AudioFu

Best Bb Tubas 2025

Top-rated bb tubas 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: October 15, 2025 • Next update: October 22, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Marching Band For Concert Band For Jazz For Popular For Student For Brass Quintet
BRANDS: Miraphone Thomann Melton Cerveny
Miraphone 494 Hagen GM Bb-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Miraphone 494 Hagen GM Bb-Tuba

by Miraphone
Popular Jazz Student
Key Feature:
• Manageable size for students
✓ PROS
  • • Wide repertoire availability
  • • Most common and versatile tuba
✗ CONS
  • • Less projection than CC tubas
  • • May lack depth for orchestral work

Miraphone 494 Hagen GM Bb-TubaBb TubaSize: 3/4Gold brass body and bellCombined gold brass nickel silver valve...

⭐ 4.9/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 543136
$10,778
Buy at Thomann View Details
Josef Lidl Moldau LBB 684-4L Bb-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Josef Lidl Moldau LBB 684-4L Bb-Tuba

by Josef Lidl
Marching Band Popular Concert Band
Key Feature:
• Manageable size for students
✓ PROS
  • • Great for marching band use
  • • Most common and versatile tuba
✗ CONS
  • • Less projection than CC tubas
  • • May lack depth for orchestral work

Josef Lidl MOLDAU LBB 684-4L Bb-TubaBb TubaSize: 4/4Four rotary valvesBell Ø: 420 mmBore: 21.2 mmBody made of...

⭐ 4.6/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 608826
$7,698
Buy at Thomann View Details
Josef Lidl Moldau+ LBB 884-4GR Bb-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Josef Lidl Moldau+ LBB 884-4GR Bb-Tuba

by Josef Lidl
Student Brass Quintet Marching Band
Key Feature:
• Most common and versatile tuba
✓ PROS
  • • Most common and versatile tuba
  • • Excellent for jazz and popular music
✗ CONS
  • • Professional limitations in orchestra
  • • Not ideal for all classical literature

Josef Lidl MOLDAU+ LBB 884-4GR Bb-TubaBb TubaSize: 4/4Four rotary valvesBell Ø: 450 mmBore: 21.2 mmAdjustable thumb...

⭐ 4.6/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 608832
$7,689
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thomann Symfonic GM Bb-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Thomann Symfonic GM Bb-Tuba

by Thomann
Jazz Marching Band Brass Quintet
Key Feature:
• Manageable size for students
✓ PROS
  • • Most common and versatile tuba
  • • Wide repertoire availability
✗ CONS
  • • May lack depth for orchestral work
  • • Compromise instrument for some applications

Thomann Symfonic GM Bb-TubaBb TubaSize: 5/4Gold brass bell and bodyGold brass lead pipeNickel silver inner and outer...

⭐ 4.7/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 350784
$4,719
Buy at Thomann View Details
Melton 97/2 Bb-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Melton 97/2 Bb-Tuba

by Melton
Brass Quintet Student Jazz
Key Feature:
• Wide repertoire availability
✓ PROS
  • • Great for marching band use
  • • Most common and versatile tuba
✗ CONS
  • • Professional limitations in orchestra
  • • Compromise instrument for some applications

Melton 97/2 Bb TubaBb TubaSize: 4/4Body and bell made of brassBore: 20.5 - 21.5 mm (4th valve)Bell Ø: 420 mmHeight:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 538602
$25,298
Buy at Thomann View Details
Melton 2011RA-L Bb-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Melton 2011RA-L Bb-Tuba

by Melton
Popular Concert Band Student
Key Feature:
• Manageable size for students
✓ PROS
  • • Wide repertoire availability
  • • Great for marching band use
✗ CONS
  • • May lack depth for orchestral work
  • • Compromise instrument for some applications

Melton 2011RA-L Bb TubaBb TubaSize: 3/4Brass body and bell4 Rotary valvesBore: 18.50 mm / 4th valve 19.50 mmBell Ø:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 215654
$9,898
Buy at Thomann View Details
Schagerl Compact Salzburg Bb-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Schagerl Compact Salzburg Bb-Tuba

by Schagerl
Popular Brass Quintet Student
Key Feature:
• Wide repertoire availability
✓ PROS
  • • Wide repertoire availability
  • • Great for marching band use
✗ CONS
  • • May lack depth for orchestral work
  • • Less projection than CC tubas

Schagerl Compact Salzburg Bb-TubaBb TubaFour rotary valvesSize: 4/419 mm boreBell diameter: 400 mmBody made of...

⭐ 4.4/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 620455
$4,916
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thomann Wotan II UL Bb 4/4 Raw - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Thomann Wotan II UL Bb 4/4 Raw

by Thomann
Jazz Concert Band Popular
Key Feature:
• Manageable size for students
✓ PROS
  • • Great for marching band use
  • • Manageable size for students
✗ CONS
  • • Less projection than CC tubas
  • • May lack depth for orchestral work

Thomann Wotan II UL Bb 4/4 RawBb TubaSize: 4/4Brass bell and bodyNickel silver lead pipeNickel silver inner and outer...

⭐ 4.7/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 402188
$4,178
Buy at Thomann View Details
Rudolf Meinl Bayreuth Bb-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Rudolf Meinl Bayreuth Bb-Tuba

by Rudolf Meinl
Concert Band Popular Marching Band
Key Feature:
• Great for marching band use
✓ PROS
  • • Most common and versatile tuba
  • • Excellent for jazz and popular music
✗ CONS
  • • Not ideal for all classical literature
  • • Less projection than CC tubas

Rudolf Meinl Bayreuth Bb TubaBb TubaSize: 5/4Body and bell made of brassGold brass leadpipe and main tuning slideNickel...

⭐ 4.6/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 250055
$25,628
Buy at Thomann View Details
Miraphone 497 Hagen M Bb-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Miraphone 497 Hagen M Bb-Tuba

by Miraphone
Student Brass Quintet Concert Band
Key Feature:
• Wide repertoire availability
✓ PROS
  • • Wide repertoire availability
  • • Great for marching band use
✗ CONS
  • • Professional limitations in orchestra
  • • May lack depth for orchestral work

Miraphone 497 Hagen M Bb-TubaBb TubaSize: 6/4Brass body and bellNickel silver setNickel silver lead pipeBore: 21.20...

⭐ 5.0/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 354834
$20,778
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thomann Wotan II L Bb-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Thomann Wotan II L Bb-Tuba

by Thomann
Concert Band Brass Quintet Student
Key Feature:
• Great for marching band use
✓ PROS
  • • Most common and versatile tuba
  • • Excellent for jazz and popular music
✗ CONS
  • • Compromise instrument for some applications
  • • Not ideal for all classical literature

Thomann Wotan II Bb 4/4Bb TubaSize: 4/4Brass bell and bodyNickel silver lead pipeNickel silver inner and outer...

⭐ 4.5/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 251635
$4,398
Buy at Thomann View Details
Besson BE994-1 Sovereign Bb-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Besson BE994-1 Sovereign Bb-Tuba

by Besson
Student Concert Band Popular
Key Feature:
• Wide repertoire availability
✓ PROS
  • • Wide repertoire availability
  • • Excellent for jazz and popular music
✗ CONS
  • • May lack depth for orchestral work
  • • Professional limitations in orchestra

Besson BE994-1 Sovereign Bb-TubaBb- TubaCompensated model4 Valves (3 Top Action + 1)Bore: Ø 18.54 mmHandmade bell made...

⭐ 5.0/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 377712
$14,958
Buy at Thomann View Details
Miraphone 289A GM Bb-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Miraphone 289A GM Bb-Tuba

by Miraphone
Brass Quintet Marching Band Concert Band
Key Feature:
• Excellent for jazz and popular music
✓ PROS
  • • Great for marching band use
  • • Excellent for jazz and popular music
✗ CONS
  • • Less projection than CC tubas
  • • Professional limitations in orchestra

Miraphone 289A GM Bb-TubaBB tuba5/4 sizeNickel silver wreath4 ValvesBell 470 mmBore 20.4-21.2 mmGold brass bodyCombined...

⭐ 4.7/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 148131
$13,145
Buy at Thomann View Details
Josef Lidl Moldau LBB 784-4M GM Bb-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Josef Lidl Moldau LBB 784-4M GM Bb-Tuba

by Josef Lidl
Jazz Brass Quintet Popular
Key Feature:
• Most common and versatile tuba
✓ PROS
  • • Most common and versatile tuba
  • • Wide repertoire availability
✗ CONS
  • • Professional limitations in orchestra
  • • Not ideal for all classical literature

Josef Lidl MOLDAU LBB 784-4M GM Bb-TubaBb TubaSize: 4/4Four rotary valvesBell Ø: 420 mmWith nickel silver cup rimBore:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 608828
$9,449
Buy at Thomann View Details
Miraphone 496B Hagen GM Bb-Tuba - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Miraphone 496B Hagen GM Bb-Tuba

by Miraphone
Marching Band Student Brass Quintet
Key Feature:
• Wide repertoire availability
✓ PROS
  • • Most common and versatile tuba
  • • Wide repertoire availability
✗ CONS
  • • Professional limitations in orchestra
  • • Less projection than CC tubas

Miraphone 496B Hagen GM Bb-TubaBb Tuba496 Hagen modelSize: 5/45 Rotary valvesBell Ø: 450 mmBore: 21.20 mmBody and lead...

⭐ 4.6/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 584633
$13,858
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Bb Tubas

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 tubas 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.

Related Best Lists

POPULAR

Best Diatonic Harmonicas

POPULAR

Best Bb Trumpets

TOP

Best Tenor Trombones with F-Attachment

RELATED

Best Chromatic Harmonicas

TOP

Best Open Hole Flutes

RELATED

Best Alto Saxophones

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more