What’s the difference between purchasing an individual course and signing up for a Planet Handpan Premium membership?

When you purchase an individual course, you'll have lifetime access to that specific course. With a Planet Handpan Premium membership, you'll gain access to the entire catalog, including the Learning Lab, Rhythm Vault, and Groove Engine, for a monthly or annual fee. If you cancel your subscription, you will lose access to all content.

Does the purchase of a Learning Lab course include access to the corresponding Rhythm Vault and Groove Engine pack?

No, the Rhythm Vault and Groove Engine packs are sold separately. However, if you subscribe to a Premium plan, you will have full access to all Planet Handpan content.

Does my handpan need to be in a specific key?

No, the material is designed to work with any key or design of handpan. All exercises, grooves, and songs are pattern-based rather than pitch-specific, and you can use the transpose function in the Groove Engine to match your instrument.

Are your courses suitable for all skill levels?

Yes, the courses are designed for all skill levels, including beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. There is a wide range of content to support different learning needs.

What do I get when I enroll in a course?

When you purchase a course, you receive lifetime access to all course videos and a downloadable guidebook containing notation for the content.

What do I get with a Planet Handpan membership?

With a membership, you get access to all courses, future releases, all Rhythm Vault packs, the complete Groove Engine library, and the Basecamp community.

What if I’m not satisfied with a course?

If you are not satisfied with a course, you can request a full refund within 5 days of purchase by emailing support@planethandpan.com. No questions will be asked.

The Best Handpans for Every Budget.

Mark D'Ambrosio
May 14, 2023
5 min read

It’s no secret that the handpan isn’t exactly the most affordable instrument, however, with more and more handpan builders entering the market, affordable options are becoming increasingly common.

If you are looking for your first handpan and on a budget, then this is the article for you. Today, we’ll walk you through all the options to scratch your handpan itch at every budget level, from $0 to $5,000+ in our list of the best handpans for every budget!

Budget: $0 - Yishama Pantam App

If your handpan dreams are still a long way off financially, there is still an entirely free way to start exploring. Available for both mobile devices and browser, the Yishama Pantam app is a fantastic virtual tool packed with high-quality sample sounds. It allows you to build custom virtual handpans, design entirely new scales, and even record and play back your own ideas. While a touch screen app isn't really meant for live performance, it is a brilliant way to familiarize yourself with the tone circle, explore new layouts, and test out ideas.

Budget: $125 - Cinematique Instruments Pandrum

Rounding off our digital options is the newly updated Pandrum 2 virtual instrument from Cinematique Instruments. Now packed with deep samples from 8 high-end acoustic handpans, 3 tongue drums, and 5 auxiliary instruments like steel drums and Indonesian bonangs, this VST puts a massive sonic library right at your fingertips. It features 20 authentic scale modes, 11 texturally rich layer instruments, and a completely redesigned tone-shaping engine filled with filters, saturation, and atmospheric reverbs. If you are a composer or music producer looking to integrate realistic acoustic textures into your DAW, Pandrum 2 delivers incredible versatility and allows you to craft soundscapes that are physically impossible on a traditional instrument.

Budget: $600 | Orion Drum / EOX

While not technically a handpan, the first physical instrument on our list is the phenomenal Orion Drum (also known as the EOX). Handcrafted in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and championed by world-renowned percussionist Nadishana, this is arguably the best steel tongue drum available in this price tier. Because each tongue features carefully tuned overtones, the Orion delivers a rich, hypnotic, and full-bodied resonance that rivals much more expensive instruments. With highly customizable options including unique finishes, custom scale layouts, and even internal pickups, it is an incredible tool for unlocking your musical creativity.

Budget: $1,100 | Sarana D Kurd 8

Stepping into the realm of real-deal handpans, the Sarana D Kurd 8 is undeniably the crown jewel of our marketplace for new players. You simply will not find a better value for the price anywhere else. Crafted from 1.2mm stainless steel, this handpan delivers a punchy, highly resonant tone with incredible sustain, in an elegant gold-bronze, hand-hammered finish. One of its greatest advantages is its compact 50cm diameter. This smaller footprint makes it exceptionally comfortable in the lap, serving as an ideal choice for women, younger players, and anyone who might struggle to reach across a larger, bulkier instrument. It also makes travel a breeze since it easily fits right into an airplane overhead compartment in its included free backpack-style soft case.

Beyond the physical build, the D Kurd 8 is widely considered the absolute best scale for handpan beginners. To make your learning curve as smooth as possible, the majority of the educational material inside the Planet Handpan Academy is designed specifically for this exact layout. Because we personally guarantee the quality of every single handpan we sell, you can have total peace of mind knowing you are getting a top-tier, fully vetted instrument perfectly tailored to support your musical journey from day one.

Budget: $1,400 | Sarana Pygmy 8 (C# or F2)

Stepping up to the $1,400 tier unlocks two of the most atmospheric instruments in our marketplace: the Sarana C# Pygmy 8 and the Sarana F2 Pygmy 8. Both of these handpans are crafted from 1.2mm stainless steel, delivering a punchy, powerful attack alongside natural warmth and a rich, lingering sustain. While they share a stunning gold-bronze color, the choice comes down to your preferred finish and sonic profile. For a crisp, clear, and dreamy atmosphere, the C# Pygmy features a higher, melodic voice that beautifully retains the scale's signature introspective mood. Alternatively, if you want an ultra-low, bass-heavy foundation where you can literally feel the physical vibration, the F2 Pygmy delivers a massive sound, complete with a custom port plug for a tuned Helmholtz effect. Whichever frequency you choose, both options provide the ultimate value for anyone looking to begin their handpan journey with a premium, fully-vetted instrument without breaking the bank.

Budget: $2,000 - $3,000 | Sarana Extended Series (D Kurd 17 & F2 Pygmy 17)

If you are ready to completely transcend the boundaries of a standard instrument, this tier introduces our elite Sarana Extended Series. Crafted from 1.2mm steel, these handpans offer a naturally warm tone, punchy resonance, and an incredibly long sustain, all visually matched by a stunning hand-hammered gold-bronze finish.

By expanding the soundscape to 17 notes, these handpans unlock a massive array of new melodic and harmonic possibilities. For those chasing deep, resonant frequencies, the F2 Pygmy 17 delivers an ultra-low, bass-heavy layout. It features a custom port plug for a tuned Helmholtz and utilizes eight strategically placed notes on the bottom shell, allowing you to physically feel the vibration while drastically broadening your compositional versatility.

Alternatively, you can take your playing to the next level with the D Kurd 17. This powerhouse features the exact custom layout used by professional player Mark D'Ambrosio for his performances and recordings. It provides a massive sonic canvas by adding two "mutant" notes (high C and D) to the top shell for soaring, fast-paced melodies, alongside a series of bottom notes (including a low Bb and C) that unlock rich, lush chord progressions and a grounded bass presence.

Complete with a convenient soft bag for travel, these expanded instruments represent the ultimate value for anyone looking to add a truly limitless, professional-grade piece to their collection.

Budget: $3,000+ | Custom Built Handpan

If your budget stretches into the $3,000+ range, the entire handpan world opens up to you. At this price point, you have the option to reach out directly to an artisan builder and commission a fully customized instrument. You can hand-pick the exact scale, add extra notes to the top or bottom shells, and design a complex personally tailored layout.

However, for a brand new player, this route comes with some hurdles. Designing a custom instrument requires you to know exactly what you want. If you are just starting your musical journey, you likely have not developed those specific tastes yet. Furthermore, collaborating on a custom build is a highly involved process that often comes with a steep premium. The waiting list for a reputable maker can sometimes stretch out for nearly a year or more. Commissioning a custom instrument can be a rewarding experience but just make sure you know what you are getting in to before going this direction.

$5,000+ | Yishama Pantam

We reach the apex of our list with Israel-based handpan maker, Yishama. Considered by many to be the pinnacle of handpan building, Yishama boasts some of the most diverse and exquisitely built instruments available today. Not only does Yishama produce one of the most sonorous and rich-sounding instruments you can obtain, but moreover their true specialty lies in the mastery of their unique and groundbreaking designs. Whether it’s super mutant 22 note instruments, or ultra-low scales Yishama has done it all. While the Yishama is unarguably a beautiful work of art their creations will set you back quite a pretty penny, so if budget is out of the question definitely look into this top-shelf maker.

Looking to buy your first handpan? We've got you covered! Planet Handpan partners with the world's best handpan makers to get you an instrument you're sure to love. Every builder, every sound model, and every instrument is individually selected by us to guarantee you end up with a handpan that is truly the best of the best.

Head to the Planet Handpan marketplace to browse handpans from around the globe.