Best Clarinet for College (2026): 5 Picks Compared
Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
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The Mendini kit leads this list with a Bb clarinet, 17 keys, 2 barrels, and a complete kit with case and stand. If you want a second clarinet option with a stand and strap, the VANPHY kit is the Runner-Up with 17 keys and 2 barrels.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Players who want a Bb clarinet with 2 barrels: Mendini by Cecilio Ebonite Bb Clarinet Kit See pick 1
- Beginners and students who want a Bb clarinet kit: VANPHY Bb Clarinet 17 Keys Flat B Clarinet See pick 2More picks: Best Clarinet for Beginners
- Players who want a novelty mustache for a clarinet: Brasstache Clarinet-stache See pick 3
- Marching players who want sheet music positioned for viewing: MusBoard TC10C Clarinet Lyre with Flip Folder See pick 4
- Players who want a cloth for cleaning a clarinet: lightstar Clarinet Care Cleaning Cloth 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
It earns Best Overall with a Bb clarinet, 17 keys, 2 barrels, and 10 reeds in a complete kit.
Who it suits
- Players who want a Bb clarinet with 2 barrels
- Beginners who want a complete kit with case and stand
Skip it if
- You want fewer than 17 keys
- You want fewer than 10 reeds in the kit
The kit pairs a Bb clarinet with 17 keys and 2 barrels for adjusting sound, plus a 4C mouthpiece with ligature and cap. It includes 10 reeds, a hard case, a foldable stand, cork grease, a book with practice guides, a cleaning cloth, and gloves. The nickel-plated keys resist wear, and the clarinet comes in black.
2Runner-Up
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 earns Runner-Up as a Bb clarinet with 17 keys, 2 barrels, and a case with a strap.
Who it suits
- Beginners and students who want a Bb clarinet kit
- Players who want a purple clarinet with a stand
Skip it if
- You want a clarinet heavier than 3.7 lb
- You want a warranty longer than 60 days
The kit pairs a Bb clarinet with 17 nickel-plated keys and 2 barrels for different sounds in different temperatures and climates. It includes a case with a strap, a stand, a mouthpiece with cap, a cloth, gloves, and 8 mouthpiece cushions. The purple ABS body wipes clean with a cloth, and the clarinet weighs 3.7 lb. It carries a 60-day warranty.
3Also Great
Brasstache Clarinet-stache
- Case or gig bag included
- Mouthpiece included not stated in the listing
- Key: Bb
It earns Also Great as a clip-on mustache for clarinet with a carrying case included.
Who it suits
- Players who want a novelty mustache for a clarinet
- Players who want a fun gift for a clarinet player
Skip it if
- You want a clarinet, not a clarinet accessory
- You want a clarinet with 17 keys
The Clarinet-stache is a novelty mustache that attaches directly to the clarinet. A carrying case comes with it for protection while transporting, and it is designed and made in Chicago, Illinois, in the USA. It carries a 90-day warranty.
4Also Great
MusBoard TC10C Clarinet Lyre with Flip Folder
- Case or gig bag included not stated in the listing
- Mouthpiece included not stated in the listing
- Key: Bb
It earns Also Great as a clarinet lyre with a flip folder holding 10 sleeves and 20 sheets.
Who it suits
- Marching players who want sheet music positioned for viewing
- Players who want a flip folder that detaches in seconds
Skip it if
- You want a clarinet, not a sheet music holder
- You want a folder that holds more than 20 sheets
The TC10C is a lyre made for standard Bb clarinets, with a multi-angle system giving 360-degree horizontal rotation and up to 60 degrees of tilt. Dual paper clips keep the music steady in marching, outdoor rehearsals, and windy conditions, and metal binder rings hold the sleeves in place. The flip folder detaches and reattaches in seconds without readjusting the viewing position, and it includes 10 clear sleeves for 20 sheets.
5Also Great
lightstar Clarinet Care Cleaning Cloth
- Case or gig bag included not stated in the listing
- Mouthpiece included not stated in the listing
It earns Also Great as a clarinet cleaning cloth in synthetic chamois with a weighted cord.
Who it suits
- Players who want a cloth for cleaning a clarinet
- Players who want a weighted cord for cleaning inside the body
Skip it if
- You want a clarinet, not a cleaning cloth
- You want a cloth shorter than 27 inches
The cloth uses double-layer synthetic chamois that absorbs moisture and oils while staying soft and non-abrasive. A weighted cord end guides the 27-inch cloth through the clarinet body for thorough cleaning of internal debris and moisture. It comes in clarinet-beige and keeps the instrument spotless without scratching.
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 | Not stated | Not stated |
| VANPHY Bb Clarinet 17 Keys Flat B Clarinet | Yes | Yes | Bb | ABS | 17 | Not stated | 3.7 lb | 60-day |
| Brasstache Clarinet-stache | Yes | Not stated | Bb | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| MusBoard TC10C Clarinet Lyre with Flip Folder | Not stated | Not stated | Bb | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| lightstar Clarinet Care Cleaning Cloth | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | 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 college
Start with the two real clarinets
Only two items here are clarinets. The Mendini and VANPHY kits are Bb clarinets with 17 keys and 2 barrels each, with cases, mouthpieces, and stands. The Brasstache piece is a clip-on mustache, the MusBoard piece is a lyre with a flip folder, and the lightstar piece is a cleaning cloth. If you need an instrument, pick one of the two clarinet kits. If you need gear for a clarinet you already own, look at the accessories.
Compare the two clarinet kits
Both clarinet kits cover the same basics. The Mendini kit includes 10 reeds, a hard case, a foldable stand, cork grease, a book, a cleaning cloth, and gloves. The VANPHY kit includes a case with a strap, a stand, a mouthpiece with cap, a cloth, gloves, and 8 mouthpiece cushions, and it weighs 3.7 lb with a 60-day warranty. Compare the kit contents side by side, since the clarinets themselves match on key, keys, and barrels.
Check key and keys before buying
Key and key count decide whether the clarinet fits your music. Both clarinets here are Bb clarinets with 17 keys. If you play in a group that uses Bb clarinets, either kit fits. If you need a different key, neither kit here fits that need.
Frequently asked questions
Are all five items clarinets?
No. Only the Mendini and VANPHY kits are clarinets. The Brasstache piece is a clip-on mustache, the MusBoard piece is a lyre with a flip folder, and the lightstar piece is a cleaning cloth.
What key are the clarinets here?
Both clarinets are Bb clarinets with 17 keys and 2 barrels each. The Mendini and VANPHY kits each include a case, a mouthpiece, and a stand.
What comes with the Mendini clarinet kit?
The kit includes a Bb clarinet with 17 keys and 2 barrels, a 4C mouthpiece with ligature and cap, 10 reeds, a hard case, a foldable stand, cork grease, a book, a cleaning cloth, and gloves.
What is a clarinet lyre?
It is a holder that keeps sheet music positioned for viewing while marching or performing. The MusBoard lyre gives 360-degree rotation and up to 60 degrees of tilt, with 10 sleeves for 20 sheets.
Gear that goes with it
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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.