Best Battery Powered Amp for Mobile Gigging

Searching for the best battery amp possible opens up many possibilities for where you play. You don’t have to think of lugging around big equipment for any jam session.

Don’t think that a battery amplifier will always produce tinny and lackluster sounds. Many of the world’s best amp manufacturers have created smaller devices suited for portable use.

This means there are many great options to explore if you want to give your playing an added boost when on the go. Below, you’ll see the top battery-powered amplifiers for busking.

8 Best Battery Amps – Revealed!

1. The Musician’s Choice: Blackstar Fly 3

Blackstar’s ability to make great-sounding amps stretches across all sizes, as proven by their powerful Fly 3 Mini Amp. This portable 3W amp is no bigger than any desk item but delivers excellent sound quality across the board whether you are playing electric or bass guitar.

Incorporating Blackstar’s ISF sound clarity feature, you get big sounds no matter if you are hitting high or low notes. There’s also the option to switch between a clean and overdrive channel to alter your sound further.

What makes the Fly 3 stand out is how it can merge with other gear to modify your playing style. It has a line-in jack to sync to smartphones and play along with a backing track.

Alongside that, there is also a line-out feature to link up with recording equipment to allow for silent practice, which can even be used within the studio. All of this comes across three different face colors, making this the ultimate pocket amp for guitarists to enjoy.

Pros:

• Excellent sound quality
• Syncs with lots of external devices
• Great look

Cons:

• Playback mode sounds tinny
• No tuner included

2. The Powerful Option: COOLMUSIC BP80

You will be hard-pushed to find any battery amp as powerful as the COOLMUSIC BP80. Larger than most of its rivals, the BP80 sports a 100W 2-way speaker that delivers big on the sound front.

The treble sounds from the speaker are boosted by an 8-inch subwoofer, meaning that all sound levels will be heard and felt as you play. It also has six different input slots, meaning you can hook up multiple guitars, mics, and a keyboard all through the same device.

That’s not only where the BP80 shines, either. It is fully synced to wirelessly connect with other devices, too, with built-in Bluetooth to link with your smartphones when needed. That comes alongside physical ports to sync with other effects gear and headphones, should you wish.

It also sports a rechargeable battery that lasts for around 8 hours, meaning you can use it multiple times before it runs out of juice. It’s a powerful device that is one of the best battery amp options today.

Pros:

• Great sound balance
• Wireless connectivity
• Works with multiple instruments at once

Cons:

• Only one design look
• Sound issues when used on lower power levels

3. The Full Stack: Marshall MS-4

No amp company has quite the same reputation as Marshall. So the thought of having a full Marshall amp that fits in your hand is almost mind—boggling until you see the MS-4. This mini-amp stack is exactly what it sounds like – a full three-piece amp stack that works on the go.

Combining two MS-2 amps and a small head device, it delivers several big layers of sound despite being a small unit. Standing just 25cm high, the entire piece is easy to store and travel from one spot to the next.

Many music lovers will be pleased to know that it retains the classic Marshall look. Decked out with full black fronts and the iconic logo in the center, the MS-4 looks great, even if it’s just a fraction of the size of its larger cousins. The whole thing is also fully battery-powered with just a few 9V batteries, meaning no wired connections are needed—a great way to get a Marshall stack without getting a huge unit.

Pros:

• Classic look
• Compact design
• Good sound

Cons:

• No way to use a wired connection
• Speakers aren’t very powerful

4. The Retro Look: Danelectro N10A

It may look like a vintage piece of equipment; however, the Danelectro N10A is anything but that. This portable amp delivers great sounds no matter if it is used via the clean or overdrive channels.

Its 10W amp sounds great, producing clean and crisp tomes covering treble and bass sounds. Where the N10A shines is in how it is put together. Much care has gone into the design, with the device sporting a wooden shell with a leather handle for easy transportation.

Some users will find a range of quirky features that make it great for everyday use. It has a belt clip to hook to your side or bag and a headphone jack if you want to practice a little quieter.

There’s also a range of color schemes, including aqua blue and retro orange. All these combine to reveal a battery amp that is full of character.

Pros:

• Crisp tones
• Easy to transport
• Excellent design

Cons:

• Clean channel sounds disappointing
• Sound distorts on louder volume levels

5. The Mini Variant: BOSS Katana Mini

BOSS is no stranger to making amps, and their Katana Mini is a great battery amp for use in various environments. Where it stands out is the way you can manipulate your sound. It has three separate channels to explore with clean, crunch, and brown modes.

These all offer different sounds that are fully equalized and boosted through an analog gain system. It means you can make a powerful statement if you are playing in your room or out on the street.

As always, BOSS has thrown many great features to raise the Katana Mini’s reputation. This includes a delay feature to help you play along to a backing track. Line in/out connections allows you to link up with anything from a recording rig to a smartphone. It all comes together to make the Katana Mini just as strong as its larger cousins.

Pros:

• Three different sound modes
• Tape delay feature
• Built-in equalizer

Cons:

• Not very loud
• Humming drones on higher volume levels

6. The Bright Choice: Orange Crush Mini

Orange Amps are known for their unique look, but the Crush Mini is more than just eye-catching. Despite having just a 3W speaker, this small amp produces excellent sounds, whether you want to push clean sounds or crank up the bass.

It’s a particularly easy amp with separate knobs for each channel, making it easy to adjust sound levels to whatever you desire. This all links to an amp that delivers no matter where you play.

Alongside being easy to use, it has everything a guitarist could want to set themselves up for a performance. On top of slots for headphones and linking with your smartphone, it has a built-in tuner to help you get your axe sounding sharp. This is just as sharp as the classic Orange design, with the Crush Mini coming with its iconic orange design and color scheme. It’s a great amp that delivers a real punch no matter where it is used.

Pros:

• Great design
• Easy to use
• It comes with a built-in tuner

Cons:

• Poor gain sounds
• Not very loud

7. The Stalwart Amp: Yamaha THR-5

It might be a one-channel amp, but don’t write the Yamaha THR-5 yet. It delivers big, allowing you to play some big sounds from a small unit.

Focused on accentuating natural sounds, the THR-5 lets you hear every note crisply and with great clarity – something other amps often struggle with. It excels in the different effects you can manipulate your sound with. You can use a range of effects, such as flange, delay, and phase, to create a unique sound.

All these different modes are easily adjusted by a series of knobs that click where you want it to go. This means your desired effects can be manipulated in just a few clicks, saving time and energy to perfect your sound.

It has a retro look from yesteryear, making it seem like an antique piece. It’s a great battery amp that calls upon you to find your perfect sound.

Pros:

• Lots of effects
• Easy to adjust
• Great sound clarity

Cons:

• Some static when not being used
• No preset mode

8. The Long-Life Amp: Roland Mobile-AC Amp

You will be hard-pressed to find any battery amp that outlasts Roland’s Mobile AC-Amp. This amp has an estimated battery life of 15 hours on one set of batteries, meaning it can survive other battery amps for almost twice as long. The long lifespan doesn’t sacrifice sound quality, either. Designed to work mostly with acoustic guitars, the Mobile AC produces a clean sound that accentuates all the notes as they are hit.

There are also plenty of ways to manipulate the sound as well. Roland has a built-in chorus and reverb effect to give your sound a unique vibe.

There are also great ways to sync this up with other devices with a line-in device that links to smartphones or other media players. You can also use the line-out option to play simultaneously with a mic if you are jamming with a friend. Therefore, the Roland Mobile AC amp is a great tool to jam at any party or home.

Pros:

• Excellent lifespan
• Works with microphones
• Several effect tools

Cons:

• Not great with electric guitar
• Difficult to balance reverb & delay settings

What to look for in a good battery amp?

When searching for the best battery amp around, there are many things you need to consider when buying it. Just thinking about the overall sound itself isn’t going to cut it. So, what should you be looking out for when choosing a battery-powered amp?

Overall lifespan

Without relying on a continuous power source, your amp power will run out eventually. That’s why you must pick an amp that can go the distance for more than a couple of hours. Amps will always be thirsty, so you must know it will last longer than a few hours.

You will find that most battery amps will have an average lifespan of around 6-10 hours, with 8 being the mean lifespan. Most amps will run on one 9V or two AA batteries in one go. Some other models may utilize up to 6 AA batteries and have an additional lifespan. It means amps can be used in multiple sessions before recharging. It is a great resource when playing in areas without accessible wired connections.

Compatibility with other gear

One thing that helps with battery amps is how they can link with other devices. The best battery amps often have both line-in and line-out jacks, connecting you with at least one external device. This might be your smartphone, tablet, or headphones. What this means is you can play along with a backing track, or you can play without distracting others in quieter surroundings.

On top of all that, some amps can be a one-stop platform for jamming with an entire band if necessary. Some of the best battery amp models will have multiple connection slots to support various instruments, such as electric and bass guitars, without any issue. Some will also offer an additional mic slot for vocalists to get in the act. You can use your battery amp at shows and save vital space on stage.

FAQ

Do battery amps connect to mains voltage?

You will find that many of the best battery amp models can work on mains electricity should you wish. Many will have an A/C adapter built in should you find the need to switch to continuous power while playing.

Are all battery amp speakers powerful?

You will find that battery amps will have various speaker sizes built within them. Some smaller units may only rely on a 5W speaker to deliver sounds. More elaborate models, however, will have speaker drivers that are more than 100W. It depends on the model’s design as to what the speaker’s power might be.

What batteries do portable amps run on?

You will find that battery amps will run on two types of batteries. A 9V battery or AA are the most common types of battery used to power portable amps. The number of these will vary depending on how big the unit is as well as the power of the speaker inside.

What is the best battery amp out there today?

As you can see, there are a wealth of options to choose from when it comes to finding the best battery amp for your needs. Plenty of models from the biggest brands around don’t need a mains connection to get some big sounds. These come in all shapes and sizes, from just one small unit to a full stack combo.

Some battery amps, such as the Marshall MS-4 and the Orange Crush Mini, retain iconic designs that entice users to get hold of them. Others, such as the Boss Katana Mini and the Yamaha THR5, scale down larger models to ensure they get a slice of the portable markets.

You will even find some powerful speakers within the battery amp world, as proven by the COOLMUSIC BP80. However, the Blackstar Fly3 brings all these aspects together in one package. With excellent build quality, a great selection of looks, and various ways to alter your sound, it stands out as the best battery amp today.