Best Tenor Trombones 2026
Top-rated tenor trombones 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: February 11, 2026 • Next update: February 18, 2026
#1
⭐
4.7/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Kühnl & Hoyer .547 Bb-Tenor Trombone
Big Band
Jazz
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Classic trombone sound and range
✓ PROS
- • Great for all musical styles
- • Professional standard instrument
✗ CONS
- • Large case for transportation
- • Slide positions require precise intonation
Kühnl & Hoyer .547 Bb-Tenor TromboneBb tenor tromboneNew model with a newly designed bellGold brass bellDiameter...
⭐
4.7/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 267800
$2,811
#2
⭐
4.5/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Kühnl & Hoyer Bart van Lier .480/88" MKII BZ
Marching Band
Orchestra
Big Band
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Classic trombone sound and range
- • Excellent for both melody and harmony
✗ CONS
- • Can be difficult to play softly
- • Requires significant arm length reach
Kühnl & Hoyer Bart van Lier .480/88" MKII BZTenor TromboneMaterial: BrassBronze slideGold lacqueredDouble...
⭐
4.5/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 405436
$3,354
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Michael Rath R3 Tenor YB
by
Michael Rath
Marching Band
Orchestra
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both melody and harmony
✓ PROS
- • Professional standard instrument
- • Excellent for both melody and harmony
✗ CONS
- • Slide positions require precise intonation
- • Can be difficult to play softly
Michael Rath R3 TenorBb Tenor TromboneBore: Ø 0.525" (13.34 mm)Bell size: Ø 8" (203.50 mm)Bell made of...
⭐
4.9/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 349404
$4,178
#4
⭐
4.9/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Kühnl & Hoyer Bart van Lier .500" G Nickel
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
#5
⭐
4.5/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Kühnl & Hoyer 127 NZ Bb- Tenor Trombone
Blues
Classical
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Slide technique enables unique effects
✓ PROS
- • Slide technique enables unique effects
- • Excellent for both melody and harmony
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant arm length reach
- • Large case for transportation
Kühnl & Hoyer 127 NZ Bb- Tenor TromboneBb Tenor TromboneThe curved retaining bar on the body allows a particularly...
⭐
4.5/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 155509
$2,419
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
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
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Kühnl & Hoyer van Lier .480/88" MKII BZ ML
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
#8
⭐
5.0/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
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
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Kühnl & Hoyer Slokar Solo
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
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Kühnl & Hoyer Bart van Lier .512
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
#11
⭐
4.7/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Thomann Classic TB500 GL Trombone
by
Thomann
Jazz
Classical
Blues
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Slide technique enables unique effects
- • Professional standard instrument
✗ CONS
- • Can be difficult to play softly
- • Requires significant arm length reach
Thomann Classic TB500 GLBb Tenor TromboneMedium bore Ø: 1270 mm (.500")Brass bell Ø: 203 mm (8")Nickel...
⭐
4.7/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 288868
$384
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Startone SSL-45 Bb-Tenor Trombone Set
by
Startone
Big Band
Classical
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Professional standard instrument
✓ PROS
- • Slide technique enables unique effects
- • Professional standard instrument
✗ CONS
- • Slide maintenance essential
- • Requires significant arm length reach
Startone SSL-45 Bb-Tenor Trombone Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Startone SSL-45 Bb-Tenor Trombone*Bb Tenor...
⭐
4.5/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 517393
$362
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Kühnl & Hoyer .527 Bb-Tenor Trombone M
Classical
Marching Band
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both melody and harmony
✓ PROS
- • Great for all musical styles
- • Professional standard instrument
✗ CONS
- • Requires significant arm length reach
- • Large case for transportation
Kühnl & Hoyer .527 Bb-Tenor Trombone MBb Tenor TromboneBrass bellNew model with newly designed bellGerman silver...
⭐
4.7/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 227508
$2,705
#14
⭐
4.9/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
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
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
C.G.Conn 8H Bb Tenor Trombone
by
C.G.Conn
Classical
Big Band
Blues
Key Feature:
• Classic trombone sound and range
✓ PROS
- • Classic trombone sound and range
- • Professional standard instrument
✗ CONS
- • Large case for transportation
- • Slide maintenance essential
C.G.Conn 8H Bb Tenor TromboneBb Tenor TromboneBore: 13.89 mmOne-pieceHand hammered gold brass bell: 216 mmGold brass...
⭐
4.6/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 234717
$3,464
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.
