Best Tenor Saxophones 2025

Top-rated tenor saxophones 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: October 22, 2025 • Next update: October 29, 2025

Rampone & Cazzani R1 Jazz Tenor Sax AU - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Rampone & Cazzani R1 Jazz Tenor Sax AU

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
Yanagisawa T-WO10 Elite Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Yanagisawa T-WO10 Elite Tenor Sax

Big Band Blues R&B
Key Feature:
• Perfect for solo work
✓ PROS
  • • Iconic jazz and blues sound
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
✗ CONS
  • • Requires more air support
  • • More expensive than alto models

Yanagisawa T-WO10 Elite Tenor SaxTenor SaxophoneElite modelBrass body and keysHigh F# keyC#/Bb and B/C# leverDouble...

4.6/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Rampone & Cazzani Solista Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Rampone & Cazzani Solista Tenor Sax

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
Selmer Axos Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Selmer Axos Tenor Sax

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
Rampone & Cazzani Performance Line Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Rampone & Cazzani Performance Line Tenor Sax

Soul Rock Big Band
Key Feature:
• Classic saxophone literature
✓ PROS
  • • Great projection and presence
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • Requires more air support
  • • Transport case is bulky

Rampone & Cazzani Performance Line Tenor SaxTenor SaxophonePerformance lineNew scaleSmaller bore than the Rampone...

4.6/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha YTS-480S Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Yamaha YTS-480S Tenor Sax

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
Yamaha YTS-280S Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Yamaha YTS-280S Tenor Sax

Blues R&B Big Band
Key Feature:
• Classic saxophone literature
✓ PROS
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
  • • Great projection and presence
✗ CONS
  • • Larger and heavier than alto
  • • Transport case is bulky

Yamaha YTS-280STenor SaxophoneSchool modelNew model with improved neck attachment and improved low B/C#...

4.8/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Selmer Series III Tenor Sax SE-T3B - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Selmer Series III Tenor Sax SE-T3B

Rock Big Band Soul
Key Feature:
• Classic saxophone literature
✓ PROS
  • • Iconic jazz and blues sound
  • • Great projection and presence
✗ CONS
  • • Requires more air support
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort

Selmer Series III Tenor Sax SE-T3B, Tenor SaxophoneSimilar to an alto saxophone, a reduction in the support surface of...

4.4/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Selmer Series III Tenor Sax SE-T3L - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Selmer Series III Tenor Sax SE-T3L

Rock Soul Blues
Key Feature:
• Perfect for solo work
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for solo work
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • Transport case is bulky
  • • Larger and heavier than alto

Selmer Series III Tenor Saxophone SE-T3L, Tenor saxophoneAs with the alto saxophone, the column supports on the body...

4.6/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha YTS-62S 02 Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Yamaha YTS-62S 02 Tenor Sax

R&B Big Band Blues
Key Feature:
• Deep, rich tenor voice
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for solo work
  • • Iconic jazz and blues sound
✗ CONS
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort
  • • Larger and heavier than alto

Yamaha YTS-62S 02 Tenor SaxTenor SaxophoneNew modelHigh F# keyNew '62 S-bowImproved deep B/C# connectionNew...

4.5/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Thomann Custom Line TLBGMG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Thomann Custom Line TLBGMG

Rock Blues Soul
Key Feature:
• Great projection and presence
✓ PROS
  • • Great projection and presence
  • • Perfect for solo work
✗ CONS
  • • Requires more air support
  • • Transport case is bulky

Thomann Custom Line TLBGMGTenor SaxophoneWith gold matte lacquered bodyGold lacquered mechanismWide scale length with...

5.0/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIB

Blues Big Band Soul
Key Feature:
• Perfect for solo work
✓ PROS
  • • Classic saxophone literature
  • • Great projection and presence
✗ CONS
  • • Requires more air support
  • • Larger and heavier than alto

Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIBTenor SaxophoneKey: BbRenewal of the Selmer Series IIIEnlarged diameter of the S-bow...

4.6/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIL

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

Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSILTenor SaxophoneBb saxophoneRenewal of the Selmer Series IIIEnlarged diameter of the...

5.0/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Thomann Custom Line TSBGG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Thomann Custom Line TSBGG

Rock Soul Jazz
Key Feature:
• Deep, rich tenor voice
✓ PROS
  • • Great projection and presence
  • • Iconic jazz and blues sound
✗ CONS
  • • Larger and heavier than alto
  • • Requires more air support

Thomann Custom Line TSBGGTenor SaxophoneGold lacquered bodyGold lacquered mechanismNormal scaleHigh f# keyFrench...

5.0/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha YTS-280 Tenor Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Yamaha YTS-280 Tenor Sax Set

R&B Rock Big Band
Key Feature:
• Perfect for solo work
✓ PROS
  • • Great projection and presence
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than alto models
  • • Larger and heavier than alto

Yamaha YTS-280 Tenor Sax Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Yamaha YTS-280 Tenor Sax*Tenor Saxophone*New model with improved...

4.6/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10

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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