The best metal amps should have plenty of gain and high-end attack, but they should also have the clarity and expressiveness you need to play.
Most amps are great for rock, blues, or pop, but not all amps can handle the specific demands of metal.
At the heart of every great heavy guitar tone, a great metal amp provides the perfect platform for tight thrash-style down picking, drop-tuned djent riffs, or low, slow doom-filled power chord sh*t.
Sound like someone who likes to party? Then you need one of the best amps for metal in your backline.
If you’re looking to learn what the best metal amp on the planet is right now, keep scrolling or hit the Buying Advice button above to learn the science behind today’s metal amps.
Best Amps for Metal
1. PRS MT 15 Mark Tremonti
The legendary PRS MT 15 Tremonti Signature is beloved by thousands of heavy metal guitarists, and here’s why:
This all-tube amp head delivers a range of fantastic tones, from rich, clean sounds to slicing, distorted riffs. Everything you need to elevate your guitar is right here, in this lunchbox amp designed with rock and metal guitarists in mind.
The Alter Bridge guitarist spec’d this compact head to deliver a professional-level tone at an affordable price point, and he absolutely nailed it. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better distortion tone for this money.
Featuring two channels, the MT 15’s distortion side is naturally the main selling point here, with a saturated tone that you’ll hear from boutique brands like Bogner or Diezel, but with a more manageable 15W output that can be dialed down to 7W.
There’s a twin-voice clean channel with a switchable boost, a series effects loop, and an LED that changes from blue to red when the distortion channel is on.
2. Orange Rockerverb 100
You might be surprised to learn that this metal amp is incredibly versatile and can perfectly reproduce sounds from blues to doom and everything in between.
The tone is authentic and natural, and the blues sounds from this amp have a depth and richness that you won’t find in other metal amps.
The range of distortions that naturally grow from overdrive to high gain provides a fantastic sonic palette that gives you all the versatility you need for playing and composing.
If you love the warm sound of a classic guitar amp, then the Orange Rockerverb 100 is a must-have.
It’s definitely not as cheap as some of the other metal amps on this list, but this head amp will stay with you for the rest of your career.
3. Peavey invective 120 Guitar Amp Head
The first high-gain amplifier to offer a clean, uncompromising sound, the Peavey invective.120 starts with the uncompromising high-gain performance of the legendary Peavey 6505 series and adds an unprecedented level of versatility to this class of amplifier.
Designed in collaboration with Periphery’s Misha Mansoor, the invective.120 features three channels, each with a unique sonic range, and a long list of controls to dial in your perfect tone.
Using the included footswitch, you can quickly transition from one tone to the next, from the most extreme high-gain metal to flawless classic rock tones to deep, clean jazz tones.
It’s all there and everything in between! A tube amp only sounds as good as what’s inside it, and Peavey’s invective.120 features four matched JJ6L6GC output tubes with top-load bias test points and adjustment.
On the rear panel are parallel speaker outputs with impedance selector, MSDI-XLR direct outputs with level/tone/ground lift, MIDI out/pass-through, and a MIDI footswitch input. The included footswitch has nine presets to help players get the tone they want.
Two remote-switchable effects loops, a half-power switch, and two 9VDC/500mA auxiliary power jacks for effects pedals complete the rear panel. On the front panel, players will find more options and advanced controls.
The invective.120 Head features a single input with three main remote-switchable channels—Clean/Crunch/Lead providing a sonic palette that will fuel your imagination.
Both the Lead and Crunch channels feature independent Pre and Post-Gain controls and a shared low/mid/high EQ that matches the venerable Peavey 6505 head.
It also features a shared switchable front-end boost fast-attack input noise gate with a threshold for complete control over muting.
A Standby and Power switch with a blue jewel pilot light indicates when the amp is ready to rock. Just adjust the Master Resonance, Presence, and Volume knobs, and you’re ready to rock.
4. EVH 5150 Mk 3 Head Amplifier
The 5150 is one of the most recorded metal amps in history. Now manufactured and distributed by Fender, it’s also very accessible.
The EVH 5150 Mk3 50-watt head is a three-channel amp. This version uses EL34 power tubes. It’s more compact than its 100-watt big brother, but not quite as compact as the lunchbox-style head.
To give you an idea of its size, it will fit most 2×12-inch vertical speaker cabinets. It may stick out a bit. And as you might expect, the 5150 can produce a ton of gain.
Channels 1 and 2 share the EQ controls. And the gain/volume control is a knob with two rotary controls. Channel switching is controlled via the front of the amp or via the 4-button footswitch no plastic cable, just a regular TRS jack socket.
The foot pedal has a footswitch with a different colored LED for each of the three channels, so you know which channel you have selected even on a dark stage. The fourth switch controls the FX loop.
The back has some nice extras. These include a headphone jack socket, MIDI input, effects loop, preamp output, and resonance control. Impedance can be selected from 4, 8, or 16 ohms. There are also two speaker outputs.
What about the tone? The 5150 isn’t known for its clean channels, so I had high expectations. But my expectations were dashed. The clean was much better than I had imagined.
This is by no means a one-trick pony. The EL34 tubes add a little British flavour to the overdrive, especially on channel 2. If you want something thick and dirty, this is it!
There’s no power soak, but you can play the amp at fairly low volumes. The controls aren’t “all or nothing” type controls. However, there’s also the Lunchbox 5150 (more on that in a moment).
Overall, the 5150 Mk3 (50 watt version) offers more tonal options and great features than you’d expect, and it’s priced lower than most of its competitors.
5. Peavey 6505 MKII
If you’re after the tight, squeaky sound of modern metal, look no further than the legendary Peavey 6505 1992 Original.
Recently updated with new transformers and internal switches for international voltage, it has a wide range of features that make it a touring standard for modern metal guitarists.
It offers a wide range of gain tones, from classic rock crunch to modern metal mayhem, but it’s always detailed and responsive.
The available saturation is simply amazing, but it’s always punchy and never dull until you’re almost at max. Of course, you can also get glassy cleans, but most guitarists will buy this amp for its overdriven sound.
There are separate high and low gain inputs, and the controls are simple but surprisingly flexible. The EQ is shared between both channels, and separate knobs for pre and post-gain provide plenty of tone control.
On the back panel, an effects loop, a preamp out for slaving another amp, and a handy speaker jack out with a switchable impedance selector complete the feature set of this outstanding amp.
6. PRS Archon 50 Guitar Amplifier
PRS is usually associated with their meticulously crafted core guitar line, but they also offer brutal, high-gain guitar amps.
Note: The MT15 Lunchbox head was released after I purchased this amp. It’s based on the Archon, but tuned to Mark Tremonti’s specifications.
Given its lower price and features, I’d recommend the MT15 over the Archon. Click here to see the MT15.
At first glance, the Archon looks like a typical two-channel guitar amp. Visually, at least in the combo version, the brutality is somewhat understated.
There is a clean channel and a lead channel. Each has a volume (gain), treble, mid, bass, and bright switch.
Then there are presence and depth controls. These are global, so they control both channels. And there is a master volume for each channel.
On the back are the FX loop send and return, a half power switch, a bias jack, an external speaker connection, and a footswitch connection for the included footswitch (for switching channels and turning the loop on/off). Damn, that footswitch lights up!
Note that the footswitch connection appears to be a MIDI cable, and a 5-pin DIN connector, and the included footswitch is hardwired.
And PRS recommends not using any other footswitch than the one provided in the user manual.
It’s hard to say if this could be a problem. Many players seem to use the RJM Amp Gizmo to control the Archon with other devices (e.g. a Line 6 Helix).
And if TRS jacks are faster, Best-Tronics makes a 5-pin DIN-to-TRS conversion cable, but I haven’t tried it myself.
7. Blackstar St James 6L6
The Blackstar St James 6L6 offers a wide range of tones for heavy metal guitarists looking for an easy-to-carry, portable all-in-one studio amp.
British producer Blackstar claims the St James 6L6 is the lightest 50-watt amp on the market, weighing in at about the same weight as a typical solid-state rig.
This is because the combination of the Candlewood plywood cabinet and Celestion Zephyr speakers allows for a significant weight reduction without compromising sound quality.
The St James 6L6 features a 2-watt half-power switch for practice, allowing you to keep the tube tone characteristics intact and sound realistic even at low volumes.
The amp delivers ample power and distortion to enhance the character of your guitar, but also provides a clear, rich clean channel.
Finally, the St James 6L6 has all the built-in apps you need to record professionally and customize your sound on the go.
If you’re a touring artist or constantly moving between rehearsal rooms, recording studios, and small gigs, the Blackstar St James 6L6 is a great choice to keep your sound great and avoid unnecessary back pain.
8. Diezel VH Micro
The overwhelming sound coming from this tiny head amp is incredible. It’s no wonder that the legendary Diezel sound has been adopted by legends like James Hetfield and Adam Jones.
This great metal amp is designed for high gain and can produce unique metal tones, but it can also produce a clean channel that’s transparent and pleasant.
At a fraction of the price (and weight) of its bigger brother, the VH4, the Diezel VH Micro offers a wealth of controls that provide endless solutions for tone shaping, from the Depth and Presence controls to the standard EQ, Master, and Gain.
This head amp is based solely on the world-renowned Mega channel, perfect for metal riffs, memorable guitar solos, and more.
The Diezel VH Micro is a wicked little amp. It can replicate the sounds of legendary metal guitarists for less than $300, so I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a cheap way to play metal.
9. Marshall DSL40CR
Contrary to many traditionalists, you don’t really need a full stack to get great metal tones.
The Marshall DSL40CR is a relatively compact tube combo that’s versatile enough to handle high gain and clean plucking with ease.
The Ultra channel is full of Marshall swagger, with a tight, punchy low end reminiscent of the famous EVH Brown sound.
The Classic channel delivers the famous Marshall crunch, as expected, allowing you to get everything from hard rock to thrash with a little tweaking.
The two master volumes allow you to use both channels as gain stages, making this a very versatile amp.
This means you can get decent high-gain tones at low volumes when needed, and the Softube-designed emulation outputs mean you can record at home or plug directly into a live gig.
10. Mesa Boogie JP-2C
Considered a must-have for progressive metal enthusiasts, the JP-2C has a sonic versatility that has made it a favorite with guitarists of all genres.
Based on the sonic signature of the Mark IIC+, the Mesa Boogie JP-2C has a stunning high-gain sound and a clean channel reminiscent of the distinctive John Petrucci sound.
Whether you like Dream Theater or not, there’s no denying that their guitarist has been one of the most imitated rock musicians of the past 30 years!
From warm to aggressive saturation, the JP-2C’s distortion is fully adjustable via independent channels and five different modes, giving you the flexibility you need to compose and perform heavy metal music.
On the technical side, it’s worth mentioning the sophisticated CabClone line output, MIDI programmability, and dual 5-band equalizers with footswitch. This is without a doubt one of the best metal amps on the market.
Compared to all the other options on this list, the Mesa Boogie JP-2C is very expensive.
That’s not to say it’s not worth it, but you should only consider buying this tube amp if you have a clear vision of what you want to sound like.
11. Marshall JCM800
If you like your vintage metal loud and brash, the Marshall JCM800 is a fantastic choice.
One of the iconic amps of rock and metal, this is a simple amp that does one thing really well, which is why its design has barely changed since its introduction in the 80s.
The JCM800’s sound is very mid-range-focused, making it ideal for crisp guitar tones.
It sounds best when pushed hard, and with a good drive pedal, it can deliver a sharp tone that can be used to drive modern metal sounds. It’s incredibly loud, and not at all suitable for playing at home.
Traditionalists may lament the addition of an FX loop, but for us, it’s a great option to include in a reissue.
Simple and to the point, the JCM800 is without a doubt one of the best options for classic metal tones. If you want to play or record at home, you’ll want to buy an amp attenuator to get the best performance.
12. Boss Katana 50 Gen 3
Boss’s unique Tube Logic solid-state/DSP technology is the secret behind this versatile combo, which far exceeds its price point in both features and tone.
It comes in five tones: Acoustic, Clean, Crunch, Lead and Brown. The latter delivers the tight, high-gain solo tones of your dreams, while each sound can be saved to one of eight different tone settings. Memories.
It also has an impressive array of effects, including all the modulation, delay, and reverb you could ask for, plus direct USB recording, power scaling, cabinet resonance selection, and a built-in tilt stand.
FAQs
Are tube amps good for metal?
Tube amps are fantastic for metal guitarists, and one of the most popular heavy guitar amps is the Marshall JCM800, a valve amp.
Tube amp distortion is known for its high compression, rich harmonics, and warm tone, and it sounds fantastic on almost any type of music.
That doesn’t mean that solid-state or modeling amps aren’t good for metal, though. James Hetfield is famous for using the Roland Jazz Chorus on his live set, but he uses it for its clean tone, and many modern metal guitarists use modeling amps for their ease of use and reliability.
What features should I look for in a guitar amp for playing metal music?
Make sure that the amp has a boost option and that you can fully customize the frequency spectrum.
If you can get a great sound out of your amp without adding pedals, that’s a good starting point and can save you a lot of headaches.
Also, think about what you need it for. Will it be a studio, rehearsal, or touring amp? Depending on your needs, you’ll want to look at the wattage or buy a cabinet that’s powerful enough to pair with a head amp.
Finally, look for an amp that will enhance the character of your guitar, whether you’re playing heavy riffs or complex solos.
Should you choose a tube amp or a solid-state amp when playing metal?
Tube amps are considered the gold standard for metal guitarists, but solid-state amps offer many advantages. They’re cheaper than tube amps and offer infinitely customizable digital features.
If you’re on a budget, a solid-state amp is the way to go. If money’s no object and you’re looking for the vintage, warm sound of classic heavy metal, a tube amp is the way to go.
Ultimately, the best guitar amp for metal is the one that sounds best to you.
What guitar amp brands do you recommend for playing metal?
Orange, PRS, Peavey, and Marshall are all great brands that offer aggressive sounds that satisfy the needs of metal guitarists around the world.
While they’re all different and each brand has its own unique sonic signature, there’s no doubt that they’ve made their mark on the heavy metal and extreme metal scene.
All the major brands offer solutions for every budget, so before you start looking for your next metal amp, define how much you want to invest, and don’t get hung up on a single amp brand or model!
Also read: Top 10+ Best Overdrive Pedals in 2025