Do you or a loved one want to learn how to play the oboe? Are you unsure of where to start when searching for the best oboe for your ability and needs?
We understand that choosing the right oboe for you is important because it does require a substantial financial investment, especially if you are looking to upgrade to a more advanced instrument.
Keeping this in mind, we have reviewed 10 of the best oboes from the industry’s top brands to help give you your best purchasing option.
However, we have also provided information on what you should look for when purchasing an oboe and some frequently asked questions that will help you make the best purchasing decision for your individual needs. Let’s get to it!
Contents
Our Top Recommended Oboe
- Yamaha YOB-241 Series Student Oboe
- Modified conservatory system
- Silver-plated nickel silver keys
- Matte-finish ABS resin body
- Price: See Here!
- Yamaha 411 Intermediate Grenadilla Oboe
- Modified conservatory
- Silver Plated Keys
- Custom Series Bore Design
- Price: See Here!
- ROFFEE Oboe Beginner Student Level
- Full Conservatory
- Silver palted keys
- ABS body
- Price: See Here!
List of Best Oboe & Best Oboe Brands
1. Yamaha YOB-241 Series Student Oboe
Yamaha is a well-known manufacturer of instruments, and this oboe model was designed especially for students. It is constructed to be easy to play and learn on.
Plus, it is designed to be extremely durable, which is nice for players who are not skilled in maintaining instruments.
To give their customers peace-of-mind, Yamaha has provided this model with a 30-day moneyback guarantee to help ensure that their customers are happy with this model.
To assist with taking care of this model, they have also included a hardback oboe case, which is designed to help keep the oboe safe during travel.
What Consumers Are Saying:
Most consumers that purchased this oboe enjoyed its durability, and they liked that Yamaha provides a satisfaction guarantee with this model.
They find it to be the best student oboe. However, some have expressed a few issues with getting through to Yamaha’s customer service representatives.
- 30-day satisfaction guarantee
- Durable construction
- Comes with hard case
- Minor issues with customer service
2. Yamaha 411 Intermediate Grenadilla Oboe
Yamaha makes a wide range of musical instruments, and this is one of their top intermediate oboe models.
They designed it to provide a smooth and clear sound, and they included silver-plated keys to give the oboe a more professional touch for higher-performances and positions.
However, even though this is an intermediate level oboe, Yamaha has provided an exclusive case to help protect the oboe.
Plus, they have included a few care products that will help to keep the oboe in top playing condition in a hurry.
Finally, they have undercut tapered tone holes to make hitting the right notes a lot easier.
What Consumers Are Saying:
Most consumers that were looking to upgrade their oboe agreed that this model is easily the best intermediate oboe for a fair price.
They enjoy the silver-plated keys and hard case, but a few have expressed issues with the delivery process of the oboe to their home.
- Has custom series Bore design
- Includes case and instrument care products
- Silver plated keys
- Minor issues with delivery packaging
3. ROFFEE Oboe Beginner Student Level
ROFFEE has a long tradition of manufacturing quality instruments, like oboes, and this is one of their best models for a beginning student.
Not only is this model constructed out of durable materials, but they have also provided everything that you will need to start playing music immediately upon arrival.
On top of that, they have also provided a 1-year warranty on this model to help give their customers peace-of-mind.
The oboe is made from composite wood, which helps to provide a solid tone, and the keys are silver-plated to make it easier to maneuver your fingers on the keys to hit the correct notes.
Finally, they have added a few basic accessories that every student will require to be successful, like a quality oboe reed.
What Consumers Are Saying:
Most consumers that have purchased this oboe enjoy that it comes with the complete package, including an oboe reed that is required to play the instrument.
However, there have been a few issues with getting in contact with Yamaha’s customer support when requiring minor assistance.
- Comes with 1-year warranty
- Made from composite wood with silver-plated keys
- Includes everything to get started include an oboe reed
- Minor issues contacting ROFFEE support services
4. ROFFEE Oboe Professional Performance
ROFFEE is well-known for manufacturing oboes of all player quality, and this is just one of their many professional performance models.
To provide players with a better tone, they have designed this model from ebony wood, and they have plated the keys with rose gold, to give it a more sophisticated look.
On top of this, they have also provided customers with a 1-year warranty for this oboe model. They also understand that even a professional oboe player will need accessories to help clean and maintain this model.
Keeping this in mind, they have provided a sturdy case, gloves, a read, and a few other accessories to help their customers on their way to playing to the top.
What Consumers Are Saying:
Most consumers were happy with this professional oboe model, and they liked the smooth and delightful tone that the ebony wood gives the instrument.
However, some of them have expressed a few issues when encountering ROFFEE’s customer service hotline with minor issues that arise.
- Made from quality ebony wood
- Rose gold plated keys
- 1-year warranty
- Poor customer service response times
5. Yinfente Professional Oboe
Yinfente is a well-known manufacturer of different instruments, and this is one of their best oboe models. They have constructed the oboe from quality rosewood, which helps to give this model a clear and quality tune.
They have also added a gold plating to the copper-nickel keys, which are hardened to make it excellent for players of all levels.
To help keep the oboe protected, Yinfente has also provided a nice oboe case and case cover, which is designed to hold the oboe in place, keeping the keys from being damaged, during transport.
Finally, it is designed with a classical look that is both optimal and pleasing to the eyes when performing.
What Consumers Are Saying:
Most consumers that have purchased this oboe model having given this Yinfente oboe a solid review. They love the professional look of this oboe, but a few have found that it is harder to get in tune than a few other oboe models.
- Made from rosewood
- Golden plated copper-nickel keys
- Comes with case cover and case
- Minor issues with tuning
6. Glory Oboe C Key Cupronickel Plated Instrument for Beginners
Glory manufactures oboes for all levels of players, but this model was designed to be catered towards a beginning player.
They plated the keys with a cupronickel silver that is designed to keep the keys strong, making the instrument durable when finding their ways around the keys.
It was designed to play in the key of C, and unlike professional oboes, this one was designed to provide an easier flow of air to help students focus on the correct keying of the notes on the instrument.
They have also provided a case and a single reed to help you get started immediately upon arrival.
What Consumers Are Saying:
Many consumers purchased this oboe as a beginner oboe, and they were pleased with the classic look and the quality of the sound that it produces.
However, there have been a few issues with contacting Glory’s customer service when minor issues or questions arise for the particular model
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- Cupronickel plated silver keys
- Plays in Key of C
- Comes with single reed and case
- Minor issues with contacting customer service
7. Ammoon Oboe C Key Woodwind Musical Instrument 
Ammoon has been producing quality oboes for many years, and this is just one of their most popular beginner oboe models. They designed it to be easy to play and learn on, and they did this by making it from quality materials.
The keys are plated with a cupronickel alloy that helps to provide durability to the keys for long playing periods.
Knowing that this model is designed for a beginner, they understand that most beginners will not have all of the materials to properly maintain the instrument on arrival.
Therefore, they provide several accessories like a cleaning cloth and a polishing cloth. Plus, they have provided a synthetic leather case to help keep this oboe safe while traveling to and from school and other events.
What Consumers Are Saying:
Many consumers that purchased this oboe bought it as a beginner oboe, and they enjoyed the quality look of the cupronickel plated keys and the quality tone that it provides.
However, some have experienced minor durability issues with the keys of this model.
- Solid-rod system
- Made from soft wood with synthetic leather case
- Comes with cupronickel plated keys
- Minor key durability issues
8. RS Berkeley OB400 Elite Series Oboe
RS Berkley has been manufacturing oboes and other instruments for many years, and this is one of their most popular oboe models to date.
They made it from a strong ebonite, which makes it extremely durable, and they have plated the keys with silver to help give the model stronger durability.
To assist users with transporting the oboe, they have also provided a nice case equipped with a shoulder strap to make it easier to move about while carrying the oboe.
Finally, they have added tapered pivot screws and blue steel springs to help with the quality of sound that this particular oboe can reach, and they have also provided a few other accessories to make their customers even happier upon the arrival of this oboe.
What Consumers Are Saying:
Most consumers that have purchased this oboe model enjoy the stable tone that this oboe can provide, and they like how durable it is constructed.
However, they have found a few issues with the delivery practices of this oboe, but in most cases, any issues that occurred during delivery were handled promptly by the manufacturer.
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- Made from ebonite with silver-plated keys
- Durable storage case with shoulder strap
- Tapered pivot screws and blue steel springs
- Poor delivery practices
9. Jupiter JOB1000 Modified Conservatory System Oboe
Jupiter is well-known in the musical community for providing quality instruments that are deserving of playing in a conservatory setting.
They designed it out of quality materials that are meant to be an alternative to higher-priced wood oboes. Plus, they have also provided a quality carrying case to help keep the oboe protected for the user.
What Consumers Are Saying:
Many consumers have expressed their joy in how well this oboe can perform against higher-quality models. Plus, they like that it was designed sturdy for any sort of traveling situation.
However, a few have expressed minor issues when having to encounter the manufacturer’s customer service department.
- Designed to withstand many durability issues
- Alternative to more expensive wood models
- Comes with quality case meant for travel
- Minor issues with manufacturer’s customer service department
10. MeeLe C Key Oboe with Grenadilla Wood Body Silver Plated Keys
MeeLe has a well-known reputation of being a top instrument manufacturer, and they have designed this oboe to provide a quality and solid tune, regardless of the player’s level.
The keys are silver-plated for durability purposes, and it has a compact design that makes it easier to travel with. Plus, they have added an adjustable thumb rest, which makes this a viable option for most size hands.
What Consumers Are Saying:
Most consumers were pleased with this oboe model because of its adjustable thumb care, but they did find that there were a few issues with some of the delivery services when purchasing this oboe model.
- Silver-plated keys
- Compact design and case for transport
- Adjustable thumb care
- Minor issues with delivery
Factors To Consider When Buying An Oboe
Here you will find a few of the factors that you need to consider before making your final purchasing decision.
Level of Player
A player is generally classified into one of three groups: students, intermediate, and professional. This should always be considered because oboes are usually made for different player levels.
For instance, a student oboe generally is cheaper and will provide a basic style of playing that makes it easier for the student to learn.
However, professional oboes are generally more expensive and are made from premiere-wood, which gives them a smoother sound and provides the player with more options for all essential key work that they might encounter.
Whereas, intermediate oboes can still be made from plastic, but they are made of a higher-quality than a student oboe and can be used for a higher place, like when a student moves to a higher music school or conservatory.
Material
Oboes are usually made from either wood or plastic. Each of these materials has its pros and cons. So, it is important to understand the difference between these two types of materials.
With wood, the oboe will have a higher resale value and it tends to have a better sound quality and projection than a plastic oboe.
Manufacturer and Accessories
Several manufacturers are well-known in the musical community for making durable instruments, and usually, these manufacturers will provide some sort of peace of mind warranty on their instruments to ensure their happiness.
However, it is important to realize that if they don’t provide a warranty this also does not mean that it is not a quality instrument. It just means that you need to research more thoroughly before purchasing.
Oboe FAQ
Purchasing an oboe can be overwhelming, especially if you are new or are purchasing one for someone else. Keeping this in mind, here are a few questions that you might be asking yourself.
Should I purchase a new or used oboe?
There are pros and cons to purchasing both new and used oboes. If you are a student or just starting, then purchasing a used oboe is might be the best option because they tend to be cheaper.
However, if you looking to upgrade to a better playing level, then the investment in a new oboe is well worth it.
How much money should I expect to pay for a quality oboe?
Depending on your playing level, the amount of a quality oboe can range from $1,200 to $10,000.
You should consider your budget because many quality oboes fit most budgets, and if you find new oboes to be out of your budget range, there is always an option of purchasing a used instrument, but you should ensure you are purchasing it from a reliable source.
Are wood oboes better than plastic oboes?
Higher-end oboes are often made out of wood, but for students and intermediate players, plastic oboes are usually more durable while learning to properly care for the oboe.
However, plastic oboes are more durable but their sound quality is often less than a wood oboe.
Conclusion: The Best Oboe Is…
After researching the above oboe models and the manufacturers of these instruments, we have concluded that the best oboe model is the Yamaha YOB-241 Series Student Oboe.
Several features of this model help to set it apart from other models, and although it is classified as a student oboe, it can easily carry an experienced player for many years.
Yamaha is one of the top brands that we have displayed, but they are also on the expensive side compared to some of the other manufacturers.
Although we recommend this model, that does not mean that it is the perfect match for your needs. You should research and know your budget and experience level before making your final purchasing decision to help ensure that you will be happy with your final purchase.
