Best Alto Saxophones Under $800 2025

Affordable alto saxophones under $800 - great value without compromising quality

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

Thomann TAS-180 Black Alto Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Thomann TAS-180 Black Alto Sax Set

Smooth Jazz Pop Blues
Key Feature:
• Perfect pitch range for most music
✓ PROS
  • • Most popular and versatile saxophone
  • • Great for beginners and professionals
✗ CONS
  • • Learning curve for proper embouchure
  • • Reed replacement costs add up

Thomann TAS-180 Black Alto Sax Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Thomann TAS-180 Black Alto Saxophone*Alto Saxophone*High...

4.5/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Thomann TAS-180 Vintage Alto Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Thomann TAS-180 Vintage Alto Sax Set

Smooth Jazz Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Great for beginners and professionals
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for both lead and harmony
  • • Most popular and versatile saxophone
✗ CONS
  • • Quality instruments are expensive
  • • Can be loud for apartment practice

Thomann TAS-180 Vintage Alto Sax Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Thomann TAS-180 Vintage Alto Saxophone*Alto...

4.7/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Thomann TAS-350 Alto Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Thomann TAS-350 Alto Sax Set

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
Thomann TSA-500 Straight Alto Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Thomann TSA-500 Straight Alto Sax

Blues Classical Jazz
Key Feature:
• Perfect pitch range for most music
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for both lead and harmony
  • • Perfect pitch range for most music
✗ CONS
  • • Reed replacement costs add up
  • • Learning curve for proper embouchure

Thomann TSA-500 Straight AltoAlto SaxophoneStraight designWith high F# keytilter and adjustable thumb restBody made of...

4.8/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Thomann TAS-580 GS Alto Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Thomann TAS-580 GS Alto Sax

Blues Classical Pop
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of available music
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect pitch range for most music
  • • Wide variety of available music
✗ CONS
  • • Reed replacement costs add up
  • • Quality instruments are expensive

Thomann TAS-580 GS Alto SaxAlto SaxophoneHigh F#- keyBody and S-bow made of gold brassMechanism made of brassAdjustable...

4.9/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Thomann Little Bee Kids Saxophone Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Thomann Little Bee Kids Saxophone Set

Smooth Jazz Pop Jazz
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile saxophone
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of available music
  • • Great for beginners and professionals
✗ CONS
  • • Requires regular maintenance
  • • Reed replacement costs add up

Thomann Little Bee Kids Saxophone Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Thomann Little Bee Kids Saxophone*Eb Alto Saxophone...

4.7/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Thomann Antique Alto Sax Alto Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Thomann Antique Alto Sax Alto Sax Set

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
Thomann TAS-580 GL Alto Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Thomann TAS-580 GL Alto Sax

Blues Smooth Jazz Rock
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of available music
✓ PROS
  • • Great for beginners and professionals
  • • Most popular and versatile saxophone
✗ CONS
  • • Learning curve for proper embouchure
  • • Quality instruments are expensive

Thomann TAS-580 GL Alto SaxophoneAlto SaxophoneHigh F# keyBody and S-Bow made of gold brassBrass key systemAdjustable...

4.9/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Thomann TAS-350 Alto Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Thomann TAS-350 Alto Sax

Classical Smooth Jazz Blues
Key Feature:
• Great for beginners and professionals
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for both lead and harmony
  • • Perfect pitch range for most music
✗ CONS
  • • Quality instruments are expensive
  • • Learning curve for proper embouchure

Thomann TAS-350 Alto SaxAlto SaxophoneSuccessor to the TAS-100High F# keyRocker armAdjustable thumb restBody and keys:...

4.9/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Thomann TAS-180 Black Alto Sax Set II - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Thomann TAS-180 Black Alto Sax Set II

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
Thomann Antique Alto Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Thomann Antique Alto Sax

Blues Pop Smooth Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for beginners and professionals
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect pitch range for most music
  • • Wide variety of available music
✗ CONS
  • • Can be loud for apartment practice
  • • Quality instruments are expensive

Thomann Antique Alto SaxophoneAlto SaxophoneWith high F# keyRocker armAdjustable thumb restBody and keys made of...

4.8/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10

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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