A steel tongue drum is a hand-played percussion instrument with tuned metal tongues cut into a steel body. You strike the tongues with mallets or your fingers, and every tongue is tuned to a note of one scale, so the drum is melodic from the first hit. The main choices are size, number of notes and the key.
The six drums below run from a 10 inch, 11 note model to a 16 inch, 8 note model. Sizes, notes and extras come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these drums ourselves. Tuning and material claims are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Number of notes | More notes allow more complete songs |
| Key and scale | C major, D major and minor scales sound different |
| Size | Larger bodies are generally lower and rounder in tone |
| Included extras | Mallets, a bag, finger picks and a music book |
| Warranty | Terms range from none listed to two years |
Specs at a Glance
| Drum | Size and notes | Key | Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOPWELL 13 in | 13 in; 15 notes | D major | Music book, mallets, carry bag; 90-day warranty |
| PANDA DRUM Pro | 15 in; notes not read | Not read | Music book, mallets, finger picks, carrying bag |
| AKLOT 10 in | 10 in; 11 notes | C | Mallets, bracket, 6 finger picks, note stickers, music book, bag |
| MOOZICA | 14 in; 17 notes | C minor (Amara) | Carry bag, drumsticks; 92-day warranty |
| Meinl | 16 in; 8 notes | Not read | Mallets, padded bag; 2-year warranty |
| LEKATO 14 in | 14 in; 15 notes | D major or C (conflict) | Music book; no warranty listed |
The 6 Best Steel Tongue Drums
1. HOPWELL 13 Inch 15 Note Steel Tongue Drum
A 13 inch drum with 15 notes in D major, made from steel and titanium alloy, supplied with a music book, mallets and a carry bag. The maker gives a 90-day warranty.
Suits: a wide note range for full songs. Strengths: 15 notes and a music book. Weaknesses: the listing shows a size of 5.12 by 5.12 by 2.36 inches, which cannot match a 13 inch drum. Skip it if you need exact dimensions.
View HOPWELL 13 Inch 15 Note Steel Tongue Drum on Amazon
2. PANDA DRUM Pro 15 Inch Steel Tongue Drum
A black 15 inch drum in alloy steel with a coating. The set includes a music book, mallets, finger picks and a carrying bag, and the maker describes it as usable indoors and outdoors.
Suits: a large drum with finger picks included. Strengths: four accessories in the set. Weaknesses: we did not find the number of notes or the key in the text we read. Skip it if you need those details first.
View PANDA DRUM Pro 15 Inch Steel Tongue Drum on Amazon
3. AKLOT 10 Inch 11 Note Steel Tongue Drum
A 10 inch titanium alloy drum with 11 notes in C, weighing 2.2 pounds. The kit adds two mallets, a mallet bracket, six finger picks, note stickers, a music book and a travel bag, with a one-year warranty.
Suits: a light starter kit. Strengths: note stickers and a full accessory set. Weaknesses: fewer notes than larger drums. Skip it if you want a wide range.
View AKLOT 10 Inch 11 Note Steel Tongue Drum on Amazon
4. MOOZICA 14 Inch 17 Note Handpan Tongue Drum
A white 14 inch alloy steel drum with 17 notes in the C minor Amara scale and an octave overtone design, in a 15.75 inch listed footprint. It comes with a carry bag and drumsticks, plus a 92-day warranty.
Suits: the most notes of the six. Strengths: 17 notes in a minor scale. Weaknesses: no music book is listed. Skip it if you prefer a major key.
View MOOZICA 14 Inch 17 Note Handpan Tongue Drum on Amazon
5. Meinl 16 Inch 8 Note Steel Tongue Drum
A vintage brown coated steel drum from the Meinl percussion maker, named as 16 inches with 8 notes. The set has mallets and a padded bag, with a two-year manufacturer warranty.
Suits: a simple drum with a longer warranty. Strengths: a known percussion maker and a padded bag. Weaknesses: the listing shows 12 by 12 by 6.5 inches against a 16 inch name, and only 8 notes. Skip it if you want a large range.
View Meinl 16 Inch 8 Note Steel Tongue Drum on Amazon
6. LEKATO 14 Inch 15 Note Steel Tongue Drum
A dark blue 14 inch titanium alloy drum with 15 notes, listed at 4.45 kg and shipped with a music book and drum beaters. The title says D major, while the text says C key.
Suits: a large drum with a songbook. Strengths: 15 notes and a book. Weaknesses: a conflicting key and no warranty listed. Skip it if you need to know the key before you buy.
View LEKATO 14 Inch 15 Note Steel Tongue Drum on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Check the note count and key before you order.
- Confirm which mallets, bag and book come in the box.
- Compare the listed size with the size in the title.
- For playing, storage and cleaning, follow the maker’s instructions.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying on size and ignoring the number of notes.
- Skipping the key when you plan to play with other instruments.
- Skipping the maker’s instructions for mallets.
- Trusting listing dimensions that disagree with the title.
Steel Tongue Drum FAQ
Do I need music training?
The notes belong to one scale, and several sets include a book or stickers to help you learn the layout.
Which key should I pick?
Pick the key that fits the other instruments you play with, and check the listing, as one here conflicts.
The Short Version
For a wide range, the HOPWELL. For finger picks, the PANDA DRUM. For a small kit, the AKLOT. For the most notes, the MOOZICA. For a longer warranty, the Meinl. For a big 14 inch body, the LEKATO.
