4 Best Cajons for Percussion Lovers 2022

By Monica | Product Reviews

Jun 19
best cajon

Cajons have been with us since time immemorial. However, it has been put out of the limelight for quite some time, especially during the years when electric instruments have dominated the music industry.

Fortunately, cajons are starting to make a comeback. Many people are already looking for the best cajon because they have discovered its benefit. The revival of acoustic and country genres have also awakened the need to invest in cajons. This wooden instrument can do the basic drum beat minus the size and bulkiness. Although the functions of a cajon are not as varied as drums, it is still downright essential.

I have listed some of the top cajons on the market today. With the upgrades that they have received, it has to be expected that these following cajons that I have featured can meet your requirements and preferences. Don't worry. Despite the innovation of cajons, they are still as price-friendly as ever before.

So what are you waiting for? Let's get started!

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Best Cajon Reviews

It is better to start this list with the Meinl Percussion Full Size Hardwood String Cajon. It is one of the most coveted cajons that exist today because of its simple yet effective design. This once can recreate various drum vibes, thanks to its impeccable construction. It can backup any type of music genre with the snare and bass effect that can produce.

It is notable that the Meinl Percussion Cajon can be used in live and recording applications. It is a proficient unit that doesn't get flawed as the time pass by. There are different areas on the surface of the cajon that you should tap to create the bass and snare effects. You hit the middle for the bass and the top corner for the snare.

Meanwhile, you should also check out the authentic hardwood material used by this cajon. It is smooth and rugged enough to withstand continuous and regular use. Furthermore, the hardwood is capable of extending the depth of the bass and emphasizing the high notes. It can be said that its front plate is ideal for the development of rich and distinct sounds.


Pros:

  • Authentic hardwood construction
  • Ultra-rugged and designed to last long
  • Produces flawless sounds
  • Works in the studio and live settings
  • Comes with rubber feet for extreme stability

Cons:

  • No noticeable drawbacks

Let's take a look at this product...

Meinl Cajon Box Drum, Full Size with Internal Metal Strings for Adjustable Snare Effect, Birch Wood, HCAJ1NT
  • DREAM FOR DRUMMERS: it takes no time to set up, and you get the same kick and snare sounds as a drum set at a fraction of the volume; play with your hands toward the center to get the deepest tone and near the top corners for crisp snare effects
  • WHY IT MATTERS: a lot of musical settings don't allow for the space or volume level of full drums; with the Meinl Headliner Cajon, you can engage fully during acoustic shows with your band, jam sessions, or with your praise band without taking over
  • REALITY CHECK: we craft this cajon from 100% Baltic birch wood, which is widely used in high-end drum set construction for players serious about sound; most companies make cajons with cheap, glued-on, plasticky laminates that only look like wood
  • HOW IT WORKS: the Baltic birch playing surface delivers punchy bass with about as much volume as an acoustic guitar, and inside the cajon are two sets of adjustable micro-coiled steel cajon strings that give you a crisp snare sound (tuning key included)
  • HOW TO ADJUST STRINGS: we include a hex key that you can use to tighten or loosen the two screws on the bottom of the cajon (between the two front feet); tighten the screws for more definition and loosen them for a lax snare effect

Another cajon from Meinl that you should include in your shopping list is the Baltic Birch Wood Snare Cajon. This unit has the same finesse as the first one when it comes to design and durability. It can also be used in live gigs and studio recording because of its tonal versatility and flawlessness.

Just like its name suggests, this particular cajon is made from Baltic Birch. This particular tonewood is a premium material for cajon construction. The entire cajon is also integrated with fixed snare wires. The latter enabled the cajon to create complex drum sounds like snare slaps, ultra-deep bass, and reverberating finger rolling.

The Baltic Birch Wood Snare Cajon is great for anyone, regardless of their skill level. It is user-friendly and has all the ergonomics to make it more functional. The craftsmanship of this cajon is quite impressive, as it has been handcrafted by expert cajon makers in Europe. That's not something you can see every day.


Features

  • Capable of creating various complex drum sounds
  • Tailored for any skill levels
  • Rugged and durable construction
  • Comes with a free gig bag
  • Rich and distinct tonal quality

Cons:

  • The snares are somehow high-pitched

Let's take a look at this product...

Meinl Percussion Cafe Cajon Box Drum Plus Bag with Snare and Bass Tone for Acoustic Music — Made in Europe — Baltic Birch Wood, Play with Your Hands, 2-Year Warranty, Natural/Wine Red (BC1NTWR)
  • LEARN TO PLAY IN MINUTES: just sit down on it and tap with your hands to explore bass and snare drum sounds; this cajon (box drum) is a perfect instrument for getting the confidence to play percussion with no experience
  • WHY IT MATTERS: a lot of fun musical adventures don't require time-consuming practice on a drum set; with the Meinl Cafe Cajon, you can play acoustic shows with bands, jam with friends or family, teach students about rhythm, or liven up your worship music
  • REALITY CHECK: we craft this cajon in Europe from 100% Baltic birch wood, which is widely used in high-end drum set construction for players serious about sound; most companies make cajons with cheap, glued-on, plasticky laminates that only look like wood
  • HOW IT WORKS: the Baltic birch playing surface delivers punchy bass tone with about as much volume as an acoustic guitar, and inside the cajon are two sets of fixed coiled steel snare wires that give you a crisp sound (everything comes fully assembled)
  • BY THE NUMBERS: the Meinl Cafe Cajon measures 12" W x 17¼” H x 12" D and weighs 7 lbs; its full size has enough volume for any room, and it's made to last with a solid frame that supports adults and children (it's the Meinl Jam Cajon's big sibling)

This cajon is similar to the previous cajon that I have featured. The only difference that they have is the size. The previous one is a full-size unit. This one is compact, which makes it an ideal choice for small and lightweight players. When it comes to performance, this cajon is unexpectedly good and alluring. You can use it in your live performances and acoustic jams.

Because it has a compact design, it is expected that this one is more affordable than the rest. But then again, we shouldn't judge any instruments with the price that they have. Right from the get-go, this cajon provides exceptional percussive sounds. It is made from genuine Baltic birch, which diversifies its capability.

There are snare wires also installed on the interior of this Meinl cajon. Therefore, it is capable of making clear and crispy slaps and deep bass. Meanwhile, the front plate of this cajon is adjustable with the help of a screwdriver. Doing this would allow you to modify the distance between the plate and the resonance body. It will help you vary the sound of your slaps.


Pros:

  • Adjustable front plate for sound versatility
  • Compact design makes it easy to travel and carry
  • Designed to last long
  • Can be used in various applications
  • Affordable option

Cons:

  • The bass is not as deep as other cajons

Let's take a look at this product...

Meinl Percussion Jam Cajon Box Drum with Snare and Bass Tone for Acoustic Music — Made in Europe — Baltic Birch Wood, Play with Your Hands, 2-Year Warranty (JC50LBNT)
  • LEARN TO PLAY IN MINUTES: just sit down on it and tap with your hands to explore bass and snare drum sounds; this cajon (box drum) is a perfect instrument for getting the confidence to play percussion with no experience
  • WHY IT MATTERS: a lot of fun musical adventures don't require time-consuming practice on a drum set; with the Meinl Jam Cajon, you can play acoustic shows with bands, jam with friends or family, teach students about rhythm, or liven up your worship music
  • REALITY CHECK: we craft this cajon in Europe from 100% Baltic birch wood, which is widely used in high-end drum set construction for players serious about sound; most companies make cajons with cheap, glued-on, plasticky laminates that only look like wood
  • HOW IT WORKS: the Baltic birch playing surface delivers punchy bass tone with about as much volume as an acoustic guitar, and inside the cajon are two sets of fixed coiled steel snare wires that give you a crisp sound (everything comes fully assembled)
  • BY THE NUMBERS: it measures 10 1/4" W x 15" H x 10 1/4" D and weighs 6lbs; its compact size is easily portable without shortchanging sound quality, and it's made to last with a solid frame that supports adults and children

The LP Americana Groove Wire Cajon LP1427 is an exceptional cajon. You will definitely have a good time playing this unit. It has a playable structure with completely rugged construction. It has great configurations so that you can use it on various applications that you want. Any skill level can play this cajon.

Same as other cajons here, this one is made from Baltic birch. Therefore, you can expect the same diversity and cleanliness in its sound. It can create reverberating snares and extra-deep bass. The entire structure offers foolproof resonance that can catch the attention of your crowd. The durability of this cajon is unquestionable, too.

If you can notice, this cajon has rounded corners. Well, there's a reason for that. Most cajons that have sharp edges do not really offer comfort to their users. They can cause muscle sore and pain. With rounded corners, these nuisances can be effectively avoided. Fortunately, such feature is present on the LP Americana Groove Wire Cajon LP1427.


Pros:

  • Extremely comfortable to play
  • Durable and sturdy; can withstand constant usage
  • Playable in different applications
  • Creates clean and impressive sounds
  • Authentic birch construction

Cons:

  • No noticeable drawbacks

Let's take a look at this product...

Groove Wire Cajon (LP1427W)
  • Hand-select Baltic Birch body and soundboard, Superior durability and resonance
  • Rounded corners for playing comfort
  • Perfect cajon for any style of music
  • 18 1/2”H x 11”W x 10 1/4”D
  • Made in Thailand

Conclusion

These are the top options that you have for the best cajon. All of them have the essential qualities that will allow you to play it smoothly and comfortably. Of course, you can guarantee that these cajons can be used even by amateurs. They can work as a practice gear and performance rig at the same time.

Did you learn from this article? If you have other recommendations for cajons, feel free to share them with us in the comment section below!

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About the Author

Hi everyone! Im Monica and I am an avid lover of guitars and everything in-between. My current profession is not really music-related. It is quite discouraging but I just don't want to drop my zeal--especially not to guitars! I created GuitarTrance.Com so that I can keep up with my hobby. Of course, I want to engage with the community as well! Hope we can all get along!