Boss Katana-50 MkII EX review

The next evolution of Boss’s best-selling amp has arrived – and, somehow, it’s even better

Boss Katana-50 MKII EX
(Image: © Boss)

Guitar World Verdict

Whether you're a beginner or a pro, the Katana-50 MkII EX is a truly remarkable amp both in its feature set and quality of tones – in today’s competitive market, it’s practically unbeatable.

Pros

  • +

    Intuitive control layout.

  • +

    Tap tempo.

  • +

    Five amp voices with five variations covers a lot of ground.

  • +

    Lots of top-quality effects.

Cons

  • -

    Footswitch sold separately.

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

There’s plenty of reasons why Boss’s Katana digital modelling amps have become so popular – one of the most obvious being they’re astonishing value for money, packing in highly realistic amp tones alongside boutique-grade effects at prices that seem almost too good to be true. 

Following its debut in 2016 alongside the acclaimed Waza Craft Head, the Katana range rapidly grew to include Artist, Mini and Air (wireless) options, with a widely-acclaimed Mark II upgrade that added extra voices and effects.

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Nick Guppy

Nick Guppy was Guitarist magazine's amp guru for over 20 years. He built his first valve amplifier at the age of 12 and bought, sold and restored many more, with a particular interest in Vox, Selmer, Orange and tweed-era Fenders, alongside Riveras and Mark Series Boogies. When wielding a guitar instead of soldering iron, he enjoyed a diverse musical career playing all over the UK, including occasional stints with theatre groups, orchestras and big bands as well as power trios and tributes. He passed away suddenly in April 2024, leaving a legacy of amplifier wisdom behind him.