Best Tambourines

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 18, 2024
Ever wanted to play an instrument that doesn't take ages to learn but still lets you jam your favorite tunes? Then you've come to the right place since our review comprises only the best tambourines you can buy to express your musical talents. ...Read more ...Read less
Advertiser Disclosure
BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Type
Shape
Number of Jingles
Convenience
Dimensions
Warranty
 
PROS

The drumhead lets you create a more versatile sound by simply tapping on it with either your palms or fingers.

CONS

You'll need some agility to hold the instrument properly due to the tight thumb hole in the frame.

OUR VERDICT

The Remo TA-5210-70 is a high-end model aimed at professional players seeking a refined instrument. It stands out with its warm sound and gentle attenuation. While it's a bit pricey, it's worth full value for money and certainly the top choice for those often giving acoustic concerts or recording their own music.

detailed parameters
Type

Hand

Shape

Circle: 10" diameter

Number of Jingles

8 pairs

Convenience

Gold-colored metal hole for finger

Dimensions

15.5 x 12 x 2.2 inches

14.4 ounces

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The nickel jingles are very sturdy and will last for years, pleasing you with bright and clear sounds that all instruments produced under this brand are well known for.

CONS

The model might just be too lightweight.

OUR VERDICT

A tambourine from the renowned RhythmTech brand will be a good present for any musician. Owing to its crescent shape and ergonomic handle, the instrument is easy to grip and an absolute joy to play.  Producing bright and loud jingles, it's perfect for folk, rock, and pop musicians.

detailed parameters
Type

Hand

Shape

Crescent

Number of Jingles

8 pairs

Convenience

Ergonomic handle with cushioned grip

Dimensions

14.5 x 8.3 x 2 inches

12 ounces

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

This tambourine made out of heavy-duty plastic is extra durable and strong. You can use it with your drum kit without worrying about damaging the instrument.

CONS

The handle is a bit too wide for small palms.

OUR VERDICT

The double-row crescent model from YMC will feel like it's part of your arm. Capable of sensing the slightest vibrations of your hand, this instrument works great for subtle compositions that require layering music with different moods and styles. It's a solid choice for musicians that like to experiment.

detailed parameters
Type

Hand

Shape

Double crescent

Number of Jingles

10 pairs with 4 jingles in each pair

Convenience

Ergonomic handle

Dimensions

10.4 x 8 x 1.9 inches

13.6 ounces

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

This instrument is easy to mount thanks to the durable nylon elastic band that you can use to secure it in place.

CONS

The instrument may seem a bit flimsy for a foot model.

OUR VERDICT

If your hands are busy with another instrument, the foot model from Meinl Percussion will help you out. It's not the sturdiest tambourine ever but when you're busking or doing a soft indie/folk tune, it may be just what you need. The steel jingles react to every tap of your foot and help set the desired atmosphere pretty quickly. 

detailed parameters
Type

Foot

Shape

Crescent

Number of Jingles

4 pairs

Convenience

Ergonomic design, durable elastic band

Dimensions

4 x 2.75 x 1.5 inches

2.4 ounces

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The ergonomic handle has grooves for each digit, making it easier to hold the tambourine.

CONS

The sound of the jingles fades quite fast.

OUR VERDICT

A very affordable starter model that's best suited for those who have little experience with music. The two rows with 40 jingles emit very bright sounds, which makes it easier to notice imperfections in your style and hone your skills. We wouldn't recommend this to weathered professionals but an amateur would surely find this high-quality tambourine to be a real bargain.

detailed parameters
Type

Hand

Shape

Double crescent

Number of Jingles

10 pairs with 4 jingles in each pair

Convenience

Ergonomic handle

Dimensions

10 x 9 x 2 inches

12.2 ounces

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

X

This site is a free online resource that strives to offer helpful content and comparison features to its visitors. Please be advised that the operator of this site accepts advertising compensation from certain companies that appear on the site, and such compensation impacts the location and order in which the companies (and/or their products) are presented, and in some cases may also impact the scoring that is assigned to them. The scoring that appears on this site is determined by the site operator in its sole discretion, and should NOT be relied upon for accuracy purposes. In fact, Company/product listings on this page DO NOT imply endorsement by the site operator. Except as expressly set forth in our Terms of Use, all representations and warranties regarding the information presented on this page are disclaimed. The information which appears on this site is subject to change at any time. More info

Remo TA-5210-70

Fiberskyn Drumhead That Lasts for Years

Whether you’re just starting out your musical journey or have been playing for a while, you can’t go wrong with the Remo tambourine. From the date of its establishment back in the 60's, the brand has always been associated with high-quality and reliable instruments. Today, we’ve chosen the Remo TA-5210-70 as one of the best products in their lineup, thanks to its reasonable price and impressive set of features.

The drumhead on this model is made out of Fiberskyn with a sturdy Acousticon shell which allows it to withstand pretty hard playing. You can sing gospel in church, busk on the streets, or shake the instrument around in an improvised jam-session, tapping it wildly. No matter what you do, the drumhead will stay whole and you’ll get juicy layered sounds that will make your music stand out.

The Remo TA-5210-70 has 2 rows with 8 pairs of zils on each so the jingling will be loud and echo for a while, which is perfect for loud concerts as well as intimate acoustic sets. The tambourine is quite easy to hold using the special metal hole. You can hook your finger through it and shake the instrument with one hand, though it might take some getting used to at first. The Remo TA-5210-70 weighs just 14.4 ounces, however, the prolonged usage might put some strain on your digits and you should practice a bit before doing long sets with this instrument. Other than that, our only complaint is that this tambourine can’t be mounted on a drum kit, which would add some versatility to your performances.

However, these flaws are minuscule compared to the kind of quality you get with the Remo TA-5210-70. This is an instrument you can really rely on; it's a percussive wonder that will get everybody in the earshot on their feet and dancing.

Review of Remo TA-5210-70 Fiberskyn Tambourine - Quadura Black, 10"

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $24.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B0002J6I7S

 

Rhythm Tech RT1010

Time-Tested and Lightweight Crescent Tambourine

For another true and tried tambourine, we’ve turned to the Rhythm Tech RT1010, one of the flagship models of a brand that has undergone some huge changes in terms of design. The founder of the company Richard Taninbaum was the one who came up with an idea of creating a tambourine in a crescent shape so that it will be lighter in weight and more comfortable to hold than any regular one. If you seek a tambourine for recording sessions, long concerts, or just for practice, which may take hours upon hours, your best bet is a crescent tambourine.

With an ergonomic cushioned handle, the Rhythm Tech RT1010 is easy to grasp firmly, so you can get as wild as you want in your music, shaking the instrument and jumping around making your audience dance. This and the 12-ounce weight make this light tambourine perfect for street musicians.

Despite being so lightweight and seemingly simple in design, the Rhythm Tech instrument has a way of standing out with its nickel jingles that deliver a very bright sound. This makes it suitable for playing upbeat and dancey music that many people enjoy to perform.

To sum up, the Rhythm Tech RT1010 is a great product that will be good both for beginners and for experienced musicians who are tired of holding those bulky and unpractical instruments. While the majority of tambourines look and feel like cheap knockoffs made of recycled plastic, the Rhythm Tech’s nickel zils with a soft-grip handle will serve you for years without losing their convenient shape or breaking.

Review of Rhythm Tech RT1010 Tambourine, Nickel Jingles
Last updated price $19.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B0002F5D8M

 

YMC TAM20-BLACK

40 Iron Jingles for the Brightest Sound

What could possibly be more fun than shaking your sleek black tambourine as you perform your favorite song? If you ask us, we'd say it's only shaking a tambourine that has a double crescent shape and comes with twice as many jingles as in ordinary models. If this description fits your needs and intentions, then we recommend you to consider the YMC TAM20-BLACK that will let you add a new layer to your music.

The instrument has 10 sets of 4 zils, with each of them being made out of stainless iron and with both rows of the frame featuring 5 sets. Even the slightest shake of the tambourine will get those 40 jingles ringing with a bright sound, which is just perfect for upbeat songs that you can dance to. If you're concerned with the tambourine being too heavy or inconvenient for long use, don't be as the instrument has an ergonomic grip and provides ample space for each finger, making it convenient to hold the instrument in hands. We do feel that the handle might appear to be just a bit too wide for people with small hands, so this particular model may be not the best choice for kids or women and may take some getting used to.

Thankfully, the YMC TAM20-BLACK is easy to hold as long as your palms are big enough. It weighs 13.6 ounces, which is neither too light nor too heavy. Busking or playing a concert with this stylish tambourine will always bring you nothing but joy. So if you want a double crescent instrument that jingles brightly and can get the crowd going, we can definitely recommend the YMC TAM20-BLACK.

Review of YMC TAM20-BLACK Double Row Tambourine
Last updated price $9.95
Stock In stock
ASIN B0002F5C7Y

 

Meinl Percussion FJS2S-BK

Foot-Worn with Steel Jingles

If your hands are already occupied with another instrument, be it a guitar or a saxophone, you might think that it’s impossible to add some jingle to your music. Luckily, we’ve found a way out thanks to the Meinl Percussion FJS2S-BK, a tiny tambourine that you can wear on your feet.

The Meinl instrument is easy to strap on using a durable nylon elastic band that keeps the tambourine in place. You can tap your foot or walk around freely without the instrument falling off. This hassle-free mounting may come in handy when you have a concert to prepare for or/and lack time to fiddle with straps and locks.

We were a bit concerned with how wobbly this model looks but, after hearing from many satisfied customers, changed our opinion. The Meinl Percussion FJS2S-BK should easily hold on for a good while thanks to the reliable materials it's made of and on condition that you use it with care and make sure not to jump too much. Thankfully, you won't need to do so because a single light tap is enough to get all 4 pairs of jingles ringing loudly. As to the materials, the frame of the Meinl Percussion FJS2S-BK is made out of rubber wood, a tropical hardwood that is much more reliable than standard plastic which is used in the majority of budget tambourines.

In short, the 2.4-ounce foot tambourine from Meinl Percussion is easy to play and wear, making it a solid choice for guitarists or singer/songwriters. The stainless steel jingles that produce bright and loud sounds will let you reach a wider audience, while the instrument itself will serve you for years to come.

Review of Meinl Percussion FJS2S-BK Cajon Player's Foot Tambourine

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $12.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B004M14I0Q

 

Flexzion FBA_DHLF_MN_DRM_GRN

Affordable Choice for Aspiring Musicians

Just starting out in music and feel lost, needing to hone your skills with a simple yet melodic instrument? You’ve come to the right place because the Flexzion FBA_DHLF_MN_DRM_GRN is a good choice for any aspiring musician. This sleek tambourine, which is available in a variety of colors, is no worse than expensive high-end models designed for professionals and will surely become a trusty companion on your musical journey.

You can spend hours practicing without your arms getting tired, all thanks to the ergonomic handle with grooves for each finger. Shake the tambourine around as wildly as you want, the instrument won’t slip out of your hands. Despite the fact that the body of this model is made of plastic the instrument doesn't feel flimsy and can withstand heavy use very well. A wooden frame might have been nicer but it would have an impact on the cost, making the tambourine much pricier. 

Getting your start with percussive instruments will be easy as tapping the tambourine will get all 40 zils jingling crisply. We would’ve complained a bit about the sound from the jingles fading too fast but we don’t really expect a starter model to be perfect.

To summarize, this model has a bright sound and is easy to grip and play, which is important for an untrained player. While we wouldn't advise touring professionals to purchase this particular model, we'd certainly recommend it to those that have yet to find their way around music.

Review of Flexzion FBA_DHLF_MN_DRM_GRN Double Row Tambourine
Last updated price $10.95
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B014SCXGTW

 

What Is a Tambourine?

Music is one of the most important arts in the world and playing an instrument can lift up your spirits as well as impress your friends. A tambourine is a percussive type of instrument intended for drummers to mount on their kit and/or for vocalists to shake whilst singing. The sound is produced by tapping the drumhead, if one is available on your model, or by simply shaking the instrument with your hand or foot, causing the built-in jingles to chime. These little metallic balls are actually called zils and they usually come in pairs. While you may not know too many artists that use it prominently, this is a reliable backup instrument that’s been recorded in myriads of songs, even by the greats like Mick Jagger, Freddie Mercury, and Stevie Nicks. In fact, back in the 1950s a song called “Green Tambourine” topped the charts, intended for busking and gaining notoriety thanks to street musicians that used the little percussive jingler as their instrument of choice.

If you want to broaden your musical horizons and try out some other instruments, we recommend reading our reviews of the best guitar lessons or, if you’re leaning towards the percussives, the best drum lessons.

Sources:

1. How to Play a Tambourine (with Pictures), wikiHow.

2. Tambourine, Wikipedia. March 16, 2018.

3. Stacey Taylor Types of Tambourines, Our Pastimes. September 15, 2017.

4. Tambourine Facts, SoftSchools.

5. How to Be a Street Musician: 8 Steps (with Pictures), wikiHow.

Other reviews
Comments
0 Comments

Your comment was successfully sent

Error! Please try again later

Publish Date: 2018-04-10 07:57:55