[2025] The Top 5 Most Recommended Cajóns at Sound House

The cajón is now the most popular percussion instrument and it’s used in a variety of music genres.
The word cajón means “box” in Spanish, and it is said that the origin of the cajón came from slaves in Africa who were taken to Peru started to hit drawers and simple wooden boxes in place of a drum.
The history of cajón is relatively new and it has become a standard instrument in flamenco music since it was first brought to Spain around 1970.

This time I’m going to introduce the 5 most popular cajóns at Sound House, along with a demo on how to play it. These cajóns are especially recommended for those who are starting cajón, so please check them out!

The cajón is an instrument that anyone can easily start because all you have to do is to just hit it in order to make a sound. The instrument also only has two tones. First, hit the area with the ① in the picture with five fingertips to make a bass sound. It should sound with a lower pitch like a bass drum. Next, tap around the ② in the image to make a snapping sound using your fingertips which should produce a higher pitch. Just keep hitting it to the beat of a song using both hands. Now you must be feeling like a musician!

PLAYTECH / PCJ-50 Cajón

The PCJ-50 has always been the most popular cajón for its price. This one uses a type of wires that are also found in most cajóns, and the biggest feature is that these wires can easily be adjusted with the included hex wrench. Being able to change the tension of the wires is a really nice selling point for this low of a price. Since the PCJ-50 uses birch wood, which is the standard wood for this instrument, it has gained popularity from percussionists from a wide variety of genres. It’s cheap, but the size is the same as the standard cajón, so it’s also perfect for full-scale performances. I’m sure you can use a PCJ-50 for a long time.

PLAYTECH / PCJ-20 Travel Cajón

There are various types of cajóns, but this PCJ-20 is a type called a travel cajónwhich can be carried anywhere you want to take it. Its compact size makes it ideal for carrying it in your bag along with your sheet music.
However, the PCJ-20 is made to have the sound of a full size cajón. Zebrawood was used to make the striking surface and birch for the body. There is no doubt that this PLAYTECH cajónis also a great choice for live acoustic performances.
This PCJ-20 can be played on your lap and lets anyone easily enjoy the cajónsound anytime, anywhere.

PLAYTECH / PCJ-70 Cajón

The PCJ-70 is the high-end model out of PLAYTECH’s cajóns, having the greatest luxurious sound and looks thanks to this cajónbeing made out of padouk wood on the striking surface. The wires can be adjusted with a hex wrench, making it a cajónwith high specs that can be used in any situation from street performances to live acoustic performances.

PEARL / Boom Box cajón

This is the very popular Boom Box cajón by the famous percussion instrument manufacturer PEARL!! The inside has the same structure as a speaker cabinet, and its attractive bass enhancement and rich sustain makes it a particularly high-quality cajón.
The striking surface uses red mahogany and fiberglass on the sides. The top has been processed with an anti-slip protective layer, so sitting on it when playing it will give you better stability, which is another great feature. If you have trouble choosing a cajón, this is a gem that I highly recommend!!

PLAYTECH / PCJ-60 Cajón

The PCJ-60 has an excellent design that even blends into the stage creating a chic mood, and adds spice for more aesthetic to live concerts. The wire-type stretched cords can be adjusted with a hex wrench to allow for expanding to a wide range of music genres and full-scale performances. The chic look of blackwood and birch on the striking surface gives this cajón a unique presence. It is the perfect cajón to play at a wedding party, isn’t it?

Well, this time I talked about the most popular cajóns at Sound House! The cajón is an instrument that is easy to start, but it is also a profound instrument. Maybe you can take this opportunity to start enjoying your life with cajón!☆

（2021-12-06 published 2025-02-10 updated）