Best Clarinet for Intermediate (2026): 5 Picks Compared
Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
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The EASTROCK Bb clarinet leads this list as Best Overall, with 17 keys, 2 replaceable barrels and a Beginner/Intermediate level in its specs. The Jean Paul CL-400 is the Lightest Pick at 1.8 lb, with silver-plated keys and two interchangeable barrels for intermediate players.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Students moving past their first clarinet: EASTROCK Bb Clarinet 17 Keys ABS Material See pick 1More picks: Best Clarinet for Students
- Beginners who want a 10-reed starter kit: Mendini by Cecilio Ebonite Bb Clarinet Kit See pick 2More picks: Best Clarinet for Beginners
- Intermediate players moving past beginner level: Jean Paul CL-400 Intermediate Bb Clarinet See pick 3More picks: Best Clarinet for Intermediate Players
- Advancing intermediate students wanting rosewood: yinfente Professional Wood Clarinet 17 Key Silver-Plated Rosewood See pick 4More picks: Best Student Clarinet
- Advanced players who want an ebonite clarinet: Glory GLY-PBK Professional Ebonite Bb Clarinet See pick 5More picks: Best Clarinet for Advanced Players
Want the full range? Best Clarinet ranks the top clarinets for every buyer, or browse all 23 guides.
The 5 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
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 earns Best Overall with 17 nickel-plated keys, 2 replaceable barrels and a Beginner/Intermediate level at 4 lb.
Who it suits
- Students moving past their first clarinet
- Players who want 2 replaceable barrels
Skip it if
- You want a rosewood body
- You need a clarinet under 4 lb
The box holds the clarinet, a mouthpiece, a case, 2 replaceable barrels and using tools. It is a Bb clarinet with 17 keys and 6 nickel-plated rings on a matte ABS body, with memory needle springs. The level is Beginner/Intermediate and the weight is 4 lb.
2Runner-Up
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 holds Runner-Up with 10 reeds, a foldable stand and a 1-year warranty in a full ebonite clarinet kit.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a 10-reed starter kit
- Players who want a foldable stand included
Skip it if
- You want silver-plated keys
- You want a rosewood body
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 book, a cleaning cloth and gloves. It is a Bb ebonite clarinet with 17 keys and nickel-plated keys. It carries a 1-year warranty and the weight is 3.7 lb.
3Lightest Pick
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
- 1.8 lb, the lightest here
It earns Lightest Pick at 1.8 lb with silver-plated keys, synthetic pads and two interchangeable barrels for intermediate players.
Who it suits
- Intermediate players moving past beginner level
- Players who want two tuning barrels
Skip it if
- You want a rosewood body
- You want 10 reeds in the box
The box holds the clarinet, the CL-4 mouthpiece with ligature and cap, a Rico Reed, a cleaning swab, cork grease, two barrels in 65mm and 62mm, and a semi-hard carrying case. It is a Bb clarinet with a French Boehm 17-key system, 6 rings, silver-plated keys, synthetic pads and blue steel springs. It is set up by a NAPBIRT-certified technician and carries a 1-year warranty.
4Also Great
yinfente Professional Wood Clarinet 17 Key Silver-Plated Rosewood
- Case or gig bag included
- Mouthpiece included
- Key: Bb
- Body material: Composite
It earns Also Great with a rosewood body, 17 silver-finish keys and two tuning barrels for advancing intermediate students.
Who it suits
- Advancing intermediate students wanting rosewood
- Players who want 2 tuning barrels included
Skip it if
- You want an ABS body
- You want a clarinet lighter than 4.9 lb
The box holds the clarinet, 2 tuning barrels, a hardshell carrying case, a mouthpiece with ligature and cap, starter reeds, mouthpiece cushion pads, gloves, a pulling swab and a screwdriver. It is a Bb clarinet with a rosewood body and 17 silver-finish keys. The weight is 4.9 lb.
5Also Great
Glory GLY-PBK Professional Ebonite Bb Clarinet
- Case or gig bag included
- Mouthpiece included not stated in the listing
- Key: Bb
- Body material: Ebonite
- Reeds included: 10
It earns Also Great with 10 reeds, a stand and a hard case in an ebonite clarinet for professionals and advanced players.
Who it suits
- Advanced players who want an ebonite clarinet
- Players who want 10 reeds and a stand
Skip it if
- You want a rosewood body
- You need a clarinet lighter than 3.8 lb
The box holds the clarinet, 10 reeds, a stand, a hard case, a cleaning cloth, cork grease, a mouthpiece brush and a pad brush. It is a Bb ebonite clarinet with a polished black finish. The weight is 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EASTROCK Bb Clarinet 17 Keys ABS Material | Yes | Yes | Bb | ABS | 17 | Not stated | 4 lb | Not stated |
| Mendini by Cecilio Ebonite Bb Clarinet Kit | Yes | Yes | Bb | Ebonite | 17 | 10 | 3.7 lb | 1 year |
| Jean Paul CL-400 Intermediate Bb Clarinet | Yes | Yes | Bb | ABS | 17 | Not stated | 1.8 lb | 1 year |
| yinfente Professional Wood Clarinet 17 Key Silver-Plated Rosewood | Yes | Yes | Bb | Composite | Not stated | Not stated | 4.9 lb | Not stated |
| Glory GLY-PBK Professional Ebonite Bb Clarinet | Yes | Not stated | Bb | Ebonite | Not stated | 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 intermediate
Check the key count first
Look instead at the key finish: the Jean Paul CL-400 lists silver-plated keys with synthetic pads and blue steel springs, the Mendini and the EASTROCK list nickel-plated keys, and the yinfente lists silver-finish keys. Key finish affects how the keys resist corrosion, and the pads affect the seal.
Count the barrels in the box
Two barrels let you fine-tune intonation for the room. The Jean Paul CL-400 includes two machined barrels in 65mm and 62mm, the yinfente includes 2 tuning barrels of slightly different lengths, and the EASTROCK includes 2 replaceable barrels. If you play in rooms with different temperatures, the barrels are the adjustment you will reach for.
Match the reed count to practice
Reeds wear out, so the count in the box is a real part of the value. The Mendini kit includes 10 reeds and the Glory kit includes 10 reeds, while the yinfente includes starter reeds. If you practice every day, a 10-reed kit keeps you playing while you learn which reed suits you best.
Frequently asked questions
What does a 17-key clarinet mean?
It means the clarinet has 17 keys on the body. The Jean Paul CL-400 pairs its 17 keys with 6 rings in a French Boehm key system.
Which clarinet has the lowest weight here?
The Jean Paul CL-400 holds the Lightest Pick label at 1.8 lb. The next one up is the Mendini at 3.7 lb.
Do I need two barrels as an intermediate?
Two barrels help you fine-tune intonation for different rooms. The Jean Paul CL-400 includes 65mm and 62mm barrels, the yinfente includes 2 tuning barrels, and the EASTROCK includes 2 replaceable barrels. If you play in different rooms, they are worth having.
Is the yinfente clarinet good for intermediate students?
Its title marks it as an intermediate musical instrument, and its data describes it as tailored for advancing intermediate students. It has a rosewood body, 17 silver-finish keys and 2 tuning barrels. It weighs 4.9 lb.
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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.