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Best Tenor Saxophones for Intermediate 2026

Perfect tenor saxophones for intermediate - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 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 Performance Line Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Rampone & Cazzani Performance Line Tenor Sax

by Rampone & Cazzani
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
Art. 511163
$3,508
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIL

by Selmer
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
Art. 575739
$9,294
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIS

by Selmer
Soul Jazz R&B
Key Feature:
• Iconic jazz and blues sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great projection and presence
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • Requires more air support
  • • Transport case is bulky

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

⭐ 4.7/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 575742
$10,394
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thomann TTS-180 Black Tenor Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
Thomann TTS-180 Tenor Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Thomann TTS-180 Tenor Sax Set

by Thomann
Blues Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Classic saxophone literature
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for solo work
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • Larger and heavier than alto
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort

Thomann TTS-180 Tenor Sax Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Thomann TTS-180 Tenor Sax*Tenor Saxophone*High F# keyFront F...

⭐ 4.9/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 521450
$692
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUS

by Selmer
Blues Soul Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great projection and presence
✓ PROS
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
  • • Iconic jazz and blues sound
✗ CONS
  • • Transport case is bulky
  • • More expensive than alto models

Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUSBb Tenor SaxophoneSilver-platedStrong projection due to enlarged bore at the S-bowNew...

⭐ 4.7/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 564222
$13,079
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUL

by Selmer
Rock Soul Blues
Key Feature:
• Deep, rich tenor voice
✓ PROS
  • • Great projection and presence
  • • Perfect for solo work
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than alto models
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort

Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSULTenor Saxophone in BbDark gold lacquerStrong projection due to enlarged bore at the...

⭐ 4.5/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 564215
$11,318
Buy at Thomann View Details
BetterSax Classic Tenor Saxophone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

BetterSax Classic Tenor Saxophone

by BetterSax
Blues Big Band Jazz
Key Feature:
• Deep, rich tenor voice
✓ PROS
  • • Classic saxophone literature
  • • Perfect for solo work
✗ CONS
  • • Transport case is bulky
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort

BetterSax Classic Tenor SaxophoneTenor SaxophoneProfessional boreOctave key inspired by King and Yanagisawa...

⭐ 4.6/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 586859
$1,538
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIB

by Selmer
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
Art. 575743
$10,064
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Axos Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

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
Forestone RX Unlacquered Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Forestone RX Unlacquered Tenor Sax

by Forestone
Blues Big Band R&B
Key Feature:
• Classic saxophone literature
✓ PROS
  • • Great projection and presence
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • Requires more air support
  • • More expensive than alto models

Forestone RX Unlacquered Tenor SaxBb Tenor SaxophonePowerful and modern soundFlexible use - suitable for all...

⭐ 4.6/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 422827
$5,664
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIP

by Selmer
Big Band R&B Rock
Key Feature:
• Perfect for solo work
✓ PROS
  • • Iconic jazz and blues sound
  • • Great projection and presence
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than alto models
  • • Larger and heavier than alto

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

⭐ 4.7/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 575741
$10,064
Buy at Thomann View Details
Forestone RX Red Brass GL Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Forestone RX Red Brass GL Tenor Sax

by Forestone
Jazz R&B Rock
Key Feature:
• Classic saxophone literature
✓ PROS
  • • Classic saxophone literature
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
✗ CONS
  • • Transport case is bulky
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort

Forestone RX Red Brass GL Tenor SaxBb Tenor SaxophoneMaterial: BrassFinish: Copper lacqueredFlanged tone...

⭐ 4.7/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 570959
$6,368
Buy at Thomann View Details
Schagerl SuperiorPro Tenor Sax T-2L - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Schagerl SuperiorPro Tenor Sax T-2L

by Schagerl
Rock Blues R&B
Key Feature:
• Perfect for solo work
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for solo work
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort
  • • Larger and heavier than alto

Schagerl SuperiorPro Tenor Sax T-2L, Tenor Saxophone, With high F# key, Captivates with improved playability and sturdy...

⭐ 5.0/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 473640
$3,156
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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