Best Bongos: a Comprehensive Review of the Top Bongo Drums on the Market

Finding high-quality bongo can be difficult. Besides, with so many unreliable reviews online, it can be even harder to choose one of the best bongos. So, if you’re searching for the top items in the industry, and you don’t have much time on your hands, you’ve come to the right place. After extensive studying and window shopping for bongos, I have compiled comprehensive and reliable information on the top bongos on the market.

So, this review will provide a detailed description of the most popular pieces on the market right now, making it easier for you to choose one. Besides, there are several factors that you should pay attention to while purchasing a bongo, including an amazingly natural look, durability, affordability, and ease of use, among other factors. So, you can go through the review to figure out which bongos are ideal for you, as well as check out the pros and cons of each item, before settling on one.

Amazon Bestseller

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Top 8 Bongos on the Market

So, how do you get the best bongo on the market? I’ve thoroughly studied the features of the most popular models, as well as their pros and cons. After checking expert opinions, going through sales advisors, and reading customers` reviews, I would like to share my analysis on getting a bongo with you. Here are the best of the best products on the market.

Kat Percussion KTMP1 Electronic Drum and Percussion Pad Sound Module – Best Electronic Bongo Drum

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Specifications:

• Drums: Four velocity
• Material: Plastic
• Material head: –
• Drum sizes: –
• Item Weight: 1.7 Pounds

This pad incorporates electronic dance, drums, and percussion sounds to the arrangement. It is among the best electronic bongo drums, and you can use your hands as well as sticks for playing. It all depends on the style you prefer. Still, you will have to use a little extra effort if you use your hands to achieve the highest sound quality.

Material

This instrument is a 50 top-notch quality and comes with completely alterable sounds with a variety of use. To produce top-notch sounds, this module comes with 4 pads that are sensitive to velocity. This unit provides a broad range of tones. This drum lets you incorporate amazing and unique sounds to whatever setup you choose.

What’s more incredible is that this pad allows you to achieve various sounds for freshening the acoustic set by including electric tones. However, you will be required to purchase the stands, pedals, or sticks to get the complete set.

Functionality

What I love about this affordable product is that it offers amazing features as well as top-quality sounds, so it is a valuable and compact accessory to any arrangement. You can alter its sounds to excellence, as well as adding and assigning them to the pads that are sensitive to velocity and are very responsive. Another feature is that you can customize this module to achieve the personalized sounds that you want.

Also, if you want to upgrade, this unit comes with two additional inputs. Furthermore, this pad is excellent for learners and simple to use since it comes with straightforward settings and control. So, beginners can also use this item for their practice since it is quick to understand and operate.

Besides, you can easily mount this portable unit on a stand to use it more conveniently. Still, even if you’re new at playing this module, you will notice that you can expand it into a small drum set. What I don’t like about this product is that you need to apply more pressure to get great volume if you’re using your hands, and it doesn’t come with pre-installed speakers, which means you need headphones.

What’s included:

• Kat Percussion KTMP1

Affordability

Meinl Bongos With ABS Plastic Shells HB50BK – High Quality, Contemporary Bongo for Beginners

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Specifications:

• Drums: 2
• Material: Steel
• Material head: buffalo skin
• Drum sizes: 6 ½” and 7 ½”
• Item Weight: 6.6 Pounds

This unit will be an amazing choice not only for those musicians who want to enjoy a new tool but also for novice players. It will help you to incorporate a fresh sound to your collection.

Portability

It isn’t the most portable and compact unit among the reviewed bongos since it weighs approximately 7 pounds. Still, it has a price worth paying for a collection of drums. The reason is this bongo provides an amazing sound and resembles a professional instrument.

What’s included:

• Meinl Percussion Bongos with Durable Synthetic All-Weather Shells, tuning wrench

Material

In addition to the hand-picked buffalo heads and the ability to generate an intense and clear sound, the entire set consists of ABS plastic, that has black powder-covered hardware. In comparison to the rest of the drums that simulate an African-made instrument, this unit resembles a set of common drums normally played by your favorite rock band.

Despite being heavy, the ABS plastic design makes this model the easiest and most comfortable for transportation. Besides, it has rounded rims, offering you the chance to play the instrument with extra comfort, which is an element that most players look for in the bongo.

RockJam 7″ and 8″ Bongo Drum Set with Padded Bag and Tuning Key – Best Bongo Drums for Beginners

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Specifications:

• Drums: 2
• Material: Wood
• Material head: skin
• Drum sizes: 7” and 8”
• Item Weight: 4.4 Pounds

RockJam is among the well-known companies that provide their customers with high-quality musical appliances. Moreover, it offers the whole set that comes with every accessory, which is crucial to begin using your new module.

Accessories

In addition to the collection of drums that I’m about to review, you will also get a great bag that is padded inside. The latter is intended to cushion the drums while you transport them. Also, this set has a shoulder strap and carry handle for your convenience. These features are intended to make the transport process easier.

Moreover, this module comes with a tuning key, making it easier to tweak your bongo to your preference.

Material

The RockJam 7″ and 8″ bongo drum set is of top-notch quality. The manufacturer has used exceptional qualitative woods to construct the body of the item.

This set offers the type of accurate technique that lets the powerful sound echo around that body. Additionally, the makers of this set have used genuine cow skin to craft the heads. Even though this compound may not sound like a big deal, it allows the player to deliver both profound and noticeable adjustments to the sound. This can be achieved just by hitting different areas of the heads using distinct parts of your hands. Besides, the chrome frames on this piece provide a solid foundation, making the construction stable.

This module cannot slide or slip close to the area because of its rubber feet.

What’s included:

• Padded Carry Case and Tuning Key

Ease of Use

MUSICUBE Bongo Drum Set, 2 Sets 6″ and 7″ Percussion Instrument – One of Best Bongos Under 100

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Specifications:

• Drums: 2
• Material: Wood
• Material head: skin
• Drum sizes: 6” and 7”
• Item Weight: 5.7 Pounds

If you are in search of an affordable yet effective bongo set, then you should consider getting this MUSICUBE Bongo Drum Set. Having an incredible list of features, it is a great addition to your collection.

Price

One of the remarkable features of this unit includes affordability. A combination of the moderate price and a top-notch quality of the set places it among the best bongos under 100 dollars.

Material

The product has been made from legit wood with chrome pieces. Therefore, it looks like a solid instrument, not merely a toy kit.

Its packaging is manufactured from kraft paper, which is more environmentally safe as compared to a colorful laminated box. Also, all the products from this company are made out of wood, and these packages are certificated by the Forest Stewardship Council. This system takes responsibility to help the brands in managing and producing in the forests around the world.

This unit helps a player to achieve a great tone. It has been made using selected genuine skin heads, which produce a superior lively tone with a great mix of melodic alternatives. Also, the modules’ natural glossy finish allows its user to perform well either with hand or a tuning wrench. The latter allows you to achieve perfect tuning without additional efforts.

This product has a perfect construction. It features outstanding artistry of a skilled European designer, who contributed to the creation of a remarkable playing set. This unit is coated with smooth black powder making it ideal for both novices and pros.

Ease of Use

This bongo is a great gift for beginners, and it is also affordable.

What’s included:

• 2 Drums (6″ & 7″) and 1 Wrench for adjustments

Durability

LP M301 Matador Custom Bongos Vintage Starburst – Best Professional Bongo Drums

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Specifications:

• Drums: 2
• Material: Wood,Steel
• Material head: skin
• Drum sizes: 7-1/4″ and 8-5/8″
• Item Weight: 13.22 Pounds

These professional bongo drums from the brand Latin Percussion are of super high-quality. I did a thorough analysis of the materials that are used in creating these bongos. You will notice that the manufacturers have devoted a lot of attention to each of their products.

Material

The shells of these bongos have been created from Siam oak, which has been hardened using a kiln. Due to the procedure the company goes through, it makes a long-lasting base for these instruments.

The product comes with two heads of different measurements manufactured from hand-picked rawhide. This aspect, as well as the fact that the painted shells have a vintage sunburst layout, give the item a classic look. Don’t let this vibe fool you since these bongos are still long-lasting, mainly as a result of their steel bottoms. Besides, to enhance the strength of the instrument frame, the shells come with ribbed construction, making it ideal for professionals.

Functionality

You can easily fine-tune the module any time you want using the tuning wrench that comes in the package. If you’re looking for an extra percussion instrument, you can consider getting a matching set of congas from the manufacturer. Overall, this is a great instrument for professionals with incredible features.

What’s included:

• Lp M301 Matador Custom Bongos Vintage Starburst,
• Tuning wrench

Portability

Latin Percussion LP601NY-VSB LP City Wood Bongos – a Quality Model Ideal for Beginners

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Specifications:

• Drums: 2
• Material: Siam Oak
• Material head: skin
• Drum sizes: 6″ and 7″
• Item Weight: 9.53 Pounds

LP has come up with a new LP City Series of Bongos and Congas. This particular item will help you to achieve a great quality of sound as well as to improve your playing style.

Material

The bongos include heads made from rawhide, that measure 6 and 7 inches in diameter. Just like the LP Matador, this model’s shells have been manufactured from Siam oak, which has been dried using a kiln, creating the sturdy base for this unit. It comes with rubber bottoms, and its hardware is covered with black powder that is available in the dark, vintage, or natural sunburst satin finishes, giving the item a classic look.

Durability

According to various reviews from the customers, this model is long-lasting.

Ease of Use

The instrument is also ideal for beginners who are eager to learn how to play the bongo. You can adjust the module to your preferred settings using the tuning wrench found in the package.

Accessories

Another feature of this brand is that you can always get a matching conga set if you need an extra instrument.

What’s included:

• Latin Percussion LP601NY-VSB LP City Wood Bongos – Vintage Sunburst

Price

This product is not only great for beginners, but it is also sturdy, provides great value for money, and is an example of remarkable craftsmanship.

LP ASPIRE Series Wood Bongos Natural LPA601-AW – an Affordable Model Ideal for Beginners

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Specifications:

• Drums: 2
• Material: Siam Oak
• Material head: skin
• Drum sizes: 6-3/4″ and 8″
• Item Weight: 4.41 Pounds

Are you a beginner at playing bongo? Do you need something affordable yet effective? Then this model by Latin Percussion will work just fine.

Material

These affordable bongos have been manufactured using an appealing wood shell, and have old-school-style black hardware. Also, the unit comes with a tuning wrench, curved rims, tucked heads, as well as Cuban-themed bottoms made of steel. Besides, the heads made from natural rawhide give these bongos a more conventional sound to the musical instruments. In addition to that traditional aspect, the bongos also have quite an attractive natural finish.

Ease of Use

The sizes of the heads are 6.75 and 8 inches, providing adequate room for highly professional players. Despite the conventional look of this product, its makers decided to incorporate chrome parts to add a modern edge to the unit, as well as an image of sturdiness.

Functionality

The quality rawhide used enables the bongo to generate a mellow tone, as well as a sound that professionals describe as strong and clear. Moreover, the set has curved rums and side plates, giving the musician a better practice while playing it.

What’s included:

• LP ASPIRE Series Wood Bongos Natural LPA601-AW
• Tuning wrench

Accessories

Remo RH-5600-00 Rhythm Club Bongo Drum – Best Bongo for Kids

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Specifications:

• Drums: 2
• Material: Plastic
• Material head: Synthetic
• Drum sizes: 5″ and 6″
• Item Weight: 1.7 Pounds

The brand Remo Rhythm Club is known for making quality bongos. It has a reputation in not only making drums for professional players but also for kids as well. They offer a variety of instruments for children, including the model Remo RH-5600-00 Rhythm Club Bongo Drum.

Material

The item comes in two sizes, including 5 and 6 inches, and does not need any tuning. This bongo can introduce your kids to the rhythm in an exciting and engaging way. Moreover, it can bear the massive abuse from them without breaking, which makes the product durable.

This unit has been created from an artificial drumhead material. This does not mean that it is made from the plastic seen in tons of toy instruments. These already-tuned drumheads are made from suede, and they have been pitched low and high, and provide a vibrant graphic from Rhythm Club.

What’s included:

• Remo RH-5600-00 Rhythm Club Bongo Drum – Rhythm Kids

Ease of Use

Purchasing the Best Bongo

Getting a bongo can be a daunting task. However, you do not have to face such a tough decision anymore. With this review, you can get yourself the best bongo on the market. Your choice depends on what exactly you’re looking for, and whether a certain item can meet your expectations.

Still, make sure to consider a couple of factors before getting a bongo. Check out its appearance, including the hide found on the head, to determine how durable the unit is. Besides, you should also look at the shells, to see if you’re okay with the material as well as the acoustic properties that the product comes with.

With all this information in the guide, you shouldn’t have a hard time finding a bongo. Which of these bongos have you already used? How effective were they? Which product would you recommend? Do you have any comments or questions regarding the reviewed bongos? You can leave them in the comment section below.