Thinking of buying a bongo drum? Bongo drum is a set of two drums that are connected to one another. The sizes of the drum are different, the larger drum is called “hembra” while the small one is called “macho”. The body of the drum is made from wood whereas the head is of animal skin.
Most people buy a bongo drum by looking at its appearance. This is not the correct way to buy a bongo. You should not only consider its appearance, but also other details of the bongo. In this article, we have created a guide for you to buy the best bongo drum.
Accessory: Bongo Case & Bag
Top Bongo Drum Choices for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced Player
2) Meinl Percussion ABS Plastic Bongos
- Affordable
- Popular Brand
- Good Sound
- Highly Rated
- Rounded Rims
- Durable
1) Meinl Percussion Wood Bongos
- Professional
- Ride Suspension
- Popular Brand
- Highly Rated
- Lightweight
3) Latin Percussion Wood Bongos
- Great Value
- High Quality
- Aluminum Plated
- Comfortable playing
Best Bongo Drums for Kids
If you are looking to buy a bongo drum for your kids, here are some of the good choices.
2) NINO Wood Bongos
- Authentic Sound
- Wood
- Great Quality
- Rubber Wood Shells
1) First Act Discovery FB6125 Kids Bongo Drums
- Popular Choice
- Ideal for Kids
- Lightweight
- Affordable
3) Remo Rhythm Club Bongo Drum
- Highly Rated
- Synthetic Material
- Withstand Smashing
Here are some things that you must look for before buying a bongo drum.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Right Bongo Drum
When you are in search of a bongo drum, the first thing you must look for is the quality. You have to be certain that it is manufactured using quality materials. The assembling of the drum is the next thing to consider. They all should fit together to provide high-quality sound. There are some other things you need to pay attention to.
Hardware
The hardware of the bongo drum consists of trim pieces, lugs and tuning ring. Steel is the ideal material for the hardware. However, aluminum can be accepted, if a reputable one is used. All the parts of the drum must fit together well to provide deep resonance.
Skill Level
Next thing you must consider is your skill level as there are different drums for beginners and experts. There is a difference in the weight and price. For beginners, the drum is of lightweight and less expensive. So, it is essential for you to buy the drum according to your skill level.
Head
Another thing you must look at is the head of the bongo. The sound made by one bongo is different from the other. It is advised to play the drum to see what kind of sound it produces. It is better to have a head of smooth surface and it must be attached to the bearing edge tightly. If it is not connected properly, the sound quality will suffer.
18 Best Bongo Drum Reviews and the Best Bongo Drum Brands
Take a look at some of the most popular bongos.
1) Meinl Percussion FWB190AF Free Ride Series Wood Bongos
One of the option for a great bongo is Meinl Percussion FWB190AF bongo drum. It features a MEINL Free Ride Suspension System. There is no hole or welding in the shell to join the drums together. As a result, it produces warm, deep tones and resonance.
The drums have rubber wood shells with the amber flame finish. For the heads, buffalo hide is used that is hand selected by our expert workers. The sizes of the heads are 6-3/4 inches and 8 inches. The hardware is black powdered coated to prevent corrosion and make it weatherproof.
The heads are tunable without any extra effort. They are great for giving high and low pitches and tones. The bongo stands are capable of holding the bongo together securely. The rubber feet provide additional stability, so you can play the bongo without it slipping.
This MeinlBongo comes with a tuning key, tune up oil and accessory pouch. The Free Ride Series Bongo is great for all skill levels musicians.
2) Meinl Percussion HB50BK Standard Size ABS Plastic Bongos
Meinl Percussion provides great value for the musicians. It has 6.5” and 7.5” drums with ABS plastic bongos. The heads are made from natural and buffalo heads that provide excellent tones. Along with this, it provides full resonating tones that can easily respond at any level. The shell of this bongo is made from the top-quality ABS plastic making it robust.
The bongo drum is lightweight as it weighs just 6.6 pounds. The rims are not sharp making it easy to hold and play with the highest comfort level. You can easily tune the lugs with a wrench that is available with it.
The rubber feet are great for keeping it safe and makes playing it on smooth surface easy. The Meinl Bongo is great for all levels of application. This is a leading choice because of its appearance, durability and sound quality.
3) Latin Percussion M201 LP Matador Wood Bongos
The Latin Percussion is a famous bongo that offers the highest quality sound. This bongo drum features Siam oak shells with traditional rims. For the production of this bongo, top-quality Siam oak is used. This makes sure that it can last for longer periods.
The size of the rawhide heads is 7-1/4” and 8-5/5” and when struck properly it produces rich and crisp beats. The LP Matador bongo drum has a 5/16” diameter of tuning lugs with steel backing plate. It also features an aluminum plated cast bottoms. You can tune the drum with the tuning ring to produce a full sound.
The LP Matador is resilient and robust that is light in weight. You can carry the bongo around easily as it weighs 13.2 pounds. The product dimensions are 19 x 11 x 11 inches. This bongo drum is available with matching congas.
The M201 Bongo is a great choice for all levels of musicians. The Matador Bongo will take you closer to the big stage.
4) Meinl Percussion FWB400BB Free Ride Series Wood Bongos
This one on the list is the Meinl Percussion FWB400BB wood bongo. This bongo has a rubber wood shell with brown Burl finish. The heads of the bongo drum are made from cow skin and the sizes are 7 inches and 8-1/2 inches. The heads are capable of producing a warm, mellow and authentic sound.
This drum features a MEINL Free Ride Suspension System. This makes the joining of the drums together welding free and hole free. The tunings lugs, rims, and the tuning ring is chrome plated. This helps in producing a clear and rich tone.
Tuning is easy with the help of a tuning key. You can produce both high and low pitches. The bongo comes with an accessory pouch and tune up oil. The stand of the bongo useful in keeping it stable. The bongo is lightweight, weighing about 13.2 pounds. This means you can transport it easily to any place. You can hold it longer while playing it comfortably.
5) Tycoon Percussion 7 Inch & 8 1/2 Inch Supremo Series Bongos
Another choice is the Tycoon Percussion bongo drum. It features a shell made from Siam oak wood and water buffalo skin is used for heads. All the materials are of top-quality that used in the construction of this bongo. The size of the heads is 7 inches and 8.5 inches that provide a full tone and clear sound.
Moreover, to make the drum attractive, black powder coated hardware is used. The hardware includes secure side plates, classic hoops, tuning lugs and backing plates. The tuning lug’s diameter is 5/16 inches. To make it more beautiful, high gloss finishing is applied.
You can adjust the heads of the drums easily with the wrench. This bongo is lightweight making it easy to handle and carry around. You can play this bongo comfortably thanks to its round rims.
The bongo has rubber feet for extra protection and stability. The stand and bags are available additionally to keep them safe. This Tycoon Percussion Supremo Series bongo is ideal for all levels and occasions.
6) Tycoon Percussion 6 Inch & 7 Inch Ritmo Bongos
Another great bongo drum is the Tycoon Percussion Ritmo bongo. It is manufactured from excellent Siam oak wood. The bongo has 6 inches and 7 inches drums with water buffalo skin heads. They are great for producing the best most authentic and mellow sound.
The hoops are coated with black powder with secure side plates. The diameter of the tuning lugs is 5/16 inches with backing plates. This makes sure the full tone sound is produced. You can easily adjust the head according to your preference with the help of a wrench, the wrench is available with the bongo set.
Furthermore, the bongo drums are easier to carry around and handle. The bongo drum weighs 7.5 pounds enabling you to hold it for a longer period of time. The Tycoon bongo is available in natural and mahogany colors. The Ritmo bongo drum is ideal for both experts and beginners. It is fit for playing at any occasion.
7) Toca Synergy Series Bongo
One of the popular choices in bongo is the Toca Synergy Series. This bongo is just like the traditional Afro-Cuban bongo, not only in sound but in design as well. The size of the heads is 6 inches and 6-3/4 inches.
The natural rawhide is used for the heads of the bongo that provides an outstanding and bass tone sound. It features 2-ply wood shells and the wood used in the production of the drum is ethically sourced. The diameter of the body is 28 inches. Along with this, it has coated hoops and lugs with black-powder. This drum has EasyPlay hoops that improve the sound of the drum. At the same time, it protects your hands.
The bongo has tuning rings that allow you to adjust the tuning ranges. The 4-tension plates that cover all the shell. The Toca bongo drum set is of great value for musicians. It is the perfect choice for all skill levels and applications.
8) Toca 2100TOB Synergy Wood Bongos
The Toca 2100TOB Synergy Bongo is a popular choice for musicians. This bongo has a wood shell construction with a rich and warm tobacco color finish. All the Toca product are environmentally-friendly. The wood that is used in the production of this bongo is harvest from a plantation in Thailand.
Furthermore, the 2-ply wood is used for the shell and natural rawhide is used for heads. This ensures the sound that is produced is of great quality and deep. The head of this bongo is 6 inches and 6-3/4 inches.
This bongo has hardware that is coated with black powder to enhance its look. The round rims make sure your hands are protected and you can hold it without any difficulty.
This bongo drum is ultra-light as it weighs about 7.2 pounds. This allows you to transport it to different places easily. You can play the bongo comfortably for a longer period. The Toca bongo drum is available with matching congas. Hence, this drum is great for skill level musicians.
9) Latin Percussion LP201A-3 Bongo Drum
Another great bongo drum is the LP201A-3 bongo. This Bongo features a Siam oak shells with natural rawhide heads. The heads sizes are 7-1/4 inches and 9 inches. The bongo drum is appealing and beautiful because of its natural finish.
The chrome hardware adds a touch of sophistication with traditional rims. The rims are round enabling you to comfortably hold it and play it. Furthermore, the drum has 5/16 inches diameter along with tuning lugs, steel backing plate, and base.
The sound quality of the drum is high with greater volume. The rawhide produces a mellow and crisp sound with a clear tone.The bongo is robust and sturdy that will last for longer periods. This is because of the top materials used in the production.
This drum is lightweight as it weighs about 13.1 pounds. This means you can transport it without any difficulty. This Latin Percussion bongo drum is ideal for both amateurs and professionals.
10) GP Percussion B2 Pro-Series Tunable Bongos
Next on the list the GP Pro-Series Tunable Bongo. It features 6 inches and 7 inches drum that is available with a wrench. This is useful for adjusting the heads without any trouble. This shell of the bongo is manufactured from hickory wood and natural hide is used for the heads. This helps in delivering a mellow and rich sound.
The B2 Pro-Series have 4 tunable lugs for each drum. The bongo has chrome hoops and hardware making it more appealing. Moreover, the rims and cast base rim are nickel plated making them durable and long-lasting. The drum has a clear finishing that makes the grains of the wood look more beautiful and appealing. It has protective rubber feet so that it won’t slip or prevent damage.
The weight of this bongo is 6.4 pounds that makes it easier to hold for longer time period. You can easily move it around as well. This is an ideal choice for both experts and beginners. It provides a great value for musicians.
11) Hip Bongo Drums
Another great bongo drum is Hip bongo drum. This drum has 6 inches and 7 inches drum made from hickory wood. For the heads, the natural hide is used that produces the full and authentic sound. The bongo features 4 tunable lugs that offer easy tuning. You can use the wrench that comes with it for tuning.
Furthermore, the hide is tightly attached to the shell, so that there is no space left. This is useful in producing the perfect and mellow sound. The hides used in the production are ethically sourced. This makes the drums durable along with preserving great sound quality.
Moreover, the drum has no sharp edges making it a great choice for kids. The round rims make it easy to hold and play the bongo comfortably. The GP bongo is aesthetically designed making it durable. This is a correct choice for experts and beginners as it is light in weight and easy to handle making it great for everyday use.
12) Gearlux Tunable Bongos
Next on the list is the Gearlux Tunable bongos. This bongo features 6 inches and 7 inches heads made from natural hide. The bongo has a wooden shell with metal hoops and 4 tuning lugs for each head.
This drum comes with a tuning key that makes adjusting easy. You can make sure that you are delivering the perfect resonance. The natural light wood finish drums are great for producing wide ranging pitches and exceptional sound quality. The product size is 15.5 x 8.5 x 7.5 inches.
This bongo is a great and affordable choice as it can bear all the wear and tear of the kids. It is very light to carry around, weighing just about 3 pounds. This enables the kids to hold it for longer periods and play comfortably.
The Gearlux bongo is great for kids to learn about music. Whether you want to place it in a school or home, this is the right choice.
Best Bongo Drum for Kids or Children
If your children are interested in learning music, it is a great choice to let them getting started with Bongo Drum. Here are some of the great bongo drum choices for your kids.
1) First Act Discovery FB6125 Kids Bongo Drums
The First Act Discovery bongo drum is a popular choice for kids. It features a solid wooden shell making it strong and durable. There will be no need to tune the heads because it comes with pre-tuned heads. The raised shell design offers clear tones, great sound, and cool design. The size of this bongo drum is 10 inches. The dimensions of this bongo drum are 12.2 x 6 x 5.5 inches.
To make it ideal for kids, the First Act Discovery has constructed to keep it lightweight. It weighs about just 1.8 pounds enabling kids to hold and play easily. This is designed beautifully to look like a professional bongo drum.
To make it appealing and attractive for kids, it has colorful patterns. This drum for kids comes with a pair of mallets to offer a unique and authentic drumming experience. This is mostly used drum for teaching kids.
2) NINO Wood Bongos
Another choice on the list is the NINO wood bongos. It has rubber wood shells with hand picked buffalo hide for the heads. The sizes of the heads are 6-1/2 inches and 7-1/2 inches. This bongo provides flexibility in sound. The materials used in the creation of this bongo are of top-quality. This increases the durability and resistance of the bongo.
The bongo can last for a long time with maintained and cared for properly. Moreover, the rims of the bongo drum are not sharp. They are round that provides a great comfort level for playing. This bongo is aesthetically designed to provide rich and authentic sounds.
This is ultra-light making it great for carrying around, the weight of this bongo is 7 pounds. It includes a tuning key that enables you to tune for the perfect pitch without any difficulty. It can withstand the smashing and rough treatment by the kids. This is a fun and thrilling way to introduce your kids to music.
3) Remo Rhythm Club Bongo Drum
The Remo Rhythm bongo drum features 5 and 6 inches drum. It is constructed from a synthetic material that offers a great tonal pitch. The produced sound is mellow and authentic. The pitch of this Bongo will not change due to temperature changes.
The Bongo features Acoustic on shells with a rubber base. This provides the kids to play the bongo comfortably. The elevated design of the drum allows the kids to produce quality sounds.
Moreover, the bongo comes pre-tuned with the highest pitch set to offer a positive experience to the kids. This bongo is durable and can bear the smashing by the kids.
This is a great choice for kids as it weighs 1.7 pounds. The kids can carry it around without any trouble. It enables the kid to handle it easily and play for longer periods. This Remo bongo drum is a great way to introduce your kid to music as it has great sound with a vibrant graphic for attracting kids.
4) Rhythm Band Bongos
Next bongo that is perfect for kids is the Rhythm band bongos. This is sold as a single drum that is made from wooden material. It is aesthetically designed keeping in mind the kids. So, it makes this bongo a capable of withstanding the wear and tear of the kids.
The head is constructed with the top-quality material that produces crisp and great sound. It helps in providing a great drumming experience to kids. The height of the drum is 5 inches and the head size is 5 inches as well. This makes it easy for the kids to play it. The weight of this bongo is 12 ounces allowing children to hold it without any difficulty.
This drum comes with a pair of mallets that enables kids to produce the right sound. The dimensions of this drum are 5.8 x 5.7 x 6.4 inches. The Rhythm bongo is a fun and exciting way to introduce the kids to music.
5) Remo Kids Percussion Bongo Drum
Another ideal bongo drum for your kid is the Remo Kids Percussion Bongo Drum. This bongo has 2 drums, 5 inches and 6 inches. It has a soft touch surface for those little and delicate hands. The shell is made from Acousticon that makes it resilient and sturdy. This will allow it to stay unharmed even after repeated slamming and smashing.
The heads are made from a natural hide that delivers a high pitched sound. As a result, the sound of this bongo can be clearly heard over other instruments. This bongo is pre-tuned with Fiberskyn 3 drumheads to produce high and low pitch sound. As this is specially designed for kids, it is light in weight.
The total weight of this bongo is 2.5 pounds. They can easily transport it and hold it. To make it beautiful it features a rain forest motif. This makes it fun to look at and play as it is the best way to introduce the bongos to kids.
6) Rhythm Band Bongos
Next is the Rhythm band bongo drum that is great for kids. This bongo is made from top-notch materials making it durable and robust. The height of the drum is 4-1/2” while the sizes of the heads are 5” and 1-1/4”. The Rhythm bongo drum is aesthetically and professionally made to last for longer periods.
Moreover, the head is made from natural hide and the shell is made from quality wood. The hide is perfectly fit together with the bearing edge. This is to make sure the voluminous sound is delivered. The edges are not sharp because the rims are round. This is great for kids as they can hold it easily without hurting themselves.
Along with this, they can play it comfortably to produce rich and crisp sound. As it is for kids, it is ultra-light weighing just 15.5 ounces. This allows the kids to hold it for longer and easily move it around. The Rhythm bongo is a great instrument to start introducing your kid to music.
Choosing the Best Bongo Drum from the Best Bongo Drum Brands
Therefore, learning and playing bongos is an enjoyable and thrilling adventure. This instrument is small in size, but the music it produces is nothing near tiny. There are plenty of bongo drums available in the market. With so many choices, it can be difficult to select the one.
2) Meinl Percussion ABS Plastic Bongos
- Affordable
- Popular Brand
- Good Sound
- Highly Rated
- Rounded Rims
- Durable
1) Meinl Percussion Wood Bongos
- Professional
- Ride Suspension
- Popular Brand
- Highly Rated
- Lightweight
3) Latin Percussion Wood Bongos
- Great Value
- High Quality
- Aluminum Plated
- Comfortable playing
Looking for Kids Bongo Drum instead?
Here are some good choices.
2) NINO Wood Bongos
- Authentic Sound
- Wood
- Great Quality
- Rubber Wood Shells
1) First Act Discovery FB6125 Kids Bongo Drums
- Popular Choice
- Ideal for Kids
- Lightweight
- Affordable
3) Remo Rhythm Club Bongo Drum
- Highly Rated
- Synthetic Material
- Withstand Smashing
So, when you are buying a bongo you must consider its quality. Along with this, you must pay attention to its hardware, head, and shell. You must keep in mind your budget and requirements as well.
There are other things that you must consider like your skill level. Not all bongos are perfect for all levels. So, you must diligently choose the bongo that suits your requirements and skill level.
These are the most popular hand drum that is available in various sizes, materials, and ranges. Which bongo drum do you think is the best? Let us know your views in the comments below.