A shoulder rest attaches to the back of a violin and fills the gap between the instrument and the player. Materials, adjustment range and the way the feet clip on all differ, and so does the size of violin each model is listed for.
The six rests below range from wood and maple models to a foam-pad design, a plastic-coated aluminum rest made in Germany and a collapsible resin model. Sizes, materials and weights come from each listing page. We have not used these products ourselves, and fit and feel claims are the makers’ own.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links, and they do not change the product information we give.
What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Size range | Listings name 4/4, 3/4 or both; confirm your violin size |
| Material | Maple, acacia, aluminum and plastic frames differ in weight |
| Adjustment | Height, width and angle controls vary from model to model |
| Feet | Rubber or silicone end pieces touch the violin finish |
| Weight | Listed weights run from about 15 g to about 142 g |
Specs at a Glance
| Rest | Size listed | Material | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kun Original | 3/4 and 4/4 | Wood (per fields) | 2.4 oz; patented locking end members; 1 year warranty |
| Kun Bravo | 3/4 to 4/4 | Maple with brass fittings | Polished; 8 x 2 x 2 in |
| Everest EZ-4A | 4/4, adjustable to 3/4 | Mixed fields | 3.2 oz; 8 x 2 x 2.25 in |
| Bonmusica | 4/4 | Plastic-coated aluminum | 4.96 oz; height and width adjustable; made in Germany |
| MI and VI Maple | 4/4 to 3/4 violin; 14 to 13 in viola | Maple | Collapsible rubber feet; 3 fixed settings |
| NANYI wood grain | 4/4 and 3/4 | Acacia fields; PVC frame and resin base per bullets | 15 g; EVA sponge; collapsible feet |
The 6 Best Violin Shoulder Rests
1. Kun Original
A shoulder rest listed for 4/4 and 3/4 violins, with end members that use a patented locking device and T-shaped feet. The maker says it adjusts for height, width and angle. It weighs 2.4 ounces and carries a one year limited warranty. The material fields say wood while the string field says plastic, so treat the exact construction as unclear.
Suits: players who want a well-known adjustable design. Strengths: a locking mechanism and a warranty. Weaknesses: conflicting material fields. Skip it if you want a rest with a soft pad.
View Kun Original 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest on Amazon
2. Kun Bravo
A hardwood rest with brass fittings. The overview lists maple for the top and back, a polished finish and a size of 3/4 to 4/4, with dimensions of 8 x 2 x 2 inches. The bullet text gives only a model number, so details beyond the overview fields are limited.
Suits: a polished wood look. Strengths: maple and brass fittings. Weaknesses: sparse feature text. Skip it if you want a long list of stated features.
View Kun Bravo 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest – Hardwood with Brass Fittings on Amazon
3. Everest EZ-4A
A 4/4 rest described as adjustable to 3/4 size, with a varnish finish and listed dimensions of 8 x 2 x 2.25 inches. It weighs 3.2 ounces. The material fields are mixed, naming spare wood, ABS and alloy steel for different parts, and the listing has no bullet points.
Suits: a rest that covers two sizes. Strengths: light weight. Weaknesses: unclear materials. Skip it if you want a detailed feature list.
View EVEREST EZ-4A Violin Shoulder Rest 4/4 Size – Adjustable to 3/4 Size on Amazon
4. Bonmusica 4/4
A rest for 4/4 violins made in Germany from plastic-coated aluminum, with nylon parts, a padded curved base and height and width adjustment. It weighs 4.96 ounces, the heaviest of the six, and the listing gives no warranty detail.
Suits: a metal frame with a padded base. Strengths: adjustment in two directions. Weaknesses: 4/4 only and the heaviest here. Skip it if you play a 3/4 violin.
View Bonmusica 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest on Amazon
5. MI and VI Maple
A maple rest with collapsible rubber feet and three fixed settings. It is listed for 4/4 and 3/4 violins and for 14 and 13 inch violas, and the maker says the thick rubber feet help avoid marks on the finish. The weight field reads 0.09 kg.
Suits: violin and viola players. Strengths: real maple and collapsible feet. Weaknesses: settings are fixed. Skip it if you want free adjustment.
View MI and VI Violin Shoulder Rest – Real Maple Wood on Amazon
6. NANYI Wood Grain
A light rest of 15 grams with an EVA sponge surface, silicone feet and collapsible legs. The bullets describe a PVC frame and resin base with an imitation wood grain finish, while the material fields list acacia, so the construction wording conflicts. Adjustment is by screws on both sides.
Suits: a very light rest. Strengths: soft surface and a one year warranty. Weaknesses: conflicting material wording. Skip it if you want genuine wood.
View NANYI Violin Shoulder Rest for 4/4 and 3/4 size Adjustable, wood grain on Amazon
Fitting Tips
- Confirm your violin size before choosing a rest.
- Attach the feet to the lower bouts as the maker describes.
- Change one setting at a time and compare.
- Wipe the feet and the violin back before each fitting.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming a 4/4 rest fits a smaller violin.
- Trusting a material name when fields disagree.
- Forcing the feet onto the instrument.
- Changing several settings at once.
Violin Shoulder Rests FAQ
Which rests are listed for both 4/4 and 3/4?
The Kun Original, MI and VI Maple and NANYI list both sizes. The Everest EZ-4A is a 4/4 model described as adjustable to 3/4.
Which is the lightest?
The NANYI lists 15 grams. The Kun Original lists 2.4 ounces.
The Short Version
For a locking design, the Kun Original. For polished maple, the Kun Bravo. For two sizes, the Everest EZ-4A. For a metal frame, the Bonmusica. For maple with viola sizes, the MI and VI. For the lightest, the NANYI.
