Best Bb Tubas 2026
Top-rated bb tubas 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
PRICE RANGES:
Under $5,000
GENRES & STYLES:
For Marching Band
For Concert Band
For Jazz
For Popular
For Student
For Brass Quintet
#1
⭐
4.7/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
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
#2
⭐
4.8/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Willson 3100 RZ-4 Bb-Tuba
by
Willson
Marching Band
Brass Quintet
Concert Band
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
- • Less projection than CC tubas
Willson 3100 RZ-4 Bb-TubaBb TubaCompact design4 Rotax rotary valves with 100% air flowBore: 19.5 mmBrass bodyØ 500 mm...
⭐
4.8/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 180889
$13,748
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Cerveny CBB 686-4 Bb-Tuba
by
Cerveny
Brass Quintet
Jazz
Concert Band
Key Feature:
• Most common and versatile tuba
✓ PROS
- • Great for marching band use
- • Most common and versatile tuba
✗ CONS
- • Not ideal for all classical literature
- • Professional limitations in orchestra
Cerveny CBB 686-4 Bb-TubaBb TubaSize: 4/4Brass body and bellNickel silver mechanismNickel silver lead pipeNickel silver...
⭐
4.9/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 332512
$7,698
#4
⭐
4.5/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Cerveny CBB 681-4 Bb-Tuba
by
Cerveny
Concert Band
Marching Band
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for marching band use
✓ PROS
- • Great for marching band use
- • Excellent for jazz and popular music
✗ CONS
- • May lack depth for orchestral work
- • Compromise instrument for some applications
Cerveny CBB 681-4 Bb-TubaBb TubaSize: 4/44 Rotary valvesMINIBAL jointsBrass body and bellNickel silver valve...
⭐
4.5/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 149574
$6,598
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Cerveny CVBB 691-4 Bb-Tuba
by
Cerveny
Brass Quintet
Popular
Concert Band
Key Feature:
• Most common and versatile tuba
✓ PROS
- • Great for marching band use
- • Most common and versatile tuba
✗ CONS
- • Less projection than CC tubas
- • Professional limitations in orchestra
Cerveny CVBB 691-4 Bb-TubaBb TubaSize: 5/4Four rotary valvesMINIBAL jointsMaterial: BrassNickel silver lead pipeNickel...
⭐
4.8/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 149639
$8,248
#6
⭐
5.0/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
#7
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Miraphone 495 Hagen M Bb-Tuba
by
Miraphone
Popular
Brass Quintet
Student
Key Feature:
• Manageable size for students
✓ PROS
- • Great for marching band use
- • Wide repertoire availability
✗ CONS
- • Compromise instrument for some applications
- • Professional limitations in orchestra
Miraphone 495 Hagen M Bb- TubaBb TubaSize: 4/4Body and bell made of brassNickel silver setReference pitch: 443 HzBore:...
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 383186
$12,318
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Miraphone 494 Hagen M Bb-Tuba
by
Miraphone
Marching Band
Jazz
Student
Key Feature:
• Manageable size for students
✓ PROS
- • Wide repertoire availability
- • Manageable size for students
✗ CONS
- • Compromise instrument for some applications
- • May lack depth for orchestral work
Miraphone 494 Hagen M Bb TubaBb TubaSize: 3/4Brass body and bellNickel silver setBore: 18.80 mmBell: Ø 430 mmHeight:...
⭐
4.9/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 543137
$9,898
#9
⭐
4.6/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
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
#10
⭐
4.8/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Thomann 894S Superior Bb-Tuba
by
Thomann
Popular
Marching Band
Concert Band
Key Feature:
• Great for marching band use
✓ PROS
- • Manageable size for students
- • Great for marching band use
✗ CONS
- • Less projection than CC tubas
- • Not ideal for all classical literature
Thomann BB 894S Superior Bb- TubaBb TubaModel "Superior"4 Stainless steel valvesarrangement 3 + 1Fully...
⭐
4.8/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 379918
$4,389
#11
⭐
4.6/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Miraphone 91A GM Bb-Tuba
by
Miraphone
Popular
Brass Quintet
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Most common and versatile tuba
✓ PROS
- • Manageable size for students
- • Excellent for jazz and popular music
✗ CONS
- • Not ideal for all classical literature
- • Compromise instrument for some applications
Miraphone 91A GM Bb-TubaBb TubaSize: 5/4Body and bell made of gold brassNickel silver rimCombined gold brass/ nickel...
⭐
4.6/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 148132
$12,222
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
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
#13
⭐
4.5/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Miraphone 495 Hagen GM Bb-Tuba
by
Miraphone
Concert Band
Student
Marching Band
Key Feature:
• Most common and versatile tuba
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for jazz and popular music
- • Great for marching band use
✗ CONS
- • Professional limitations in orchestra
- • May lack depth for orchestral work
Miraphone 495 Hagen GM Bb-TubaBb TubaSize: 4/4Gold brass body and bellCombined gold brass nickel silver valve...
⭐
4.5/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 437739
$12,318
#14
⭐
4.7/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Melton 2011FA-L Front Action Bb-Tuba
by
Melton
Student
Concert Band
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for marching band use
✓ PROS
- • Manageable size for students
- • Great for marching band use
✗ CONS
- • Less projection than CC tubas
- • Not ideal for all classical literature
Melton 2011FA-L Front Action Bb-TubaBb TubaSize: 3/4Brass body and bellBore: 17.00 mmBell Ø: 440 mm4 Perinet...
⭐
4.7/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 252232
$8,575
#15
⭐
4.9/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Cerveny CBB 684-4G Bohemia Bb-Tuba
by
Cerveny
Brass Quintet
Popular
Concert Band
Key Feature:
• Wide repertoire availability
✓ PROS
- • Manageable size for students
- • Wide repertoire availability
✗ CONS
- • May lack depth for orchestral work
- • Compromise instrument for some applications
Cerveny CBB 684-4G Bohemia Bb-TubaBb TubaSize: 4/4Based on the older model CBB 686-4Bbut with a wider and more conical...
⭐
4.9/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 563070
$7,478
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.
