Best Doumbeks of 2025
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Doumbeks are a type of hand drum that originated in the Middle East and North Africa. They are typically made of ceramic, metal, or wood and have a distinctive goblet shape. Doumbeks are played with the hands and are used in a variety of musical genres, including folk, classical, and pop music. They have a rich, resonant sound and are popular among percussionists and drummers around the world. Whether you are a professional musician or a beginner, doumbeks are a great choice for adding depth and complexity to your music.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Doumbeks
Meinl Percussion Artisan Doumbek with Synthetic Head
The Meinl Artisan Doumbek is a beautifully crafted goblet drum, designed for both sitting and standing play. Its ergonomic shape ensures comfortable extended sessions, making it ideal for long jam sessions or performances. With a synthetic head, it produces authentic dums and taks, allowing you to achieve a rich sound. Additionally, a tuning key is included, making it easy for you to quickly adjust the drum as needed, ensuring you always sound your best.
17'' Wave Zaza Percussion Doumbek Drum
The Zaza Percussion Doumbek is an exceptional hand drum designed for both beginners and professional players. Its hand engraved cast aluminium shell not only offers an elegant look but also enhances the sound quality. The unique “WAVE” series features a tunable synthetic head, ensuring you can adapt it to different environments. With its rich mid-range DOUM lows and sharp Tek and Ka highs, you can effortlessly play traditional Middle-Eastern music or enjoy it at drum circles and gatherings. This drum is perfect for anyone wanting to enrich their musical experience.
Remo Doumbek Festival with Acousticon Shell
The Remo Doumbek Festival features an Acousticon shell, which provides excellent sound quality and durability for your performances. Its pre-tuned Fliptop Black Suede head is not only convenient but also easily interchangeable, ensuring you can quickly adapt to different playing styles. The size of 17.5" x 10" makes it portable, allowing you to take it wherever you go. Additionally, the rubber feet offer stability, preventing slipping during use, so you can focus on your music without distraction.
Gawharet El Fan 18.5" Darbuka with Pearl Inlay
The Gawharet El Fan Darbuka is a stunning 18.5" drum that features an eye-catching design with shiny shells and intricate Arabian patterns. You'll appreciate the clear synthetic head, which ensures a crisp sound, perfect for both practice and performance. With its unique inlay of real shiny mother of pearl, this drum not only looks beautiful but also enhances your playing experience. The two levels on the bottom and wider diameter provide a deeper sound, making it ideal for various musical styles.
ZAZA Percussion 16'' Lightweight Darbuka Drum
The ZAZA 16'' Darbuka Drum features a beautifully hand-engraved aluminium shell, making it both lightweight and visually appealing. The 8" tunable synthetic head enables you to produce a rich range of mid-range lows and sharp highs, perfect for traditional Middle-Eastern music or lively drum circles. With its powerful sound projection, this drum ensures that your music will resonate, captivating your audience. Crafted by skilled artisans in Turkey, this authentic and top-quality instrument is designed to be both sturdy and easy to handle, allowing you to enjoy playing for hours.
Gawharet El Fan 19" Drum Darbuka with Bag
The Gawharet El Fan Drum offers an exquisite handmade Egyptian experience. With a head diameter of 19 inches and a bottom diameter of 11.6 inches, this drum is perfect for both beginners and seasoned players. Its beautiful design features authentic Egyptian paintings, adding an elegant touch to your music sessions. The intricate inlay of real mother of pearl not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also ensures that it stands out as a true piece of art in your collection. You will appreciate its quality and craftsmanship as you play.
Gawharet El Fan Mother of Pearl Drum
The Gawharet El Fan Drum is a beautifully crafted Egyptian handmade darbuka that features intricate mother of pearl inlays. With a head diameter of 19 inches, it offers a rich sound quality that enhances your musical experience. The stunning design, adorned with authentic Egyptian paintings, adds a regal touch to your performances. Additionally, the shiny patterns on the drum make it a striking visual piece, perfect for both playing and display. You'll appreciate the quality craftsmanship that ensures this instrument stands out in any setting.
Zaza Percussion Kids Darbuka Hand Drum
The Zaza Kids Darbuka is a beautifully hand engraved 10'' aluminium drum designed specifically for children aged 2-6 years. Its lightweight construction makes it easy for young ones to handle, allowing them to explore musical rhythms effortlessly. With a tunable synthetic drum head, you can adjust the sound without worrying about weather changes affecting pitch. Engaging with this instrument provides a fun way for parents and children to bond while discovering the joy of music together.
Remo Doumbek Festival 17.5" Royal Blue
The Remo Doumbek Festival features an Acousticon shell that enhances your sound quality, making it ideal for various musical styles. With a pre-tuned Fliptop Black Suede head, you can easily swap out the head for different tones, giving you versatility in your playing. The size of 17.5" x 10" ensures a comfortable grip while providing a rich sound. Additionally, the rubber feet keep the drum stable during performances, allowing you to focus on your rhythm without distractions.
Remo Doumbek Festival with Suede Head
The Remo Doumbek Festival features an Acousticon shell, providing a durable and lightweight construction that enhances sound quality. Its pre-tuned Fliptop Black Suede head is interchangeable, allowing you to quickly change sounds to suit your performance needs. With a size of 17.5" x 10", it is easy to handle and transport, making it perfect for musicians on the go. The rubber feet ensure stability during play, preventing unwanted movement and allowing you to focus on your rhythm.
During our doumbek research, we found 24 doumbek products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,154 customer reviews through our big data system to write the doumbeks list. We found that most customers choose doumbeks with an average price of £211.71.
The doumbeks are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of doumbeks, including Meinl Percussion, Zaza Percussion, REMO, Gawharet El Fan.
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.