Fender Champion 40 VS Boss Katana 50 (Comparison)
Our pick: Boss Katana 50
In a direct comparison the Boss Katana 50 dramatically outperforms the Fender Champion 40, both in the tone and feature department. While it's slightly more expensive, we're perfectly happy paying the added cost to get a far nicer amplifier.
Both amplifiers are great for the same things. Small venues, indoor practice, headphone use, and bedroom jamming.
We don't really recommend either of them outside of those contexts, yet the two are not created equal. The Boss Katana just sounds better and can achieve a more aggressive, modern tone, while also providing a lot more features (more effects, multiple wattage settings, more EQ variety) than the Champion 40.
In a direct comparison, buy the Katana.
Which one of the two? It's the Boss Katana 50 and it's not close.
Fender Champion 40 VS Boss Katana 50 Comparison Section
In this section we've built a simple comparison table for the two combo amps, covering pricing and basic specs. Use the compare buttons to see this info, or you can browse listings of each amp using the orange Sweetwater buttons. These help support our site but at no extra cost to you.
Amp | Title | Rated | Browse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boss Katana 50 | n/a | |
 | Fender Champion 40 | n/a |
In the audio demos you can hear the distinct difference in tone quality. We really like the sounds you can get out of the Katana and think they dramatically outpace what the Champion series offers.
Comparing Amp Spec Sheets
The Katana provides five amp "types" which amount to channels, giving you more flexibility than the Champion (only two channels). It also gives you more effects, a three-band EQ (only two-band in the Champion) and switchable wattage. Overall, it's a more complete amplifier.
Header | Katana | Champ |
|---|---|---|
Circuit Type | Solid State | Solid State |
Number of channels | 5 x amp types | 2 channels |
Total power | 50W (switchable to 25W and 0.5W) | 40W |
Speaker Size | 1 x 12" | 1 x 12" |
Effects | Modulation, Delay, 60 BOSS Effects (Tone Studio software) | Reverb, Chorus, Delay, Tremolo, and Vibrato |
EQ | Three-band | Two-band |
Inputs | 1 x 1/4" (instrument), 1 x 1/4" (power amp), 1 x 1/8" (aux in) | 1 x 1/4" (instrument), 1 x 1/8" (aux) |
Outputs | 1 x 1/4" (rec/headphones) | 1 x 1/8" |
USB | Yes | No |
Weight | 25.6 lbs | 19 lbs |
Fender doesn't put up much of a fight in this one.
Which one?
Between these two, our clear choice is the Boss Katana 50 and the Katana series in general.
Boss has just done a really great job balancing solid state features in an amplifier that still sounds really good. The Champion series from Fender doesn't keep up and doesn't really seem like it ever tried, especially considering it has been around for longer.
Though the Katana 50 costs a little bit extra, it's absolutely well worth that additional cost. Boss didn't run up the score too much here.
Had they gone significantly higher, we might have pumped the breaks.
But where things stand now, it's an easy win.
Buy confidently.
Questions and Comments
Do you have questions about our Fender Champion 40 VS Boss Katana 50 comparison page? Maybe you have thoughts or questions about the amps themselves, or something we didn't mention here.
Whatever the case may be, drop your thoughts and questions in the comments section below.
The more we discuss and cover, the more we can build this page to be a community resource.
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Written by Bobby on Amps and Comparisons
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I’ve owned both. Fender all the way!
Thanks for sharing, Alan. I’m a Katana fan but you could make an argument for either.