Best Clarinet for High School (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 Kit leads this list for high school players: it includes 2 barrels, 10 reeds, a mouthpiece, a stand, and a hard case in one kit. The other four picks are also Bb clarinets with 17 keys, so the choice turns on kit contents, barrel options, weight, and warranty.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Players who want 2 barrels and 10 reeds in the kit: Mendini by Cecilio Ebonite Bb Clarinet Kit See pick 1
- Intermediate players who want a 17-key French system: Vangoa Bb Clarinet Kit for Intermediate See pick 2More picks: Best Clarinet for Intermediate Players
- Beginners and students who want an ABS clarinet: VANPHY Bb Clarinet 17 Keys Flat B Clarinet See pick 3More picks: Best Clarinet for Beginners
- Students beyond beginner level who want silver-plated keys: Jean Paul CL-400 Intermediate Bb Clarinet See pick 4More picks: Best Clarinet for Students
- Beginners and students who want a 17-key Bb clarinet: Yinfente Bb Clarinet for Beginner 17 Key See pick 5More picks: Best Beginner Clarinet
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 holds Best Overall with a Bb clarinet, 17 keys, 2 barrels, and a kit with 10 reeds, a stand, and a hard case.
Who it suits
- Players who want 2 barrels and 10 reeds in the kit
- Players who want a stand and a hard case included
Skip it if
- You want more than 2 barrels in the kit
- You want more than 17 keys on the clarinet
The kit includes a clarinet, a 4C mouthpiece with ligature and cap, 2 barrels, 10 reeds, a foldable stand, and a hard case. It also includes a book, cork grease, a cleaning cloth, and gloves. The clarinet is a Bb model with 17 keys.
2Runner-Up
Vangoa Bb Clarinet Kit for Intermediate
- Case or gig bag included
- Mouthpiece included
- Key: Bb
- Body material: Ebonite
It holds Runner-Up with a Bb clarinet, 17 keys, 2 barrels, and a kit for school band and orchestra use.
Who it suits
- Intermediate players who want a 17-key French system
- Players who want a padded hard case and a wooden stand
Skip it if
- You want more than 5 bamboo reeds in the kit
- You want a clarinet without silver-plated keys
The kit includes a 4C mouthpiece, 2 barrels, a silver-plated ligature, a leather ligature, a padded hard case, and a wooden stand. It also includes a cleaning kit, 5 bamboo reeds, white gloves, 8 pads, and a mouthpiece protective cap. The clarinet is a Bb model with 17 keys and silver-plated keys.
3Also 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 a Bb clarinet, 17 keys, 2 barrels, and a case with a strap, a stand, and 8 mouthpiece cushions.
Who it suits
- Beginners and students who want an ABS clarinet
- High school students who want a case with padded straps
Skip it if
- You want a warranty longer than 60 days
- You want a clarinet that weighs less than 3.7 lb
The kit includes a clarinet case with a strap, 2 barrels, a mouthpiece with a cap, a cloth, gloves, and 8 mouthpiece cushions. The clarinet is a Bb model with 17 keys and an ABS body, and it weighs 3.7 lb. It carries a 60-day warranty.
4Also Great
Jean Paul CL-400 Intermediate Bb Clarinet
- Case or gig bag included
- Mouthpiece included
- Key: Bb
- Body material: ABS
- Keys (on the body): 17
- 1 year warranty stated
It holds Also Great with a Bb clarinet, 17 keys, 6 rings, and 2 barrels in 65mm and 62mm sizes.
Who it suits
- Students beyond beginner level who want silver-plated keys
- Players who want synthetic pads and blue steel springs
Skip it if
- You want barrels in sizes other than 65mm and 62mm
- You want a warranty longer than 1 year
The French Boehm key system has 17 keys and 6 rings, with silver-plated keys, synthetic pads, and blue steel springs. Two barrels in 65mm and 62mm sizes allow pitch adjustment for different temperatures. The kit includes a CL-4 mouthpiece, a ligature and cap, a Rico reed, a cleaning swab, and cork grease, and the clarinet weighs 1.8 lb.
5Also Great
Yinfente Bb Clarinet for Beginner 17 Key
- Case or gig bag included
- Mouthpiece included
- Key: Bb
- Body material: Ebonite
It holds Also Great with a Bb clarinet, 17 keys, 2 barrels, and a kit with a hard case, a stand, and a cleaning kit.
Who it suits
- Beginners and students who want a 17-key Bb clarinet
- Players who want a hard case with a strap
Skip it if
- You want a clarinet that weighs less than 3.3 lb
- You want a kit without a cleaning kit
The kit includes a hard case with a strap, 2 barrels, a cleaning kit, a mouthpiece, cork grease, gloves, reeds, a cushion, and a stand. The clarinet is a Bb model with 17 keys and nickel-plated keys. It weighs 3.3 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 | Not stated | Not stated |
| Vangoa Bb Clarinet Kit for Intermediate | Yes | Yes | Bb | Ebonite | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| VANPHY Bb Clarinet 17 Keys Flat B Clarinet | Yes | Yes | Bb | ABS | 17 | Not stated | 3.7 lb | 60-day |
| Jean Paul CL-400 Intermediate Bb Clarinet | Yes | Yes | Bb | ABS | 17 | Not stated | 1.8 lb | 1 year |
| Yinfente Bb Clarinet for Beginner 17 Key | Yes | Yes | Bb | Ebonite | Not stated | Not stated | 3.3 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 high school
Check the key and the key system
Start with the key. The Mendini, Vangoa, VANPHY, Jean Paul, and Yinfente clarinets are Bb clarinets with 17 keys. The Vangoa clarinet uses a 17-key French system, and the Jean Paul clarinet uses a French Boehm system with 17 keys and 6 rings. A Bb key system with 17 keys is the shared layout here, so compare kit contents and barrel options next.
Compare what comes in the kit
Kit contents decide what else you need to buy. The Mendini kit includes 10 reeds, a stand, and a hard case, the Vangoa kit includes 5 bamboo reeds, a wooden stand, and a padded hard case, and the VANPHY kit includes 8 mouthpiece cushions, a case with a strap, and a stand. The Jean Paul kit includes a CL-4 mouthpiece, a ligature and cap, a cleaning swab, and cork grease, and the Yinfente kit includes a cleaning kit, cork grease, gloves, and a stand. Compare the kit list with the items you already own.
Check barrels, weight, and warranty
Barrels, weight, and warranty help separate similar Bb clarinets. The Mendini, Vangoa, VANPHY, and Yinfente clarinets include 2 barrels, and the Jean Paul clarinet includes 2 barrels in 65mm and 62mm sizes. The VANPHY clarinet weighs 3.7 lb, the Jean Paul clarinet weighs 1.8 lb, and the Yinfente clarinet weighs 3.3 lb. Warranty terms differ too: the VANPHY clarinet carries a 60-day warranty, and the Jean Paul clarinet carries a 1-year warranty.
Frequently asked questions
What key are these clarinets?
They are Bb clarinets. The Mendini, Vangoa, VANPHY, Jean Paul, and Yinfente clarinets are Bb models with 17 keys.
How many barrels do these clarinets include?
Each clarinet here includes 2 barrels, with the Jean Paul barrels in 65mm and 62mm sizes.
What is in the Mendini kit?
The Mendini kit includes a clarinet, a 4C mouthpiece with ligature and cap, 2 barrels, 10 reeds, a foldable stand, and a hard case.
Do any of these clarinets carry a warranty?
The VANPHY clarinet carries a 60-day warranty, and the Jean Paul clarinet carries a 1-year warranty.
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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.