Best Metallophones of 2026
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Metallophones are percussion instruments that produce melodious sounds when struck with mallets. They are made up of a series of metal bars that are tuned to specific pitches and arranged in a keyboard-like layout. These instruments are popular in music education programs and are used to teach children about melody, rhythm, and harmony. Metallophones come in various sizes and designs, from small handheld versions to larger, more elaborate models that are used in orchestras and ensembles. They are versatile instruments that can be used in a variety of musical genres, from classical to contemporary music.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Metallophones
Stagg Metallophone (META-K12 RB)
The Stagg Metallophone (META-K12 RB) features a pine rack with a 1 1/2 octave range from A to E. It includes two wooden mallets for playing and has a compact size of 38 x 12 cm (14.96 x 4.72 inches) and weighs only 490G (1.08 lb). This metallophone is perfect for those who want to learn or practice playing music at home or in a small group setting.
Sonor Global Beat Soprano Metallophone
The Sonor Soprano Metallophone offers a range of musical possibilities with its 16 bars spanning from c2 to a3, including Bb and F# bars. The special alloy bars are designed for either overtone or fundamental tuning, allowing you to choose the sound that best fits your needs. You’ll appreciate the note name labels inside the resonator box, which make it easy to return the bars to their correct positions after use. Additionally, all wood surfaces are treated with Proterra, an eco-friendly varnish that protects the instrument while being safe for the environment.
Stagg META-K8 Metallophone
The Stagg META-K8 Metallophone is a perfect instrument for schools, percussion groups, and music groups. It features 8 colour-coded keys with a range of 8 notes from C to -C. It's ideal for children over the age of 3 and comes with a pair of mallets.
Sonor Global Beat MA GB Alto Metallophone
The Sonor Alto Metallophone offers a wide range of musical possibilities with its 16 bars, spanning from c1 to a2, including Bb and F# bars for added versatility. The special alloy bars are designed with either overtone or fundamental tuning, allowing you to choose the sound quality that suits your needs. You'll appreciate the note name labels inside the resonator box, making it simple to return the bars to their correct spots after use. Additionally, all wooden surfaces are treated with Proterra, a safe and eco-friendly varnish, ensuring durability while being kind to the environment.
Rawa Fiery Mercury Chimes
The Rawa Chimes offer a unique sound therapy experience that allows you to easily bring calming vibrations close to anyone who needs them. With perfect tuning, these handheld chimes ensure that any combination of notes creates a harmonious sound, enhancing your relaxation or meditation sessions. Their sound is reminiscent of Tibetan bowls, resonating for up to 40 seconds after a gentle touch, providing a soothing atmosphere. Crafted from divine metal, these chimes help create a peaceful environment, making them ideal for personal healing or space harmonization.
Stagg Metallophone META-K15 RB
The Stagg Metallophone META-K15 is a delightful instrument crafted from sturdy pine, making it both durable and visually appealing. With two full octaves ranging from G to G, you can explore a wide range of musical notes, perfect for beginners and experienced players alike. The included wooden mallets ensure you have everything you need to start playing right away. Measuring 46.5 x 13 cm, this lightweight metallophone is easy to transport, allowing you to enjoy music anywhere you go. Its compact size makes it a great choice for classrooms or home use, providing endless entertainment and learning opportunities.
Sonor Primary Line KSP 100 X C Rosewood Sub-Contra Bass Bar
The Sonor Sub-Contra Bass Bar offers a deep C pitch, perfect for adding rich, low tones to your music. Made from eco-friendly FSC-certified rosewood, this instrument is both sustainable and durable. The bars can be tuned for either overtone or fundamental sounds, giving you flexibility in your playing style. Its resonator box includes a tuning adjuster, allowing you to finely control the volume and frequency to suit different room acoustics. With the Sonor Sub-Contra Bass Bar, you get a versatile and environmentally conscious instrument designed to enhance your sound with ease.
Suzuki MPA-16 Metallophone
The Suzuki Metallophone MPA-16 is a durable and versatile instrument perfect for music education. Its indestructible cloth-covered tubing ensures it can withstand heavy use, making it ideal for classrooms. With built-in mallet storage, you can keep your two pairs of mallets organized and accessible, enhancing your playing experience. The adjustable damper bar allows you to create varied sound effects, adding creativity to your music. Additionally, the note name identification helps you learn and play notes easily, ensuring a smooth learning process.
Angel 25-Note Chromatic Glockenspiel
The Angel Chromatic Glockenspiel offers 25 steel bars tuned to deliver clear, bright notes, making it perfect for beginners and music students practicing at home or in class. It features a unique S-shaped shock absorber that keeps the instrument stable and your tuning accurate, so you get consistent sound every time you play. The high-elasticity diamond-shaped damper helps create rich, long-lasting tones with minimal fading, enhancing your musical experience. Plus, its resonator holes improve the overall sound projection, making your playing more vibrant and easy to hear. This instrument combines quality and innovation to support your musical growth effectively.
Suzuki Music Metallophone (MPS-16)
The Suzuki Music Metallophone (MPS-16) is an indestructible cloth covered orff instrument tubing with built-in mallet storage, chromatic bar storage, and note name identification. It comes with two pairs of appropriate mallets and a damper bar with adjustable handle. The note names are labeled on the top and pinned on the bottom for easy identification.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. In what instrument family are metallophones?
A metallophone is a term given to a family of percussion instruments consisting of a series of metal bars that make tones when struck. Typically, the metallophones resemble the wooden-bar xylophone, however, metallophones have metal bars.
2. What sound does a metallophone make?
Take the glockenspiel: a set of suspended metal bars arranged as a keyboard which, when struck, produce a pure bell-like sound. Despite the fact that the size and shape of glockenspiel bars is well-studied, careful drilling of dimples on the underside of the bars is needed to tune the instrument.
3. Is Gong a metallophone?
“The big gongs are the trunk; the metallophones of various sizes and depth are the branches; and the fast, ornamental, interlocking patterns that add excitement are the flowers,” he says. “It's technically very difficult (to play), but at the same time, a lot of people who aren't musicians can take up gamelan.
4. Is a metallophone a glockenspiel?
The glockenspiel (German pronunciation: [ˈɡlɔkənˌʃpiːl] or [ˈɡlɔkŋ̍ˌʃpiːl], Glocken: bells and Spiel: set) or bells is a percussion instrument. It consists of pitched aluminum or steel bars arranged in a keyboard layout. This makes the glockenspiel a type of metallophone, similar to the vibraphone.
During our metallophone research, we found 24 metallophone products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 4,619 customer reviews through our big data system to write the metallophones list. We found that most customers choose metallophones with an average price of $147.58.
The metallophones are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of metallophones, including Stagg, Sonor, Nazar Drums, SUZUKI, Angel. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
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.