Best Alto Saxophones for Advanced 2026
Perfect alto saxophones for advanced - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
4.5/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Rampone & Cazzani Performance Line Alto Sax
Pop
Smooth Jazz
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both lead and harmony
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for both lead and harmony
- • Most popular and versatile saxophone
✗ CONS
- • Reed replacement costs add up
- • Quality instruments are expensive
Rampone & Cazzani Performance Line Alto SaxAlto SaxophoneBody and keys made of brass in vintage finish (brushed and...
⭐
4.5/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 511162
$2,914
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Forestone RX Red Brass GL Alto Sax
by
Forestone
Blues
Classical
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile saxophone
✓ PROS
- • Perfect pitch range for most music
- • Great for beginners and professionals
✗ CONS
- • Learning curve for proper embouchure
- • Requires regular maintenance
Forestone RX Red Brass GL Alto SaxEb Alto SaxophoneMaterial: BrassFinish: CopperFlanged tone holesHand-engraved...
⭐
4.6/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 570958
$5,498
#3
⭐
4.4/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Buffet Crampon Prodige Alto Sax
Smooth Jazz
Rock
Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for beginners and professionals
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of available music
- • Perfect pitch range for most music
✗ CONS
- • Reed replacement costs add up
- • Can be loud for apartment practice
Buffet Crampon Prodige Alto SaxAlto SaxophoneMaterial: Gold brassClear lacquer finishLeather pads with metal...
⭐
4.4/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 580266
$988
#4
⭐
4.9/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Selmer Supreme Alto Sax SE-ASUL
by
Selmer
Blues
Rock
Classical
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of available music
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of available music
- • Perfect pitch range for most music
✗ CONS
- • Reed replacement costs add up
- • Quality instruments are expensive
Selmer Supreme Alto Sax SE-ASULAlto saxophoneNew bell and S-bow boreNewly designed tone hole netCompletely optimised...
⭐
4.9/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 515063
$8,238
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Thomann TAS-180 Alto Sax Set II
by
Thomann
Blues
Classical
Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both lead and harmony
✓ PROS
- • Most popular and versatile saxophone
- • Excellent for both lead and harmony
✗ CONS
- • Learning curve for proper embouchure
- • Reed replacement costs add up
Thomann TAS-180 Alto Sax Set II*Bundle offer comprising*, Thomann TAS-180 Alto Sax*Alto Saxophone*Body and key system...
⭐
4.9/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 519499
$450
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Selmer Supreme Alto Sax SE-ASUB
by
Selmer
Blues
Pop
Smooth Jazz
Key Feature:
• Perfect pitch range for most music
✓ PROS
- • Most popular and versatile saxophone
- • Wide variety of available music
✗ CONS
- • Requires regular maintenance
- • Reed replacement costs add up
Selmer Supreme Alto Sax SE-ASUBAlto SaxophoneWith "Supreme" engravingNew bell and S-bow boreNewly designed...
⭐
4.5/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 522281
$8,788
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Yamaha YAS-480 Alto Sax Set
by
Yamaha
Smooth Jazz
Pop
Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both lead and harmony
✓ PROS
- • Perfect pitch range for most music
- • Wide variety of available music
✗ CONS
- • Reed replacement costs add up
- • Learning curve for proper embouchure
Yamaha YAS-480 Alto Sax Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Yamaha YAS-480 Alto Sax*Alto Saxophone*New modelSuccessor to the...
⭐
4.9/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 521467
$2,265
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Selmer Signature Alto Sax SE-ASIS
by
Selmer
Smooth Jazz
Blues
Pop
Key Feature:
• Perfect pitch range for most music
✓ PROS
- • Perfect pitch range for most music
- • Excellent for both lead and harmony
✗ CONS
- • Quality instruments are expensive
- • Reed replacement costs add up
Selmer Signature Alto Sax SE-ASISAlto SaxophoneKey: EbRenewal of the Selmer Super Action 80 Series IIRetention of the...
⭐
4.9/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 575737
$8,348
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Startone SAS-75 Alto Sax Set II
by
Startone
Pop
Classical
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for beginners and professionals
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of available music
- • Excellent for both lead and harmony
✗ CONS
- • Requires regular maintenance
- • Can be loud for apartment practice
Startone SAS-75 Alto Sax Set II*Bundle offer comprising*, Startone SAS-75 Alto Sax*Alto Saxophone*Tuning: EbWith high...
⭐
4.5/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 518650
$472
#10
⭐
4.4/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Thomann Little Bee Kids Saxophone
by
Thomann
Jazz
Rock
Pop
Key Feature:
• Perfect pitch range for most music
✓ PROS
- • Wide variety of available music
- • Most popular and versatile saxophone
✗ CONS
- • Quality instruments are expensive
- • Reed replacement costs add up
Thomann Little Bee Kids SaxophoneEb Alto Saxophone with Child-Friendly Key SystemNeck shape taken from the tenor...
⭐
4.4/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 504558
$406
#11
⭐
5.0/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Buffet Crampon Prodige Alto Sax Set
Blues
Jazz
Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both lead and harmony
✓ PROS
- • Great for beginners and professionals
- • Excellent for both lead and harmony
✗ CONS
- • Quality instruments are expensive
- • Learning curve for proper embouchure
Buffet Crampon Prodige Alto Sax Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Buffet Crampon Prodige Alto Sax*Alto Saxophone*Material:...
⭐
5.0/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 614402
$988
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Startone SAS-75 Alto Sax Set
by
Startone
Smooth Jazz
Blues
Pop
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile saxophone
✓ PROS
- • Perfect pitch range for most music
- • Wide variety of available music
✗ CONS
- • Quality instruments are expensive
- • Reed replacement costs add up
Startone SAS-75 Alto Sax Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Startone SAS-75 Alto Sax*Alto Saxophone*Tuning: EbWith high F#...
⭐
4.6/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 509155
$428
#13
⭐
5.0/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Thomann TAS-350 Alto Sax Set
by
Thomann
Smooth Jazz
Pop
Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both lead and harmony
✓ PROS
- • Perfect pitch range for most music
- • Great for beginners and professionals
✗ CONS
- • Quality instruments are expensive
- • Can be loud for apartment practice
Thomann TAS-350 Alto Sax Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Thomann TAS-350 Alto Sax*Alto Saxophone*Successor to the...
⭐
5.0/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 521902
$747
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Selmer Axos Alto Sax
by
Selmer
Blues
Classical
Rock
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of available music
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for both lead and harmony
- • Perfect pitch range for most music
✗ CONS
- • Reed replacement costs add up
- • Requires regular maintenance
Selmer Axos Alto SaxAlto SaxophoneBrass body and mechanicsNarrow scaleHigh F# keyTilter low BbLeather padding with...
⭐
4.8/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 511290
$3,508
#15
⭐
4.9/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Thomann TAS-180 Black Alto Sax Set II
by
Thomann
Pop
Smooth Jazz
Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both lead and harmony
✓ PROS
- • Most popular and versatile saxophone
- • Great for beginners and professionals
✗ CONS
- • Learning curve for proper embouchure
- • Can be loud for apartment practice
Thomann TAS-180 Black Alto Sax Set II*Bundle offer comprising*, Thomann TAS-180 Black Alto Saxophone*Alto...
⭐
4.9/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 553029
$527
How to Choose the Best Alto Saxophones
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced alto saxophones typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
