Disclaimer: We may receive a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Best Keyboard Amps Reviewed

Whether you’re looking for high-quality studio sound or to be able to reach every corner of a large live performance stage, you’re going to want an amplifier for your keyboard.

However, the best keyboard amplifiers do a lot more than simply raise the volume of the instrument. A careful choice of the equipment you buy is essential, as low-quality keyboard amplifiers can leave your sound a lot muddier, more unclear, and lower-quality in general.

A good keyboard amplifier can be a very versatile tool, indeed. They need to be, in order to be able to properly boost and maintain the quality of the sheer diversity of sounds that a keyboard can produce.

Furthermore, keyboard amplifiers might be designed to specifically increase the reach and quality of a keyboard’s sound, but that doesn’t mean they’re solely designed to that end. As such, they can be great for amplifying vocals, acoustics, and drum sounds, with some of them designed to do all of the above at once.

Below, we’re going to take a look at some of the best keyboard amplifiers on the market at the moment. While many of them may share the qualities expected of the best in their budget range, they also come with features that might make them specifically well-suited to particular environments and uses. As such, take a look at the reviews and opinions below to see which one best suits your needs.

Take a look at our favorite keyboard amp:

The are a lot of details that go into deciding which kind of keyboard amplifiers you should be looking at. To help with that, you can check out the comparison chart as well as our comprehensive reviews below. The Solo Music Lab team breaks down everything that you should be looking for in your keyboard amplifier. We also look at the most important features and metrics to measure a whole variety of keyboard amplification devices you may look at.

With that out of the way, let’s see which keyboard amplifiers make the list and what sets them apart!

Top Keyboard Amplifiers Comparison Chart

Best Keyboard Amp

1. Roland KC-600 Stereo Keyboard Amp

Anyone who has spent enough time playing keyboard will be well familiar with the company Roland. They also produce plenty of top-quality keyboard amps, including the KC-600, one of the most popular and best-selling keyboard amps on the market, period.

Offering 200w of power, it’s a handle-topped fifteen-inch speaker that provides excellent clarity in both the mid and high ranges, with a series of super versatile controls to help adjust your sounds to meet your exact needs.

The amp has four input channels, with additional ¼”, AUX and XLR inputs, meaning it will amplify multiple keyboards,instrument inputs, or even a microphone for vocals. The Roland KC-600 also provides you with the ability to adjust individual volumes for each line in, and send them all to an audio interface or sound board with two balanced stereo line outs.

As such, aside from being a great quality keyboard amp, it also works as a mid-sized PA system that does well in any studio or on any stage. If you want to add even more bass to your sound, then there is an additional subwoofer output as well.

With excellent sound quality for the highs and mids, and the kind of versatility that you would expect from any standard portable PA, the Roland KC-600 stands out as one of the best in the market, without a doubt.

If your looking for big-time power output, the higher-end KC-990 provides more power and slightly cleaner lows, but it also comes with a significant increase in price. That increase in price is a big reason that we recommend the KC-600 over the KC-990, though both are well worth the money if you have the budget.

2. Peavey KB 2 Keyboard Amp

A much smaller device by comparison to the much beefier Roland KC-600, this amp keyboard amp features a 10” speakers and is roughly 18x17x12 inches. However, much like the KC-600, this compact keyboard amp is incredibly versatile. This 45w amplifier works just as well with keyboards as it does with any other kind of electronic instrument.

A four-channel amp, it has two ¼” inputs, one that’s both XLR and ¼”, and a fourth channel tha ¼” monitor that offers level control. As such, it also works as a highly portable PA system for multiple instruments and/or vocals. It comes with a range of features, including XLR and ¼” outputs, 2-band EQ on three channels, and very simple controls.

The relatively smaller power compared to something like the Roland means that it might not be suited for the largest of venues. However, when it comes to achieving great sound quality and decent amplification suitable for the studio, for practice, solo performances, and smaller venues, then this is a great choice. It certainly brings enough power to offer the boost needed for keyboards, but it might not be best used as a sole source of amplification for a keyboarder if they’re playing alongside other band members.

At its price range, the Peavey KB 2 keyboard amp offers one of the best combinations of sound quality and good pricing. So long as you’re not using it for larger crowds or as the only source of keyboard amplification competing against drums and guitar, it can suit many needs.

3. BEHRINGER KXD12 Keyboard Amplifier

If you are looking for something that brings the kind of amplification you need to be heard for live performances, even in larger venues, but Roland amps are a little too far above your price range, then the KXD12 from BEHRINGER’s Ultratone line might be just what you’re looking for. It provides a good deal more power than the Peavey KB 2 with a potential output power of 600 Watts. This is a peak rating, not one that you’re likely to reach, but it is at least comparable with other 200w amps, if not able to outperform them.

Add to that a 15” woofer and it’s easy to see why this amp can be just as easily used as a small PA system and for electronic drums as it can be used for your keyboards. This amplifier offers 4-channel mixing with both XLR and ¼” inputs, as well as outputs of the same formats. It also includes a Studio RCA input, giving it a slightly unique edge against some of the other amps featured above.

The sound quality and amplification power of the BEHRINGER KXD12 is widely lauded amongst its users, and it is consistently rated amongst the highest keyboard amps on the market for a reason. It might not be the most portable or convenient piece of equipment around there, but it’s certainly one of the most able.

4. Vox VX50KB Keyboard Amp

A vacuum tube amplifier that offers 50w of power despite its relatively compact sound, the Vox VX50KB offers clean and crisp sound amplification with 2-way coaxial speakers. Rather than providing a one-to-one recreation but louder, the unique Nutube circuity tends to add a warmer sound that might be more closely associated with the sound of a guitar amp these days. That said, many users do approve of the rather different sound of the Vox amp.

Each of the three channels of this amp benefits from a bass-reflex cabinet. This is able to provide the power needed for bass sounds while filtering out distortions and disruptions, offering a much cleaner sound. Other worthwhile features include the 3-band EQ, LINE/MIC inputs, and a line out that can connect the amp directly to a PA system.

The Vox VX50KB more resembles a traditional electric guitar amp more than any of the other choices here and it operates much like one as well. It’s sturdy, it’s portable, it provides a warmer tint to the output that tends to fit more classic sounds than anything. If you don’t mind the way that a tube amp is likely to affect the tone of your sound, then this offers good quality and power. However, while it provides clean highs and mids, there have been some occasions where there’s a bit of hiss on lower tones.

5. Coolmusic AC20 Keyboard Amplifier

Compact, with a lower power rating than most of the apps featured here, this 20W, 2-channel amp is primarily designed to work as an acoustic guitar amplifier, but it also works well as a keyboard amplifier. However, it’s not as versatile as the others mentioned above, rather it tends to work best for some very particular settings.

The low amount of channels and lower power rating mean that this certainly isn’t going to help you get heard on a larger stage or amongst a band including drummers and guitar players. However, where the Coolmusic AC20 shines is as a practice keyboard amp for the studio, as well as for solo performances.

One of the unique benefits that this device has over the others, however, is that it is fully Bluetooth compatible. A such, it can form a wireless connection with all manner of digital devices, on top of having a USB plugin. This way, you can connect it to sound mastering software to access the customization features that the amplifier itself does not offer.

When it comes to the pure power or the versatility of some of the devices mentioned above, the Coolmusic AC20 is not going to be able to provide what they can. However, if you want an accessible and affordable practice amp or one that will work in smaller venues, it does just fine.

Top Keyboard Amp Features To Consider

The amps featured above may share certain qualities, such as being able to provide decent quality amplification. However, they have many more differences besides. Aside from having different numbers of channels and features, they are each suited to different uses. Some are better for playing to a crowd in a large venue, while others might only be well-suited for solo performances. Here, we’re going to look at how you can tell what you should be looking for.

Power

When we look at the power of an amp, be it 20w, 200w, or anything beyond or between, we are looking at precisely how much it can amplify the sound of your keyboard. As such, if you’re looking to play amongst a band or to a large crowd, then you are going to need more power behind the amplification. Amps that provide a smaller amount of power aren’t as well suited to being heard in such settings.

Size and portability

Another feature that needs to be given more attention is just how convenient the amp is for your needs. If you’re a solo performer who needs to be able to transport it on a regular basis, then choosing a larger amp without a handle might give you some trouble. However, there are other highly portable options featured above, as well, to help with that. More powerful amps do tend to be larger and heavier, so it’s something to consider.

Channels, inputs, outputs

The vast majority of keyboards are going to use ¼” inputs and outputs that are compatible with modern keyboards, as well as XLR ports for microphones. However, the number of inputs and outputs you might need could change. Similarly, you should make sure to choose an amp with the amount of channels that you need. The channels dictate how many instruments you can connect while separating their controls. A one-channel amp can still have multiple inputs for different instruments, but they will all be controlled by the same options on the amp.

Sound effects and changes

Most keyboards are not going to change the sound of the instrument very much. However, there are some, such as older vacuum tube types that can change the tone of it slightly, such as making it warmer. More general amps may also have effects like chorus and reverb, though these are rarely found on an amp designed specifically for keyboards.

Budget

Of course, choosing an amp that falls within the range of your budget should always be a consideration. You’re not likely to find a high-quality amp that is both feature-complete and offers high-quality sound. Usually, we would recommend sacrificing additional features for a better price rather than sound quality.

Hopefully, the guide above, alongside the different amps reviewed, has helped you form an idea of which device is going to suit your needs. There are different types of keyboard amplifiers for many different environments and uses. It’s all about finding the one that’s specific to you.

Related Articles

• Best Home Recording Studio Equipment
• Best Laptop For Music Production
• Best In-Ceiling Speakers