Best Open Hole Flutes 2026
Top-rated open hole flutes 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.7/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Pearl Flutes MS970 RBE Maesta Handmade
by
Pearl Flutes
Contemporary Music
Advanced Students
Extended Techniques
Key Feature:
• Enhanced projection and resonance
✓ PROS
- • Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
- • Enhanced projection and resonance
✗ CONS
- • Can be challenging for beginners
- • More expensive than closed holes
Pearl Flutes MS970 RBE Maesta HandmadeTransverse FluteMaesta SeriesHandmade in JapanHeadjointbody and foot made of .970...
⭐
4.7/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 564487
$8,138
#2
⭐
4.5/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Powell Sonare PS 705 BEF Flute Aurumite
Contemporary Music
Advanced Students
Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
✓ PROS
- • Professional performance standard
- • Enhanced projection and resonance
✗ CONS
- • Requires proper finger coverage
- • Can be challenging for beginners
Powell Sonare PS 705 BEF Flute AurumiteConcert FluteHandcrafted Powell signature headpiece in sterling silverWith...
⭐
4.5/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 439721
$4,618
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Pearl Flutes Quantz B525RE-HC Flute
by
Pearl Flutes
Orchestra
Contemporary Music
Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Better acoustical properties
✓ PROS
- • Extended technique capabilities
- • Professional performance standard
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to temperature changes
- • Can be challenging for beginners
Pearl Flutes Quantz B525RE-HC FluteTransverse FluteQuantz SeriesBrezza headjoint: provides the perfect balance between...
⭐
4.9/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 599674
$912
#4
⭐
4.6/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Pearl Flutes Dolce 695 RBE
by
Pearl Flutes
Solo Performance
Extended Techniques
Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Extended technique capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Extended technique capabilities
- • Enhanced projection and resonance
✗ CONS
- • More complex maintenance
- • Can be challenging for beginners
Pearl Flutes Dolce 695 RBETransverse FluteSilver headjointNickel silver plated footjoint and keysPointed armsRing...
⭐
4.6/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 283236
$2,397
#5
⭐
4.7/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Pearl Flutes MD997 RBE Maesta Handmade
by
Pearl Flutes
Extended Techniques
Contemporary Music
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Extended technique capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Extended technique capabilities
- • Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
✗ CONS
- • Can be challenging for beginners
- • More complex maintenance
Pearl Flutes MD997 RBE Maesta HandmadeTransverse FluteMaesta seriesHeadjointbody and foot in .997 silverMachine head in...
⭐
4.7/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 564484
$8,524
#6
⭐
4.6/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Pearl Flutes Quantz B505RBE-HC Flute
by
Pearl Flutes
Professional Performance
Extended Techniques
Contemporary Music
Key Feature:
• Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
✓ PROS
- • Enhanced projection and resonance
- • Professional performance standard
✗ CONS
- • Requires proper finger coverage
- • Can be challenging for beginners
Pearl Flutes Quantz B505RBE-HC FluteTransverse FluteQuantz SeriesBrezza headjoint: provides the perfect balance between...
⭐
4.6/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 599668
$967
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Muramatsu EX-III-RBE Flute
by
Muramatsu
Contemporary Music
Orchestra
Extended Techniques
Key Feature:
• Better acoustical properties
✓ PROS
- • Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
- • Professional performance standard
✗ CONS
- • More complex maintenance
- • Requires proper finger coverage
Muramatsu EX-III-RBE FluteTransverse FluteSilver headjointRing keysE-MechanismOffsetSilver plated body and...
⭐
4.5/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 210533
$4,499
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Pearl Flutes Elegante Primo PF-EP925 RE
by
Pearl Flutes
Contemporary Music
Professional Performance
Advanced Students
Key Feature:
• Enhanced projection and resonance
✓ PROS
- • Better acoustical properties
- • Professional performance standard
✗ CONS
- • Can be challenging for beginners
- • More expensive than closed holes
Pearl Flutes Elegante Primo PF-EP925 RETransverse FluteSilver headjointbody and footjointKey system: Nickel...
⭐
4.9/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 496913
$3,904
#9
⭐
4.7/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Powell Sonare PS 705 CEF Flute
Extended Techniques
Professional Performance
Contemporary Music
Key Feature:
• Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
✓ PROS
- • Enhanced projection and resonance
- • Extended technique capabilities
✗ CONS
- • More complex maintenance
- • Requires proper finger coverage
Powell Sonare PS 705 CEF FluteFluteHandcrafted Powell signature headpiece in sterling silverWith Powell scaleSterling...
⭐
4.7/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 439725
$3,464
#10
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Powell Sonare PS 601 BEF Flute
Extended Techniques
Professional Performance
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Enhanced projection and resonance
✓ PROS
- • Professional performance standard
- • Enhanced projection and resonance
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than closed holes
- • More complex maintenance
Powell Sonare PS 601 BEF FluteTransverse FluteHandcrafted headjoint made from sterling silverMade using the Powell...
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 231495
$3,134
#11
⭐
4.9/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Pearl Flutes PF-CD958 RBE Cantabile
by
Pearl Flutes
Professional Performance
Contemporary Music
Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Professional performance standard
✓ PROS
- • Enhanced projection and resonance
- • Better acoustical properties
✗ CONS
- • Requires proper finger coverage
- • Can be challenging for beginners
Pearl Flutes PF-CD958 RBE CantabileTransverse flutePitch: 442 HzHeadjointBody and foot are made from Britannia silver...
⭐
4.9/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 407116
$5,718
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sankyo CF 601 RBE Handmade
by
Sankyo
Advanced Students
Solo Performance
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
✓ PROS
- • Enhanced projection and resonance
- • Professional performance standard
✗ CONS
- • More complex maintenance
- • Requires proper finger coverage
Sankyo CF 601 RBE HandmadeTransverse fluteSterling silver headjointtubefoot and mechanismsSoldered tone holes10 K white...
⭐
4.6/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 260339
$10,757
#13
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Powell Sonare PS 705 BEF Flute
Extended Techniques
Advanced Students
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
✓ PROS
- • Enhanced projection and resonance
- • Extended technique capabilities
✗ CONS
- • More complex maintenance
- • More expensive than closed holes
Powell Sonare PS 705 BEF FluteConcert FluteHandcrafted Powell signature headpiece in sterling silverWith Powell...
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 439719
$3,658
#14
⭐
4.5/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Pearl Flutes Dolce 695 RE - Vigore
by
Pearl Flutes
Extended Techniques
Orchestra
Contemporary Music
Key Feature:
• Enhanced projection and resonance
✓ PROS
- • Better acoustical properties
- • Professional performance standard
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to temperature changes
- • More expensive than closed holes
Pearl Flutes Dolce 695 RE - VigoreTransverse FluteSterling silver headjoint with 3K gold lip plateSilver plated...
⭐
4.5/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 313941
$3,167
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Pearl Flutes Quantz B525RBE-HC Flute
by
Pearl Flutes
Solo Performance
Advanced Students
Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Enhanced projection and resonance
✓ PROS
- • Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
- • Professional performance standard
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than closed holes
- • Requires proper finger coverage
Pearl Flutes Quantz B525RBE-HC FluteTransverse FluteQuantz SeriesBrezza headjoint: provides the perfect balance between...
⭐
4.5/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 599673
$1,098
How to Choose the Best Open Hole Flutes
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 open hole flutes 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.
