A digital metronome keeps a steady beat with a click, a light or both, so you can practice at a set tempo. The useful differences are the tempo range, the beat patterns, the volume and what powers it. Some add a tuning tone or an earphone jack for quiet practice.
The six metronomes below run from a pocket Korg to rechargeable models with color screens. Tempo ranges, features and sizes come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these metronomes ourselves. Feature claims are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Tempo range | Wide ranges cover slow exercises and fast pieces |
| Beat patterns | Time signatures and rhythm types suit different music |
| Power | Rechargeable, coin cell, AAA or 9V batteries |
| Tuning tone | A reference pitch helps wind and string players |
| Earphone jack | Allows silent practice |
Specs at a Glance
| Metronome | Tempo and patterns | Power | Size and notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sondery ProBeat | 40 to 208 bpm; 10 beat patterns | Rechargeable lithium polymer; USB | 3.35 x 1.14 x 4.96 in; 4.3 oz; vocal counting |
| BOSS DB-30 | Odd time signatures; play-along patterns | Lithium battery, included | 5.2 x 3.45 x 1.35 in; phones jack |
| Seiko SQ50-V | 40 to 208 bpm; 39-position dial | 9V battery, included | 1.7 x 5.1 x 3 in; A and Bb tones |
| Korg MA-2 | Tap tempo; 0 to 9 beats; 8 rhythm types | 2 AAA, about 400 hours (maker) | 2.36 x 0.63 x 3.94 in; timer mode |
| Korg KDM-3 | 0 to 9 beats; 19 beat patterns; 8 sounds | CR2 battery, included | 3 x 2.5 x 4.5 in; 6.4 oz; memory backup |
| EX-GEAR EM 710 | Tempo range not stated in text read | Rechargeable Li-ion; USB-C | 5.79 x 2.64 x 1.57 in package; 5.3 oz |
The 6 Best Digital Metronomes
1. Sondery ProBeat Digital Metronome
A rechargeable metronome with a color screen, a rotary dial for 40 to 208 bpm and 10 beat patterns. It adds tap tempo, a practice timer of 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes, vocal counting, three digital sounds, an LED and a 3.5 mm earphone jack.
Suits: a spoken count and a timer. Strengths: a rechargeable battery and a color screen. Weaknesses: a pocket-size body with a built-in battery. Skip it if you want replaceable batteries.
View Sondery Digital Metronome Rechargeable Vocal Counting for Piano Guitar Drum on Amazon
2. BOSS Dr. Beat DB-30
A 5.2 by 3.45 by 1.35 inch metronome from BOSS with visual practice aids, odd time signature support, a phones jack, auto power-off and play-along patterns. The listing includes a lithium battery.
Suits: a drummer or guitarist who wants play-along patterns. Strengths: odd time signatures and a phones jack. Weaknesses: the listing text is short on numbers. Skip it if you want a stated tempo range.
View BOSS Dr. Beat Portable Metronome (DB-30), Black on Amazon
3. Seiko SQ50-V Quartz Metronome Tuner
A quartz metronome with a 39-position dial for 40 to 208 BPM, two click tones, adjustable volume, a red LED and an earphone jack. It also has A=440 Hz and Bb tone generators for tuning.
Suits: a dial-based metronome with a tuning tone. Strengths: tone generators and a visual beat. Weaknesses: uses a 9V battery. Skip it if you want a rechargeable unit.
View Seiko SQ50-V Quartz Metronome Tuner on Amazon
4. Korg MA-2 Digital Metronome
A 2.36 by 0.63 by 3.94 inch slim metronome with pendulum, full step and tap tempo modes, time signatures from 0 to 9 beats and 8 rhythm types. The maker cites a 30 percent larger display, a timer mode, a sound out mode and about 400 hours on alkaline batteries.
Suits: a slim body for a case or pocket. Strengths: long battery life, by the maker’s figure. Weaknesses: the listing shows odd weight and connector fields. Skip it if you want a loud speaker with many voices.
View Korg MA-2 Digital Metronome for Orchestral Instruments – Blue/Black on Amazon
5. Korg KDM-3 Digital Metronome
A compact, mechanical-style metronome with a built-in speaker, 8 sounds including cowbell and voice, and 19 beat patterns covering 0 to 9 beats. A sound out mode gives C4 to B4 reference tones, and memory backup and a 20-minute auto power-off are included.
Suits: a speaker-based unit with many sounds. Strengths: 8 sounds and memory backup. Weaknesses: a CR2 battery is less common. Skip it if you want a rechargeable model.
View Korg KDM-3 Digital Metronome w/ Memory Backup – Black on Amazon
6. EX-GEAR Rechargeable Metronome EM 710
A rechargeable metronome with a large color LCD that shows tempo, beats and accented beats in different colors. It charges by USB-C, weighs 5.3 ounces and is listed with a package size of 5.79 by 2.64 by 1.57 inches. The text we read did not state the tempo range.
Suits: a large readable screen. Strengths: USB-C charging and colored beats. Weaknesses: no tempo range found. Skip it if you need to confirm the range first.
View EX-GEAR Rechargeable Metronome with Large Color LCD Screen for Piano,Guitar on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Start slowly, then raise the tempo in small steps.
- Set the time signature before the tempo.
- Charge rechargeable units before a long session.
- Remove batteries if you will not use it for months.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Practicing only at one comfortable tempo.
- Choosing a quiet model for a loud instrument.
- Forgetting the earphone jack when you need silent practice.
- Treating a listed weight or connector at face value when it looks wrong.
Digital Metronome FAQ
Do I need a tuning tone?
Only if you tune by ear. The Seiko and the Korg KDM-3 include reference tones.
Rechargeable or battery?
Rechargeable suits daily use. Battery models, like the Korg MA-2, avoid a charging routine.
The Short Version
For a spoken count and a timer, the Sondery. For odd time signatures, the BOSS. For a dial and a tuning tone, the Seiko. For a slim body, the Korg MA-2. For many sounds, the Korg KDM-3. For a large color screen, the EX-GEAR.
