Best Budget Stereo Amplifiers for Your Audio Needs | 2022 Buyer’s Guide

What is the best budget stereo amplifier? A good amplifier will make your speaker sound louder and better, but keep in mind that it will not make a bad speaker work like a good one. The first thing to consider is power output. We advise you to choose a model that delivers power equal to twice the speaker's power rating. Depending on your needs, you may pick the Pyle 500W Wireless Amplifier or a cheaper PDA6BU.5 model from this brand that features 200 watts of power output. Another thing to consider is connections. Look at the amplifier’s rear panel to see what options it offers.

In addition to line-level RCA inputs, the device should be Bluetooth-enabled. If this feature is important for you, opt for the Fosi Audio BT20A that has an extended Bluetooth range of 50 feet and a stable wireless connection. And finally, consider weight. When it comes to amplifiers, the heavier the unit the better. This is due to the fact that high-quality metal components significantly add to the weight of the device. So, the Pyle 4-Channel 3000W Amplifier for $200 weighs 22 lbs., whereas a more affordable 50-dollar amplifier from the same brand, the PDA6BU.5, is less than 7 lbs.

Best Budget Stereo Amplifiers

Below, you will find a review of the best budget stereo amplifiers at a price ranging from $50 to $100. These models have different power output, design, and set of features. They all are Bluetooth-enabled but the Fosi Audio amplifier offers a wider range. The 500W Pyle model is made with 4 channels and is more powerful.

Pyle PDA6BU.5 Compact Bluetooth Stereo Amplifier | Best Under $50

With a price of just $50, this 200W stereo amplifier is compact yet high-performance. The unit measures less than 10 inches in length and width and weighs 6.5 lbs. This is a two-channel amplifier with a frequency range of 20Hz-20kHz and remote control. It has Bluetooth connectivity with a wireless range of over 40 feet and is compatible with the latest devices, such as iPad and iPhone. The device comes with plenty of other beneficial features, including the digital LCD display, FM Radio, MP3 digital audio file support, USB flash and SD memory card readers. An Aux (3.5mm) input jack allows you to directly stream audio from external devices.

The PDA6BU.5 rates 4.2 out of 5 stars from more than 800 customer reviews. Buyers like that the unit has multiple inputs, lots of useful features, and is easy to install. As for downsides, the remote does not control many functions including master volume and Bluetooth. Besides, some users are not satisfied with the Bluetooth reception.

Pyle PDA6BU.5: Check the current price

Fosi Audio BT20A Bluetooth 5.0 Stereo Audio 2 Channel Amplifier Receiver | Best Bluetooth Connectivity

For about $80, you get a more advanced amplifier with bass and treble control. It features a frequency range of 20Hz - 20kHz, a built-in speaker protection circuit, and the Texas Instruments TPA3116D2 Chip for hi-fi sound. The latter reduces distortion, making the sound more clear even at high volume. With a wattage rating of 100W per channel, the amplifier can drive most passive speakers to produce awesome sound.

Like the Pyle PDA6BU.5, this one is also Bluetooth-enabled but with a wider range — up to 50 feet. Moreover, it offers a stronger and more stable connection. Design is another advantage of the BT20A model. Unlike the Pyle model, it features curved edges and a sleek appearance. The enclosure is made out of premium materials, which results in an improved operation as well. The unit is more compact and, more importantly, is three times more lightweight. Buyers rate this product high, with 72% of the buyers giving it 5 stars in over 1,300 customer reviews. What they like most are sound quality and noise level. As one of the buyers, Mike, put it, the sound coming out of that device greatly exceeded his expectations.

Fosi Audio BT20A: Check the current price

500W Karaoke Wireless Bluetooth Amplifier | Best Powerful

With an output of 500W, this professional amplifier is much more powerful as compared to the Pyle PDA6BU.5 and Fosi Audio BT20A models. This item will cost you around $100 and is the most expensive on this list but it is worth every penny. Packed with features, it comes with an FM radio tuner, a digital display, a USB flash drive, and SD memory card readers. The device can be used with multiple speakers with 6-ohm or 8-ohm impedance.

In comparison with the above-described models, this amplifier is made with a greater number of channels — 4 channels — but is bulkier and heavier. It has the same frequency range, 20Hz - 20KHz, and built-in Bluetooth for wireless music streaming. However, in terms of Bluetooth range, the Fosi Audio BT20A is superior because this model provides only 40 feet of a wireless range. A MIC talk-over function allows for halting music or audio, which is often used in announcements. In addition to remote control, the product comes with an FM antenna. It has received over 1,200 customer reviews with a 4.4 out of 5 stars rating.

500W Karaoke Wireless Bluetooth Amplifier: Check the current price

Stereo Amplifiers: Budget Under $100 vs. Expensive Under $200

Basically, there are two reasons for a higher price: improved aesthetics and better performance. For example, the Rockville BluTube 70W Tube Amplifier for $150 boasts an awesome futuristic design that will be a beautiful addition to any home decor. But what fundamentally separates this device from others is that it is a tube amplifier, meaning that it uses vacuum tubes to increase the signal’s amplitude or power. Because of their “roundness” tubes are able to generate enhanced sound, much superior to that from a regular amplifier. Another advantage of tube amplifiers is their ability to tolerate overloads for several minutes. The downsides include a larger size and a shorter working life.

As for the other features, the Rockville model does not differ much from less expensive amplifiers. Like the Fosi Audio BT20A, it has adjustable bass and treble as well as 25Hz-20kHz frequency response. Also, the device has Bluetooth connectivity but with a range of just 33 feet, which is less than the above-mentioned budget options offer. The unit is equipped with a preamplifier that creates an output signal strong enough to be tolerant of noise.

Another option under $200 is the 4 Channel Wireless Bluetooth Amplifier - 3000 Watt Stereo Speaker. Unlike the Rockville model, it is a regular amplifier but with a whopping wattage of 3,000W. This is an ideal solution for all your audio needs. The device features 4 channels and can connect to TV soundbars as well as power up to 4 speakers. However, if the number of channels is the main feature you are looking for, you may decide on the 4-channel Pyle 500W Amplifier as it is twice the price of this model.

Loaded with features, this 3000W amplifier has a CD/DVD player, AM/FM radio, USB and SD flash memory readers, two microphone inputs, and an AUX input. As a comparison, budget options lack many of these features. For example, the Fosi Audio BT20A is an integrated amplifier, meaning it can do everything a stereo receiver can do. But it has no AM/FM tuner. Other budget models on the list feature only FM. That said, this amplifier uses a 3.0 Bluetooth version and many customers are not actually happy with the Bluetooth connection it offers.

The unit is heavy-duty and weighs as many as 22 pounds. A digital display meter displays functions and input while the remote control allows you to adjust your audio device from a distance. Knobs and buttons on the front panel are LED illuminated and can be used for selecting audio sources, equalization, and volume adjustments.

Best-Selling Budget Stereo Amplifiers | Comparison Table