Reverb, delay, and distortion are just a few to think about, as well as tone-shaping controls like EQ and gain. These can be useful for shaping your sound and adding extra dimension to your playing, and if possible, we recommend going for an amp that has at least these options on it. Other extras can include a built-in drum machine, and the ability to control everything from an app via Bluetooth.

What Are the Best Portable Guitar Amps?

Here are our favorite portable guitar amps for both playing on the road and practicing alike.

Mark Five: 25 Guitar Combo Amp

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Buy Fender Mustang Micro Headphone Amplifier $89.99

Fender Mustang LT40S

The bigger brother of the Micro, Fender’s Mustang brings all the fun and experimentation into an amp that’s about half the size of other portables and still powerful (and light) at 40 watts with 4″ speakers inside. The user interface is easy to get the hang of, with a screen and plenty of effects and settings to explore. An added bonus: You can save your favorites with the Fender app. Use the built-in tuner to get started, tap your desired tempo, and crank this light-but-loud unit all the way up.

Buy Fender Mustang LT40S $229.99

Yamaha THR10II 10W 2×3 Guitar Combo Amp

Compared side-by-side with the others in the bunch, Yamaha’s THR10II looks like it’s from another time, maybe even another planet. But it sounds great, and portability wasn’t lost in the design of this rectangular little powerhouse. At 15 watts, it’s still plenty loud for solo practice, and provides the option of emulating realistic tube-amp tones along with 15 guitar amps, three bass amps, three mic models for acoustic-electrics, and flat modes for everything else. It’s Bluetooth and USB compatible for headphones and desktops/laptops for when you’re ready to record.

Buy Yamaha THR10II 10W Guitar Combo Amp $299.99

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10 Best Portable Guitar Amps in 2024 (reviews)

A portable guitar amp is nice as it’s handy and great for street musicians and those who are traveling a lot.

There are tons of guitar amps on the market that offers great portability.

In fact, the numbers have increased given the fact that guitarists and musicians alike are a lot more mobile today than yesterday.

So, if you are in the quest for your first portable guitar amp or looking to replace your old amp, you’ve come to the right place.

Our musicians on-board spent so much time picking the best music gear in town.

And, in this article, we feature the best portable guitar amps this 2024.

We reviewed the best 10 products and from there, we get our recommendations.

In addition, if you are looking for help to find the right one for you, we include our best practices and a few tips. So sit back and read on!

10 Best Portable Guitar Amps 2024

Vox mini3 g2 modeling amp, roland micro cube gx guitar combo amp, roland cube street amplifier, yamaha thr10c mini guitar amplifier, peavey nano vypyr guitar amplifier, roland ac33 acoustic chorus amp, line 6 micro spider guitar amplifier, zt amplifiers lunchbox junior, fender champion 20 guitar amplifier, boss katana-mini guitar amplifier.

Offers 11 amp models from high-gain to clean tones, VOX MINI3 G2 Battery Powered Modeling Amp , supports a wide variety of instruments. It can be used with AC power source or six AA batteries, this gives you at least 10 hours of continuous entertainment and fun.

Features the maker’s proprietary “Bassilator” circuit, you’ll achieve heavy sound with ultra-low frequencies.

Comes with compact construction and design, it’s portable and always ready for home studio and even for outdoor use. It has enhanced quality effects like compressor, chorus, flanger, delay, reverb, and tremolo. Enjoy jamming with your MP3 player through the amps AUX input jack.

• Tiny amp with an exceptionally loud sound
• Has fantastic effects with good tremolo
• Can be used up to 10 hours with six AA batteries
• A little expensive than its competitors
• Tuner is not that useful
• Doesn’t support multiple lines

Roland Micro Cube GX Guitar Combo Amp is a portable and compact DSP guitar amp. It’s a 3W amp with a five-inch speaker that can either be battery-operated or AC-powered. Offered with a carry strapi-CUBE LINK jack that provides a simple interface with iPhone, iPod or iPod touch.

It’s packed with eight COSM guitar amp models including JC-120 and a special mic preamp. Additionally, it has eight DSP effects with chorus, tremolo, phaser, flanger and more. It has a separate delay or reverb function with a built-in tuner and has a headphone output and stereo auxiliary.

• Lightweight amp with incredible sound quality
• Crisp output with no hiss or feedback
• Low tones have good clarity character
• Some FX settings may produce noise
• Craftsmanship seems poor and cheap
• Craftsmanship seems poor and cheap Low-quality sounds when used outdoors

The compact and lightweight Roland CUBE Street Amplifier is something you need for your next street gigging and rehearsals. Featuring two high-performance 6.5-inch neodymium speakers, this amp is capable of high-volume output and great sound quality.

Battery-operated using six alkaline AA batteries that offer 15 hours of continuous use.

It has a dual-channel architecture with guitar/instrument and mic/line inputs, eight COSM amps, six digital effects, two-band EQ, delay/reverb and a built-in chromatic tuner.

The COSM amp model allows you to choose from six famous effects to get Roland’s sound quality. With the dual-channel and the XRL/1/4-inch mic input, singing and playing guitar with this amplifier is exciting.

• Affordable amp with lots of features on-board
• Rugged and portable design
• Perfect for any situation
• Straightforward
• Well-separated knobs and controls for easy operation
• Effects are limited
• Especially for professional players
• Not the loudest
• But definitely perfect for practice

It’s time to get serious with music production with Yamaha THR10C Mini Guitar Amplifier . It embraces Yamaha’s high-standard craftsmanship and advanced core technologies for making this personal amp deliver great sound fidelity.

Integrates with the Cubase AI recording software and some common apps, it has five class amp models with bass, acoustic and flat models that are present in the THR10X model.

Featuring Yamaha’s signature VCM technology, you can make great effects processing quickly. Add a bit of personal taste to the guitar tone or pickups. With the mono phone and stereo phone input, along with the AUX IN and USB, you’re getting enough versatility when it comes to connectivity.

• Controls are easily tweaked producing great sounds
• Perfect for home use
• Gives full and deep lows
• A great guitar amp for playing blues
• Country and classic rock
• No ability to change channels
• Can be better in terms of quality and playability

An ultimate travel guitar amp, the Peavey Nano Vypyr Battery Operated Guitar Amplifier is packed with 11 amp models and 36 effects combinations. It’s both AC-powered and battery-powered, along with the tones and technology of the award-winning Vypyr series.

Also, featuring global bass, mid, treble and gain controls for you to adjust the tones of the 11 exclusive analog amp models.

Its preamp section has the company’s patented TransTube technology, while the power section with the lightweight class-D amp. With the built-in DSP, you’ll get to enjoy on-board effects like chorus, compression, flanger, octave, reverb, delay and more.

The effects control knob helps you dial in the effect at one, while the expression pedal (optional) provides users real-time control over all the 36 effects combinations.

• Gives versatility and great tone quality
• Has more effects that you can use simultaneously
• Peavey has better distortion options
• Effects might add too much noise
• Toggle switch seems of cheap quality

Whether you go camping or out to the streets for gigs, you can never go wrong with Roland Battery-Powered Acoustic Chorus Amp (AC33) . It can take on whatever music production and wherever it may be because it runs on either AC power or eight AA batteries (accepts rechargeable ones, as well).

Portable, yet powerful, so you may be, you can enjoy, deep and rich stereo sound through its 30 watts (15W+15W) twin speakers.

It has dual-channel configuration (guitar and mic/line channels) with custom-tailored effects (reverb, chorus, and ambience), anti-feedback and a Phrase Looper.

Made with beautiful rosewood-look cabinets, it offers a stage-ready look and gorgeous black finish. It’s also a perfect addition to your living room or studio, as well as a perfect match to any guitar.

• Lightweight and portable with a line out for personal monitor
• Easy to set up
• Gives a great sound when used in one setting
• Chorus effect is usable
• Especially with acoustic guitars
• Clarity and volume of the amp are quite inconsistent (setting-dependent)
• Loop effects only 15 seconds and not foot-switchable
• But the build seems fragile

The Micro Spider amp models, specifically the Line 6 Micro Spider Guitar Amplifier , offer a wide tonal range like those of their popular predecessors. It’s battery-powered and fully-loaded with features and functionalities that you’ll never regret.

Comes with 12-inch Celestion speaker and integrated with its very own chromatic tuner.

In addition, it has two-inch tweeter that is great for full-range audio playback, plus 36 user-programmable presets. Perfect for home or vacation or playing guitar in the back of the tour bus. This portable guitar amp is always ready to give you its brilliant tones and vocals wherever you may be.

• Produce great sound with the Celestion speaker
• Definitely a great practice amp offered at a fairly low price
• Versatile in accommodating your style
• Classical or heavy metal
• The headphone jack output has some hissing sound when used
• Vibrations of the amp when the gain-type switch is used
• Need to read the manual before you can understand the controls

A portable 12V guitar amp is enough to power your weekend vacation or your small-town gigging performances. In this aspect, ZT Amplifiers Lunchbox Junior is a perfect choice, especially with its ultra-power 5-inch speaker.

Since it can be wall-powered or battery-powered using ZT Battery Pack or Car Adapter cable, you’ll be able to bring it anywhere you go.

Even without an outlet, you can still get up to 117dB of rich and superior sounds, which make it a powerful and reliable portable guitar amp. It comes with a 1/8-inch headphone output, 1/8-inch AUX in and switchable 115V/230V.

With a wide range of features and controls, you’ll be able to have warm and mellow output to pure overdrive, which can get really loud.

• Delivers tube-like warmth
• Best portable and battery-powered amplifier you can rely on
• Can turn the knobs all the way up without any noise or feedback
• Has an ambience knob
• Which isn’t that great
• Doesn’t have individual control for low
• Mid and high

Since 1946, Fender has been a leader when it comes to musical instrument manufacturing. So, you are assured of the quality and craftsmanship of its guitars, controllers, and amplifiers.

Speaking of amplifiers, there are a few Fender products that are trusted by musicians, and that is the Fender Champion 20 Guitar Amplifier .

You can easily shape and color your music with its EQ controls (bass + treble), dial-in lush effects (reverb, chorus, vibratome, and delay) and a knob for you to choose different tones from the 17 amp models with any genre of music.

Plug in your MP3 to the AUX IN and start jamming with your favorite band through its 1/8-inch headphone output. This 20-watt guitar amp is ideal for practice, especially in rock, blues, country, metal, and jazz.

• Great sounding amp with amazing loud sound quality
• Has headphones and AUX connections
• Affordable amp with very simple controls
• Doesn’t have foot-switchable option to change from clean to tweed
• Voice and effects are operated digitally
• Not continuously
• Shuts down with a loud and disturbing ‘pop’ sound

Hailed by guitarists everywhere in the world, Boss Katana-Mini Battery Powered Guitar Amplifier is one reliable guitar amp you can use this 2019.

Offering outstanding sound quality, this features three amp styles (brown, crunch, and clean), multi-stage analog gain circuit, analog EQ and tape-style delay. It’s compact and travel-ready, so you can bring it to your next gig or your next concert.

The multi-gain stage of this equipment drives three classic sound settings, so you can achieve that satisfying tone, interactive feel, and distortion that can be easily controlled by the pickup strength and input volume.

The three-band analog tone stack provides natural sound through the bass, mid and treble controls. Cool tape-style delay of this amp allows you to experience subtle reverb and warm ambience.

• Produce great sounds
• Very organic
• Amp is touch-responsive with surprising harmonics
• With AUX in
• So you can play videos and stream music
• Some preferred reverb than a decent delay
• Has terrible buzzing sound after a few times of use
• Has some gain
• Say some users

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST PORTABLE GUITAR AMP – A BUYING GUIDE

Portability of a thing usually depends on the ‘final say’ of the one who’ll be using it. Even though the manufacturer claims that their guitar amp is portable, but if the user finds it bigger or heavier for its application, he/she won’t choose it as a portable amp.

We list our best practices of finding the best portable guitar amps in 2019, that might help you find yours, as well.

Check the power source

Roland is very concise about checking the power source of the portable amp before buying. Some amps are offered with rechargeable batteries or you’ll need to buy AA batteries to power your guitar amp. Know this crucial information.

You don’t want to carry luggage that won’t work or stop working because the batteries are dead.

Size/Portability

Does it matter? Of course! You are looking for a handy guitar amp that you can use on vacation, camping, street gigging, practicing in the park, weekend gigs in bars and so on. Are you willing to add extra weight on top of your guitar baggage?

Digital effects, EQ and More

Amps are offered with a lot of useful stuff on-board. Check for built-in digital effects, Looper, EQ and a few more things mentioned by The Hub .

Usually, the more they are, the pricier the amp gets, but, the better your music production be. But, it’s better to check it first than be surprised by how lacking or how overwhelming your guitar amp is.

And, just to remind you, you’re looking for a portable amp, you don’t want to be short of effects on the road, right?

Try before you buy

This is probably the measurement that most beginning musicians failed to do. Spec sheets and reviews may lie, but your hands-on experience won’t.

If you aren’t confident picking one, have a professional guitarist to grab one for you — at least you can bother him whenever your amp isn’t that great.

This YouTube video gives you more information on how to pinpoint the best portable guitar amp for you, especially on your gigs.

EDITOR’s CHOICE

Most people are always looking for portable things since, in this day and age, people are mobile and seem to keep on traveling.

So, if you are a musician who is frequently on gigs or who travel a lot, a portable guitar amp is perfect for you.

Of the 10 that we know are top-notch when it comes to portability, we found two of the best — ZT Amplifiers Lunchbox Junior and Roland CUBE Street Amplifier .

Both are compact and lightweight, perfect for street gigging and rehearsals. They’re also the same when it comes to features and controls, especially with its battery option.

One offers longer uptime compared to the other. And though, one is a little expensive, it also offers longer usage time — that is the Roland CUBE Street Amplifier .

With great connectivity and portability along with 15 hours of jamming using batteries, surely this one is always ready to take on gigs and rigs anytime, anywhere.

Related posts:

• The Ultimate Guitar Amp Buying Guide For Beginners
• 7 Best Guitar Amps for Beginners in 2024 (reviews)
• 7 Best Busking Amps in 2024 (Portable & Battery Powered)
• 10 Best Solid State Amps Reviewed in 2024

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Best travel guitars 2024: top acoustic and electric travel guitars for portability and performance

Top travel guitar choices and buying advice for musicians on the move

• The quick list

Best overall

Best acoustic, best electric, best for metal, best for kids, more options....

• Buying advice
• How we choose

1. The quick list 2. Best overall 3. Best acoustic 4. Best nylon string 5. Best electric 6. Best for metal 7. Best for kids 8. More options... 9. Buying advice 10. How we choose products

We guitarists are supremely lucky – we already play an instrument that we can take and play anywhere with us. Let’s face it, drummers already look at us with envy at our relative portability. However, the best travel guitars enhance and refine that concept further to offer the ultimate in portability without compromising on tone and playability. From travel-size stalwarts from Taylor and Martin to fascinatingly unexpected options from Blackstar and Yamaha, there’s something here for everyone. 

Whether you’re constantly on the move and need a travel companion to satisfy your musical urges, perhaps your office has to hear your progress with Eugene’s Trick Bag, or maybe you want something a little comfier for the couch. If so, we’ve selected the very best travel guitars for you and they’re a surprisingly varied group – from full-scale electric guitars to 3/4-size acoustic electrics.

There’s a good reason for this variety; a travel guitar needs to be portable, of course, but how it achieves that can be decided by several factors. We’ve taken them all into consideration with our choices for the best travel guitars you can buy right now. You can find our top picks below, and if you need any further guidance, head straight for our buying advice section at the bottom of the page.

Best travel guitars: The quick list

Despite being released in 2010 the Taylor GS Mini-e is still one of the best implementations of travel guitar design ever. A solid top and excellent pickup make it the perfect travel guitar.

Read more below

Originally made famous by Ed Sheeran, the Martin LX1E 'Little Martin' carries all the famous build quality and tonal properties of this legendary guitar maker, in a super compact format.

For the nylon string players out there, this fast-playing and unusual-looking electro-acoustic features a removable upper bout, making it easy to transport anywhere.

There aren't loads of options for electric players when it comes to travel guitars, but the Blackstar Carry-On is a fantastic choice.  The body is tiny, giving you a 'proper' size neck to play on.

A marriage between ESP and the Traveler Guitar company, this mini metal guitar features locking tuners, an active humbucker, and the distinct looks of a full-size ESP LTD EC-1000.

Read more below 

With its cute colors, tiny build, and fantastic tone, the Epiphone Power Player SG is a great guitar for budding guitarists, whilst also being small enough to go wherever they do.

1. Taylor GS Mini-e Koa

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Taylor’s GS Mini was ahead of most of the pack when it launched in 2010, and it still stands up as a masterful design from the company’s design wizard Andy Powers. It’s a benchmark example of a guitar that sounds far fuller than its dimensions – aided by the slight arch of its back. Although over a decade old, due to its continued success, fantastic playability, and many attempted iterations we have honored it as our number one pick. 

With spruce and mahogany options proving popular, the Koa stands out for the visual clout of its dramatic figuring. A solid top, layered back and sides, Sapele neck, and ebony fingerboard provide a rich tonal recipe here. 

Taylor’s Expression System preamp system (including a handy tuner) and the high-quality included gigbag round out a superb package for one of the company’s best-value models. Left-handed models are available too – yay! 

2. Martin LX1E Little Martin

A firm favorite of Ed Sheeran – although he has made a move to Lowden in recent years – the Martin LX1E is Martin's pint-sized offering (and one of our top picks for the best 3/4 acoustic guitars ), delivering the outstanding built quality you’d expect from the acoustic giant and a quality amplified sound. 

This guitar is made with a solid Sitka spruce top and high-pressure laminate back and sides, as well as a composite neck. It may not have the elegant looks of the D-28 or HD-35, but it is incredibly strong and damn near indestructible. This mighty little guitar will undoubtedly handle any of the harsh conditions bestowed upon it. 

Read our full Martin LX1E Little Martin review

Best nylon string

3. Yamaha SLG200N Silent Guitar

The Silent Guitar is an unusual proposition with a detachable frame for folding down. It’s also designed to be plugged in for amplification or via headphones – it makes very little acoustic sound of its own. This has the advantage of quiet practice but the Silent Guitar’s SRT and pickup blend system also shines via a PA or acoustic combo live for surprisingly organic tones to mimic a real acoustic being mic’d. 

Its low action and slim neck will suit electric guitar players if they can accept its untraditional looks. The onboard chorus and reverb are reminiscent of the Transacoustic series and further enhance the SLG200N’s usability as a traveling companion. 

When it comes to traveling, the SLG200N can be partly disassembled as the bass side of the body screws off. This allows you to slot the guitar in the Yamaha-branded gig bag like you're carrying around a laptop. Easy peasy. 

4. Blackstar Carry-On

Blackstar have made a guitar!? Yes indeed, the guitar amp company joined forces with fellow Brits Gordon Smith Guitars on a down-sized electric; 20.7-inch scale with a ukulele -sized body is certainly compact but the result stacks up comfortably well with a full-size neck.

It’s a one piece body and neck design to aid resonance and we really like design touches like the tortoiseshell-like plastic binding and the playing comfort of the matt neck, sides and back. It’s also great to see a coil-split on the humbucker pickup for tonal versatility through an amp – you can even buy the Carry-on as a package with Blackstar’s Fly3 mini amp.  

Read the full Blackstar Carry-On Deluxe Pack review  

5. Traveler Guitar LTD EC-1

Another collaboration between two successful guitar brands, Traveler already have a formidable reputation for electric travel guitars and ESP build some of the finest guitars for heavy rock and metal around with its EC series; the LTD EC-1 is the combination of those skills.

The full-scale singlecut model first surfaced in 2016 and is now available in Vintage Black with gold hardware – a Traveler design calling card is to cut down on overall length by placing locking tuners within the body design. The pickup here is an ESP-designed active humbucker, so it’s ideal for higher gain tones and cutting lead work with the inbuilt headphone amp. It even features a bevelled cutaway for higher fret access. 

6. Epiphone Power Players SG

Although Epiphone’s Power Player series has a strong appeal to a young beginner, it also presents a fantastic option for some traveling humbucker bite. The SG variant comes in three awesome finishes – Lava Red, Ice Blue, and Dark Matter Ebony – and the included Epiphone branded gig bag almost begs you to take one on your next trip. 

Far from being just another beginner guitar, this SG is equipped with a set of 650R/700T ’buckers which will satisfy any cravings you may have when parted from your beloved housebound axe. Although you’ll have to bring some kind of amplification to utilize the guitar fully, a pocket-friendly headphone amplifier like the fantastic Fender Mustang Micro will have you covered. 

The Slim Taper D neck profile and contoured neck heel help with playability, and we found that the string spacing feels natural enough not to mess with our muscle memory. Also, if you aren’t a fan of the slightly off-kilter feel of an SG, there’s a Les Paul variant if that’s more your thing. So, if you’re after a viable travel size option to rock out on the road, check out the Power Players, you won’t be disappointed. 

Read the full Epiphone Power Players review

7. Yamaha APXT2

This is the third entry for Yamaha on this list, but we felt it needed to be included. Yamaha has taken their ever-popular APX and shrunk it down to create the APXT2. This 3/4 sized acoustic is one of the smallest on this list, measuring in at only 34 inches, and will happily fit in most traveling situations. 

The onboard pickup is surprisingly good on the APXT2 and offers a tone far greater than the unplugged sound. The preamp also comes with a handy built-in guitar tuner , meaning you don't have to pack any extra gear. The satin finish not only looks great but is very smooth to play. In fact, the whole neck is very familiar, and if you have played Yamaha guitars in the past, then you'll get on with how this feels. It also comes in a range of different colors, just like its big brother, the APX500. 

So if you are a fan of the APX series or are looking for a unique-looking travel guitar, then it's worth checking these out. 

8. Sheeran By Lowden S03

Whatever you think of Ed Sheeran’s music, he has great taste in luthier’s. George Lowden actually designed the Wee Lowden travel-size guitar for the songwriter and their friendship blossomed into a full series of guitars in 2019.

The S03 had a refresh in 2021 – the ‘S’ stands for small body and the latest 24.8-inch scale model features a solid cedar top but with a rosewood and mahogany layering at the back and sides this time. An impressively full sound is matched with the quality of the LR Baggs VTC system for plugging in, and with the cutaway design this is one of the best travel-size acoustics for live performance. 

Read the full Sheeran By Lowden SO3 review  

Best travel guitars: Buying advice

Should I get an electric or an acoustic travel guitar?

One of the initial choices you’ll have to make when purchasing a travel guitar is between electric and acoustic. Both have their pros and cons, so deciding what will work best for you is the most important.

With an electric travel guitar, you’ll be able to practice quietly, with the assistance of a headphone amp, so if you don’t want to bug anyone in your vicinity, an electric one may be the better option. Also, it’s far easier to record with an electric travel guitar on the move; if you have your laptop and a small audio interface then hey presto, you can record the next platinum-selling album on your bus to work. However, needing additional pieces of hardware, like a headphone amp, may put people off getting a travel electric. If you want to travel with the least faff possible, an acoustic may be the better option.

Although acoustic travel guitars don’t need additional amplification, they will be slightly deeper than their electric cousins. This depth does come with an advantage, it will project the sound a lot further and you will get a much louder sound out of an acoustic travel guitar.

What makes a great travel guitar?

A travel guitar’s portability can be due to a smaller body, lighter weight and shorter scale (this is the distance from the guitar’s nut to its saddle) but a guitar can still be great for carrying around with you and have a full-scale. 

Having said that, acoustic travel guitars tend to have a shorter scale and smaller bodies to be portable, but they will still be tuned and play like a regular guitar. Indeed, the best travel guitars we have selected in this guide all shine for their playability as well as tone so they don’t take much getting used to. 

Electric travel guitars can usually plug into guitar amps and PAs but some have their own inbuilt amps to use headphones with, making them all-in-one practice tools. 

Can I gig with a travel guitar?

Absolutely, and many acoustic travel guitars include inbuilt pickups and preamps to allow for this. Ed Sheeran is one of the most famous living guitarists on the planet and uses a small-scale travel guitar onstage and in the studio. He likes them so much he’s even got his own series of them now.

Even electric travel guitars designed for headphone practice can be used with amps if you wish, so they could be a great choice for travelling to jams or impromptu gigs with. 

What string gauge should I use for a travel guitar?

Due to their shorter scale length, the strings on a travel guitar usually feel pretty slinky and a lot bendier. This can throw some players off, particularly if your playing style includes a lot of note bends or if you’re a little heavy-handed. A way to combat this can be with a heavier string gauge. Heavier strings will compensate for a short scale length and using a set of 0.012s on a travel guitar will feel more like a set of 0.010s on a full-sized guitar. So if you’ve had trouble with super slinky strings on your travel companion go for a thicker set of strings, it should hopefully solve your issue.

How we choose the best travel guitars

Here at  Guitar World , we are experts in our field, with many years of playing and product testing between us. We live and breathe everything guitar and bass related, and we draw on this knowledge and experience of using products in live, recording and rehearsal scenarios when selecting the products for our guides.

When choosing what we believe to be the best travel guitars available right now, we combine our hands-on experience, user reviews and testimonies and engage in lengthy discussions with our editorial colleagues to reach a consensus about the top products in any given category.

First and foremost, we are guitarists, and we want other players to find the right product for them. So we take into careful consideration everything from budget to feature set, ease of use and durability to come up with a list of what we can safely say are the best travel guitars on the market right now.

Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly  how we test  each product.  

Related buyer's guides

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

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Rob is the Guitars Editor for MusicRadar , handling news, reviews, features, tuition, advice for the strings side of the site and everything in between. Before MusicRadar, he worked on guitar magazines for 15 years, including as Editor of Total Guitar. He's currently set aside any pipe dreams of getting anywhere with his own songs and is enjoying playing covers in function bands.

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11 best portable guitar amplifiers.

With every electric guitar comes a guitar amp. You can have the nicest electric guitar in the world, but if you have no amp capable of producing a great sound, your guitar is virtually worthless. 

There are countless brands and various types of guitar amps out there, from full stacks to miniature pocket amps, and sorting through them all can be overwhelming – especially for a beginner. 

Every new player out there has dreamed of owning or playing through a full stack of speakers loud enough to be heard from outer space, but unless you’re playing concerts in a different arena every night, there’s not a need for the giant amps you see in movies and on television. 

My best advice is to get something that best suits your needs, and that you love the sound of. 

Let’s get into our list of 11 of the best portable guitar amplifiers.

Table of Contents

Best Portable Guitar Amplifiers Reviewed

1. yamaha thr10c classic.

All you need to get going with this portable amp from Yamaha are 6 AA batteries. The THR10C Classic is a tabletop tone monster not much bigger than a loaf of sliced bread.

It delivers awesome, tube-like tones ranging from brilliant Fender-like cleans to vintage and tasteful mild distortion. The keyword to keep in mind there is “mild.” 

The Yamaha THR10C Classic was designed with classic tones in mind. You won’t find screaming lead tones on this unit, but if the natural warmth and mild breakup of classic valve-based amp models are appealing to you, you might just want to give this thing a try.

Yamaha was able to achieve the natural sound of tubes through their proprietary VCM (virtual circuitry modeling) technology, making the amp ultra-responsive and dynamic. 

The THR10C Classic provides ten different amp simulations, with several extra effects, as well as USB and AUX outputs to make live and recorded performances much easier – not to mention the stereo mode, which makes this little amp sound ten times wider than it really is.

2. Marshall MS2 Mini Amp

The Marshall MS2 Mini Amp is small enough to fit on your belt loop and loud enough to serve as potentially the best practice amp on this list. If you like to walk around and practice, or sit outside in the park while you jam, this amp could be one of your go-to’s. 

This unit features a simple setup, powered by a single 9-volt battery or a 9-volt battery supply. You’ll easily find a clean and an overdrive channel, along with a volume and a tone knob for minor adjustments.

Because of the amp’s size and overall output limitations, live performances wouldn’t be the best place to show this amp off. The value in this amp comes from your ability to easily pack it in a suitcase or backpack pocket and hit the road. 

3. VOX Mini3 G2 Battery Powered Modeling Amp

The VOX Mini3 G2 is one of the most versatile amps on this list. It’s powered by 6 AA batteries or the included power adapter.

It is small and light enough to be taken virtually anywhere you’d like to go. The VOX Mini3 G2 features amp modeling technology, giving you the option to choose from 11 amp models, and use 8 different onboard signal processing effects. 

This opens the door for exploration of countless musical styles, and simultaneously gives you the freedom to go wherever you please, be it the city streets, countryside, or university courtyard. VOX has always provided guitarists with high-quality guitar amplification, and you’ll find similar quality with this mini amp just the same. 

4. Roland Cube Street Combo Amp

You don’t typically hear the name Roland in conversations among guitarists, but this little amp begs for recognition. The Roland Cube Street Combo Amp might just be the most versatile amp on this list due to its high volume output and onboard amp modeling. 

You either need the included 9V power adapter, or 6 AA batteries to get going with this amp. It features 8 amp models, a built-in chromatic tuner, and 2 digital effects processors. You’ll get a solid 15 hours of playtime if used with batteries, making this good for back-to-back gigs on the go. 

The Cube Street Combo Amp also doubles as a PA system, including a two-channel architecture, making this a great option for anyone who needs to be able to play and sing through one amp! 

5. Fender Mini ’57 Twin-Amp

If you’re a busy studio musician or guitar tech and just need something to quickly plug into to test, the Fender Mini ‘57 should be your next go-to. This mini amp has all of the classic charm of the original 50’s Fender sound packed into one small 1-Watt container. 

This little unit is powered by a single 9V battery, but don’t let that fool you – it can be loud if you need it to be, but not so loud that you could take it on stage with you.

Onboard you’ll find an on/off switch, drive, tone, and volume control, giving you all the controls you need for that classic Fender sound. This amp is great for practicing, playing in small acoustic ensembles, and traveling. 

6. Danelectro Honeytone N-10 Mini Guitar Amp

If you’re like me, then you’re probably a fan of how vintage amps and guitars sound. Natural valve breakup and warmth are two of my favorite aspects of a vintage tone.

The downside to having such a love for these is the cost of vintage gear. Luckily, you can get that warm vintage tone without breaking the bank or your eardrums with this Honeytone N-10 Mini Guitar Amp by Danelectro.

This little amp is powered by a single 9-volt battery and is small enough to clip onto your belt loop, making it an extremely portable option for a practice amp.

It features a single channel with an off/volume knob, tone knob, and overdrive knob. You won’t find any fancy amp modeling onboard this mini tone-beast, but you won’t miss any from this transistor-based vintage design. 

7. Pignose Legendary 7-100

In terms of portability, this mini amp belongs near the top. The Pignose Legendary 7-100 is another monster powered by 6 simple AA batteries.

It features an incredibly simple design of a single channel with volume control, a single 5’’ speaker, and uniquely, a preamp output. The simplicity of design might lead some to believe that this amp doesn’t belong on a “best-of,” list, but it’s actually a high-end piece of gear. 

The simple design allows you to use it as either a high-end fuzz pedal or a standalone clean-sounding amp with all the chime and clarity you can expect from a 5” speaker -and then some! 

This little amp is somewhat of a boutique piece of gear. You’ll be able to get the best out of a fuzzy, crunchy sound by pushing the amp, and also a beautiful clarity when pushing your guitar’s volume. Some experimentation will certainly lead the way!

8. Blackstar Fly 3 Mini Amp

As it is with most of the amps on this list, The Blackstar Fly 3 Mini Amp is perfect for practicing. It’s loud enough to sound and feel good but not so loud that it’s disturbing to others.

If you love the sound of a nice Blackstar amp but can’t afford to invest in a valve combo or stack, the Fly 3 might be your next best starting point. 

This little amp is battery powered, features a clean and overdrive channel ranging from chiming clean to almost-broken up, and mild overdrive to screaming lead. While this amp is transistor-based, you’ll still notice some nice tube-like warmth when pushing the clean channel. 

This amp is small enough to fit on any desktop, packed in just about any sized bag or suitcase, making it a great option for the traveling guitarist. Take your Blackstar tone just about anywhere!

9. Boss Katana Mini

Another brand name that’s not often heard in conversations among guitarists is Boss, but that doesn’t exclude this amp from the conversation.

The Boss Katana Mini is yet another powerhouse supported by either 6 AA batteries or a power adapter. This amp provides you with a brown channel for screaming leads or high-gain metal tones, a crunch channel for overdriven rhythm sounds, and a clean channel for those chiming arpeggios. 

If you’re looking for something to provide you with a huge rock or metal guitar tone for less, you need to take a look at the Boss Katana Mini.

While still not as loud as many standard guitar amps out there, the Boss Katana Mini still holds its own in terms of raw output volume. 

10. VOX Pathfinder 10

While you won’t be able to turn this amp on without a standard power cable, that doesn’t make it any less portable. The VOX Pathfinder 10 is your next go-to 10-watt combo amp, giving you all the pristinely clean and unique crunch of VOX amplifiers.

This amp gives you a channel of clean and overdrive, along with gain, treble, bass, and volume knobs for tone customization. 

If you’re worried about disturbing your neighbors or roommates while you practice, you’ll be able to take advantage of the headphone/line-out jack.

Simply plug in your headphones and the speaker is automatically muted, leaving you free to practice without disturbing anyone else. Use that same headphone/line-out jack for easy recording directly into your DAW, without having to set up a single microphone!

11. Orange Micro Terror MT20 Amp Head

If you’re in need of a tiny amp, but also in need of a big sound, you need to check out Orange’s Micro Terror MT20 Amp Head . While this requires an external speaker cabinet, it could potentially fill your amp needs for a long time coming.

The Micro Terror features a single 12AX7 preamp tube, giving you all the classic orange valve warmth, along with a 20-watt solid-state power amp. 

Like most of Orange’s amp models, the Micro Terror gives you all the classic British guitar tones via the simple controls of volume, tone, and gain.

If you’re an avid user of effects pedals, this amp will provide you with all the loud and clean you could need for almost any small gig setup. 

Why Buy A Portable Guitar Amp?

Portable guitar amplifiers have grown in popularity over the years and for good reason.

They’re inexpensive when compared to their giant stage-worthy counterparts, they’re portable (hence the name), and they don’t take up much room.

Someone who doesn’t have the extra space to store a larger guitar amp would benefit from purchasing a portable amp simply because you can keep it in a drawer, or on a desk. 

Different Types of Guitar Amps

Let’s talk about the different types of guitar amps out there. 

Tube amplifiers are the original guitar amplifiers. Many classic guitar tones out there are owed to the characteristic sound of vacuum-tube-based amplification. These amps are designed to use valves, or vacuum tubes, to amplify the electrical signal produced by the magnetic pickups on your electric guitar. 

Tube amps are typically much heavier, making them less portable, and much louder – which isn’t always a bad thing (unless you have neighbors close by).

When it comes to tube amps, the louder you turn them up, the better they will sound, so it may not be in your best interest to go with a tube amp if you’re looking for something portable. 

Solid-State Amps

Solid-state amps sound great – especially at quieter volumes. Contrary to their valve-based counterparts, solid-state amplifiers use electrical components called transistors to amplify the electrical signal from your guitar’s pickups. 

Solid-state amps are popular for many reasons. They’re less expensive, easier to maintain (you don’t have to replace the tubes), and much lighter, making them great for gigging musicians. 

The problem with solid-state amplifiers is that they tend to produce harsh and unpleasant amounts of distortion if the transistors are pushed too hard (i.e. if they’re turned up too loud). Many people prefer tube amplifiers for this very reason, but now hybrid amps offer a solution to give guitarists the best of both worlds. 

Hybrid guitar amplifiers are designed as a combination of both solid-state and tube amplification. Hybrid amps can feature a valve-based preamp circuit, feeding into a solid-state power amp circuit, or vice versa. This makes hybrid amps more versatile than a complete solid-state or tube-based design. 

Modeling amps are simply amps that have onboard digital microprocessing, allowing the amp to model the sounds of any other guitar amp. These sounds are programmed instead of produced naturally through onboard effects processing and pedals.

Several of the best portable guitar amplifiers on this list feature some type of amp modeling, offering upwards of 11 different amp models to choose from, while other amps create a distinct sound of their own. 

Guitar Amp Sizes

Guitar amp stacks have an amp head, which you plug your guitar into. The head unit houses all of the electronic components that amplify the signal coming from your guitar.

These components include a preamp, guitar effects (like equalization, gain, reverb, etc), and a power amp. The only thing missing from the head unit is the speakers, which are most often purchased separately.

These are the amps worthy of a concert stage because you can connect the head unit to just about any set of speakers necessary. This makes customizing speaker cabinets something to get excited about, but if you don’t need it then it’s just an expensive hobby. 

Combo amps make up the majority of amps out there. What gives a combo amp its name is the combination of a head unit and speaker cabinet in one single piece. Almost every amp on this list is a combo amp.

Minis and Micros

Mini and micro guitar amps are simply tiny versions of combo amps. They’re most often battery-powered, and small enough to hang from your pocket or belt, making them the most portable amps out there.

There was a time when a friend bought me a mini guitar amp as a gift and I laughed because I assumed it was just a gimmick, but it became one of my favorite practice and travel amps.

What does an amplifier do for your music?

The amplifier you choose to use will directly affect the sound of your music. That seems a little obvious to say, but it’s true.

Without an amplifier, you’ll never be able to hear your electric guitar, and a low-budget, low-quality amplifier will only make your nice guitar sound cheap. 

That doesn’t mean that inexpensive guitar amps are all low-quality though. There are gems hidden everywhere and it’s your job to find the ones that you think suit your ideal sound the best.

Does a beginner guitarist need an amp?

If you’re a beginner guitarist with an electric guitar, then absolutely, yes. Without an amplifier, your electric guitar is extremely quiet and needs an amp of some kind to make it possible for you and others to comfortably hear it. 

Best Portable Guitar Amp – Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a complete beginner in search of your first practice amp, or a seasoned performer looking around for something new to renew your thirst for practicing, you’ll find that any of the portable amps listed above will suit your needs. 

For your first guitar amp, any of the above will suit your needs, except for the Orange Micro Terror, as you’ll need to purchase an external speaker cabinet to use it.

If you’re looking for something to practice on at home or perform on the streets with, you might want to take a look at some of the battery-powered amps, as you won’t have to worry about the power supply.

For sonic quality and versatility, my first choice and top recommendation all around is the Yamaha THR10C Classic. The closest second on this list is the Roland Cube, which offers plenty of volume, clarity, and versatility. 

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The 13 Best Mini Portable Guitar Amps (Top Picks of This Year)

• Written by: Tiff Bryan
• Gear & Tech Reviews

We are supported by our visitors. If you click through our links & make a purchase, we may earn an affiliate commission.  Learn more

Looking for the best mini guitar amp for home, studio, or travel use? Here are 13 of the best wee beasties on the market today.

Think small guitar amps are just toys? Think again, my friend! We’ve found 13 game-changing mini guitar amplifiers, both battery and mains powered, that are primed to win over your heart. 

The neat thing about all these combo amplifiers? They’re inexpensive, portable and don’t take up much room.  

Beginner to advanced or whether you’re strumming in your backroom or hitting small intimate stages, these mini amp beasts are about to become your ultimate sidekick.

Who Needs A Small Mini Guitar Amp?

• The Bedroom Strummer : For those late-night jam and practice sessions, a mini guitar amp is your go-to companion. It's perfect for living room players who want to rock out without disturbing the neighbors (or being moaned at by your other half - you know too well what we mean!)
• The Lunchtime Lick Master : Even on the busiest workdays, a mini guitar amp is a savior for professionals who crave their midday dose of music. Sneak in some practice during lunch breaks and keep your skills sharp without missing a beat.
• The Weekend Warrior : Heading to small gigs or impromptu jam sessions? A mini guitar amp is a must-have for those who want a punch of sound without hauling heavy gear.
• The Dorm-Room Rockstar : College life can be cramped, but a mini guitar amp turns any dorm room into a stage. It's ideal for students who crave sonic exploration without crowding their space.

Ready to snag a pint-sized amp you can smuggle into your gear collection? Time to roll out the reviews and rock.

1. Vox VX15 GT 15W Digital Modeling Amp

You can’t deny that Vox are the granddaddy of epic amp tone. And when it comes to their Vox VX15 GT, they don’t disappoint.

This 15-watt modelling amp packs in a whopping 11 amp simulators and 8 effects, including delay, flanger and chorus.

The added tap button is handy to easily set your own delay time and let your inner Edge rip.

With impressive amp modelling, solid build quality, and the ability to plug in a microphone and external devices such as your MP3 player or phone, the VX15 is a wee little beast.

You’ll love: The lightweight combo amp’s ability to be polite and quiet or brash and loud as you command.

• Wattage – 15 Watts
• Power – Power adaptor 
• Controls – Volume, gain, tone, amp simulators, effects, 
• Ins/Outs:  Instrument, Mic, AUX jack
• Amp simulators – 11
• FX – 8 
• Dimensions – 31.3D x 35.4W x 20.8H cm | 3.8 kg

2. Fender Mini '57 Twin Amp

Learn more at Amazon

The Fender Mini ’57 is a super-compact practice amp that would feel equally at home sitting on your desktop or practice room floor. The retro tweed finish makes this amp perfect for those players who love rocking that vintage Fender vibe. Whilst the modest 2 by 2-inch 1-watt speakers won’t give you earth-shattering power, the volume is loud enough and perfect for not bothering others you live with when you’re practicing your chops at home. One tip with this amp when using the distortion sound is to turn the tone knob low, and the result is less fuzz and more pleasing rock n’ roll growl.

Users report that using the amp with headphones is a joy and has the desirable knock-on effect of making you want to pick up your guitar more than ever.

You’ll love:   The real vintage fabric and leather handle make this cheap-as-chips mini practice amp feel much more expensive than it actually is.

• Wattage  -1 Watt
• Power  – 1 x 9V battery or 9V power adaptor 
• Controls  – Power, volume, tone, drive
• Ins/Outs:  Instrument, Mic
• Amp simulators  – Non
• FX  – Non
• Dimensions  – 7.6D x 14.6W x 13.3H cm |0.5 Kg

3. Boss Katana Mini Amplifier

You don’t have to look hard online to find glowing reviews of the Katana Mini amp by Boss. It offers you a wide range of lush tones, and the 7 watts deliver a shockingly louder sound than you’d imagine from such a petite guy. Whether you’re sitting on the sofa at home, jamming with your band, or getting a cheeky practice session in at work, both the clean and driven sounds are fantastic on the Katana.

The choice of ‘brown’, crunch, and clean tones means this amp not only sounds good, but it’s bags of fun to play. Rich, full tones with a warm ambient delay, this Boss micro amp offers you much more than you’d expect once you plug it in and let rip.

You’ll love:  Many users are singing the praises at the impressive battery life this mini amp gives you.

• Wattage  -7 Watts
• Power  – 6 x AA batteries and AC power adaptor 
• Controls  – Amp type, volume, gain, bass, middle, treble, delay time, delay level
• Ins/Outs:  Instrument, Aux in
• Amp simulators  – Non – 3 tone choices
• FX  – 1: Delay
• Dimensions  – 11.6D x 23.0W x 18.1H cm |1 Kg

4. Marshall MS4 Mini Micro Full Stack

If you’re a diehard Marshall fan and you’re after a tiny portable amp, the MS4 Mini Micro Full Stack is going to be right up your street. Ideal for on-the-go practice, the MS4 has an impressive amount of distortion when you crank up the gain, and balancing the volume level on your guitar will help produce a great clean sound to boot. The Micro Stack has two speaker cabs, headphone output for rocking out in private, and is powered by either a 9V battery or  AC power adapter .

You’ll love:  G reat mini Marshall tone delivered by the uber-cool-looking stack design.

• Power  – 9V battery
• Controls  – Volume, gain, tone
• Ins/Outs:  Instrument, headphones
• Amp simulators  – Non 
• Dimensions  –  6D x 11W x 26H cm |1 lb

5. Roland CUBE-10GX Guitar Amplifier

There are an impressive amount of features packed into the Roland Micro Cube that put other small amplifiers to shame.

3 COSM amp models, 8 DSP effects, tuner, stereo aux input for external devices, carry strap and even a memory function for saving your favourite amp settings. You name it; the Micro Cube fits it in.

Regardless of if you’re on the road or noodling about chilling at home, Roland’s Micro Cube would be a smart purchase choice if you’re the kind of player who likes fiddling around with different amp sounds and effects.

You’ll love:  The terrific-sounding amp for such a small price tag.

• Wattage  – 10 Watts
• Power  – AC power adaptor 
• Controls  – Gain, volume, amp type, effects, tuner, tone, master, memory function
• Amp simulators  – 8
• FX  – 8
• Dimensions  – 17.9D x 34.6W x 31.7H cm | 4.7 kg

6. Blackstar Fly 3 Mini Amp

The Blackstar FLY 3 is a handy mini portable guitar amp. The two-channel 3-watt practice amp features tape delay, EQ and aux input for you to plug in your device of choice, such as an MP3 player or phone. At first look, you might be concerned about the capabilities of this amp due to its tiny size, but once you plug in your guitar, any worries will instantly disappear. The Fly 3 gives you the grunt of a larger amp but at a small price. It’s a no-brainer.

You’ll love:  The ability to connect to the  Fly 103 cabinet  to create a 6-watt stereo amp experience if the urge takes over you.

• Wattage  – 3 Watts
• Power  –  6 x AA batteries or  6.5V DC power supply  
• Controls  – Volume, gain, ISF EQ, overdrive switch, delay level
• Ins/Outs:  Instrument, line in/Aux, headphones
• FX  – 1
• Dimensions  – 14.2D x 19.3W x 10.9H cm | 1 kg

7. VOX Pathfinder 10 Guitar Amp

The Pathfinder 10 gives you everything you’d expect from a Vox amp; growling crunch and crisp, rich, clean tones. From blues, jazz, rock, whatever your style of playing, this 10-watt combo amp will serve you well and deliver stellar sound. One of the bigger mini amps on our list, the Vox Pathfinder 10 is still little enough to be portable. If you’re looking to buy a no-frills just ‘plug-and-play’ great sounding amp, look no further. All in all, the size and wattage of this twin-channel amp makes the Pathfinder 10 an excellent choice for both home practice and studio jamming.

You’ll love: The super  cool  grill colour options  including  Union Jack,  Classic  and  Denim .

• Wattage  -10 Watts
• Power  – AC Power Adaptor integrated
• Controls  – Gain, volume, treble, bass, clean/overdrive switch
• Amp simulators  – Non – 2 channels
• Dimensions  – ‎20.3D x 43.2W x 30.5H cm| 454 g

8. Yamaha THR5 Guitar Amp

The 10-watt THR5 portable Yamaha desktop guitar amp oozes quality and offers you multiple sound and effect combinations. With 5 amp sims to choose from, USB input, tuner and intuitive tone switches, the THR5 is a mighty versatile little amp. The THR5 is solid-state, but Yamaha has modelled the internal signal paths from famous tube amps to give you a tone you’ll fall in love with. Whilst this amp isn’t one of the cheapest on our list, the THR5 has added features you’ll find helpful day-to-day. Take the USB connection, for example. It gives you two channels of recording to your computer and two channels of playback from your computer. This is useful if you like to make your own music or simply record your guitar practice sessions. In conclusion, if you’re after a quality micro amp that’s anything but a toy, the THR5 is worth looking at.

You’ll love:  The  super durable rugged metal chassis design.

• Power  – AC power adaptor (included) or 8 x AA batteries
• Controls  – Amp Model, gain, master, tone, effect, delay/reverb, volume, tap tempo/Tuner
• Ins/Outs:  Instrument, headphones, USB
• Amp simulators  – 5
• Dimensions  – ‎12D x 27.1W x 16.7H cm | 2 kg

9. Orange Amps Crush Mini 3W

Okay, so don’t expect hair-curling volumes or knock-out tones from this little guy, but do expect fun distortion and crunchy tones from the Orange Crush Mini amp. With its 3″ speaker, the tone control delivers a vintage boxy midrange tone, or you can tweak away for a brighter modern tone. The Crush Mini is more than just a great-sounding amp. It also has a built-in tuner, a headphone output, and an Aux-In jack. This means you can tune your guitar, practice quietly with headphones, or jam along to your favorite songs.

Just be careful not to knock this amp around too much; built like a tank; it ain’t.

You’ll love:  Plugging it into your 4×12 cab, cranking the gain and letting your guitar scream like a Banshee on a full moon.

• Power  – 9V battery or DC adapter
• Controls  – Gain, tone, volume
• Ins/Outs:  Instrument, headphones, aux in
• Dimensions  – ‎8.3D x 15W x 14.5H cm | 904 g

10. Orange Micro Terror MT20 Amp Head

Are you looking for an amp head that won’t result in a trip to the chiropractor every time you pick it up? The Orange Micro Terror MT20 amp is your man. The Micro Terror won’t only surprise you by how small and light it is, but the hybrid design with 12AX7 preamp tube and 20-watt power amp combine to deliver a sound that’ll knock your socks off. Coupled with any speaker cabinet that’s 8-16 Ohm, such as the Orange PPC-108 cab or even 4×12 cabinets, you get enough grunt for metal and plenty of bright sparkle for jazz. Don’t underestimate the power of this bitesize little dude; tweak away at the volume and gain and enjoy the ride.

You’ll love:  The   distinctive Orange amp sound delivered at a pleasingly small price tag.

• Wattage  -20 Watts
• Power  – DC 15V Adapter (included)
• Controls  – Gain, volume, tone, power
• Ins/Outs:  Instrument, speaker, headphones, aux
• Dimensions  – ‎9.2D x 16.5W x 13.5H cm | 907.18 g

11. Marshall MG10 Guitar Amp

If you’re looking for a great starter guitar amp that’s portable, simple to use and cheap, or if you’re just after a second small amp that’s convenient to practice with at home, the MG10 CF from Marshall is a stellar choice. It is intuitive and easy for any player to get their head around. The two channels give you clean and crunch, volume control for each, and a tone contour control that allows you to dial in the sound to your taste. You get that classic Marshall build quality at a fraction of the price of the big boys from the diddy MG10 CF. What’s more, we think you’ll find the amp strikingly loud for its size.

You’ll love:  The carbon fibre finish or classic Marshall black and gold colour options.

• Power  – Integrated power lead
• Controls  – Gain/volume, gain, volume, contour
• Ins/Outs:  Instrument, Headphones, MP3
• Dimensions  – ‎17D x 29W x 31H cm | 4.8kg

12. Danelectro Honeytone N-10 Mini Guitar Amp

If you’re the type of person who likes their guitar gear not just to sound good but to look good, your search is over. Danelectro’s Honeytone N-10 gives you a clean or overdriven sound that belies its stature. And this little fella looks undeniably cool too. It has a clip so you can attach it to your belt, comes with a 9V battery, and features a headphone jack, volume, tone, and overdrive controls.

The perfect amp to walk around with while you are practicing or jamming. It may be small, but this stylish retro micro amp packs a punch.

You’ll love:  The ease at which you’ll be able to practice on your guitar with this tiny amp sat within arm’s reach on your desk or coffee table.

• Wattage  – 1 Watt
• Power  – 9V battery (included)
• Controls  – Volume, tone, overdrive
• Dimensions  – ‎7.6D x 15.2W x 15.2H cm | 431 g

13. VOX amPlug 2 Guitar Headphone Amp

What’s that? You want an even more tiny portable guitar amp solution? You couldn’t get any more micro than the Vox amPlug 2 headphone amp then.

The perfect no-fuss on-the-go practicing aid, simply plug your guitar and headphones into this headphone amp, and you’re good to go. You can even plug in your metronome or MP3 into this funky gadget to play along with. With its gain, tone, volume and fx dials, the amPlug packs in a surprising amount of features into its teeny tiny body.

You’ll love:  The  choice you get of different Vox amPlug 2 models including,  Classic AC30 ,  Blues , Clean, Lead and Metal. We just wish Vox would bring out a super amPlug with all these babies combined in one!

• Power  – 2 x AAA batteries
• Controls  – Gain, tone, volume, fx
• Ins/Outs:  Instrument, Headphones, Aux
• Amp simulators  – 3
• FX  – 3
• Dimensions  – ‎‎8D x 8.6W x 3.1H cm | 40 g

Summing it Up

If you want a surefire way of increasing your enjoyment of playing the guitar, it’s all about making your practice time convenient and fun. The best way to achieve this is to get yourself a mini portable amplifier. As you’ve just discovered in our list of the top 13 micro guitar amps for beginners, intermediates and beyond, you have the choice of getting either a basic or feature-packed amp. Both types have their advantages; The benefit of a no-frills small guitar amp is its ease of use. This makes practice painless as they eliminate you having to get too involved in the controls.

Conversely, the benefit of a singing-all-dancing feature-rich micro amp is that it gives you a choice of settings. This can make your practice time more interesting, creative, and fun. The choice is yours. But whichever type of small amp you go for, plug in and have hours of playing fun.

Overcome challenges and amplify your musical skills

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The best guitar amps in 2024, tested and reviewed

By Julian Vittorio

Posted on May 11, 2023 4:00 PM EDT

11 minute read

Best overall

Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb

Best for home use.

Roland Jazz Chorus-40

Best budget.

Positive Grid Spark 40

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›

In the world of electric guitars, the guitar amplifier is as essential a piece of equipment as the instrument itself. Available in varieties big and small, with a range of tone and circuitry options, guitar amps allow players to explore the creative bounds of the electric guitar’s capabilities on their own terms. Whether you’re looking for a portable guitar amp that packs a punch, a clean amp for effects, a small tube amp that delivers warm overdrive, or a classic amp that does a little bit of everything, this list of the best guitar amps has something for every player and every scenario.

• Best overall: Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb
• Best small: Supro 1612RT Amulet
• Best for practice: Roland JC-40
• Best under $500: ZT Amplifiers LunchBox Reverb Combo Amp
• Best budget: Positive Grid Spark 40-Watt Amp

How we chose the best guitar amps

When selecting the best guitar amps, we combined personal musical and production experience , the opinion of trusted peers, published critics, and online user impressions. We assembled this list of the best guitar amps with a focus on versatility and a secondary emphasis on brand reputation. Not every guitar amp is naturally suited to every genre of music or task, so we took care to choose the most sonically and creatively flexible guitar amps for each category based on their design and sound-sculpting abilities. We also included tube-based and solid-state designs to represent a wide range of tonal options. And we singled out a few items for their travel-friendly size.

The best guitar amps: Reviews & Recommendations

Not everyone has the space or plays the right style to justify investing in a Marshall stack (except maybe this one ). But you’ve got one of the best electric guitars (or best electric guitars under $500 ), and you’re ready to kick out the jams, so here are our well-toned selections for best guitar amps.

Why it made the cut: The Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb delivers legendary warm electric guitar tone and plenty of volume, making it a great all-around choice for stage and studio applications.

• Power: 22 watts
• Speakers : 1 x 12-inch
• Effects: Reverb, vibrato
• Dimensions: 17.5 x 24.5 x 9.5 inches (H x W x D)
• Weight: 42 pounds
• All-tube design delivers a wide range of classic tones
• Built-in tube-powered reverb and tremolo
• Multiple input channels for added flexibility
• Moderately heavy

The iconic Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb is an industry-favorite combo guitar amp known for its crisp clean tones, gritty tube overdrive, and tonal flexibility at a wide range of volumes that make it a perfect vehicle for playing rock, jazz, blues, country, and many other styles. The ’65 Deluxe Reverb is the mid-sized offering in Fender’s historically inspired black panel line, which includes the ’65 Princeton Reverb and ’65 Twin Reverb . It comes with a 12-inch Jensen speaker and 22 watts of power that give it ample flexibility and headroom in recording and live applications alike. A classic tube amp through and through, the Deluxe is powered by a total of nine valves and includes built-in tremolo, spring reverb, and a two-band EQ for a variety of lush tones and sound sculpting options.

While the Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb features a well-rounded design that balances power and size, its tube-based architecture includes plenty of transformers and other dense electronic components that make it considerably heavy. Still, it can handle the road miles (as shown in the above photo). If you’re looking for the same Fender black panel tone and design philosophy in a slightly easier-to-carry package, the 34-pound ’65 Princeton Reverb is a fantastic alternative that’s just as suitable for studio and stage applications with a slightly brighter and quieter sound profile.

Supro 1612RT Amulet

Why it made the cut: The Supro 1612RT Amulet offers plenty of volume and selectable wattage for a variety of overdriven tones in a portable package.

• Power: 15 watts (switchable to 5 watts and 1 watt)
• Speakers: 1 x 10-inch
• Dimensions: 17.5 x 17 x 8 inches (H x W x D)
• Weight: 28.9 pounds
• Adjustable power offers tube overdrive at any volume
• Very wide tonal palette with built-in EQ, reverb, and tremolo
• Compact design travels well
• Midrange-forward tone may be too dark for some players

After making a name for itself from the 1930s through the 1950s, legendary guitar manufacturer Sup ro went quiet. However, the brand was revived in 2013, and Supro returned in 2020 with a new line of stylish guitar amps that pair vintage tone and character with modern features. The 1612RT Amulet is one of the best compact tube amplifiers in Supro’s new product line, with a 10-inch Celestion speaker and three-way selectable wattage that allow it to deliver a huge range of clean and overdrive tones at any volume. 

While the Amulet sounds relatively midrange-heavy and lacks some low bass response due to its 10-inch speaker, the amp’s sound is incredibly smooth and balanced for its compact size, aided further by its onboard bass and treble adjustment knobs. It’s a bit lighter than other 10-inch tube amplifiers of similar power ratings, like the Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb , making it a great option for traveling without sacrificing volume. If you don’t need the extra volume from the Amulet’s 15 watts of power or the switchable wattage feature, the 5-watt Supro Delta King 10 has a similar design and tone in an even lighter and more affordable package.

Best for home use: Roland JC-40 Jazz Chorus

Best for home use/practice, roalnd jc-40 jazz chorus.

Why it made the cut: This classic solid-state guitar amp features some of the best clean tones on the market and comes equipped with stereo speakers and lots of connectivity options, making it a great choice for at-home practice and recording.

• Type: Solid state
• Power: 40 watts
• Speakers: 2 x 10-inch
• Effects: Reverb, vibrato, chorus, distortion
• Dimensions: 17.2 x 23.3 x 9.9 inches (H x W x D)
• Weight: 34.8 pounds
• Lush clean tones and ample volume in a home-friendly package
• Stereo speakers and inputs are ideal for use with effects
• Built-in chorus, reverb, vibrato, and distortion
• Produces audible hiss at high volumes
• Small speakers lack deep bass response
• Doesn’t include a footswitch for built-in effects

Roland’s Jazz Chorus line of solid-state amplifiers was an instant hit with the introduction of the JC-120 in 1975, which offered tons of clean headroom and stereo effects in an easier-to-maintain alternative to the tube amplifiers of the time. Weighing in at 34.8 pounds, the Roland JC-40 Jazz Chorus packs the same rock-solid build quality and pristinely clean tone of its predecessors into a home-friendly package with a few modern appointments that make it a very flexible tool for creativity. In addition to including built-in reverb, vibrato, chorus, and distortion effects, the JC-40 features two front panel stereo inputs, a headphones output, and a stereo line output alongside a dedicated effects loop in the rear; these connectivity options make it one of the best guitar amplifiers for integrating with an existing home recording setup . The JC-40’s ultra-clean solid-state design also plays very well with outboard effects , allowing players to access their existing pedals’ full depth and character.

While the Jazz Chorus line of amps is undoubtedly some of the cleanest on the market, some users have complained about the JC-40’s noise floor and audible hiss. In our tests, we didn’t hear the amp produce any more hiss than you might hear from a normal tube amp, but the effect can vary wildly depending on what effects you’re running into the amp and whether the JC-40’s brightness or distortion features are engaged. The JC-40’s 10-inch speakers are also a bit lacking in the lowest frequencies of the sonic spectrum, giving the amp an overall brighter tone than its larger siblings.

Best under $500

Zt amplifiers lunchbox reverb combo amp.

Why it made the cut: The ZT LunchBox packs a remarkable 100 watts of power into its compact and portable 9.5-pound design.

• Power: 100 watts
• Speakers: 1 x 6.5-inch
• Effects: Reverb
• Dimensions: 7.5 x 9.8 x 5.5 inches (H x W x D)
• Weight: 9.5 pounds
• 100 watts of power provides enough volume for stage applications
• Very lightweight and compact
• Speaker extension and headphone outputs for expandability
• Relative lack of low-bass frequencies

The ZT LunchBox is one of the most powerful small amps on the market, with a generous 100 watts of amplification that give it the ability to hold its own in loud rehearsals and performances despite weighing only 9.5 pounds. To keep it small and lightweight, the LunchBox features a solid-state design with a single 6.5-inch speaker and basic onboard tone controls, including a two-band EQ plus an integrated reverb. This gives the LunchBox a moderately wide range of tone and volume capabilities in a small package, making it an excellent option for commuting musicians or those who live and work in small spaces.

Because of its relatively small cabinet and speaker, the ZT LunchBox has a midrange-forward sound that is somewhat lacking in low-frequency fullness. This can be mitigated using the amp’s 8-ohm speaker output, which connects to a separately-sold companion extension cabinet to boost the rig’s overall volume and low-end punch. The LunchBox also features a built-in headphones output and a switch that mutes the built-in speaker, making it a solid option for silent practice applications .

Positive Grid Spark 40-Watt Amp

Why it made the cut: The Positive Grid Spark features a huge number of effects and tonal options combined with recording interface functionality in an affordable package.

• Speakers: 2 x 4-inch
• Effects: Reverb, distortion, modulation, delay, compressor
• Dimensions: 7.5 x 13.8 x 7 inches (H x W x D)
• Weight: 11.5 pounds
• Over 10,000 built-in sound presets with effects
• Backing tracks and chord recognition through the companion app
• Functions as a guitar recording interface
• Low-mid heavy speaker sound profile
• Not battery-powered
• App required for some functionality

The Positive Grid Spark is a compact amp with plenty of unique features and creative flexibility despite its budget-friendly $300 price tag. In addition to being a portable modeling guitar amp with over 10,000 accessible effects presets, the Spark also functions as a Bluetooth companion speaker for playing along with backing tracks and a USB-enabled audio interface for recording your guitar straight to a computer. This makes the Spark a uniquely appealing option for beginning guitarists who want to learn their favorite songs or begin sketching out their own original recordings in GarageBand. 

The Spark features 40 watts of power, weighs just under 12 pounds, and packs two 4-inch speakers, giving it ample volume with a slightly muffled sound that can be sculpted and adjusted using the amp’s onboard EQ or through the Spark smartphone app. While the Spark app provides access to many of the amp’s basic features and lets you browse and load its virtual signal chains, we’d prefer if the amp relied a bit less on the smartphone app and offered a more robust standalone user experience out of the box. Still, after using the app to make some global adjustments to the amp’s sound, the Spark proves to be an inspiring option for creativity and home use. (And while the 40-watt Spark is plenty portable, the Spark MINI , its smaller sibling, is even more so, making it a perfect party speaker if you’re the type that likes to shred at a shindig.)

Things to consider when picking from the best guitar amps

Do you prefer tube or solid-state.

Arguments for and against tube and solid-state guitar amps have kept many guitarists up at night, but choosing between them is a simple decision that should come down to what type of music you’ll be playing through the amp. Due to their design, tube circuits provide a natural, ear-pleasing harmonic overdrive when pushed to loud volumes, and this “positive distortion” is perfect for blues, rock, and other styles that require a bit of analog grit. Solid-state amp circuits, however, aim to produce none of this natural distortion and are designed to sound as clean as possible at high volumes, making them an excellent choice for jazz and an ideal pairing for players with a large collection of outboard effects and guitar pedals .

How loud should it be?

Guitar amp volume corresponds with many design factors, including wattage and speaker size, and guitar amps with a power rating around 20 watts and speakers between 6.5 and 10 inches should suffice for the vast majority of home and recording applications. If you use an amp for rehearsals alongside loud instruments like bass and drums, outdoors, or in large performance spaces, a more flexible design like the Roland JC-40 Jazz Chorus or Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb will provide you with ample volume to be heard.

Does it need to be portable?

Guitar amps are notoriously large and heavy, so if you’re looking for a travel-friendly option, you’ll want to consider a lightweight solid-state design made specifically to be transportable, like the ZT Amplifiers LunchBox Reverb Combo Amp or the Positive Grid Spark 40-Watt Amp . Remember that smaller amps typically produce less low-frequency sound, so you’ll be trading off a bit in the tone department in exchange for portability. If you have your heart set on a heavier tube-based design but still want something relatively easy to transport, the Fender ‘57 Custom Champ is a great-sounding option that weighs only 15 pounds.

Guitar amps—from the brands we’ve featured and iconic amps from brands like MESA/Boogie , Vox , Orange , and Peavey , among others—cost anywhere from close to $200 to over $5,000.

Guitar amps can be stored freestanding in any room or in an enclosed space like a closet. Buying an amp cover or bag is a good idea for long-term storage, as it will provide some measure of protection against moisture and dust.

Guitar amps can last for a lifetime if cared for and properly maintained. Many electronic components within an amplifier circuit degrade over long periods and will require replacement after a few decades, and tubes should be replaced roughly every two years on average.

Guitar amps can definitely be used outdoors, and their sound can travel very far, making it advisable to get permission from those around you before you let loose. Sound tends to diffuse more in outdoor spaces, so in a performance scenario, you’ll want to pick an amp on the louder side, like the Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb or a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus .

Final thoughts on the best guitar amps

We love the tonal flexibility, volume range, and natural overdrive of the Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb, one of the most well-rounded tube guitar amps for big and small applications. The Roland JC-40 Jazz Chorus is a slightly quieter solid-state design with a pristine clean tone that makes it best suited for recording and practice use at home, though it also sounds great onstage in front of a microphone. If you’re looking for a smaller amp, the Supro 1612RT Amulet is the best small tube amp we’ve tested, thanks to its flexible tone and switchable wattage. At the same time, we prefer the solid-state ZT Amplifiers LunchBox Reverb Combo Amp for applications where maximum volume is required in the smallest package possible.

Why trust us

Popular Science  started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

THESE 5 Best Small Travel Guitar Amps You Can Bring Along

Need a guitar amp that you can take with you on your travels with no hassle.  Check out these best small travel guitar amp choices for 2022.

Quick Links To Our Best Mini Travel Guitar Amp Recommendations

• Positive Grid Spark 40 – Our Top Choice!

Roland Cube-ST

Boss katana compact, vox amplug 2 ac-30, blackstar fly3.

• 1 Quick Links To Our Best Mini Travel Guitar Amp Recommendations
• 2.1 Our Favorite Micro Guitar Amp For Traveling – Positive Grid Spark 40
• 2.2 Roland Cube-ST
• 2.3 BOSS Katana Compact
• 2.4 VOX Amplug 2 AC-30
• 2.5 Blackstar Fly3
• 3 Best Travel Guitar Amplifier Conclusion

Looking for travel guitars ?  Look here.  Also take a look at these best small tube amps .

Our Best Micro Guitar Amp For Traveling Reviews

Our favorite micro guitar amp for traveling – positive grid spark 40.

The fact that this amp is a 40-watt power hybrid amp is the first thing to notice.  This means you can control your sound through the device’s physical interface or software download on your phone.

It has the physical interface you’d expect from a solid-state amp: 7 amp models, including bass and acoustic guitar, a 3-band EQ, gain and master controllers, and built-in FX (Mod, Delay, and Reverb).

Its software, on the other hand, is driven by Positive Grid’s outstanding BIAS technology, which gives you access to over 10,000 sounds.  This amp provides every tonal setting you could want.

This is an excellent choice for a portable guitar.

The Roland Mobile Cube and Roland Micro Cube are smaller Cube alternatives, but the Street demonstrates why you might want to go a little bigger on sometimes.  You’ll give up some portability in exchange for higher sound quality, more features, and more versatility in how you can utilise the amp.

Although this amp’s power output isn’t as high as some of the other options, the larger speakers are more crucial.  The sound quality difference between a tiny amp with a 3′′ driver and two 6.5′′ speakers can be substantial.  Even switching from a mono to stereo setup might result in a significant improvement in perceived audio quality.

The twin input channels are another important feature of this amplifier.  You’ve got your standard guitar/instrument input, as well as built-in effects, amp models, and EQ.  Then there’s a separate mic/line level input with EQ, volume control, and effects.  This is a tremendous benefit for a busker because you can use the same amp for your guitar and voice.

As you can see, the separate mic/line and guitar/instrument inputs and controls give you a lot of flexibility over your overall sound.  Unlike some other amps with built-in effects, the EFX and delay/reverb are on distinct settings, allowing you to combine them.

Check The Latest Price On The Roland Cube-ST

Both the clean and driving sounds on the Katana are wonderful, whether you’re relaxing on the sofa at home, jamming with your band, or sneaking in a practice session at work.  This amp not only sounds great, but it’s also a lot of fun to play thanks to the variety of ‘brown,’ crunch, and clean tones.

This Boss mini amp delivers much more than you’d expect once you plug it in and let it rip. Rich full tones with a soft ambient delay, this Boss micro amp offers much more than you’d expect once you plug it in and let it rip.

Check The Latest Price On The BOSS Katana Compact

It’s easy to plug into any electric guitar or bass thanks to the 180-degree rotating socket, and the built-in Reverb, Chorus, and Delay Effects make it a terrific alternative for crafting intriguing tracks.

The Gain, Tone, and Volume controls are all simple to use, and the Aux in connector lets you connect an external sound source to play through the device as you play guitar!  This is perfect for jamming in silence over any music you have.  This is wonderful if you’re a late-night guitarist who wants to be able to perform anytime, anywhere.

Check The Latest Price On The VOX Amplug 2 AC-30

Not only is this a great practice amp and desktop amplifier because of the smaller size and MP3/Line input, but it’s also a great recording amplifier because you can use the Emulated Line Out to record directly to your computer or hook straight up to a PA when your big touring rig is out of commission! It may be battery or DC powered, and you can make your FLY 3 into a 6 watt stereo amp by adding the Blackstar FLY 103 3″ Extension Speaker Cabinet!  If you want to stream music to a speaker via Bluetooth, the Blackstar Fly 3 Bluetooth Mini Amp is a great option for people who like to jam along with their music.

We have a full Blackstar Fly 3 review as well.

Check The Latest Price On The Blackstar Fly3

Best Travel Guitar Amplifier Conclusion

If you are looking to bring along a guitar amp that is easy to travel with, any of these options above will suit you well!

Check out these small Fender guitar amps as well or these best small acoustic guitar amp choices.

• Guitar Lessons
• Announcements
• Inspiration

Top 10 Portable Guitar Amps (2022 Edition)

Portable guitar amps can take your enjoyment of guitar playing to the next level by allowing you to play at the beach, on the road, or just your front porch. Because everybody’s wallet size is different, we’ll be discussing high-end portable amps that can reach around $500 bucks, and we’ll also talk about some more affordable amps around $100 and under.



Also, I know that I should have a “ this goes to 11 ” joke somewhere in here, but I’ll leave that to the pros. Without further ado, here are the top 10 portable guitar amps:

1. Marshall MS-2 



2. Fender Mini Tone-Master 





3. Sawtooth ST-AMP-10ST-AMP-10 



4. Pignose Legendary 7-100 Portable Amp 



5. Orange Micro Crush 



6. Line 6 Spider IV 15 



7. VOX Mini3 G2 Modeling Guitar Amplifier 





8. Roland Micro Cube 





9. Yamaha THR5 10-Watt Desktop Guitar Combo Amp

 



10. Roland AC-33 





Whether you’re a higher end shopper looking at the AC-33, or just looking to get your foot in the door of portable amps, there’s definitely something for you on this list. Most music shops will carry a majority of these amps, so definitely go try them out first before buying.

Do you have a hot lead on a portable amp? Let us know in the comments! 
 By John Lombard


• June 21, 2024

Tips to travel on a budget to Estonia

Thinking about a trip to Scandinavia? ABC News’ Maggie Rulli joins us from this alternative destination to share tips on food, rental cars and places to stay that won't break the bank.

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The best travel steamers to keep your clothes wrinkle-free

You could spend hours neatly folding your clothes into packing cubes , but no level of preparation will perfectly stop your evening pants and dress shirts from developing a few creases along the way. While many hotels come with some iron or steamer, it may be easier to bring your own — especially if you are traveling for a wedding or special event — as you never know how hot an iron or steamer may get or how it will work on your clothing .

To help you find the best ones on the market, we consulted travel experts and NBC Select staffers about their favorite options.

SKIP AHEAD The best travel steamers in 2024 | How to shop for travel steamers

Selected. Our top picks

select 5 best expert-recommended travel backpacks for your upcoming trip

The best travel steamers in 2024.

To help you find the best travel steamers for your next trip, we took into consideration expert recommendations, staff picks and highly rated options that will fit in your luggage while traveling.

Steamery Cirrus 3 Iron Steamer

Steamery’s Cirrus 3 is a personal favorite, as it removes wrinkles and creases on my dresses within minutes. It's a hybrid iron and steamer that can eliminate any odors and bacteria from your clothing and can hold up to 90 milliliters of water in its tank, according to the brand. Its auto shut-off feature, which turns the steamer off after 30 minutes of inactivity, especially gives me peace of mind while traveling. I primarily use this steamer for cotton, linen and silk clothing. That said, you can also use it on fabrics like viscose and cashmere, but should avoid leather and suede as it may damage your clothing, according to the brand.

Capacity : 90 milliliters | Weight : 1.89 pounds

Urpower Steamer

This travel steamer, which has a 4.3-average star rating from over 10,000 reviews, is a favorite of travel journalist and writer, Rana Good , for how quickly it works. “It gets my clothes steamed in minutes and is especially good to use with flowy materials like silk,” she says. It heats up within two minutes and has a water tank that allows for continuous steaming for up to 10 minutes, according to the brand. You can use it on your clothing, but also on drapery and table cloths — just make sure not to tilt it more than 45 degrees to avoid any spillage, according to Urpower. Plus, it has an automatic shut-off feature that kicks in if the steamer overheats or if the water level is too low, as detailed on the product page.

Capacity : 130 milliliters | Weight : 1.2 pounds

Brynnl Mini Handheld Steamer Iron

If you're looking for a mini iron steamer, consider this Brynnl option, which comes highly recommended by travel blogger and advisor, Sally Nguyen for its compact size, which she described as similar to the iPhone 14 Pro. It has a simple one-button start feature and you can use it to ease wrinkles on cotton, silk and linen fabrics, according to the brand. The pointed curved design should help you iron out corners and hard-to-reach areas around buttons and collars, according to the brand.

Capacity : around 44 milliliters | Weight : 0.66 pounds

Hilife Steamer

This top-rated handheld steamer, which has a 4.3-star rating from more than 90,000 shoppers, can emit steam within 140 seconds and works on a variety of fabrics including chiffon, silk, wool, cotton and nylon, according to the brand. Its 240-milliliter water capacity provides up to 15 minutes of continuous steaming (the longest on our list) and its 9-foot cord provides easy access and maneuverability.

Capacity : 240 milliliters | Weight : 1.7 pounds

Perfectday Garment Steamer

PerfectDay Garment Steamer

This mini travel steamer is another favorite of Nguyen’s for its safety features including its automatic shut-off functionality that kicks in when it is overheating or short on water. It can store about 100 milliliters of water and can run continuously for about 10 minutes, according to the brand. The nozzle head, which has eight steam holes for rapid venting, is removable too, making it easy to pack. The 1-pound steamer also comes with a fabric brush to get any dust, dirt or debris off your clothes. And, while it’s great for removing wrinkles from your clothes, Nguyen also uses it for facials, as the steam moves in one uniform direction, which allows it to coat her face evenly. “It helps me take care of my skin when I travel as it clarifies my skin and unclog my pores,” she says.

Capacity : 100 milliliters | Weight : 1 pound

The Nori Press

The Nori Press is a favorite of NBC Select editor Lindsay Schneider as it doubles as an iron and steamer and functions like a flat iron for your clothes. It comes with six fabric settings, a clamping mechanism to press your clothes and a pointed tip that can iron hard-to-reach areas like collar corners. You’ll press its two aluminum plates against the front and back of each garment to minimize creases and wrinkles.

Capacity : 29 milliliters | Weight : 1.4 pounds

select Suitcase always in disarray? Save time this summer with packing cubes.

How we picked the best travel steamers.

All of our picks are expert-recommended or highly rated with an average of four stars or higher and in line with our expert guidance. We also included Select staff recommendations and kept the following in mind:

• Weight : Every travel steamer on our list weighs less than 2 pounds.
• Attachments : Some steamers come with attachments like a brush or a lint remover. For ease while traveling, we chose steamers without any additional attachments to save you space in your carry-on or checked bag.
• Capacity : This indicates how much water the steamer can hold. The more it holds, the longer it can continuously run. We recommended steamers that can hold up to 240 milliliters (which is about 15 minutes of steaming).

How to shop for travel steamers

Aside from looking for steamers with portable and lightweight designs to make travel easy, here’s what our experts recommended searching for while shopping:

• Heat-up time : The faster the steamer heats up, the better, when living life on the go, according to Nguyen. We chose steamers that do so in under three minutes.
• Size : Since every steamer weighs less than 2 pounds, it won’t add too much weight to your bags.
• Works on different materials : A quality steamer should work on a range of different materials including linen, nylon, cotton and silk, according to Good.

Meet our experts

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Rana Good is a travel writer and founder of Naïra , a digital magazine for women of color.
• Sally Isabella Nguyen is an influencer and luxury travel advisor who has traveled to over 37 countries.

Why trust NBC Select?

Nishka Dhawan is an associate commerce editor at NBC Select who’s written about the best travel backpacks and the best luggage sets . For this article, she interviewed travel bloggers and journalists about their favorite travel steamers and considered staff favorites as well.

Catch up on Select's in-depth coverage of personal finance , tech and tools , wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

Nishka Dhawan is a former associate commerce editor at NBC Select.

• Best overall
• Best for cruises
• Best for reputation
• Best for preexisting conditions
• Best for digital nomads
• Best low-cost
• Best for road trips
• How we reviewed travel insurance companies

Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Travel Insurance in June 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Traveling is an adventure, a leap into the unknown, a story waiting to unfold. But every story needs a safety net, and that's where travel insurance comes in. In this guide to the best travel insurance, we'll embark on a journey to help you better understand travel insurance and uncover the benefits that make it an indispensable companion for any traveler.

Our Picks for the Best Travel Insurance Companies

• Best Overall: Nationwide Travel Insurance
• Runner-Up: AXA Assistance USA
• Best for Cruises: Travel Guard
• Best Reputation:  C&F Travel Insured
• Best for Pre-existing Conditions:   Tin Leg Travel Insurance
• Best for Digital Nomads:   WorldTrips Travel Insurance
• Best Low-Cost Option:   Trawick International Travel Insurance
• Best for Road Trips: Travelex Travel Insurance

Compare the Best Travel Insurance Companies

The best travel insurance companies offer comprehensive coverage options for a wide range of people and needs. For this guide, we looked at coverage options, customizability, and the best companies for specific situations, such as pre-existing conditions.

Here are Business Insider's picks for the best travel insurance companies in 2024. 

Best Overall Travel Insurance

Nationwide travel insurance.

Nationwide Travel Insurance is of the largest players in the travel insurance space, offering nearly endless options for any customer on the travel spectrum, including annual travel insurance plans which can offer frequent travelers the flexibility to "set it and forget it" on their travel insurance coverage.

Nationwide Essential also offers some of the most affordable policies in the market compared to similar plans from competitors, which makes it a great pick for just about anyone. Buyers can discuss bundling options as Nationwide also sells homeowners, auto, pet, and other insurance products. Its travel insurance quoting is just as easy as it has been with other Nationwide insurance products.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review .

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of trip costs (for cruises) or up to $30,000 (for single-trip plans)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three cruise-specific plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel insurance plans available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong trip cancellation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR insurance not available with every single plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is lower than what some competitors offer

Nationwide Travel Insurance offers many of the standard benefits you might see with a travel insurance policy. This can include things like trip cancellation coverage, so you can recover pre-paid costs or trip interruption in the event your vacation is interrupted by an unexpected event. There's also baggage delay coverage and medical coverage.

• Cancel for any reason coverage available

Best Travel Insurance Runner-Up

Axa assistance usa travel insurance.

AXA Assistance USA  offers consumers a great option for no-stress travel insurance: low-priced plans, generous coverage limits on key categories including primary insurance on lost luggage, and up to 150% reimbursement for qualifying trip cancellations.

While add-ons are limited and rental car coverage is not included by default on cheaper plans, AXA is a perfect fit for travelers who don't plan to drive (or who already hold a travel credit card with rental car coverage), and don't need any additional bells and whistles.

Read our AXA Assistance USA Travel Insurance review .

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical evacuation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%

AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.

• Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
• Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000

Best Travel Insurance for Cruises

Aig travel guard.

Travel Guard is well-known insurance provider, and a great fit for travelers who want to ensure that they can get their money back in the event of canceled or interrupted travel plans.

While the company's policies can be pricey compared to its competitors, the high medical and evacuation limits make AIG a solid choice for older travelers who value peace of mind and simplicity over highly customizable plans that may be bolstered with medical upgrades.

Read our AIG Travel Guard review .

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the cost, for all three plan levels
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR covers up to 75% of total trip costs (maximum of $112,500 on some plans) 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Medical coverage of up to $500,000 and evacuation of up to $1,000,000 per person
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes COVID coverage 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Above average baggage loss and delay benefits
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical evacuation coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums may run slightly higher than competitors

Travel Guard is a well-established and highly rated name in the travel insurance industry. It offers three main coverage options to choose from, and in general its policies have above-average coverage for baggage loss and baggage delays, plus high medical evaluation coverage limits.

• Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Preexisting medical conditions exclusions waiver must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment
• Annual travel insurance plan and Pack N' Go plan (for last-minute trips) available

Best Travel Insurance for Reputation

C&f travel insured.

While every travel insurance company has negative reviews about its claims process, C&F Travel Insured 's claims process has a consistent stream of positive reviews. One customer wrote that C&F processed a claim within 48 hours. Additionally, C&F regularly responds to customer reviews within one business week, making reviews a consistent way to reach the company.

Additionally, in C&F's fine print, it mentions that any claims that take more than 30 days to pay out will begin to accrue interest at 9% APY.

C&F's reputation isn't the only thing to speak highly of. It offers an array of add-ons uncommon in the travel insurance industry, such as Interruption for Any Reason insurance and CFAR coverage for annual plans. C&F also offers discounts for children on its Protector Edge plan and free coverage on its Protector plan.  

Read our C&F Travel Insured review . 

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers 2 major plans including CFAR coverage on the more expensive option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancellation for job loss included as a covered reason for trip cancellation/interruption (does not require CFAR coverage to qualify)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Frequent traveler reward included in both policies
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million in medical evacuation coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is only $100,000
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews on claims processing indicate ongoing issues
• C&F's Travel Insured policies allow travelers customize travel insurance to fit their specific needs. Frequent travelers may benefit from purchasing an annual travel insurance plan, then adding on CFAR coverage for any portions of travel that may incur greater risk.

Best Travel Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

Tin leg travel insurance.

Tin Leg Travel Insurance is a great fit for travelers with medical issues in particular. Seven of Tin Leg's eight travel plans include coverage for pre-existing conditions as long as you purchase your policy within 15 days of your initial trip payment.

Thanks to coverage for pre-existing medical conditions as well as for potential COVID-19 infection while traveling, this company offers some of the best financial investment options for travelers who are or will be exposed to higher health risks and issues.

Read our Tin Leg Travel Insurance review .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Policy coverage includes most pre-existing health conditions
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical and evacuation amounts for peace of mind
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. COVID coverage included by default on all insurance plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers a wide range of plans for various budgets and travel needs
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans offer CFAR, “cancel for work reasons,” financial default, and unemployment coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited add-on coverage options
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage loss and delay coverage is low compared to competitors

Tin Leg travel insurance offers eight travel insurance plans to meet the unique needs of travelers.

• Tin Leg was founded in 2014 by the travel insurance industry experts at Squaremouth. Designed to meet the most common needs of travelers, these policies offer comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption benefits, and a range of Emergency Medical and Medical Evacuation limits.

Best Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads

Worldtrips travel insurance.

WorldTrips Travel Insurance has affordable premiums, highly customizable add-ons, and generous coverage for core categories of travel insurance. All this makes it a great option for digital nomads, students studying abroad and backpackers.

However, travelers should keep in mind that plans are not particularly flexible, and coverage amounts are limited unless you plan ahead to pay for the areas and amounts that you need.

Read our WorldTrips Travel Insurance review .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable base plans that can be customized with add-ons including rental car, pet care, hunting and fishing, and vacation rental coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Insurance plans available for international student travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage benefit that kicks in after just five hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Pre-existing conditions waiver can be purchased within 21 days of initial trip payment
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Lower medical, evacuation and accidental death limits
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited, secondary baggage loss coverage although baggage protection can be upgraded at a low cost
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc.

WorldTrips has been a reputable travel insurance provider for more than 20 years. Unsurprisingly, it boasts an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and positive reviews from thousands of customers.

• Travel medical insurance (Premium, Group, Annual, and International Student options)
• Trip cancellation insurance
• Trip protection insurance

Best Travel Insurance for Affordability

Trawick international travel insurance.

Trawick International Travel Insurance is another insurance provider with robust medical travel insurance that can help higher-risk and anxious travelers find peace of mind while on the road. This company offers one of the most generous medical evacuation policies in the market, although travelers will need to remember to add on rental car coverage if they need it.

Read our Trawick Travel Insurance review .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Useful for adventurous travelers headed to higher-risk destinations
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable plans with varying levels of coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. 10-day free look option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage loss replacement policy
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay coverage kicks in after just six hours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some policies allow a CFAR add-on
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1 million medical evacuation coverage limit
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Baggage and trip delay coverages don’t kick in until after the 12-hour mark
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. International student policies available for temporary stints abroad
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Complaints about claims not being paid or involving an intermediary to resolve claims

Trawick International travel insurance offers plans customized to diverse travelers' needs. We look at coverage options, claims processing, pricing, and other important factors for savvy travelers.

• Travel medical insurance
• Trip protection and cancellation
• International student insurance
• Visitor medical insurance (for traveling to the US)

Best Travel Insurance for Road Trips

Travelex travel insurance.

Travelex Travel Insurance  offers three plans:

• Travel Basic
• Travel Select
• Travel America

The Travelex America plan is meant for trips limited to the U.S., but it has the highest coverage limits in many areas compared to its other programs. If you're flying somewhere, the lost baggage limits are higher. Its natural strengths shine for road trippers, though. Travelex America adds coverage for roadside service and rental car coverage for unexpected accidents. It also covers pets should you be involved in an accident while on the road.

While your standard auto insurance does extend to car rentals within the U.S. for a limited time, any accident would affect future rates. Travelex would eliminate the risk of reporting to your auto insurance provider for minor incidents within its purview.

Read our Travelex Travel Insurance review .

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Options to cover sports equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Option to increase medical coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Can cancel up to 48 hours before travel when CFAR option is purchased
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable coverage for budget-conscious travelers
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Optional "adventure sports" bundle available for riskier activities
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Only two insurance plans to choose from
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage maximum is low at up to $50,000 per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Pricier than some competitors with lower coverage ceilings
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Some competitors offer higher medical emergency coverage

Travelex travel insurance is one of the largest travel insurance providers in the US providing domestic and international coverage options. It offers a basic, select, and America option. Read on to learn more.

• Optional CFAR insurance available with the Travel Select plan
• Trip delay insurance starting at $500 with the Travel Basic plan
• Emergency medical and dental coverage starting at $15,000

Introduction to Travel Insurance

Why travel insurance is a must-have.

The unpredictable nature of traveling – from flight cancellations to medical emergencies – can turn your dream vacation into a nightmare. Travel insurance acts as a personal safeguard, ensuring that unexpected events don't drain your wallet or ruin your trip.

Understanding Different Types of Travel Insurance

Not all travel insurance policies are created equal. From single-trip travel insurance policies to annual travel insurance plans , from minimal coverage to comprehensive protection, understanding the spectrum of options is your first step in finding the right fit for your journey.

Key Features to Look for in Travel Insurance Coverage

Travel insurance for medical emergencies.

Imagine falling ill in a foreign country; daunting, right? A robust travel insurance plan ensures you don't have to worry about how much emergency medical care while traveling will cost, even in the most remote corners of the globe. This coverage will often come in tandem with emergency medical evacuation coverage.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Benefits

Life is full of surprises, some less pleasant than others. Trip cancellation and interruption coverage ensures that you're not left out of pocket if unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel or cut your trip short. You may also look for cancel for any reason and interruption for any reason options, which will reimburse you for a percentage of your nonrefundable fees, but expands the covered reasons you can cancel a trip. You can find our guide on the best CFAR travel insurance companies here.

Coverage for Personal Belongings and Baggage Loss

Losing your belongings is more than an inconvenience; it's losing a piece of your world. Insurance that covers personal belongings and baggage loss ensures that you're compensated for your loss, helping you to rebound and continue your adventure.

Support and Assistance Services

In times of trouble, having a lifeline can make all the difference. Look for insurance that offers 24/7 support and assistance services, giving you peace of mind that help is just a phone call away. Also, check websites that field customer reviews like Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, and InsureMyTrip , to see how well a company responds to customer requests.

Choosing the Best Travel Insurance

Reputation and reliability of the travel insurance provider.

A provider's reputation is not just about being well-known; it's about reliability, customer satisfaction, and the ability to deliver on promises. Researching and choosing a reputable provider is a cornerstone in ensuring your safety and satisfaction.

Understanding the Policy's Fine Print

The devil is in the details, and understanding the fine print of what your travel insurance policy covers is crucial. Be aware of coverage limits, exclusions, and the process for filing a claim to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

In the age of information, customer reviews and feedback are goldmines of insight. Learn from the experiences of others to gauge the reliability and customer service of the insurance provider you're considering. While the ratings are important, you should also look at whether or not a company responds to customer complaints.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Travel Insurance

Knowing your policy inside out.

Familiarize yourself with every aspect of your policy – what it covers, what it doesn't, how to file a claim, and who to contact in an emergency. Being informed means being prepared. 

Steps to Take When a Problem Arises

If you face an issue during your travels, knowing the immediate steps to take can make all the difference. Keep important contacts and your policy details handy, and remember, your insurance provider is there to assist you.

How to Pick the Best Travel Insurance Company for You

There isn't a one-size-fits-all policy that works perfectly for every traveler. Young, healthy solo travelers can opt for much cheaper plans that offer bare-bones coverage, while families juggling complex itineraries will do best by investing in a robust policy that can help defray any costs associated with lost baggage, delayed transportation or other trip-impeding obstacles.

That being said, you can't go wrong with a travel insurance provider that boasts a reputable history and offers a wide range of customizable plans. In some cases, you may be comparing plans that are only a few dollars' apart from each other. In such situations, you should generally opt for the insurance company that offers the strongest customer service. It's also worth considering whether or not the travel insurance provider has been reviewed by other travelers with similar itineraries to your own. 

An insurance aggregator like InsureMyTrip or Squaremouth is one of the best tools for searching travel insurance policies. Once you input the specifics of your travel itinerary, you'll be able to see hundreds of search results to compare the ones that catch your eye. If the options are too overwhelming, use the filters to the left of your search page to eliminate as many irrelevant plans as possible.

How We Reviewed the Best Travel Insurance Companies

To come up with our list of the best travel insurance companies, we evaluated each insurer based on the following factors:

Guide Methodology: What We Considered

Policy Types

Travel insurance is essential, but often underused partly because people aren't getting what they want. Business Insider's 2023 travel study showed 10.65% of travelers surveyed bought cancel for any reason insurance. Cost may be a factor, but in many cases, the coverage is more affordable than you might think. Regardless, companies must offer a diverse range of coverage options. We award five stars to companies offering all standard coverages and additional options like pet and sports equipment protection.

Our 2023 travel study indicated the majority of purchases were made through the travel provider (ex: flight protection insurance when you're purchasing your airline tickets). While these may be sufficient for some customers, we look for companies offering a more comprehensive range of services.

According to the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, the average cost of travel insurance will be between 4% and 8% of total travel expenses. Anything beyond that price point should include additional benefits beyond the standard inclusions, such as CFAR protection or upgraded medical coverage. Anything below that 4% threshold may leave you lacking important or sufficient coverage in an emergency.

Convenience and Flexibility

Whether you're an infrequent traveler or a suitcase warrior, a good travel insurance company should have you covered. In many cases, you might not even have to talk to a person in order to purchase your policy.

Many people think of travel insurance in context with specific trips, but most of these top contenders sell both single-trip and multi-trip policies, also known as annual travel insurance. Some companies also offer plans specifically designed for cruisers, students abroad, and business travelers. (Read our guide to the best cruise travel insurance companies for more details.) Finally, all of these providers offer multiple options for getting the specific areas and amounts of coverage that you want.

Claims Handling

Most travelers never have a large claim. Premiums are low, and it provides peace of mind for the just in case situations. So they leave reviews based on their reduced stress levels. But what happens if you lose your luggage or have to stay a few extra days due to an unexpected accident? Will your insurance carrier cover your claim without all the hassle? We check real customer reviews to sort this out for you.

Ease of Use and Support

When purchasing, during your trip, and throughout the claims process, you may need extra support. Does the company have a 24/7 help line? Does it have an online or mobile system allowing you to self-manage? Essentially, what are the options when you need help? We look at the big picture to evaluate the average customer experience with each company.

You can read our full insurance rating methodology for even more details.

Best Travel Insurance FAQs

There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for every traveler. Determine the benefits that are most important to you, like baggage delay coverage, medical coverage, and trip delay coverage, then look for a company with solid customer ratings, especially when it comes to processing claims.

Travel insurance will pay out if you experience a covered event, such as a travel delay or delayed or lost baggage. If you're looking to get travel insurance for a specific reason, such as needing to potentially cancel your trip due to work reasons, make sure your policy will cover you in that situation before purchasing it. You should also check customer reviews to see other travelers' claims experiences, as it varies wildly from company to company.

The average cost of travel insurance is 4% to 8% of your total trip cost, so it could vary widely depending on where you're traveling and the length of your trip. Your age, the number of people in your group, and other factors can also influence how much you'll pay.

Most comprehensive travel insurance policies include travel medical coverage that can come in handy if an emergency occurs and you need medical evacuation. Some travel insurance plans offer more specialized coverage for travelers with pre-existing conditions , so shop around if medical coverage is a top priority for you. 

$100,000 should be a sufficient medical coverage limit for travel insurance. If you're planning on doing extreme sports or anything particularly risky on your trip, you may want to increase your coverage level. A high medical coverage limit is especially useful when you're purchasing cruise travel insurance, since medical evacuations are more involved at sea.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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Worst cities to plan a summer vacation to

The group took into account experiences involving the city, air travel and driving. weather was an aspect editors ranked, which is usually humid and oppressive in jacksonville during the summer. more than 200 million americans are planning to travel over the summer season..

Summer travel tips: How to get ahead of your flight delay

The Points Guy Managing Editor Clint Henderson said taking time to download an airline's app could help you rebook if weather delays your flight. 

As the summer travel season ramps up, the editors at Forbes Advisor have unveiled the best and worst cities to spend your summer vacation.

Over 200 million Americans are expected to travel to summer destinations either by road or air, with beaches and national parks emerging as popular choices.

The group weighed several factors, including crime, prices, ease of travel and extreme weather in 43 metros across the country.

Jacksonville, Florida , topped the list, scoring a perfect score on the list no city wants to be on.

The group found the River City had poor walkability, a lack of public transportation, a high crime rate and air temperatures that were rather uncomfortable during the summer months.

According to NOAA historical data, most of the summer season is spent in the low to mid-90s, but the heat index is commonly above 100 degrees.

The Forbes group did not say whether it took into account nearby beaches where many vacationers end up trying to beat the heat.

Rounding out the top list of least desirable cities were: Colorado Springs, Colorado; Fresno, California ; Memphis, Tennessee; and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

HOW THUNDERSTORMS HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY CAN WREAK HAVOC ON AIR TRAVEL

A common theme among the cities topping the list was high crime rates, a lack of highly ranked restaurants and inadequate transportation.

The best summer vacation city in America was Minneapolis, followed by Long Beach, California; Washington, D.C. ; Seattle; and Omaha, Nebraska.

Many of the top spots have a high walkability score and the weather tends to be less extreme than in the southern belt.

The survey didn’t explore international destinations, which are anticipated to be popular hotspots in 2024.

"International travel to the U.S. is growing quickly but is still far from a full pre-pandemic recovery," the U.S. Travel Association stated earlier this year .

WHAT AIRPORTS, AIRLINES LOST THE MOST LUGGAGE?

According to Tripadvisor , the most popular international destinations this year include: Cancun, Mexico; London, England; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Paris, France and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Paris is experiencing an uptick in interest due in part to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which are slated to begin in late July and continue into September.

Officials estimate more than 15 million people from 206 nations will visit The City of Light and nearby regions during the games.

For the first time, the Summer Games will not kick off in a stadium but instead during an open-air event along the River Seine set against the iconic backdrop of the Eiffel Tower on July 26.

PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 13:  The unveiling of the Olympic rings on the esplanade of Trocadero in front of the Eiffel tower after the official announcement of the attribution of the Olympic Games 2024 to the city of Paris on September 13, 2017 in Paris, France. For the first time in history, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirms two summer Games host cities at the same time, Paris will host the Olympic Games in 2024 and Los Angeles in 2028. (Photo by Chesnot/Getty Images)

The Olympic Rings On The Eiffel Tower In Paris, on June 10, 2024, Ahead The Upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic And Paralympic Games. (Photo by Adnan Farzat/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Workers set up a marquee at the construction site of La Concorde Urban Parc site for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics in Paris on June 4, 2024. As part of the new phase of setting up infrastructure for the Games, which will take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024, the police headquarters has ordered the closure "to all traffic" of the entire largest square in Paris which will host the urban sports events (BMX freestyle, breakdance, skateboarding and 3x3 basketball), as well as the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games (August 28 to September 8, 2024). (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images)

BAYEUX, FRANCE - MAY 30:   Gaelle Rots-Daigremont triumphantly carries the Olympic flame through the bustling main street of Bayeux, where crowds gather to witness the historic moment, during the twentieth leg in the Calvados department, in Bayeux, Normandy, France, on May 30, 2024.The 20th Olympic Torch Relay's journey begins at the venerated site of remembrance, Omaha Beach and the D-Day landing beaches, before moving on to Lisieux. It then advances to Cabourg, Dives-sur-Mer, and Houlgate, before reaching Bayeux and Falaise, and finishing in front of the Caen Town Hall. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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10 most popular girls' trips for summer 2024 announced: See these top travel destinations

United airlines said these 10 travel destinations were the most searched among women.

Families may save money traveling by RV this summer

FOX Business' Jeff Flock test drives a state-of-the-art RV and reports on the industry's travel demand surge.

Summer officially begins on June 20 this year, but millions of Americans are already enjoying or planning warm vacation getaways and fun destination trips. 

Whether you’re heading out soon on a road trip with the family or a girls' trip to the beach, many people are looking for their next opportunity to skip town. 

United Airlines announced the most popular destinations for a girls' trip this summer — and some are a bit surprising. 

TOP SUMMER TRAVEL DESTINATIONS FOR 2024: THESE INTERNATIONAL SPOTS WERE THE MOST SEARCHED

After analyzing booking data to see which destinations had the highest number of women travelers, United said some warm vacation spots stood out as the most popular. 

A spokesperson for United Airlines told Fox News Digital the company's team of analysts compiled the list. 

United Airlines said some destinations were among the most popular among women travelers this summer.  (iStock / iStock)

"While beach and European getaways are popular for all travelers this summer, the most surprising thing in our data was the popularity of overseas destinations like Lisbon, Athens and Rome," they noted. 

10 MOST PATRIOTIC US STATES AHEAD OF JULY 4: SEE IF YOUR HOME STATE MADE THE LIST

Did your girls' trip spot make the most popular vacation destination list for summer 2024?

Or maybe this list will inspire some new getaway ideas.

Most popular girls' trip destinations of summer 2024, according to United Airlines

Counting down here …

10. Honolulu, Hawaii

The first official day of summer is June 20, 2024 — and plenty of folks are already taking off for warm-weather vacation spots. (iStock / iStock)

9. Paris, France

8. punta cana, dominican republic.

GOOGLE FLIGHTS SAYS THESE ARE THE TOP SUMMER TRAVEL DESTINATIONS OF 2024

7. Rome, Italy

6. cancun, mexico, 5. athens, greece.

The most popular spot on the list for girls' getaway trips may surprise some people.  (iStock / iStock)

4. Montego Bay, Jamaica

3. lisbon, portugal.

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1. Tulum, Mexico

United Airlines said Tulum, Mexico, was the most searched vacation spot among women looking to travel this summer. 

Tulum, Mexico, was the most searched destination among United Airlines females, according to the company. Nearly 45% more women booked a trip to Tulum than men did.  (iStock / iStock)

The company said that nearly 45% more women booked a trip to Tulum compared to men. 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS  

The Tulum International Airport in Mexico opened to domestic flights on Dec. 1, 2023, and international flights on March 28, 2024, per the Tulum Airport. 

Prior to the opening, those looking to fly to the area had to travel to a nearby airport and then be transported to the city of Tulum. 

"Yes, Tulum may well be one of the most Instagrammed spots in Mexico, with plenty of smoothie stands and yoga retreats," said Tripadvisor about the location, "but this Riviera Maya beach town is so much more than a photo-op."

For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxbusiness.com/lifestyle

Among the top attractions in Tulum, according to the same source, are the Mayan ruins "perched atop cliffs, providing dramatic vistas of the Caribbean Sea and historical insights into ancient trade."  

Delta Air Lines also noted that Cancun, Athens, Rome and Paris were among their most popular hotspots to visit this summer. 

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• Travel Products
• Trends + Deals We Love

The 18 Best Travel Products That Came Across T+L Editors' Desks This Month, From $21

Shop our current favorites from brands like Teva, Cotopaxi, Everlane, and more.

Travel + Leisure / Tyler Roeland

As a travel writer, I’m given the opportunity to try an influx of groundbreaking products each month, many of which have become staples in my packing routine . But while I love the items that I’m already stocked with, I still always have my eye out for new gear that will take my adventures to the next level. I knew I wasn’t alone in that, which got me curious about what other Travel + Leisure writers and editors have been loving lately — and their recommendations did not disappoint.

Whether you’re searching for comfortable clothing to wear during car rides, hikes, and sightseeing days, or the best noise-canceling headphones for actually getting some rest during longhaul flights, I’ve rounded up my T+L colleagues 18 favorite travel essentials that they’ve tried this month. Comfort, packability, and durability are all keys to success in any good travel product, and it’s safe to say that we’ve found some of the best. 

Teva 90s Hurricane XLT2 Revive Sandals

“I’m a sucker for a cute pair of sandals, but after incurring one too many blisters over the years, I’ve become incredibly picky with what actually becomes a mainstay in my wardrobe. Thankfully, I was met with nothing of the sort when I wore these sandals during a four-day trip to New Mexico, and from a sopping-wet white water rafting adventure to a lengthy day in the airport, these sandals carried me through rigorous activity and leisurely days with ease. I can’t get enough of the vintage 90s pattern which is part of the brand’s revival collection, and the supportive rubber footbeds provide enough traction to keep me from slipping on anything from the slick airport floor to the edge of a raft.” – Merrell Readman, Senior Commerce Writer 

Cotopaxi Sumaco Long-sleeve Shirt

“Just so you know, I might be one of Cotopaxi’s biggest fans. I wear the brand’s vivid colorblocked fleece on repeat during the fall and winter and you won’t catch me without its convenient fanny pack on daily walks with my dog. I’ve tested my fair share of everything from dresses to jackets to carry-on backpacks from the brand, but I recently received this snap-front shirt, and Cotopaxi knocked it out of the park, again. It’s made of a lightweight, quick-dry fabric with built-in UPF 50+ protection and also features mesh venting at the back to keep you cool and comfy in the summer heat, making it perfect for hiking, boating, beach days, and more. It can double as a shirt or thin layer and easily stuffs into the chest pocket to then be stuffed into my daypack. I’ve been wearing it non-stop in 90-degree weather in Florida and haven’t felt hot at all, and I have gotten so many compliments on the sangria and orchid bloom colorway. I’m looking forward to taking it with me to Europe for hiking this year!” – Susan Brickell, Director of T+L News & Deals Commerce

Beis Sportsling

“I borrowed this crossbody bag from my sister for the BottleRock music festival in Napa Valley last weekend, and it made a great concert buddy. The handy compartments helped me organize my cards, cash, sunglasses, lip balm, and sunscreen, and the front pocket kept my phone accessible for snapping photos and videos of my favorite bands. There's even a pouch that pulls out to hold a water bottle — I'm crediting that feature with keeping me hydrated!” –Taysha Murtaugh, VP, Commerce

Iris&Romeo Weekend Skin SPF 50

“I received a bunch of Iris&Romeo goodies (including the brand’s newly dropped Lash Up Mascara, which is amazing), and this little SPF won me over with its skin-enhancing formula; it’s packed with vitamin C and niacinamide to leave the skin looking dewy and bright, and the mineral sunscreen is tinted to even out your skin tone so you don’t really need foundation. I love the compact packaging; it fits in any toiletry bag, purse, or beach bag.” – Emily Belfiore, Senior Commerce Editor

Ray-Ban Meta Skyler

“These smart glasses look just like regular Ray-bans… except for that tiny camera in the corner. Beyond taking photos and videos to easily share with friends back home, I love that you can also hear directions (or listen to music) discreetly no matter where you are. My favorite update is the new AI enhancement that lets you do everything from identify landmarks for your own personal tour to read — and even translate! — any text you may see.” – Morgan Ashley Parker, Associate Editorial Director

Timbuk2 Black Division Laptop Backpack Deluxe

“Despite the fact that I've traditionally been a tote bag > backpack type of girl, I've really been enjoying this Timbuk2 backpack this month. I bring it with me for quick overnight trips or when I travel into the office for luggage testing. In terms of organization, it's hard to beat. There's a slim zipper compartment specifically for my laptop, as well as a main zipper compartment for the rest of my gear. The outside pocket also has a hidden zipper which gives me peace of mind while I'm on the go. Even when packed to capacity, the weight of this backpack is evenly distributed and therefore doesn't put tons of stress on my back. Did I mention it's waterproof? Chef's kiss! I really like this for work trips because I can separate my clothing and toiletries from my electronics. There's also ample padding along the back and shoulder straps, which adds comfort when I'm lugging this thing from the car to the train and into the office.” – Jasmine Grant, Senior Commerce Editor

Seniq Trailmix Shorts

“My hunt for the perfect pair of sweat-proof shorts has come up short time and time again — until now. After wearing these Seniq shorts while hiking in the stifling New Mexico heat, I was stunned (and thrilled) to find that nary a patch of sweat was to be found, even when I knew for certain that it should have been showing. But on top of their sweatproof-ness, the adjustable waistband and flowy design also proved to be major selling points. Since they’re a slightly longer length than I usually reach for, I didn’t struggle with any chafing, plus, I could loosen them accordingly after indulging in a post-hike ice cream, which resulted in the bloated consequences of my lactose intolerance.” – Merrell Readman, Senior Commerce Writer 

Altra Women's Via Olympus 2 Sneaker

“I’m not a runner, but I’ve been wearing these bouncy, cloud-like sneakers for a month on my daily outings and walks with my dog. They have plush footbeds and foam midsoles that give them their stacked height, similar to other models on the market like from Hoka, but with a roomy and wider toe box so that your toes can naturally and comfortably spread out (it doesn’t look noticeable wide or weird, trust me). These supportive sneakers have been comfortable out of the box and I haven’t gotten a single blister. My feet don’t feel fatigued, even after miles, but rather energized thanks to how they make me feel like I’m bouncing off the sidewalk. The colorways are fun and make my more neutral athleisure outfits really pop.” – Susan Brickell, Director of T+L News & Deals Commerce

Soleil One Piece Swimsuit

“This one piece is so fun whether you're a poolside lounger or prefer to dive right into the water. The suit offers UPF 50+ protection and comes in various fun colors so you can pick the perfect style for you. The straps are adjustable, as well, and the material is pill- and chlorine-resistant for durability. And, while it's a one piece, it still features a cheeky backside and high waistline as a fun accent.” – Taylor Fox, Commerce Editor

Anthropologie x L Space Patterson Cutout Dress

Anthropologie

“I was bitten by the tennis-core bug after watching Challengers , so naturally, my summer wardrobe is now all tennis dresses like this one from the L Space x Anthropologie collaboration. The fabric is smooth, soft, and stretchy. Plus, I actually played tennis in the dress, so it's more than just a fashionable piece of athletic clothing.” – Anna Popp, Associate Commerce Editor

Away Packing Cubes

“I’m such an overpacker that I used to think that nothing could help me, but then I was given a set of the Away Packing Cubes and that mindset quickly changed. These packing all stars ensure that everything I need for a trip fits in my suitcase, and even give me the opportunity to organize them based on category or when I’ll need them, etc. Compared to other variations, I feel that these are more durable and easier to use.” – Emily Belfiore, Senior Commerce Editor

Ephedra Trail Skort

Wondery Outdoors

“When I'm hiking in the heat, I prefer shorts over pants, but this trail skort is my go-to this season. It provides the freedom of movement of shorts without leading to any chafing or discomfort no matter how hot it is. I love the functional pockets and adjustable skirt as well, so I can tailor the skort to my comfort.” – Taylor Fox, Commerce Editor

Fjallraven Kanken Backpack

“I always wanted one of these Fjallraven Kanken backpacks in middle school, just so I could learn what the hype was about. After fulfilling my 12-year-old dreams of getting the light pink shade, I can confidently say this is the perfect packable travel backpack. It packs flat in a suitcase and can fit more than enough items for day trips to the beach or sightseeing.” – Anna Popp, Associate Commerce Editor

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 

“I can’t believe there was ever a time when headphones weren’t noise-canceling. These Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones live up to their name with their dynamic noise-canceling capabilities; you can either block everything out or switch to Aware mode so you can still hear what’s going on around you (which is great when you’re on a flight or on the move). They’re also incredibly comfortable and don’t leave my ears feeling squished.” – Emily Belfiore, Senior Commerce Editor

Everlane Tencel Wide-Leg Pants

“Since I added these pants to my closet earlier this month, I’ve worn them at just about every chance I’ve gotten. From concerts to a 12 hour day of traveling, these Everlane pants instantly became a go-to — and they’re even lightweight enough to wear in the summer. The breathable Tencel fabric is relatively wrinkle-proof, plus, the elastic waistband never digs into my skin, making it perfect for enjoying a meal without stealthily unbuttoning my pants at the table (yes, I’ve done it before). I’d be remiss not to add that they look impeccable with the accompanying oversized button-down , but I’ve also taken to pairing them with a tank top and platform sandals for a night out on the town.” – Merrell Readman, Senior Commerce Writer

July Everyday Garment Tote

“I received this minimalist cotton tote from July as a gift, and it is the most luxurious garment bag I’ve ever owned. I can hang multiple dresses, bottoms, and tops inside, as well as pack shoes and my toiletries in the two inner pouches and jewelry and delicates in the interior zip pocket. I love that it zips shut to ensure my belongings are safe and secure, and that it has a pass-through luggage sleeve that easily fits over the handle of my rolling carry-on suitcase for seamless travel. I have the black version, which doesn’t show dirt or wear (but it’s washable, so no harm, no foul), and have been able to use it on some overnights and short weekend trips, but I know I’ll be putting it through a major test in flying across the country this September with it for my sister’s wedding, as well as using it as my luggage for a safari trip I have planned in Africa in the winter, as the planes have very strict cargo and baggage rules. ” – Susan Brickell, Director of T+L News & Deals Commerce

Cozy Earth Rib-Knit Short Sleeve Lounge Top

“If you ever have the opportunity to try something from Cozy Earth, don’t let it pass you by. If I had, then I would have never experienced the sheer bliss of the brand’s Rib-Knit Short Sleeve Lounge Top, which has become my go-to shirt for travel days. It’s incredibly soft, perfectly loose, and somehow elegant with its clean ribbed lines. Excuse me while I add more colors to my cart…” – Emily Belfiore, Senior Commerce Editor

La Roche-Posay Duo Dual Action Acne Spot Treatment Cream

“I recently discovered on TikTok that this spot treatment works like magic on breakouts, so now I make sure to pack it on any trip. Its compact size makes it incredibly convenient to carry, ensuring I'm prepared for any unexpected blemishes while I'm away from my usual multiple-step skincare routine. Plus, it's currently on sale!” – Rosie Marder, Writer, T+L News & Deals Commerce

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