Do you know what clarinets are great for?
Nah, not for clarinets. For clarinetists. If you’re a clarinetist, and you don’t have a clarinet yet—what are you waiting for? Get one!
The 5 best inexpensive clarinet suggestions in this article will help you find exactly what you need.
So that your next concert or recital will be all about the music and not the cost.
Editor’s Choice – Best Inexpensive Clarinet
PERFECT BEGINNER CLARINET:
Eastar ECL-400 B Flat Clarinet for Intermediate Beginners at Amazon
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GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY:
Mendini by Cecillo Bb Clarinet for Students, Adults, and Kids at Amazon
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PERFECT FOR A STUDENT:
Jean Paul USA CL-300 Student Clarinet at Amazon
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PERFECT FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BAND:
Hisonic Signature Series 2610 Bb Orchestra Clarinet at Amazon
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SOFT AND EASY TO CARRY:
Herche Superior Bb Clarinet M2 Professional Grade at Amazon
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5 Clarinets at a Glance
Check the following table to get a primary idea about all the clarinets in my list.
| Clarinets | Eastar 400B | Mendini | Jean Paul USA | Hisonic 2610 B | Herche Superior |
| Instrument Key | B flat | B flat | B flat | B flat | B flat |
| Body | Brass, Nickel | Plastic | Nickel | Ebonite | Nickel |
| Keys | Nickel-plated | Nickel plated | Nickel plated | Nickel-silver | Nickel-silver |
| Weight | 3.96Ibs | 3.61Ibs | 3Ibs | 4.31Ibs | 3 Ibs |
You will get more details on the clarinets in the following section. Let’s talk about the product one by one so that you can identify the one you would like to purchase.
1. Eastar ECL-400
| Design 4.8/5 | Sound 4.9/5 | Easy to play 4.9/5 | Durability 4.8/5 |
Product Information:
| Brand | Eastar |
| Instrument Key | B Flat |
| Color | Silver Keys |
| Mouthpiece | 1 x 4C |
| Material | Metal,Silver |
| Weight | 3.78 pounds |
| Dimensions | 16.61 x 8.43 x 4.72 inches |
Product Description:
If you’re looking for a clarinet that’s easy to play and has a beautiful sound, this is it. The Eastar ECL-400 student clarinet is designed for the beginner or intermediate players who want to enjoy their music but don’t have much experience.
With a high-quality ABS bakelite body and nickel-plated keys, this clarinet offers pure sound and a rich tone. The Boehm 17 key system makes it easy to play, with fast response and smooth playability—and the wide range of tones that comes with it.
The ECL-400 also comes with everything you need to get started playing: four mouthpieces, metal ligature, protective cap, two mouthpiece connectors, occlusion rim, thumb sheath, swabs… all the tools you need to make playing music as easy as possible!
Keys features
- 2 Barrels
- 3 Reeds
- 2 Mouthpiece connectors
- Hard Case, Cloth, Stand, and More
Pros
- Great for both beginners and intermediate learners
- Well built
- Sounds good
Cons
- Mouthpiece gets mouldy
2. Mendini by Cecillio Bb Clarinet
| Design 4.9/5 | Sound 5/5 | Easy to play 4.8/5 | Durability 4.9/5 |
Product Information:
| Brand | Mendini by Cecilio |
| Color | Black |
| Instrument Key | B Flat |
| Material | Plastic |
| Style | Mouthpiece |
| Weight | 3.61 pounds |
| Dimensions | 14 x 10 x 4 inches |
Product Description:
I know you have dreams of playing wind and woodwind instruments, but I also know that it can be hard to find the time and money to start.
That’s why I’m so excited about the new Mendini by Cecilio clarinet for beginners. This B Flat clarinet kit is lightweight, adjustable, and easy to transport—perfect for any student who has dreams of playing wind & woodwind musical instruments.
The Mendini by Cecilio B Flat Clarinet comes in an elegant design that is sleek and smooth, composed of a high-grade plastic cast topped with durable nickel-plated keys, catching the eyes of clarinet connoisseurs everywhere.
All Mendini by Cecilio clarinets is inspected by technicians at the distribution center to ensure that each of their band instruments is of the highest quality.
Keys features
- 1 Barrel
- 10 Reeds
- 1 Mouthpiece
- Case, Stand, Pocketbook
Pros
- Full package for beginners
- Great value and outstanding sound
Cons
- Some alternative fingerings sometimes sound fuzzy and unclear
3. Jean Paul USA CL-300
| Design 4.7/5 | Sound 4.7/5 | Easy to play 4.8/5 | Durability 4.6/5 |
Product Information:
| Brand | Jean Paul USA |
| Color | Nickel |
| Instrument Key | B Flat |
| Material | Nickel |
| key system | 17 |
| Level | Beginner/ Intermediate |
| Weight | 3 Pounds |
| Dimensions | 6 x 15 x 9.5 inches |
Product Description:
The J. Paul USA CL-300 Student Clarinet is a great choice for your kids or students who are just starting out on the clarinet.
This student clarinet is made of beautiful Ebonite and has a Boehm 17 key system, which means it will give your student clear, focused tones. The nickel-plated keys ensure that the instrument will last for years to come and allow you to easily clean it and keep it in top shape.
The case is sturdy enough to protect the instrument when you transport it from lesson to lesson but also includes pockets for storage of extra accessories, like reeds and cleaning cloths.
Keys features
- 2 barrels
- 5 Rico reeds
- 1 standard mouthpiece
- Carrying case, cleaning cloth, Cork grease
Pros
- Nicely made for students
- Well-built
Cons
- May be harder for younger clarinetists with smaller hands
4. Hisonic Signature Series 2610 Bb
| Design 4.6/5 | Sound 4.8/5 | Easy to play 4.8/5 | Durability 4.7/5 |
Product Information:
| Brand | Hisonic |
| Color | Black |
| Instrument Key | B Flat |
| Material | Ebonite |
| Style | Mouthpiece |
| Musical Style | Marching band, orchestra, jazz band |
| Made in | USA |
| Weight | 4.27 pounds |
| Dimensions | 13.23 x 9.96 x 4.41 inches |
Product Description:
When you’re looking for the best portable clarinet, you want something that can take your music career to the next level. You want a clarinet with a bright tone and an impressive range, but also one that won’t break the bank.
And when it comes to Bb Soprano clarinets, there’s no better choice than Prestini’s Signature Series 2610 Bb Orchestra Clarinet with Case.
This instrument is made in America and features nickel-silver keys and a bright tone, so it sounds great wherever you go. It’s also made of Ebonite (a poly resin), so it’s durable enough to last through years of use without losing its sound quality. And with Cork grease and a clarinet swab included, you’ll be ready to start playing right out of the box!
The protective plush-lined case will protect your valuable instrument during travel or storage, while the mouthpiece with a reed protector ensures that your mouthpiece stays clean and free from debris during playing hours.
Keys features
- C barrel
- 1 reed
- 1 mouthpiece
- Cork grease, Clarinet swab, Reed protector
- Plush case
Pros
- Excellent choice for kids
- Value for money
Cons
- Doesn’t play some of the higher notes
5. Herche Superior Bb Clarinet M2
| Design 4.9/5 | Sound 5/5 | Easy to play 4.9/5 | Durability 4.6/5 |
Product Description:
| Brand | Herche |
| Color | Black |
| Instrument Key | B Flat |
| Material | Nickel, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene |
| Proficiency Level | Intermediate |
| Weight | 3 Pounds |
| Dimensions | 14.5 x 5 x 10 inches |
Product Description:
The Herche Superior Bb Clarinet is the perfect instrument for beginners and intermediate players. It has a professional, high-quality sound designed to last a lifetime, and it’s backed by an over 30+ year family business. The Herche Superior Bb Clarinet produces a superior tone in its class, and it’s backed by an over 30+ year of family business.
They have used CAD/CNC technology for design and build, which means these clarinets are not only durable but also more accurate than any other manufacturer. Also, these clarinets have been made using lead-free welding, mouthpiece upgrades with more concentrated airflow, and CNC opening to ensure accurate intonation.
In addition, Here are clarinets go through 3 tests before they leave the factory—the QC Tech performs the lamplight test, the professional performs the playtest, and the USA master tech final playtest.
Keys features
- Double barrels
- 2 thin vamp cut 2 Rico reeds
- 1 upgraded mouthpiece
- Cork grease, Cleaning swab, Mouthpiece kit, and more
Pros
- Just perfect for beginners
- Quality without breaking the bank
Cons
- Screws need to be maintained frequently
3 Factors To Consider While Buying a Clarinet
When you’re looking for a clarinet for your child, there are a few things you should consider:
Body material
The body of a beginner-level clarinet is usually made of plastic. If you choose this type of instrument, be sure to choose one that is durable and easy to maintain. Plastic clarinets tend to last longer than wooden ones, but they can become warped or cracked over time.
Key material
Beginner-level clarinets come with plastic keys that will need to be replaced or re-tuned every few years or so. Make sure you choose one that has keys made from tough plastic and no exposed metal parts. This will help keep your child’s fingers safe while they’re learning how to play.
Bore design
Beginner-level clarinets have straight bores without any curves or indentations in them; this makes them easier for beginners to hold on their own without developing hand muscles that might hurt later on down the road.
Concluding remarks
When it comes to clarinets, there are a lot of choices. I’m sure you can spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars and not find one that sounds just like the musician whose music you like. So, I hope these 5 suggestions will help you a great deal in finding the best inexpensive clarinet for you right now. 🙂