6 Best Cajons for Performing Lively Acoustic Sets

Best Cajons for Performing Lively Acoustic Sets

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Cajons are versatile percussion instruments that can produce a diverse array of tones, from deep bass hits to crisp snare-like snaps, while using your hands with just one playing surface.

Cajons are a popular instrument because they’re easy to play, produce great sounds, and look cool. They are also compact and portable, and work effectively for acoustic gigs where they sound great with a microphone.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best cajon drums available, their construction, and features, and I’ll share some tips for getting the most out of your cajon. So if you’re ready to start rocking out on your very own cajon, read on!

What are the Best Cajons?

Image Recommended ProductsProduct Features Price
Best adjustable cajon
Latin Percussion LP1426 Adjustable Snare Cajon
  • MDF shell construction 
  • Snare adjustment wheel 
  • Size of 19.75” x 11.75” x 12.25”
Most versatile cajon
Meinl Percussion Headliner Series String Cajon
  • Stained American White Ash
  • Adjustable Front Plate and Strings
  • Anti-slip Surface to Sit
Best bass tones
Meinl Jumbo Bass Subwoofer Cajon
  • Huge subwoofer Port
  • Walnut construction
  • Internal Snare Wires
Best budget cajon
Meinl Percussion Headliner Series String Cajon - Baltic Birch - Medium
  • Baltic Birch Construction
  • Rubber Wood Front Plate
  • Adjustable Internal Wires
Best Mini Cajon
Meinl Percussion JC50BR Compact Jam Cajon
  • Compact and Lighweight
  • Baltic birch Construction
  • Rear Mic Port
Best Design
Pearl Primero Cajon - Figured Cherry
  • MDF with Meranti Faceplate
  • Cherry Wood Faceplate
  • Fixed Snare Wires

How I Tested and Selected the Best Cajon Drums

Throughout my gigging career, there have been numerous gigs where I haven’t been able to use a full drum kit due to volume constraints. 

Cajons have always been one of the best alternatives, and I’ve played plenty of them from using my own and borrowing a few from friends for these gigs. 

In order to select the best cajons, I assessed each drum’s responsiveness, evaluating the richness of its tones, especially the low-end thumps and crisp slaps. I made sure these cajons deliver in different settings, from street performances to jam sessions.

I also examined the construction materials, workmanship, and overall durability. Price was another crucial factor. I explored a range of cajon options to cater to various budgets while maintaining quality throughout.

Best Cajon Reviews

Best adjustable cajon

Latin Percussion LP1426 Adjustable Snare Cajon

A well-built cajon with an adjustable snare wheel to control the amount of buzz you get when striking the edges. It has great sound quality and would be a perfect addition to any acoustic gig.
Sounds
4.5
Design
4.5
Build Quality
4.0
Value
4.0

    Latin Percussion LP1426 Adjustable Snare Cajon Review

    When I heard that you could adjust the snare sound that you get when playing this cajon, I was excited to try it out. 

    When I finally got to play it, I was impressed by the design, and it made me think, why aren’t other cajons designed like this as well? 

    I found this cajon to be very musically responsive, and the tonal difference between the slaps and center bass drum strokes was quite significant. 

    I love the range of tones this cajon produces, and it’s a great benefit to be able to turn a wheel to alter how it sounds. 

    The cajon has been designed with an MDF shell, which I wouldn’t say is the greatest material, especially considering this cajon costs a bit more than other MDF options. 

    However, the adjustable snare wheel more than makes up for it, and I think it makes the cost well worth it. 

    If you’re looking for a cajon with a very good snare drum slap sound, this may be the one for you. You can change the slap sound to suit your preferences, making it seriously versatile. 

    My final word on this cajon is that I think the design is quite sleek as well. The wooden plate against an all-black body just looks very smart.

    Features:

    • MDF shell construction 
    • Snare adjustment wheel 
    • Size of 19.75” x 11.75” x 12.25”

    Pros

    • The adjustable snare wheel allows you to change the sound, making it more versatile than most other cajons
    • Very comfortable to sit on and play thanks to the textured seating surface
    • Well-built and able to support people of heavier weights
    • Sleek and smart design

    Cons

    • The adjustable snare mechanism may give out eventually, but it’ll be many years before that happens
    Most versatile cajon

    Meinl Percussion Headliner Series Cajon

    The perfect blend of performance, aesthetics, and affordability, this Meinl Headliner cajon produces is a joy to play with and produces a wonderful range of sonic textures.
    Sounds
    4.5
    Design
    4.5
    Build Quality
    5.0
    Value
    4.5

      Meinl Percussion Headliner Series Cajon Review

      This Meinl cajon box drum is the best cajon available in its price range. It feels brilliantly constructed, and it is made with high-quality materials throughout.

      I found it super comfortable to sit on while playing, and the cajon drum itself produces delightful warm mid-range frequencies.

      The drum box houses two adjustable snare strings inside which span the whole surface of the inside of the front plate for a real high-quality snappy sound. The sound from this cajon projects loudly and sings with a lush tone.

      Other great features of this cajon are that it has large oversized rubber feet that keep the cajon firmly in place, and it has a rear port for a microphone. 

      I think this cajon sounded great through PA loudspeakers with a touch of reverb and a boost to the low-end frequencies.

      The Meinl drum box also includes a full 2-year warranty so you can be confident that this product will offer you years of great sounding and reliable service.

      Whether you’re gigging a small acoustic show or if it’s set up with a microphone at a concert, this is the best cajon drum for its price!

      Pros

      • Warm mid-range frequencies and smooth tone
      • Adjustable snare strings and cajon tone
      • Comfortable playing surface feels great to play

      Cons

      • Lacking some bass overall
      Best bass tones

      Meinl Jumbo Bass Subwoofer Cajon

      This premium cajon features a unique subwoofer port that enhances the low-end. It’s the best-sounding cajon tested and responds extremely well to all playing dynamics.
      Sounds
      5.0
      Design
      5.0
      Build Quality
      5.0
      Value
      4.5

        Meinl Jumbo Bass Subwoofer Cajon Review

        This Meinl Jumbo Bass Subwoofer Cajon is Meinl’s top-of-the-range cajon drum box, and it is a work of art visually and sonically.

        Meinl describes it as “mammoth in size and sound”. And this is exactly the case. It features a huge subwoofer port that allows the cajon to resonate with superb low-note development. This channel directs the sound out like a kick drum, and it is powerful!

        The drum box unit is constructed with a walnut front plate and resonating body, which provides rich and deep tones and super-sensitive responsiveness from all areas on the front plate.

        When trying the cajon out, I thought that the dynamics were excellent, with soft finger rolls that articulated well and large palm strikes that punched right through the subwoofer port.

        This cajon has adjustable snare wires and the top screws of the cajon can be adjusted to alter the desired pitch from the instrument.

        This model is the perfect option for you if you are looking for a high-end cajon that provides a wide assortment of rich, warm tones with lots of projection! Sonically it’s the best cajon available on the market right now.

        Pros

        • Stunning visually and sonically
        • Punchy low-end notes
        • Bass port on front adds convenience

        Cons

        • Large size may be unsuitable for smaller player
        Best budget cajon

        Meinl Baltic Birch Cajon Box Drum

        A more affordable cajon from Meinl, this option lacks some bass but is still ideal for acoustic sets like busking and jam sessions.
        Sounds
        3.5
        Design
        4.0
        Build Quality
        3.5
        Value
        4.5

          Meinl Baltic Birch Cajon Box Drum Review

          The Meinl Baltic Birch Cajon is constructed from solid birch and it is lightweight yet super resonant and projects volume well.

          This cajon drum box has a birch composition that helps it project high frequencies as well as low-range punch from the middle of the front plate.

          This cajon comes with all the expected great features like a rear mic porthole, oversized rubber feet, and a 2-year warranty with it.

          I was pleasantly surprised by the clarity and punch offered by this cajon from its lightweight shell. It really does offer rich tones and it would be a perfect accompaniment to guitars, pianos, and other acoustic instruments.

          The only real downside is that I did find the build quality isn’t as good with this product as the more expensive Meinl cajons.

          The interior wooden supports are not very well bonded and the overall design looks rather cheap compared to Meinl’s more expensive options.

          Pros

          • Great option for beginners
          • Large variety of tones offered
          • Sounds great acoustic or mic'd up

          Cons

          • Some small build quality issues like poorly bonded wooden supports
          Best Mini Cajon

          Meinl Compact Cajon Box Drum

          This mini cajon produces bright and lively tones, with a super portable design. It does sacrifice a little on comfort and tone, but it benefits from having a very attractive price tag.
          Sounds
          3.5
          Design
          4.5
          Build Quality
          4.0
          Value
          5.0

            Meinl Compact Cajon Box Drum Review

            Up next on the list we have the Meinl Compact Cajon. The size is the main difference between this cajon and the others in this guide.

            It is a compact size model meaning it is only 15 inches tall and 10.25 inches wide. 

            Playing with this cajon I found I was still able to sit comfortably on it, but if you are especially tall I would advise avoiding this particular model. 

            I’m not the tallest guy, so I was quite comfortable, but I could feel how someone with very long legs would feel out of place. 

            The benefit of the smaller jam cajon is that it’s extremely portable and easier to transport than its counterparts. This isn’t to mean it doesn’t pack a punch either! It projects snare slaps that cut through and punchy bass hits that resonate well.

            This drum box also features a rear mic port that you can utilize to amplify the sound from this cajon in a live music concert.

            Pros

            • Compact and portable drum box
            • Rich mid and high range tones
            • Packs a punch considering small size

            Cons

            • Small size might be uncomfortable
            Best Design

            Pearl Primero Cajon

            An excellent workhorse for gigs and acoustic sessions. The Pearl Primero cajon has a beautiful cherry faceplate, and it produces a wonderful range of tones with a present low end.
            Sounds
            4.5
            Design
            4.5
            Build Quality
            4.5
            Value
            4.5

              Pearl Primero Cajon Review

              Last on our list, we have the Pearl Primero Cajon, which offers great sounds and looks at an affordable price.

              Pearl offers this cajon at a very reasonable price- meaning it is excellent value for money. It comes with all the desired features- solid construction, built-in porthole, oversized rubber feet, and killer snare sounds.

              The cajon displays a beautiful cherry wood grain faceplate and the whole unit is well-built from MDF.

              I think the sounds expressed by this cajon are pretty spectacular, and overall it feels awesome to play.

              I’ve always been a big fan of Pearl percussion products, and this cajon just proved to be another hit on the brand’s product list after I tried it out. 

              Pros

              • Visually and sonically attractive
              • Built-in port for deep bass tone
              • Rear mic port adds convenience

              Cons

              • MDF instead of wood construction

              Cajon Buyer’s Guide

              The Cajon is a brilliantly versatile instrument. It can be played in so many ways and creates a wide array of percussive sounds.

              Whether you’re an experienced percussionist or just beginning to explore the world of music, cajons make a great addition to your percussive arsenal.

              Not to mention it also performs its role as a drum throne as well. The cajon literally means ‘box’ in Spanish and that’s exactly what it is.

              The box drum is a widely established instrument in many traditional realms of music hailing from Peru and Cuba. It is also continuing to grow in popularity in contemporary styles such as pop, folk, indie, and acoustic music.

              The reason for this is that it’s a brilliant alternative to having to perform on a full drum kit setup for acoustic ‘unplugged’ sessions.

              The best cajon drums are not only fantastic to play but they are also amazingly portable. And whilst they are small, it is very easy to set up a drum microphone to capture the sound of a cajon to amplify its sound through a set of PA loudspeakers. Just add a touch of reverb to sweeten the sound and it’s beautiful!

              Benefits of a Cajon

              Playing a cajon can offer a number of benefits for percussionists and musicians of all levels. Some of the benefits include:

              • Ease of use: Cajons are one of the easiest percussion instruments to play. They don’t require any special skills or training, and even beginner musicians can start making music with them right away.
              • Great sounds: The cajon produces a wide range of sounds, from deep bass tones to high-pitched snare notes. This makes it an ideal instrument for a variety of genres, from blues and rock to Latin and jazz.
              • Portability: Cajons are compact and portable, making them perfect for acoustic gigs and jam sessions. They can also be easily mic’d up for use in larger venues, or combined with other instruments for more elaborate arrangements.
              • Versatility: Cajons are excellent for recording and for live performances. They sound great when layered with other percussion instruments, and you can even add a cajon to a drum set configuration by using a cajon foot pedal.

              What To Look For in The Best Cajon

              A Reliable Brand

              First things first, you will want to look for a cajon that has been supplied by a reputable manufacturer. Meinl is an excellent brand and they offer warranties on all of their products. In my opinion, Meinl and Latin Percussion make the best cajons on the market.

              Premium Wood Construction

              Cajons are made from solid hardwood bodies that provide rich tonal qualities when struck. The best cajons are constructed from exotic woods such as walnut and ebony which are renowned for their desirable sound properties. Expensive hardwoods sing complex and rich sonic tones.

              The best cajons constructed from walnut and ebony produce rich and varied sounds, with deep bass tones, crisp snare notes, and clear highs. A good cajon should have a rich, full tone with plenty of volume and resonance.

              Good Construction Quality

              A well-constructed box drum should be sturdy and durable, with high-quality materials that can stand up to regular use. It should have large rubber feet to help absorb shock and increase stability, as well as a smooth playing surface for producing great sounds.

              Long-Term Playability

              The best cajon drums are easy to play with and comfortable to sit on for long periods of time. They should have a smooth playing surface that responds well to a variety of finger techniques, as well as an adjustable snare system that can be tuned to match your preferences and style.

              Tips for Playing Your Cajon

              When you receive your new cajon you’ll want to become acquainted with how it plays. You can also adjust the snare tension of the cajon to your preferences.

              • Begin by sitting on top of the cajon with the front plate in between your legs, and with your feet flat on the ground.
              • Use your fingers and palms to slap the different parts of the cajon to achieve different sounds.
              • Hitting a slightly lower down region of the cajon firmly with your palm will create a bass drum sound.
              • To achieve the snappy snare sound you will want to use your fingers right up on the higher edges of the cajon.
              • Play around and have fun whilst familiarizing yourself with the full range of tones the cajon has to offer!
              • You can adjust the sound of the cajon by using a Phillips head screwdriver to tighten or loosen the two outer corner screws located on the top corners of the cajon.
              • Tightening the screws will increase the ‘snappiness’ of the snare wires and loosening the screws will result in a deeper and lower-pitched sound.
              • In order to adjust the internal snare you will require a small wrench or hex key to tweak the level of ‘sizzle’ desired from the cajon.

              Final Thoughts

              Hopefully, this guide has provided you with all the information you need whilst looking to invest in a brand-new cajon.

              I find cajons are wonderful and diverse instruments. They have become incredibly popular within lots of genres of modern music and bring acoustic music to life!

              Cajons sound perfect accompanying other instruments including pianos and guitars, and of course singers. The cajon offers rich tones but also has lots of dynamics to be able to offer more subtle accompaniment.

              There is something very satisfying about creating lots of fun intricate rhythms on something so inherently simple.

              There are lots of ways you can play the cajon with your hands, so the best thing to do is to experiment and have fun on it whilst playing with other musicians.

              Cajon FAQs

              Why is There a Hole in the Cajon?

              The sound hole in the cajon serves an important function in terms of sound. The hole allows air to escape from the drum cavity, creating a resonant chamber that amplifies the sound of the cajon. It also helps to create a deeper bass tone and can be used as a port hole for a microphone.

              Is a Cajon Loud?

              Cajons can be quite loud, depending on the size and construction quality of the instrument. But you can choose to play the cajon either softly or loudly depending on your playing dynamics.

              A well-made cajon with a good snare system will produce plenty of volume, making it perfect for acoustic gigs and jam sessions. It can also be easily mic’d up for use in larger venues.

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