Best Beginner Tenor Sax (2026): 4 Picks Compared
Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
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For this search, the Selmer STS301 Student Tenor Saxophone leads with a High F# key and a 2-year warranty. The Jean Paul TS-400SP follows at 6.3 lb with a High F# key and a mouthpiece.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Students who want a Bb tenor saxophone with a High F# key: Selmer STS301 Student Tenor Saxophone See pick 1More picks: Best Tenor Saxophone for Students
- Beginners who want a Bb tenor saxophone with a mouthpiece: Jean Paul Student Tenor Saxophone TS-400SP See pick 2More picks: Best Tenor Saxophone for Beginners
- Players who want a Bb tenor saxophone with 10 reeds: Glory Black/Gold B Flat Tenor Saxophone See pick 3
- Beginners who want a Bb tenor saxophone with a carrying case: EASTROCK B Flat Tenor Saxophone Golden See pick 4More picks: Best Beginner Tenor Saxophone
Want the full range? Best Tenor Sax ranks the top tenor saxophones for every buyer, or browse all 15 guides.
The 4 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
Selmer STS301 Student Tenor Saxophone
- High F# key
- Case or gig bag included
- Mouthpiece included not stated in the listing
- Key: Bb
- Finish: Gold Lacquer
- 2-year warranty stated
It earns Best Overall as a Bb tenor saxophone with a High F# key and a 2-year warranty.
Who it suits
- Students who want a Bb tenor saxophone with a High F# key
- Players who want a 2-year warranty
Skip it if
- You want a warranty longer than 2 years
- You want a saxophone in a key other than Bb
The box holds a tenor saxophone and a case. The saxophone is a Bb tenor model with a High F# key, a ribbed body, an adjustable thumb rest, and a hand-engraved bell. The saxophone has a gold lacquer finish and carries a 2-year warranty.
2Runner-Up
Jean Paul Student Tenor Saxophone TS-400SP
- High F# key
- Case or gig bag included
- Mouthpiece included
- Key: Bb
- Finish: Silver-Plated
- 1 year warranty stated
It pairs a Bb tenor saxophone with a High F# key, a mouthpiece, and a 6.3 lb weight.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a Bb tenor saxophone with a mouthpiece
- Players who want a saxophone at 6.3 lb
Skip it if
- You want a saxophone lighter than 6.3 lb
- You want a warranty longer than 1 year
The box holds a tenor saxophone, a semi-hard carrying case, a mouthpiece, a neck strap, a cleaning cloth, and a reed. The saxophone is a Bb tenor model with a High F# key in a silver-plated finish. The saxophone weighs 6.3 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.
3Also Great
Glory Black/Gold B Flat Tenor Saxophone
- High F# key not stated in the listing
- Case or gig bag included
- Mouthpiece included
- Key: Bb
- Finish: Polished
It pairs a Bb tenor saxophone with a polished black finish and 10 reeds.
Who it suits
- Players who want a Bb tenor saxophone with 10 reeds
- Players who want a case and gloves in the box
Skip it if
- You want a saxophone lighter than 13.8 lb
- You want more than 10 reeds in the box
The box holds a tenor saxophone, a case, a cleaning cloth, and gloves. The saxophone is a Bb tenor model with a polished black finish and 10 reeds. The saxophone weighs 13.8 lb with a mouthpiece in the box.
4Also Great
EASTROCK B Flat Tenor Saxophone Golden
- High F# key not stated in the listing
- Case or gig bag included
- Mouthpiece included
- Key: Bb
- Finish: Lacquered
It pairs a Bb tenor saxophone with a lacquered golden finish and a carrying case.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a Bb tenor saxophone with a carrying case
- Players who want reeds and a neck strap in the box
Skip it if
- You want a saxophone lighter than 17.4 lb
- You want a saxophone in a key other than Bb
The box holds a tenor saxophone, a hard carrying case, a mouthpiece, reeds, a neck strap, gloves, and a cleaning kit. The saxophone is a Bb tenor model with a lacquered golden finish. The kit also holds cushion pads, a cleaning rod, and alcohol pads.
Side by side
| Product | High F# key | Case or gig bag included | Mouthpiece included | Key | Finish | Reeds included | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selmer STS301 Student Tenor Saxophone | Yes | Yes | Not stated | Bb | Gold Lacquer | Not stated | Not stated | 2-year |
| Jean Paul Student Tenor Saxophone TS-400SP | Yes | Yes | Yes | Bb | Silver-Plated | Not stated | 6.3 lb | 1 year |
| Glory Black/Gold B Flat Tenor Saxophone | Not stated | Yes | Yes | Bb | Polished | Not stated | 13.8 lb | Not stated |
| EASTROCK B Flat Tenor Saxophone Golden | Not stated | Yes | Yes | Bb | Lacquered | Not stated | 17.4 lb | Not stated |
How we ranked these tenor saxophones
Every pick has at least 100 customer ratings on Amazon and a listing with real specifications. The order mixes two things: how each model compares on the specs below (higher share of the best value in this group scores more), and how widely it is bought. The spec score runs from 9.0 to 9.8 and only compares these picks with each other. A spec the listing does not state is left out and the other specs are re-weighted; a listing with fewer than 2 stated specs is scored at half. We do not test gear in person. Full method.
- High F# key weight 2
- Case or gig bag included weight 1
- Mouthpiece included weight 1
Buying advice: beginner tenor sax
Check the key and the High F# key
Key and the High F# key decide which notes the saxophone covers. The four saxophones here are Bb tenor models, and the Selmer and Jean Paul models have a High F# key. Use the key and the High F# key with the case and mouthpiece to compare the models.
Count what comes in the box
A case comes with each saxophone here, so check the extras next. The Jean Paul box adds a mouthpiece, a neck strap, a cleaning cloth, and a reed, and the EASTROCK box adds a mouthpiece, reeds, a neck strap, gloves, and a cleaning kit. The Glory box adds 10 reeds, a mouthpiece, a cleaning cloth, and gloves.
Compare weight before you buy
Weight figures help compare the heavier models. The Jean Paul saxophone weighs 6.3 lb, the Glory saxophone weighs 13.8 lb, and the EASTROCK saxophone weighs 17.4 lb. Use those figures with the finish and the case to compare the models.
Frequently asked questions
Are these saxophones in the key of Bb?
Yes. The four saxophones here are Bb tenor models, including the Selmer STS301 and the Jean Paul TS-400SP.
Which saxophones have a High F# key?
The Selmer STS301 and the Jean Paul TS-400SP have a High F# key. The Selmer model carries a 2-year warranty.
Do these saxophones come with a case?
Yes. The four saxophones here each come with a case. The Jean Paul case is a semi-hard carrying case.
Which saxophone weighs 6.3 lb?
The Jean Paul TS-400SP weighs 6.3 lb. The Glory saxophone weighs 13.8 lb, and the EASTROCK saxophone weighs 17.4 lb.
Gear that goes with it
Best MetronomeTop pick: Sondery Digital Metronome Rechargeable Vocal Counting
Best Wooden Music StandTop pick: Gator Frameworks Wooden Sheet Music Stand Designed
Best TrumpetTop pick: Eastar ETR-390 Standard B Flat Trumpet
Best ClarinetTop pick: VANPHY Bb Clarinet 17 Keys Flat B ClarinetMore tenor saxophones guides
Specifications and availability come from each Amazon listing on Oct 24, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.