Last updated: 16/10/2022

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Welcome to our big singing bowl test 2023. Here we present all the singing bowls that we have tested in detail. We have compiled detailed background information and added a summary of customer reviews on the web.

With this we would like to make your purchase decision easier and help you to find the best singing bowl for you.

You will also find answers to frequently asked questions in our guide. If available, we also offer interesting test videos. Furthermore, you will find some important information on this page that you should pay attention to if you want to buy singing bowls.




The most important facts

  • Singing bowls have many positive effects and can be used for meditation or rest rituals.
  • There are many different types of singing bowls, all originating from different countries and regions of the world.
  • The most important thing is that you like the sound of the singing bowl, so you should try it out first.

The best Singing Bowl: Our Picks

Advisor: Questions you should deal with before buying a singing bowl

What is a singing bowl?

Singing bowls are bowls that are usually made of metal and that emit gong-like sounds when they are struck lightly. The tapping causes the bowl to vibrate, which produces the sound.

Singing bowls can help you focus, making them good for mindfulness exercises or meditation. (Image source: unsplash.com / Lesly Juarez).

Singing bowls are often used for ceremonies or relaxation, as the sound attracts attention.

Singing bowls can be placed on specially made cushions or placed on the body before being struck. In some ceremonies they are also held in the hand of the person striking the singing bowl.

Singing bowls are suitable for everyone – they are used with children at school as well as with elderly patients with dementia and have positive effects on all age groups.

How do singing bowls work?

In short, singing bowls have a positive and stimulating effect.

The sound produced by a singing bowl can have a calming and relaxing effect. Furthermore, when struck, the bowl vibrates, which means that singing bowls can also be used for massage.

Furthermore, some people report that the sound and vibration of a singing bowl stimulates their inner energies and improves their mood. According to Peter Hess, the sound and vibration of a singing bowl can put someone into a trance, making it easier to release mental and spiritual blockages.

What are the alternatives to a singing bowl?

You can also listen to the sound of a singing bowl without a bowl – for example, there are CDs, podcasts or YouTube videos with the most varied singing bowl sounds.

Often the tones are combined with a meditation instruction.

Type description
Audio recording recording of the tones from a singing bowl on CD, podcast or Youtube.
Triangle triangular metal and space-saving instrument that produces a “ringing” tone.
Wind organ Hangs outdoors or in an open space and produces a mild sound when a breeze sets it in motion.
Sound chimes Produce a gentle sound when swung.
Sound stick Produces a rain-like sound when turned upside down.

Another option is to use a triangle or wind organ. Chimes are another option.

With chimes you can create a pleasant and gentle sound by gently waving them. Above this, you can also use sound bars to create long-lasting, pleasant tones.

Decision: What types of singing bowls are there and which one is right for you?

What distinguishes a Tibetan singing bowl and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

Singing bowls from Tibet usually have a golden surface and many are decorated with notches. Tibetan singing bowls are said to be the origin of all other types of singing bowls and are mostly made of 7 different metals.

Tibetan singing bowls are considered the “mothers” of all other types of singing bowls.

During manufacture, Tibetan singing bowls are bathed in acids and forged over fire.

Advantages
  • Each singing bowl is unique
  • Robust and beautifully decorated
Disadvantages
  • Usually more expensive than other singing bowls

A subcategory of the Tibetan singing bowls are the Assam singing bowls which are made of silver and brass.

What are the characteristics of a Nepalese singing bowl and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

Singing bowls from Nepal often have a darker colour and versatile decorations, which are made in filigree handwork. The production usually takes several days and is carried out by whole teams of craftsmen.

Advantages
  • Each bowl is unique
  • Robust and filigree decorated
Disadvantages
  • Usually more expensive than other singing bowls

More than ten different metals are usually used in the production of Nepalese singing bowls, which makes them heavier and produces a deeper tone.

What distinguishes an Indian singing bowl and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

Singing bowls from India are mostly made of aluminium, but their colour resembles that of clay. They produce a long-lasting, powerful and somewhat higher tone that can fill an entire room.

Advantages
  • Robust and easy to transport
  • Powerful tone
Disadvantages
  • Not purely handmade

Indian singing bowls are very robust and because the material is very light, you can transport them very easily. In the meantime they are no longer made purely by hand, but machines and technical devices are used.

What are the characteristics of a Chinese singing bowl and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

Singing bowls from China are made of brass. For this purpose, liquid brass is put into a mould, which is turned with a machine. Afterwards they are lacquered with a black colour.

Advantages
  • Good for meditation
  • Heavily decorated
Disadvantages
  • Not purely handmade
  • Not suitable for massage

Chinese singing bowls are often decorated on both sides and produce a very short lasting sound. This makes them not so suitable for massage.

Many use them to mark the beginning and end of a meditation session.

What distinguishes a Japanese singing bowl and what are its advantages and disadvantages?

Singing bowls from Japan react very strongly to touch and are easy to use; you can make them sound with almost any mallet. The sound that Japanese singing bowls produce is bright and clear and lasts rather briefly.

Advantages
  • Very sensitive
  • Easy to use
Disadvantages
  • Not suitable for a sound massage.

Therefore, these singing bowls are rather less suitable for a massage. Unlike the other types of singing bowls, they are often made of rock crystal.

Buying criteria: These are the factors you can use to compare and evaluate singing bowls

In the following we will show you which aspects you can use to decide between the many possible singing bowls.

The criteria you can use to compare the singing bowls with each other include:

  • Sound
  • Dimensions
  • Material
  • Weight
  • Colour
  • In the following paragraphs, we will explain what the individual criteria are.

Sound

The sound of your bowl is probably one of the most important criteria for the purchase. Before buying, you should make sure that you like the sound of the bowl and that it has the right effect on you.

Many online shops provide audio samples so that you can determine from a distance whether you like the sound.

If you prefer to buy your singing bowl in a specialist shop or department stores’, it is certainly possible to try out the sound of the singing bowl on site. It is best to ask the staff in the shop.

Measurements

The dimensions or diameter of your singing bowl is another important criterion, as this has a great influence on the sound of the bowl. Furthermore, before buying a singing bowl, you should think about where you want to store it so that you have enough space for it.

If you like to meditate, a Chinese singing bowl could be a good choice for you. (Image source: unsplash.com / Ksenia Makagonova).

There are both round and oval singing bowls. The shape not only affects the appearance, but also the sound and the shape of the vibrations that are triggered by the singing bowl.

Material

Singing bowls are made from a wide variety of materials, most of which are different types of metal. For example, brass, copper, tin, iron or zinc are often used.

There are many different types of singing bowls, mostly they are categorised according to their origin and the material. (Image source: unsplash.com / C Drying).

The material also has an influence on the cost of a singing bowl, for example, Tibetan bowls covered in gold are usually very expensive.

It is also important to consider the material of the clapper you use to strike your singing bowl. Different materials produce different sound frequencies.

Weight

The weight of different singing bowls varies greatly from bowl to bowl. The weight has a great influence on the tone and the vibrations produced by the singing bowl.

For beginners it is therefore advisable to choose lighter singing bowls, as they are much easier to use. The lighter the singing bowl, the easier it is to hold or move.

Others prefer the bowl to be heavy and stable in the hand. It is best to test how singing bowls of different sizes feel in the hand before buying.

Colour

Singing bowls come in a wide variety of designs and colours. You can adapt the style of your singing bowl to your individual taste.

Colours can intensify the positive and stimulating effect of singing bowls.

Due to the large selection of colours, you can also perfectly match the singing bowls to the colours in your home, so that you have a harmonious interior. Furthermore, you can choose the colour design of the cushion on which the bowl stands and the clapper to match the bowl.

Picture source: flickr.com / captain.orange

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