AudioFu

Best Tenor Saxophones for Jazz 2025

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

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

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
Yamaha YTS-62A 02 Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Yamaha YTS-62A 02 Tenor Sax

by Yamaha
Soul Blues Jazz
Key Feature:
• Classic saxophone literature
✓ PROS
  • • Iconic jazz and blues sound
  • • Perfect for solo work
✗ CONS
  • • Transport case is bulky
  • • Larger and heavier than alto

Yamaha YTS-62A 02 Tenor SaxTenor SaxophoneBrass body with amber lacquer finish62 S-bow2-piecehand-engraved...

⭐ 4.8/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 590651
$4,388
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Axos Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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-480 Tenor Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Yamaha YTS-480 Tenor Sax Set

by Yamaha
Soul Jazz R&B
Key Feature:
• Deep, rich tenor voice
✓ PROS
  • • Classic saxophone literature
  • • Perfect for solo work
✗ CONS
  • • Transport case is bulky
  • • Requires more air support

Yamaha YTS-480 Tenor Sax Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Yamaha YTS-480 Tenor Sax*Tenor Saxophone*New modelSuccessor of...

⭐ 5.0/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 544193
$2,771
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIM

by Selmer
Big Band Blues Jazz
Key Feature:
• Iconic jazz and blues sound
✓ PROS
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
  • • Iconic jazz and blues sound
✗ CONS
  • • Larger and heavier than alto
  • • Requires more air support

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

⭐ 4.7/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 575740
$10,064
Buy at Thomann View Details
Forestone RX Gold Lacquered Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Forestone RX Gold Lacquered Tenor Sax

by Forestone
Jazz Rock Big Band
Key Feature:
• Deep, rich tenor voice
✓ PROS
  • • Great projection and presence
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive than alto models
  • • Larger and heavier than alto

Forestone RX Gold Lacquered Tenor SaxBb Tenor saxophonePowerful and modern soundFlexible use - suitable for all...

⭐ 4.8/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 422826
$5,664
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
Forestone GX Cognac Lacquered Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Forestone GX Cognac Lacquered Tenor Sax

by Forestone
Big Band Soul Jazz
Key Feature:
• Perfect for solo work
✓ PROS
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • Requires more air support
  • • More expensive than alto models

Forestone GX Cognac Lacquered Tenor SaxBb Tenor SaxophoneMaterial: BrassFlanged tone holesHand-engraved bellPisoni...

⭐ 4.8/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 570962
$3,838
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
Thomann TTS-180 Tenor Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

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
Thomann TTS-180 Vintage Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Thomann TTS-180 Vintage Tenor Sax

by Thomann
Soul Jazz Rock
Key Feature:
• Deep, rich tenor voice
✓ PROS
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
  • • Great projection and presence
✗ CONS
  • • Requires more air support
  • • Transport case is bulky

Thomann TTS-180 Vintage Tenor SaxophoneTenor SaxophoneHigh F# keyFront F keyBodyneckand mechanical parts made from...

⭐ 4.5/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 475546
$637
Buy at Thomann View Details
Selmer Supreme Tenor Sax SE-TSUL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Forestone RX Unlacquered Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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 Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Yamaha YTS-280 Tenor Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Yamaha YTS-280 Tenor Sax Set

by Yamaha
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
Art. 517422
$1,792
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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