- Find the best cajon drums
- All budget levels covered
- Frequently asked questions are answered at the bottom!
Cajons are portable, versatile, and, best of all, cheap! They’re also a really easy way to get into drumming. You want to spend your time playing through, right, not spending endless hours trawling through reviews.
To help you out, today we’re listing the best cajons on the market.
We’re covering options at all price points and will evaluate the options according to value for money, features, sound, and versatility.
What are the Best Cajons?
Our pick for the best overall cajon is the Latin Percussion LP1426 Adjustable Snare Cajon, which has a versatile range of sounds and a comfortable design, all for around $260 (USD).
The best budget cajon drum is the Meinl Percussion Compact Jam Cajon, which has a compact design, a range of aesthetic choices and can be picked up for around $80! (USD)
The best cajon on the premium end of the market is the Schlagwerk Super Agile Cajon, which is super responsive and allows for a full range of dynamic expression for around $400 (USD).
Our choices for the 7 best cajons are:
- Latin Percussion LP1426 Adjustable Snare Cajon (Our Pick)
- Meinl Percussion Compact Jam Cajon (Best Budget)
- Schlagwerk Super Agile Cajon (Best Premium)
- Meinl Percussion Snarecraft Pickup Cajon
- Luna Tattoo Cajon
- Meinl Percussion Jumbo Bass Subwoofer Cajon
- Pearl Primero Cajon
Let’s dive into the reviews.
1. Latin Percussion LP1426 Adjustable Snare Cajon (Our Pick)
Latin Percussion's versatile Adjustable Snare Cajon gives you the solid feel and tonal control you need for a broad range of musical styles. Its wooden shell features a snare-backed birch frontplate that provides you with an extremely expressive and dynamic playing surface.
The Latin Percussion (LP) LP1426 Adjustable Snare Cajon is one of the best cajon drums on the market and is available for around $260. It features adjustable snare wires and a comfortable, textured seating surface.
Features
- Versatile sound options
- Bass port
- Textured seating surface
Review
The Latin Percussion LP1426 has a medium-density fiberboard body and birch faceplate and is built to last. Its robust design is adequate for gigging and busking, making it a great choice for those who play outside of the home or studio.
LP have provided a bass port and a tension wheel, which can be used to adjust the snare wires or even disengage them.
The Adjustable Snare Cajon won’t go anywhere while you’re playing it, as it has rubber feet and a textured seating surface that is non-slip.
It’s a standard-size model with the following dimensions: 19.75″ (height, 11.75″ (width), 12.25″ (depth).
If you like the look of this model but don’t want to spend so much, check out the LP Black Box Natural Wire Cajon. This cheaper model has a similar appearance and a medium-density fiberboard body, but it only has fixed snare wires and can be picked up for around $100.
Pros
- Adjustable snare wires
- Rubber feet
- Comfortable and stable
- Built tough
Cons
- Perhaps a bit pricey for a medium-density fiberboard build
2. Meinl Percussion Jam Cajon (Best Budget)
The Meinl Percussion Compact Jam Cajon is perfect for playing on the go. Its compact design is lightweight and easy to carry to drum circles, unplugged gigs, or anywhere else you enjoy playing.
Meinl Percussion really hit it out of the park with Compact Jam Cajon. This travel-size model is one of the best compact cajons on the market right now, and can be picked up for around $80.
Features
- Two sets of internal snare wires
- Compact size
Review
Meinl Percussion Jam Cajon is 10.5″ x 15″ x 10.25″ and weighs 8 lbs, which makes it super portable and easy to move around. For reference, regular cajons are usually 18” – 20” tall.
This model has two sets of internal snare wires to add some sizzle to your beats. That’s it in terms of features – this is no-frills budget model.
The Jam body is made of Baltic birch, and there are a few options in terms of faceplate woods, including Baltic birch, almond birch, heart ash, and burl. These options offer some variety in aesthetics as well as wood types.
Note that some of these different versions can up the price tag, though.
Pros
- Dual snare wires
- Different faceplate options
- Great value
Cons
- Very light on features
3. Schlagwerk Super Agile Cajon (Best Premium)
Cajon makers often struggle to create instruments that are both subtle enough for light playing dynamics yet controlled enough that each snare hit rings out cleanly. One of the things drummers appreciate most about this Cajon Super Agile is how clearly Schlagwerk Percussion managed to balance these elements.
The Schlagwerk Super Agile Cajon is one of the best-sounding cajons for those who value dynamic playing and want an instrument that can capture the full subtleties of a performance.
Features
- Eight-ply birch design
- No sound port
Review
The Super Agile Cajon costs around $400, but Schlagwerk has put a lot of work into the design to ensure it can capture light playing dynamics while retaining clarity for each note.
The Schlagwerk string and snare technologies also present a clear, harmonically complex bass sound.
There’s no sound port here, so the sound is a bit more balanced, and any extra oomph has to come from your playing.
Schlagwerk Super Agile Cajon has an eight-ply birch design and a stylish, understated veneer faceplate.
The snare element is removable, so there’s some added versatility in the setup for this model.
There’s a non-slip surface on the top, an add-on seat pad, and felt feet to protect the wood body.
Pros
- Sensitive and balanced response
- Great for dynamic playing
- Beautiful looks
Cons
- Big cost outlay
4. Meinl Percussion Snarecraft Pickup Cajon
Here's the cajon you've been looking for when you want to jam with a group and really be heard. The Meinl Snarecraft Professional Series Pickup Cajon comes with three piezo pickups - two for snare sounds and one for bass sounds
The Meinl Percussion Snarecraft Pickup Cajon is one for working musicians, as you get three piezo pickups for amplifying the cajon, and it’s well priced at under $180.
Features
- Three piezo pickups
- Snare and bass sounds are individually amplified
- Rear-facing sound port
Review
The Meinl Percussion Snarecraft Pickup Cajon is one of the best value cajons for those who want to amplify their instrument for performances.
There are three piezo pickups – two for the snare sounds and one for the bass, so the full range of your playing is captured.
Meinl provides a 1/4” output for sending to the PA and a 1/4” line jack, as well as two pots that control volume and tone.
That’s not all, though, as there are also dual steel fixed snare wires and a rear-facing sound port. There are also rubber feet included, which will help protect your investment.
All in all, you get a lot of features in a very reasonably priced product here.
The Meinl Snarecraft Pickup Cajon is made of Baltic birch and is available in natural and dark-stained versions.
You get a full-size cajon here with the following dimensions: 11.75″ x 19.75″ x 11.75″.
Pros
- Dual snare wires
- Three pickups
- Volume and EQ controls
- Rear sound port
Cons
- Fixed snare wires
5. Luna Tattoo Cajon
Musicians have always appreciated Luna for their signature blend of high-quality tone and eye-catching aesthetics. So, it comes as no surprise that Luna’s Tattoo Cajon delivers in both looks and sound! The back and sides are constructed of an incredibly sturdy combination of both eucalyptus and birch, with a deep and resonating ash front.
The Luna Tattoo Cajon is one of the best affordable cajons. For $120, you get a great-looking and, more importantly, a great-sounding instrument with switchable on/off snare wires.
Features
- Switchable snare wires
- Rear sound port
- Custom graphics
Review
The option to disengage the dual snare wires enables a lot of versatility in terms of the sounds you can get from the Luna Tattoo Cajon.
Luna built the Tattoo Cajon out of eucalyptus and birch with a deep, resonant ash faceplate. There’s also a rear sound port to help project your playing.
There are two versions available – satin black and teal. Both versions have a natural wood grain faceplate with a custom tattoo design.
Included with the Luna Tattoo Cajon are a gig bag and a foam pad for comfort when sitting on the cajon.
This model has a hefty size, with the dimensions coming in at 12″ x 12″ x 19″.
Pros
- Snare wires can be disengaged
- Gig bag included
- Great value
Cons
- The tattoo graphic won’t be for everyone
6. Meinl Percussion Jumbo Bass Subwoofer Cajon
With its internal reflex channel and front sound port in place of a traditional rear-facing one, the Meinl Percussion Jumbo Subwoofer Cajon gives you enhanced bass note projection that's awesome for live and unplugged gigs.
The Meinl Percussion Jumbo Bass Subwoofer Cajon has a forward-facing sound port that provides a phat bass sound and can be snapped up for around $220.
Features
- Front sound port
- Big bass projection
- Fixed snare wires
Review
The Meinl Percussion Jumbo Bass Subwoofer Cajon’s front sound port is designed to make the bass sound more like a bass drum than a regular cajon, as typically, cajons have a smaller, rear-facing sound port.
The front sound ports also make this model louder and great for harder-hitting music. It could also be a good fit for someone who plays without amplification, as you won’t have to work hard to be heard.
The Jumbo Bass Subwoofer cajon is made of fiberboard with a Walnut faceplate, and is full size with a height of 19.75″. It’s also fitted with fixed snare wires.
Pros
- Big bass sound
- Front sound port
- Punchy response
Cons
- Not the most versatile cajon
- Fixed snare wires only
7. Pearl Primero Cajon
With its built-in bass port and a set of fixed snare wires, the Pearl Primero Cajon delivers a wider range of percussion sounds than many other cajons. The bass sound is deep and rich. And the snares add brightness and articulation, giving your box drum the sparkle it needs to hold its place in the mix.
The Pearl Primero Cajon is a great affordable cajon that combines custom looks and a big, projecting tone that will help you drive your band, all for around $100.
Features
- Custom graphics
- Rear sound port
- Dual fixed snare wires
Review
The Pearl Primero Cajon is available in several different custom designs, which are quite eye-catching and aren’t just your usual basic wood grain designs.
Depending on the design, you can sometimes pick up a Pearl Primero Cajon brand new for under $100. Even the standard pricing across the range isn’t much more than $100.
Pearl provides dual fixed snare wires and a rear 4.5” sound port for this model.
This cajon has a lot of projection and oomph, so on smaller gigs, you may not even need to mic it.
The Pearl Primero Cajon body is made of medium-density fiberboard, while there’s a choice between a meranti or cherry faceplate.
This model has standard dimensions of 11.75″ x 11.75″ x 19.25″.
Pros
- Big projection
- Looks great
- Very affordable
Cons
- Fixed snare wires only
FAQ
Is cajon easy to learn?
Learning how to play the cajon is very easy. In fact, it’s one of the simplest instruments to learn. You can learn the basic strokes and rhythms in a single session.
There are two basic strokes – bass, which is played in the center of the faceplate of the cajon, and the snare, which is played on the top of the faceplate. Once you have these down, you can play a wide variety of rhythms and accompany other musicians.
How much should you spend on a cajon?
An entry-level cajon can be picked up for $50 – $100 (USD), and cajons in this price range will do the job if you just want to have some fun and learn the instrument. Such cheap instruments are usually pretty light on features, though.
You’ll likely have to spend more if you desire certain features, such as pickups for amplification, EQ controls, or the ability to alter the engagement of the snare wires.
The above features are usually only found on cajons in the $100 – $300+ price range.
There’s a relatively small number of cajons priced beyond $300 on the market, but those available typically have striking custom appearances, special features, or rarer tone woods.
Now that you’re all caught up on cajons check out the ten most common drum wood types and their characteristics here!