Best Bongo Drum Heads 2023

If you’re looking for a percussion instrument that’s easy to play and portable, a bongo set is an excellent option. It’s also a great way to learn how to play drums and percussion because it’s less intimidating than a full drum kit and you can use your hands instead of drumsticks. Bongo drums are commonly found in acoustic ensembles, and they can also be played in a wide variety of styles—from salsa to ska to reggae.

While the sound of a bongo set is unmistakable, finding the right drum heads can be a challenge. We decided to do some research and round up the best bongo drum heads you can currently buy.

Read on to learn more about our top picks.

Our Editor’s Best Bongo Drum Heads Reviews


Evans Tri-Center Bongo Drum Head Pack, 7 1/4 and 8 5/8 Inch

 Evans Tri-Center Bongo Drum Head Pack, 7 1/4 and 8 5/8 Inch

Key Features:

  • This bongo drum head has a ply of 10mil film, a ply of 14mil film and a 2.25″ patch between. The head is 8 5/8″ in diameter.

  • These bongo drum heads are good for a shopper who wants a bright, penetrating slap tone with a full, round low-end.

  • Bongo drum heads that simulate the feel of animal skin, while avoiding the problems associated with natural skin heads.

  • This bongo drum head is designed to minimize overtones and add weight to the center to enhance the fundamental tone.

  • Evans drum heads are designed for durability and produce a clear, consistent sound. They are made in the USA from high-quality materials.


Yibuy Beige Goatskin Goat Skin Drums Head for Bongo Drums Replacement Parts

 Yibuy Beige Goatskin Goat Skin Drums Head for Bongo Drums Replacement Parts

Key Features:

  • The bongo drum heads are for a shopper who wants to buy a bongo drum. They are 10 inches in size and made from African tambourine.

  • This shopper is looking for a bongo drum head made of goat skin. This material is authentic and provides a more native drumming experience.

  • These bongo drum heads are made from goatskin and come in a variety of colors, including black, yellow, spotted, and milky white. They have a high density and a distinct three-tone, making them ideal for drummers who want a unique sound.


Latin Percussion CP221B 7-Inch Replacement Bongo Head for CP221

 Latin Percussion CP221B 7-Inch Replacement Bongo Head for CP221

Key Features:

  • This bongo drum head is made to fit CP 7″ bongos. It is a round, thin piece of material that is placed over the top of the bongo drum to create a tight seal.

  • The bongo drum heads are made of natural rawhide, which is a sturdy and durable material. They are designed to produce a rich, full sound, and are ideal for a variety of musical genres.

  • These bongo drum heads will not fit drums made by other manufacturers.


Latin Percussion CP221A 6-Inch Replacement Bongo Head for CP221

 Latin Percussion CP221A 6-Inch Replacement Bongo Head for CP221

Key Features:

  • The bongo drum heads for a shopper are percussion instruments that are used to create a rhythmic beat. They are typically made of a hard material such as wood or metal and have a cylindrical shape.

  • This bongo drum head is 20.32 centimeters long, 15.494 centimeters wide, and 5.334 centimeters high.

  • These bongo drum heads are very lightweight, weighing in at only 0.15 pounds. This makes them perfect for shoppers who are looking for a drum head that won’t add a lot of weight to their bongo drums.

  • These bongo drum heads are made in India.


Latin Percussion LP264A Bongo Head 8-5/8″

 Latin Percussion LP264A Bongo Head 8-5/8

Key Features:

  • This bongo drum head is 9.5 inches long.

  • The bongo drum heads are 9.49999999031 inches wide.

  • The bongo drum heads are a product with a package height of 0.99999999898 inches.

  • These bongo drum heads are made in Thailand.


Remo R-Series Skyndeep Bongo Drumhead – Calfskin Graphic, 7.15″

 Remo R-Series Skyndeep Bongo Drumhead - Calfskin Graphic, 7.15

Key Features:

  • This bongo drum head is made from calfskin and is 7.15″ in diameter. It has a graphic design on it.

  • These bongo drum heads are made in the United States.

  • These bongo drum heads weigh 1 pound each.

  • The bongo drum heads have a model number of M6-R715-S4-SD003. They are made from a single piece of hide, and are treated with a special process to make them durable and resistant to wear.


Remo S-Series Skyndeep Bongo Drumhead – Calfskin Graphic, 6.75″

 Remo S-Series Skyndeep Bongo Drumhead - Calfskin Graphic, 6.75

Key Features:

  • The Remo S-Series Skin-deep bongo Drumhead is made of calfskin and is 6.75″ in diameter. It has a graphic design on the head.

  • This bongo drum head is from the United States.

  • The bongo drum heads weigh 1.0 pound each.

  • These bongo drum heads are model number M6-S675-S2-SD003. They are made of synthetic material for a clear, resonant sound. They are 6.75 inches in diameter and have a standard 2-ply construction.


Yibuy 30cm Drums Head Round for Bongo Drums / 8″ African Drum Beige

 Yibuy 30cm Drums Head Round for Bongo Drums / 8

Key Features:

  • This bongo drum head is for a shopper who wants to buy a shaman drum or an African tambourine. The head is 8 inches in size.

  • This bongo drum head is made of goat skin and is the perfect material for replacing your drum head. This quality material maintains the drums authenticity and gives you a more native drumming experience.

  • The bongo drum heads for sale are a primary color with goatskin. The overall color of the product is black, yellow, spotted, and milky white. The tensile force has a high density and a clear three-tone.


LeSage Bongos Drum for Kids Adults Beginner Bongos 7 in and 8 in Natural Wood Bongo Set Real Skin Drum Head with Tuning Key Bongo Drumset

 LeSage Bongos Drum for Kids Adults Beginner Bongos 7 in and 8 in Natural Wood Bongo Set Real Skin Drum Head with Tuning Key Bongo Drumset

Key Features:

  • The bongo drum heads are made of authentic natural skin, which delivers a superior lively tone with a good mix of melodic options. The natural glossy finish ensures a well-performance in your hand. The drum heads come with a tuning wrench for easily accurate tuning.

  • The bongo drum heads are made of kraft paper, which is more environmentally friendly than coloful laminating box.

  • These bongo drum heads come with a tuning wrench to help you get the perfect sound. They should be tuned to a relaxed state when not in use for better protection and to extend the 1-year guarantee.

  • The bongo drum heads that are being described are meant to be played on a stand, as they are traditionally played by striking the edge of the drumheads with the fingers and palms. These drums can also be played on a stand, as is the case with concert orchestras and bands.


Meinl Percussion Skyndeep Head by REMO for Select Meinl Bongos-Made in USA-7″ Macho, Black Calfskin (RHEAD-7BK)

 Meinl Percussion Skyndeep Head by REMO for Select Meinl Bongos-Made in USA-7

Key Features:

  • These are bongo drum heads that have a black calfskin finish with weather resistance. They are designed for select Meinl bongos.

  • These bongo drum heads are designed to fit on Meinl bongos that are 7 inches in size. The heads are made from a durable material that will produce a great sound when struck.

  • This bongo drum head provides a warm tone with strong volume and projection. It is made of high-quality materials and is designed to last.

  • The bongo drum heads are made from high quality polyester, which makes them durable and long-lasting. They are also designed to produce a rich, full sound that is perfect for any type of music.


Best Bongo Drum Heads Buying Guide

Before choosing the best bongo drum heads you should consider following options:

1. Gasket: This is the part of the drum head that is attached to the drum itself. It helps to tune the drum and also provides a seal against air leaking from the drum.

There are two types of gasket available, the pre-formed and the self-forming. A pre-formed gasket, sometimes called a counter-gasket, has an outer ring and a center ring. The outer ring fits into the drum, and the center ring is what the drum head is attached to.

A self-forming gasket usually comes as a single piece with a specially designed center section that self-forms to the drum. Self-forming gaskets are usually higher quality and are more expensive than the pre-formed ones.

2. Drum Tone: Drum heads come in different materials, thicknesses and coatings. These attributes determine the sound of the drum.

Heads that are coated produce a brighter sound and heads without a coating are more mellow. The thickness of the head also has an effect on the sound of the drum. Obviously, thicker heads produce a deeper tone.

Thinner heads allow the resonance of the drum to be heard more clearly and this is often desirable when playing jazz, for example.

3. Wrap: The wrap and the drum head are ultimately responsible for the sound of the drum. It is the combination of the thickness, tension and material of the drum head and the tension of the wrap that determines the sound of the drum.

For example, a drum with a thick head and a loose wrap will produce a very different sound than a drum with a thin head and a tight wrap.

4. Tension: The tension of the drum head and the tension of the wrap are ultimately responsible for the sound of the drum. Just as the combination of the two factors determines the sound, so does the break-in of the head and the wrap.

Heads and wraps should be tuned and broken-in before they are put into use. It is also important to maintain them regularly.

5. Durability: Not all drum heads are created equal. Some are very durable and others not so much. It is important to know how a drum head will hold up to the environment it is going to be used in.

For example, a drum head made for a marching band would require a different kind of durability than a drum head for a studio.

6. Cost: Drum heads aren’t cheap, and there are many factors that determine the price. Obviously, the quality and the durability of the drum head affect the price, but the thickness and material also play a role.

Thinner heads are going to cost less than thicker heads, and drum heads that are coated may be more expensive than those that aren’t.

7. Applications: There are different drum heads for different applications. You wouldn’t want to put a drum head designed for a marching drum in a recording studio.

Knowing the application of the drum head is important in determining which one to choose.

8. Drum Type: Not all drum heads are created equal. For example, thicker drum heads work better on bongos with a deep sounding shell. Drum heads designed for concert toms are usually thinner.

It is critical to match the drum head to the drum. You wouldn’t want to put a thin head on a deep sounding drum, and you wouldn’t want to put a thick head on a drum that sounds well with a thin head.


Bongo Drum Heads FAQs

1. What kind of bongo drum heads are there?

There are two types of bongo drum heads: natural skin and synthetic. Natural skin heads are made from animal skin, while synthetic heads are made from man-made materials.

2. What are the differences between bongo drum heads?

Bongo drum heads are made from a variety of materials, including animal skins, synthetic materials, and even metal. They can vary in thickness, hardness, and even shape. The type of bongo drum head you choose will depend on your personal playing style and preferences.

3. How do you choose the right bongo drum head?

The two main types of bongo drum heads are natural skin heads and synthetic heads. Natural skin heads are made from the hide of an animal, usually a cow, and are the traditional choice for bongo drums. Synthetic heads are made from materials such as nylon, polyester, or Mylar and are less expensive than natural skin heads.

4. How do you care for bongo drum heads?

Bongo drum heads can be cleaned with a soft cloth and a mild soap. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasives, as these can damage the drum head.

5. How long do bongo drum heads last?

Bongo drum heads typically last for about 2-3 years.


Conclusion

There are many great bongo drum heads on the market. Our list of the best bongo drum heads will help you save time researching and choosing the best one for you.