Are you planning to buy a new trumpet and need some suggestions?

Let us help you out with our pick of the 15 best trumpets!

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, choosing the right trumpet for you requires a little research.

As there are many great models on the market, it would be wise to have a shortlist before paying a visit to the music store or webshop.

This way you won’t feel overwhelmed with all the options.

Our list contains both professional high-end trumpets and affordable models for beginners.

And our comprehensive trumpet buyer’s guide will let you know how to choose the best trumpet for you!

15 Best Trumpets

1. Mendini by Cecilio MTT-L Trumpet

The Mendini by Cecilio MTT-L Trumpet is an ideal option for students and beginners of all ages.

It has an elegant and durable brass body and smooth action valves.

For an entry-level trumpet, it has a great sound and it’s very easy to play.

It comes in different lacquered finishes too; you can choose from red, black, nickel-plated, gold, blue, and purple.

And you’ll get all the necessary accessories including a hardshell case, a silver-plated 7C mouthpiece, a pair of gloves, a bottle of valve oil for maintenance, and so on.

What makes the Mendini by Cecilio MTT-L Trumpet is its price. This beginner trumpet is quite affordable – you can get it for less than $200.

So, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly trumpet from a reliable brand, you should consider the Mendini by Cecilio MTT-L Trumpet.

Pros   

• Good playability
• Great price
• A variety of finishes to choose from
• Beginner-friendly
• Comes will all the accessories

Cons 

• Some parts are made from cheaper materials

2.  Bach 180S37 Stradivarius Series

Without a doubt, the Bach 180S37 is one of the best professional trumpets on the market.

After all, the Stradivarius name guarantees the top quality of the instrument, so it’s no wonder that this series is one of the best-selling professional trumpets in the world.

The handmade Bach 180S37 Trumpet features a silver-plated body, Monel pistons, and a standard taper #25 leadpipe.

The instrument is lightweight and easy to play.

Due to its medium-large bore, it produces a well-rounded sound. It has a warm quality and it’s suitable for all kinds of performances.

All in all, the Bach 180S37 is a beautiful, durable, and high-quality instrument that will satisfy even the most experienced trumpeter.

Pros  

• Excellent sound quality
• High-quality materials (Monel pistons)
• Durable
• Includes a case and a mouthpiece

Cons  

• Pricey

3. Yamaha YTR-2330 Professional Trumpet

Yamaha is another reliable brand known for manufacturing high-end instruments.

And the Yamaha YTR-2330 Professional Trumpet is the best example of excellent craftsmanship and outstanding production methods.

It has a yellow brass two-piece bell and high-quality Monel pistons. You can choose between a gold lacquer and a silver-plated finish. And the adjustable third valve allows a more natural hand placement.

Also, the sound is simply amazing so it comes as no surprise that this trumpet is so popular among experienced musicians.

On top of that, compared to some other professional models, the Yamaha YTR-2330 Professional Trumpet is quite affordable.

All things considered, it’s an excellent choice for intermediate and advancing players.

Pros  

• Great playability
• Beautiful sound
• High-quality materials
• Good price
• Lightweight

Cons 

• Might require frequent valve oiling

4. Jean Paul USA TR-330 Standard Student Trumpet

If you’re looking for an affordable and reliable beginner-friendly trumpet, you should check out the Jean Paul USA TR-330 Standard Student Trumpet.

It will cost you around $200 and you’ll get everything you need with it (a carrying case, valve oil, gloves, a mouthpiece, and a cleaning cloth.)

This model has a yellow brass body with a typical gold lacquer finish. It also has a leadpipe made of rose brass that withstands corrosion.

And for a better balance, it has an adjustable ring on the third valve and a thumb saddle on the first valve.

Moreover, this Bb trumpet has a beautiful, rich sound, and it’s definitely a great choice for a beginner.

Pros  

• Rich sound
• A rose brass leadpipe
• Comes with all the accessories
• Great price

Cons

• Some customers have noticed sticky valves

5. Glory Brass Intermediate Double-Braced Bb Trumpet

This is another quality trumpet that won’t cost you a fortune.

The Glory Brass Bb Trumpet is ideal for beginners and intermediate students.

It has this eye-catching high-gloss gold lacquered finish. It’s also lightweight and very comfortable to hold.

As it has a yellow brass construction, it produces a brighter tone. And it comes with all the necessary accessories so you won’t have to spend extra money to complete your kit.

Pros  

• Nice appearance
• Lightweight
• Comfortable
• Great price

Cons 

• Valves can be sticky

6.  Yamaha YTR-8335RS Xeno Series

The Yamaha YTR-8335RS will ensure you an exceptional playing experience.

This unique trumpet has excellent responsiveness due to its reverse-style design with staggered main pipe valve slides. This feature also allows smooth resistance and airflow.

Moreover, the Yamaha YTR-8335RS has an efficient bell design for better playability in the upper register.

It also has double main tuning slide braces, Monel pistons, and a one-piece drawn leadpipe.

It produces a beautiful, clear sound in all dynamic ranges. It’s suitable both for solo performances and as a part of the orchestra.

With its tonal quality and excellent responsiveness, the Xeno trumpet series really stands out among the best trumpets.

Pros  

• Outstanding responsiveness
• Well-designed
• Tonal quality
• Versatile
• Durable

Cons 

• A bit heavy

7. Kaizer TRP-1000LQ

The Kaizer TRP-1000LQ is suitable for beginners and intermediate trumpet players of all ages.

It’s sturdy and made from durable materials. Its rose brass leadpipe is a great benefit because it withstands corrosion.

The Kaizer TRP-1000LQ also has other features characteristic of high-quality trumpets: Monel pistons, a medium-large bore, a third valve stop, and a double-tuning slide brace.

It’s available in four different colors: nickel, blue, lacquered brass, and purple.

A molded case, a polishing cloth, valve oil, a case shoulder strap, and a standard 7C mouthpiece are included.

Another selling point of this brilliant trumpet is its lifetime warranty and the possibility to test it with a 45-day free trial.

Pros  

• Excellent playability
• Durable
• Comes with all the accessories
• Affordable
• Lifetime warranty and a 45-day free trial

Cons

• A finger ring is a bit fragile

8. Jupiter XO Series1602RS-R

When it comes to the best professional trumpets, the Jupiter XO Series1602RS-R is certainly worth mentioning.

It’s lightweight, versatile, highly responsive, and efficiently designed.

It features a standard rose brass reverse leadpipe which is great for players who prefer a more free-blowing horn.

Moreover, it has distinctive rounded and elliptical tuning slides (to help you find a perfect pitch) and a medium-large bore. The valves are hand fitted and made from Monel.

In essence, the Jupiter XO Series1602RS-R provides excellent responsiveness and a clear sound that every experienced trumpeter dreams about.

Pros  

• Highly responsive
• Efficient design
• High-quality materials
• Lightweight
• Great sound

Cons

• Pricey

9.  Lexington Student Intermediate Trumpet

The Lexington Student Intermediate Trumpet is an affordable option for all beginners and learners.

It has a durable brass lacquered finish and yellow brass slides. The valves are made from stainless steel so they require regular oiling.

But you’ll get everything you need for the maintenance including valve oil and a polishing cloth.

In a nutshell, it’s a very good trumpet with beginner-friendly features, especially considering the price.

So if you’re looking for a trumpet for your practice that won’t break the bank, you can take Lexington Student Intermediate into account.

Pros  

• Great price
• Good value for money
• Beginner-friendly

Cons

• Valves require a lot of maintenance

10. Getzen 590S-S

As a part of the premium Capri line, the Getzen 590S-S trumpet is designed for a great playing experience.

It has a nickel silver finish, a nickel-silver leadpipe and slides, a two-piece yellow brass bell, and a 7C nickel-silver mouthpiece.

Other advantages of the Getzen 590S-S trumpet include an adjustable third slide ring and a first slide trigger.

Although the valves work smoothly, they come with a lifetime warranty.

This model is ideal for aspiring trumpet students who want to take their playing to another level.

Pros  

• Great playability
• Nice design
• Lifetime valve warranty

Cons  

• A two-piece bell

11. Mendini MTT-30CN

If you’re on a budget but still hoping to find a reliable instrument, you should check out the Mendini MTT-30CN.

This beginner-friendly trumpet is both durable and nice-looking.

It also produces a loud, crisp sound, so even more experienced trumpeters will find it appealing.

Furthermore, the Mendini MTT-30CN features smooth action valves, a first valve slide thumb saddle, and an adjustable third slide lock.

It’s available in a variety of colorful lacquered finishes, which is great if you’re buying a trumpet for your kid who would love a colorful instrument.

This model also comes with a bunch of accessories: plush-lined nylon-covered hardshell case, a silver-plated 7C mouthpiece, valve oil, and so on.

You’ll even get a nice music pocketbook to track your progress, a chromatic tuner, and a foldable stand. All of this can be very useful, especially for students.

Pros  

• Student-friendly
• Durable
• Comes with a lot of accessories
• A nice, crisp sound
• One-year warranty

Cons

• It requires some tuning before you start playing

12. Jean Paul USA TR-430 Intermediate Trumpet

The Jean Paul USA TR-430 Trumpet is a great choice for intermediate players or beginners who want to step up their game.

Its price is low but its features are reminiscent of the more expensive trumpets.

It has a rose brass leadpipe and stainless steel piston valves. It really does look like an instrument for advanced players.

Its sound is as good as its appearance: it’s bright and suitable for all kinds of genres.

On top of that, it has great intonation and responsiveness.

The accessories include a 7C mouthpiece, valve oil, polishing cloth, and gloves.

All of these features make the Jean Paul USA TR-430 a really remarkable student trumpet, especially considering the price.

Pros  

• Excellent responsiveness
• Great intonation
• Durable
• Affordable

Cons 

• It’s medium weight

13. Stagg – TR245 Bb Pocket Trumpet

If you’re interested in buying a pocket trumpet, the Stagg pocket trumpets are popular among beginner and recreational trumpet players.

After all, pocket trumpets are lighter and much easier to hold, so they make a great beginner instrument.

The Stagg – TR245 Bb Pocket Trumpet is tuned in Bb like other trumpets on this list.

It has stainless steel pistons and a nice, quality finish.

And its intonation and responsiveness are amazing, considering the price.

So, if you’re looking for a lightweight trumpet that is easy to play (yet it requires the same technique and embouchure as Bb trumpet), the Stagg – TR245 Bb Pocket Trumpet won’t disappoint you.

Pros 

• Good build quality
• Nice appearance
• Very lightweight
• Affordable

Cons  

• It might take a while to get used to its size (if you’ve played a Bb trumpet before)

14. Levante LV-TR6305 Professional Bb Trumpet

Another trumpet coming from the Stagg company is this beautiful Bb trumpet.

Although it’s categorized as a professional trumpet, it’s suitable for aspiring students as well.

It has a gold brass leadpipe, Monel pistons, a first-valve slide saddle, and an adjustable third-valve slide saddle.

The package includes a soft case and a 7C mouthpiece.

It’s an affordable model but not too cheap. After all, it’s made from high-quality, durable materials. But compared to other professional trumpets, the price is really amazing.

Pros

• High-quality materials
• Durable
• Suitable for different levels
• Affordable

Cons  

• Comes with a soft case (a hard case is more protective and resilient)

 15. Jupiter Intermediate Bb Trumpet 1100S

The Jupiter Intermediate Bb Trumpet 1100S is perfect for beginners who are moving on to the next level.

It’s easy to play and it has great build quality characteristic of the best Jupiter models.

It has a reverse leadpipe that allows more freedom and flexibility in playing. It’s made from durable rose brass.

This model also provides a natural hand placement due to its adjustable ring slide.

And last but not least, the Jupiter Intermediate Bb Trumpet 1100S produces a beautiful, rich sound that will motivate any student.

Pros  

• Excellent build quality
• Durable
• Comfortable
• Reverse leadpipe

Cons 

• A bit pricey

How To Choose The Best Trumpet For You

If you’re an experienced trumpet player, you know how to recognize a high-quality instrument. And you know what kind of sound you prefer.

But for beginners, determining which is the best model for practice is not that easy.

Either way, there are several things you need to consider before buying a new trumpet.

Of course, we suggest that you seek advice from someone knowledgeable and experienced. But it’s always better to know a bit more about the instrument to be able to engage in conversation.

After all, educating yourself about the instrument you’re playing should be an essential part of your learning process. Along with a solid learning process, we recommend online trumpet lessons.

So, let’s see what to consider if you want to find the best trumpet that suits your needs!

Types of Trumpets

There are several most popular types of trumpets, each with its own size, tone, and pitch.

The B♭ trumpet is the most common type. It’s popular among students as well as professionals and in a wide range of genres including jazz, blues, pop, and rock. The name suggests that when you play a C on this trumpet, it actually sounds like Bb.

The C trumpet is another popular trumpet producing a higher pitch. This trumpet will allow you to play any music written in this key without transposing.

Eb and D trumpets produce an even brighter tone than the C trumpet. They are also smaller (if the instrument is smaller, the pitch will be higher.)

The piccolo trumpet is the smallest trumpet available. It has far less tubing and a higher pitch than its counterparts. They’re usually pitched in Bb and A and have a very bright, distinctive sound.

There are also other types of trumpets or similar instruments: the Bb pocket trumpet, the bugle (a valveless trumpet), the cornet from the brass family, the flugelhorn, the slide trumpet, and so on.

The B♭and C trumpets are the most popular types among beginners and advancing players, so most of the suggestions on our list are Bb trumpets.

Mouthpiece

Trumpet mouthpieces also come in different sizes and shapes. And the type of mouthpiece you choose will impact your sound and playing.

The Bach 7C mouthpiece is arguably the most widely used mouthpiece. It’s popular among students as well as experienced trumpeters.

Mouthpieces with a shallow cup produce a brighter tone, and the ones with deeper cups will give you a darker, warmer tone. 

If you’re a beginner, you’ll find smaller mouthpieces easier to practice with. A smaller mouthpiece allows you to play longer without feeling fatigued.

And more experienced trumpeters with good breath support will prefer a larger mouthpiece as it can produce a louder sound. But professional musicians often have multiple mouthpieces in their kit.

Most mouthpieces are made from brass or silver. Silver mouthpieces produce a slightly darker sound though. So, the best material for you depends on your ideal tone.

If you’re a beginner and you haven’t discovered your ideal tone yet, a brass mouthpiece will do just fine.

Leadpipe and Bore

The mouthpiece is connected to the first tuning slide with a leadpipe (or the mouthpiece.)

As it controls the airflow as you play, the leadpipe helps you control your pitch. But it’s the size of the trumpet’s bore (the inside diameter) that you should pay attention to.

Wide-bore trumpets are harder to play as they require more effort, but they also provide a fuller, louder sound.

For newcomers, medium and small bores are the best choices.

When it comes to material, leadpipes are made from sterling silver (professional trumpets) or yellow or red brass. Both yellow and red/rose brass are good options for beginners. Red brass is more resilient to corrosion though.

Valves

Most modern trumpets have three piston valves. Some types have a fourth valve extending the instrument’s lower register.

Basically, they open and close different parts of the pipe, so by pressing them, you can change the pitch and sound.

That said, it’s important that the valves don’t stick but rather allow you to play the trumpet smoothly. And the pistons (inside the valves) have to be strong.

The best trumpet pistons are made from a nickel-copper alloy called Monel. This material requires maintenance but it’s known for its great strength.

Other cheaper but lower-quality options include nickel-plated pistons.

Bell

The bell is a part of the trumpet that amplifies the sound. Bells vary in size and materials.

A smaller bell has a brighter sound, and a larger bell produces softer tones. 

The best professional trumpets have bells made of rose brass, and many models have less expensive yellow brass bells.

Finish

The last thing you need to consider when buying a trumpet is its finish.

The instrument’s finish is not only about the looks and protection – it affects the timbre of the trumpet.

For example, if you’re looking for a trumpet with a darker tone, you should opt for a gold-plated horn.

And if you’re fond of brighter tones, a trumpet with a silver finish is an ideal choice for you.

Price

Another thing to establish before heading to the music store is your budget.

So, how much are you willing to spend on your new instrument? What is your level of experience? How serious are you about playing the trumpet?

After you have the answer to all of these questions, the list of the potential models will instantly shrink.

Generally, trumpets range in cost from around $200 to $3,000 and up.

And although a higher price will ensure you a better quality of the instrument, you can also find some really good trumpets (especially for beginners) that won’t cost you a lot.

New Vs Used Trumpet

If you’re on a budget, finding a vintage trumpet might be a more cost-effective option for you.

Buying a vintage trumpet can be great, but only if you’re careful. You need to make sure that the previous owner took good care of the instrument which is not easy to determine if you’re not experienced.

If you’re buying a second-hand trumpet, it has to be in a good condition. You’ll have a lot of problems otherwise.

On the other hand, trumpets are easily repairable, so it all depends on the problem. If the repairs and new parts will cost you more than the whole instrument, than buying it doesn’t make much sense.

Many believe that buying a new trumpet is a safer choice.

Purchasing a brand new instrument is an investment though. But if you make the right choice, it will be a smart one.

New trumpets come in mint condition, and you won’t have to worry about replacing parts anytime soon. And if you maintain it properly, it will last you longer.

Well, it’s all quite similar to the difference between a new and a used car.

So, what’s the best trumpet for you?

After having a better understanding of all the things you have to factor in when buying a trumpet, the buying process will become much easier.

First of all, every model was designed with a specific player in mind. Depending on your level of experience, you can choose from a student, intermediate, and a professional trumpet.

But even if you’re a beginner but you’re taking your trumpet practice seriously, you can opt for some of the intermediate trumpets.

As you already know, different models produce different sounds. Choose the one to your liking or ask someone more experienced for an opinion.

Of course, you should also pay attention to materials and different parts of the trumpet: a leadpipe, bore, mouthpiece, valves, and a bell. All of these parts impact the sound and the quality of your playing experience.

Final Thoughts

We hope our trumpets review and the buyer’s guide helped you figure out what kind of trumpet is ideal for you.

Our list consists mostly of Bb trumpets, but there are many other types to explore.

Bb trumpet is the most common type, and it varies in price, materials, and construction.

Of course, if the instrument is more expensive, you can conclude it’s made from top-notch materials.

However, if you’re just starting out, you can simply opt for beginner models. They are more affordable but durable and reliable.  

The trumpet is a versatile instrument that is very fun to learn. And with the right model, your learning process will be smooth.

We know that finding the best instrument isn’t an easy choice, but if you make an informed decision, we’re sure you’ll make the right one!