Updated on April 4th, 2022
Originated in Peru, popularized by African Slaves, Cajon drum becomes a unique addition to musical instruments from colonial times. Since then the Cajon drum developed from small, random boxes to properly designed wooden crates capable of producing percussion grooves and rhythms. Plus, it also produces snare drum effects, multiple playing surfaces, and bells.
Well, before you settle on any model of Cajon, we suggest you go through this compilation of the best Cajon drums so that you can make a better decision before you purchase one. We are sure you will end up buying a Cajon drum that not only produces snare effects but also falls within your budget.
1. Meinl Cajon Box Drum with Internal Snares (JC50LBNT)
Overview of Features
Heading out for a casual jam/gig session, and need a perfect solution for lower volume percussion, then Meinl Cajon Box Drum is the one for you. Built with Baltic Birch wood, this Cajon comes without any need for assembling. It also has two internal snare wires, a rear sound port to amplify tones, and a natural play surface. Lastly, the four rubber feet ensure the stability of the Cajon.
What We Like About Meinl Cajon Box Drum
The most outstanding feature of this Cajon is its Baltic Birch wood construction. The use of this wood boosts the highs and punchy lows alongside delivering a superb projection and articulation. Moreover, the surface is made thin enough to respond to soft finger rolls and brush playing as well as ensures that it's durable enough to endure heavy backbeats and fast, choppy rhythms. Such a construction is great for producing excellent percussion tunes. Also, it is lightweight, compact, and portable.
What We Like Don’t Like About Meinl Cajon Box Drum
The only pitfall of this Cajon is its durability. Even though it promises high-quality wood yet the product fails as a robust Cajon.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Baltic Birch wood construction
No assembling needed 2 internal snare wires Rear sound port Lightweight, portable |
Not a robust Cajon |
2. Roland EC-10 ELCajon Electronic Layered Cajon
Overview of Features
A unique hybrid instrument that combines acoustic Cajon tones with electronic percussion technology is Roland EC-10 ELCajon. By allowing players to enhance their music through layered electronic music, this Cajon provides a proper playing surface made of Sapele wood. Further, it comes with 30 in-built electronic kits for layering with acoustic Cajon sounds and up to 12 hours of playtime with 6 AA-size batteries. With such battery power and amplification, Roland EC-10 gives the dynamic world of hybrid percussion to every Cajon enthusiasts.
What We Like About Roland EC-10 ELCajon
Being a versatile Cajon, Roland EC-10 has two notable features - in-built 30 electronic kits and studio optimized Cajon sounds. While in each of the electronic kits, you get 2 independent sounds that you can trigger on the playing surface, the studio optimized Cajon sounds are like key players in enhancing the acoustic sounds of the instrument. Also, note that unlike other regular Cajon, this one doesn’t offer just 3-4 tones but more than 60. Hence, this high-quality Cajon drum is definitely a great investment for Cajon enthusiasts.
What We Like Don’t Like About Roland EC-10 ELCajon
Roland EC-10, being a unique and hybrid electronic Cajon, comes with a hefty price tag and this can the deal breaker for many users.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Natural play surface; Sapele wood
30 in-built electronic kits Studio optimized Cajon sounds Self-amplification |
Expensive |
3. Latin Percussion Cajon (LP1428NY)
Overview of Features
With a clear distinction between the snare and bass tones, the Latin Percussion Cajon is a victorious combination of price and quality. Crafted using an environmentally responsible eco-board body, this instrument has a sleek, smooth black matte finish MDF body. Further, its Baltic Birch or Poplar Soundboard effectively responds with a warm and musical tone. Including all these, this Cajon model also has fixed snare wires and it is quite portable too.
What We Like About Latin Percussion Cajon
Latin Percussion Cajon has some excellent attributes, which highlights its sound quality. As mentioned, it’s made of Baltic Birch wood and this is responsible for snare tones that are produced when you hit the middle section of the surface. Further, the fixed snares ensure that the Cajon delivers high quality and consistent sounds. So, with this Cajon drum, you don’t need to think twice about the tones, as it's great and is quite suitable for beginners.
What We Like Don’t Like About Latin Percussion Cajon
On the downside, Latin Percussion Cajon is relatively small and not loud enough for bigger gigs.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Baltic Birch or Poplar Soundboard
Sleek, smooth black matte finish Distinctive snare and bass tones Affordable |
Small and not loud enough |
4. Pyle String Cajon - Wooden Percussion Box
Overview of Features
Pyle's Stringed Jam Cajon has a more classic and traditional design. Its wooden panel box frame is constructed of birch wood material, is handcrafted, and well-built to give you that fantastic and acoustic percussion tone. Being designed beautifully, this Cajon allows its player of all ages, whether novice or skilled, to articulate their musical talents and abilities quite well.
What We Like About Pyle String Cajon
The most impressive aspect of this Cajon is an efficient in-built guitar string system that delivers perfect acoustic 'hand percussion' tone and rhythmic sounds. With this Cajon’s four strings, which are positioned at two points, it can even be tuned to give that classic sizzle whenever the front plate is beaten. Lastly, it is built and designed with great care to improve response and playability.
What We Like Don’t Like About Pyle String Cajon
The only limitation of this Pyle String Cajon is its height, which is not much like other similar models. Besides, it’s just a decent model but there are much better Cajon drums on the market as well.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The classic and traditional instrumental design
Comes with an in-built guitar string system Ideal for both beginners and professionals Affordable |
Not tall enough
Not an exceptional Cajon |
5. Sawtooth ST-CJ120B Cajon Birch Wood
Overview of Features
With the Sawtooth's Birch Cajon, you can experience a better attack and overall brighter sounds. With adjustable snare tension and a front plate, this Cajon enables you to create the desired tone with a few changes. Being perfect for beginners, this instrument delivers great artisanship and playability. Above all, it comes with a padded seat cushion and the Cajon carry bag for convenience.
What We Like About Sawtooth ST-CJ120B Cajon
For desired sound output, this Cajon is built with Birch wood and has an internal snare wire system. Both are easily adjustable, which enables you to change the sounds and customize them as per your choice. Further, the Birch wood used in making this Cajon is quite durable and produces more aggressive tones than maple wood. Hence, Sawtooth's Birch Cajon can easily balance lows and highs to produce balanced and crisper tones.
What We Like Don’t Like About Sawtooth ST-CJ120B Cajon
Being a cheap Cajon, this instrument is just good enough for beginners or for those drummers trying to expand their percussion skills. If you wish to be a pro-Cajon player, then you might need a better model.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Adjustable snare tension and front plate
Built Birch wood Comes with an internal snare wire system |
Suitable only for beginner Cajon players |
Conclusion
After reviewing 5 Cajon drums, if we’ve to suggest one, then Meinl Cajon Box Drum is the best Cajon drum on this list. Meinl Cajon Box Drum is known for superb projection and articulation. Alongside this, its durability and Baltic Birchwood construction make it great for producing excellent percussion tunes.
Moreover, you can invest in the other listed Cajon drums as well, if it suits your requirements and needs.
Read also:
5 Best Alesis Drum Set in 2021 that You Need to Check Out
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