Best Djembe Drum – Ultimate Buying Guide

It is not easy to find the best djembe drum by yourself. This musical instrument is not as popular as classic drums or even bongos. The world community became fascinated with its sounds just recently, despite its long and rich history in West Africa. Its name means the call for the peaceful gathering of the whole tribe. The drum is still used for significant holy ceremonies, and celebrations, and is a way to express your emotions through the melody. If you are an experienced drummer or amateur, you might add this instrument to your collection.

While my favorite instrument on the list is the Meinl Percussion djembe made of wood and covered with real goatskin, I have gathered some top alternatives as well. This model looks gorgeous and will serve you for a long time.

Top-10 Best Djembe Drums

Check out the list of the best offers you might find on the market.

1. Meinl Percussion – Best Djembe of Mahogany Wood

Even amateurs know the Meinl Percussion company. It offers you the German quality recognized and cherished around the world. The company was founded in 1951. Since that time, they have produced millions of drums. This model is no exception. It is made of Mahogany wood, hand-carved, solid, and unique. Hand-made shells on the surface provide a wide range of sounds.
Features:

• Materials – wood and goatskin;
• Size – the surface is 12 inches wide and 24 inches tall;
• Warranty – 2 years.

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2. Remo DJ-0014-05 Mondo – Djembe Drum with Acousticon Shell

Remo Inc is an American-based developer of musical instruments. They are focused on drums, drumheads, kits, and versatile hardware. The company was founded in 1957 in California. The founder of the company Remo Bellie was a devoted drummer himself. This is why the company’s main focus is on the high quality of sound. This model is available in different sizes. You can order 10, 12, 14, and 16 inches. There are Earth and Adinkra styles to choose from.
Features:

• Materials – wood and high-quality synthetic drumhead;
• Size – 10, 12, 14, 16 inches wide, and 24 inches high;
• Warranty – 2-year limited.

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The drum has an Acousticon shell for rich sound, a wide range of slap tones, and deep bass. Its Mondo Skyndeep drumhead is highly appreciated by professional drummers because of its high durability.

3. Deco Wood & Leather – Compact Wooden Djembe Drum for Kids

Deco 79 is a manufacturer that creates home décor. It has been the biggest home décor supplier in North America for over 40 years. I was truly amazed by the fact that this company that sold me almost half of the décor for my house also created drums. This model is small and lightweight, and many customers think that it is made as a part of home furnishing only. I can partly agree with this statement since it looks amazing in a living room with outstanding carvings on its leg.
Features:

• Materials – wood and leather;
• Size – 9 inches wide, 12 inches in height.

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This drum is made of natural leather and hardwood. Since it weighs 0.32 ounces only, you can carry it around in your bag wherever you go. It has limited options for professional drummers, but it is a great instrument to practice for beginners.

4. Remo DJ-0012-24 Mondo – Best for Beginners and Pros

I have already mentioned the name Remo above. This is one of the biggest suppliers of drums in the US, so you probably recognize the icon with a crown from afar. I am a real fan of these drums since everything this company does is done with a love for percussion music and its performers. This model comes in different sizes. You can choose the width between 10, 12, 14, and 16 inches. I recommend starting with 12 inches. Adinkra style looks creative, but you can always choose the Earth classic one.
Features:

• Materials – wood and skin, and plastic handle;
• Size – 10, 12, 14, 16 inches width, 24 inches height.

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This drum is perfect for any style of music. It has the Mondo Skyndeep drumhead and Acoustic shell, which has already become a sign of quality for the Remo company.

5. X8 Mini Model – Hand-Carved Djembe with Gecko Painting

X8 Drums is a drums developer that offers a wide range of high-quality products. It sells djembe, Cajon, congas, bongos, exotic types of instruments from around the world, and classic models. Their headquarter is in Austin, TX. In my opinion, they have the most originally designed instruments that can actually play well too. This model is made in the African style. You can choose the gecko painting on it or the spark option; it does not affect the quality.
Features:

• Materials – mahogany wood, goatskin;
• Size – 5-inch width, 7-inch height;
• Warranty – 30 days limited warranty.

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The height is only 7 inches, and the width is 5 inches. You can consider it as a traveling djembe.

6. Jive Djembe Hand Model – Best African Drum of 20” High

Jive produces great musical instruments from around the world. They are keen on the African and Latin-American regions. They are American-based manufacturers. You can find versatile types of djembe drums, including hand-crafted options. They offer 12, 16, and 20 inches height djembe drums. You may also pick whether you want one to be painted and carved, or just carved or painted. The design of the instrument does not really influence the quality of the sound.
Features:

• Materials – wood, goatskin;
• Size – 20 inches high, 11.5 inches wide.

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It is carved by skilled masters. There are no two items alike. The drumhead is made of goatskin. There are heavy-duty cords and a carrying loop for advanced tuning.

7. X8 Celtic Labyrinth – Best Djembe Drums with DVD and Bag

X8 manufacturers have proved that they are true artists in the world of drums one more time. This Celtic Labyrinth model is a dream that comes true for all aesthetes. The ornament on the wooden base is unique and outstanding. The wood is covered with a cherry stain finish, which will save the drum from fast cracking. This instrument is great both for beginners and professionals. It contains a DVD with a detailed tutorial that teaches you the basic rhythms of the djembe.
Features:

• Materials – mahogany logwood, goatskin;
• Size – 8.5 inches in diameter and 16 inches in height.

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There are instructions inside that describe the maintenance routine in case you want to extend the life of the drum. The height of the drum is 16 inches, which is lower than the standard of 24 inches.

8. Africa Heartwood Project Hand-Carved Model – African Hand Drum with Strong Tones

Africa Heartwood Project is a whole village behind the brand. West African villages decided to share their experience and crafts with others. Their artisans make these djembe drums and sell them around the world. Each instrument is checked for quality and sound. Every djembe is thoroughly inspected and cleaned. Musicians help to tune it if it is required. Each model has different carvings on it.
Features:

• Materials – wood shell, goatskin;
• Size – 13 inches in width, 24 inches in height.

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I like how truly authentic this instrument sounds. It is made of natural wood and West African goatskin. It is 24 inches tall, with a 13-inch wide diameter of drumhead.

9. Africa Heartwood Project Djembe Drum – Classic Made by Natives

This project was created to provide African artisans with a way to sell their products to drummers around the world. They offer high-quality drums from Ghana. Every instrument is inspected and tuned by professionals several times after its arrival from Africa. This drum is 8 inches wide and 16 inches tall. You can easily take it with you outdoors.
Features:

• Materials – wood and goatskin;
• Size – 8 inches x 16 inches.

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The hand-carved wood shell provides you with a great quality of sound. There is a real goatskin on the drumhead, which you need to rub with oil from time to time. Since the drums come originally from Africa, you have to make sure that the wood and goatskin will handle the change of temperature. Order a bag for this instrument.

10. Lotmusic Djembe – Professional Model of Mahogany Wood

Lotmusic is a bestselling developer of a wide range of musical instruments. It sells its drums around the US and abroad. There are diverse djembe sizes of this model: 8, 9, and 10 inches in width. You can also change the major color and painting. There are red, green, and blue models available. The drumhead is made of goatskin.

Features:

• Materials – goatskin, wood, a rope;
• Size – 8, 9, 10 inches wide, 20 inches tall.

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Every drum in this line is carved manually with a unique painting on it. There is a quality rope that adjusts the sound. I recommend keeping this djembe in a bag, though you should buy it additionally.

Djembe Drum 101: Detailed Guide

After you read the reviews of each djembe I admire, you might get an idea that there are no models similar to each other. It is partly true. Although this instrument is made by one scheme, it provides different tones and depths of sound based on multiple factors. Let’s talk about them.

What is a djembe?

A djembe is a traditional West African musical instrument from the percussion family. It is a drum that you play with your hands. Since its drumhead is covered by the goatskin, it is incredibly sensitive and can’t be played with drumsticks. The body of the djembe is made of hardwood. The most popular is Mahogany wood. It is covered with a protective finish, which you should wipe with natural oils to extend the djembe’s life.

The first mention of a djembe was made in 1230 AD. It became popular in the US only recently. Drummers prefer to include this instrument in their classic drum kit or gather in classes to play djembe. This instrument can be played solo. Djembe was popularized by Paul Simon, Tool, and Cirque du Soleil. There is a highly recommended Oscar-nominated movie of 2007 called The Visitor with the main character playing the djembe.

Types of djembe

There are two types of djembe that are widely recognized by drummers. You can pick one of these types or try both. They are:

• Wood djembe. This is the classic version of the instrument. The shell is made from hardwood. The drumhead can be either goatskin or synthetic. The tuning is traditionally made with rope. It can be decorated with carvings or paintings;
• Modern djembe. It is a machine-made instrument. The main manufacturers are Remo and Pearl. The base is made of lightweight composite materials. The drumhead can be either goatskin or synthetic but tightened mechanically, without the rope as tuning.

Which djembe should I get?

Before you decide on which model you want to buy, you need to consider several factors and read how to play djembe. Your skills in playing drums are also important. You don’t need to buy expensive djembe if you have never played any African drums before. Pay attention to the following features:

• Playing area. Ensure that you can place one open hand comfortably on the drumhead. It must not touch the edges of the drum each time you want to reach the center;
• Average dimensions. The height of the classic djembe is nearly 20-25 inches. The weight of wooden djembe is up to 26 lbs and no less than 20 lbs. The weight of the fiberglass model must not be over 18 lbs;
• Your personal measurements. A djembe must be compatible with your size. For kids of 4-7 years with less than 4 inches in height, a djembe of 10 inches will suit well. For an adult, the size of the instrument can vary from 12 inches to 16 inches.

Popular Questions About Djembe Drum

Check out my answers to the most popular questions around the Web. Make sure you understand the basic requirements for the drum before you buy it. If you have more recommendations to add, you can do them in the comments.

Which size djembe drum should I get?

The djembe you pick must suit your height perfectly. If the drum is huge, you can’t play it well. The same goes for the small size. I have already mentioned the trick with an open palm. Use your hand to measure the required diameter of the drumhead. As for the height, you have to measure your height. On average, adults buy 16-inch models and more.

What is the most well-known West African drum?

This is a simple question. A djembe is the most popular African drum. Unlike bongo drums that have a mixed Cuban-African origin, this musical instrument comes directly from West Africa. It is well-known around the world and popularized in culture.

Where to buy a djembe?

You can buy djembe directly from Africa. There are multiple sellers that offer their instruments on Amazon and other big stores. You can find it in music stores. American-based and German-based manufacturers offer high-quality products as well.

Playing Djembe for Fun

No matter whether you want to play the djembe professionally or not, it brings joy and peace anytime you improve your skills. Finding the perfect instrument is not that simple, but once you find it, the djembe grants you unique exotic tones and exquisite music.

Follow my recommendations, pick the drum you really want, and enjoy playing it. If you have tried one of the instruments I described, share your thoughts in the comments below. How often do you play it? Which features do you like the most? How long do you play the djembe? Would you change this instrument to something else? Do you play the djembe only or other instruments as well?