The 10 Best Bongo Drums of 2023

After many agonizing months of choice making, you’ve gotten lastly realized that you simply want a set of bongo drums!

Maybe you might be an aspiring Afro-Cuban percussionist or a multi-instrumentalist seeking to increase, or possibly even the rhythms of the bongo have been intermittently haunting your goals!

Regardless of the excuse, we’re right here that will help you discover the very best bongo drum on your talent degree, enjoying wants, and finances! So learn on to search out which finest ten bongos gives you probably the most bang on your buck.

Bongo Fundamentals

When you find yourself shopping for any instrument, it’s smart to a minimum of have the fundamentals down earlier than making a purchase order.

The common reader of this text is probably going a starting or intermediate participant of the bongo, so just a little overview of the basics can’t harm!

Historical past

The precise historical past of the bongo drum will not be very clear, however we do realize it was first documented in Cuba and has its roots in central and west African drums.

Crucial side of the bongo is that it’s considered one of many devices within the Afro-Cuban percussion household. European music centered on the beat, whereas African and Caribbean types centered extra on the offbeat and syncopation.

Should you like funk, dance, pop, and principally any music style that will get you shifting… you’ve gotten Afro-Cuban polyrhythms to thank!

Construct

Bongo drums are to not be confused with different types of drums just like the conga. Bongos are at all times two small drums linked collectively.

As a result of they’re smaller, they make higher-pitched sounds in comparison with conga drums. Each bongo drums are the identical top however barely totally different diameters, the small one (macho) from 6-8 inches and the bigger drum (hembra) 6-10 inches.

Within the early days, they had been product of principally wooden and animal skins, however now you will note many in style fashions utilizing plastic, fiberglass, and different fashionable supplies for the pinnacle.

Like many musical devices, you’ll get what you pay for, being too low cost can depart you with a set of horrible sounding bongo drums!

It’s such a easy instrument that some gamers suppose they will spend as little as attainable and get a discount. In actuality, if you’d like an awesome set of bongo drums, then it is advisable to have a good finances.

Important Rhythms

Bongos are usually performed with the fingers and palms in repeating eighth-note patterns.

There are some very fundamental bongo rhythms that each new participant ought to know, and it doesn’t harm to examine a couple of out to get you psyched on your bongo buy! After a couple of classes, you may be able to check out one of many high bongo units we’ve listed under.

The Greatest Bongo drums at a Look

The above desk exhibits our high picks. For a extra in-depth have a look at every, be sure you preserve studying.

1) Toca Synergy

That is undoubtedly a low finances bongo mannequin; it won’t sound that nice. It is available in a couple of totally different colours, has heads product of rawhide, and a physique of plywood.

The smaller drumhead is 6″ and the bigger 6 3/4″. At this low value, you might be getting near a child’s toy drum.

With correct approach and enjoying, you possibly can hopefully get some bigger life out of it. It has loads of clients who’ve left glad critiques!

Professionals

• Very inexpensive for these on a low finances
• Glossy and colourful fashion
• Comes with the software to tighten the heads

Cons

• Not that a lot resonance with plywood
• Higher for youths as a substitute of adults
• Tuning might not maintain with cheaper {hardware}

2) Meinl Percussion Journey Sequence

This finances mannequin is product of ABS plastic with buffalo drumheads. The smaller or macho sized head is 6.5,” and the bigger or hembra sized head is 7.5″. It additionally comes with a tuning wrench and adjustable {hardware}.

As you progress up in price, the sounds and resonance will enhance, and your drum will probably be extra appropriate for enjoying in bigger crowds. This is without doubt one of the finest bongos on a finances primarily based alone on nice critiques!

Professionals

• An incredible mannequin for a low finances
• They appear like a top quality model
• The sound you get for the low value is nice

Cons

• Some gamers don’t just like the sound of plastic
• Solely out there in matte black
• Not the most suitable choice for intermediate gamers

3) Remo Rhythm Membership

That is the bottom finances mannequin on the checklist, principally offered as a children bongo drum. If it weren’t for the various nice critiques, this drum wouldn’t have made a roundup!

Nonetheless, there isn’t any denying Remo is a widely known producer and clients clearly love this drum! It’s approach smaller than different bongo drums at 5″ and 6″ for every head. The very best half concerning the drum is probably going the colourful and inclusive design.

Professionals

• One of many lowest priced however actual bongo drums available on the market
• Straightforward to take tenting or to out of doors occasions
• Small and low cost with many glad clients

Cons

• Most likely finest for youths and inexperienced persons
• Small heads equal much less resonance
• It has a really infantile look to it

4) GP Percussion B2

These low finances drums have shells product of hickory and heads product of pure rawhide. The smallest head is 6″ and the bigger one 7″ so they’re a tiny bit bigger than most cheaper fashions.

They’ve a tuning wrench included for tightening the tunable heads. Fairly merely, that is one other mannequin the place you could be disenchanted with sound high quality, strive shifting up in finances.

Professionals

• It’s usually offered out so clearly of us purchase it
• For tenting and out of doors actions, it really works effective
• An incredible starter instrument to get a scholar enjoying

Cons

• The supplies received’t present the very best sound
• Most likely not for a probably critical participant
• A number of extra dangerous scores than most finances fashions

5) Latin Percussion Aspire Sequence

Now we’re shifting into intermediate finest bongo fashions; these are for the gamers who want to commit extra in the direction of the craft.

This mannequin’s smaller macho head is 6.75,” and the bigger hembra head is 8″. It’s made with actual rawhide and Siam oak sides. It has a implausible end to it and is nice for gamers who care just a little extra about aesthetics. The Latin Aspire sounds good and appears good too!

Professionals

• Extra resonance with bigger heads
• Siam oak is utilized in quite a lot of Latin percussion devices
• Straightforward to tune with the included wrench

Cons

• The fashion will not be appropriate for all
• Could possibly be bigger drumheads for the worth
• It’s possible you’ll not just like the Siam oak tone

6) Meinl Percussion Headliner

Meinl makes starting to superior fashions of percussion devices, and this wooden bongo sequence is priced across the intermediate vary.

It has rubberwood adorned in a sunburst style and comes with buffalo drumheads within the sizes 6.75″ and eight″. Whether or not you need to play them in a small present or on the campfire, the Headliner sequence will probably be an awesome purchase!

Professionals

• Nice mid-budget vary for many patrons
• Might be discovered on many Greatest Bongo lists
• A superb purchase for a brand new scholar

Cons

• Some might not look after the classic sunburst look
• Should you don’t just like the sound of buffalo drumheads
• Rubberwood will not be the very best resonance for you

7) Latin Percussion Matador

As we transfer up in value, we discover the great Black Nebula fashion of Matador bongos by Latin Percussion. They’re product of Siam oak and have conventional heads sized 7.25″ and eight.625″.

Just like the lower-priced fashions, it additionally comes with a tuning wrench and adjustable heads, on this case, with chrome {hardware}. This is without doubt one of the finest bongos to purchase within the intermediate value vary.

Professionals

• Siam oak gives projection
• Bigger dimension than cheaper bongo fashions
• An incredible mannequin if seeking to improve

Cons

• At this value, it is advisable to just like the fashion
• The tone will not be to your liking
• It lacks in buyer critiques

8) Latin Percussion E-Class

As we transfer up in value, we get into the extra skilled vary of bongos. Regardless of additionally being constituted of Siam oak and genuine rawhide like different fashions, this explicit LP bongo is nearly twice the worth.

Nonetheless, the wooden is kiln-dried, and naturally, much more time is put into the construct. The smaller macho head is 7.25,” and the bigger hembra head is 8.625″, just like different fashions. The E-class label comes from the well-known percussion household, the Escovedo’s.

Professionals

• A implausible sounding bongo
• Nice for skilled use
• The title recognition alone often means high quality

Cons

• Like all star sponsored model you’ll pay some for the title
• It’s possible you’ll not just like the fashion
• Should you aren’t a critical participant, this can be too excessive in finances

9) Pearl Elite Sequence

Pearl is synonymous with the very best drums and percussion devices on the market, and this bongo is not any exception. The drums are available 7″ and 9″ sizes product of Thai oak and pure buffalo hides.

They’ve a heat sound, and the bigger than regular hembra drum provides just a little extra bass to the tone. This Pearl Elite mannequin is attractive and completely beneficial for anybody that has the finances.

Professionals

• Excellent for skilled use
• Very straightforward to tune with the included wrench
• These appear like they price lots

Cons

• Not the sort to take tenting in all probability
• As ordinary for that value, you need to just like the fashion
• Too excessive of finances for many gamers

10) Latin Percussion Galaxy

The LP Galaxy is one other high-end mannequin that has {hardware} in each gold and chrome. The gold ones, particularly, give off a really expensive and fancy look. The macho head dimension is 7.25,” and the hembra dimension is 8.625″.

They’re crafted with kiln-dried wooden and pure rawhide drumheads. Like most high-end skilled fashions, these have much more work put into them.

In case you are particularly in search of a elaborate wanting set of bongos, these will probably be an awesome selection.

Professionals

• Very flashy for individuals who need that look
• No matter flash, they sound nice
• Sponsored by one other well-known percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo

Cons

• Maybe too flashy for some
• For the worth, a barely bigger head could be nicer
• Fairly costly for fundamental bongo wants

Do We Have a Winner?

After all, your finances and tastes will outline the general winner, however you actually can’t go unsuitable within the $100-$200 value vary.

The Meinl Percussion Headliner or the LP Matador would each be nice buys for a brand new scholar who desires top-of-the-line bongos for a reasonable finances.

Simply bear in mind the quantity you spend will decide whether or not your bongo is barely nice for small campfires or loud sufficient for big crowds! Blissful bongo-playing!