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The tambourine is a great musical instrument to help add a stronger sense of rhythm to songs. Tambourine playing is highly effective, so you should own a good one to use when you need it.
Whether you’re a solo artist or part of a band, incorporating a tambourine into your repertoire can significantly elevate the overall sound of your music.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best tambourines with professional quality sounds. I’ve compared build quality, sounds, design, and cost to give you my top recommendations.
What Is The Best Tambourine?
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Best overall tambourine
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Best versatile tambourine
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Best mountable tambourine
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Best premium tambourine
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Best wooden tambourine
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Best for recording
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Best lightweight tambourine
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Best budget tambourine
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Best accessory tambourine
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Best foot tambourine
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How I Tested and Selected the Best Tambourines
Tambourines have been one of my favorite percussion instruments for as long as I can remember. I’ve owned several, using them in many gigs where I need to play percussion parts.
Whenever I look for a good tambourine, there are a few vital things that I look out for. I first check the sound quality, hitting and shaking the tambourine in a variety of ways to see how the jingles sound and react.
I then assess the build quality, looking to see what the tambourine is made from and getting an idea of how it feels to hold. This gives me a decent idea of its durability.
I’ll then check to see if there are any unique features like a special grip or an innovative jingle design.
That gives me a general idea of the quality of a tambourine, and it’s a system I’ve used to identify all the best options on the market.
Tambourine Reviews
Meinl Percussion Hand Held Recording-Combo ABS Tambourine
Meinl Percussion Hand Held Recording-Combo ABS Tambourine Review
Combining the sounds of both solid brass and nickel-plated steel zills, the Meinl Percussion Hand Held Recording-Combo ABS Tambourine may just be the best tambourine for live performance if you want professional quality sounds at a great price!
It is affordable and can function equally well as a subtle accompaniment or as a standout percussive instrument. The padded grip provides a final aesthetic flourish, while also offering supreme comfort.
This lightweight, headless tambourine has an excellent build quality.
I found the design is ultra-durable and the instrument fares well when shaken aggressively or driven into your leg or hip.
I also found that the placement of the zills, arranged in a double-row design, allowed for advanced techniques, like tambourine rolls, to be performed too.
Pros
- One of the best options for live performances
- Comfortable padded grip
- Loud steel zills
Cons
- The padded handle will likely wear out over time
Rhythm Tech RT1010 Tambourine - With Nickel or Brass Jingles
Rhythm Tech RT1010 Tambourine - With Nickel or Brass Jingles Review
The RT1010 Tambourine from Rhythm Tech is available with a choice of either nickel or brass zills, depending on the sound you are looking to generate.
This is an aesthetically pleasing, and professional quality tambourine. It produces great sounds and adds an exciting new dynamic to any song.
A robust instrument, I think the RT1010 Tambourine compliments all styles of play and its hand grip helps to absorb shocks, making it extremely comfortable to hold, even if you are using it to hit against your leg or hip.
I mainly love the versatility that this tambourine offers, it sounds great in any environment you play it in.
Pros
- Versatile option due to the choice between nickel or brass zills for different sounds
- Reliable performance quality
- Shock absorbance from the cushioned grip allows you to use it for extended periods
Cons
- The grip can be a bit small for larger hands
Latin Percussion LP160 Cyclops Mountable Tambourine
Latin Percussion LP160 Cyclops Mountable Tambourine Review
If you are looking for a tambourine that can be mounted to your drum or percussion kit, the Latin Percussion LP160 Cyclops Mountable Tambourine may just be the best tambourine to suit your needs.
The tambourine makes use of nickel-plated steel alloy zills, producing a bright sound, while it has been designed with drumstick hits in mind, allowing the instrument to easily withstand repeated hits. Secure attachment to your drum kit or percussion kit can be achieved thanks to forged eye bolt technology.
This was my favorite mountable tambourine that I tried. It fits onto most rods, allowing you to easily incorporate it into a larger rig.
Furthermore, a zill pinning technology helps to keep the zills in place, even when hit hard. This means it may be the best tambourine for those looking for regular, long-term use with a drum kit, especially if you are in a band.
Pros
- Good addition to a drum or percussion setup
- Very bright sound from the zills
- Very durable
Cons
- Not a great option for players wanting a handheld tambourine
Pearl PTM50BHR Ultra Grip Tambourine
Pearl PTM50BHR Ultra Grip Tambourine Review
Pearl’s PTM50BHR Ultra Grip Tambourine is another professional quality headless tambourine that is ideal for either mounted or handheld use.
One of the key features is the distinctive hand grip, which is located right at the center of gravity for the instrument and is ergonomically designed. I’ve felt how this makes it both comfortable and very easy to shake the instrument.
I loved how premium this tambourine felt when I used it. Everything about it was top-quality.
The red color of the frame provides a modern, stylish appearance, but what really sets it apart are the “Jingle Control Discs”, which allow you to selectively mute zills, providing best-in-class control over the sound the tambourine produces.
This, combined with its brass zills, helps to make the PTM50BHR Ultra Grip arguably the best tambourine for those who are looking for a combination of comfort, customization, and high-quality sound.
Pros
- Included Jingle Control Discs that allow you to mute the zills in different ways
- The grip is positioned in the center, making the tambourine feel comfortable to play
- Brazz zills sound fantastic
Cons
- Expensive tambourine option
Meinl Percussion Recording-Combo Wood Tambourine
Meinl Percussion Recording-Combo Wood Tambourine Review
If you are looking for the best tambourine with a drum head and a more traditional design, I’d say that the Meinl Percussion Recording-Combo Wood Tambourine may be just the ticket.
The wooden frame provides a lightweight feel, while the grip is discreet and allows the instrument to be easily handled, without sacrificing the overall look.
I like how diverse wood frames are, and this particular tambourine offers that great old-school vibe.
The goat skin head offers a classic sound and can be used for drumming by hand or with a stick or mallet.
Meanwhile, the combination of nickel-plated and brass zills, arranged in a double-row layout, allows it to be easily used as a light accompaniment, or as a more significant percussive instrument.
A professional tambourine option, Meinl also offers either single-row or double-row versions of the same instrument, both in a headless configuration, giving you a wide range of options to choose from.
Pros
- One of the best tambourine options with a drumhead
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- The drumhead provides an extra sound to play
Cons
- Not good for players who prefer headless tambourines
Latin Percussion LP380B Double Row Professional Tambourine
Latin Percussion LP380B Double Row Professional Tambourine Review
Those who are operating on a larger budget and seeking the best tambourine for live performance may find the LP380B Double Row Professional Tambourine from Latin Percussion is the ideal choice.
The hand-crafted frame is made from Asian oak and helps to give the tambourine a very traditional appearance, and the presence of a hole for slotting your finger through allows you to gain a secure grip of the instrument.
Meanwhile, the sound is provided by nickel-silver alloy zills, arranged in a double-row design.
I found that these zills produce exceedingly high-quality sounds, suitable for all types of professional applications.
I’ve also heard how well this tambourine records. It’s a very popular option in recording studios.
Pros
- Another great wooden tambourine option
- Very lightweight
- The nickel-silver zills have excellent sound quality
Cons
- Wooden frames aren’t as durable as ABS plastic ones
Latin Percussion LP Foot Tambourine LP188
Latin Percussion LP Foot Tambourine LP188 Review
Another offering from Latin Percussion, the Foot Tambourine LP188 may just be the best tambourine for multi-tasking musicians, allowing you to add tambourine sounds to your performance, even if your hands are full.
The elastic strap on the tambourine allows it to easily fit on your foot and can help to ensure a good fit, regardless of how big or small your feet are. The tambourine is lightweight, making it easy to play while you use your hands to play another instrument, such as a guitar, drum kit, or percussion kit.
A red frame adds a stylish, modern appearance, while the sound is produced by nickel-plated zills.
Aside from its function as a foot tambourine, I think it may also be the best tambourine for those working with a very tight budget.
Pros
- One of the most lightweight options on this list
- Can be attached to an arm or leg for easy playing
- Very affordable
Cons
- Not as loud or effective as standard tambourines
Remo Headless Tambourine (10-Inch)
Remo Headless Tambourine (10-Inch) Review
If you are looking for something classic, simple, high-quality and affordable, the Remo Headless Tambourine is the best tambourine currently on the market. Its black and white frame and headless design make it a good-looking option at an affordable price point.
Measuring 10-inches in diameter, the tambourine is ideal for almost any use, but Remo also provides smaller 6-inch and 8-inch options too – perfect for those who would prefer a smaller or lighter option.
A uniform jingle sound is provided by eight pairs of zills – all made of the same material – and these are arranged in a single-row layout. Meanwhile, the absence of a drum head allows for the zill sound to be as clear as possible.
This has been my favorite affordable tambourine that I’ve tried. It definitely sounds better than other budget options.
All-round comfort is also aided by the presence of a finger or thumb hole on the frame of the instrument.
Pros
- One of the softer tambourine options, which some players will like
- Very affordable for a full-sized tambourine
- Included finger hole makes it easier to grip
Cons
- Most players will likely prefer more standard tambourines with two layers of zills
Meinl Percussion Ching Ring - 6-Inch
Meinl Percussion Ching Ring - 6-Inch Review
Finally, if you are a drummer, who is looking to use a tambourine to enhance your sound, you may find that the Meinl Percussion Ching Ring is the best tambourine for this, and it comes at a low price point too.
A 6-inch tambourine, constructed from stainless steel, the Meinl Percussion Ching Ring contains five pairs of zills, which produce a clear jingle. The simple design also helps to ensure it will work very well with hi-hat cymbals, but also with crash cymbals, ride cymbals, effects cymbals, and even snare drums, facilitating real experimentation.
I’ve been using one of these on my hi-hats for a few months now, and I love the extra vibrancy that it adds.
Of course, the tambourine can also be easily picked up and used in a more traditional way as well. I just found that it doesn’t sound as effective as a typical tambourine, so it’s mostly meant to be used on drum kits.
Pros
- Highly useful tool for drummers to add extra sounds to their setups
- Simple design with effective performance results
- Easy to use
Cons
- Only a good tool for drummers and can’t be used as a normal tambourine
Meinl Percussion Foot Tambourine FJS2S-BK Review
Meinl Percussion Foot Tambourine FJS2S-BK Review Review
The Meinl Percussion Foot Tambourine features a similar, simple design to the LP foot tambourine. It features four pairs of jingles that offer bright sounds.
Meinl produces some of the best drumming equipment on the market, and you can be confident that this is a quality product.
This is one of the better foot tambourines that I’ve tried. The build quality, sound quality, and overall playability are all great.
This lightweight, simple to use, and affordable foot tambourine easily attaches to your shoe to allow you to add percussion to any acoustic performance.
Cajon players, guitar players, and vocalists will find this foot tambourine really helpful to add some rhythm to your music.
Pros
- Great accessory for any percussionist to own
- Frees up your hands to play other things
- Reliable build quality
Cons
- Not as loud or effective as a handheld tambourine
Buyer’s Guide: How to Find the Best Tambourine
Whether you are looking for a tambourine for jam sessions or seeking something more professional to assist you with live performances or recording, it is important that you take the time to find the best tambourine for your specific needs. However, this may require a deeper understanding of the instrument itself and what you should be looking for.
What Does a Tambourine Add to Music?
Tambourines are extremely versatile instruments, which can actually be used in a number of different ways. The instrument is characterized by the presence of ‘zills’ or ‘jingles’, which function as small cymbals. Shaking the tambourine can, therefore, help to add a jingle effect to the music, or add emphasis to a rhythm or a beat.
The versatility of the tambourine is evidenced by the sheer range of music styles you can find it used within. This includes everything from European folk music and classical music, through to pop, R&B, and rock music. It can be especially common for singers to use a tambourine and examples of this can be seen with Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac and Mick Jagger from the Rolling Stones. All four members of The Beatles also used the instrument at times.
With a drum head attached, a tambourine is also able to deliver two very distinctive sounds at once.
What Features Do You Want From a Tambourine?
When it comes to choosing your tambourine, you need to think about the key features you are seeking. For instance, are you looking for a tambourine with a drum head, or would you prefer a headless option? Both are perfectly viable, but the drum head provides additional versatility, while headless options often produce a better ‘jingle’ sound.
You might be seeking a more specialized tambourine, such as a foot tambourine, or a tambourine that you can attach to a drum kit. Alternatively, you may want to play the instrument by hand, but want an ergonomic grip for maximum comfort. Some buyers may also want advanced features, like the ability to selectively mute zills.
Ultimately, the best tambourine to purchase will depend on your personal preferences, your budget, and what you are looking to use the tambourine for. Try to prioritize the features that will allow you to use the instrument the way you want to and then look for the option that offers those features at a price point that suits you.
