10 Best French Horns from Most Popular Brands in 2020

Do you love the bass sound of a french horn? Are you or someone you care about interested in learning how to play the french horn?

If so, you must understand purchasing a french horn can be a tedious decision because several factors must be considered before making your final purchase to ensure you get the right instrument.

We understand that you want to purchase the best french horn, and so, we have conducted reviews for some of the best french horn models on the market for consideration.

However, we have also comprised some valuable information that you should know and consider before making your final purchasing decision. Let’s get started on your journey to finding the perfect french horn!

Our Top Recommended French Horns

10 Best French Horns on the Market

1. Mendini MFH-20 Single Key of F Brass French Horn

Mendini is a popular manufacturer of french horns, and although they have models designed for different skill levels, they designed this model specifically for french horn beginners.

To assist with getting started, this french horn comes with a complete package that is designed to teach new players how to not only play but also take care of their french horn.

For instance, this package comes with a silver-plated mouthpiece, which allows you to start playing the moment it arrives. However, it also comes with a protective hard case, a pair of playing gloves, and a polishing cloth to keep the french horn in performance shape.

Mendini provides a 1-year warranty on this french horn, and they designed it to be lightweight, which makes it easier for someone new to playing to carry the instrument without straining themselves.

What Consumers Are Saying:

Many consumers that purchased this french horn found that it is the best budget french horn for beginners. The price is just right in case they change their mind, but it still provides a quality sound for all types of band purposes.

However, a few consumers have had a few minor issues with the keys initially sticking.

2. Yamaha YHR-31411 Student F French Horn

When it comes to instruments, Yamaha has proven that they are one of the best manufacturers in the industry, and this is just one of the many french horn models that they designed specifically for students.

This french horn is designed to play in Key of F single, and it is designed with a lightweight design to make it easier for students to learn how to play manage the instrument.

To add a bit of cosmetic touch, Yamaha has made the inner and outer slides out of nickel silver. This allows for a nice original look compared to all brass french horns, but there isn’t any reason to worry.

The use of nickel silver will not impact the sound in any way. Finally, they have added a mouthpipe taper that is designed to help beginners get better intonation and response with less effort.

What Consumers Are Saying:

Many consumers purchased this french horn because it is one of the best student french horns, and they like that it has a lightweight design, which makes it easier to learn how to play without dealing with a huge physical restraint of heavier models, but they do wish that it came with some sort of case.

3. Holton H179 Farkas Series Fixed Bell Double Horn

Holton has a well-known reputation for manufacturing higher quality instruments, and the H179 model is one of their top fixed bell double horn models.

This french horn plays in the key of F/Bb, and it comes with several features that are designed to provide you with a darker and deeper tone than is needed for beginner french horn players.

Although many starter french horns have minor parts made from nickel, this french horn is made from nickel entirely, except the mouthpiece, which is partially why it provides such a darker and deeper tone than most other models.

It is also designed with a larger bell throat than the normal beginner french horn, which can make it more difficult to keep a solid tone for a beginner, but for an intermediate player and up it will provide something a little extra.

What Consumers Are Saying:

If you are looking to upgrade to a professional french horn, most consumers would agree that this is an option. They enjoy the larger bell throat and the darker tone that it provides, but a few have expressed concerns with the sound of this french horn being duller than some other french horn models.

4. Ammoon French Horn B/BB Flat 3 Key Brass Gold Lacquer Single-Row Split Wind Instrument

Ammoon is a well-known manufacturer of french horns and other wind instruments, and this is one of their most popular single rows split french horn models.

They designed it with brass gold lacquer to give it a strong and powerful sound, and they designed this french horn to come with a complete package, which is perfect for those who are beginners.

This french horn plays in the key of B/Bb Flat, and it is designed to be a three key french horn, which is recommended for beginning players because it is easier to learn than the four key french horn.

For the convenience of their customers, Ammoon provides several necessities with this french horn.

They have added a hardshell case to help protect the french horn while traveling and storing, a cleaning cloth to ensure it remains in performing shape, a pair of gloves to keep fingerprints off the french horn, and a cupronickel mouthpiece to make playing easier.

What Consumers Are Saying:

Most consumers that purchased this french horn were happy with its performance, and they liked that it came with everything they need to take care of the french horn without having to make separate purchases.

However, a few had minor issues with their instrument arriving with minor damage from shipping issues, but these issues were handled excellently by the manufacturer.

5. OPUS USA by Ktone Professional Silver Double French Horn

Ktone Professional is known for making excellent instruments, and this is one of their most popular double french horn models. It plays in the key of Bb/F, and it comes with a detachable bell, which makes it excellent for musicians that have to travel a lot with their french horn.

Plus, it comes with a 4th rotor thumb lever that is adjustable to make it easier to position and hold for longer periods.

What Consumers Are Saying:

Many consumers have given this model excellent double french horn reviews. They like the adjustable 4th rotor thumb lever, and they enjoy that it has a detachable bell. However, they do not recommend this model for anyone who has larger hands.

6. Cecilio 2Series FH-280 Single Key of F Yellow Brass French Horn

This model has 3 rotary valves, and it is designed to be lightweight and responsive. Cecilio also provides a lot of accessories with this model. It comes with a silver plated mouthpiece, pro-deluxe hard case, polishing cloth and a pair of gloves

What Consumers Are Saying:

Many consumers enjoy the lightweight and responsiveness of this particular french horn model. Plus, they like that it comes with everything they need to take care of the french horn, but some of those accessories can be upgraded by better at later times.

7. Monel Rotors Bb/F 4 Keys Double French Horn

Monel has been producing french horns for many years, and this is one of their most popular Bb/F french horns, on the market. It comes with 4 durable smooth rotors, which helps with the performance of the instrument.

It also has a gold lacquer finish to make it stand out better than many other instruments. Finally, it was designed with a detachable bell, which makes it excellent for traveling situations.

What Consumers Are Saying:

Most consumers are happy with the gold lacquer finish on this french horn, and they like that the bell is detachable, which makes it easier to travel with. However, some have expressed a few minor issues with valves sticking.

8. Mendini Intermediate Key of F/Bb Double French Horn with Solid Rotors String Lever Action, MFH-30L+92D

Mendini is well-known for manufacturing quality french horns, and this is one of their most popular intermediate double french horn models. It comes with a 1-year warranty that is backed by Mendini, and it plays in the standard key of F/Bb.

It has a yellow brass lacquer, which makes it more durable than most beginner models. Plus, it comes with a Cecilio 92-D chromatic/string tuner with metronome, silver plated mouthpiece, pro-deluxe hard case, polishing cloth and a pair of gloves.

What Consumers Are Saying:

Many consumers have given their Mendini double french horn review a thumbs up. They enjoy that it comes with everything they need to get started, and they like that it comes with a 1-year warranty. However, some have had a few issues with the manufacturer’s customer service response times.

If you are interested in musical instruments, it may be useful for you to get to know our selection of best tenor saxophones.

9. Holton H378 Intermediate French Horn

Holton manufacturers a lot of excellent french horns, and this is a popular intermediate model of theirs. It is made from yellow brass, and it plays in the key of Bb/F. They designed it with a large throat, which helps to provide a deeper and more harmonic tone.

What Consumers Are Saying:

Most consumers enjoy the large throat of this french horn, but some have expressed a few issues when contacting the manufacturer’s customer service for assistance.

10. Roy Benson RBHR302 Advanced French Horn

Roy Benson has been manufacturing french horns for many years, and this is one of their top advanced french horn models. It has three valves, and the lead pipe is made out of gold.

The rest of the horn is made from yellow brass for durability. Finally, they have included a hard case that comes with backpack straps to make it more convenient to carry around the horn while traveling.

What Consumers Are Saying:

Most consumers that have purchased this french horn like its yellow brass construction, because it makes it more durable. Plus, they like that the included case comes with backpack straps for easy travel. However, a few have expressed having some issues with packaging methods.

Factors to Consider When Buying A French Horn

Several factors should be considered when purchasing a french horn. After all, most people keep their instruments for a period of 2 to 4 years or longer, depending on the level and intensity of play.

As expected, a beginner french horn will generally last a student from high school through some of college, but if they plan on playing at a higher level, they will want to upgrade their instrument to one of higher quality. Keeping this in mind, here are the main factors that you should consider.

Budget

When buying a french horn, it is important to understand the financial commitment that you are undertaking.

French horns can range from $200 to $20,000, and it is important to set a reasonable budget for the french horn you are wanting to purchase.

If you are looking for a beginner french horn that is new, you should expect to spend around $3,200.

However, it is possible to find cheaper models, but you might pay for it with different flaws.

Therefore, know and stick to your budget and consider the time that you will get from the model to ensure it is worth the investment for the amount of time it will be utilized.

Material

When it comes to french horns, there are three materials that they are commonly made from rose brass, nickel silver, or yellow brass. Each of these materials has advantages and disadvantages.

• Rose Brass: With this type of brass, tonal flexibility is limited, and it is softer than the other two materials, which means it needs to be handled carefully to avoid any denting. However, it does provide a darker sound.
• Nickel Silver: This type of material is excellent for beginner french horns because it is the hardest of the three materials, but it does give a pretty silver color. It provides a bright sound, and it usually is paired with a horn that has a larger bell throat.
• Yellow Brass: This is the most common material found in these types of instruments. They provide a medium-dark sound, but it does have the capability of producing brighter sounds when pushed.

Manufacturer and Accessories

Just like most products, several manufacturers provide quality french horns, but some go above and behind and truly know how to push their models over the top.

It is important to weigh the manufacturer and what terms they provide with their french horns before making a final decision.

After all, it is important to have peace of mind that the manufacturer will stand behind their products.

On that note, it is also important to consider the types of accessories that the manufacturer provides with their french horns.

Sometimes these accessories can save you from having to search and purchase different things separately to ensure your french horn is maintained.

A few accessories that you should look for are cases, gloves, polishing cloths, a mouthpiece, and valve oil.

French Horn FAQ

We understand that people have different knowledge at their fingertips when it comes to purchasing a french horn, but several questions are often considered before making a purchase. Here, we have comprised a few of the most popular questions that people have about these types of instruments.

What is better lacquered or unlacquered?

The answer to this question is entirely up to your personal preference. However, it is important to note that unlacquered french horns do need more care than lacquered instruments.

Plus, if you are dealing with a yellow brass unlacquered french horn, you run the possibility of the instrument turning your skin green.

However, some lacquer dulls the sound of the instrument, but if you are purchasing for a student, then purchasing a lacquered french horn is a good idea for the added protection.

Are fixed or detachable bells best?

This question also comes down to personal preference.

However, if you are planning on traveling a lot with your french horn, then a detachable bell is an excellent choice because they are easier to carry around on trips, but the downside is that these types of french horns are usually more expensive than french horns with fixed bells.

What is the best french horn material?

If you are a beginner, the best material for a french horn is a toss-up between yellow brass and nickel silver. Yellow brass is the most common beginner french horn material, but many of them will have nickel silver parts that are meant to help with controlling different sounds.

Whereas, rose brass tends to be used for higher-end french horns, but they do require a lot of care because of the thickness making them more prone to damage and dents.

Conclusion: The Best French Horn Is…

After researching and reviewing the above french horns, the best french horn available on the market is the Mendini MFH-20 Single Key of F Brass French Horn.

It provides a beautiful dark tone, and it comes with a 1-year warranty, which gives peace of mind on the purchase. Finally, it is designed to be lightweight, which is excellent for students and beginners.

However, it is important to know that french horns are not a one-size-fits-all instrument. You need to be aware of what you want and how far you plan on going with the instrument before making the right purchasing decision for you.

You should research what your desires require in an instrument and go from there to ensure you get the right french horn to suit your playing ability and needs.