A tambourine is a frame with metal jingles, sometimes with a drumhead stretched across it. Frame material, jingle metal and grip decide how bright it sounds and how easy it is to hold for a whole song.
The six models below cover a headed Remo, a wood Meinl, a molded plastic Meinl, two RhythmTech designs and a Latin Percussion Cyclops. Sizes, materials and jingles come from each listing page. We have not played these tambourines ourselves, and tone 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 |
|---|---|
| Frame | Wood, plastic and polymer frames are listed as sounding and wearing differently |
| Jingles | Nickel, steel and brass jingles are described as bright, warm or crisp |
| Head | A headed model adds a drum surface; a headless one is jingles only |
| Grip or mount | A molded grip suits handheld use; a mount suits a drum set |
Specs at a Glance
| Tambourine | Frame | Jingles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remo TA-5210-70 | 10 in; Fiberskyn head | 8 pairs in 2 rows | Pre-tuned; lightweight; no warranty listed |
| RhythmTech RT1010 | Elliptical | Nickel | Molded comfort grip handle |
| LP174 Cyclops | Patented shape | Dimpled brass | Jingle pinning system; 3-year warranty (no heads or bags) |
| Meinl HTMT1BK | ABS plastic, guiro-style ridges | Steel | All-weather frame; 2-year warranty |
| Meinl TA2AB Wood | 10 in hardwood, antique brown | 16 pairs, nickel plated steel, 2 rows | High gloss finish; 2-year warranty |
| RhythmTech DST10 | Polymer playing edge | Nickel | Hi-hat mountable; quick-release wing screw |
The 6 Best Tambourines
1. Remo Fiberskyn 10 inch
A 10 inch tambourine with a Fiberskyn 3 drumhead film and eight pairs of jingles in two rows. The bullets call it lightweight and pre-tuned for all styles, and the page lists no warranty. The listed size is 15.5 x 12 x 2.2 inches, which looks like a packed figure.
Suits: a headed tambourine you can tap. Strengths: a pre-tuned head. Weaknesses: fewer jingles than the Meinl wood. Skip it if you want a headless frame.
View Remo TA-5210-70 Fiberskyn Tambourine 10 Inch on Amazon
2. RhythmTech RT1010
An elliptical-shaped tambourine with bright nickel jingles and a molded comfort grip handle. The bullets call it the most played tambourine in the world, which is the maker’s own wording, and the page lists a size of 14.5 x 8.3 x 2 inches.
Suits: handheld use with a grip. Strengths: a molded handle. Weaknesses: the frame material is not stated. Skip it if you want a wood frame.
View RhythmTech RT1010 Tambourine Nickel Jingles on Amazon
3. Latin Percussion LP174 Cyclops
A hand-held tambourine whose patented shape is said to follow natural arm and wrist motion. The title lists dimpled brass jingles, while a bullet also mentions nickel-plated steel jingles on other models. A patented pinning system holds the jingles, and the warranty is 3 years excluding heads and bags.
Suits: crisp, cutting jingles. Strengths: a pinned jingle system. Weaknesses: mixed jingle wording. Skip it if you want a round frame.
View Latin Percussion LP174 Cyclops Tambourine Dimpled Brass on Amazon
4. Meinl Headliner HTMT1BK
A half-moon handheld tambourine with a 100 percent synthetic all-weather frame, stainless steel jingles and an enlarged grip. The frame is molded with ridges so a drumstick dragged across it makes a guiro sound. The title says single row but the item type says double row, so check the page.
Suits: indoor and outdoor use. Strengths: an all-weather frame and a guiro surface. Weaknesses: a row-count conflict. Skip it if you want a wood frame.
View Meinl Headliner HTMT1BK Handheld Tambourine on Amazon
5. Meinl Traditional Wood TA2AB
A 10 inch hardwood-frame tambourine with 16 pairs of nickel plated steel jingles in two rows and a high gloss antique brown finish. The maker describes the wood as adding warmth. The page shows a count of 6 items even though the title names one tambourine, so confirm the pack on the page.
Suits: acoustic and worship settings. Strengths: a wood frame and 16 pairs of jingles. Weaknesses: a confusing item count. Skip it if you want plastic.
View Meinl Traditional Wood Tambourine TA2AB on Amazon
6. RhythmTech DST10 Drum Set
A drum set tambourine with a polymer playing edge, nickel jingles, a hi-hat mount and a quick-release wing screw. The bullets call it rugged and durable, and the listed size is 14.5 x 8.3 x 2.2 inches.
Suits: a drummer who wants it mounted. Strengths: a quick-release mount. Weaknesses: less suited to handheld use. Skip it if you have no hi-hat stand.
View RhythmTech DST10 Drum Set Tambourine on Amazon
Listing Notes
- The Remo is the only one listed with a drumhead.
- The Meinl wood lists 16 pairs of jingles; the Remo lists 8 pairs.
- The Meinl Headliner is the only synthetic all-weather frame.
- The DST10 is the only one built to mount on a hi-hat.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing by size alone and ignoring jingle metal.
- Expecting a headless frame to give a drum tap.
- Buying a mounted model for handheld use.
- Skipping row counts and item counts in the listing.
Tambourines FAQ
Which one has a drumhead?
The Remo TA-5210-70 lists a Fiberskyn 3 drumhead film.
Which one mounts on a drum set?
The RhythmTech DST10 lists a hi-hat mount and a quick-release wing screw.
The Short Version
For a headed model, the Remo Fiberskyn. For a molded grip, the RhythmTech RT1010. For brass jingles, the LP174 Cyclops. For an all-weather frame, the Meinl Headliner. For wood, the Meinl TA2AB. For a drum set mount, the RhythmTech DST10.
