Flute players are so lucky to have a huge range of instrument makers from all over the world available to them. However, this can make shopping challenging as they are spoilt for choice! Discerning between the best flute brands is not a straightforward task.
Historically Japanese and American brands have led the way with silver flutes, but there are now many great brands to choose from.
You should start by deciding on a budget, and then making a list of priorities for your flute. You’ll then be ready to use this guide to find a flute that ticks all the boxes.
With a little research of the different brands out there you will discover many wonderful flutes.
Our job is to help you find the right one, so you can discover your perfect flute.
Yamaha is a market leader across many musical instrument types including the flute, and they are famous for their quality and durability, particularly for student level instruments.
Founded in 1887 by Torakushu Yamaha, this brand uses its long history of instrument making to make quality flutes
- These instruments are widely available, and therefore easy to find in stock wherever you live.
- They hold their value well, so are great to sell on if you want to upgrade at a later date.
- There are many second hand Yamaha student flutes available to purchase.
- Flutes available to suit all skill levels.
- Split E Mechanism as standard.
- Great for beginners
- Flute reviews often give them 5 stars
- Closed hole and open hole available
- They are not flute specialists so if you are looking for a professional piccolo, it might be worth looking at piccolos made by flute makers.
- As they are so popular you may want to look elsewhere if you want a more unique instrument.
- Yamaha switched production of these instruments from Japan to Indonesia a few years ago, and some players feel that the build quality has suffered as a result.
The best flute in this brand
Many young flautists start off with a Yamaha flute, and are so happy with the instrument that they stick with it until well after they’ve passed grade 8! Yamaha are known for their beginner models, because they offer reliability at a great price point. One of their most popular student models is the YFL212.
Yamaha YFL212
Best for beginners- Perfect For: Beginners Who Want A Quality Instrument
- Price Level: Intermediate
- Silver plated throughout which offers great sound quality for a beginner instrument
- Their popularity with teachers and students means that they hold their value well so they are always a sound investment.
- Yamaha is a trusted brand
- Includes a split E, C footjoint and an offset G key
- Available with both straight and curved headjoints for smaller players
- Expensive compared to other beginner flutes
TREVOR JAMES
Trevor James is a London based instrument maker and the company started life as a specialist flute repairer in 1979. Although they have now expanded their range to include saxophones, it is reassuring to know that flute making is at the very core of their business.
- They offer some great options for alto flutes and bass flutes
- Great value for money with some advanced features on their student models
- Great reviews from fellow beginner flute players.
- They are aimed at the beginner to intermediate market so don’t stock professional flutes.
- You would need to upgrade as you get more advanced
The best flute in this brand
The Trevor James TJ10X is the best flute in the brand, and as you’ll see in our pros and cons review list, it’s a great buy…
Trevor James TJ10X
- Perfect For: Beginners who prioritise sound quality
- Price Level: Intermediate
- Solid silver lip plate which is an unusual feature for a beginner flute
- This will mean you can play with a resonant sound right from the beginning
- This flute comes with a beautiful wooden case, rather than the plastic ones you get with other brands.
- A cozy fleece lined case cover is included for extra protection in the winter months.
- Great value for money.
- Won’t hold its value as well as a Yamaha.
We should also give an honorable mention to their “performer’ range of alto flutes and bass flutes. These are great for intermediate players. Also great for musicians who double and triple in musical theatre shows.
Their copper alto is particularly beautiful if you want to stand out from the crowd in your flute choir.
pearl flutes
Pearl Musical Instruments was founded in 1946 by Katsumi Yanagisawa in Japan and started making flutes in 1968.
They have a strong history of apprenticeships which means their decades of knowledge and experience are handed down through the generations.
- They focus on good quality instruments - great for intermediate and advanced players.
- They are innovators in instrument design.
- They are famous for their ‘pinless’ mechanism which is used for all their flutes and piccolos.
- Beautiful looking instruments due to the quality materials used.
- They also manufacture a great range of accessories including backpacks, flute stands and cleaning cloths.
- Can be a bit pricey for beginners
The best flute in this brand
For an intermediate flute the Pearl 795BE Elegante is a great option. It is made from 925 sterling silver throughout for the best quality sound and is available in B foot or C foot. It also includes Pearl’s famous pinless mechanism.
The one bar construction also makes the instrument more stable and reliable, which will hopefully mean fewer trips to the woodwind repairer!
Pearl 795BE
Elegante Flute
A superb “step-up” instrument - Perfect For: Intermediate players who demand more from their instrument
- Price Level: Intermediate
- Sterling silver lip plate, and a Low B footjoint to allow you to play lower than standard flutes.
- Gorgeous tone production
- A beautifully crafted instrument
- Low B foot joint
- A big step up price-wise from beginner instruments
I think the best flute brand for beginners overall is the Jupiter 700EC. It’s an excellent starter instrument as you’ll see in the below review:
Jupiter 700EC C flute
Reliable student flute- Perfect For : Beginners who prioritise sound quality
- Price Level: Beginner
- It is made from a blend of nickel silver with specifications well designed for a beginner.
- Solid silver riser in the head joint is a great addition as it’s not often found on student models
- Resonant and clear sound quality.
- This flute has plateau keys which aid correct finger placement.
- Reputation not as good as other brand leaders such as Yamaha.
The best flute brand for children…
A relative newcomer to the market Nuvo flutes are designed for the smallest flutists. Made from plastic they are lightweight, durable and very easy to clean. They are also much more affordable than metal flutes so can be a great option. They are certainly amongst the best flute brands for beginners.
Nuvo jFlute 2.0
A colourful flute at a great price- Perfect For : Beginners who have smaller fingers!
- Price Level: Beginner
- Very easy to clean and pretty indestructible
- The ‘donut’ headjoint makes it easier for small arms to reach all the keys.
- There are helpful grip spots to aid good hand position
- Extra “Firstnote’ mouthpiece which is very similar to a recorder mouthpiece.
- Great range of bright colours available.
- You lose some richness of sound that comes from a metal flute
The best flute brand for the professional
Powell
Sonaré series
Beautiful made from solid silver throughout - Perfect For : Intermediate or advanced players
- Price Level: Advanced
- Includes a B foot as standard, great for players wanting to expand their repertoire.
Powell Sonaré Flutes opened their first shop in Boston, Massachusetts in 1927 and was immediately popular with some of the most famous American professional flute players of the age.
They are true artisan makers and many professional flautists play on their instruments including Adam Walker (principal of the London Symphony Orchestra). A high quality flute for those happy to pay a little more for their instrument.
Their innovations included mixing silver and gold to create the Aurumite flute, and for producing the world’s first 19.5k rose gold flute.
In 2011, NASA Astronaut Cady Coleman brought her Powell flute on the International Space Station and to this day it is the only handmade flute to be played in space!
- Beautiful craftsmanship
- American Design
- B Footjoint
- Pricey for a beginner