Best Darbukas of 2026

Nicole Kim Avatar
Nicole Kim
Last Updated: Jan 8, 2026

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Darbukas are a type of hand drum that originated in the Middle East and North Africa. They are typically made of ceramic or metal and produce a sharp, crisp sound when struck with the hands or fingers. Darbukas are commonly used in traditional Middle Eastern music, but have also found their way into modern music genres such as jazz and world music. They come in a variety of sizes and designs, making them a versatile instrument for musicians of all skill levels. With their unique sound and cultural significance, darbukas are a popular choice for percussionists and music enthusiasts alike.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Zaza Percussion Egyptian Classic Darbuka Doumbek Cover #TOP 1
Zaza Percussion Egyptian Classic Darbuka Doumbek
ftb score rating icon 9.9
The 17.5" Gawharet El Fan Darbuka Doumbek New Generation 2.0 With Green Mother of Pearl -Model (Desert Sun) Cover #TOP 2
The 17.5" Gawharet El Fan Darbuka Doumbek New Generation 2.0 With Green Mother of Pearl -Model (Desert Sun)
ftb score rating icon 9.8
17" Percussion" Gawharet El Fan Pro Metal Darbuka Drum Doumbek (Copper + Fish Skin) Cover #TOP 3
17" Percussion" Gawharet El Fan Pro Metal Darbuka Drum Doumbek (Copper + Fish Skin)
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 4 Darbukas

#TOP 1

Zaza Percussion Egyptian Classic Darbuka Doumbek

ZAZA 102/6
Zaza Percussion Egyptian Classic Darbuka Doumbek Cover
The 17" Zaza Percussion Egyptian Classic Darbuka Doumbek (Copper Body, Clear Head)

The Zaza Percussion Egyptian Classic Darbuka Doumbek is a top-quality drum that offers professional sound and performance. Made with an aluminum shell and an electrostatic metal finish, this drum is not only durable but also visually appealing. It features a premium ZAZA plastic head, which produces incredibly powerful Doum strokes and wonderfully resonant Tek strokes. With 6 tuning bolts, you can easily adjust the sound to your preference. The drum has a rim diameter of 10.5" and a bottom diameter of 7.5", providing a comfortable playing experience. Additionally, it comes with a padded premium carrying case, a tuning tool, and an extra ZAZA drum head, ensuring convenience and versatility for musicians. Whether you're a professional or a beginner, the Zaza Percussion Egyptian Classic Darbuka Doumbek is a reliable and impressive instrument.

What We Like
Durable construction
Powerful sound
Adjustable tuning
#TOP 2

The 17.5" Gawharet El Fan Darbuka Doumbek New Generation 2.0 With Green Mother of Pearl -Model (Desert Sun)

Gawharet El Fan
NG - 17.5''
Desert Sun
The 17.5" Gawharet El Fan Darbuka Doumbek New Generation 2.0 With Green Mother of Pearl -Model (Desert Sun) Cover
The 17.5" Gawharet El Fan Darbuka Doumbek New Generation 2.0 With Green Mother of Pearl -Model (Desert Sun)

Features
Taller And Wider With A Unique Bottom Finishing. A Truly Amazing Instrument!
This Gawharet El Fan New Generation 2.0 Doumbek Is A Beautiful New 17.5" Drum. It's The New Generation Model Of GEF.
Made Of High Quality Aluminum Covers With Beautiful Genuine Mother Of Pearl
This Is A Top Quality Drum! Includes An Extra Clear Synthetic Skin And A Premium Case. The Beautiful And Intricate Inlay Of Real Mother Of Pearl, And The Amazing Patterns Grants The Drum An Amazing Look Of Royal Egyptian Palace. Covered With Real Mother Of Pearl That Reflects The Spectral Colors.
Please Note - Some Of The Syntactic Plastic Heads Arrive From Manufacture With Minor Scratches. That Does Not Affect The Sound Or Quality Of The Drum. All Drums Are Brand New, And Were Never Used. We Make Sure Every Drum Is Usable, And That The Outer Design Isn't Damaged Before Shipping.
#TOP 3

17" Percussion" Gawharet El Fan Pro Metal Darbuka Drum Doumbek (Copper + Fish Skin)

Gawharet El Fan
102/6 Copper Red
Copper + Fish Skin
17" Percussion" Gawharet El Fan Pro Metal Darbuka Drum Doumbek (Copper + Fish Skin) Cover
17" Percussion" Gawharet El Fan Pro Metal Darbuka Drum Doumbek (Copper + Fish Skin)

Features
This Is A Professional Beautiful New 17" Gawharet El Fan Darbuka. 6 Tuning Bolts
Made Of Metal. Comes With A Clear Synthetic Head And A Case. This Drum Is A Top Quality Drum!
Rim Diameter - 10.5" (26.25cm), Bottom Diameter - 7.5" (18.75cm)
Please Note - Some Of The Syntactic Plastic Heads Arrive From Manufacture With Minor Scratches. That Does Not Affect The Sound Or Quality Of The Drum. All Drums Are Brand New, And Were Never Used. We Make Sure Every Drum Is Usable, And That The Outer Design Isn't Damaged Before Shipping.The Picture Is For Illustration Only, We Try To Install The Skin On Every Darbuka. But Sometimes The Darbuka Comes With The Original Skin, And The Extra Skin (Remo, PowerBeat) Comes Separately And Requires Instal
Drum Head Diameter 8.75'', Padded Carry Case Included
#TOP 4

The Gawharet El Fan 18.5" Darbuka Doumbek Drum Sombaty Size With Real Blue Mother of Pearl (Egyptian Rainbow)

Gawharet El Fan
Sombaty
Egyptian Rainbow
The Gawharet El Fan 18.5" Darbuka Doumbek Drum Sombaty Size With Real Blue Mother of Pearl (Egyptian Rainbow) Cover
The Gawharet El Fan 18.5" Darbuka Doumbek Drum Sombaty Size With Real Blue Mother of Pearl (Egyptian Rainbow)

Features
This Is A Beautiful New 18.5" Darbuka. Comes With A White Synthetic Head And A Premium Case.
This Drum Is A Top Quality Drum With Shiny Shells And Arabian Patterns Egyptian Decorations.
The Mesmerizing And Intricate Inlay Of Real Shiny Mother Of Pearl With A Stunning Design
Please Note - Some Of The Syntactic Plastic Heads Arrive From Manufacture With Minor Scratches. That Does Not Affect The Sound Or Quality Of The Drum. All Drums Are Brand New, And Were Never Used. We Make Sure Every Drum Is Usable, And That The Outer Design Isn't Damaged Before Shipping.
18.5" (46cm) High, 6 Bolts Head Drum. One Of GEF's Most Famous Designs, In A Renewed Version, With 2 Levels On The Bottom And A Wider Diameter For Deeper Sound.
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the darbuka used for?

The darbuka is a goblet-shaped drum used primarily for traditional music, such as Turkish, Arabic, and Persian music. It is also used in contemporary music. Made of copper or aluminum, it has one head covered with animal skin and is played with bare hands.

2. Is it hard to play the darbuka?

No, playing the darbuka is relatively easy to learn. Unlike other instruments that require years of training and practice, you can start playing the darbuka with just a few basic lessons. It is a beginner-friendly instrument that allows you to start making music quickly.

Editor's Notes

During our darbuka research, we found 5 darbuka products and shortlisted 4 quality products. We collected and analyzed 4,259 customer reviews through our big data system to write the darbukas list. We found that most customers choose darbukas with an average price of $365.67.

The darbukas are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of darbukas, including Zaza Percussion, Gawharet El Fan. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 12 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Nicole Kim Avatar

Nicole Kim has been a music teacher and a private piano instructor for six years now. She is a very talented musician who plays piano to a high standard and won several awards in international piano competitions. Lately, she has been sharing her music expertise online, giving incredible tips on how to select the right musical instruments.