Best
Soprano Sax Reed
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Overall: Thin tip and thick heart, allowing both crisp staccato and a dark tone.
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Best Feature: Each reed comes in an individual flow pack to maintain ideal humidity
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TedScore™: 10/10
Best
Alto Sax Reed
(for young beginners) Ideally suited for young beginners
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Overall: Instantly playable, with no wearing in required.
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Best Feature: Softer than standard alto sax reeds, by strength.
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TedScore™: 10/10
Best
Tenor Sax Reed
(for jazz) Ideally suited for jazz players.
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Overall: A powerful sax reed with strong articulation possibilities
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Best Feature: Good quality sound in all registers.
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TedScore™: 10/10
Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of saxophone reeds available? **Choosing the best reeds** is no easy task with so many brands and types out there. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack!
The first thing to say is that reed choice is very much down to personal preference. My perfect reed may not be yours (and vice versa), so it’s a good idea to try a few different brands to see what you like the feel of best.
Upgrading to a new instrument, mouthpiece or even ligature can sometimes mean a change of saxophone reed, as the overall setup works together to produce the best rich sound.
That said, there are a few things to know which can help narrow down the choice.
Our Top 18 Saxophone Reeds
Here are some of the best saxophone brands for soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophone.
Top 5 Best
Soprano Saxophone Reeds
DESIGNED FOR: thin tip and thick heart, allowing both crisp staccato and a dark tone. Ideally suited for: classical music.
FEATURES: produces a full, rich tone.
OTHER INFO: Each reed comes in an individual flow pack to maintain ideal humidity.
1. Vandoren Traditional
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Reliable performance in all registers.
- can take a while to break in
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: a great reed for consistency within the box/brand.
FEATURES: a variety of playing styles.
OTHER INFO: clarity of articulation.
2. Vandoren V21
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Clarity of articulation.
- Clear rich sound.
- Flexibility.
- Can wear out quickly.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: Long palette meaning more vibration and response.
FEATURES: classical music.
OTHER INFO: Darker tone than the traditional Vandoren reeds.
3. Vandoren V12
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Darker tone than the traditional Vandoren saxophone reeds.
- Uniformly good timbre across registers.
- Long-lasting
- Can be harder to control.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: Traditional tip producing great consistency
FEATURES: Warm tone in all registers. Durable
OTHER INFO: High quality cane reeds
4. D'Addario Reserve
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- High quality cane reeds
- Warm tone in all registers.
- Price is higher than other varieties.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: Synthetic reed with thick tip
FEATURES: Occasional or outdoor playing
OTHER INFO: Doesn't need breaking in or wetting before playing
5. Legere Classic
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Doesn't need breaking in or wetting before playing
- Always ready to go
- Long-lasting
- Sound not as rich as a cane reeds
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Top 6 Best Alto Saxophone Reeds
DESIGNED FOR: young beginners
FEATURES: Instantly playable, with no wearing in required
OTHER INFO: Consistent across reeds
1. Vandoren Juno
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Very easy to make a sound
- Long lasting
- Attractive red cases for each reed
- Softer than standard alto saxophone reeds, by strength
- Not suitable for more advanced players
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: Thin Tip And Thick Heart, Allowing Both Crisp Staccato And A Dark Tone. Ideally Suited For: Classical Music.
FEATURES: Produces A Full, Rich Tone.
OTHER INFO: Each Reed Comes In An Individual Flow Pack To Maintain Ideal Humidity.
2. Vandoren Traditional
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Reliable performance in all registers.
- Can take a while to break in
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: jazz players
FEATURES: Available in filed or unfiled cut
OTHER INFO: Quick response over the whole range
3. D'Addario Organic Select Jazz
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Big Sound
- Durable
- Can be harder to play quietly
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: students performing in a variety of playing style
FEATURES: Unfiled cut with slightly thinner tip
OTHER INFO: consistent between reeds
4. D'Addario Rico
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Clear Tone
- Ease of sound production
- Thick spine allows powerful projection
- Can wear out quickly
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: Classical Music
FEATURES: Long Palette Meaning More Vibration And Response
OTHER INFO: Darker Tone Than The Traditional Vandoren Reeds.
5. Vandoren V12
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Darker tone than the traditional Vandoren saxophone reeds.
- Uniformly good timbre across registers.
- Long-lasting
- Can be harder to control.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: a variety of playing style
FEATURES: filed cut designed for fast response
OTHER INFO: easy staccato in all registers
6. Royal by D'Addario
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Individually sealed for freshness
- Can wear out quickly
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Top 4 Best Tenor Saxophone Reeds
DESIGNED FOR: jazz players
FEATURES: a powerful sax reed with strong articulation possibilities
OTHER INFO: Good quality sound in all registers
1. Vandoren V16
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Bright Tone
- French Cane Reeds
- May need more strength from the player than other varieties
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: playing jazz
FEATURES: combines the qualities of the V16 and Java saxophone reeds
OTHER INFO: Each reed sealed in a flow pack for freshness
2. Vandoren ZZ
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Rich Sound
- Durable
- less flexible than other varieties
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: Jazz Players
FEATURES: Available In Filed Or Unfiled Cut
OTHER INFO: Quick Response Over The Whole Range
3. D'Addario Rico Select Jazz
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Big Sound
- Durable
- Can be harder to play quietly
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: classical sax players
FEATURES: shorter vamp for darker tones
OTHER INFO: Deep harmonics
4. D'Addario Hemke
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Fast response
- Reliable
- can feel weaker than other varieties
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Top 3 Best Baritone Saxophone Reeds
DESIGNED FOR: jazz players
FEATURES: long palette for maximum vibration area
OTHER INFO: Each reed sealed in a flow pack for freshness
1. Vandoren Java Green
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Bright Sound
- Flexibility
- Can take a while to break in
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: Students Performing In A Variety Of Playing Style
FEATURES: Unfiled Cut With Slightly Thinner Tip
OTHER INFO: Consistent Between Reeds
2. D'Addario Rico
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Clear Tone
- Ease of sound production
- Thick spine allows powerful projection
- Can wear out quickly
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
DESIGNED FOR: advancing players
FEATURES: synthetic reed designed for versatility
OTHER INFO: responds as freely as natural saxophone reeds
3. Legere Signature
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Bright tone
- No breaking in needed
- Easy to clean
- Playing quality not as rich as cane saxophone reeds sound
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Alto Saxophone Reed Buying Guide
Most saxophone players will start on the alto sax, so we will look a little more in depth at finding the right reed for that instrument. But if you’re wondering what are the best reeds for alto sax , we have a handy little guide here.
How to choose a saxophone reed
Specific reed sizes are matched to corresponding mouthpiece sizes, with narrower tip openings necessitating harder reeds and wider tip openings requiring softer ones. There are certain characteristics worth mentioning when looking at the choice of reed for saxophone.
Brand
Some brands are specialist reed manufacturers, and some are general musical suppliers that make accessories for many different instruments. It is worth going for a specialist brand where you can always be sure of good quality – these makers also produce specific reeds designed for beginners, and for different genres like jazz.
Strength
Reeds come in strengths ranging from 1 (softest) and 5 (hardest), increasing by halves. This refers to the thickness of the wood.
Softer reeds make sound production easier, so beginners will often start around 1.5. As you progress and get stronger you will want a bit more resistance, which produces deeper tones and adds quality to the sound, and you will gradually progress to harder reeds.
A very small number of manufacturers use a different measuring system – “hard”, “soft”, “medium” etc. This is unusual though, as the numbering system is widely used.
Size
One to watch out for, particularly if buying online! Saxophone reeds come in 4 different sizes, for soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones. Make sure you find saxophone reeds in the right size for your instrument!
Material
Most reeds are made from cane (called Arundo Donax), which often comes from France. This makes them very fragile especially at the tip. Being a natural cane material, no two cane reeds are ever quite the same, even within the same box of 10.
Saxophone reeds need to be wetted before playing, as moist cane responds more freely than dry cane. (Check out our Top 10 Tips To Playing the Saxophone for more tricks…)
Some reeds are synthetic reeds or plastic, which makes them durable and longer-lasting (and they don’t need to be wetted), but they do sound and feel a bit different to play.
Music genre or style
Your choice of reed can depend on which style of music you are playing. If you are a classical player, most of the standard or “traditional” reeds are designed for you, giving a rich consistency of tone.
If you play more jazz, you might consider something designed for a brighter sound.
If you are playing outdoors a lot (e.g. in a marching band), you may consider using synthetic reeds as, unlike cane reeds, they are unaffected by the weather/changes in humidity.
Synthetic saxophone reeds are also useful if you only play very occasionally, for example if you spend most of your time on the alto sax but play baritone once every few months. They don’t need any breaking in, so can be picked up and played instantly.
Sound
Some sax reeds produce a darker, more mellow timbre, and some produce a brighter rich tone. This can be helpful, and players may use different types of reed depending on the occasion, rather than always sticking to the same.
The strength of the reed can again make a difference here – a softer reed will give more flexibility to control the sound, whereas a harder reed will give more consistency.
The best sax reeds is the one that produces the right timbre for your playing situation
Tip cut
Reeds can come either filed or unfiled. A filed reed (sometimes described as double cut) means it has a thin tip, meaning it can vibrate more, has a quicker response and less resistance. An unfiled reed (single cut) has a thicker tip, which offers a bit more power, and is therefore a bit more durable.
Then there is the vamp – the cut part of the reed. A longer vamp means a bright sound, and a shorter vamp will be darker.
And the palette, which refers to the length. A longer palette allows more of the reed to vibrate, producing a darker tone. This is something you may want to experiment with, as the right reed here depends on your mouthpiece.
The heart is the other part of a sax reed’s anatomy that you might see some variation in. Similar to the tip, a thin heart will be quick to respond, whereas a thick heart will be stronger and more powerful.
Durability
Even with the best care, you can expect to have to replace your reed for saxophone from time to time.
Depending on how much you play your instrument, a sax reed can last anywhere from 2 weeks to several months. Good cleaning and safe storage in the plastic cases provided can help.
It’s a good idea to always have a few spares in your case, and to have more than one reed on the go – they can sometimes take a bit of breaking in!
Most reeds are available in boxes of 5 or 10 – it is well worth investing in these rather than buying reeds individually.
Budget
The price of a box of reeds can vary, and in general, you get what you pay for. The more expensive brands DO generally last longer and produce a more consistent sound, due to the higher quality materials and manufacturing process.
For young beginners the cheaper brands are ideal, as it matters less when they get broken – you can expect to replace them fairly regularly at the start.
Synthetic reeds are more expensive to buy individually, but do then last a lot longer, so it can be a good option.
What are the best alto saxophone reed brands?
Reed brands such as Vandoren, Legere, D’addario, Fiberreed, Selmer Paris, and Marca are favored for their superior consistency, which facilitates saxophonists’ achieving a clear sound. Here are a few thoughts about the different best alto sax reeds out there.
Vandoren
An all-around excellent brand, whether you’re a beginner or a professional, classical player or jazz musician. There is truly something for everyone, and you can be assured of finding high quality reeds, suitable for any playing situations.
Legere
Probably the best-known manufacturer of synthetic reeds – good quality and frequently used by professional sax players.
D'Addario
One of the best saxophone brands for high-quality reeds, with a wide choice of varieties to suit different styles and genres. Many of these are aimed at the novice to intermediate player.
Fiberreed
A maker of synthetic sax reeds of various types. Unlike most other synthetic reeds, Fiberreed offer a choice of material depending on the style required. Most notable are their hemp reeds, which can be filed similarly to natural cane reeds.
Marca
A French brand which caters best saxophone reeds for beginners to professional, particularly good for jazz. The “Primo” is one of the best sax reeds for young beginners – and have an appealing cartoon design on the box!
Odyssey
A lesser-known reed manufacturer. Packs of 3 are expensive compared to other, better-known brands.
Selmer Paris
Selmer are better known for making instruments (which are excellent!) rather than reeds. However, a solid choice, and reeds come in a stylish case.
Silverstein Works
Manufacturer of synthetic saxophone reeds, in two varieties – classic and jazz.
Stagg
A budget brand – not a woodwind specialist. The cheapest box of 10 you will find – but that will show in the quality!
best saxophone reeds
Summary
I hope you’ve found this article useful.
Remember, your choice of reed will depend on you as a player. It’s a little bit like eating food – the more you try out different things (food or reeds!), the more you’ll discover what you like.
Consider the strength, which style of music you play and what kind of sound you aim for. Then buy a few packs, and get testing!
Do drop a note in the comment below with what you decided upon. Happy hunting!
hey, so like is the strength of the reed really make a big diff? im just starting and its kinda confusing choosing the right one, some say harder reeds are better but idk. thanks for the guide though, helps a bit.
SidSax, the reed strength is key for control & sound. Start with softer reeds and move up as you get comfortable.
Good stuff on those alto reeds, got some great recommendations to try out. Always on the lookout for that perfect sound.
While the list you’ve provided, Lucy Downer, is extensive and touches on a variety of brands and materials for saxophone reeds, I find it a bit limiting in addressing the nuances between different cuts and their respective impacts on playing styles. For instance, the differences between filed and unfiled reeds can be quite significant in terms of sound and resistance, yet this distinction isn’t thoroughly explored. I believe a deeper dive into these aspects would greatly benefit readers by offering a more nuanced understanding of how reeds influence performance.
Hi Lucy Downer, I was going through your guide on alto saxophone reeds, and I’m kind of stuck on how much the brand really matters versus the material of the reed. I’ve been playing for a couple of years now, mostly jazz, but I’m starting to dive into more classical pieces. Would you say it’s more about finding a brand that suits my playing style, or should I be testing out different materials to see which one gives me the sound I’m looking for?
Materials matter a lot for sound quality. Try a few brands; some specialize more in a specific genre.
Hey LizzyQ, from my experience, a mix of both actually works best. Start with a reputable brand and explore within their range. Material definitely affects your sound and response too.