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The best mechanical metronomes will help strengthen the timing in your musical performances, while at the same time looking really stylish when you set it down to practice. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the best options available for you on the market.
Quick answer:
We consider the Cantus Mechanical Metronome and Yamaha Mechanical Metronome to be to two best and safest options that you can order online. Both are very capable and versatile, with Yamaha having a slight edge in style and being from a reputable brand.
Table of Contents
- About Our Top Choices
- The Top 5 Best Mechanical Metronomes
- Mechanical Metronomes Reviews
- The Buying Guide
- FAQs
About Our Top Choices
Cantus Mechanical Metronome
See price @ Amazon
The Cantus Mechanical Metronome is a great choice for someone who is looking for a very capable and versatile metronome with a stylish design and long-lasting spring. This metronome is especially useful for someone who doesn’t move around a lot and practices at home most of the time.
Pros
- Affordable
- Popular
- Stylish
Cons
- Rather bulky
Yamaha Mechanical Metronome
See price @ Amazon
The Yamaha Mechanical Metronome comes from a very trusted name brand with a great design. It’s really lightweight due to being made from plastic and also has very extensive beat count adjustment, which is rather hard to find even amongst more expensive alternatives.
Pros
- Stylish
- Simple
- Intuitive
Cons
- Rather light
Top 5 Best Mechanical Metronomes
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Cantus Mechanical Metronome
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Yamaha Mechanical Metronome
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Wittner 836 Taktell Piccolo Metronome
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Tempi Metronome for Musicians
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Wittner Metronome 801M
Best Mechanical Metronomes Reviews
Cantus Mechanical Metronome
Pros
- Affordable
- Popular
- Stylish
Cons
- Rather bulky
See price @ Amazon
The Cantus Mechanical Metronome is a very versatile and easy-to-use tool that gives you variable rhythm counts, a long-lasting spring, and a very low price. This makes it one of the most popular mechanical metronomes among seasoned professionals and music enthusiasts.
Best features and specs
The Cantus Mechanical Metronome is a pyramid-shaped metronome that comes in different colors, and is significantly affordable. It has a very distinctive click and bell ring so that you can easily maintain the rhythm. Also, it can run for about 18 minutes, which is good for longer practices and rehearsals.
User impressions
Users say that the Cantus Mechanical Metronome is a stylish and accurate metronome that sounds a bit louder than expected, though it is perfect for group practicing or louder instruments. Also, it’s really easy to wind and adjust it.
What we think
The Cantus Mechanical Metronome is definitely one of the best mechanical metronomes you can find on the market, but if you don’t intend to stay stationary for long periods, using this metronome could provide a challenge. It is rather bulky, and moving it around is a task in itself.
Bottomline
The Cantus Mechanical Metronome is a great choice for someone who is looking for a very capable and versatile metronome with a stylish design and long-lasting spring. This metronome is especially useful for someone who doesn’t move around a lot and practices at home most of the time.
Yamaha Mechanical Metronome
Pros
- Stylish
- Simple
- Intuitive
Cons
- Rather light
See price @ Amazon
The Yamaha Mechanical Metronome comes from a very trusted name brand with a great design. It’s really lightweight due to being made from plastic and also has very extensive beat count adjustment, which is rather hard to find even amongst more expensive alternatives.
Best features and specs
The Yamaha Mechanical Metronome is made by a well-known manufacturer and features a minimalistic pyramid design and plastic body. Also, it’s lightweight, easy to clean, and comes in different colors.
User impressions
Users like the Yamaha Mechanical Metronome because it looks great and does its job just fine. Also, the metronome is accompanied by a set of very straightforward instructions on how to take care of it. However, users wish that for having such a price tag, this metronome would have a few rubber circles on the bottom so that it wouldn’t slide around.
What we think
The Yamaha Mechanical Metronome could easily be even better if it was made of solid wood. There is no doubt that it is very carefully crafted, but the material itself makes you wonder how durable this metronome is and for how long it will last.
Bottomline
The Yamaha Mechanical Metronome is a great choice for someone who is looking for a very lightweight and stylish metronome that will fit perfectly in spaces with modern and minimalistic aesthetics. It is also rather reasonably priced, but the durability might be a concern.
Wittner 836 Taktell Piccolo Metronome
Pros
- Compact
- Intuitive
- Stylish
Cons
- Doesn’t have a bell
See price @ Amazon
The Wittner 836 Taktell Piccolo Metronome is an extremely compact and highly portable tool with good built quality and, as a result, very competitive reliability. It also has a fresh and interesting design that takes a modern approach to a vintage gadget.
Best features and specs
The Wittner 836 Taktell Piccolo Metronome is produced by a very respected manufacturer that is located in Germany. That fact alone says a lot about its build quality, reliability, and longevity. This metronome features a compact black plastic housing and pendulum rod that is made from metal.
User impressions
Users say that the Wittner 836 Taktell Piccolo Metronome has a perfect size, sounds very pleasantly, and has superior build quality. Also, it’s really easy to use, despite the fact that it doesn’t have a bell.
What we think
It is rumored that the Wittner 836 Taktell Piccolo Metronome can last forever and maintain perfect count if maintained properly. Clean and oil up the inner mechanism, and this tool could become a family heirloom that stays in the family for generations.
Bottomline
The Wittner 836 Taktell Piccolo Metronome is a great choice for someone who is looking for a very compact and easily portable metronome with exceptional built quality. The only downside is that it doesn’t have a bell which means you’ll have to count the bars by yourself.
Tempi Metronome for Musicians
Pros
- Accurate
- Stylish
- Easy-to-adjust
Cons
- Plastic
See price @ Amazon
The Tempi Metronome for Musicians is a very accurate and stylish tool that offers you great looks, is very lightweight, and has exceptionally good built quality even though its body is made entirely of plastic. It is reasonably priced and is known for its remarkable durability.
Best features and specs
The Tempi Metronome for Musicians is a very good-looking, intuitive-to-use metronome that has a sturdy build quality, and on average, it can play for about 20 minutes. It has a 40-208 bpm range and has an easily adjustable 0/2/3/4/6 beat bell.
User impressions
Users like the Tempi Metronome for Musicians because it looks wonderful, easily fits in every interior, and it’s of excellent build quality. Also, users are in favor of it being affordable and doing its job at the highest level.
What we think
The built materials of the Tempi Metronome for Musicians might concern you at first. The metronome is remarkably durable, and all the insides are made of high-quality metal, which, alongside with craftsmanship, this metronome is extremely accurate and is able to stay that way for years and years to come.
Bottomline
The Tempi Metronome for Musicians is a great choice for someone who is looking for a very stylish and lightweight metronome for piano lessons and home practicing that will look great in any interior and will maintain its usability for a very long time.
Wittner Metronome 801M
Pros
- Stylish
- Highly accurate
- Nice-sounding
Cons
- Doesn’t have a bell
See price @ Amazon
The Wittner Metronome 801M is an extremely stylish metronome that gives you very high accuracy and a surprisingly pleasant click sound. It is not even remotely a cheap metronome, but the price is totally justified by its exceptional design, superior built quality, and longevity.
Best features and specs
The Wittner Metronome 801M is a stylish metronome that is pyramid-shaped and is made from wood painted in mahogany color. It has a solid build quality, is nice to touch and look at, and has a matte finish. Also, it comes from a trusted manufacturer and is produced in Germany.
User impressions
Users agree that the Wittner Metronome 801M is stylish indeed, does its job remarkably well, and is a good value for money. Some users advise gluing a few rubber circles on the bottom of the metronome so that it wouldn’t slide. And to grab the metronome by the top, you should glue some cloth because it may slide from your hand.
What we think
At first glance, the Wittner Metronome 801M might feel too expensive, but then you realize what you’re paying for. Although it isn’t made of wood, it certainly looks that way, and the clock sound is simply mesmerizing. It doesn’t just simply do its job. It makes you feel good about yourself in the process.
Bottomline
The Wittner Metronome 801M is a great choice for someone who is looking for an exquisite tool with the looks and feel of vintage and classic metronome but with modern usability and precision. Although the price is something to consider, this metronome is a must for someone who enjoys how things feel.
Mechanical Metronomes Buying Guide
What is a mechanical metronome?
A mechanical metronome it’s a gadget that generates a sound (most of the time an audible click) repeated in a regular duration per minute.
Why would you need a mechanical metronome?
Because playing with a mechanical metronome can improve a natural sense of timing and help to synchronize with other musicians that you’re playing with. Also, playing with a metronome is beneficial to observe the progress you’re making while getting used to playing at a faster tempo. On top of that, it doesn’t disturb you from playing.
Important features
When choosing a mechanical metronome, keep in mind the following features such as tick sound and design.
Tick sound
While most of the mechanical metronomes sound pretty similar, some of them have a bell, which eases the recognition of the downbeat of each bar. While considering buying one, you should check whether you’re happy with the sound the metronome is producing and whether you’re annoyed by it or not.
Design
One should choose in accordance with one’s preferences and the overall studio design. Those metronomes, which are made from different kinds of wood, look luxurious, but they can have an expensive price tag.
How to choose the right one for you?
When you are choosing the best mechanical metronomes, you should choose one that comes along with your budget that sounds good.
FAQs:
How long do mechanical metronomes last?
Mechanical metronomes can last a very long time if you take care of them. They are powered by a coiled spring made from metal, and if it gets extremely heated, it will expand, and the longevity of the metronome will be shorter.
How do metronomes keep going?
You wind the spring inside of the metronome, and as long as there is tension, it keeps going. Kind of like how mechanical clocks work.
How accurate are metronomes?
They are pretty accurate. Also, there is an easy method to check whether the metronome is accurate or not. For that, you need to count the metronome beats for a set period of time. The first beat would be 0, not 1. If the error of the results is less than 1%, the metronome is very accurate.
