Boss
Boss Katana-50 Gen 3
$349.99Cheaper
Best Guitar Amplifiers · head-to-head
Boss Katana-50 Gen 3 vs Blackstar HT-1R MkIII
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Boss Katana-50 Gen 3 is cheaper at $349.99. Every spec and price links to its source.
Blackstar
Blackstar HT-1R MkIII
$449.99
Which is better: the Boss Katana-50 Gen 3 or Blackstar HT-1R MkIII?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Boss Katana-50 Gen 3 is the cheaper at $349.99.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Boss Katana-50 Gen 3 | Blackstar HT-1R MkIII |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $349.99 | $449.99 |
| Brand | Boss | Blackstar |
| Released | — | — |
| Amplifier type | solid-state | tube |
| Power watts | 50 | 1 |
| Speaker config | 1x12 | 1x8 |
| Channels | 2 | 2 |
| Form factor | combo | combo |
| Onboard effects | Yes | Yes |
| Effects loop | No | No |
| Direct out | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone out | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (lb) | 25 | — |
Sources — Boss Katana-50 Gen 3: boss.info (verified 2026-07-11). Blackstar HT-1R MkIII: blackstaramps.com (verified 2026-07-11).
What's the difference between the Boss Katana-50 Gen 3 and Blackstar HT-1R MkIII?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (3 of 10). Matching specs are omitted.
- Amplifier type: Boss Katana-50 Gen 3 solid-state vs Blackstar HT-1R MkIII tube
- Power watts: Boss Katana-50 Gen 3 50 vs Blackstar HT-1R MkIII 1
- Speaker config: Boss Katana-50 Gen 3 1x12 vs Blackstar HT-1R MkIII 1x8
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Boss Katana-50 Gen 3
Only one whitelisted tester, MusicRadar, published a hands-on review covering the Katana 50 Gen 3; it is positive but qualitative with no lab measurements. Praised for clearer, more detailed and more responsive tone and the new 'Pushed' voicing; the sole gripe is that Bluetooth is a paid optional extra rather than built-in. (1 sourced review.)
Praised: Clearer, more detailed and responsive tone versus the previous generation; New 'Pushed' voicing between Clean and Crunch became the reviewer's favourite; Familiar, easy-to-navigate control layout.
Flagged: Bluetooth is a paid optional extra (dongle ~£45) rather than built-in.
Blackstar HT-1R MkIII
No sourced tester review yet.