Handpan is one of the most charming musical instruments of the 21st century. The handpan drum is well known for its mesmerizing, magical sound that is loved by musicians, along with hobbyists as well. The availability of handpan instruments, however, is very lagging behind because of the long waiting lists and high demand.
We’re going to look at the eight best handpan and hang drum options in 2024, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player. If you are looking for a handpan musical instrument for personal relaxation or professional performance, then this list will help you to find the one for your hands.
1. Meinl Percussion Sonic Energy Handpan
The Meinl Percussion Sonic Energy Handpan is a work crafted of the highest quality German steel into a handcrafted masterpiece from Colombia. With its beautifully resonant sound, this handpan instrument is suitable for solo as well as ensemble settings.
Scale: D#, G, A#, C, D, D#, F, G
Features: Made from durable German steel construction, fitted with a nylon carry bag.
Why It’s Great: The Sonic Energy Handpan provides amazing sound and a great design to it, perfect for professional musicians and beginners alike.
2. D Minor Pro Series 13 Note Handpan
Handpan Guru features a versatile and customizable 13-note handpan in D minor Pro Series. With notes over two octaves, this steel drum is perfect for beginners and professionals.
Scale: Customizable (D3 to E5)
Features: stainless steel, rustproof, electronically tuned.
Why It’s Great: A high-quality sound experience, this handpan is made out of a durable build with bright resonance, making it perfect for beginners and experts.
3. Cosmos Handpan
Cosmoshandpan are known for their immersive and intuitive handpan design. These handpan instruments are available in two tuning options: 440 Hz and 432 Hz. The D Kurd scale (9 notes) is perfect for beginners; the E Kurd scale (9 notes) is best for advanced players.
Why It’s Great: The range of angelic tones provided by Cosmos Handpan makes them great for travelers and professionals alike.
4. Bali Steel Handpan
Bali Steel Handpan is the combination of affordability with quality craftsmanship. Available in D Dominant 7, D Major, and F Minor scaling options, multiple tonal possibilities present themselves with this instrument.
Features: Made affordable, no waiting list, by skilled artisans from Bali.
Why It’s Great: An excellent choice for those who are new to playing or those who already have years of experience, the warm tones and large-scale sound provided by this guitar make it the first choice for many.
5. Shamanicshop Rav Pan
Rav Pan at Shamanicshop uniquely blends a tongue drum and a handpan into one design. Celtic Minor scale, steel, intriguing sound.
Features: A revolutionary design with perfect cuts at a great price.
Why It’s Great: This handpan steel drum fits right in at the entry level with an aesthetic that is unique, with an accessibly low price as well.
6. HAPI Tongue Drum
The HAPI Tongue Drum is a compact, affordable option for those new to the handpan world of musical instruments. It is small but makes relaxing and intuitive sounds.
Features: Includes mallets; powder coated for durability.
Why It’s Great: It’s not very rich in comparison to a larger handpan, but it’s very portable, and we think it’s a good introduction to the idiophone family.
7. Meinl Sonic Energy STD1BK Tongue Drum Meinl Meinl Sleeve.
The Sonic Energy Tongue Drum adds another flagship to Meinl's reputation for excellence. The reason it’s larger in size than most tongue drums is its ability to produce warm, pure tones.
Features: Pre-tuned scale, high-quality steel.
Why It’s Great: A flexible tongue drum variant, this unit comes with a rich sound and first-rate craftsmanship.
8. Pearl Tongue Drum
The Pearl Tongue Drum has a wide range of scales and colors (C Major, A Minor, G Major, etc.). Consistent tuning is achieved through its laser-cut steel design.
Features: Options for multiple tuning, durable construction.
Why It’s Great: Even though its sound is not as dense as a high-end model, it is a great choice for beginners trying their hand at handpan drums.
Why Choose a Handpan Drum?
As handpan musical instruments go, hang drums are designed so intuitively that, even without formal training, players can create melodic music. Meditate, relax, and perform with them! If you’re just starting, getting the best handpan for beginners will make your experience easier from a learning perspective.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Handpan Drum
Material: Handpans made from stainless steel or German steel are durable and do not rust.
Scale: So decide the type of music you like and choose scales such as D Kurd or Celtic Minor.
Price: On the entry end of the spectrum, budget options are the Shamanicshop Rav Pan, and professional-level handpans exist from Meinl Percussion.
Accessories: Once again, find packages that come with a carry case and mallets and include tuning options.
Conclusion
The handpan instrument is always a very interesting thing to count into your music collection. The list has a good range of choices, from the high-quality Meinl Percussion Sonic Energy Handpan to making the versatile Shamanicshop Rav Pan affordable. If you are a beginner foraying into the world of handpan drums or professionals looking for a unique sound, these top selections will guide you towards the perfect instrument.
