Boss Katana-Mini Xchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

A number of long-time Katana Mini owners felt the new version is a downgrade or not worth the price bump versus the original Mini, Spark Mini, or Dual Cube LX.

@skin_N_bones-h5f

I just got an OG katana mini a couple weeks ago and it’s perfect. I was just looking for a simple, small, quiet and cheap practice amp that gave me a few bread and butter sounds, and it delivers. The distortion is actually quite smooth on it. I did consider the X but after watching a few reviews came to similar conclusions as you. It doesn’t know what it wants to be. Is it supposed to be a simple practice amp or is it trying to be a more fully featured amp? It lands in between and fails on both fronts. I would have welcomed a quality of life upgrade in a new katana mini where they swapped out the delay for a reverb and maybe added Bluetooth, but that’s all they would have needed to have donelaunch

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April 28, 2026

@NotExpatJoe

The old Mini guitar amp, often overlooked and unassuming, possessed a certain raw charm. It was a diamond in the rough, a little box that, despite its limitations, could produce a surprisingly pleasing tone. It wasn't perfect, but it had a character, a grit that resonated with a certain type of player. In stark contrast, the newer Mini X guitar amp feels like a step backward, a polished turd attempting to masquerade as an upgrade. For the price point, it's hard to justify the Mini X when the market, particularly the used market, is overflowing with genuinely better options. You can find vintage practice amps with more character or newer models with superior sonic capabilities, all for the same or even less money.launch

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January 13, 2025

@duncanmarriott5909

Thanks for another honest review! I completely agree with your opinions on this. I briefly owned one and returned it. I own and love the original Katana Mini and Boss Dual Cube LX, and think they both sound better than this amp. I was excited to get it due to the larger speaker and analogue circuitry but it just didn't deliver, unfortunately. A rare fail from Boss in my opinion (coming from a Boss fan!).launch

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January 13, 2025

@fabioragone22

Well, I don't think that Boss went to the the right direction with this one... I have the original Katana Mini, and when it was released 6 years ago or so, it was indeed kind of a game changer for it's niche. It sounds incredibly good for the size, and it's simplicity is also a very good point. I have my pedals and a just plug them into my Katana Mini to have a very decent practice experience.\nThis new version though, is definitely far behind it's competitors. The built in effects are not good enough to justify the price increase. I would rather buy the original Mini or an Yamaha THR or whatever before this new version...launch

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November 21, 2024

Several users noted the amp can sound shrill or bright, especially depending on the surface it sits on, which some fixed with foot risers or muffling the speaker grille.

@davidwoods358

I bought one of these for an in the house practice amp and so far it's worked out great. I like that there's no app. I basically leave it on the crunch channel and only use the reverb/delay combination maxed out. The other effects are of not much use to me. I could have used a compressor in place of some of those other effects. This amp sounds different depending upon what surface it's sitting on. On carpet it sounds muffled, on tile it gets very bright, because the amp sits so low to the floor. I put nylon extenders on its foot pads along with longer screws and it's helped quite a bit. It's raised it up about an inch with a nice tilt up towards the front (like a slant back.) It only has the one 5 inch speaker, the other hole is only a bass port. That shrill high end mentioned is coming from the 5 inch. To alleviate that somewhat I stuck a 1 inch square piece of Gorilla tape right in the middle of the speaker (on the front of the grill) it helped to direct some of that high end away from the listener. It's much more enjoyable to play now. I may do an external speaker out on this next.launch

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April 21, 2025

@fredbrandl880

Bought one a week ago. I don’t know what to think about it yet it’s ok if you don’t turn it up very loud as the 5 inch speaker doesn’t seem to be able to handle it too well. It’s fine for playing at a lower volume for an ok sound. Nice just to plug and play without using a bunch of apps but I think you probably need to mic it up like they do on these utube vids to get that great tone.launch

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February 15, 2025

@danieljdtaylor

The specs on this amp was set to be the perfect practice amp for me, being able to get good, diverse sounds without an app or computer program was a real attraction for me. But I gotta be honest this sounds no where near as good as almost everything else out there. Obviously I am coming to this conclusion based on a video and not trying it firsthand yet, but to me even something like the Spark Go or Blackstar Fly 3 sounds way bigger and handles the gain so much better in a smaller and cheaper package. Heck, even the original Boss Katana Mini sounds better than this to me!launch

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November 21, 2024

Some users wished for app-based tone editing and preset control like the Katana GO or Spark offer, finding the lack of Bluetooth-linked app features a step back.

@honkerh8r564

I wish you could connect to the app and use preloaded tones, but I'm super happy with it. It sounds really good for the size, I can get some good tones, and it is super portable. I didn't have any luck putting a pedal into it, but that's ok since the whole point of it is to take it with you on a trip or somewhere you can't plug into power. It's perfect for sitting on the deck, or even for a quick practice session where I don't want to drag out the 50 watt and/or a pedal board.launch

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April 7, 2026

@leaphchausew7277

Eh. I love my 100W Mk 2 Katana but its strength is in the sheer versatility of the tones you can get out of BOSS Tone Exchange.\n\nWhen I saw there was a new Katana Mini, I assumed it'd offer the same as something like the Positive Grid Spark (which is great but tbh I fell out of love with mine because it's basically made out of paper and has broken twice). So a similar amp but from BOSS excited me. \n\nThis amp has Bluetooth streaming but the lack of a tone editing app is disappointing.launch

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April 14, 2025

@jimmyjames2022

Not a fan of this \"upgrade\" from the demo. But then Mini-X has no built in Bluetooth, hence no Tone Studio app capability. Even the defunct Katana GO has built in bluetooth and the app. And I guess BOSS were too embarrassed to throw in the BT adaptor port on the back cause buying the adaptor would double the price of the Mini-X. The Mini-X could have been a great option for those who didn't get a GO before it was killed off. The GO, the Mini-X and the dumbass BT adaptor ports on all Gen 3 amps instead of built-in BT were all BOSS marketing dept choices versus BOSS actually giving a crap about their customers.launch

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January 13, 2025

Some found the small speaker struggles or breaks up when pushed past moderate volume or gain, limiting it to lower-volume use.

@davidwoods358

I love the tone and feel I get out of my Mini X. I thought I would regret buying it (but just the opposite is true.) That being said ... I wish there were a bit more room on the control panel.The variation switch and mode toggle are hard to get to without knocking into something else. I can do without the entire first set of effects (chorus, flange, phase, synth, octave, etc.) The only one that sounds usable (to me) is the tremolo. I do use the reverb delay combo (full up) but do wish they had more volume and length on the tails of each. The panel volume is very sensitive too, from being almost too quiet to a bit too loud (that's digital for you.) If they ever make another version of the Mini X they should go with a 6 inch speaker, and I'll take a compressor in place of the effects.launch

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May 3, 2025

@fredbrandl880

Sorry I’m a little late but after watching your video it’s exactly what my thought are with this amp. I’ve had it for about 2 months now and like you said have seen nothing but positive reviews on it. For me like you I found that the 5 in. speaker was just crapping out with the volume at noon and the gain past noon especially on the brown channel. Anyways I tried different pedals in front of the amp and to my surprise yes believe it or not the metal zone with the gain either at 0 or just barely edged up and you can adjust the pedals eq to your liking I have the amps gain on the brown channel at 9 sounds actually really good it really seems to beef up that little 5 in. speaker. Now keep in mind it’s not a Katana mk2 but for a quick little practice amp with the metal zone in front it’s not bad….considering I was going to throw this amp into the garage.launch

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March 26, 2025

@fredbrandl880

Bought one a week ago. I don’t know what to think about it yet it’s ok if you don’t turn it up very loud as the 5 inch speaker doesn’t seem to be able to handle it too well. It’s fine for playing at a lower volume for an ok sound. Nice just to plug and play without using a bunch of apps but I think you probably need to mic it up like they do on these utube vids to get that great tone.launch

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February 15, 2025

Some users found the front-facing control layout cramped and several built-in effects (like the synth) low quality or rarely used.

@davidwoods358

I love the tone and feel I get out of my Mini X. I thought I would regret buying it (but just the opposite is true.) That being said ... I wish there were a bit more room on the control panel.The variation switch and mode toggle are hard to get to without knocking into something else. I can do without the entire first set of effects (chorus, flange, phase, synth, octave, etc.) The only one that sounds usable (to me) is the tremolo. I do use the reverb delay combo (full up) but do wish they had more volume and length on the tails of each. The panel volume is very sensitive too, from being almost too quiet to a bit too loud (that's digital for you.) If they ever make another version of the Mini X they should go with a 6 inch speaker, and I'll take a compressor in place of the effects.launch

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May 3, 2025

@davidwoods358

I bought one of these and have been very happy with it. I sold a 100 MK2 and needed something small I could move easily from room to room. I mainly use the crunch channel with the gain near full up and I back off the guitar volume for something a bit cleaner. I thought this was going to be a toy I'd toss into the closet after a few days (not so.) After getting my settings dialed in I'm not missing the 100 MK2. This amp can be a bit particular about what you set it on. On carpet it sounds much darker, on tile it's quite a bit brighter. It has a great feel factor through the strings, just like the bigger Katana's. And yes, I keep the bass on the low side. I do have to wonder who's idea it was to put that \"synth\" effect in there. Shameful!launch

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April 24, 2025

@davidwoods358

I love this little amp. I bought one to replace a Katana 100 MK2 that I sold. When I close my eyes I really can't tell the difference. A 5 inch speaker shouldn't sound this good, yet it does. You really to need hear this amp in the room and in person. I get the best results through the crunch channel with a solid body with a bridge humbucker. With it dialed in you can't tell what I'm playing through, but you certainly wouldn't think it was a rechargable mini amp. This and my Headrush are the 2 best purchases Ive made in quite some time. All that being said, I'd like to sue Boss for selling this amp with that synth effect. What were they thinking?launch

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April 19, 2025

Users who relied on the previous model's aux-in for drum machines or backing track hardware were disappointed it was removed, calling it a deal breaker for some.

@randommusings0151

It's a shame it appears to be missing an AUX IN as the previous model (which I have) had. I use it all the time for my Beatbuddy drum pedal for a lovely clean sound and I was hoping that it would be a straight swap upgrade with the X, until I started searching for it in the X product shots to no avail. That's what I'd have instead of the synth 😊\n\nLove the channel anyway!launch

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January 3, 2025

@BuleriaChk

No Aux In (for drum machines, VE-22, etc.) Deal breaker for me. Will it work with a third party NT transmitter (not smartphone) for backing tracks from other hardware ( e.g. a Roland P-6)?\n\nUpdate: Yes, it probably works with a third party bluetooth transmitter. I used a Safefly BT xmtr from Amazon into a BT-Dual on my Cube Street 2 and it paired just fine. So you can use this with drum machines, etc. for backing tracks; just nothing that has latency, I don't have the Katana Mini x yet, but my vendor says that it will work with that as well (I don't see why not). If it doesn't I'll report back (my Katana mini x arrives tomorrow)launch

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November 21, 2024

At least one buyer returned the unit specifically due to a persistent digital hiss resembling running water, unaffected by the gain knob.

@dasninjastix

FWIW I purchased the Mini X and returned it the same day. I really, really liked the tones I got out of it but there was a persistent digital hiss with my unit. Like a running water sound. It was persistent between each model selection and wasn't affected by the gain knob just volume. I decided to spend a little more for the Spark Mini and do not regret the swap. I'd of preferred to spend less for the Mini X but the hiss was a deal breaker for me. The versatility of the Spark Mini imo warrants the extra money, I can get everything I want out it tonally. While I did like the Brown and the Clean models the Crunch channel on the Mini X wasn't my preference.launch

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May 26, 2025

One detailed comment flagged the non-user-replaceable NiMH battery as a weak point, citing slower charging, shorter lifespan, and quick self-discharge compared to lithium-ion.

@mitlenatch

Thanks for the review. Lots of things to like about this little amp, but the NiMH battery is a big concern. Yes, it's NiMH (nickel–metal hydride), not lithium-ion. This seems like a very questionable decision on Boss's part, as NiMH is known to charge slower than Li-ion, has a shorter lifespan (charge-discharge cycles), and is prone to the memory effect (you can damage it by fully charging it too often). Perhaps worst of all, NiMH discharges relatively quickly when it's not in use, so if it sits for a week or two you're probably going to have to recharge it. I really wanted to love this amp, but that NiMH battery, which is not user-replaceable, seems like a real Achilles' heel.launch

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March 19, 2025