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Best Tenor Trombones 2025

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

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $500 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Jazz For Classical For Big Band For Orchestra For Marching Band For Blues
BRANDS: Thomann Kühnl & Hoyer pBone music Yamaha Michael Rath
Kühnl & Hoyer Bart VAN Lier .500" Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Kühnl & Hoyer Bart VAN Lier .500" Trombone

by Kühnl & Hoyer
Big Band Jazz Classical
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Classic trombone sound and range
  • • Great for all musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • Slide maintenance essential
  • • Can be difficult to play softly

Kühnl & Hoyer Bart VAN Lier .500" TromboneTenor TromboneBrassNickel silver slidePainted goldBore 12.7 mmBell...

⭐ 4.6/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 169160
$3,475
Buy at Thomann View Details
Michael Rath R10 Tenor NS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Michael Rath R10 Tenor NS

by Michael Rath
Orchestra Jazz Marching Band
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Classic trombone sound and range
  • • Excellent for both melody and harmony
✗ CONS
  • • Slide positions require precise intonation
  • • Requires significant arm length reach

Michael Rath R10 TenorBb tenor tromboneØ 0.5" (12.70mm) boreBell made of nickel silverCan Size Ø 7 1/2...

⭐ 4.6/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 274723
$4,288
Buy at Thomann View Details
Michael Rath R3 Tenor GB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Michael Rath R3 Tenor GB

by Michael Rath
Orchestra Blues Jazz
Key Feature:
• Slide technique enables unique effects
✓ PROS
  • • Professional standard instrument
  • • Classic trombone sound and range
✗ CONS
  • • Requires significant arm length reach
  • • Slide maintenance essential

Michael Rath R3 TenorBb Tenor TromboneBrassBore diameter: 0.525" (13.34 mm)Bell is made from gold brassBell...

⭐ 4.7/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 280021
$4,102
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kühnl & Hoyer .527 Bb-Tenor Trombone GM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Kühnl & Hoyer .527 Bb-Tenor Trombone GM

by Kühnl & Hoyer
Marching Band Jazz Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both melody and harmony
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for both melody and harmony
  • • Professional standard instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Slide maintenance essential
  • • Can be difficult to play softly

Kühnl & Hoyer .527 Bb-Tenor Trombone GMBb tenor tromboneGold brass bellNew model with newly designed bellGerman...

⭐ 4.9/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 227513
$2,858
Buy at Thomann View Details
Michael Rath R1 Tenor M - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Michael Rath R1 Tenor M

by Michael Rath
Classical Blues Jazz
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both melody and harmony
✓ PROS
  • • Great for all musical styles
  • • Slide technique enables unique effects
✗ CONS
  • • Slide positions require precise intonation
  • • Can be difficult to play softly

Michael Rath R1 Tenor MBb Tenor TromboneDual bore: Ø 0.5"/ 0.51" (12.70 mm/12.95 mm)Bell size: Ø 7-...

⭐ 4.8/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 349401
$4,014
Buy at Thomann View Details
Michael Rath R2 Tenor - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Michael Rath R2 Tenor

by Michael Rath
Orchestra Classical Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Classic trombone sound and range
  • • Great for all musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • Large case for transportation
  • • Requires significant arm length reach

Michael Rath R2 TenorBb Tenor TromboneØ 0.510" (12.95mm) boreBell made of yellow brassBell size Ø 7- 1/2"...

⭐ 5.0/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 271804
$4,014
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kühnl & Hoyer Slokar Solo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Kühnl & Hoyer Slokar Solo

by Kühnl & Hoyer
Classical Orchestra Big Band
Key Feature:
• Classic trombone sound and range
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for both melody and harmony
  • • Great for all musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • Slide positions require precise intonation
  • • Can be difficult to play softly

Kühnl & Hoyer Slokar SoloBb Tenor TromboneGold brass bell Ø 230 mmNickel silver slides (245 g)Clear lacquerBore:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 169217
$3,794
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kühnl & Hoyer Bart van Lier .512 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Kühnl & Hoyer Bart van Lier .512

by Kühnl & Hoyer
Jazz Marching Band Blues
Key Feature:
• Professional standard instrument
✓ PROS
  • • Classic trombone sound and range
  • • Excellent for both melody and harmony
✗ CONS
  • • Large case for transportation
  • • Can be difficult to play softly

Kühnl & Hoyer Bart van Lier .512, Bb Tenor trombone "Bart van Lier .512"Especially suitable for jazz,...

⭐ 4.7/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 184304
$3,574
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kühnl & Hoyer Slokar Performance - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Kühnl & Hoyer Slokar Performance

by Kühnl & Hoyer
Jazz Classical Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both melody and harmony
✓ PROS
  • • Great for all musical styles
  • • Professional standard instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Slide positions require precise intonation
  • • Can be difficult to play softly

Kühnl & Hoyer Slokar PerformanceBb Tenor Trombone"Slokar Performance"Gold brass bell Ø 220 mmNickel...

⭐ 4.9/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 169219
$3,848
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thomann Blacky Bb-Tenor Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Thomann Blacky Bb-Tenor Trombone

by Thomann
Blues Orchestra Classical
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Slide technique enables unique effects
  • • Great for all musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • Requires significant arm length reach
  • • Can be difficult to play softly

Thomann Blacky Bb-Tenor TromboneBb- Tenor tromboneBrass bellBell diameter: 203 mmML- boreBore: 12.7 mmColour: Black...

⭐ 4.7/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 503048
$406
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kühnl & Hoyer Bart van Lier .500" G Nickel - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Kühnl & Hoyer Bart van Lier .500" G Nickel

by Kühnl & Hoyer
Big Band Blues Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both melody and harmony
✓ PROS
  • • Professional standard instrument
  • • Excellent for both melody and harmony
✗ CONS
  • • Requires significant arm length reach
  • • Slide positions require precise intonation

Kühnl & Hoyer Bart van Lier .500" G Nickel"Bart van Lier .500" Tenor...

⭐ 4.9/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 192019
$4,068
Buy at Thomann View Details
Kühnl & Hoyer van Lier .480/88" MKII BZ ML - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Kühnl & Hoyer van Lier .480/88" MKII BZ ML

by Kühnl & Hoyer
Jazz Orchestra Blues
Key Feature:
• Professional standard instrument
✓ PROS
  • • Great for all musical styles
  • • Slide technique enables unique effects
✗ CONS
  • • Requires significant arm length reach
  • • Can be difficult to play softly

Kühnl & Hoyer van Lier .480/88" MKII BZ MLTenor TromboneBrassBronze slideDouble bore: 12.2 - 12.4 mmBell Ø:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 605916
$3,628
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha YSL-897 Z Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Yamaha YSL-897 Z Trombone

by Yamaha
Marching Band Orchestra Big Band
Key Feature:
• Professional standard instrument
✓ PROS
  • • Slide technique enables unique effects
  • • Classic trombone sound and range
✗ CONS
  • • Can be difficult to play softly
  • • Large case for transportation

Yamaha YSL-897 ZJazz Trumpet"Reversed type" - Main tuning slideNewly developed BalancerDual bore: Ø 12.29 mm...

⭐ 4.9/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 273665
$3,486
Buy at Thomann View Details
Jupiter JTB710RQ Ergonomic model - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Jupiter JTB710RQ Ergonomic model

by Jupiter
Marching Band Classical Jazz
Key Feature:
• Classic trombone sound and range
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for both melody and harmony
  • • Classic trombone sound and range
✗ CONS
  • • Slide positions require precise intonation
  • • Requires significant arm length reach

Jupiter JTB710RQ Ergonomic modelBb Tenor TromboneModel "Ergonomic"Tuning: BbBore: 12.7 mmBell Ø: 203 mmGold...

⭐ 4.5/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 400971
$967
Buy at Thomann View Details
Thomann Classic TB525 GL Trombone - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Thomann Classic TB525 GL Trombone

by Thomann
Classical Big Band Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Slide technique enables unique effects
✓ PROS
  • • Slide technique enables unique effects
  • • Classic trombone sound and range
✗ CONS
  • • Requires significant arm length reach
  • • Large case for transportation

Thomann Classic TB525 GLBb Tenor TromboneBore: Ø 13.34 mm (.525 ") - medium largeBrass bell: Ø 203.00 mm (8...

⭐ 4.5/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 288870
$461
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Tenor Trombones

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 trombones 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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