Best Castanets of 2025

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025

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Castanets are a percussion instrument that produce a distinctive clicking sound when played. They consist of two concave shells made of wood or fibreglass, joined by a cord or elastic. Castanets are commonly used in Spanish and Flamenco music, but have also been used in various other styles of music. They are easy to play, but mastering them requires practice and skill. Castanets come in different sizes and materials, and are a great addition to any percussionist's collection.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Black Bakelite Castanets nº6 by Qbano Cover #TOP 1
Black Bakelite Castanets nº6 by Qbano
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Meinl Percussion Traditional Finger Castanet with Straps Cover #TOP 2
Meinl Percussion Traditional Finger Castanet with Straps
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Meinl Percussion Hand Castanet with Handle Cover #TOP 3
Meinl Percussion Hand Castanet with Handle
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Castanets

#TOP 1

Black Bakelite Castanets nº6 by Qbano

7K101
Black Bakelite Castanets nº6 by Qbano Cover
Standard black bakelite castanet nº6 ConcertoManufacturing guarantee.

The Qbano Castanets nº6 are ideal for folk dances, providing you with the perfect rhythm and sound to enhance your performances. Made from durable black bakelite, they are designed to withstand regular use, ensuring they remain in excellent condition for a long time. Their standard size makes them easy to handle, allowing you to focus on your dance rather than struggling with your instruments. With their sleek black colour, these castanets also add a touch of elegance to your dance attire.

What We Like
Durable bakelite material
Perfect for folk dances
Standard size for easy handling
Elegant black colour
#TOP 2

Meinl Percussion Traditional Finger Castanet with Straps

Meinl Percussion Traditional Finger Castanet with Straps Cover
Meinl Percussion Traditional Finger Castanet - Castanet with Finger Straps - Concert - Musical Instrument - Indian Rosewood, Natural (FC2)

The Meinl Finger Castanet is designed to enhance your musical experience. With two interconnected shells, it produces a distinct clicking sound that is both clear and appealing. The included finger loops ensure a secure fit, allowing you to play with confidence. This makes it easy for you to express your rhythm without worrying about dropping the instrument. Available in a concert version, this castanet is a wonderful gift idea for musicians looking to expand their setup.

What We Like
Distinct clicking sound
Secure finger loops
Available in concert version
Great gift for musicians
#TOP 3

Meinl Percussion Hand Castanet with Handle

Meinl Percussion Hand Castanet with Handle Cover
Meinl Percussion Traditional Hand Castanet - Castanet with Handle - Musical Instrument - Indian Rosewood, Natural (HC1)

The Meinl Hand Castanet is a delightful percussion instrument that enhances your musical experience. Featuring two interconnected shells, it produces a clear and distinct clicking sound, perfect for adding rhythm to your songs. The ergonomic handle ensures a comfortable playing experience, allowing you to focus on your performance. Additionally, this compact instrument serves as an excellent rhythmic accompaniment for singers and songwriters alike, helping you create engaging melodies effortlessly.

What We Like
Comfortable ergonomic handle
Clear distinct clicking sound
Compact and portable
Great for singers and songwriters
Versatile gift for musicians
#TOP 4

FUZEAU 70774 20 cm Castanets with Handle

70774
random
FUZEAU 70774 20 cm Castanets with Handle Cover
FUZEAU 70774 Castanets with Handle 20 cm

The FUZEAU 70774 Castanets are a delightful introduction to the world of rhythm. Designed in the style of traditional Spanish instruments, they produce a warm and vibrant sound that enhances any musical experience. With an easy-to-use handle, you'll find it simple to develop your sense of rhythm and timing. The castanets' sturdy construction, featuring two pieces of wood connected by a drawstring, ensures durability while allowing for lively play. They measure 20 cm in length, making them a convenient size for both children and adults alike.

What We Like
Easy to use
Durable wooden construction
Encourages rhythmic skills
Compact size
#TOP 5

LP427 Castanet Machine with Mounting Options

LP427
Black
-inch
LP427 Castanet Machine with Mounting Options Cover
LP Latin Percussion Castanet Machine Mountable LP427,Black

The LP427 Castanet Machine is designed for versatility and durability. Made from an extremely resonant and durable synthetic material, it ensures a rich sound quality that enhances your musical performances. The integrated O-ring tension system allows you to easily adjust the tension, giving you control over the sound produced. Additionally, it can be conveniently mounted onto a 3/8" rod, making it perfect for various setups. For those who prefer playing on a tabletop, the mount can be removed, providing flexibility in your playing style.

What We Like
Durable synthetic construction
Adjustable O-ring tension system
Mountable on 3/8" rod
Removable for tabletop playing
#TOP 6

A-Star Red Wooden Traditional Castanets

A-Star
AP4321
A-Star Red Wooden Traditional Castanets Cover
A-Star Wooden Traditional Hand Castanet Clapper in Red

The A-Star Castanets are designed for musicians of all ages, boasting a strong and durable wooden construction that delivers a sharp and clear sound. Their compact and lightweight design makes them easy to hold, ensuring you can play comfortably. Engineered for precise rhythm accentuation, these castanets are perfect for beginners looking to enhance their musical skills. With a length of 17cm, they are conveniently sized to fit in your hands, making them a great addition to your musical toolkit.

What We Like
Strong and durable construction
Lightweight and easy to hold
Ideal for beginners
Sharp and clear sound
#TOP 7

TIGER CAS14-NT Wooden Castanets for Kids

CAS14-NT
Natural
TIGER CAS14-NT Wooden Castanets for Kids Cover
TIGER CAS14-NT Wooden Castanets - Finger Clackers Clappers - Two pairs (4 shells)

The TIGER CAS14-NT Castanets are crafted from high-quality wood, providing a crisp sound that enhances your musical experience. Their durable yet soft elasticated cords ensure they remain intact while allowing ease of use. The unique dip in the outer shell allows you to grip them securely, making them ideal for younger children learning to play. This instrument is excellent for developing musical skills and is perfect for schools and music groups, whether on stage or in the studio.

What We Like
Crisp sound quality
Durable construction
Secure finger grip
Great for child development
Ideal for schools and groups
#TOP 8

Tiardey Wooden Finger Castanets Set

CP020858
Tiardey Wooden Finger Castanets Set Cover
Tiardey 2 PCS Wooden Castanets Wooden Finger Castanets Wood Clappers Percussion Instruments

The Tiardey Wooden Castanets are crafted from reliable wood, ensuring durability and a comfortable grip for users. Their polished surface means that there are no rough edges, making them safe for children to handle. By playing these finger castanets, kids can enhance their auditory skills and tactile senses, while also learning to recognise the instrument itself. Additionally, the castanets are coated with water-soluble paint, which provides a smooth finish that will not scratch your hands during use.

What We Like
Durable wooden construction
Safe for children
Enhances auditory skills
Smooth, non-scratch finish
Ideal for early learning
#TOP 9

Milisten 12pcs Wooden Castanets for Kids

CRY0045UVZ804P005J
As Shown
medium
Milisten 12pcs Wooden Castanets for Kids Cover
Milisten 12pcs Educational Castanet Wooden Castanets Red Adults Blue for Wood Finger Mini Clap Toys Board Rhythm Favors Party Classroom Toddlers Makers Children Hand Orff Kids Toy

The Milisten Wooden Castanets are ideal beginner instruments for children, crafted from high-quality wood. These castanets are perfect for early learning, helping to improve your child's brain development while they enjoy making music. With their bright colours and appealing design, they easily capture kids’ attention, providing endless fun as they create lovely sounds. Additionally, these toys promote hand-eye coordination and auditory skills, giving your little ones a variety of engaging experiences in music exploration.

What We Like
Encourages musical development
Improves hand-eye coordination
Bright and attractive design
High-quality wooden material
Fun for toddlers and preschoolers
#TOP 10

Gewa 830415 BSX Castanets with Chord

830415
Brown
Gewa 830415 BSX Castanets with Chord Cover
Gewa 830415 BSX Kastagnetten mit Chord (Paar) Indisches Rosenholz,Brown

The Gewa Castanets are crafted from Indian rosewood, providing a rich and warm tone that enhances your musical performance. With the added chord feature, you can easily play and maintain rhythm, making them perfect for beginners and seasoned musicians alike. As a pair, these castanets offer a balanced sound, allowing for engaging musical expressions. Their sturdy construction ensures durability, so you can enjoy using them for years to come.

What We Like
High-quality Indian rosewood
Includes convenient chord feature
Durable and long-lasting
Excellent sound balance
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is castanet used for?

Orchestral castanets, which are generally used to enhance the Spanish flavour of a piece, are attached to handles and shaken or are fastened to a block of wood and played with the fingers or drumsticks.

2. Which country invented castanets?

The invention of the castanets is attributed to the Phoenicians, who made the first sticks more than three thousand years ago, using common wood.

3. Which castanet goes on which hand?

The castanet with the mark has a slightly higher tone and goes on the right hand. The other castanet which has a lower tone, goes on the left hand. The loops are placed over the thumb of each hand and then tightened so that the two halves separate slightly ready to be played.

Editor's Notes

During our castanet research, we found 60 castanet products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 6,042 customer reviews through our big data system to write the castanets list. We found that most customers choose castanets with an average price of £12.05.

The castanets are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of castanets, including Qbano, Meinl Percussion, FUZEAU, Latin Percussion, A-Star.

Written by
Hayden Bryant Avatar

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.