Written by Ambre Montespan - Updated on May 10, 2026
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Thinking about buying a handpan soon? Wondering where you can find your future percussion instrument? Are all options created equal? Whatâs the best place to buy a high-quality hang drum?
Iâve been playing the handpan for over 10 years, and Iâve purchased many instruments from different suppliers and makers. So Iâm going to share my experience here to help you make the best possible choice.
While specialized websites have become the go-to option for buying a handpan, you can also find them on general marketplaces, in some music stores, and on the second-hand market.
By taking the time to read this article, youâll have all the information you need to buy a handpan from:
- A specialized website
- A generalist website
- A brick-and-mortar music store
- A private seller for a second-hand model
With this knowledge in hand, youâll be able to weigh every option and confidently choose the hang thatâs right for you.
Now let's take a look at the most interesting solution: specialized websites.
Is it worth buying a handpan from a specialized website?
Until a few years ago, the only way to get a handpan was to contact a maker directly and hope you could convince them to build one for you. It often took months because waiting lists were packed. PANArtâthe company that invented and created the Hang between 1999 and 2000âused to ask potential customers to write a motivation letter and then selected the best candidates. As a result, buying a handpan back then was genuinely complicated and time-consuming.
Today, things have changed considerably. The handpan market has expanded and become more organized. With the rise of e-commerce, access to handpans has loosened dramatically, to the point where nearly every maker and supplier now runs an online store to sell their instruments. Thatâs why this option deserves a closer look.
Websites that specialize fully or partially in handpans are now the best option available. First, youâll be dealing with real experts who can guide you toward the instrument that truly fits you. Youâll be able to get useful information about the frequency, scale, number of notes, and even the material the handpan is made from. All of these factors have a major impact on the final tone and the vibrations the instrument produces. Read this article explaining how to choose your handpan for more details.
On top of expert guidance, a specialist website will offer a wide selection of instruments. Whether youâre looking for models with 6 to 17 notes, or even more, handpans in shimmering colors and beautiful designs, or instruments tuned to 432 or 440 hertz, youâll normally have plenty of options. Whatâs more, reputable stores always offer a 14-day trial period so you can test the handpan and see if itâs right for you. This is known as the right of withdrawal. If it doesnât suit you, you can send it back for an exchange or a refund. This is a huge advantage because you typically donât get that kind of guarantee in physical stores. Once you leave the shop, returning it usually isnât an option. You wouldnât believe how many beginner musicians go home with a handpan bought in the heat of the moment and regret it later, after being pushed by a salesperson eager to close the deal.
Finally, and most importantly, always make sure you check the legal notices. This page, which must be accessible from any page of an online store, is usually located at the bottom of the site. It must contain essential information such as the company name, address, registration number, VAT number (for sales within the European Union), and the name of the person responsible for publication. These elements are required by law, and their absence may indicate that the site owner is trying to avoid being identified or contacted if thereâs a problem, which is a bad sign. Thatâs why it matters to see the first and last name of the person who manages the publications, not just the company name. If these legal notices are missing or incomplete, itâs strongly recommended not to go through with the purchase, even if the offer looks very attractive. You could end up never receiving your instrument, and you wonât be able to take action against the site owners. Also take the time to read online reviews.
Is it possible to buy a Hang drum on a generalist website?
Generalist websites, as the name suggests, sell a little bit of everything. So, along with your handpan, you could just as easily buy a book, a coffee table, or even a video game. Itâs worth noting that while prices may look slightly better because instruments are purchased in bulk, quality and guidance are basically non-existent. This is still a major purchase, as the price of a quality handpan typically falls around $1,000 to $2,000. So as you can imagine, itâs not an option I recommend. If you run into any issues, customer service reps will never be able to help you as precisely as a handpan-focused specialist.
Is buying an instrument from a physical music store a good idea?
The main advantage of visiting a store is that you can try the instrument right away and sometimes even leave with it a few minutes later. The challenge is that the handpan is still a relatively exotic, lesser-known instrument compared to classic guitars, pianos, and drums, so few stores carry them. It should also be noted that instruments in this type of store are generally more expensive for the same level of quality than on the internet. This is because physical stores have to rent premises, pay higher property taxes, and have special insurance for direct sales. All these costs, which do not apply to online stores, are inevitably reflected in the final price of the handpan.
Furthermore, if youâre lucky enough to come across handpans, the selection is likely to be very limited. With such a significant investment, it would be a shame to limit yourself to the one thatâs immediately available, only to discover that its number of notes, frequency, scale, or material doesnât really match what youâre looking for. Take your time to think it over, even if the salesperson assures you that youâll love the instrument. Once you leave the store, you wonât be able to test the handpan for 14 days as you would with an online purchaseâthe instrument will be yours for good.
Is it risky to buy a used handpan from a private individual?
The second-hand market can be very tempting because prices are inevitably lower than those of new handpans. However, itâs important to be extremely vigilant. For one thing, since itâs a fairly expensive item, there are plenty of scammers on platforms such as eBay or in Facebook groups. Also, even if the seller is honest, a poorly maintained handpan can go out of tuneâsomething you canât see with the naked eye and that can be hard for a beginner to spot.
Thatâs why I always recommend that beginners avoid the second-hand market and save a little longer so they can benefit from the guarantees that come with a new instrument. For more details, read my article that tackles this question head-on: new or second-hand handpan? Youâll then know whether buying used makes sense for you.
Buy your handpan from a reputable retailer
With so many options out there, buying a handpan can sometimes feel like a real journey. Between specialized websites, general marketplaces, brick-and-mortar stores, and the second-hand market, itâs safe to say the choice is huge. However, thanks to the information youâve just read, you now know which opportunity is the smartest.
That said, finding a trustworthy retailer to invest in a quality handpan isnât always easy. Many shops sell low-end instruments, or they charge outrageous prices for these flying saucer-shaped sound instruments. Thatâs why I usually recommend the specialist store Instruments du Monde, which offers the perfect balance between competitive pricing and sound quality. And thatâs exactly the case with this superb blue-toned handpan, which is as beautiful as it is harmonically rich.
Fall in love with this excellent handpan by clicking on the image below:
Now that you know where to get a quality instrument, itâs time to learn how to play it. Thatâs why Iâve written a comprehensive article on all the ways you can take handpan lessons. Whether online, in person, or through videos alone, youâre sure to find what youâre looking for.
