🥁 Tongue Drum vs Handpan – What’s the Difference?

If you’ve ever wondered about the difference between a Tongue Drum and a Handpan, you’re not alone.

At first glance, they look similar: both are round, steel instruments played by hand. But once you hear them — or play them — you’ll discover that they are completely different in sound, feel, and expression.

Let’s break it down.

🔹 Sound and Structure

Tongue Drums are made by cutting “tongues” into a steel shell. Each tongue acts as a separate note and vibrates when struck. The result is a soft, meditative, mellow tone.

Handpans are formed by hammering special indentations (called “tonefields”) into the metal. There are no cuts — just carefully shaped dimples that ring when played. This gives the handpan its rich, resonant, metallic sound with complex overtones.

🎸 Think of it this way:
Tongue Drum is to Handpan what the ukulele is to the guitar. They share techniques — but sound worlds apart.

📏 Size and Price

Tongue Drums

• Usually smaller in size
• More affordable — prices start around $100
• Made from thicker steel
• Can be played with hands or mallets
• Perfect for beginners and kids
• Simple, meditative sound ideal for relaxation

Handpans

• Typically larger (from 21 inches / 53 cm)
• More expensive — good ones start at $1,000+
• Made from thin stainless steel (1 mm)
• Requires advanced hammering and tuning
• Offers greater range of expression
• Played with fingers using refined techniques

🎶 Playing Style and Use

Tongue Drums are fantastic for:

• New Age, Ambient, and Folk music
• Meditation and mindfulness
• Personal expression and creativity
• Gentle, soothing melodies
• Music therapy and stress relief

Handpans are often used for:

• Emotional, cinematic compositions
• Ethnic and world music
• Sound healing and spiritual practice
• Live performances and jam sessions
• Covering songs and building complex musical ideas

💡 Which One Should You Choose?

If you're a beginner, want a more affordable entry point, or just want something relaxing and easy to play, a Tongue Drum is a perfect place to start. You can create beautiful, calming music in minutes — no prior skill needed.

If you’re ready to dive into a deeper, more expressive instrument — and you're okay with the higher cost — then a Handpan can open up a whole world of sound and musical emotion.

🔊 NovaDrum’s Recommendation

Thanks to years of experiments and development, our Nova 48 model is the closest Tongue Drum to a Handpan in sound. With powerful resonance and wide-scale options, it’s ideal for those who want more volume, depth, and expressiveness — without the cost of a full handpan.

Want a true Handpan?
We’ve got you covered. Our workshop crafts custom Handpans from high-quality stainless steel, just like the most renowned makers in the world. You choose the scale and number of notes — and we’ll make an instrument just for you.

🎵 Made by hand. Tuned by ear. Designed for your soul.

🙌 Final Thoughts

Both instruments are beautiful in their own right. Whether you want to relax after a long day or dive into complex musical performance, there’s a drum for you.

👉 Have questions? Contact us here or check out our all NovaDrum products.