Does the soulful beat of the best djembe drum call your spirit?
I get it—I’m mad for djembes too, which makes picking the best a challenge, but there are key things that set the top ones apart.
So, here are 11 reviews and a quick buyer’s guide to help you find the djembe drum that’s perfect for you.
Width/Height: HUGE 14 inch head and 25 inches tall
Material/Drumskin: West African Goatskin head with a Mansonia Altissima semi-hardwood shell from Ghana
Country of Origin: Africa
What makes this Djembe stand out:
This HUGE Djembe is the real deal—straight from Ghana, Africa, delivering that deep, wall-rattling bass you rarely find. The sound is rich, resonant, and full of life, with crisp slaps and tones that’ll make any drum circle stop and take notice.
Yes, it’s big and heavy—definitely not your travel buddy—but if you bring this beast to a festival, expect serious appreciation for its booming, authentic sound. It’s pre-tuned right out of the box, so no fiddling required before you start playing.
Rustic? Sure. But that’s part of its charm. Crafted from high-quality Mansonia wood and topped with carefully selected goatskin, this djembe is built to last and gives you that raw, traditional vibe.
Takeaway: This djembe is big in size, big in sound, and big on quality. Hard to find a drum with bass this powerful, and it’s made in Africa! One of the best djembe drums out there—hands down!
Width/Height: 13 inch width, 24 inches high
Material/Drumskin: Mahogany Wood Shell with Goatskin head
Country of Origin:Made in Indonesia
What makes this Djembe stand out:
This smooth, high-quality djembe will absolutely take your breath away with its rich, resonant tones! Built for serious drummers, it boasts a sturdy rubber foot, solid weight, and a large metal tuning ring to keep everything in perfect harmony while you drum your heart out.
The interior of this Mali-style djembe is meticulously smoothed, ensuring a clean, clear sound with every beat. The hand-carved mahogany is stunning, showcasing the craftsmanship and attention to detail that honors the traditional style of Mali Djembes.
Takeaway: This is not just a drum—it’s a beautifully rugged piece of art with the soul of Mali, perfect for anyone who values authentic sound and design. If you’re serious about drumming, this djembe is calling your name!
Width/Height: Available in 20”
Material/Drumskin: Mahogany and Goatskin
Despite its budget-friendly price, this beginner djembe offers surprisingly good quality, sound, and size. With a goatskin head, it delivers a bright, loud tone with fewer overtones than cowhide, making it a breeze for beginners to get satisfying sounds right away.
Crafted from real mahogany, this affordable djembe not only looks and feels authentic but is also durable enough to handle travel and plenty of enthusiastic playing. It’s a sturdy, well-built drum that far exceeds expectations at this price point.
Takeaway: The perfect djembe for adult beginners—affordable, great quality, and easy to play!
Width/Height: Available in 16” tall with 8″ inch head
Material/Drumskin: Mahogany base with goatskin hide head
What makes this Djembe stand out:
This is a more compact Djembe at 16 inches tall, made from real, solid mahogany wood with a goatskin head.
I love the hand carved design carved into the body and this drum is available with several carving styles. Each carving is hand made so you are certain to get a unique style. These are not mass made in china, they are hand crafted by Djembe artisans.
The real goatskin drum head produces a powerful, satisfying and resonant sound.
Takeaway: Compact, quality, authentic, hand carved Djembe drum at a fair price.
Width/Height: Available in 10”, 12”, 14”, and 16”
Material/Drumskin: Fiberskyn synthetic head with Acousticon Shell multiple thin plies of 100% recycled wood-fiber
Country of Origin: USA
What makes this Djembe stand out:
This MADE IN THE USA Djembe drum is constructed using synthetic skin and recycled wood. The Acousticon shell offers a dense, consistent sound with excellent pitch, timbre, and projection.
This drum is LOUD, with deep satisfying bass and crisp high tone slaps.
It comes in 4 different sizes, so there is one to fit every drummer.
This drum is durable, lightweight, and easy to carry around.
Takeaway: Booming bass and clear highs, this MADE IN THE USA synthetic/recycled Djembe drum will win your heart.
Width/Height: 12 inch head with 24-inch height
Material/Drumskin: One-piece mahogany with goatskin head
Country of Origin: Indonesia
What makes this Djembe stand out:
Sawtooth instruments are used by professional musicians the world around.
The sound is what keeps the musicians coming back. This Djembe has a sound that will not disappoint. It has deep resonant bass with complimentary high-pitched crisp rim slaps.
It is handcrafted from one single piece of mahogany by a seasoned craftsman and the tuning rope is set tight and pre-tuned, ready to play right out of the box.
Also available in small 8-inch head travel backpacker size.
Takeaway: Affordable, Excellent sounding Djembe from the musician’s choice manufacturer.
Width/Height: HUGE 17” head and 27” height
Material/Drumskin: Once Piece Mahogony shell and unbleached goatskin head
Country of Origin: Indonesia
What makes this Djembe stand out:
This BIG Djembe has BIG noise and is perfect for larger drummers.
This is a Pro-level Djembe with deep resonant bass. It is well crafted, including an unbleached goatskin drum head, 40 sets of rope runners made from tight alpine rope, and a lathe-turned shell for consistent thickness. Plus the Internal grooves reduce the overtones of this oversized drum.
Takeaway: Large Pro-level Djembe fit for a king.
Width/Height: 8”-9” head and 15” tall
Material/Drumskin: One-piece mahogany with goatskin head
Country of Origin: Indonesia
What makes this Djembe stand out:
This Mini Djembe is perfect for taking on the go. It is also small enough for younger players who are just starting out. It is perfect for impromptu drum circles, as a starter Djembe, or to have an extra percussion instrument on hand.
The shall is one-piece mahogany that is lathe-turned for a consistent shell thickness, a goatskin head, and is tethers using an alpine rope with minimal stretch so the drum stays tuned longer. The carved grooves on the interior of the drum prevent overtones and give this Djembe a rich sound compared to its size.
It’s a small Djembe, but it is solid and hefty, not a toy. It has a beautiful look and design that will make you proud to own such a quality piece.
Takeaway: This small Djembe packs a big sound. Perfect for beginners, impromptu drum circles, or as an extra instrument.
Width/Height: 10 “ diameter 20” tall
Material/Drumskin: One-piece Mahogany shell with goatskin head
Country of Origin: Indonesia
What makes this Djembe stand out:
This fair-priced small to medium-sized Djembe is a great deal. It Is quality made from one-piece mahogany and goatskin, with a traditional Mali weave nylon rope tuning system with minimal stretch so it stays tuned.
It has decent volume, especially for its size. It tends to be higher pitched than larger drums and makes a great accompanying drum. The bass is ample and it has decent pop, with a sound signature all its own.
Takeaway: Economical medium djembe drum with a unique sound signature.
Width/Height: 12 inch head
Material/Drumskin: Fiberglass shell with goatskin head
Country of Origin: Thailand
What makes this Djembe stand out:
This Fiberglass and synthetic skin head Djembe made in Thailand is available in 12″ head and is perfect for one looking for a fully synthetic or vegan Djembe..
Fiberglass shells have a more piercing sound than wood, which absorbs some of the vibrations, whereas fiberglass puts it back out.
These fiberglass Djembes have a deep bowl to create a low-end tone and sharp pops.
Fiberglass is durable, light, and weather-resistant, too. That makes this Djembe easy to carry around, even if it’s large.
They are top tuned and much easier to tune than traditional rope Djembes, which I consider another bonus.
Takeaway: Easy to tune, portable., durable fiberglass Vegan Djembe with superior sound.
Width/Height: 11″ head width and 22″ tall shell
Material/Drumskin: Shell is made from Tweneboa Wood with a goatskin drum head
Country of Origin: Made in Africa
What makes this Djembe stand out:
This is a pro-level Djembe drum carved from one solid piece is seasoned Tweneboa Wood. The shell is quality crafted and has a uniform thickness. The shell is treated with shea and karate to prevent cracking and give it a beautiful authentic patina.
It is made in the Ivory Coast, Africa by experienced drum makers using the traditional method.
The goatskin drum head is a little thicker than most for a stronger tone and wetter slap and heavy bass. This drum has three rings tightened with coreless nylon rope, also sourced in Africa.
Takeaway: This smaller sized djembe drum is a legit profesional level Djembe drum out of Africa.
Width/Height: 24“ tall with 12” head
Material/Drumskin: Goatskin head with synthetic shell
Country of Origin: Unkown
What makes this Djembe stand out:
This ultra-lightweight, affordable Djembe is a take-anywhere musical treat. Perfect for drum circles, schools, and jamming wherever.
It has a synthetic PVC composite shell and a goatskin head, with a bright tone, good bass, and a slap that is easy to master.
This Toca freestyle Djembe drum is not cheaply made, it is crafted with quality materials and attention to detail. The bottom has a non-slip rubber that secures it for energetic drumming, the goat skin head lends it an authentic sound, and the alpine rope is tight and pre-stretched to help the drum stay tuned.
It has a booming volume for its size and materials.
Takeaway: Light, durable, affordable, and portable. A handy drum to keep in your collection.
Width/Height: 12” head 24” tall
Material/Drumskin: One Piece Mahogany shell with goatskin head
Country of Origin: Indonesia
What makes this Djembe stand out:
This striking hand-carved Djembe is made from one solid piece of mahogany and stands 24 inches tall with a generous 12-inch head.
It is easy to tune and stay tuned thanks to the quality alpine cord.
The sound is great with deep resonant bass on center hits and sharp clap tones on the slap.
The foot is secure and will not shift during drumming thanks to the rubber rim.
Takeaway: High-quality mid to large size Djembe drum with great sound and good looks.
The first Djembe decision you will make is what size you want. The Best Djembe Drum for you may be a mini, medium or large Djembe. It really depends on your style.
But you should know a few things…
Well, a Djembe is measured by the DIAMETER of the head. That is how many inches it is across the top.
This is also known as the Djembe width.
SMALL or mini, or travel Djembes can be 8 inches. A small Djembe will not be as loud or have as deep a sound as larger Djembes.
A Djembe that is 14 inches or wider is considered a LARGE Djembe. These Djembes are heavier if they are made of wood, and harder to pack around.
However…
They give the BEST sound and are a treat to play. You can reverberate the walls with a really large Djembe with big beefy bass.
So…
Check out the Djembe width chart below and choose the perfect size Djembe for you.
Of course, don’t take the chart as gospel, you can go larger or smaller based on your needs and preferences.
Need a small Djembe to carry around to the drum circle in a backpack? Go for an 8-inch width Djembe.
Want a Djembe with ample presence, booming sound, and deep bass? Get a large Djembe.
Many Djembes are made in Indonesia, and these Djembes are great, honestly. They are usually made of one-piece responsibly procured mahogany, and they have a great sound and fair price.
This Djembe is made in Indonesia and it is a favorite with musicians thanks to its deep, resonant sound. Sawtooth Harmony Series Djembe
Traditionally Djembes are from Africa, and those on this list that are Djembes made in Africa are top-notch.
But…
Authentic African Djembes cost a bit more because of shipping and other factors. Nonetheless, they have a rich sound, the best craftsmanship, and you know they are made with pride. African Djembe drums are really some of the Best Djembe Drums for sale.
My favorite African-made Djembe is African Heartwood Project AUTHENTIC Djembe Drum because the products support local African artisans and the sound and craftsmanship are unmatched.
Most Djembes on this list are made with goatskin hide. Goatskin is pliable, easy, and sustainable to source, and adds authenticity and uniqueness to each djembe as no two are alike. Traditional, made in Africa Djembes like the African Hand-carved Djembe Drum From Ivory Coast are made with goatskin.
There are two things to mention about the goatskin.Goatskin is shaved and some goats have spots that may look like stains, and you may mistake the stains for a used Djembe. Rest assured, these are normal and part of the goat’s coloring.
Goatskin is pliable, and if you have it out in damp weather, it may change the tune and sound or your drum a bit. It is not as resilient as synthetic, but it IS the more authentic and most popular choice.
I personally prefer goat skin drum heads and the sound is richer and warmer than synthetic skin drum heads and goat skin is on many of the Best Djembe Drums for sale.
Synthetic head Djembes like the Remo Mondo Djembe Drum are a great choice for those who want an instrument that is entirely synthetic and non-animal in origin.
The synthetic drum heads resist weather better than animal skin, and they are low maintenance They are responsive and always consistent, with minimal tuning required.
Remo Skyndeep® djembe drum heads are in my opinion, the best synthetic djembe drum heads. They are pigment infused polyesther so the look like natural skin but with the benefits of synthetic. They are resistant to moisture and weather and stay tuned, always providing vibrant sound, warm tones and satisfying projection. The Remo Djembe 16 is an example of a djembe drum with Remo Skyndeep cover.
Most Natural wood used for Djembes is a single piece of Mahagony Wood made from the tree trunk. Mahogany wood is common for Djembes made in Indonesia.
If you buy a Djembe made in Africa, you may find Iroko Wood or Mansonia Altissima semi-hardwood.
I love Natural one-piece wood shells. The sound is just so much warmer and richer.
If the sound is your top priority, go with a natural wood shell.
However, wood drums do have a steeper learning curve, may be more expensive, and do not withstand bad weather as well and synthetics.
But you are not going to abuse your Djembe, right?
Fiberglass shells are generally less expensive, very durable, they withstand crap weather pretty well and they are easy to play, making them a favorite for occasional and or new Djembe players.
They do have a livelier tone and may seem more responsive, making them reverberate with less effort and get decent volume.
But, I still prefer the richer sound of the wood drum.
The synthetics are lighter too, very portable, and a good choice for young players.
A Djembe stand is used for several reasons. It is used with smaller drums to get them up a little higher.
Let’s say you use a mini or travel drum seated in a circle, most of the time. If you ever want to play the drum sitting in a chair instead, a Djembe drum stand can help.
You can also use the stand in place of a strap to take the strain off your shoulders or in place of holding the drum with your legs if you play seated.
The Djembe drum stand is a tool to make playing more comfortable.
If you give your Djembe enough love, eventually the goatskin head will wear out.
You can replace the goatskin head on your Djembe easily.
Be aware: You need to get a replacement goatskin head for your Djembe that is much larger than the diameter width of your Djembe.
For example, If you have a 12” Djembe, you need a 16” goatskin head replacement for it.
You need the goatskin head replacement for your Djembe to be about 4 inches wider than the width or diameter of your Djembe.
A Djembe kessing, also known as a Djembe tip resonator or a Djembe rattle, is a traditional handmade rattle for your Djembe drum. It is usually handmade from recycled or repurposed metal.
They are secured most commonly to the drum exterior with a black thick band, somewhat like a workout or pull-up band.
Kessings add an extra percussion dimension to your drumming are excellent conversation starters.
That wraps up this round of djembe drum reviews.
Peace, love, and happy Drumming, until we meet again, my fellow travelers.
Thanks for stopping by on your journey to find the Best Djembe Drum, I sincerely hope this helped you find the right one for YOU!
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