AudioFu

Best Tube Guitar Heads Under $800 2026

Affordable tube guitar heads under $800 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Blues For Classic Rock For Jazz For Vintage Tones For Professional Gigs For Studio Recording
BRANDS: Engl Marshall Hughes&Kettner Mesa Boogie Friedman Victory Amplifiers Evh Orange Harley Benton Soldano Bad Cat Bugera Diezel PRS Peavey Revv
Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 20 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 20

by Hughes&Kettner
Studio Recording Jazz Professional Gigs
Key Feature:
• Dynamic playing response
✓ PROS
  • • Authentic tube saturation
  • • Dynamic playing response
✗ CONS
  • • Heat generation during use
  • • More expensive than solid-state

Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 20Electric Guitar Amp HeadAll tubePower: 20 watts2 Channels: Clean and Lead with...

⭐ 4.4/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 379473
$548
Buy at Thomann View Details
Electro Harmonix MIG-50 Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Electro Harmonix MIG-50 Head

by Electro Harmonix
Professional Gigs Blues Vintage Tones
Key Feature:
• Authentic tube saturation
✓ PROS
  • • Classic vintage tone
  • • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than solid-state
  • • Heavier than other options

Electro Harmonix MIG-50 HeadTube Amp Head for Electric GuitarFaithful reissue of the original Sovtek MIG-50 from the...

⭐ 4.6/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 538859
$784
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton TUBE30 Head Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Harley Benton TUBE30 Head Bundle

by Harley Benton
Vintage Tones Classic Rock Professional Gigs
Key Feature:
• Authentic tube saturation
✓ PROS
  • • Authentic tube saturation
  • • Classic vintage tone
✗ CONS
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet
  • • Heat generation during use

Harley Benton TUBE30 Head Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton TUBE30 Head*Tube Head for Electric...

⭐ 4.8/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 579205
$703
Buy at Thomann View Details
Bugera 6262 Infinium - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Bugera 6262 Infinium

by Bugera
Vintage Tones Studio Recording Blues
Key Feature:
• Classic vintage tone
✓ PROS
  • • Professional sound quality
  • • Classic vintage tone
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other options
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet

Bugera 6262 InfiniumElectric Guitar Amp HeadAll-tube amplifierPower: 120W2 Channels (Clean/Crunch and Lead)4x 6L6 Power...

⭐ 4.7/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 269455
$637
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marshall Origin 20H Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Marshall Origin 20H Head

by Marshall
Classic Rock Vintage Tones Jazz
Key Feature:
• Authentic tube saturation
✓ PROS
  • • Natural compression and warmth
  • • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet
  • • More expensive than solid-state

Marshall Origin 20H HeadTube Amp Head for Electric GuitarGain boost functionTwo voicings (NormalHigh Treble)which can...

⭐ 4.7/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 431630
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details
Evh 5150 III 15W LBX-S Top - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Evh 5150 III 15W LBX-S Top

by Evh
Jazz Blues Professional Gigs
Key Feature:
• Dynamic playing response
✓ PROS
  • • Professional sound quality
  • • Dynamic playing response
✗ CONS
  • • Heat generation during use
  • • Heavier than other options

Evh 5150 III 15W LBX-S TopTube Amp for Electric Guitar2 Channels: Clean (Green) / Full Burn (Red)Power: 15 watts - 4...

⭐ 4.7/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 497451
$736
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 20 240V/UK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 20 240V/UK

by Hughes&Kettner
Blues Jazz Classic Rock
Key Feature:
• Natural compression and warmth
✓ PROS
  • • Dynamic playing response
  • • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
  • • Requires tube maintenance
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet

Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 20 240V/UKTube Amp Head for Electric GuitarUK model with 240 VAll-tubePower: 20...

⭐ 4.6/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 617123
$611
Buy at Thomann View Details
Orange Rocker 15 Terror - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Orange Rocker 15 Terror

by Orange
Studio Recording Jazz Professional Gigs
Key Feature:
• Professional sound quality
✓ PROS
  • • Authentic tube saturation
  • • Dynamic playing response
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than solid-state
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet

Orange Rocker 15 TerrorAmp Head for Electric GuitarPower: 15 watts RMS - switchable to 15/7/1 / 0.5 watts2 ChannelsTube...

⭐ 4.7/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 423054
$769
Buy at Thomann View Details
Orange Dark Terror Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Orange Dark Terror Head

by Orange
Vintage Tones Studio Recording Jazz
Key Feature:
• Dynamic playing response
✓ PROS
  • • Dynamic playing response
  • • Authentic tube saturation
✗ CONS
  • • Requires tube maintenance
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet

Orange Dark Terror Head, All-tube guitar amp headSince the amps with the unconventional colour returned, they have been...

⭐ 4.9/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 263836
$703
Buy at Thomann View Details
Evh 5150 III 15W LBX Top - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Evh 5150 III 15W LBX Top

by Evh
Professional Gigs Classic Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Professional sound quality
✓ PROS
  • • Natural compression and warmth
  • • Authentic tube saturation
✗ CONS
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet
  • • More expensive than solid-state

Evh 5150 III 15W LBX TopAmp Head for Electric GuitarPower: 15 W / Can be reduced per switch down to 4 W2 Switchable...

⭐ 5.0/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 366053
$659
Buy at Thomann View Details
Marshall Origin 50H Head - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Marshall Origin 50H Head

by Marshall
Professional Gigs Studio Recording Blues
Key Feature:
• Classic vintage tone
✓ PROS
  • • Natural compression and warmth
  • • Dynamic playing response
✗ CONS
  • • Heat generation during use
  • • More expensive than solid-state

Marshall Origin 50H Head, Tube amp head for electric guitarGain boost functionTwo voicings (NormalHigh Treble)which can...

⭐ 4.6/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 431632
$637
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 20 Bundle - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 20 Bundle

by Hughes&Kettner
Professional Gigs Classic Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Classic vintage tone
✓ PROS
  • • Natural compression and warmth
  • • Dynamic playing response
✗ CONS
  • • Heat generation during use
  • • More expensive than solid-state

Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 20 Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe...

⭐ 4.8/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 410496
$758
Buy at Thomann View Details
Bugera 333XL Infinium - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Bugera 333XL Infinium

by Bugera
Studio Recording Jazz Vintage Tones
Key Feature:
• Authentic tube saturation
✓ PROS
  • • Professional sound quality
  • • Authentic tube saturation
✗ CONS
  • • Requires tube maintenance
  • • More expensive than solid-state

Bugera 333XL InfiniumAll-Tube Electric Guitar HeadPower: 120 W3 Channels4 x 12AX7 Preamp tubes4 x EL34 Power amp...

⭐ 4.6/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 268877
$658
Buy at Thomann View Details
Blackstar HT-5RH MKIII - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Blackstar HT-5RH MKIII

by Blackstar
Classic Rock Vintage Tones Jazz
Key Feature:
• Authentic tube saturation
✓ PROS
  • • Authentic tube saturation
  • • Natural compression and warmth
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier than other options
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet

Blackstar HT-5RH MKIIITube Head AmplifierPower: 5 wattsChannels: Clean and OverdriveTubes: 1 x ECC83 preamp tube and 1...

⭐ 4.7/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 590016
$538
Buy at Thomann View Details
Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 40 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 40

by Hughes&Kettner
Vintage Tones Classic Rock Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Professional sound quality
✓ PROS
  • • Authentic tube saturation
  • • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
  • • Needs separate speaker cabinet
  • • Requires tube maintenance

Hughes&Kettner TubeMeister Deluxe 40Amplifier Head for Electric GuitarAll tubePower: 40 W3 Channels: CleanCrunch...

⭐ 4.8/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 379478
$768
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Tube Guitar Heads

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced tube guitar heads typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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