Best Recorders of 2025

"I needed to order a recorder in a rush when I found out my child needed one for music class. This Yamaha model was recommended by the teacher. It arrived quickly with Prime shipping, and I’m really pleased with the quality and durability. I might even get a spare!"

"As my son practices, I hear a mix of tunes that I can't quite recognize. This recorder has brought back fond memories of my own school days. It seems well-made and has held up nicely so far, surviving the rough treatment from my son’s backpack."

"I bought a few of these for my kids. They are just as nostalgically annoying as I remember from my own school days, but they sound great when played correctly. I'm glad to have a low-cost alternative to school-issued recorders."

"I purchased these for my grandkids and great-grandkids. The sound is decent, and I think they make a great starting point for very young musicians."

"As a volunteer music teacher in Cuellaje, Ecuador, I ordered these recorders to help the students learn music. They have been durable over the past six months, and we've been practicing simple songs. The students are excited to perform!"

"I found these recorders to be a bit lacking in quality. They are okay for small children to practice at home, but I wouldn't rely on them for anything more serious."

"I found this recorder well made and easy to play. The pricing is also great, making it perfect for musical fun!"

"This recorder was exactly what my daughter needed for school, and I appreciate the great quality at an affordable price!"

"I bought this recorder to practice. While it’s decent for notes up to High C, I found it limited for playing hymns with notes below Middle C."

"I was really pleased with the beautiful color of this recorder and how easy it is to use. The size is just right for my child, and it has shown good durability."

"I bought this for my granddaughter, and it has been a great choice! It disassembles easily for cleaning and has a pleasant sound. She loves it and enjoys using it with her classmates."

"As a parent, I had forgotten how painful it can be to listen to bad recorder playing. This one is solid and functional, but I just hope my child will turn out to be a musical prodigy!"

"I love how vibrant and eye-catching this recorder is! It really stands out at school, and I never worry about it getting mixed up with others. Plus, it comes with a case and cleaning tool!"

"This recorder is perfect for my son as a beginner. He finds it easy to hold, and it's a fun way for him to learn music while improving his fine motor coordination!"

"I needed an instrument for my home rehearsals, and this one worked perfectly! It feels just like the one at school, making it a great transition tool."

"I bought this recorder for my kid's school classes, and it’s great! It's lightweight, easy to use, and produces a clear sound. Plus, it comes in a very protective case."

"After seeing my daughter interested in flute, I decided to get her this Nuvo recorder. She loves it! The intonation is good enough for her, and I also got one for my younger child who enjoys playing too. It’s been a hit with them both!"

"I got this recorder to relive my school days. The silicone key flaps are very comfortable and light. It comes in a plastic tube with a note guide, though I wish it had a cleaning rod. The sound is clean, and I'm excited to learn children's songs for my grandchild!"

“I found the sound to be what you'd expect from a plastic recorder.”

“I purchased these for a class, and they are worth the money for decent quality.”

“While they looked good and came with a cleaning stick, I noticed that they are off tune when played.”

“Overall, I think this is a great cheap recorder! I have some musical experience, but I’ve never played a wind instrument before. It was surprisingly easy to pick up and learn, and I quickly figured out a major scale. There were some initial difficulties with fingering and articulation, but over time it became less challenging. While the highest notes aren’t perfectly in tune, for the price, it’s a fun instrument to mess around with.”

“I purchased this for my son, and I was pleasantly surprised by its clear and loud sound. My two-year-old initially struggled with the holes, but after a short learning period, he now whistles on it like a pro! I really appreciate the value for the quality, and even my husband enjoys creating tunes on it. The plastic feels durable, and I believe it will last a long time.”

“I honestly wasn’t excited when I heard my son’s class needed recorders. It brought back memories of my mom yelling at me while I played those nursery songs. However, I found this recorder to be a cool color and it does its job well for a cheap price, so I’m giving it 5 stars.”

"I bought this for my daughter, who needed a recorder for school since she didn't want to share with others. The color is super cute and matches the description perfectly. It came with a carrying case and cleaning tool, which she loves. This recorder fits easily in her backpack, and it's made of strong plastic material. Durability is great as she's a bit clumsy. It plays notes well and is easy to hold and carry."

"I decided to get a new recorder for my 9-year-old instead of borrowing one from school, and I'm glad I did! The quality is fantastic and it's very durable, doing its job well for a great price!"

"This recorder was for my 6-year-old daughter, and she absolutely loves it! It sounds decent and is of good quality, just what we were looking for!"

“I was very pleased with the quality of these recorders. My kids love them, and they are truly easy to learn to play even without previous music knowledge. Probably the best purchase I've made recently!”

“I received a very nice set of recorders. The quality was excellent, although I can't comment on the music they make since I lack a 'recorder' ear. Each came individually sealed with directions. I would definitely buy again.”

“I bought these for my three children to avoid sharing issues. They come apart into three pieces. Each recorder includes a heavy-duty plastic bag and a paper with all the notes and finger positions, plus a cleaning rod. They sound good, although I wouldn't know a bad recorder sound from a good one. I recommend purchasing if you need multiple instruments.”