5 Best Alto Saxophones For Beginners [2023]

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Searching for the best alto saxophones? Ready to start learning how to play this unique instrument?

If you’re looking to get started with playing the saxophone, you need a great instrument that is ideal for students and beginner players. While there are other types of saxophones, many beginners opt for the alto saxophone which is typically the standard choice for many players.

Saxophones are available in a range of price points, but you may not need the most professional high-end option just yet. However, there are plenty of beginner options that will be more likely to suit your budget.

Luckily, we’re here to help. Below we’ll give you our list of the best alto saxophones for beginners.

Best Alto Saxophones For Beginners – Quick View

ImageModelSummaryPrice
Mendini by Cecilio Eb Beginner Alto SaxophoneThe most well-rounded alto sax option for students and beginners.Check Price on Amazon
Yamaha YAS-280 Student SaxophoneA bit more expensive, but if you're looking for the very best option for students, this is the alto sax that you're looking for.Check Price on Amazon
Jean-Paul USA AS-400This saxophone offers great value and is well worth your consideration if you're looking for a high-quality beginner sax.Check Price on Amazon
Eastar AS-II Student Alto SaxophoneA great budget sax option that offers all of the accessories you'll need.Check Price on Amazon
Glory Professional Eb Alto SaxophoneAlthough this isn't the very best saxophone that's available, its a great value overall.Check Price on Amazon

Main Types of Saxophones

Before telling you about the best beginner alto saxophones, it’s important to understand the different types that are available. Here’s an overview of the most common saxophone types.

  • Soprano Saxophone: This Bb saxophone is the highest pitch choice out of the most common saxophones and features a bright, sweet tone. This saxophone is often used as a second instrument by sax players and isn’t commonly used in school bands.
  • Alto Saxophone: This Eb saxophone is the most commonly used sax and most beginners start with it rather than one of the other options. This saxophone is a bit lower in pitch than the soprano saxophone.
  • Tenor Saxophone: This Bb saxophone is also a commonly used, beginner-friendly horn. The tenor saxophone has a sound that’s a bit deeper than the alto saxophone.
  • Baritone Saxophone: This Eb saxophone is the lowest pitched out of these common saxophones. The size is a bit larger as well, so many beginners won’t start with this instrument.

Top Alto Saxophones For Students – REVIEWED

Ready to find the perfect saxophone for you? Here’s our list of the best.

1. Mendini by Cecilio Eb Beginner Alto Saxophone

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Mendini Alto Sax - Review

The Mendini by Cecilio Beginner Alto Saxophone Kit is the most well-rounded alto sax for students and beginners.

This beginner alto saxophone offers excellent sound quality and stays in tune perfectly. The build quality of this sax is pretty impressive and quality materials ensure a long-lasting instrument. This sax package includes every accessory you’re likely to need at a very reasonable price.

Like some of the other beginner saxophones on this list, this sax also comes with a pretty impressive set of accessories that will serve a student player well. Considering the price of this saxophone, it’s hard to beat the level of value beginners get.

Overall, you can’t go wrong with this beginner alto saxophone if you’re ready to get started learning the instrument.

2. Yamaha YAS-280 Student Saxophone

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Yamaha YAS-280 Student Saxophone

The Yamaha YAS-280 is the top saxophone on our list of the best alto saxophones for beginners. If you’re willing to pay a bit more money in order to start out with the very best option for students, this is the alto sax that you’re looking for.

This alto sax is built well and features quality, durable materials. This sax also looks pretty amazing and offers a great shiny and smooth finish. The action of the Yamaha YAS-280 is great and is easy on the fingers and hands.

While this instrument is much cheaper than professional saxophones, its sound competes with the big boys. As an added bonus, this saxophone also includes some great accessories.

Overall, this alto sax is well worth your consideration if you’re ready to get started with the instrument. This might not be considered a cheap beginner saxophone compared to the other alto saxophones on this list, but it’s the best choice if you’re willing to pay a bit more.

3. Jean-Paul USA AS-400

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Jean-Paul Beginner Saxophone AS-400

The Jean-Paul USA AS-400 is the next saxophone on our list.

This alto saxophone comes with two different finish options, both brass, and silver. This saxophone stays in tune well and sounds great. Like the Yamaha sax listed above, this saxophone also offers a tone that competes with the more expensive and professional instruments.

This saxophone comes with some useful accessories as well. Accessories included are a neck strap, a mouthpiece, a reed a carrying case, cork grease, a cleaning kit, gloves, and swabs.

Overall, this saxophone offers great value and is well worth your consideration if you’re looking for a high-quality beginner sax.

4. Eastar AS-II Student Alto Saxophone

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Eastar Student Sax - Top Alto Saxophones For Beginners

The Eastar AS-II Student Alto Saxophone is the next alto sax on our list and is another great option for beginners.

This alto saxophone would be perfect for beginners to use and offers plenty of flexibility and playability. The action is nice and it offers a great response.

The alto saxophone includes a #68 brass body that offers an amazing tone and a pretty good sound considering it’s a budget saxophone.

The saxophone comes with a great bundle of accessories that provides everything a beginner will need including a mouthpiece set, a real leather strap, gloves, reeds, and more. This saxophone also comes with a carrying case which offers powerful protection. This Eastar saxophone also comes with a 12-month product warranty.

Overall, this saxophone offers a lot to players and is well worth a look. This might just be the best cheap alto saxophone that’s available.

5. Glory Professional Eb Alto Saxophone

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Glory Professional Eb Alto Saxophone

The Glory Professional Alto Saxophone is another great choice for beginners to the instrument and offers a reasonable quality of sound and playability for a very low price. If you’re looking for the best student alto saxophone, be sure to take a closer look at this one.

This saxophone features an attractive gold lacquer finish and comes with a complete set of accessories, so you’ll have everything you need in one package. This alto sax includes 11 reeds, 8 pads, cushions, and a care kit. You’ll also get a reliable case with this saxophone as well.

Although this isn’t the very best saxophone that’s available, its price is a pretty good selling point. The quality is a little bit rough around the edges compared to the many $1000+ professional saxophones that are out there, but in this price range, you can’t do much better than this Glory brand instrument.

Be sure to check out this instrument if you’re looking for a starter saxophone that will offer everything you need when getting started.

Choosing the Ideal Alto Saxophone for Your Needs

While there are plenty of beginner saxophones available, these are the best alto saxophones that money can buy. Be sure to consider buying one of these alto saxophones if you want to have a great instrument to play as you learn the instrument.

Looking for a great beginner trumpet instead? Click here to see our list of the best trumpets for beginners now.