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Best Tenor Saxophones Under $5,000 2025

Affordable tenor saxophones under $5,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: November 12, 2025 • Next update: November 19, 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
Yanagisawa T-WO1 Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Yanagisawa T-WO1 Tenor Sax

by Yanagisawa
Blues Jazz Rock
Key Feature:
• Iconic jazz and blues sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great projection and presence
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
✗ CONS
  • • Larger and heavier than alto
  • • More expensive than alto models

Yanagisawa T-WO1 Tenor SaxophoneTenor SaxophoneProfessional modelBrass body and keysHigh F# keyC#/Bb leverHand...

⭐ 4.4/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 365452
$4,168
Buy at Thomann View Details
Schagerl SuperiorPro Tenor Sax T-2L - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
Yamaha YTS-480 Tenor Sax Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
Thomann Custom Line TLBGMG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Thomann Custom Line TLBGMG

by Thomann
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
Art. 165435
$2,308
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YTS-480 Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Yamaha YTS-480 Tenor Sax

by Yamaha
Big Band Jazz Blues
Key Feature:
• Iconic jazz and blues sound
✓ PROS
  • • Deep, rich tenor voice
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • Larger and heavier than alto
  • • More expensive than alto models

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

⭐ 4.6/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 279391
$2,748
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thomann Custom Line TSBBS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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
Yamaha YTS-62A 02 Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
Yamaha YTS-480S Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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 TSBGG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Thomann Custom Line TSBGG

by Thomann
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
Art. 165438
$2,034
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thomann Custom Line Bronze TLBBZG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

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 Custom Line TSBBG - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Thomann Custom Line TSBBG

by Thomann
Blues R&B Jazz
Key Feature:
• Iconic jazz and blues sound
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for solo work
  • • Classic saxophone literature
✗ CONS
  • • Neck strap essential for comfort
  • • Larger and heavier than alto

Thomann Custom Line TSBBGTenor SaxophoneBlack nickel-plated bodyGold lacquered mechanicsStandard scaleHigh f# keyFrench...

⭐ 4.9/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 165434
$2,408
Buy at Thomann View Details
Rampone & Cazzani Performance Line Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Forestone GX Cognac Lacquered Tenor Sax - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Schagerl SuperiorPro Tenor Sax T-2V - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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

Yamaha YTS-280S Tenor Sax

by Yamaha
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
Art. 279386
$2,198
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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