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Best Yamaha Alto Saxophones 2025

Premium Yamaha alto saxophones - legendary tone and craftsmanship

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
Yamaha YAS-62 04 Alto Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Yamaha YAS-62 04 Alto Sax

by Yamaha
Jazz Classical Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both lead and harmony
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect pitch range for most music
  • • Most popular and versatile saxophone
✗ CONS
  • • Requires regular maintenance
  • • Reed replacement costs add up

Yamaha YAS-62 04Alto SaxophoneNew 62 series neckImproved low B/C# connectionNew engravingGold lacquer finish4C...

⭐ 4.8/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 317469
$2,968
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YAS-82 Z 03 Alto Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Yamaha YAS-82 Z 03 Alto Sax

by Yamaha
Rock Pop Smooth Jazz
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile saxophone
✓ PROS
  • • Great for beginners and professionals
  • • Excellent for both lead and harmony
✗ CONS
  • • Learning curve for proper embouchure
  • • Can be loud for apartment practice

Yamaha YAS-82 Z 03 Alto SaxAlto SaxophoneV1 neckWith 4CM ebonite mouthpieceAdjustable fork F keyImproved low B/C#...

⭐ 4.9/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 315666
$5,168
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YAS-82 ZB 03 Alto Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Yamaha YAS-82 ZB 03 Alto Sax

by Yamaha
Smooth Jazz Classical Pop
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of available music
✓ PROS
  • • Most popular and versatile saxophone
  • • Great for beginners and professionals
✗ CONS
  • • Learning curve for proper embouchure
  • • Requires regular maintenance

Yamaha YAS-82 ZB 03 Alto SaxAlto SaxophoneV1 neckAdjustable fork-F keyImproved low-B/C#...

⭐ 4.8/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 321085
$5,388
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YAS-82 ZA Alto Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Yamaha YAS-82 ZA Alto Sax

by Yamaha
Smooth Jazz Pop Jazz
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile saxophone
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for both lead and harmony
  • • Perfect pitch range for most music
✗ CONS
  • • Requires regular maintenance
  • • Reed replacement costs add up

Yamaha YAS-82 ZA Alto SaxAlto SaxophoneBrass body with amber lacquer finishV1 S-bowAdjustable front F keyImproved low...

⭐ 4.4/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 579075
$5,718
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YAS-82 ZS 03 Alto Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Yamaha YAS-82 ZS 03 Alto Sax

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

Yamaha YAS-82 ZS 03 Alto SaxAlto SaxophoneHandmade V1 neckAdjustable fork-F-keyHigh F# keyImproved low-B/C#...

⭐ 4.9/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 321089
$5,388
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YAS-280 Alto Sax Set II - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Yamaha YAS-280 Alto Sax Set II

by Yamaha
Pop Jazz Classical
Key Feature:
• Great for beginners and professionals
✓ PROS
  • • Great for beginners and professionals
  • • Most popular and versatile saxophone
✗ CONS
  • • Can be loud for apartment practice
  • • Reed replacement costs add up

Yamaha YAS-280 Alto Sax Set II*Bundle offer comprising*, Yamaha YAS-280 Alto Sax*Alto Saxophone*New model with improved...

⭐ 4.9/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 526088
$1,264
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YAS-480S Alto Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Yamaha YAS-480S Alto Sax

by Yamaha
Jazz Blues Smooth Jazz
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both lead and harmony
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of available music
  • • Excellent for both lead and harmony
✗ CONS
  • • Quality instruments are expensive
  • • Reed replacement costs add up

Yamaha YAS-480S Alto SaxAlto SaxophoneNew neck receiverImproved B / C# connectionSeparated key guardHigh F# keyNew...

⭐ 4.7/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 279390
$2,485
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YAS-280 Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Yamaha YAS-280 Set

by Yamaha
Jazz Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both lead and harmony
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for both lead and harmony
  • • Most popular and versatile saxophone
✗ CONS
  • • Requires regular maintenance
  • • Quality instruments are expensive

Yamaha YAS-280 Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Yamaha YAS-280 Alto Sax*Alto Saxophone*New model with improved S-bow...

⭐ 4.7/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 169372
$1,143
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YAS-875 EX B Alto Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Yamaha YAS-875 EX B Alto Sax

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

Yamaha YAS-875 EX B, Alto SaxophoneMaster class Yamaha saxophones represent the non plus ultra of today's...

⭐ 4.8/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 146921
$5,994
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YAS-875 EX S Alto Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Yamaha YAS-875 EX S Alto Sax

by Yamaha
Classical Rock Smooth Jazz
Key Feature:
• Wide variety of available music
✓ PROS
  • • Most popular and versatile saxophone
  • • Wide variety of available music
✗ CONS
  • • Reed replacement costs add up
  • • Requires regular maintenance

Yamaha YAS-875 EX S, Alto SaxophoneMaster class Yamaha saxophones represent the non plus ultra of today's...

⭐ 5.0/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 146922
$5,994
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YAS-62S 04 Alto Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Yamaha YAS-62S 04 Alto Sax

by Yamaha
Smooth Jazz Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both lead and harmony
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for both lead and harmony
  • • Wide variety of available music
✗ CONS
  • • Can be loud for apartment practice
  • • Quality instruments are expensive

Yamaha YAS-62S 04 Alto SaxAlto SaxophoneNew '62s style neckImproved low B/ C# connectionNew engravingSilver...

⭐ 4.6/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 321092
$3,244
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YAS-280 Alto Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Yamaha YAS-280 Alto Sax

by Yamaha
Pop Smooth Jazz Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both lead and harmony
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for both lead and harmony
  • • Perfect pitch range for most music
✗ CONS
  • • Quality instruments are expensive
  • • Reed replacement costs add up

Yamaha YAS-280Alto SaxophoneNew model with improved S-bow receiver and improved deep H/Cis connectionNarrow scaleBody...

⭐ 4.6/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 279389
$1,098
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YAS-280S Alto Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Yamaha YAS-280S Alto Sax

by Yamaha
Classical Pop Blues
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile saxophone
✓ PROS
  • • Wide variety of available music
  • • Perfect pitch range for most music
✗ CONS
  • • Can be loud for apartment practice
  • • Quality instruments are expensive

Yamaha YAS-280SAlto SaxophoneSchool modelNew model with improved neck receiver and improved low B-C#...

⭐ 4.4/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 279376
$1,374
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YAS-480 Alto Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Yamaha YAS-480 Alto Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Yamaha YAS-480 Alto Sax

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

Yamaha YAS-480Alto SaxophoneNew modelSuccessor to the YAS-475 modelNew neck receiverImproved B/C# connectionSeparate...

⭐ 4.4/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 279387
$2,166
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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