The 7 Best Pedal Amps: The Perfect Solution for Your Amp-Less Board!
Everything you need to know about going amp-less!
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The 7 Best Pedal Amps: The Perfect Solution for Your Amp-Less Board! · Source: Universal Audio
Few things can help lower the weight of a rig as much as going amp-less. While there are obvious modeling choices from the likes of Kemper and Neural DSP, many players still prefer a full-on pedal board. And for that it’s best to put a pedal amp at the end of the chain. If you’ve been considering going this route, we’ve selected the seven best pedal amps for different sounds and budgets.
Our Picks for Best Pedal Amps:
The Best Pedal Amps: What to Consider
First and foremost, it’s about the sound you’re after. And this is also the reason why we’ve excluded modelers from Neural DSP, Kemper, and IK Multimedia. Because these go a step further, since you can take any amp model you desire (and find in their libraries).
Amp pedals outside of that fall into two categories: those sound like one specific amp and those that include a variety of amp sounds. Then there is the question of cabs. If you’re going amp-less, you’re probably going to want to go cab-less, too. These monsters might not always be as heavy as some amps, but they can certainly be huge!
So, a contender for the best amp pedals should also include some kind of IR loader or cab emulation. Otherwise, there are dedicated IR loader pedals like KMA’s Endgame. On the plus side, you get even more controls to dial in your sound. On the other hand, this does not help with a crowded pedalboard.
Let’s take a look at the best pedal amps, strictly sorted by price! And let us know in the comments, which pedal amp is you’re favorite and why!
Hughes & Kettner StompMan and Spirit AmpMan
The Hughes & Kettner StompMan is a stripped-down beast for players who want the feel of a classic amp in the smallest possible footprint. With its fully analog Spirit Tone Generator, you get the dynamic sag, grit, and bloom of real tubes. Dial in your sound with familiar amp-style controls—Gain, Tone, Presence, Resonance, Sagging, and Master—and you’re right at home. Add in a footswitchable FX loop and Solo boost, and you’ve got a rugged, gig-ready workhorse.
If you want more range, this pick for best pedal amps, the Hughes & Kettner Spirit AmpMan, takes the same Spirit Tone Generator foundation and expands it into a dual-channel design. Channel 1 covers vintage-style American and British cleans, while Channel 2 delivers classic rock tones straight. Compared to the StompMan, the AmpMan adds extras like a noise gate, a speaker emulation via Red Box AE+, and full channel storage for boost, FX loop, and solo settings. Where the StompMan* is raw, minimal, and pedalboard-focused, the AmpMan* feels more like a compact head with pro-level versatility.
Marshall Signature Amp Pedals
When Marshall released their Signature Pedals series earlier this year, many were excited. Unless you’re using a modeler, getting the sound of an actual JCM800 or a 1959 these days is an expensive task. With these five pedals, you get one amp sound, a few knobs to dial it in, that’s it.
So, you do need an IR loader behind them, and some might miss a dedicated amp EQ to shape the sound. But you do get that sound. If you want to go ampless and one of these pedals is the Marshall sound you’re after, check them out at Thomann*.
Boss IR-2 and IR-200
If you want a versatile, compact, amazing-sounding solution, then these two models are among the best pedal amps. Boss’ IR-2 was so popular in the first months it came out that it was practically sold out. Not only does it offer 11 different amp sounds and Celestion IRs, it also allows you to set up two different amp sounds you can switch between. And judging by many reviews, this thing sounds crazy good.
The bigger, more seasoned solution is the mighty IR-200. If comes with 150 impulse responses, 128 preset slots, an FX loop, 11 amp models (eight for guitar, three for bass), two EQ settings per preset slot and two global EQs for sound-shaping, three different room sounds… You only have to play well (!) to make it sound good.
Each of these two pedals from Boss is among the best-sounding solutions for amp pedals, especially if your guitar sound is a bit more on the mainstream side of things in rock, metal, blues or country. You can get the IR-2 Amp & Cabinet* and IR-200 Amp & IR Cabinet* at Thomann.
Universal Audio UAFX Amps Pedals
Universal Audio has released seven different amp pedals under its UAFX moniker, each met with raving reviews, each modeling one amp sound only. But if you ask around, some of these, like the Dream or the Lion are among the best-sounding emulations of the respective legendary amps they model in all of pedal land.
Each UAFX model comes with three amp voicings, three IRs (with three additional ones from the app) and an EQ. You can store and load presets and have different amp sounds ready in minutes. These pedals all offer stereo I/O, so they’re perfect for mono, mono-to-stereo, and even full stereo boards. Check them out at Thomann*.
Strymon Iridium
The Strymon Iridium easily earns its spot on this list of the best pedal amps. This pedal amp really nails the feel of cranked tubes with its three voicings that cover legendary American sparkle, gritty British grind, and rich chime. Pair that with nine cabinet IRs and a room control that adds just the right amount of space, and you’ve got tones that feel alive.
The EQ is responsive, the drive blooms like a real amp, and the favorite switch is perfect for locking in a go-to sound you’ll always come back to. You can also load your own impulse responses through the app, run full stereo rigs, and monitor (or practice!) silently with headphones. Check it out at Thomann*.
Blackstar Dept. 10 Amped 1
The Blackstar Dept. 10 Amped 1 is a pedal amp powerhouse that gives you a full 100-watt guitar amp under your feet. It offers three bespoke preamp voices (USA, UK, and Flat) and six switchable power amp responses of classic tubes like KT88, EL34, or 6V6, as well as a clean linear mode. It also comes with a three-band EQ, onboard reverb with freeze, and power reduction down to 20 watts or 1 watt for practicing at home.
Connectivity is where the Amped 1 really shines. You get USB connectivity, XLR out, or headphones out, making silent practice or direct recording effortless. A footswitchable preset mode, serial/parallel FX loop, MIDI input, and multiple speaker outs (8/16 Ohm) round out the package. One of the best pedal amps on the market, the Dep. 10 Amped is available at Thomann*.
Walrus Audio MAKO ACS1 MK II
The Walrus Audio MAKO ACS1 MKII takes everything we loved about the first ACS1 and pushes it further into pro territory. The update comes with a bright display and expanded controls. Plus, this amp pedal gives you six amp models inspired by iconic classics, paired with twelve IRs crafted with York Audio and Tone Factor.
You also get controls for a three-band EQ, presence, resonance, and a noise gate, in addition to reverb effect that includes room, hall, and spring reverbs. There is also a footswitchable boost to lift your solos. Load your own IRs via USB-C, save up to 128 presets over MIDI, or keep it simple with three onboard slots. Stereo I/O, headphone out, and full MIDI control make it a powerful centerpiece for pedalboard rigs or direct setups. It’s one of the most versatile and one of the best pedal amps on the market and available at Thomann*.
*Disclaimer: This article about the best pedal amps contains affiliate links and/or widgets. When you buy a product via our affiliate partner, we receive a small commission that helps support what we do. Don’t worry, you pay the same price. Thanks for your support!
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