Guitar amps · owner-verdict comparison

Boss Katana-50 MkII vs Orange Crush 35RT: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Boss Katana-50 MkII: 86% of 115 owners recommend it, vs 42% of 12 for the Orange Crush 35RT.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Boss Katana-50 MkII

86%of 115 owners recommend
86% recommend · 6% neutral · 8% don't
Owners praise
  • Sounds fantastic with versatile, quality amp tones and effects
  • Incredible value for how cheap it is
  • Highly customizable via the Tone Studio software
Full owner report →

Orange Crush 35RT

42%of 12 owners recommend
42% recommend · 25% neutral · 33% don't
Owners praise
  • Rich, valve-like tone
  • Excellent clean channel
  • Great value for the money
Owners complain about
  • Gain channel divisive, fizzy or dark
  • Too loud for bedroom practice
  • Stock speaker limits the tone
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Boss Katana-50 MkII if
  • ✓Home players who turn it down to 0.5W
  • ✓Budget buyers wanting a versatile modeling amp
  • ✓Players running pedals into the clean channel
  • ✓Anyone needing a backup, loaner, or gig amp
Skip it if
  • Players who need a built-in effects loop
  • Anyone bothered by top-mounted control panel
Get the Orange Crush 35RT if
  • ✓Home players wanting big, valve-like tone
  • ✓Small-gig and practice guitarists on a budget
  • ✓Players who run pedals through an FX loop
Skip it if
  • Players needing quiet, low-volume bedroom use
  • Metal and high-gain players wanting tight distortion

What Boss Katana-50 MkII owners say

“Boss nailed it with this amp.”
— @Esk8Tech on YouTube
“Really my best purchase ever”
— @088Noir on YouTube
“On the Katana, the 'lead' channel is too fizzy.”
— @valueofnothing2487 on YouTube

What Orange Crush 35RT owners say

“Who ever put a tuner inside an amp is a genius”
— @jacobseraphin685 on YouTube
“It's tones are very good. It's not as versatile as other amp in its price range (built in fx etc) but it's focused on quality sound is the best.”
— @toro514 on YouTube
“The Orange is kind of a one trick pony. It’s a good trick, but still. The distortion tones are dark and sludgy. I had one for a hot minute but quickly got tired of it.”
— fatherbowie on Reddit

Boss Katana-50 MkII vs Orange Crush 35RT: frequently asked questions

Is the Boss Katana-50 MkII or the Orange Crush 35RT better?

Real owners lean toward the Boss Katana-50 MkII: 86% of 115 owners recommend it, vs 42% of 12 for the Orange Crush 35RT.

Who should get the Boss Katana-50 MkII?

Owners point the Boss Katana-50 MkII at home players who turn it down to 0.5W, and budget buyers wanting a versatile modeling amp.

Who should get the Orange Crush 35RT?

Owners point the Orange Crush 35RT at home players wanting big, valve-like tone, and small-gig and practice guitarists on a budget.