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Best Alto Saxophones for Beginner 2025

Perfect alto saxophones for beginner - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: October 22, 2025 • Next update: October 29, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $500 Under $800 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Jazz For Blues For Pop For Classical For Rock For Smooth Jazz
BRANDS: Thomann Yamaha Selmer Rampone & Cazzani Forestone Yanagisawa Keilwerth
Selmer Supreme Alto Sax SE-ASUS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Selmer Supreme Alto Sax SE-ASUS

by Selmer
Smooth Jazz Rock Classical
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile saxophone
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of available music
  • • Excellent for both lead and harmony
✗ CONS
  • • Quality instruments are expensive
  • • Reed replacement costs add up

Selmer Supreme Alto Sax SE-ASUSAlto SaxophoneWith exclusive "Supreme" engravingNew bell and S-bow boreNewly...

⭐ 4.5/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 522282
$9,458
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Axos Alto Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Signature Alto Sax SE-ASIB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Selmer Signature Alto Sax SE-ASIB

by Selmer
Jazz Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Great for beginners and professionals
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for both lead and harmony
  • • Great for beginners and professionals
✗ CONS
  • • Learning curve for proper embouchure
  • • Requires regular maintenance

Selmer Signature Alto Sax SE-ASIBAlto SaxophoneKey: EbRenewal of the Selmer Super Action 80 Series IIRetention of the...

⭐ 4.9/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 575738
$7,908
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thomann TAS-350 Alto Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thomann Antique Alto Sax Alto Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Thomann Antique Alto Sax Alto Sax Set

by Thomann
Jazz Smooth Jazz Blues
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of available music
✓ PROS
  • • Great for beginners and professionals
  • • Perfect pitch range for most music
✗ CONS
  • • Learning curve for proper embouchure
  • • Reed replacement costs add up

Thomann Antique Alto Sax Alto Sax Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Thomann Antique Alto Sax*Alto Saxophone*With high F#...

⭐ 5.0/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 576696
$622
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YAS-62A 04 Alto Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Yamaha YAS-62A 04 Alto Sax

by Yamaha
Smooth Jazz Classical Rock
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of available music
✓ PROS
  • • Great for beginners and professionals
  • • Wide variety of available music
✗ CONS
  • • Quality instruments are expensive
  • • Can be loud for apartment practice

Yamaha YAS-62A 04 Alto SaxAlto SaxophoneBrass body with amber lacquer finish62 S-bowTwo-piecehand-engraved...

⭐ 4.7/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 590650
$3,298
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Signature Alto Sax SE-ASIM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Selmer Signature Alto Sax SE-ASIM

by Selmer
Jazz Blues Pop
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile saxophone
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of available music
  • • Perfect pitch range for most music
✗ CONS
  • • Quality instruments are expensive
  • • Requires regular maintenance

Selmer Signature Alto Sax SE-ASIMAlto SaxophoneRenewal of the Selmer Super Action 80 Series IIRetention of the specific...

⭐ 4.6/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 575735
$7,908
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Supreme Alto Sax SE-ASUB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Buffet Crampon Prodige Alto Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Buffet Crampon Prodige Alto Sax Set

by Buffet Crampon
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YAS-480 Alto Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thomann TAS-180 Alto Sax Set II - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thomann TAS-180 Vintage Alto Saxophone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Thomann TAS-180 Vintage Alto Saxophone

by Thomann
Blues Smooth Jazz Classical
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of available music
✓ PROS
  • • Great for beginners and professionals
  • • Wide variety of available music
✗ CONS
  • • Can be loud for apartment practice
  • • Quality instruments are expensive

Thomann TAS-180 Vintage Alto SaxophoneAlto SaxophoneHigh F# keyFront F keyBodyS-bow and key system made of...

⭐ 4.9/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 475545
$438
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Supreme Alto Sax SE-ASUL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Signature Alto Sax SE-ASIS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Signature Alto Sax SE-ASIP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Selmer Signature Alto Sax SE-ASIP

by Selmer
Smooth Jazz Pop Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both lead and harmony
✓ PROS
  • • Great for beginners and professionals
  • • Perfect pitch range for most music
✗ CONS
  • • Quality instruments are expensive
  • • Requires regular maintenance

Selmer Signature Alto Sax SE-ASIPAlto SaxophoneRenewal of the Selmer Super Action 80 Series IIRetention of the specific...

⭐ 5.0/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 575736
$7,908
Buy at Thomann View Details

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.

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