Best Open Hole Flutes for Contemporary Music 2026
Perfect open hole flutes for contemporary-music - easy to play and learn on
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
⭐
4.9/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Powell Sonare PS 905 CEF Flute
Advanced Students
Contemporary Music
Extended Techniques
Key Feature:
• Professional performance standard
✓ PROS
- • Professional performance standard
- • Extended technique capabilities
✗ CONS
- • More complex maintenance
- • Requires proper finger coverage
Powell Sonare PS 905 CEF FluteTransverse FluteHandcrafted Powell Signature K Style headjoint in sterling silverLip...
⭐
4.9/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 502898
$5,498
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Pearl Flutes Quantz B765RE-HC Flute
by
Pearl Flutes
Professional Performance
Solo Performance
Extended Techniques
Key Feature:
• Professional performance standard
✓ PROS
- • Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
- • Professional performance standard
✗ CONS
- • Requires proper finger coverage
- • Sensitive to temperature changes
Pearl Flutes Quantz B765RE-HC FluteTransverse FluteQuantz SeriesBrezza headjoint: provides the perfect balance between...
⭐
4.9/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 599681
$2,858
#4
⭐
4.5/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha YFL-272 Set
by
Yamaha
Orchestra
Professional Performance
Advanced Students
Key Feature:
• Extended technique capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Professional performance standard
- • Enhanced projection and resonance
✗ CONS
- • More complex maintenance
- • Sensitive to temperature changes
Yamaha YFL-272 Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Yamaha YFL-272 Flute*Transverse Flute*Student modelRing keysPointed arm...
⭐
4.5/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 523864
$787
#5
⭐
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
#6
⭐
5.0/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Yamaha YFL-372 Flute Set
by
Yamaha
Extended Techniques
Contemporary Music
Solo Performance
Key Feature:
• Enhanced projection and resonance
✓ PROS
- • Extended technique capabilities
- • Enhanced projection and resonance
✗ CONS
- • Can be challenging for beginners
- • More expensive than closed holes
Yamaha YFL-372 Flute Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Yamaha YFL-372 Flute*Transverse Flute*Intermediate modelRing...
⭐
5.0/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 529486
$1,484
#7
⭐
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
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Altus AS-A13 REO-S Flute
by
Altus
Professional Performance
Advanced Students
Contemporary Music
Key Feature:
• Better acoustical properties
✓ PROS
- • Professional performance standard
- • Enhanced projection and resonance
✗ CONS
- • Requires proper finger coverage
- • Sensitive to temperature changes
Altus AS-A13 REO-S FluteTransverse FluteLegend SeriesPitch: A = 442 HzC-footRing keysE mechanismOffset GMouthhole...
⭐
4.9/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 591728
$9,678
#9
⭐
4.7/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Powell Sonare PS 905 BEF Flute
Contemporary Music
Extended Techniques
Advanced Students
Key Feature:
• Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
✓ PROS
- • Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
- • Better acoustical properties
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than closed holes
- • More complex maintenance
Powell Sonare PS 905 BEF FluteTransverse FluteHandcrafted Powell Signature K-Style headjoint made of sterling silverLip...
⭐
4.7/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 502896
$5,664
#10
⭐
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
#11
⭐
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
#12
⭐
4.8/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Pearl Flutes Quantz B505RE-HC Flute
by
Pearl Flutes
Extended Techniques
Orchestra
Contemporary Music
Key Feature:
• Enhanced projection and resonance
✓ PROS
- • Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
- • Extended technique capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to temperature changes
- • More expensive than closed holes
Pearl Flutes Quantz B505RE-HC FluteTransverse FluteQuantz SeriesBrezza headjoint: provides the perfect balance between...
⭐
4.8/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 599669
$824
#13
⭐
4.6/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Azumi AZ-Z2RE-MF Flute
by
Azumi
Advanced Students
Extended Techniques
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Enhanced projection and resonance
✓ PROS
- • Extended technique capabilities
- • Enhanced projection and resonance
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to temperature changes
- • Can be challenging for beginners
Azumi AZ-Z2RE-MF Flute, Magic Flute Box, Set consisting of flute and tin whistle, Incl. sheet music for a duet by...
⭐
4.6/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 553582
$1,924
#14
⭐
5.0/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Altus AS-PSD ERB1 Flute
by
Altus
Extended Techniques
Solo Performance
Advanced Students
Key Feature:
• Better acoustical properties
✓ PROS
- • Quarter-tone and microtonal effects
- • Better acoustical properties
✗ CONS
- • More complex maintenance
- • Can be challenging for beginners
Altus AS-PSD ERB1 FluteTransverse FluteRing keysB-footE mechanismOffset GS-cut headjointHeadjoint and body: 997 ALTUS...
⭐
5.0/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 588261
$9,339
#15
⭐
5.0/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Azumi AZ-Z3 RBE-C Flute
by
Azumi
Professional Performance
Contemporary Music
Extended Techniques
Key Feature:
• Professional performance standard
✓ PROS
- • Enhanced projection and resonance
- • Extended technique capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Requires proper finger coverage
- • More complex maintenance
Azumi AZ-Z3 RBE-C FluteTransverse FluteRing keysE-key systemOffset GB-footC# trill key925 Sterling silver body925...
⭐
5.0/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 573445
$3,298
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.
