Best Tenor Saxophones for Professional 2026

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

Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 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

Startone STS-75 Tenor Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Startone STS-75 Tenor Sax Set

by Startone

Jazz Soul Blues

Key Feature:

• Iconic jazz and blues sound

✓ PROS

• Classic saxophone literature
• Iconic jazz and blues sound

✗ CONS

• Transport case is bulky
• Larger and heavier than alto

Startone STS-75 Tenor Sax Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Startone STS-75 Tenor Sax*Tenor Saxophone*With high F# keyWith...

⭐ 4.8/5 (5 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 517829

$648

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BetterSax Classic Tenor Saxophone - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (16 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

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

Yamaha YTS-480 Tenor Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (3 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

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

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

⭐ 4.6/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

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

Forestone GX Cognac Lacquered Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

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

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

⭐ 4.6/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

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 Axos Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

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

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Forestone RX Gold Lacquered Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (51 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

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

Schagerl SuperiorPro Tenor Sax T-2V - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Schagerl SuperiorPro Tenor Sax T-2V

by Schagerl

Soul Rock Jazz

Key Feature:

• Iconic jazz and blues sound

✓ PROS

• Deep, rich tenor voice
• Perfect for solo work

✗ CONS

• More expensive than alto models
• Requires more air support

Schagerl SuperiorPro Tenor Sax T-2VTenor SaxophoneHigh F# keyBrass "Vintage"UnvarnishedThis saxophone...

⭐ 4.5/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 473642

$3,266

Buy at Thomann View Details

Schagerl Superior Tenor Sax T-1L - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.9/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Schagerl Superior Tenor Sax T-1L

by Schagerl

Rock Jazz Soul

Key Feature:

• Deep, rich tenor voice

✓ PROS

• Deep, rich tenor voice
• Perfect for solo work

✗ CONS

• Transport case is bulky
• Neck strap essential for comfort

Schagerl Superior Tenor Sax. T-1LTenor saxophoneWith high F# fkeyBrassGold lacqueredElaborate engravingEasy...

⭐ 4.9/5 (45 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 473638

$2,496

Buy at Thomann View Details

Forestone RX Red Brass GL Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.7/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

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

Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.7/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

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

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

#13

⭐ 4.8/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

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 Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIM - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.7/5 (47 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

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

Yamaha YTS-82 ZA Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.9/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Yamaha YTS-82 ZA Tenor Sax

by Yamaha

R&B Big Band Rock

Key Feature:

• Great projection and presence

✓ PROS

• Perfect for solo work
• Classic saxophone literature

✗ CONS

• Neck strap essential for comfort
• More expensive than alto models

Yamaha YTS-82 ZA Tenor SaxTenor SaxophoneBrass body with amber lacquer finishV1 S-bowAdjustable front F keyImproved low...

⭐ 4.9/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 579076

$7,258

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.

Best Tenor Saxophones for Professional 2026

Startone STS-75 Tenor Sax Set

BetterSax Classic Tenor Saxophone

Yamaha YTS-480 Tenor Sax Set

Yamaha YTS-280 Tenor Sax Set

Forestone GX Cognac Lacquered Tenor Sax

Rampone & Cazzani Performance Line Tenor Sax

Selmer Axos Tenor Sax

Forestone RX Gold Lacquered Tenor Sax

Schagerl SuperiorPro Tenor Sax T-2V

Schagerl Superior Tenor Sax T-1L

Forestone RX Red Brass GL Tenor Sax

Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIS

Yamaha YTS-62A 02 Tenor Sax

Selmer Signature Tenor Sax SE-TSIM

Yamaha YTS-82 ZA Tenor Sax

How to Choose the Best Tenor Saxophones

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

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