Best Open Hole Flutes 2026
Top-rated open hole flutes 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: February 4, 2026 • Next update: February 11, 2026
#1
⭐
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
#2
⭐
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
#3
⭐
5.0/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Pearl Flutes Quantz B665RBE-HC Flute
by
Pearl Flutes
Contemporary Music
Professional Performance
Extended Techniques
Key Feature:
• Better acoustical properties
✓ PROS
- • Extended technique capabilities
- • Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to temperature changes
- • More complex maintenance
Pearl Flutes Quantz B665RBE-HC FluteTransverse FluteQuantz SeriesBrezza headjoint: provides the perfect balance between...
⭐
5.0/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 599677
$1,758
#4
⭐
4.4/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Muramatsu GX-RCE Flute
by
Muramatsu
Orchestra
Contemporary Music
Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Better acoustical properties
✓ PROS
- • Enhanced projection and resonance
- • Better acoustical properties
✗ CONS
- • Requires proper finger coverage
- • Sensitive to temperature changes
Muramatsu GX-RCE FluteTransverse FluteSterling silver headjoint and bodyRing keysE MechanismOffsetOffset GSilver plated...
⭐
4.4/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 175897
$6,479
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Powell Sonare PS 705 CEF Flute Aurumite
Orchestra
Extended Techniques
Contemporary Music
Key Feature:
• Extended technique capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
- • Professional performance standard
✗ CONS
- • Can be challenging for beginners
- • Sensitive to temperature changes
Powell Sonare PS 705 CEF Flute AurumiteTransverse FluteSterling silver bodyHandmade Powell Signature sterling silver...
⭐
4.9/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 439723
$4,398
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Muramatsu DS-RCEOH Flute Handmade
by
Muramatsu
Contemporary Music
Professional Performance
Advanced Students
Key Feature:
• Enhanced projection and resonance
✓ PROS
- • Enhanced projection and resonance
- • Professional performance standard
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than closed holes
- • Can be challenging for beginners
Muramatsu DS-RCEOH Flute HandmadeHandmade transverse fluteMade completely from silverHeavy wallDrawn tone holesRing...
⭐
4.9/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 203431
$9,295
#7
⭐
4.8/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Muramatsu DS-RBEOH Flute Handmade
by
Muramatsu
Contemporary Music
Orchestra
Advanced Students
Key Feature:
• Extended technique capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Better acoustical properties
- • Extended technique capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Can be challenging for beginners
- • Requires proper finger coverage
Muramatsu DS-RBEOH Flute HandmadeTransverse fluteMade completely of silver by handHeavy wallDrawn tone holesRing...
⭐
4.8/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 196341
$10,778
#8
⭐
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
#9
⭐
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
#10
⭐
4.6/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Pearl Flutes MD970 RBE Maesta Handmade
by
Pearl Flutes
Extended Techniques
Advanced Students
Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
✓ PROS
- • Professional performance standard
- • Extended technique capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Can be challenging for beginners
- • More complex maintenance
Pearl Flutes MD970 RBE Maesta HandmadeTransverse fluteMaesta SeriesHeadjointbody and foot made of 970 silverMechanism...
⭐
4.6/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 564486
$7,611
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Pearl Flutes Dolce PF-695 RE
by
Pearl Flutes
Professional Performance
Solo Performance
Contemporary Music
Key Feature:
• Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
✓ PROS
- • Enhanced projection and resonance
- • Extended technique capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Requires proper finger coverage
- • Can be challenging for beginners
Pearl Flutes Dolce PF-695 RETransverse FluteDolce seriesCompletely silver headjointNickel silver plated bodyfootjoint...
⭐
4.5/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 175911
$2,198
#12
⭐
4.4/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Yamaha YFL-282GL Flute
by
Yamaha
Orchestra
Contemporary Music
Advanced Students
Key Feature:
• Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
✓ PROS
- • Extended technique capabilities
- • Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to temperature changes
- • Can be challenging for beginners
Yamaha YFL-282GLTransverse fluteStudent modelRing keysPointed arm designInline G keyWithout E...
⭐
4.4/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 387261
$868
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha YFL-272 Flute
by
Yamaha
Contemporary Music
Advanced Students
Extended Techniques
Key Feature:
• Better acoustical properties
✓ PROS
- • Professional performance standard
- • Better acoustical properties
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to temperature changes
- • Requires proper finger coverage
Yamaha YFL-272 Transverse FluteTransverse FluteStudent modelRing keysPointed arm designOffset GE...
⭐
4.8/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 387257
$747
#14
⭐
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
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Sankyo CF 301 Flute RBE
by
Sankyo
Orchestra
Contemporary Music
Professional Performance
Key Feature:
• Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
✓ PROS
- • Enhanced projection and resonance
- • Professional performance standard
✗ CONS
- • Can be challenging for beginners
- • More complex maintenance
Sankyo CF 301 Flute RBETransverse FluteSilver head and bodyRing keysB-FootE-MechanismOffset GNickel silver...
⭐
4.5/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 114537
$5,049
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.
