Best Bb Clarinets (Boehm) Under $800 2026
Affordable bb clarinets (boehm) under $800 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
GENRES & STYLES:
For Students
For Band
For Orchestra
For Jazz
For All Genres
For General Performance
#1
⭐
4.5/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Buffet Crampon Prodige Bb-Clarinet 17/6
Orchestra
Jazz
General Performance
Key Feature:
• Boehm system widely taught
✓ PROS
- • Great for all musical styles
- • Boehm system widely taught
✗ CONS
- • Common but requires skill to stand out
- • Requires regular maintenance
Buffet Crampon Prodige Bb-Clarinet 17/6Bb ClarinetModel: BC2541-2-0GBBoehm system17 Keys6 RingsABS bodyPoly-cylindrical...
⭐
4.5/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 384430
$648
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Buffet Crampon Prodige Bb-Clarinet 17/6 Set
Orchestra
Students
All Genres
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Extensive repertoire available
- • Easy to find teachers and repair
✗ CONS
- • Requires regular maintenance
- • Standard fingering system limitations
Buffet Crampon Prodige Bb-Clarinet 17/6 Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Buffet Crampon Prodige Bb-Clarinet 17/6*Bb...
⭐
4.6/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 537893
$677
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Yamaha YCL-255 ES Bb-Clarinet
by
Yamaha
Band
Students
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Great for all musical styles
- • Boehm system widely taught
✗ CONS
- • Requires regular maintenance
- • Common but requires skill to stand out
Yamaha YCL-255 ES Bb-ClarinetBb Clarinet (Boehm System)Lightweight cup design without cup ringABS body with artificial...
⭐
4.8/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 583812
$768
#4
⭐
5.0/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha YCL-255 S Bb-Clarinet
by
Yamaha
Students
General Performance
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Easy to find teachers and repair
✓ PROS
- • Great for all musical styles
- • Most common clarinet type
✗ CONS
- • Standard fingering system limitations
- • May require A clarinet for some pieces
Yamaha YCL-255 SBb ClarinetBoehm systemSuccessor model of the YCL-250 clarinetLighter bell design without bell ringWood...
⭐
5.0/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 279396
$637
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
RZ Clarinets MR Largo Bb-Clarinet 17/6
by
RZ Clarinets
Students
General Performance
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Most common clarinet type
✓ PROS
- • Great for all musical styles
- • Most common clarinet type
✗ CONS
- • Competition in section auditions
- • Common but requires skill to stand out
RZ Clarinets MR Largo Bb-Clarinet 17/6Bb ClarinetBoehm SystemStudent/beginner modelMaterial: high-quality ABS...
⭐
4.9/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 589347
$768
#6
⭐
4.6/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Buffet Crampon Prodige Bb-Clarinet 18/6
All Genres
General Performance
Band
Key Feature:
• Easy to find teachers and repair
✓ PROS
- • Extensive repertoire available
- • Boehm system widely taught
✗ CONS
- • May require A clarinet for some pieces
- • Competition in section auditions
Buffet Crampon Prodige Bb Clarinet 18/6Bb ClarinetModel: BC2541L-2-0GBBoehm System18 Keys6 RingsBody:...
⭐
4.6/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 426637
$758
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Yamaha YCL-255 S Bb-Clarinet Set
by
Yamaha
Orchestra
Students
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Easy to find teachers and repair
- • Boehm system widely taught
✗ CONS
- • Requires regular maintenance
- • Common but requires skill to stand out
Yamaha YCL-255 S Bb-Clarinet Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Yamaha YCL-255 S Bb-Clarinet*Bb Clarinet*Boehm...
⭐
4.9/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 559911
$743
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Thomann CL-17BB Bb- Clarinet Boehm
by
Thomann
General Performance
Jazz
Students
Key Feature:
• Extensive repertoire available
✓ PROS
- • Great for all musical styles
- • Extensive repertoire available
✗ CONS
- • May require A clarinet for some pieces
- • Common but requires skill to stand out
Thomann CL-17BB Bb- Clarinet BoehmBb ClarinetBoehm System17 keysSix ringsMade of grenadilla woodAdjustable thumb rest...
⭐
4.9/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 255284
$714
#9
⭐
4.6/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Thomann CL-18BB Bb- Clarinet Boehm
by
Thomann
General Performance
Orchestra
Students
Key Feature:
• Easy to find teachers and repair
✓ PROS
- • Great for all musical styles
- • Extensive repertoire available
✗ CONS
- • Standard fingering system limitations
- • Common but requires skill to stand out
Thomann CL-18BB Bb- Clarinet BoehmBb- ClarinetBoehm fingering18 Keys6 RingsWith Eb leverMade entirely of grenadilla...
⭐
4.6/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 255286
$768
How to Choose the Best Bb Clarinets (Boehm)
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 bb clarinets (boehm) 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.
