Best Tenor Saxophones of 2026

Nicole Kim Avatar
Nicole Kim
Last Updated: Jan 15, 2026

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Tenor saxophones are a popular choice among jazz musicians and are known for their warm, rich sound. They are larger than alto saxophones and have a lower range, making them a great choice for playing melodies and solos. Some of the most famous jazz musicians, such as John Coltrane and Stan Getz, played the tenor saxophone. They come in a variety of finishes and styles, from classic lacquer to sleek black nickel. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, a tenor saxophone is a versatile and timeless instrument that is sure to impress.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Glory Gold Laquer E Flat Alto Saxophone Cover #TOP 1
Glory Gold Laquer E Flat Alto Saxophone
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Fesley E Flat Alto Saxophone Cover #TOP 2
Fesley E Flat Alto Saxophone
ftb score rating icon 9.8
EASTROCK Tenor Saxophone Cover #TOP 3
EASTROCK Tenor Saxophone
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Tenor Saxophones

Glory Gold Laquer E Flat Alto Saxophone

GLORY
B00OET2ICG
Gold
Glory Gold Laquer E Flat Alto Saxophone Cover
Glory Gold Laquer E Flat Alto Saxophone with 11reeds,8 Pads cushions,case,carekit

The Glory Gold Laquer E Flat Alto Saxophone is an excellent choice for both beginners and professionals who want a high quality saxophone at a cost-effective price. It comes with 11 reeds, 8 mouthpiece cushions, a hard-shell case, neck strap, cleaning cloth & rod, and a pair of gloves. The hand engraved bell decoration and high quality leather pads with metal resonators provide accurate sound hole positions and comfortable finger placement. Additionally, the adjustable key height screws and metal thumb rest make it easy to play for adults and children.

What We Like
Authentic saxophone sound quality
Attractive appearance options
Affordable price point
Beginner and intermediate friendly
Easy to play

Fesley E Flat Alto Saxophone

FSP95G
Gold
Fesley E Flat Alto Saxophone Cover
Fesley Saxophone E Flat Alto Saxophone: Saxofón Alto for Professional, Sax for Beginners & Students, Saxophones with Reeds, Neck Strap, Sax Case & Portable Cleaning Kit, Gold

The Fesley Alto Saxophone is designed for both beginners and professionals, offering a unique electrophoretic coating that enhances sound clarity and resonance. This advanced finish not only protects the instrument but also ensures it looks great over time. You will appreciate the ergonomic key design, which reduces finger fatigue, making it easier to play for longer periods. The handmade Italian leather pads provide airtight performance, ensuring a stable and pure tone, while the blued needle springs allow for precise key operation. Together, these features make the Fesley Alto Saxophone a joy to play.

What We Like
Good for beginners
High quality saxophone
Attractive appearance
Fast delivery

EASTROCK Tenor Saxophone

RED ANTIQUE COPPER
EASTROCK Tenor Saxophone Cover
EASTROCK Tenor Saxophone Red Antique Copper B Flat Tenor Sax Professional Tenor Saxophone for Beginners Students and Musicians with Carrying Case,Mouthpiece,Reeds,Cleaning Kit,Neck Strap

The EASTROCK Tenor Sax is crafted from high-quality copper and features a stunning antique red finish, ensuring both durability and visual appeal. It is meticulously adjusted for excellent sound quality, providing a clear tone without unwanted noise, making your playing more enjoyable. The advanced design utilizes upgraded leather and copper components, enhancing air tightness and smooth performance. Its ergonomic shape allows for comfortable playing during long practice sessions, so you can focus solely on your music, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player.

What We Like
High-quality materials
Excellent sound quality
Comfortable ergonomic design
Versatile for all skill levels
#TOP 4

YoungMonic E Flat Alto Saxophone Full Kit

guanyue 024 MN
gold
YoungMonic E Flat Alto Saxophone Full Kit Cover
YoungMonic Alto Saxophone E Flat for Adults Student Sax Eb Alto Full Kit With Carrying Sax Case Mouthpiece Straps Reeds Saxophone Beginner Kit

The YoungMonic Alto Saxophone offers a stunning golden finish with detailed carvings, giving you an elegant and durable instrument that lasts for years. Its design makes playing smooth and comfortable, whether you are just starting out or already experienced, so you can enjoy making music without strain. The saxophone produces a rich and expressive sound that fits many musical styles, from jazz to classical, helping you explore your creativity. Plus, its protective lacquer keeps it looking new by preventing scratches and wear, ensuring your instrument stays beautiful and reliable through regular use.

What We Like
Excellent sound quality
Affordable price point
Ideal for beginners
Solid craftsmanship
Attractive appearance
#TOP 5

Henri Selmer Mark VI Alto Saxophone

140000
Henri Selmer Mark VI Alto Saxophone Cover
Selmer Mark Vi Alto Saxophone

The Selmer Mark VI Saxophone is a refurbished instrument, meaning it has been carefully restored to excellent condition so you can enjoy a reliable and well-maintained saxophone. It features the original lacquer, which preserves the classic look and feel, adding to its vintage appeal. The saxophone has a unique serial number 140,000, helping you identify its place in the production line and giving you a sense of its history. Additionally, it has been overhauled by expert technicians, ensuring that all parts work smoothly and the instrument delivers great performance. This makes the Selmer Mark VI Saxophone a smart choice for players seeking quality and classic sound in one package.

What We Like
Refurbished condition
Original lacquer finish
Unique serial number
Expert overhaul
#TOP 6

Yamaha YDS-120

YDS-120
YDS-120
YDS-120
Yamaha YDS-120 Cover
Yamaha Soprano Saxophone (YDS-120)

The Yamaha YDS-120 is a soprano saxophone that offers a range of features to enhance your playing experience. With its 15-step volume adjustment, you can easily control the volume to suit your preferences. The headphone terminal and aux in jack allow you to practice silently or play along with your favorite songs. With 73 voices, including 56 for saxophone, you have a wide variety of sounds to choose from. The YDS-120 also features the same key layout as an acoustic saxophone, making it easy to transition from one instrument to another. Additionally, the specially designed mouthpiece ensures optimal sound quality and playability. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, the Yamaha YDS-120 is a versatile and convenient instrument that will take your saxophone playing to the next level.

What We Like
Excellent sound quality
Realistic saxophone key layout
Headphone and direct output
Lightweight and easy to play
Versatile MIDI controller functions
#TOP 7

EASTROCK Black/Golden Alto Saxophone Full Kit

Black/Golden
EASTROCK Black/Golden Alto Saxophone Full Kit Cover
EASTROCK Black/Golden Alto Saxophone E Flat Sax Full Kit for Students Beginner with Carrying Case,Mouthpiece,Mouthpiece Cushion Pads,Cleaning Cloth&Cleaning Rod,White Gloves,Neck Strap

The EASTROCK Black/Golden Alto Saxophone Full Kit is a high-quality musical instrument suitable for students, beginners, school, concert, gifts, and any level players. The saxophone is made of selected h68 copper material and multi-layer painted transparent lacquered black, ensuring durability and non-fading. It features excellent sound quality, professionally adjusted buttons, and upgraded quality leather and copper needle spring for higher air tightness and smoothness. This saxophone is a great investment that comes with a portable lightweight hard case, mouthpiece, neck strap, reeds, mouthpiece cushion pads, cleaning cloth and cleaning rod, white gloves, and alcohol pads. Plus, it has a 1-year manufacturer warranty against defects.

What We Like
Clear, beautiful sound
Attractive color and finish
Great value for beginners
Durable construction
All essential accessories included

Eastar AS-Ⅱ Student Alto Saxophone

EB134-FBA-CA
Golden
AS-Ⅱ
Eastar AS-Ⅱ Student Alto Saxophone Cover
Eastar Student Alto Saxophone E Flat for Beginner Sax Full Kit with Carrying Case, Mouthpiece, Straps, Reeds, Stand, Golden Lacquer, AS-Ⅱ

The Eastar AS-Ⅱ Student Alto Saxophone is an excellent choice for beginner saxophonists. It features a beautiful sound, top-quality materials, and an amazing look. The instrument is made of copper, lead-free welding, and advanced imported leather pads, and has faux mother of pearl inlaid keys. The package includes a carrying case, mouthpiece set, straps, reeds, and a stand. Customers have praised the instrument for its sound and price, but noted some issues with the lower C and D keys.

What We Like
Easy to play and clean
Good sound quality
Affordable price
Responsive keys
Great for beginners
#TOP 9

WUQIMUSC Alto Saxophone Beginner Kit

guanyue024
Gold
WUQIMUSC Alto Saxophone Beginner Kit Cover
WUQIMUSC Alto Saxophone Beginner Kit for Adults & Students - Eb Gold Lacquer Full Brass Instrument with Case, Reeds, Mouthpiece & Cleaning Kit - Professional Sound & Easy to Play (Gold)

The WUQIMUSC Beginner Alto Sax is made with new players in mind, providing an easy-to-play design that helps you build confidence and enjoy making music. Its lightweight body and comfortable key layout make practicing for long periods less tiring, ideal for daily use or school events. You’ll appreciate the warm, rich sound it produces, which suits beginners and those advancing their skills. Made from high-quality brass with a shiny gold finish, it looks professional and stands up to regular use. Plus, its thoughtful design makes it simple to learn and maintain, so you can focus on improving your playing without hassle.

What We Like
Beautiful sound quality
Excellent build and durability
Great value for money
Perfect for beginners
Attractive appearance
#TOP 10

Mendini by Cecilio Alto Saxophone

MAS-BNN+92D+PB
Black & Nickel
Mendini by Cecilio Alto Saxophone Cover
Mendini By Cecilio Alto Saxophone for Beginners with Tuner, Mouthpiece, Case, 10 Reeds, Grease, Cleaning Cloth & Rod, Gloves, Strap, Book (Black Silver)

The Mendini Alto Saxophone is crafted with high-quality materials to deliver a rich and clear sound, perfect for daily practice or performances. Its large bore design helps project your music with depth, while the durable ribbed construction ensures the saxophone lasts through regular use. The keys are ergonomically designed with smooth mother-of-pearl inlays, making it comfortable and easy for you to play for long sessions. Made from brass with a shiny gold finish, this saxophone is not only stylish but also safe and sturdy thanks to lead-free soldering. Whether you’re new to saxophone or more experienced, this instrument offers a stable bass and smooth playability to support your growth as a musician.

What We Like
Affordable price
Attractive appearance
Good starter instrument
Durable case
Comes with accessories
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why are tenor saxes so expensive?

Tenor saxophones can be expensive due to the high-quality accessories and extras they come with, such as neck and bell engravings. Buying a new horn from the manufacturer also adds to the cost, as it usually includes a decent warranty.

2. Is alto sax easier than tenor sax?

Playing the alto saxophone may be easier for younger musicians with smaller hands and lung capacity. However, expert musicians can achieve a wide range of sounds on both instruments. The tenor sax produces a mellow, rich, and deep sound.

3. Is alto or tenor sax better for beginners?

Choosing between the alto and tenor saxophone depends on the player's size and comfort. In general, the alto sax is recommended for beginner children, while adults and older beginners can choose between the alto and tenor based on their preferences and physical capabilities.

4. Which saxophone is the hardest to play?

The soprano saxophone is considered the hardest to play. It is the smallest of the four main saxophones and requires a higher level of skill and control. The soprano saxophone is known for its higher pitch and can be either straight or curved.

5. Is tenor sax harder to play than alto?

The tenor saxophone is slightly more challenging to play than the alto due to its heavier weight, larger size, and requiring more air. However, for adults and teenagers, these differences are not significant. Younger children may find it more difficult to handle a larger instrument like the tenor saxophone.

6. What is the hardest sax to learn?

The soprano saxophone is often considered the hardest to learn among the normal saxophone family. It is the smallest in size and produces a higher pitch. Learning to play the soprano saxophone requires a higher level of skill and control.

7. Is it OK to start on tenor sax?

Starting on the tenor saxophone is perfectly fine, especially for beginners. While it is larger than the alto saxophone, it is still a popular choice for beginners. The tenor sax produces a full, deep, and rich sound, while the alto sax has a higher-pitched sound.

Editor's Notes

During our tenor saxophone research, we found 24 tenor saxophone products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 40,181 customer reviews through our big data system to write the tenor saxophones list. We found that most customers choose tenor saxophones with an average price of $237.00.

The tenor saxophones are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of tenor saxophones, including GLORY, Fesley, EASTROCK, YoungMonic, Henri Selmer. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 209 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Nicole Kim Avatar

Nicole Kim has been a music teacher and a private piano instructor for six years now. She is a very talented musician who plays piano to a high standard and won several awards in international piano competitions. Lately, she has been sharing her music expertise online, giving incredible tips on how to select the right musical instruments.