By Contributing Author Dango
Whether you’re a beginner percussionist or have been at it for a while, we’ve got you covered with the best conga drums for all experience levels.
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Conga drums originated in Cuba during the late 19th century and have become one of the most cross-cultural percussion instruments in the world.
They are one of the larger percussion instruments that are much taller than a bongo drum. A conga is a tall, single headed, barrel shaped drum that is generally made of staves of wood, or fiberglass.
Congas originated from the styles of music called conga and rumba, both of Afro Cuban decent, and they came through the ancestry of drums brought over to South and North America through the horrific practice of slave trade.
Congas have become super popular in jazz, slasa, songo, merengue, pop and rock music among others.
Traditionally, there are 3 types of congas based on size and pitch: the quinto, the conga, and the tumba or salidor.
The quinto is the highest pitched, the conga is the middle, and tumba or salidor is the lowest. In a setup of 4 drums there is an even smaller drum called the requinto.
Most beginner setups consist of 2 drums, while professional congueros play 3 or 4. The conga is also known as the tumbadora.
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7 Best Conga Drums
Not many players start out buying congas due to the size and cost, but there are many great options on the market.
Just as when shopping for drum kits, there are beginner level products all the way up to professional products.
The biggest names in percussion instruments are Latin Percussion (LP), Meinl, and Toca. There are several other companies as well, but these lead the field in congas and most hand percussion.
Let’s look at some good options for beginners, intermediate, and pro level congas.
Best Congas for Beginners
If you’re just starting out, these congas offer a cost-effective way to begin learning percussion.
LP City Series Conga Set
- 10" & 11" Siam Oak shells
- Black powder-coated hardware
- 9/32" lugs
The City Series is LP’s entry into the conga market and these are a great beginner setup. This is a 28 inch tall set of congas that come with an adjustable stand and feature 10 and 11 inch drums.
Features:
- Siam Oak, 2-ply shells
- Black powder-coated hardware
- 9/32″ lugs
- Rubber bottoms
- 10″ & 11″ Rawhide heads
- Matching bongos available
- Available in natural wood, dark wood, vintage sunburst and carved mango wood.
- Tuning wrench included
Toca Synergy Fiberglass Conga Set
- 10" and 11" rawhide heads, 28" tall
- Black powder coated hardware & 5 chrome tuning lugs
- Quality fiberglass construction
These congas are a great beginner set for someone who is learning to play.
They are cheaper due to the construction and not actually being made of wood. They produce a slightly brighter tone than wood congas.
Features:
- 10” and 11” rawhide heads, 28” tall
- Black powder coated hardware
- Quality fiberglass construction
- EasyPlay style hoops
- Chrome tuning lugs
- Height adjustable double braced double conga stand
- White finish
- 5 tuning lugs
Meinl Headliner Series Congas 11&12 inch
- Sustainable rubber wood construction
- Height adjustable basket stands with quick set up system
- Original MEINL style tuning brackets
Similar to LP, Meinl’s lower end stuff is still really well made and decent for a beginner to an avid player. The Headliner Series is a great option.
Features:
- Hand selected buffalo heads
- 8 mm strong tuning lugs
- Original MEINL style tuning brackets
- 2 mm rounded rims
- Black powder coated hardware
- 8 mm strong tuning lugs
- 2 mm Rounded Rims
- Height Adjustable Basket Stands (patented) with Quick Set up System
Best Conga Drums for Intermediate Players
Maybe you’re past the beginner stage and want to upgrade your conga drums–these are great options for doing just that.
LP Aspire Series Siam Walnut Congas 11 &12 inch
- 28" Siam Oak, 2-ply shell - 11" & 12" diameter
- Natural rawhide head
- EZ Curve Rims
The Aspire Series features Walnut shells which is the biggest difference over the City Series, rawhide heads, a matching stand and black hardware.
Features:
- 28” Siam Walnut 2-Ply Shell
- 11″ and 12″ Natural rawhide head
- EZ Curve Rims
- Black powder-coated LP Aspire side plates with 9/32″ diameter tuning lugs
- Available in natural wood, red wood, dark wood and vintage sunburst finishes
- Matching bongos available
- Tuning wrench included
Toca Elite Pro Series Congas
- Ideal for the intermediate player who is seeking the size and sound of full sized drums
- 28 inches tall 2 ply Asian Oak shells
- Fully adjustable double Conga stand with single top plate Mounting bracket (no need for 4 mounting screws, stand has only one clamp device)
These mid level congas form Toca are a great product and these will work in a lot of settings. Toca has remained a strong name in the percussion world because of the appeal of their beginner and intermediate level products holding up.
Features:
- 28” two-ply Asian Oak shells
- Ideal for the intermediate player who’s seeking the size and sound of full sized drums
- EasyPlay Style hoop
- Plated chrome hardware
- 11”” quinto & 11-3/4”” conga set
- Fully adjustable double conga stand with single top plate mounting bracket (no need for 4 mounting screws, stand only has one clamp device)
- Matching bongos available
- Crimson maple fade with chrome hardware
Meinl Marathon Series
- True skin buffalo heads
- 2.6 mm rounded ssr-rims
- Includes steely II Conga stand, tune up oil, & Meinl Conga saver
Even at the intermediate level, Meinl sells the conga drums separately instead of in a set, which is a little bit of a hassle. They’re great sounding drums, but you do have to piece them together.
Here is the beautiful Amber Flame 11 inch conga for around $270. You will be in the $500-600 range with a pair of these.
Features:
- True Skin Buffalo Heads
- 8mm strong tuning lugs
- 2.6mm rounded SSR-Rims
- Black powder coated hardware
- 8 mm strong tuning lugs
- 2.6 mm Rounded SSR rims
- Steely II Conga Stand
- MEINL Conga Saver
- Accessory Pouch
- L-shaped Tuning Key
- Tune-up Oil
Best Semi-Professional Conga Drums
For semi-professional percussionists, these congas offer professional sound but with less investment than pro-level models.
LP Matador Series Conga Set
- Product Type: Percussion Instruments
- Package Quantity: 1
- Package Weight: 1.0 lbs
LP offers this pair in the Matador series with professional sound and looks but still cheaper than their highest models.This is a great gigging setup that we will call their semi pro series because their highest models are even better.
Features:
- 30″ Siam Oak, 3-ply shell with vintage sunburst finish and black hardware
- Matching 12-1/2″ Tumbadora for M845S-VSB
- 12-1/2″ Natural rawhide head
- Matador® Soft Strike Rims
- Black powder-coated horned side plates with 5/16″ diameter tuning lugs
- Patented LP ProCare Shell Protectors
- Matching bongos available
- Tuning wrench included
Best Conga Drums for Advanced Players and Pros
When purchasing top of the line congas you generally get a set of all 3 and you purchase each drum separately.
Typically you can spend $450-750 per drum which makes the full setup relatively costly like a drum kit.
But the highest end sets are made of the best quality wood and hardware, and are crafter to sound the most consistent and best sounding.
Toca Custom Deluxe Congas
Toca’s high end line of congas offer some signature models from artists, but these are the general all-purpose ones. They are made of wood from Thailand and have a great warm tone.
Features:
- Asian Oak with a high gloss finish
- Congas have a contemporary Afro-Cuban shape designed for added volume and resonance
- Blue wood finish
- 11-3/4’ Conga
- Durable high-luster chrome hardware and EasyPlay hoop
- Drums have 6 lugs for greater tuning range
- Matched top grade natural bison heads
- 30” Tall
- Matching bongos available
Meinl Woodcraft Series Congas
These are Meinl’s professional level congas and they are truly a work of art.
They have all of their top features and are played by many of the pros today. They come in beautiful finishes and are crafted from some of the finest Zebra finished Ash.
In the options above, you can see the Quinto, Conga, and Tumba sizes.
Features:
- True Skin Buffalo Heads
- 10mm strong tuning lugs
- 4mm rounded SSR-Rims
- Chrome plated steel
- 10 mm strong tuning lugs
- 4 mm Rounded SSR Rims
- MEINL Conga Saver (TH,US patent)
- MEINL Conga Handle
- MEINL Soundpads
- Accessory Pouch
- L-shaped Tuning Key
- Tune Up Oil
LP Giovanni Palladium Wood Congas
Latin Percussion, or LP, is often known as the leading company in percussion instruments and these congas are no exception.
Like Meinl, they have several signature models from famous congueros, and Giovanni Hidalgo is probably the most famous of them all.
These shells feature a beautiful North American Ash. You will pay a premium for these fine instruments but they are a lifelong investment for a serious percussionist.
Features:
- 32″ Premium North American Ash Wood, 3-ply shell
- Natural rawhide head
- Natural Satin Finish with chrome hardware
- Extended Collar Comfort Curve II Rims
- Premium Galaxy hardware, reinforced LP Heart side plates with 3/8″ diameter tuning lugs and LP ProCare Shell Protectors
What’s the Difference Between Congas and Bongos?
People often mistake congas for being bongos and even call them by the wrong name. Even in pop culture and movies it seems that any hand drum can be called a bongo which is incorrect.
Congas, as we’ve seen, are much taller drums ranging from 28-32 inches in height and coming in 3-4 standard sizes.
Bongo drums come in a pair and are only 8 inches tall, and only two different sizes. They are connected and come as one unit.
They often accompany the congas and can come in a matching set. They are more common and more famous due to their small size and much cheaper pricing.
You often see them in elementary schools music classes despite there often being little to no real education on hand percussion or world rhythms.
Which Conga Drum Diameter Should I Choose?
Generally, most players will just play 2 sizes unless you get seriously into world percussion and want to add a third or fourth.
The common sizes for beginners are a 10 inch small and an 11 or 12 inch larger conga. In the professional world of conga drums the 4 sizes are as follows:
- Tumba (12 ½”)
- Conga (11 ¾”)
- Quinto (11”)
- Requinto (9 ¾”)
Methods for Elevating a Conga Off the Floor
Some people will play congas seated and have them on the floor. They will often rotate one specific to change the tone. There are several ways to raise the drums up off of the ground to allow for more volume and sustain.
- Stand – Most beginner setups come on a stand for ease of use and due to the lighter weight of the drums themselves. This is probably the easiest method for a beginner and requires the least setup or attention once placed.
- Basket – All of the pro-level models and most of the intermediate models are put into baskets because the drums are quite a bit heavier and baskets provide the most support and shock. This also allows you to move the drums further apart or closer together than the single stand.
- Plates – This is an option to place under your drums if you’re on a surface like carpet. It isn’t nearly as common as using the baskets but still an option.
- Rubber Feet – These go underneath each drum if you are in a seated position and support the drum a bit.
Conga Drum Heads: Real Animal Skins vs Synthetic Heads
Since the beginning of percussion instruments, drums were made with stretched skin from animals. Calf, buffalo, and other cows are the most common.
Real animal skin heads produce the warmest tone and are still sought after by percussionists and drum set players alike.
Due to animal skins’ inconsistencies and how hard they can be to come by, most players today use synthetic heads.
Remo and Evans both make great conga heads, just like their heads for the kit.
Things to Consider When Buying A Conga Drum
Like most products we review, it really comes down to your goals and your budget.
All of these high end models are excellent choices.
I would go as far as to say all of the intermediate options are great choices for the majority of conga players.
The beginner models are decent quality for the price, but aren’t going to sound as good as the higher-level models. But when you’re just starting out, you don’t need the highest level of sound.
If you are planning to play long term, spend a little more and invest in your future. If you are just trying this out for fun, then get a beginner setup.
Like all musical instruments, it will come down to your personal needs, aspirations, and budget. There’s no right or wrong answer on this.
I have never owned Toca products, but played them on many occasions.
I believe LP makes the best products on the market and Meinl is a close second. I have played and endorsed both brands in my career.
What Are the Best Congas? Our Top PickS:
Overall, my top picks are as follows:
Best Conga for a Beginner – LP City Series
Best Option for an Intermediate Player – Meinl Marathon Series
Best Semi Pro Congas – LP Matador Series
Best Professional Conga – LP Giovanni Palladium Series
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