Topic

Hand Percussion

Cajon, bongos, congas, djembe and other instruments played with the hands — portable, sociable and friendly to beginners.

Start with our buying guides

Close-up of a wooden cajon showing its screwed-on front plate

Buying guide

Best Cajons

Snare systems, sizes and woods — how to pick a cajon for acoustic sets, small gigs and home practice.

A pair of wooden bongo drums with natural heads

Buying guide

Best Bongos

Sizes, shells and heads — what matters when you buy a first pair of bongos.

A wooden conga drum in the foreground with dancers blurred behind it

Buying guide

Best Congas

Quinto, conga or tumba? Sizes, shells and stands explained for first-time buyers.

Two hands resting on the skin of a djembe

Buying guide

Best Djembes

Rope-tuned or key-tuned, natural or synthetic heads — how to choose a djembe that fits you.

Latest articles

Two hand drums fitted with microphones on a stage under red light

Comparisons

Bongo vs Conga Drums: Key Differences, Similarities, and Which One to Choose

Bongos are small, bright and played on your lap; congas are tall, deep and need more room. Compare sound, technique and cost, and decide which to learn first.

Oct 9, 202616 min read

Free practice tools

All practice tools

Percussion Path Quiz

Five quick questions that map out a percussion path, with matching practice tools and beginner gear.

Instrument Match Quiz

Tell us about the player, the space and the noise limits, and get a starting instrument that fits.

Practice Time Calculator

Turn your goal and your schedule into a realistic weekly practice plan.