Finding the best harmonica to add to your music collection can be tough. There are so many different types of harmonicas in different keys, it can be hard to choose just one, especially for beginners and kids.
Don’t worry though. We are here to help. Harmonicas are a fun instrument that you can take anywhere. They fit in your pocket and are easy to learn. Best of all, you can play a harmonica while playing a guitar. This is a lot of fun because it’s like soloing over your own rhythm section– no extra effects needed! A few things you should look at when buying a harmonica is the key, number of holes, and number of tones. We’ll look at each of these in this review.
Let’s compare the best blues harp and review the pros and cons of each, so you can find the right one for your style.
Compare the Top Harmonicas in 2020
Contents
- 1 Compare the Top Harmonicas in 2020
- 1.1 Fender Blues Beginner Harmonica – Key of C
- 1.2 Hohner Harmonica Starter Pack – Keys of G, C, A
- 1.3 Anwenk Chromatic Harmonica – Key of C
- 1.4 Hohner Marine Band Harmonica – Key of G
- 1.5 Lee Oskar Harmonica for Students
- 1.6 Swan 10 Hole Mini Harmonica for Beginners
- 1.7 I-MART Diatonic 10-Hole Blues Harmonica – Key of C
- 1.8 Everjoys Diatonic Harmonica 10 Hole Blues Harp
- 1.9 Mippy Harmonica for Kids
- 1.10 Anwenk Harmonica for Beginners
- 2 What We Recommend and Why?
Here’s a list of the best harmonics for beginners that sound great and make great additions to your musical instrument collection.
- Fender Blues Beginner Harmonica
- Hohner Harmonica Starter Pack
- Anwenk Chromatic Harmonica
- Hohner Marine Band Harmonica
- Lee Oskar Harmonica for Students
- Swan 10 Hole Mini Harmonica
- I-MART Diatonic Blues Harmonica
- Everjoys Diatonic Harmonica
- Mippy Harmonica for Kids
- Anwenk Harmonica for Beginners
Fender Blues Beginner Harmonica – Key of C
Specs, features, and benefits
Fender Montecito Deluxe Harmonica is one of the most versatile harmonicas you can find out there. It’s suitable for everyone – both casual and serious players.
What makes this harmonica comfortable to hold for long periods of time are its traditional shape and metal covers, which are chromed. This is what makes this instrument so easy to play.
It’s made with molded PVC comb and brass reeds (which are replaceable by the way), giving it that classic tone and pitch. One of the benefits one should mention when talking about this harmonica is that it comes with a vented hard plastic case.
Pros and Highlights
- It comes with a blister card package
- It can be dried after playing – its protective vented plastic case makes sure of that
- It has great tuning stability and is good for bright sound – this feature is here thanks to the moisture-resistant ABS plastic combs
Cons and Potential Flaws
- It can take a lot of air to play it – this can make some notes very hard to pull off, especially if you’re just starting out
Bottom line
When we take everything into consideration, Fender Blues Deluxe Harmonica is a good all-around instrument for more experienced players, as well as for the newcomers. The C type is the perfect choice for someone who is just entering these waters. All in all, if you choose this guy, you won’t regret it!
Hohner Harmonica Starter Pack – Keys of G, C, A
Specs, features, and benefits
Hohner is a very well-known harmonica brand, and for a reason. This Special 20 Harmonica 3 piece has everything that is expected when it comes to this brand – it has German level quality and craftsmanship, and can be used as a professional instrument.
These guys have a molded plastic body covered with stainless steel. Let’s not also forget to mention that this set is made with brass reeds.
If you haven’t decided yet which Key is best for you, then this pack will come in quite handy for you. In one pack you will get the three harps in the keys of C, G and A.
Pros and Highlights
- Covers made of chromed steel plates – no rust will catch this stainless-steel harmonica
- Great volume level – the note clarity is amazingly crisp on these 3 harmonicas
- No air leakage from the harmonicas
Cons and Potential Flaws
- It has room for improvement – even though it’s considered one of the best harmonicas out there, you will still hear the difference between it and more expensive and professional ones
Bottom line
If you’re looking for a good investment for your next harmonica, look no further than the Hohner Special 20! This package that comes with three keys will satisfy almost everyone – they sound good, they are easy to use and very durable. No wonder this set is a fan-favorite!
Anwenk Chromatic Harmonica – Key of C
Specs, features, and benefits
The so-called harmonica with “Black Keys”! This harmonica can play half notes just like the piano black keys!
This Chromatic Harmonica is 10 hole 40 tones (4 tones per hole) allowing you to play all kinds of music you could think of. Even though it keeps its simplicity, don’t let that fool you, it’s very capable of producing more complex songs while keeping its clear sound.
Excellent air tightness minimizes moisture absorption to make every sound as loud and clear as possible. Combine stainless steel for cover, phosphor bronze for reeds and a copper plate – and you’ve got a winning combination!
Pros and Highlights
- Good craftsmanship helps it stand out – the Round hole surface helps create more stable and pure sounds.
- Easy to use – when you press the button on the right, you’ll get half notes like on the piano. It’s very easy to slide across holes to produce clear sound
- Plastic case and cleaning cloth are included in the package
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Dependence on the switch button – although the button is very handy, it can be very tricky to fix it if you get it stuck, damaged or broken
Bottom line
This Anwenk Harmonica Chromatic Harmonica has very high-quality sound. The harp is very stable and doesn’t require much effort to play it, unlike some of its competitors. It has an elegant and beautiful tone to it, which all beginners and professionals appreciate. This is why this harmonica is one of their top choices.
Hohner Marine Band Harmonica – Key of G
Specs, features, and benefits
If you were to ask a friend who is into music which harmonica would he recommend to you, he would probably say the Hohner Marine Band Harmonica. It really is one of the most-known harmonicas out there and for a reason.
This guy is known for his full tone and wood comb. It has 20 reeds with 0.9mm brass reed plates and includes a protective case where you can stash it.
The body is made of pear wood, giving it a nice traditional classy look.
Pros and Highlights
- Relevance and tradition – this harmonica has been seen used by music legends like John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen, so naturally, people who want to be like them buy this harmonica all the time
- Extremely precise tools – they minimize air loss and ensure bigger volume
- Good for all genres of music
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Hard to disassemble – it’s not made from screws but from nails, so if you ever need to reassemble this harmonica, you’re out of luck.
Bottom line
This harmonica was there when blues was born and it’s here now. Known for its German craftsmanship and professional sound it produces, it’s still a bestseller. This harmonica has set the standard and kept it there for generations to come. If you pick up this harmonica, you will feel like an aspiring musician that will make it to the hall of fame along with the rest of the people who use this harmonica!
Lee Oskar Harmonica for Students
Specs, features, and benefits
One of the Blues and Rock musicians’ favorite harmonicas! Why? Well, one major thing that makes this harmonica so good is how easy it is to play. It has very large holes which makes it easier to play than most harmonicas.
It produces loud sound because of its responsive reeds (which are replaceable) and airtight design. All of these things are to be expected when we talk about the Lee Oskar brand of harmonicas.
Pros and Highlights
- Good tone and playability
- One of the most beginner-friendly harmonicas out there
- Feels great in hands – once you hold its covers you will notice how comfortable it is and how safe it feels in your hands
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Switching to Lee Oskar from another brand can be tricky, and vice-versa – your technique will need to adapt to this brand. For example, bending here takes a little more effort.
Bottom line
If you’re into playing Blues, Rock, Jazz or Country music, why not pick up one of the most sought out harmonicas for these genres? It is made out of quality materials, with precise construction and design, and boy does it sound great! If you pick this one up, we’re certain that you will see just why Lee Oscar harmonicas are considered the best in the world!
Swan 10 Hole Mini Harmonica for Beginners
Specs, features, and benefits
The perfect 10 hole and 20 tones harmonica for beginners!
The Swan 10 is known for having exquisite appearance because it’s made from high-grade materials – copper reed plate with stainless steel cover plate. This makes it durable and solid.
The sound is just amazing. This harmonica emits very rich and pure blue sounds. During manufacturing, each recorder is fine-tuned and tested to ensure the quality of the sound is as good as it can be.
Pros and Highlights
- Packaged in a durable black plastic case – this makes the harmonica easy to carry around and helps protect it from dust or other unwanted particles
- Simple and elegant look – no one will be left cold-hearted with the Swan logo printed on both sides of the harmonica
- Small and easy to hold – it’s made so it’s easy to use for beginners and to easily fit in your pocket so you can carry it around
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Difficult to clean – Swan harmonicas can only be cleaned by clean cloth or a paper towel if needed to.
Bottom line
One of the best choices out there if you are looking for a professional looking harmonica which is very beginner-friendly. It looks very attractive since it’s covered in stainless steel plates and sounds even more attractive. Let’s keep in mind that all of these harmonicas are carefully tested so they produce the richest and purest sounds.
I-MART Diatonic 10-Hole Blues Harmonica – Key of C
Specs, features, and benefits
The I-MART Diatonic is a very high-quality harmonica. It has very noticeable craftsmanship detailed with nice black color, to please those who are looking for a harmonica that doesn’t look like all the others. Good news is that there are also other colors available if you don’t really fancy black that much.
Its body is smooth to ensure fast playing and this harmonica is one of the ones which professionals often use. But, don’t let that convince you that this guy is only reserved for pros, it’s also very good for beginners as well!
Pros and Highlights
- Very comfortable size and it’s easy to use even for longer gigs
- Very high quality and loud sound
- Elegant design suitable for anyone who is looking to stand out with their harmonica
- Comes with a clear instruction manual which is very useful for beginners
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Takes a little more breath out of you to play it than other similar harmonicas
Bottom line
When we take everything into consideration, we see that the I-MART Diatonic 10 Hole Key of C Blues Harmonica is a good all-around choice. It shouldn’t be your first pick whether you’re a professional or a beginner, with all the other types available out there, but it still is a valuable option to consider when buying a harmonica.
Everjoys Diatonic Harmonica 10 Hole Blues Harp
Specs, features, and benefits
This handy harmonica is very versatile and easy to use. Whether you like Jazz, Rock, Folk, you name it, this harmonica will do you well!
Its sleek design goes well with perfect tone quality. The harmonica has chrome steel covers.
You’ll be able to reach that higher-level pitch because of the precision-made plastic comb with copper harp reed.
Pros and Highlights
- Unique features like the richeter system really make this harmonica stand out. It’s suitable for Blue, Folk, Rock, Jazz and Country music!
- High-quality material – steel chrome covers and plastic comb with copper harp reed
- Compact size – easy to carry around since it fits into your pocket
- Starter set included – along with the harmonica, you’ll also get a how to play manual, a polishing cloth and a case
Cons and Potential Flaws
- The sound could be better when we compare it to more professional harmonicas
Bottom line
Although it’s not one of the most professional harmonicas and doesn’t deliver crisp and loud sound as some of the more expensive ones. Nonetheless, you will get a bang for your buck with this option, and we can recommend it because of its versatility, beautiful quality design and all the extra equipment that you get with it.
Mippy Harmonica for Kids
Specs, features, and benefits
This harmonica would be a perfect gift for anyone! It’s good for players, no matter the experience, no matter which genre of music they prefer. Everybody can play this harmonica and it can play everything!
It gives off very rich and full notes that sound clear and melodious. And you can take that sound with you wherever you go. This Mippy Harmonica is very conveniently sized so that it fits into your pocket.
Pros and Highlights
- Safe – this harmonica is lib-friendly thanks to its non-toxic food grade plated with nickel metal. It’s also safe for kids to use
- Clean at all times – cover with chrome mirror design, and it also has stainless steel
- Lightweight – you can take it everywhere with you
- Comes with a case and a cleaning cloth
Cons and Potential Flaws
- It takes a lot of air to play all notes smoothly and it’s generally harder to hit all the notes accordingly
Bottom line
An elegantly designed harmonica for everyone. A very small instrument that plays very high-quality sounds. Not to mention that it’s also suitable for minors and is completely safe for kids to use! For anyone who is looking to start learning how to play the harmonica, this would be a perfect choice!
Anwenk Harmonica for Beginners
Specs, features, and benefits
A very popular key of C harmonica with 10 hole 20 tones suitable for Pop, Blues or Folk. It’s a great option for beginners, students or kids since it’s very easy to hold in one hand.
It minimizes moisture absorption to create a perfectly clear sound. The surface is very smooth and the holes are easy to slide across, which means a lot to fresh players.
The design is elegant thanks to the copper reed plate with stainless steel cover plate. It’s designed in a way to help players play chords and melodies in a single key.
Pros and Highlights
- Minimized air leakage which leads to a very rich tone
- Carefully tested and tuned during testing to ensure the sound delivers the best quality it can
- Along with the harmonica, in the package, you get a case and an instruction manual
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Sometimes you have to use more air than you would normally with other harmonicas in this price range
Bottom line
We’re sure that this crispy sounding harmonica won’t leave anyone heartless. If you’re new in the world of playing harmonicas, this Anwenk Harmonica is your ticket to success! It’s a great gift for loved ones, especially younger ones. Not only will they learn how to play an instrument but they’ll also get a high-quality one!
What We Recommend and Why?
Out of all of these top 10 harmonicas, one stands out for us and that is the Hohner Marine Band Harmonica, Key of G. It’s still one of the worlds most recognized harmonicas due to the fact that John Lennon and Bruce Springsteen themselves used it, and who wouldn’t want to be like those guys?
Known for its wood comb and full tone, this harmonica delivers absolutely great sounds! This handmade harmonica is the one which you’ll fall in love from the first “kiss”. It will truly allow you to, like Hohner says, “Enjoy music”.