Best Clarinet for Beginners (2026): 5 Picks Compared
Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
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The Mendini by Cecilio Ebonite Bb Clarinet leads for most beginners: 17 keys in Bb with 10 reeds, a mouthpiece, a stand and a hard case at 3.7 lb. If you want two mouthpieces and a thumb rest in the kit, the Eastar ECL-300 is the Runner-Up with a 12-month warranty.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Beginners who want a complete Bb clarinet kit: Mendini by Cecilio Ebonite Bb Clarinet Kit See pick 1More picks: Best Beginner Clarinet
- Beginners who want an ebonite Bb clarinet: Eastar B Flat Ebonite Clarinet Beginner See pick 2
- Beginners who want 2 replaceable barrels: EASTROCK Bb Clarinet 17 Keys ABS Material See pick 3
- Beginners who want a portable Bb clarinet kit: VANPHY Bb Clarinet 17 Keys Flat B Clarinet See pick 4More picks: Best Portable Clarinet
- Beginners who want 10 reeds in the kit: Rhythm Bb Clarinet 17 Nickel Keys Woodwind See pick 5
Want the full range? Best Clarinet ranks the top clarinets for every buyer, or browse all 23 guides.
The 5 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
Mendini by Cecilio Ebonite Bb Clarinet Kit
- Case or gig bag included
- Mouthpiece included
- Key: Bb
- Body material: Ebonite
- Keys (on the body): 17
- Reeds included: 10
- 1 year warranty stated
It earns Best Overall with 17 Bb keys, 10 reeds and a full kit: case, stand, mouthpiece and cork grease.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a complete Bb clarinet kit
- New players who want 10 reeds in the box
Skip it if
- You want more than 10 reeds to start
- You want a 2-year warranty
The kit holds the clarinet, a 4C mouthpiece with ligature and cap, 10 reeds, a barrel, a hard case, a foldable stand, cork grease, a practice book, a cleaning cloth and gloves. It has 17 nickel-plated keys in Bb and weighs 3.7 lb. It carries a 1-year warranty against manufacturer defects.
2Runner-Up
Eastar B Flat Ebonite Clarinet Beginner
- Case or gig bag included
- Mouthpiece included
- Key: Bb
- Body material: Ebonite
- Keys (on the body): 17
- 12-month warranty stated
It takes Runner-Up with 17 Bb keys, two 4C mouthpieces and a 12-month warranty.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want an ebonite Bb clarinet
- New players who want a thumb rest included
Skip it if
- You want a 2-year warranty
- You want more than 6 mouthpiece cushions
The package includes the clarinet, a stand, two 4C mouthpieces, six mouthpiece cushions, a thumb rest, a cleaning kit, a hard case and gloves. It uses the Boehm 17-key system with nickel-plated keys in Bb. It carries a 12-month product warranty.
3Also Great
EASTROCK Bb Clarinet 17 Keys ABS Material
- Case or gig bag included
- Mouthpiece included
- Key: Bb
- Body material: ABS
- Keys (on the body): 17
It holds Also Great with 17 Bb keys, ABS body and 2 replaceable barrels at 4 lb.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want 2 replaceable barrels
- New players who want an ABS clarinet
Skip it if
- You want more than 2 barrels
- You need a lighter clarinet for carrying
It has 17 nickel-plated keys in Bb with an ABS body and matte finish. Two replaceable barrels and a mouthpiece come with a hard case. It weighs 4 lb.
4Also Great
VANPHY Bb Clarinet 17 Keys Flat B Clarinet
- Case or gig bag included
- Mouthpiece included
- Key: Bb
- Body material: ABS
- Keys (on the body): 17
- 60-day warranty stated
It holds Also Great with 17 Bb keys, 2 barrels and a 60-day warranty at 3.6 lb.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a portable Bb clarinet kit
- New players who want 8 mouthpiece cushions
Skip it if
- You want a 1-year warranty
- You want more than 2 barrels
The kit includes the clarinet, a case with strap and padded straps, 2 barrels, a mouthpiece with cap, a cloth, gloves and 8 mouthpiece cushions. It has 17 nickel-plated ABS keys in Bb and weighs 3.6 lb. It carries a 60-day warranty.
5Also Great
Rhythm Bb Clarinet 17 Nickel Keys Woodwind
- Case or gig bag included
- Mouthpiece included not stated in the listing
- Key: Bb
- Keys (on the body): 17
- Reeds included: 10
It holds Also Great with 17 Bb keys, 10 reeds and a cleaning kit at 3.8 lb.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want 10 reeds in the kit
- New players who want a Bb clarinet for band
Skip it if
- You want more than 10 reeds
- You need a lighter clarinet for carrying
The package includes the clarinet, a carrying case, a clarinet stand, 10 reeds and a cleaning and care kit. It has 17 nickel keys in Bb and weighs 3.8 lb.
Side by side
| Product | Case or gig bag included | Mouthpiece included | Key | Body material | Keys (on the body) | Reeds included | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mendini by Cecilio Ebonite Bb Clarinet Kit | Yes | Yes | Bb | Ebonite | 17 | 10 | 3.7 lb | 1 year |
| Eastar B Flat Ebonite Clarinet Beginner | Yes | Yes | Bb | Ebonite | 17 | Not stated | Not stated | 12-month |
| EASTROCK Bb Clarinet 17 Keys ABS Material | Yes | Yes | Bb | ABS | 17 | Not stated | 4 lb | Not stated |
| VANPHY Bb Clarinet 17 Keys Flat B Clarinet | Yes | Yes | Bb | ABS | 17 | Not stated | 3.6 lb | 60-day |
| Rhythm Bb Clarinet 17 Nickel Keys Woodwind | Yes | Not stated | Bb | Not stated | 17 | 10 | 3.8 lb | Not stated |
How we ranked these clarinets
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.
- Case or gig bag included weight 2
- Mouthpiece included weight 1
Buying advice: clarinet for beginners
Start with Bb and 17 keys
The standard student clarinet is in Bb with 17 keys. All five picks here are Bb with 17 keys, so any of them fits a school band. The key of Bb matches school band music, and 17 keys cover the full student range.
Compare what comes in the case
Kits differ more than the clarinets do. The Mendini packs 10 reeds, a stand, cork grease and a practice book; the Eastar adds a second mouthpiece and a thumb rest; the VANPHY adds a strap and 8 mouthpiece cushions. Count the extras you would buy anyway, like reeds and a stand.
Check the warranty before you buy
The Mendini and Eastar carry a 1-year warranty, while the VANPHY carries 60 days. The Eastar package states a 12-month product warranty with quality checks before dispatch. A longer warranty matters for a first instrument that gets daily use, since pads and springs wear with practice.
Frequently asked questions
What key clarinet should a beginner get?
Bb. All five picks here are Bb clarinets with 17 keys, which is the standard student setup for school bands.
How many reeds does a beginner need?
Reeds wear out, so a starter pack helps. The Mendini and Rhythm kits include 10 reeds each, which covers the first months of practice.
Does a beginner need a clarinet stand?
A stand keeps the clarinet safe between practice sessions. The Mendini, Eastar, VANPHY and Rhythm kits all include a stand.
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Specifications and availability come from each Amazon listing on Oct 24, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.