Are you looking for an excellent cajon to add to your drum arsenal?
You’re in the right place!
In this guide you’ll learn the following:
- What Is A Cajon?
- How Do I Play The Cajon?
- What Should I Look For In A Cajon?
And much more!
Below is a quick list of all my top picks. Keep scrolling to learn more about my best buying tips and tricks.
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My Top Pick
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My Top Pick
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Pyle Adjustable String Cajon
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View on Amazon |
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Best Budget
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Best Budget
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Meinl Jumbo Bass Subwoofer Cajon
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View on Amazon |
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Best High-End
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Best High-End
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Sawtooth Harmony Series Travel Cajon
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View on Amazon |
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Meinl Cajon Box Drum
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View on Amazon | |
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Schlagwerk 2-In-1 Cajon
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View on Amazon | |
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Meinl Slaptop Cajon
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View on Amazon | |
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Sela SE Satin Nut Professional Cajon
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Meinl Bongo Cajon
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View on Amazon |
My Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated 7/14/2020
- Well made
- Versatile
- Great feel
Pyle percussion is relatively new to the Cajon world, but this instrument really does exceed expectations.
At a very modest price-point, this Cajon delivers a range of features that you’re used to seeing on instruments twice the price.
It’s very solidly built and the sound is great, bass notes feel full and rounded without being muddy and the snare sound is crisp and tight.
The snare wires are also adjustable which is another feature unheard of at this price point.
Overall, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better value Cajon anywhere else!
Cajons are deceptively simple, yet incredibly useful percussion instruments. In modern drum circles, it’s touted as a drum kit in a box as they offer a portable option for scenarios where a full acoustic drum set is just too big or too loud.
If you’re looking to pull the trigger on a new Cajon it can be incredibly overwhelming as there is a sea of options out there that all differ in size, shape, material, and look.
Don’t worry!
In this essential buying guide, I’m going to take you through everything you need to know about the illustrious Cajon drum, as well as review the best of the rest on the market today, to suit any budget!
Let’s dive in!
Top 8 Best Cajons
In a hurry? Check out my top 8 picks below! Keep reading to learn more about these cajons!
What Is A Cajon?
A Cajon (pronounced KA-hon) is very simply a drum box (Cajon actually means box in Spanish!)
The Cajon originated in colonial Peru where slaves brought over from Africa were forbidden from using their own indigenous instruments. So instead they took to banging on the crates used on the merchant ships to create rhythms.
These rudimentary ‘box’ instruments gradually became more refined, eventually becoming an indispensable part of Peruvian musical tradition. Eventually, the Cajon migrated to Spain and became a staple in the intensely percussive musical style of Flamenco.
The modern-day Cajon is now a very expressive and versatile instrument that can be used on pretty much any style of music.
It still has a basic wooden box design that is designed to be sat on whilst you play the front ‘faceplate’ with your hands.
Most Cajons nowadays also have snare wires attached to the inside of the front plate to emulate the sound of a snare drum (found on acoustic sets).
This had led to the Cajon being a perfect substitute for a drum kit in low volume/space environments as you can easily emulate kick and snare drum sounds in one instrument.
Read More >> The Ultimate Guide To Different Types Of Drums!
How Do I Play The Cajon?
Most Cajons are designed to be played whilst sitting on them like a stool.
There are two ‘main’ sounds you can get out of a Cajon. There is a ‘bass’ sound, which is very similar to the sound of a bass drum on a drum kit. There is also a snappy ‘snare’ sound, which mimics the sound of a snare drum.
To get the bass sound you simply take the palm of one of your hands and strike the front plate of the Cajon about ⅓ of the way down.
This should produce a nice round low-frequency ‘thump’ that has a minimal rattle or sizzle.
To get the other key sound, the snare sound, with your fingers you strike the top of the front plate near where it joins the sitting surface.
It should make a tight snappy sound that’s similar in tone to a snare drum from a drum set.
Between these two sounds, you can make a whole load of cool rhythms and drum beats. A good place to start is by taking simple, recognizable drum beats and trying to re-create them on the Cajon.
‘We will rock you’ by Queen is an excellent place to start if you’ve never played the Cajon before.
Essentially the beat has two ‘bass’ notes followed by one ‘snare’ note then a rest before the pattern repeats.
Count out loud “1, 2, 3, AND”, whilst playing a bass note on beats 1 and 2, a snare note on beat 3, then nothing on the “AND”....and repeat!
There you have it, you’re playing the Cajon!
Make sure you’re using different hands for the bass and snare notes to start with, I like to use my right hand for the bass and left for the snare (I’m right-handed).
Read More >> How Do You Properly Mic Drums For High Quality Sound?
What Should I Look For In A Cajon?
Cajon’s come in a few different shapes, sizes, and configurations. Let’s take a look at some of the most common variations:
Standard Vs Portable
Standard full size Cajons are usually around 18-19” tall, which is an optimum size for a medium-sized adult to sit on and play comfortably.
If you’re looking for a Cajon for children they may be a bit big, as their feet will struggle to reach the ground as well as it being difficult for them to reach the playing surface without falling off!
Portable Cajons are usually only around 15” tall and have the benefit of being very easy to store and transport. These are great options for taking on trips or where there’s limited space.
They’re also ideal for kids to play. However, their small size means that it can be quite uncomfortable for a full-sized adult to play over long periods and they also don’t have as much volume.
Snare Wires
There are two designs used in Cajons to get the snare sound. One is to use actually snare wires form a snare drum, held against the inner surface of the front plate.
The other is to use guitar strings instead of snares.
I’ve always found the guitar snare strings to give a little bit of a ‘drier’ tone with more of the woody, round sound of the box coming through.
Whereas snare wires tend to produce a more snappy, snare heavy overall sound to the Cajon.
Neither is better than the other and the snare tones also depend on whether they are adjustable.
I would advise heading to a drum store and trying a whole load of different types before making your decision.
Wood
Just like a drum on a drum kit, the type of wood a Cajon is made of will affect its overall sound quality.
Most Cajons are made of birch, which is a good all-round wood that gives a lively yet warm tone that’s good for projection.
Often, in more wallet-friendly options, the main body of the wooden Cajon will be made of MDF with the front playing surface being made of more high-quality wood such as Walnut.
This helps keep the costs down but still provides the nice warmth and clarity a wood such as Walnut or Spruce can provide.
Again it all comes down to personal preference. I’ve always found that compared to round drums, the wood doesn’t make as much as a difference in the overall tone of the Cajon.
The overall design and build quality are more important for me when picking a Cajon.
Again try some out (or have a look on Amazon/Youtube) and see which type of wood sounds most pleasing to your ears!
Read More >> How Do You Learn To Play The Drums As A Beginner?
My Reviews Of The Best 8 Cajons
Pyle isn’t a household name when it comes to the world of Cajons, so my expectations weren’t especially high going into this review.
However, their PCJD18 Cajon had me pleasantly surprised (and then some!).
This Cajon features a full birch wood construction, rubber feet to aid in isolation and stability as well as adjustable guitar string ‘snare’ wires.
At this price range, these are features that are pretty much unheard of, especially the ability to adjust the amount of snare wire contact you have on the faceplate.
The construction feels incredibly sturdy, yet weighing in at only 10.9 pounds means it’s also highly portable and easy to manage.
The sound is great, the low end on the bass notes is rounded without sounding muddy and there’s a good deal of ‘snap’ to be had from snare hits at the top of the faceplate (massively improved by the adjustable wires).
At this price point, you’ll struggle to find a better Cajon.
Pros
- Solid construction
- Adjustable snare wires
- Affordable
- Adjustable
Cons
- Not much at this price point!
If you’re looking for some serious ‘oomph’ from your Cajon, then the Meinl Jumbo Subwoofer Cajon is the box for you.
This thing packs a serious punch. It’s jumbo-sized MDF body increases the size of the resonance chamber, coupled with the large subwoofer sound ports at the base of the faceplate, provide a MAMMOTH bass sound when struck lower down.
It really does feel like a punchy kick drum and is incredibly satisfying to play.
The row of fixed snare wires also gives a great snap, allowing grooves to sound punchy and tight and the beautiful Walnut front plate adds a lovely warmth to the sound.
The enlarged size and textured seat of this Cajon also make it much more comfortable to use than traditionally sized Cajons. It’s especially good for taller players too!
Pros
- Amazing full sound
- Comfortable to use
- Well made
Cons
- Bulky
- Higher price-point
The ‘ethnic’ inspired designs are a nice touch (and hint at the kid-friendly feel).
This Cajon is also an excellent travel partner, throw it in the back of the car and you’re ready for those impromptu beach jam sessions.
For such a small Cajon the sound will definitely surprise you. The bass notes are focused and punchy, whilst snare slaps and finger rolls are tight and expressive.
It’s also incredibly wallet-friendly too, making it my ‘Best Budget’ option.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Compact
- Great sound
Cons
- May become uncomfortable over long sessions
This Cajon would be the perfect travel companion for making beats on the fly and its diminutive size means it’s ideal for kids too!
Pros
- Well made
- Highly portable
- 100% Birch
Cons
- May become unforgettable over long sessions
- Lacks a little in volume
Schlagwerk is another company that has an excellent reputation when it comes to percussion instruments.
I own a few of their products and I can attest to their craftsmanship and overall sound.
The 2-In-1 Cajon gets its name from the fact you are able to completely detach and remove the snare wires from the inside of the drum.
This means you can decide whether you want a more modern kick/snare type feel, or a more traditional Peruvian Cajon experience that is more open and without the ‘snap’ of the snares.
This option gives a lot more versatility, meaning you can change the sound on the fly on a gig or recording session.
The sound of this all-birch Cajon is as you’d expect from Schlagwerk. The low notes are rounded without being dull and the snare sound is crisp and defined.
I also love the old school packing crate designs on the box itself, very cool.
Pros
- Versatile
- Well made
- Great sound
- Cool look
Cons
- Higher price point
- Snares removable but not adjustable
Here’s something very different from Meinl.
I first encountered the Slaptop Cajon when I walked passed it in a music shop while I was on holiday. I had never seen anything like it before and didn’t even know how to play it!
Once I got my head around how it worked, the Cajon sounds that I could instantly get out of the thing were incredible!
I bought it there and then and have used it on many gigs since.
It’s essentially a ‘T-shaped’ unit with the top portions of the ‘T’ sitting across your lap (hence slaptop=laptop), allowing you to play the Walnut playing surface with your hands.
The center of the playing surface produces lovely rich bass tones (aided by the subwoofer sound hole at the bottom) and to either side are internal snare ‘chambers’ that provide a fantastic crisp ‘snap’.
Creating interesting and dynamic percussion parts with the Slaptop Cajon is a total breeze as the number of different sounds available is fantastic.
Pros
- Incredible sound
- Portable
- Fun to play
Cons
- Hard to keep from slipping
- Playing surface not the most robust
The birch body gives a focused and defined bass sound and the adjustable ‘clap’ corners mean that you can adjust the snare sound to your own preference.
Similar to the Schlagwerk 2-in1 Cajon, you can also remove the snare wires, giving you a more open and traditional box type sound.
It’s not the cheapest, but the extra cash really does show in the overall craftsmanship, design, and look of this excellent German-made Cajon.
Pros
- Beautiful look
- Highly adjustable
- Great sound
Cons
- Higher price point
However, the Bongo Cajon is made as one solid wooden unit, just like a Cajon.
This creates a more woody, Cajon-like bongo sound that can be used for jam sessions and recordings.
The small size of this Cajon also means it’s incredibly portable, making it an excellent addition to your percussion repertoire.
It doesn’t have snare wires however, so if you’re looking for something to create standard drum kit grooves on then I would go for a more traditional Cajon.
Pros
- Well made
- Good sound
- Very portable
- Fun to play
Cons
- No snare wires
- Not massively versatile
My Top Pick: Pyle Adjustable String Cajon
Plus, it's such a great value for the money, check out the lowest price on Amazon right now!
Final Thoughts On The Best Cajon
So there you have it! A comprehensive guide to the best Cajon’s available on the market today.
Whichever you choose you’ll be sure to have a blast blasting out drum beats wherever you go!
