Top Saxophone Reed Brands: Elevate Your Sound!

Saxophone reeds play a pivotal role in shaping the sound and performance of a saxophonist. Choosing the right brand is essential for delivering that perfect tone, as well as ensuring ease of play. Among the top contenders in the world of saxophone reeds are Vandoren, Rico, and D'Addario, each known for their quality and consistency. To discover more about why these brands stand out among musicians, read on below.

Illustration of saxophone reeds

Best brands of saxophone reeds in 2025

Vandoren

Vandoren is one of the leading producers of saxophone reeds, known for their high-quality and consistent products. Their Traditional, Java Red, and Java Green reeds are popular choices among saxophonists, with the Traditional reeds being more resistant and suitable for classical music. However, their market share in cane reeds has been slowly decreasing, as seen in the sales stats from Dawkes Music, where Vandoren's share is dropping in favor of other cane options. Despite this, Vandoren remains a favorite among many players, particularly for their optimized sound in specific musical styles. For example, the Vandoren Traditional reeds are often used with Vandoren Optimum mouthpieces for a strong and dark sound.

Rico

Rico, now part of D'Addario, is renowned for producing high-quality saxophone reeds, particularly the iconic Rico Alto Saxophone Reeds, which are favored by beginners and educators due to their ease of response and unfiled cut for added support. These reeds are available in a full range of strengths, from 1 to 5, and have been a staple in the market since their inception in 1928. The Rico Royal reeds, for example, offer an even response across registers and are suited for advancing players, while the Mitchell Lurie reeds are known for their warmer sound and thicker spine. Rico reeds have maintained a strong market presence, with sales stats showing significant popularity among educators and bulk buyers, especially in the 1.5 to 2.5 strength range.

D'Addario

D'Addario is a leading manufacturer of saxophone reeds, known for its high-quality products that cater to a wide range of players. The company, founded in 1973, produces 95% of its products in the United States and distributes them to over 120 countries. D'Addario's saxophone reeds, including the Rico and Reserve lines, are crafted with precision to ensure optimal performance, with the Reserve reeds offering a richer, fuller sound and better dynamic response. The company also innovates in synthetic reeds, such as the VENN reed, which combines the stability of synthetic materials with the sound and feel of natural cane. D'Addario's commitment to quality and innovation has made it a preferred choice among saxophonists.

Alexander

Alexander reeds are highly regarded for their consistency and quality, with models such as the Superial, Superial DC, and NY offering a warm, resonant sound and excellent projection. Founded by Tom Alexander in the early 1990s, the brand aims to minimize the inconsistencies common in other reeds, resulting in a nearly zero reject rate in their boxes. The Superial cut, in particular, is praised for its even scale throughout the registers and wide dynamic range, making it a favorite among saxophonists like Dave Liebman and Joshua Redman. The reeds are made from high-quality cane grown in the south of France and are known for their longevity and balanced sound. This attention to detail and commitment to quality have made Alexander reeds a top choice for many professional saxophonists. For more in-depth information, check out this review of Alexander Alto and Tenor Saxophone Reeds.

Legere

Legere is a leading producer of synthetic saxophone reeds, renowned for their consistency, durability, and instant response. Around 85% of Legere sales are of the Signature series models, which are highly popular among saxophonists. In 2019-2020, Legere dominated the synthetic reed market, while other brands like Fibracell and Plasticover maintained their customer base but did not gain new market share. For more details on their products, visit their official Legere product page.

Rigotti

Rigotti is renowned as one of the best producers of saxophone reeds, particularly with their Gold Jazz series, which is made from the finest cane from the Var and Cogolin regions of France. These reeds are hand-picked and precisely cut, ensuring consistency and durability. Rigotti Gold reeds come in a range of strengths, including light, medium, and strong within each half-size, allowing musicians to pinpoint their exact preference. The cane used is matured for two years, reaching 7-8 meters in height and 26-32 cm in diameter, before being carefully calibrated for each instrument. This meticulous process results in reeds that are bright, resonant, and ideal for jazz and contemporary music styles. For more information, visit their official website.

Hemke

Hemke saxophone reeds, part of the Rico family, are highly regarded for their dark tone and ease of response, making them a favorite among jazz and classical saxophonists, as well as advancing students. They feature a shorter vamp for a darker tone and a slightly thinner tip for quick response and articulation. Available in strengths from 2.0 to 4.0, these filed-cut reeds are known for their consistency, thanks to Rico's updated reed-making machinery. Hemke reeds are particularly well-suited to traditional, round-chambered mouthpieces and are offered in boxes of 5. Their popularity stems from their balanced tone and harmonic depth. For more details, check out their Hemke alto sax reeds on the manufacturer's website.

La Voz

La Voz is a highly regarded brand for saxophone reeds, particularly favored by professional saxophone players for its consistent response and powerful tone. Introduced in 1948, La Voz reeds are crafted from premium cane and are unfiled, which enhances their deep, rich sound, making them ideal for jazz, funk, and R&B music. Despite being marketed as a separate entity, La Voz reeds are actually the same as Rico "Orange Box" reeds, differing only in strength grading and marketing strategies. They offer a softer and more flexible profile, which is beneficial for players seeking a full, rich tone. La Voz reeds are known for their bright, 'reedy' feel and are relatively easy to blow, although they may not be as long-lasting as other types. For more information, visit the La Voz Alto Saxophone Reed on SaxShop.

Gonzalez

Gonzalez is a highly regarded brand for saxophone reeds, particularly noted for their consistency and unique cuts. The Gonzalez FOF reeds, with their American cut, are popular among professional and advanced players, offering a strong, rich, and dark sound. The GD reeds, featuring a French Filed Cut, are made from thicker blanks and provide a richer sound, similar to Vandoren's V12 and V21 models. In sales statistics from 2019, the Gonzalez RC reeds led with 39% of the market share, followed by the GD at 30%, and the FOF at 21%. These reeds are also known for their affordability and reliability. Learn more about them in this informative article.

Juno

The Juno brand, produced by Vandoren, is highly regarded for its high-quality saxophone reeds, particularly designed for student-level musicians. These reeds are made in France, ensuring the same meticulous technique as other Vandoren products. They are known for their responsive cut, allowing beginners to achieve a full and beautiful sound from the start. With a price point of around $4 per reed, Juno reeds offer excellent value for those looking to improve their saxophone skills. For more details on Juno Alto Saxophone Reeds, visit their official page.