Best Tenor Trombones 2026
Top-rated tenor trombones 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
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
#2
⭐
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
#3
⭐
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
#4
⭐
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
#5
⭐
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
#6
⭐
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
#7
⭐
4.7/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Jupiter JTB710RQ Ergonomic Set
by
Jupiter
Orchestra
Blues
Classical
Key Feature:
• Professional standard instrument
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for both melody and harmony
- • Classic trombone sound and range
✗ CONS
- • Can be difficult to play softly
- • Slide positions require precise intonation
Jupiter JTB710RQ Ergonomic Set*Bundle offer comprising*, Jupiter JTB710RQ Ergonomic model*Bb Tenor Trombone*Model...
⭐
4.7/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 528300
$1,040
#8
⭐
4.4/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Thomann Classic TB500 S Trombone
by
Thomann
Big Band
Blues
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Classic trombone sound and range
✓ PROS
- • Professional standard instrument
- • Great for all musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Can be difficult to play softly
- • Slide positions require precise intonation
Thomann Classic TB500 SBb tenor tromboneMedium Bore Ø: 1270 mm (.500 ")Brass bell Ø: 203 mm (8 ")Nickel...
⭐
4.4/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 288557
$406
#9
⭐
5.0/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Yamaha YSL-447 GE II Trombone
by
Yamaha
Classical
Jazz
Marching Band
Key Feature:
• Professional standard instrument
✓ PROS
- • Professional standard instrument
- • Classic trombone sound and range
✗ CONS
- • Large case for transportation
- • Requires significant arm length reach
Yamaha YSL-447 GE II, Bb tenor tromboneThe trombones of the Yamaha 400 series are characterized by a wonderfulfull tone...
⭐
5.0/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 149768
$1,484
#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
⭐
4.6/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
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
#12
⭐
4.8/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha YSL-893DNL Trombone
by
Yamaha
Orchestra
Marching Band
Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent for both melody and harmony
✓ PROS
- • Slide technique enables unique effects
- • Professional standard instrument
✗ CONS
- • Slide positions require precise intonation
- • Large case for transportation
Yamaha YSL-893DNL TromboneJazz TromboneNils Landgren Sigature modelDetachable yellow brass bell: 190.4 mm (7...
⭐
4.8/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 602049
$4,146
#13
⭐
4.6/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Thomann Classic TB525 S Trombone
by
Thomann
Big Band
Blues
Orchestra
Key Feature:
• Great for all musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for both melody and harmony
- • Professional standard instrument
✗ CONS
- • Slide maintenance essential
- • Can be difficult to play softly
Thomann Classic TB525 SBb Tenor TromboneØ 13.34 mm (.525 ") Medium large boreØ 203.00 mm (8 ") brass...
⭐
4.6/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 288560
$494
#14
⭐
4.9/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Thomann Jazz Bb- Tenor Trombone
by
Thomann
Big Band
Orchestra
Marching Band
Key Feature:
• Professional standard instrument
✓ PROS
- • Classic trombone sound and range
- • Great for all musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Can be difficult to play softly
- • Requires significant arm length reach
Thomann Jazz Bb- Tenor TromboneBb Tenor TromboneBlack Jazz versionBrass bell Ø 203 mmOuter slide nickel silverChrome...
⭐
4.9/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 242381
$384
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
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.
