You are thinking about getting a handpan.
But you are not sure if it will be worth it.
And handpans are not so known.
In fact, there are less than 100 different handpan makers in the whole world.
Therefore it becomes much harder for you to know which handpan is good and which is bad or fake.
And you don't want to spend all your time looking into it.
That's why you are here.
You want a clear explanation of which ones are the best for their price.
And you want to know if it is worth it or not.
In this guide, I will go through every point necessary to help you make the decision of buying a handpan, and which one to go for.
However i must say,If you try this instrument out, you will love it, and will get good at it quickly and make everyone around you fall in awe from the sounds you have produced.
Just imagine how many people you will impress, from family members to friends and especially media followers. You will be the center of attention, that's for sure.
No one around you will have a clue to how you are making such quality music with just a pan. You will be one of the few who ever touched one, and played it as well.
Let's quickly describe it.
What is a Handpan?
A handpan is an instrument that is hand carved and shaped out of steel designed in a convex shape. It can have 6 to 10 different notes on it, which could be designed in different ways to give the major, minor and other scales.
It produces beautiful harmonic sounds and has the ability to add multiple layers of sounds together. This feature is what makes it special and wanted by many users.
Handpan notes are made by hammering the steel into certain oval shapes and then heating them repeatedly.
This process takes hours and is a lot of work.
Which explains why handpans are at a higher than expected cost.
The process is done to keep the notes in tune for long periods of time.
Keep in mind:
The handpans can keep their tuning for very long durations of time.
There are only some small precautions to keep them in top shape. I will dig into this further soon.
However as a main factor.
You don't need to hit the pan hard to produce its beautiful noise. Just tapping it in a certain way will be more than enough.
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OK let's get started.
First of all to clear thing up:
Why did I Choose these following 5 options as the best handpans?
After searching the market for almost 8 hours, I was able to find around 20 different handpans that clearly had high quality.
I then narrowed down the options to 5 handpans according to different factors such as, durability, price, number of notes, authenticity, customer feedback and satisfaction rates, and of course the looks as well.
And finally, I ended up with the following options:
Ps. If you are looking for a similar instrument that isn't as expensive, then I suggest you check the Tongue drum review I made here.
Also, I strongly suggest you check the frequent questions and the busted myths which provide you with things to be aware of below.
If you already know enough about handpans then feel free to continue.
Best Handpans in 2022:
- Best Handpan: "Lark Music" hand pan
- Cheapest Handpan: Happybuy Handpan
- Handpan with most Notes: ASTEMAN handpan
- Handpan with most sizes: Luvay Hand Pan
- Handpan with most scales: Le vietnam Handpan
Here is a Table giving you the the all-round summary. (you might have to scroll to the right for more info)
Table of the best Handpans in 2022
Best Handpan __________________ | Cheapest Handpan __________________ | Handpan with most Notes __________________ | Handpan with most sizes __________________ | Handpan with most scales __________________ | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Picture | |||||
Name | "Lark Music" hand pan | Happybuy Handpan | ASTEMAN handpan | Luvay Hand Pan | Le vietnam Handpan |
Luigi's rating out of 10 | 8.7/10 ✓ | 9.0/10 ✓ | 9.1/10 ✓ | 8.7/10 ✓ | 9.4/10 ✓ |
Price | $$$$$ | $$$$$ | $$$$$ | $$$$$ | $$$$$ |
Quality | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Durability | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Size | 22.8" L 22.8" W 10" H | 22" L 22" W 10.2" H | 21.9" L 21.9" W 10.2" H | 22" L 22" W 14" H | 22.8" L 22.8" W 8.66" H |
Notes/Scale | 9 D minor | 9 D minor | 10 D minor | 9 D minor | 9 D minor/ F |
Case? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
More information | Click here | Click here | Click here | Click here | Click here |
Price link | Check price on Amazon | Check price on Amazon | Check price on Amazon | Check price on Amazon | Check price on Amazon |
If you are interested in one of these and would like some more details make sure to check the in depth description below.
1. "Lark Music" handpan
Best Handpan
With the Lark Music handpan you will only find high quality sounds, the instrument is hand tuned finely and the pitch is perfect.
- Number Of Notes: 9
- Size: 22.8" L ,22.8" W ,10" H / 54 cm L and W , 24 cm H
- Scale: (D minor)
- Color: Deep blue
- Customer satisfaction: Very good
Pros
- Has 1 note more than the average hand pan
- The scale is tuned in one of the most harmonic scales
- Comes with a free handpan case
- Very nice color
- Hand made meaning that it is one of a kind
Cons
- On the expensive side
- Very rarely, some notes might be out of tune
Description:
Lark music have been making a variety of handpans, tongue drums and other instruments in the past decades.
They really focus on quality, and have high standards.
Here is a video demonstrating their handpan in action:
In this video you will also see one of the ways in which the handpans are made in.
As for this handpan.
It is a 9 notes handpan which are in the D Minor scale, the notes are (D3 A Bb C D E F G A)
As you could hear, the sounds were very clear and vibrant.
The manufacturer checks the tones with a professional tuner to make sure all the sounds are there and precise.
The frequency the pan works at is at 440 Hz.
Most handpans have a similar size ratio.
For this Handpan , the length/width is at 22.8 Inches/58 Centimetres, and the height is at 10 Inches/25.4 Centimetres.
What's cool about this handpan is that it comes with a free backpack that the handpan can fit it.
The hand pan is around 11.35 pounds and around 5 Kilos which isn't too heavy making it easily portable with the backpack.
Keep in mind:
Although there is not clear warranty on this product.
There were some cases when customers were able to send their handpan back and get a refunding, if it was not tuned perfectly.
However, for the majority of the customers, they were incredibly happy with their purchase.
Who is this for?
If you are looking for a high quality handpan right off the bat. And are ready to learn the handpan and know you will love it. Then this option is a great one for you.
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2. Happybuy Handpan
Cheapest Handpan
Happybuy's handpan is the perfect option for any beginner trying to play a handpan. It comes with many add-on options as well.
- Number Of Notes: 9
- Size: 22" L x 22" W x 10.2" H / 56 cm L and W, 26 cm H
- Scale: D minor
- Color: Blue / Brown / Gray
- Customer satisfaction: Extremely high
Pros
- Cheap
- Keep the quality to high standards
- Comes with a backpack
- Comes with a metal stand
- Comes with drum sticks
- Customers rated this product with very high satisfaction
- Has 3 different color options!
Cons
- The sound quality isn't as high
- The vibrancy doesn't last as long
Description:
This option is by far the best for price option, it provides quality that is almost just as high as the higher end handpans and is at quarter or half their prices.
It has 9 notes which are tuned into the D minor scale .
The notes are (d3 A Bb C D E F G A).
The notes are designed in the following shape
And are tuned with a special tuner to make sure it has minimum fluctuations and can
The special thing about this handpan is that it comes with a few extra items.
A backpack, to take the handpan wherever you want easily and safely.
A metal stand to just lay your handpan on for ease of use.
It even comes with drum sticks to tap on the pan as well.
Furthermore, it has 3 different color options to choose from.
Blue/Gray/Brown
Helping you pick a more favorable color, after all, you are going to be looking at the pan for long duration.
The product might not be as long lasting as other handpans.
What I mean is:
The tuning of this handpan might not last for as long as professional handpans.
However, as long as you take care of it, and don't hit it too hard, it will easily survive for many years.
Some users dropped their handpans, and even then the handpan still delivered.
Who is this for?
If you are on a budget, and are curious about how a handpan sounds, and you want to try it out yourself, then this handpan is the best option in the list for that.
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3. ASTEMAN handpan
Handpan with most Notes
With the Asteman handpan you get a wide variety of cheap options to choose from, all of which produce very good sound quality, and look o good. When I see the options, I want to buy them all.
- Number Of Notes: 10 (also available at 11 notes)
- Size: 21.9" L x 21.9" W x 10.2" H/ 58 cm L and W x 26 cm
- Scale: D minor
- Color: 6 beautiful color options
- Customer satisfaction: Maximum
Pros
- 10 Notes are above the average number of notes on a handpan
- Has many amaaaaazing color options
- Cheap
- Comes with handpan mallets
- Comes with a backpack and a dust free cloth
- Comes with a stand
- Very clear sounds
Cons
- Not as durable and long lasting as professional handpans
Description:
The Asteman handpan is an instrument with many options from 8 notes to 11 notes.
On average the 10 notes option is best for beginners, and has a scale of D minor.
The notes are as follows:
D3/A3/bB3/ C4/D4/E4/F4/G4/A4/C5
The colors available are :
Gold/Black/Starry blue/Starlight purple/Stars blue/Polaris golden
I suggest you check the colors out yourself, as they have a magnificent feel to them.
Moreover, the handpan weighs around 5 Kilos or 11.7 pounds.
With a backpack provided, you should have no trouble in moving around with your handpan.
Asteman has also included a metal stand to place the handpan on, a drum kit, and a dust free cloth to keep your pan nice and shiny.
Who is this for?
This handpan is another great option for beginners who are trying to get an idea of what a handpan sounds like. It is one of the cheapest options available, and comes in many astounding colors.
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4. Luvay Hand Pan
Handpan with most sizes
Luvay have also made a cheap handpan that can offer you high quality resonance that is really close to the 3000$ professional handpans.
- Number Of Notes: 9
- Size: available at 22" L x 22" W x 14" H or as a tongue drum at 12 Inches and 10 Inches
- Scale: D3 A Bb C D E F G A
- Color: black
- Customer satisfaction: good customer satisfaction
Pros
- Made out of carbonized steel for more durability
- Comes with a bag
- Comes with a stand
- Comes with mallets
- Relatively cheap
Cons
- The tongue drum option won't give as much resonance as the normal handpan
Description:
Luvay make an array of different handpans and tongue drums.
Their quality is actually pretty good and customers most likely go for Luvay's options when they are purchasing handpans.
With 9 notes on the handpan, which are in the D minor scale, you can play nice melodies that sound cheerful and mysterious at the same time.
The notes are : D3 A Bb C D E F G A
It comes in a standard color of black, and the size of the handpan is the general size.
It also weighs 3.7 KG , meaning that with the bag that you are provided with, you can easily move around with your handpan whenever necessary.
Who is this for?
This option is a good one for intermediate level handpan players as well as beginners. The tongue drum options offer the basic version of what a handpan can do, which you might be interested in if you don't want to spend as much money to try the idea of the handpan out.
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5. Le vietnam Handpan
Handpan with most scales
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- Number Of Notes: 8/9
- Size: 22.8" L x 22.8" W x 8.66" H /As well as 21.5" and 21"
- Scale: D minor / And F
- Color: Black/ Gray/ Brownish
- Customer satisfaction: extremely high
Pros
Cons
Description:
The seller le_vietnam has sold over 250 handpans and all of his customers were extremely satisfied with the quality of the handpan.
This handpan is on the higher end of the price of beginner handpans and can be used for a lifetime if used with care.
Here is what it sounds like:
The hand pan comes in different sizes, different scales, colors, and different number of notes available.
As for the size it doesn't fluctuate much between 21 inches and 22.8 inches, depending on your preference.
The colors are available in black, gray, and brown.
With an option of 8 or 9 notes it makes it simple to play, yet it has a lot of resonance.
Furthermore you can choose to have the scale in the F scale or the D minor scale, which makes it unlike the other handpans in the market.
The F scale provides you with the cheery and happy vibe. while the D minor scale provides you with a mysterious and sad vibe.
The handpan comes with a very good bag that is higher quality than the other competitors in the market.
However, it does not come with a stand, or a set of drum mallets.
In reality, you don't need the stand or the mallets anyways.
Who is this for?
If you are looking for a different scale on a handpan than the D minor scale, then this handpan can provide you with a good alternative solution. Even though it still offers the D minor scale as well.
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Now that you know everything about the best handpans, you are almost ready to make the final decision.
However, I would suggest you check the frequent questions and the Myths about handpans below, these will surely help you in choosing the right handpan that will be exactly for you.
Did you know that to make a handpan, you have to hammer the steel pan more than 10,000 times?
Frequent Questions:
1. How much does a handpan cost?
A handpan actually does not cost much considering it is a handmade instrument. But that does not mean that they are cheap. In fact, handpans can vary in price, professional level handpans range between 1300 and 3000 Dollars, whereas beginner handpans can range between 550 and 1300 Dollars.
2. What is the difference between a handpan and a hang drum?
The terms handpan and hang drum in fact refer to the same instrument. The origin of both is the word handpan, however the term hang or hang drum was introduced by the manufacturer PanArt. Therefore, it is more correct to refer to this instrument as a Handpan.
3. Where does the handpan come from?
The origins of the handpan instrument come from Bern, Switzerland where it was founded by a collaboration of Felix Rohner with Sabina Scharer who were able to construct it thanks to an inspiration taken from the steel pan instrument. Nowadays handpans are more popularly made in china.
4. Is the handpan hard to learn?
The handpan is easy to learn, this is because it only has between 7 to 15 notes depending on the manufacturer. Therefore, a Handpan can be learned quickly even if you don't know how to play any other instruments. Just focus on improving the hand technique.
5. What is the best handpan to buy?
The best handpan is decided based on your skills as a handpan player. For beginners, the best handpans to buy are handpans with 7 to 10 notes which are cheaper versions that provide a good base to learn the instrument. For professionals, handpan choosing becomes harder to get the best resonance, and more music.
In order for professionals to get high quality handpans, they will have to test the handpan themselves, and then discuss with the manufacturer if they want any improvements to be made. Or, they can go for the high end more expensive handpans which are made to perfection.
Handpan Myths:
Handpans are hard to play.
Handpans are one of the easiest instruments to play. You can have no idea what you are doing, and still make amazing and beautiful sounds.
With 10 notes, you will be able to make a wide range of music, while keeping it as simple as possible.
Of course, if you are a professional, you will be able to do a lot more with the instrument than as a beginner.
But overall it is not a hard instrument to learn.
Handpans and tongue drums sound the same.
Hand pans and tongue drums have the same number of notes, and the same basic shape. But that is all that's similar between them.
After all, handpans are made by reheating steel and then hammering it repeatedly to get a certain shape. On the contrary, tongue drums are made by creating very fine holes through laser and concentrated fire, followed by the smoothing of the surfaces.
Also, handpans provide a more resonant sound that lasts for a few seconds, but when compared to tongue drums, those can sustain the sound for much a longer duration (this depends on the quality of the tongue drum).
Handpans keep their tuning for ever.
Since handpans make sound by adding pressure on to them through tapping or knocking. The level of pressure afflicted to the handpan is minimal. Which is why it is able to keep its form for such long durations of time.
However, if you play on the handpan constantly and apply the same small force thousands and millions of times. The structure of the handpan will slowly change, making the note to go out of tune.
In general you don't have to worry about the tuning of your handpan for years, as long as you don't hit it hard or drop it.
If you notice it is out of tune, then you can contact the manufacturer to get it back in tune for you.
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Well that's it from my side, I hope you were able to benefit from the information in this post, and that you can find the best handpan ever.
If you did benefit, and you know someone else who might also be interested, feel free to share this to them as well below.
Have a nice day!