Best Alto Saxophones For 2024- Tested & Reviewed

Whether you’re a jazz cat or a classical aficionado, choosing a new instrument can be one of the most exciting things you can do as a saxophonist. However, it can also be overwhelming, with so many options on the market.

In the last 3 months, we tested 17 different Alto saxophones from different brands from Amazon. And finally, we come back with a result.

This guide will take you through the different brands and the top makers of musical instruments so you can make an informed decision that will hopefully lead to many hours of happy music-making.

Top 5 Best Alto Saxophones

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1. Jean Paul AS-400

Description:

My first impression of this sax was not favorable. It’s a weird color and the cork on the neck is really thin so I thought oh man how am I going to get this to tune properly? Surprisingly, though, I had it in tune within 30 seconds with hardly any adjustment to the mouthpiece on the neck (pro tip: middle C on a piano is a middle A on an alto sax if you don’t have a tuner). Embouchure has a lot to do with whether your sax plays in tune, but If you don’t have the mouthpiece situated on the neck properly, it will never be in tune. So move that mouthpiece around if you’re constantly just a little flat or sharp (pull back if you’re sharp and push it farther on if you’re flat).

Suffice it to say I really didn’t have high hopes for this cheap saxophone, but the sound quality is very, very good. It is equivalent to my Vito in sound (if not looks) and this is honestly a horn that a student could play through high school if it holds up. The thinness of the cork on the neck makes me think that eventually, the cork on the neck will have to be replaced because over time the cork smooshes down and I think you’ll have to keep pushing it on farther and farther to get it to play in tune, but that is a cheap fix. I don’t know how it would hold up to everyday play for a student, but right now I’m very happy with this purchase.

I would say if you want a horn that is really and truly for sure going to last your students for their whole school career, invest $1,205 right now in a Yamaha YAS 26, which you can also get on Amazon. That is going to be a horn that for sure will hold up, which this one I definitely can’t guarantee. But if you don’t know if your kid is going to play for long, it’s worth the investment because you can turn around and sell this one used and still recoup most of your money. Saxophones cost about $75 a month to rent, so if your student plays for 9 months and quits, it’s still cheaper in the long run to just buy this one outright rather than rent and return.

2. Gold Laquer E Flat

Description:

This is my second Glory alto sax. The first one I got was the blue with silver keys (I love that horn). I have played the blue sax for 2 years: it is in tune, has a clear sound, and the action is great. I have not had any problems with it breaking down bigger than losing a cork or 2 and by now it has a lot of miles on it. The pads are just now starting to look a little worn, and I am overstating “a little worn”…it still plays about 99% as good as it did when it came out of the box.

Now the new horn…the ENGRAVED FLOWER DESIGN-Glory High-Grade Antique finish series PR4. The horn is beautiful, and just like the blue one plays near-perfect right out of the box. There is a little flutter on low C if I play below mf, but I’m gigging so no worries there! This horn is loud while still having the great, clear sound of the blue model. Every pad (EVERY pad) has a metal tone booster, so plan on playing this in a big band and not having to blow your brains out. I haven’t had much volume trouble with the blue one, but the metal tone boosters are a plus in case I don’t have a mic and am playing in a big club.

Finally, the engraving is top-notch and stands out over a dark silver-brush finish. Both of these saxes were meticulously set up right before being shipped, something you probably can’t say about that $3000 Selmer you just got! Yes, these come off an assembly line, but so far the machinery and keywork are perfect. They are near-flawless Selmer USA clones, and this new one feels a bit closer to an SA. The action feels a little faster, and the keys are slightly lower than the blue’s (not much, but noticeable). The springs are a little stiff, but I think they are the same as the blue’s, and know they will break in nicely.

Cost…come on. Get the 3-year accident protection. So the new horn cost me 275-ish altogether and if I drop it or if a key breaks or someone steps on it, I can cash in the protection for a new sax! Both saxes and I’m only in for about 550 and so far have not had to use the protection plan, but why not get it just in case when these amazing saxes are so cheap?

One more thing, this sax came in the sporty gig bag seen (black with light-blue trim). I swapped cases on my saxes to have the gig bag match my blue sax and the straight black case match my new sax. Inside it comes with a case strap, neck strap, mouthpiece (have never tried it), some reeds, cleaning cloth, silica gel, cork grease, tweezers (!), and a flat-head screwdriver.

3. Eastar AS-Ⅱ Student

Description:

I just got this saxophone in the mail today. The sound achieved by the sax was way better than I expected. I used to play in middle school and high school and it has been 20 years since I haven’t touched a sax, this is the perfect fit for someone ready to jump back in without having to drain your wallet. The package was a little beat up from shipping you know those brutes at FedEx throw it harder if it says fragile. However the sax inside that super nicely packed case was unharmed, it came with everything advertised. Yes, it’s cheap items it’s not high-end gloves, reeds, mouthpieces, or cleaning cloths however starting with nothing this is all you need in one package.

The synthetic reed that comes with don’t throw it away like I did lol! It looked weird like a mock-up reed it’s very plain and black however it gives a full sound I’d say it’s a better reed than the cane ones that come with the sax. I will suggest dropping a little more cash and investing in your own 4C Yamaha mouthpiece and some decent cane reeds depending on your level choose the right size I like 2.0 and 2.5 but beginners like young adults should probably start at 1.0, or 1.5.

Always try cane reeds first before buying a synthetic one like Légiére reeds because those are 30 dollars per reed so you wanna make sure you have the right size before you blow your cash on it.

From what I know Legiere will replace 1 reed per year if yours breaks or is the wrong size. Anyway back to the sax. The pads are very good for the price and the finish is beautiful with very nice craftsmanship. The mouthpiece and the neck fit perfectly. None of the keys stick. It also comes with a free sax stand usually those run for 30 bucks a pop. Not the greatest quality on the stand but the padding is good and the sturdiness is great it’s made of strong aluminum not bendable easily, and it’s incredibly lightweight. Frankly, I’m amazed, and from now on may become an Easter fan.

The quality plus price cannot be beaten. The sound is good enough for beginners and intermediates if you are an expert I do not recommend this sax as the sound is not as warm as other saxophones out there. Would I recommend this product to beginners and intermediates? Absolutely.

4. Mendini By Cecilio Eb

Description:

I received my Mendini Saxophone several weeks ago and was not sure what to expect. Some buyers complained about the quality of the arrived item. I had no such problem and found the sax to be playable right out of the box! The tone is very good and all of the keys were operational including the very lowest. It has been an absolute delight!

That being said, you get a lot for your money and there are several items to take more of! The case is well-designed and carries everything I need. Some said that it fell apart after a week. That is why I say “You get what you pay for”. I treat all items very carefully like it’s gold and make sure to be gentle at all times. If you have a child who has their first instrument, you should stress that this is not a toy and teach them how to treat the sax and the case with care.

Also under “You Get What You Pay For”, I found the neck strap useless as it kept slipping out of the strap loop, the reeds were not great and the mouthpiece was adequate at most. Plan on spending an extra $75 for a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece, buy a ten-pack of Vandoren or Rico reeds, and buy the Petift Cleaning Kit which includes a large cloth that can be put through the bell to clean it, a better strap to replace the one which comes with the sax, and a cleaning brush for the mouthpiece. All can be found on Amazon.

Overall, with or without the included modifications, I would highly recommend this saxophone!

An update 2 years later: during the pandemic, this instrument got little play but I picked it up 21 months after first purchasing it and am playing it daily for 30-60 minutes a day. It is holding up and the case is still in 1 piece! I had an incident with the G# key falling off but found the screw and have kept an eye on maintaining the sax. I recommend you buy a saxophone stand for it and keep it in a conspicuous area for the musician playing it since just looking at it makes you want to play more!

5. YAMAHA YAS-280

Description:

For those who are looking at the YAS-280, I am going to share my process and my experience.

• This product is authentic
• You cannot register it on the US Yamaha website. The reason is that they don’t have the YAS-280 added to their system. It is an Asian market product.
• You can verify the product by contacting Yamaha Japan or Korea. They will tell you when/ where it was built.
• Serial numbers on Yamahas are not given to a specific instrument line. I know. My serial number for the YAS-280 is a duplicate for a flute in the Midwest and began to panic.
• Korea and the US are on different timeframes. They answer while we are sleeping. This company did the same thing I did and contacted Yamaha Korea. They got the same verification I did.
• The seller is required by Amazon to show bills of purchase and authentication for the Yamaha line.
• Overall, the YAS-280 is a lovely product. The sound is clear and it plays well.

Best of Luck!

Conclusion:

The alto saxophone is ideal for beginner sax players of all ages. While there are a lot of different brands and models out there, these tips will help you make the right choice to suit you.

And when you’re ready, take a look at Sax School Online – from putting together your sax to your first notes, your first song right through to advanced jazz tactics, there’s all the resources, support, and inspiration you need.