Best Clarinet Reeds of 2025

"I've been using Vandoren CR1035 Bb Clarinet Reeds (Strength 3.5) for quite some time now, and I can confidently say they are some of the best reeds on the market! The quality is consistently high, crucial for achieving the sound I want in practice and performance. They provide a great balance of flexibility and strength, allowing for easy articulation and rich tone production. The box of 10 is also a great value, ensuring I always have reliable reeds on hand."

"I recently purchased this product, and I am extremely satisfied! It is high quality, durable, and incredibly useful for everyday needs. Despite its excellent quality, it’s very reasonably priced, making it a fantastic value. This product has exceeded my expectations!"

"These Vandoren traditional reeds deliver exceptional sound quality with a rich tone and excellent response across all registers. They handle both legato and staccato transitions effortlessly, making them ideal for diverse playing styles. Whether practicing or performing, these reeds never disappoint."

"I find these Rico Bb Clarinet Reeds to be excellent for beginners! They're easy to use and produce a great sound. The 10-pack is a fantastic value, and the strength 2.5 is just right for smooth playing."

"As a middle school student who plays both alto sax and clarinet, I can confidently say that these reeds, along with D'addario, are my favorite!"

"We have two kids in band and have tried many reeds over the years. I've tried saving money with off-brands, but the quality of Rico reeds is definitely worth the extra cost!"

"I find these reeds to be nice and inexpensive. My middle school clarinet player rotates them daily for band practice."

"I've always preferred Rico brand for reeds. They’re sturdy and produce a great sound."

"I bought these clarinet reeds for my son, and I'm pleased to say that the Rico brand is a quality product."

"As a clarinet player, I depend on Vandoren CR193 Bb Clarinet V.12 Reeds for their reliable performance. They offer the perfect blend of flexibility and stability, allowing me to play effortlessly across my instrument's range. Each reed is crafted with care, ensuring uniformity, which means I don’t have to struggle to find the right fit. Whether I’m practicing or performing, I can always rely on these reeds for rich tones and clarity."

"My daughter has been playing clarinet for a few years, and after using the Vandoren Traditional reeds in the blue box, we decided to try the V-12. The difference was amazing! She experienced minimal break-in time and found one of the reeds great right out of the box, while the other needed a bit more work. Regardless, they were still much better than what she got from the blue boxes."

"I've been playing Van Doren reeds almost exclusively since 1975. While I currently prefer synthetic reeds, the V12 remains my top choice for cane reeds. They work exceptionally well with my Behn Epic mouthpiece. However, I do find that only a small percentage of Van Doren reeds are truly exceptional; the rest require some adjustment, which can be a bit challenging. Nonetheless, I trust this supplier for authentic Van Dorens."

"I've always preferred Rico reeds. After struggling with another brand, I switched back and problem solved!"

"Following my son's band teacher's advice, we ordered these reeds, and they made his clarinet sound so much better. I'm committed to buying these from now on!"

"As a college music education major, these reeds have been perfect for me as a beginner. They're affordable and great for low and middle notes, but I'll need to upgrade as I improve."

“I got these for my daughter who just started clarinet this year. They've proven to be durable and easy for her to handle as a beginner. I'm quite pleased with this choice.”

“Having played clarinet casually for decades, I know a 2.0 reed is considered a beginner one. But honestly, unless the Boston Symphony calls, I'm happy sticking with the Rico 2.0. It suits my needs perfectly!”

“As my daughter begins her clarinet journey in 6th grade, I wanted her to get ahead over summer. These reeds are fantastic for beginners. While her instructor suggests 2.5, I find the #2 much easier for her to produce sound with. Rico has a longstanding reputation for quality.”

"I find these reeds fantastic for my daughter. They are reliable and the quality is excellent. I just wish they had a version for baritone saxophone!"

"Using these reeds has been a game changer for me. They are so much better than the cheap ones. They last a long time and I appreciate the strong case they come in!"

"My daughter prefers these reeds to the regular Vandoren ones. They are easier to use, and the sound from her clarinet is noticeably clearer."

"I've been a repeat buyer for two years now, and these reeds are always recommended by band teachers. The sound quality is exactly why I keep coming back!"

"These reeds were just perfect for my granddaughter. She loved them!"

"As a band kid who plays clarinet, I find these reeds to be incredibly affordable and they produce a great sound. I'm definitely buying more!"

"I found these reeds to be very affordable and they perform just as well as the pricier options. The sound quality is excellent, and I've gotten a good amount of use out of them before needing replacements. I definitely recommend these for anyone starting with the clarinet!"

"I bought these reeds for my little brother, and he says they work great for his clarinet! This is my second time purchasing them because they really deliver."

"My daughter just started playing the clarinet and needed extra reeds. I was worried about the specific kind she wanted, but these worked amazing! They arrived quickly, and it was a great purchase."

"My daughter has been playing clarinet for six years across various bands, and she insists that this brand is the best. After trying three other brands, she switched from 2.5 to 3 strength, and she's been happier with the performance."

"I was new to clarinet, so I started with a pack of strength 2 reeds. It's a plus that I could order just three and gradually increase my strength without committing to a full box of ten. Playing hasn't been tough, possibly thanks to the quality of the reed, but one reed only lasted three weeks with daily practice."

"After a long break from playing, I realized I probably shouldn't have started back with strength 3 reeds. They were a bit challenging initially, but after a few months of casual jazz sessions, I’d consider moving to a stiffer reed, maybe 4 or 4.5. However, they do their job well and have that nice new-reed taste!"