Best Bongos of 2025
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Bongos are a type of percussion instrument that originated in Cuba and are now popular worldwide. They consist of two small drums, one larger than the other, attached to each other. Bongos are played by striking the drums with the hands and fingers to create a variety of tones and rhythms. They are commonly used in Latin American music, jazz, and world music. Bongos are a versatile and fun instrument for musicians of all levels, and can add a unique and lively flavour to any musical performance.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
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Top 10 Bongos
RockJam RJ-100300 7" and 8" Bongo Set
The RockJam Bongo Set features real wooden construction, ensuring durability and a rich sound that enhances your playing experience. With authentic skin heads, you can enjoy an authentic tone, perfect for various musical styles. The fully tuneable design, complemented by a tuning key, allows you to adjust the pitch easily, ensuring your bongos always sound their best. Additionally, the set comes complete with a high-quality padded case, providing excellent protection during transport and storage, making it convenient for musicians on the go.
World Rhythm 6” & 7” Bongo Drums with Bag
The World Rhythm Bongos feature 6" and 7" rawhide heads, providing an authentic sound that's perfect for beginners. With a fully tuneable claw hook design, you can easily adjust the pitch to suit your playing style. The oak shell construction delivers a superior tone compared to standard beginner bongos, enhancing your overall experience. Additionally, rubber feet ensure stability on various surfaces, preventing scratches and allowing you to play confidently anywhere you go.
Meinl Percussion Bongos Journey Series Set
The Meinl Bongos Journey Series are two Cuban hand drums, featuring a Macho (6.5 inches) and a Hembra (7.5 inches) drum. Made from durable ABS plastic, these bongos are perfect for performances, jam sessions, or recordings, ensuring you can take your music anywhere with ease. The hand-selected buffalo heads provide an authentic sound, enhancing your playing experience. Additionally, the non-slip rubber feet keep the drums secure while protecting your surfaces, allowing you to focus solely on your performance.
Mad About Bongo Drums for Beginners
The Mad About Bongo Drums are perfect for beginners and school percussion groups. With their two rawhide drum heads, measuring 6 inches and 7 inches, you can create a rich and resonant sound that enhances your drumming experience. The traditional wooden finish not only looks professional but also makes you feel confident while performing. These drums are designed to inspire budding drummers like you, making it easy to explore your musical talents.
LP Latin Percussion Aspire Walnut Bongo Set
The LP Aspire Bongo features high-quality siam walnut shells that provide a rich, warm tone, making them ideal for a variety of musical styles. With natural rawhide heads measuring 6 3/4" and 8", you will enjoy a responsive sound that enhances your playing experience. The ez curve rims offer improved comfort while playing, allowing for longer practice sessions without discomfort. Additionally, the robust 9/32" diameter tuning lugs ensure that your bongo remains perfectly in tune, giving you confidence during performances.
Meinl Percussion Headliner Wood Bongos Set
The Meinl Bongos are perfect for adding rhythmic accompaniment to any performance. With a smaller Macho drum at 6.75 inches and a larger Hembra drum at 8 inches, you can easily create a variety of sounds. The hand-selected buffalo heads ensure an authentic sound, enhancing your music experience. Additionally, the non-slip rubber feet provide a secure playing feel, allowing you to focus on your performance without worrying about stability. The rounded rims offer extra comfort, making it easier for you to play for extended periods.
LP Latin Percussion Miniature Bongo LPM199-AW
The LP Bongo LPM199-AW is a delightful miniature replica of the renowned LP Generation II bongos. With 3.5" and 4.125" heads, these bongos provide a compact yet authentic drumming experience. The Mini Comfort Curve II rims offer comfort during play, making it easier for you to enjoy extended sessions. Additionally, the rubber feet ensure stability, preventing any unwanted movement while you're playing. Furthermore, the tunable feature allows you to adjust the pitch, giving you complete control over your sound.
World Rhythm BON7 Oak Bongo Drums with Bag
The World Rhythm BON7 Bongos are designed for beginners, featuring 6" and 7" rawhide heads that deliver an authentic sound. With a fully tuneable claw hook design, tuning becomes easy and accurate, ensuring you can play your best. The oak shell construction provides a superior tone compared to standard beginner bongos, enhancing your musical experience. Rubber feet are included to prevent slipping on surfaces, allowing you to focus on your rhythm without worrying about stability.
Meinl Percussion Headliner Wood Bongos Set
The Meinl Headliner Bongos are a fantastic choice for anyone looking to enhance their musical experience. With two drums, the smaller Macho (6.75 inches) and the larger Hembra (8 inches), these bongos provide rhythmic accompaniment perfect for singers and songwriters. The hand-selected buffalo heads ensure an authentic sound, allowing you to create rich musical tones. Plus, the non-slip rubber feet keep the drums secure while you play, protecting your surfaces and enhancing your comfort as you perform.
Eastar EBO-1 6 and 7 Inch Bongo Drum
The Eastar EBO-1 Bongo Drum is crafted from superior solid wood, producing a crisp and bright sound that enhances your playing experience. It's designed for all ages, featuring smooth edges to ensure safety for children and beginners alike. The use of real animal skin for the drum heads provides a natural timbre, allowing you to explore different sounds easily. With its simple round rim, you can effortlessly adjust the tone, making it suitable even for those new to drumming.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are the bongos easy to learn?
In summary, the bongos are one of the most accessible instruments on the planet. It is relatively easy to pick them up and learn basic rhythms that you can even play in a group. Within a month you will surely be able to play at the very least a few rhythms. Learning the basics of the bongos is fairly easy.
2. How much is a bongo worth?
A professional-level set of bongos can be found anywhere from $200 to $500. The price range completely depends on the degree of customization. Toca, for example, makes several bongo drum series that are custom to famous percussionists. The more custom your bongos, the higher the price.
3. What country do the bongos come from?
Bongo drums were created about 1900 in Cuba for Latin American dance bands. Other Cuban folk drums are also called bongos.
4. What is the difference between Congos and bongos?
The size of the drums is the most obvious difference between congas and bongos. Congas are larger in diameter, and the depth of the shells is much larger than on bongo. Although sizes for each type of drum can vary from one model to another, the following sizes are the most common among the top brands.
During our bongo research, we found 160 bongo products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 31,585 customer reviews through our big data system to write the bongos list. We found that most customers choose bongos with an average price of £59.44.
The bongos are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of bongos, including Rockjam, World Rhythm, Meinl Percussion, Mad About, Latin Percussion.
Hayden was born in Liverpool, and he never left his hometown until university. In his freshman year at the University of Manchester, Hayden was the group leader of a popular music group. Hayden is responsible for the popularity of his music, and this is because of his natural ability to play with keys and strings. He graduated with BFA in 2016 and returned in 2018 as a lecturing staff in the School of Music.