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Best Tenor Saxophones 2026

Top-rated tenor saxophones 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: February 4, 2026 • Next update: February 11, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $800 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Jazz For Blues For Rock For Soul For R&B For Big Band
BRANDS: Thomann Yamaha Selmer Yanagisawa Schagerl
Rampone & Cazzani R1 Jazz Tenor Sax AU - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Rampone & Cazzani R1 Jazz Tenor Sax AU

by Rampone & Cazzani
Big Band R&B Jazz
Key Feature:
• Deep, rich tenor voice
✓ PROS
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • Larger and heavier than alto
  • • Transport case is bulky

Rampone & Cazzani R1 Jazz Tenor Sax AUTenor SaxophoneBig boreMade of gold brass for a soft soundHand hammered...

⭐ 4.6/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 229901
$8,028
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yanagisawa T-WO35 Elite Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Yanagisawa T-WO35 Elite Tenor Sax

by Yanagisawa
Jazz Rock Big Band
Key Feature:
• Classic saxophone literature
✓ PROS
  • • Iconic jazz and blues sound
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort
  • • More expensive than alto models

Yanagisawa T-WO35 Elite Tenor SaxTenor SaxophoneS-BowMade of brassBody tube and cup in sterling silverRevised key...

⭐ 4.4/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 553733
$10,778
Buy at Thomann View Details
Rampone & Cazzani Solista Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Rampone & Cazzani Solista Tenor Sax

by Rampone & Cazzani
Soul R&B Blues
Key Feature:
• Iconic jazz and blues sound
✓ PROS
  • • Iconic jazz and blues sound
  • • Perfect for solo work
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than alto models
  • • Larger and heavier than alto

Rampone & Cazzani Solista Tenor SaxTenor SaxophoneLarge boreBody and S-bow made of copperBrass keysGold-plated...

⭐ 4.5/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 591602
$9,184
Buy at Thomann View Details
Rampone & Cazzani Two Voices Tenor Sax BRS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Rampone & Cazzani Two Voices Tenor Sax BRS

by Rampone & Cazzani
Big Band Rock Blues
Key Feature:
• Deep, rich tenor voice
✓ PROS
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort
  • • More expensive than alto models

Rampone & Cazzani Two Voices Tenor Sax BRSTenor SaxophoneHand-engraved special modelBronze bodySterling silver...

⭐ 4.5/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 288765
$10,448
Buy at Thomann View Details
Keilwerth SX 90R "Shadow" Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Keilwerth SX 90R "Shadow" Tenor Sax

by Keilwerth
Rock Jazz Soul
Key Feature:
• Classic saxophone literature
✓ PROS
  • • Classic saxophone literature
  • • Perfect for solo work
✗ CONS
  • • Transport case is bulky
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort

Keilwerth SX 90R "Shadow" Tenor SaxophoneTenor SaxophoneShadow modelNickel-silver bodyBlack...

⭐ 4.9/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 169253
$6,984
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUM

by Selmer
Soul R&B Big Band
Key Feature:
• Classic saxophone literature
✓ PROS
  • • Iconic jazz and blues sound
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
✗ CONS
  • • Transport case is bulky
  • • Requires more air support

Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUMTenor Saxophone in BbBody: MatteStrong projection due to enlarged bore at the S-bowNew...

⭐ 4.4/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 564223
$12,968
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YTS-875 EXB 03 Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Yamaha YTS-875 EXB 03 Tenor Sax

by Yamaha
Big Band Rock R&B
Key Feature:
• Deep, rich tenor voice
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for solo work
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort
  • • Transport case is bulky

Yamaha YTS-875 EXB 03 Tenor Saxophone, Tenor SaxophoneYamaha saxophones of the master class represent the ne plus ultra...

⭐ 4.9/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 146925
$6,818
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thomann Custom Line Bronze TLBBZG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Thomann Custom Line Bronze TLBBZG

by Thomann
Rock Blues Jazz
Key Feature:
• Perfect for solo work
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for solo work
  • • Great projection and presence
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than alto models
  • • Transport case is bulky

Thomann Custom Line Bronze TLBBZGTenor SaxophoneBronze bodyClear lacqueredWide scale with 160 mm bellHigh F# keyFrench...

⭐ 5.0/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 165437
$2,418
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thomann MK I Handmade Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Thomann MK I Handmade Tenor Sax

by Thomann
Jazz R&B Soul
Key Feature:
• Deep, rich tenor voice
✓ PROS
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • Requires more air support
  • • Larger and heavier than alto

Thomann MK I Handmade Tenor SaxTenor SaxophoneGold brass bodyHigh F# keyArtistic engravingBody: Black...

⭐ 4.8/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 226877
$1,648
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YTS-82 ZS 03 Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Yamaha YTS-82 ZS 03 Tenor Sax

by Yamaha
R&B Big Band Rock
Key Feature:
• Deep, rich tenor voice
✓ PROS
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
  • • Perfect for solo work
✗ CONS
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort
  • • Transport case is bulky

Yamaha YTS-82 ZS 03 Tenor SaxTenor SaxophoneNew modelV1 NeckAdjustable front F keyImproved low B-C# connectionOne-piece...

⭐ 4.5/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 321072
$6,488
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Axos Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Selmer Axos Tenor Sax

by Selmer
R&B Blues Big Band
Key Feature:
• Great projection and presence
✓ PROS
  • • Great projection and presence
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • Transport case is bulky
  • • More expensive than alto models

Selmer Axos Tenor SaxTenor SaxophoneBody and mechanism made of brassNarrow scaleHigh F# keyTilter low BbLeather...

⭐ 4.9/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 511289
$4,508
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YTS-480S Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Yamaha YTS-480S Tenor Sax

by Yamaha
Soul R&B Jazz
Key Feature:
• Deep, rich tenor voice
✓ PROS
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
  • • Great projection and presence
✗ CONS
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort
  • • Larger and heavier than alto

Yamaha YTS-480STenor SaxophoneNew modelSuccessor of the YTS-475New neck mountImproved H/ C# connectionSeparate key...

⭐ 4.7/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 279392
$3,188
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thomann Custom Line TSBBS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Thomann Custom Line TSBBS

by Thomann
Big Band Soul Jazz
Key Feature:
• Perfect for solo work
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for solo work
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than alto models
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort

Thomann Custom Line TSBBSTenor SaxophoneBlack nickel-plated bodySilver-plated key systemStandard scaleHigh F# keyPads...

⭐ 4.9/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 165432
$2,364
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thomann TTS-180 Black Tenor Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Thomann TTS-180 Black Tenor Sax Set

by Thomann
Jazz Soul Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic saxophone literature
✓ PROS
  • • Iconic jazz and blues sound
  • • Perfect for solo work
✗ CONS
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort
  • • Requires more air support

Thomann TTS-180 Black Tenor Sax Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Thomann TTS-180 Black Tenor Saxophone*Tenor...

⭐ 4.7/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 521449
$758
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUP

by Selmer
Soul Blues Rock
Key Feature:
• Perfect for solo work
✓ PROS
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
  • • Perfect for solo work
✗ CONS
  • • Transport case is bulky
  • • Requires more air support

Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUPBb Tenor SaxophoneBody and keys patinatedStrong projection due to enlarged bore at the...

⭐ 4.5/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 564225
$12,968
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Tenor Saxophones

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 tenor saxophones 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.

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