The Hiwatt Hi-5 is a Hiwatt amplifier, currently around $469.99. Close alternatives include the Hiwatt DR103 Combo and the Hiwatt SA20H Custom 20W Studio Head. It pairs well with the Greer Mizuki blue and the Xotic BB Preamp.
Hiwatt Hi-5
Hiwatt · amplifier
The Hiwatt Hi-5 is a 5-watt all-tube guitar amplifier head from Hiwatt, the smallest and most compact head in the Hiwatt lineup. At 5W the Hi-5 achieves natural power tube saturation at bedroom and studio volumes while delivering the fundamental Hiwatt Custom-inspired character — clean, bright, punchy British tube tone — in an ultra-low-wattage format. The Hi-5 is a practice and recording head for players who want real Hiwatt tube character at quiet volumes.
- practice
- quiet
- recording
- bedroom
- bright
- punchy
- british
- tube
Good for
- Practice
- Studio
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Pedals that stack with the Hiwatt Hi-5
Greer Mizuki blue
Greer
24% matchGreer Mizuki blue leans warm right where the bright tone needs it
Xotic BB Preamp
Xotic
23% matchXotic BB Preamp leans smooth right where the bright tone needs it
EarthQuaker Devices Hoof
EarthQuaker Devices
22% matchWhere this leans bright, EarthQuaker Devices Hoof answers back warm
Mooer Trelicopter
Mooer
17% matchInto Hiwatt Hi-5, Mooer Trelicopter is right at home: it's built around Marshall-style amps
BBE OptiComp
Bbe
17% matchBBE OptiComp is voiced for Marshall-style amps — Hiwatt Hi-5 gives it exactly that
MXR Analog Delay
MXR
14% matchInto Hiwatt Hi-5, MXR Analog Delay is right at home: it's built around Marshall-style amps — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Universal Audio Golden Reverberator
Universal Audio
14% matchUniversal Audio Golden Reverberator's own voicing points at Marshall-style amps, and Hiwatt Hi-5 delivers it — goes in the amp's FX loop (or last, into a clean amp)
Beetronics OV-LE-Uva
Beetronics
tonal matchBeetronics OV-LE-Uva is voiced for a clean amp's front end — Hiwatt Hi-5 gives it exactly that
Boutique & premium upgrades
Hiwatt DR20/0.5 Head
Hiwatt
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Hiwatt Custom 20 SA20C 2x10 Combo
Hiwatt
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Hiwatt DR103H
Hiwatt
95% similaritysimilar tone character
Hiwatt DR504H
Hiwatt
94% similaritysimilar tone character
Hiwatt Custom 20/40 'Studio/Stage' Head
Hiwatt
93% similaritysimilar tone character
Blackstar Series One 45-Watt 2x12"
Blackstar
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
See all alternatives to the Hiwatt Hi-5 (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Hiwatt Hi-5?+
The closest matches in character are the Hiwatt DR103 Combo, the Hiwatt SA20H Custom 20W Studio Head, the Bad Cat Ocelot. Boutique upgrades: Hiwatt DR20/0.5 Head, Hiwatt Custom 20 SA20C 2x10 Combo, Hiwatt DR103H.
What pairs well with the Hiwatt Hi-5?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: Greer Mizuki blue, Xotic BB Preamp, EarthQuaker Devices Hoof — Greer Mizuki blue leans warm right where the bright tone needs it.
How much does the Hiwatt Hi-5 cost?+
Around $469.99 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).