Best Metronome for Piano in 2023 – Top-10 & Buying Guide

The metronomes are a crucial part of every musician’s practice arsenal since they consistently and steadily provide a beat that will help you grasp time and rhythm. Metronomes, sometimes known as click tracks, are available in mechanical and electronic varieties, and the price depends on the functionality you want.

A great musician develops via practice. Experts agree that it takes at least 10,000 hours of practice over your life to really perfect any talent. Therefore, if you’re serious about improving your playing of any instrument, picking up one of the best metronomes will be beneficial.

A metronome is a necessary tool for rhythm instruction, which is an important component of learning. In order to keep you in time as you practice exercises, scales, arpeggios, and whole compositions, they are made to emit an audible tick at a continuous pace of your choosing, selectable in beats per minute (BPM).

Choosing the Best Metronome for Piano Lessons

Metronomes are small instruments that mark short intervals of time with steady beats.

The first mechanical metronome was constructed by D. N. Winkel in 1812 in Amsterdam, and J. N. Melzel improved it in 1816. The initial design of the pendulum metronome was shown in many films. Metronomes today come in a wide variety of designs and uses.

Since you can now find a huge number of different metronomes in stores, the question arises, how to choose the really best metronome? Let’s take a closer look at the main parameters which you need to consider when choosing a metronome.

• Tempo range -The range of click rates you may dial in often ranges from 30 beats per minute (BPM) to 250 BPM. While mechanical models sometimes only give a selection of preset values at predetermined intervals over the spectrum, digital metronomes allow users to choose precise tempo values. This is consistent with the traditional Italian musical terminology that you would find indicated on a musical sheet (such as andante, allegro, etc.).
• Tap tempo – Some electronic metronomes include this feature, which allows you to set the metronome’s pace by physically touching a button or pad on the front of the gadget. Then, it converts the rate of your taps to the nearest full beats per minute value and keeps ticking at that rate.
• Beat variations – Many digital metronomes may change the ticking sound to show the downbeat of each bar. That’s fantastic if you’re learning music pieces not only in standard 4/4 time, but also 3/4, 12/8, or even 7/4.
• Tick sounds – Every metronome’s ticking sound is literally its beating heart. Does the metronome beep or tick? How loudly and/or annoyingly does it make a sound? Can you modify it? Can you hear it above your instrument’s sound? Some metronomes have at least two tick sound options, and some high-end digital metronomes increase their appeal to traditionalists by including tick sound samples from vintage clockwork metronomes.

Mechanical Vs Electronic

In general, there are 2 types of metronomes – mechanical and digital. Of course, in each of these categories there are a large number of tools of different shapes, colors, and sizes.

Analog or mechanical metronomes do not have additional features (changing beat sounds, beat variations, etc.), unlike digital options. Nevertheless, both of them perfectly perform their function.

The original wooden mechanical metronome in the shape of a pyramid is typically clockwork-operated and has a pendulum with a sliding weight that you can raise and lower to set the tempo. A specific knob on the side of the device may be pulled out to modify the time signature of some versions’ bell, which can be utilized to signal the downbeat.

Since its introduction in the early 1800s, pendulum metronomes have been a common sight in music rooms. They look excellent on top of an acoustic piano. Nowadays, the wooden case is occasionally replaced with a lighter, plastic alternative, which might make the device simpler to carry, but the core idea stays the same.

It is important to highlight one advantage of a mechanical metronome – it provides not only auditory but also visual information. You not only hear the beating but also see the clear movement of the pendulum. This can be very important when playing forte or fortissimo.

Modern electronic metronomes have more features, are battery-powered, and are far more accurate than their earlier mechanical predecessors. Before or after class, they can usually be placed in your instrument case because they are often quite compact.

For guitarists, violinists, or anybody else whose instrument needs a routine tune-up before practice sessions or concerts, some include simple built-in tuners. The most advanced electronic devices are those that resemble smartwatches and provide both auditory clicks or beeps and tactile feedback in the form of pulsating vibrations felt through the wrist.

What are the Benefits of Playing the Piano with a Metronome?

The metronome is a great device to improve your piano practice. The metronome helps develop a sense of rhythm.

This is very important, especially at the beginning stage of learning to play the piano. There is no need to constantly use the metronome. This is a practice tool that will help you become aware of rhythmic sequences so that you can eventually play on time and rhythmically without its help.

The basic objective of practicing with a metronome is to cultivate an inner feeling of pulse. Regular metronome use during piano practice aids in overcoming issues with inconsistent rhythm. The metronome is also useful for learning intricate rhythmic patterns in piano pieces.

What are the other benefits of playing with a metronome?

• Practicing with the metronome will allow you to reach a higher level of skill.
• Using this tool will help you to concentrate on the rhythm, on the correct length of the notes, and playing at the same tempo.
• It’s also a great way to get outside of your comfort zone and the usual 4/4 signature. This tool will help you understand more complex rhythm patterns, polyrhythms, and time signatures.

If you want to improve your daily piano practice, be sure to read about how to properly use a metronome for piano practice.

Top-10 The Best Metronomes For Piano – 2023

1	Boss DB-90	Best Overall
2	Korg TM60BK Tuner and Metronome	Best Price
3	Wittner 803M Metronome	Great Metronome For Pianists
4	Matrix Tuner (MR600)	Wheel-Style Electric Metronome
5	Wittner 903030 Taktell	Super-Mini Metronome
6	Seiko SQ50-V Quartz Metronome	The Cheapest Option
7	YAMAHA Metronome MP-90BK	Excellent Quality
8	Soundbrenner Pulse Metronome	The Best Metronome to Wear on Your Wrist
9	Tama Rhythm Watch RW200	Best Option For Drummers
10	Korg KDM-3 Digital Metronome	Premium Digital Features and Vintage Design

Boss DB-90

Boss DB-90 is considered by many teachers to be the best metronome. Your rehearsals will become more exciting and melodic thanks to the abundance of high-quality sounds and drum patterns of the new DB-90. There is a reference tone function for tuning, an instrument input, a MIDI input, a Rhythm Coach Function (learning function) with a built-in microphone, and PCM drum sounds.

Note mixing allows you to change the volume of various note values to produce new rhythm variants. Additionally, there is a built-in rhythm trainer (Rhythm Coach) to improve your tempo and playing accuracy. The Boss DB-90 is the best metronome overall as Boss seems to have taken care of everything in terms of metronome design and functionality.

Pros & Cons

Korg Tuner TM60BK

Korg’s digital metronomes and instrument tuners are a bit legendary. The most recent model, the TM-60, has a bigger display that can concurrently show the tuner and metronome. It has a tap tempo function, 15 rhythm variants, auto power off, and a memory backup that remembers your previous settings.

With the all-new TM-60, you won’t need to switch between functions or worry about battery life to enjoy rhythm and pitch training, as it can last up to 130 hours on a pair of AAA batteries. This metronome has the following features – a large backlit LCD display, a C1-C8 note detection range for various instruments, 15 rhythm variations, 3 kinds of tempo settings, three tuning options, and a tempo range of 30 to 252 beats per minute.

Pros & Cons

Wittner 803M Metronome Without Bell

Wittner 803M is a beautiful wooden mechanical metronome in walnut color. A metronome of the highest German quality, it has a polished wooden body and a traditional clockwork power supply with visual pendulum movement and an audible ticking sound. has the ability to adjust from 40 to 208 beats per minute.

This metronome does not have a bell. So you’re in luck if you don’t want a bell on your mechanical metronome.

Pros & Cons

Matrix Tuner (MR600)

The Matrix MR-600 metronome imitates the sound of wooden blocks. One of the best ways to follow the beat is with an 8-color LED that swings like a pendulum. The first LED is green and the others flash red when the metronome is set to accent the downbeat. This metronome is very easy to operate and the numbers on the dial are easy to read.

The metronome has an adjustable volume control, and a folding metal stand. Very compact and lightweight, powered by a 9V battery.

Pros & Cons

Wittner 903030 Taktell Super-Mini

The Wittner 903030 Taktell Super-Mini is one of the greatest and most practical analog products available. It is also really lightweight! For those who require something really portable, I prefer this.

This compact metronome is of excellent quality, with a mahogany wooden case and a hinged front cover.

Pros & Cons

Seiko SQ50-V Quartz Metronome

Many pianists like the Seiko SQ50-V for its good volume. The SQ50-V Quartz metronome is an improvement of the Seiko SQ50. It features updated styling, an easy-to-use tempo control, volume control, two tone generators, and two selectable clicks.

A two-position jog dial makes it easy to set the tempo from 40 to 208 beats per minute. A red LED can be used for visual rhythm tracking, or a click sound can be added for both visual and auditory rhythm tracking. This metronome has a headphone jack.

Pros & Cons

YAMAHA MP-90BK Metronome

YAMAHA MP-90BK is a simple design, stylish and vintage pendulum metronome. This metronome will provide you with a stable beat for all your musical requirements without the use of batteries or power. It will also look good on an acoustic piano in your practice room.

This simple metronome uses a sliding brass weight used in traditional pendulum construction to change the tempo; the higher the weight, the slower the pace, and vice versa. There is no need for batteries or power as the pendulum is driven by a mechanical spring that is tightened by a rotary key. A downbeat bell can be programmed to sound after every second, third, fourth, or sixth beat in addition to the baseline pace.

Pros & Cons

Soundbrenner Pulse Vibrating Metronome

The most advanced digital metronome in our review is the wearable metronome Soundbrenner. Vibration may prove to be a less obtrusive method of timekeeping for people who find the usual ticking to be bothersome. The Soundbrenner Pulse fills this need by providing a haptic feedback alternative in circumstances when an auditory click can be challenging or unfeasible.

The Pulse is a circular gadget with a 50 cm circumference that may be worn on your wrist, across your arm, or even across your body with an optional long strap. It does not play an audible sound; instead, it vibrates to the rhythm and flashes an LED.

The Pulse has a capacitive touch sensor and a spinning outer dial to select the tempo value. It communicates via Bluetooth with feature-rich companion software that allows you to do many different things, including changing the color of the LED, adjusting the vibration level, adding an audio click, creating set lists, syncing multiple pulses together, and more.

Pros & Cons

Tama Rhythm Watch RW200

The next advanced metronome on our list is great not only for the piano but also for other musical instruments, especially drums. The Tama RW200 digital metronome is great for live settings. It’s loud, mains powered, has a huge start/stop button, a large rotary dial for quick tempo adjustments, and a start/stop footswitch input.

You may build an infinite number of rhythm variations with the help of two distinct click tones, six rotary knobs for mixing in subdivisions, and a 30-song memory for custom setlists. Additionally, the RW200’s 5-pin MIDI In connector allows you to connect it to an external sequencer, and it can even be mounted directly to a kit using Tama’s optional RWH10 mount. The new Stage mode causes the click to vanish after eight bars.

Pros & Cons

Korg KDM-3 Digital Metronome

The Korg KDM-3 is a fantastic example of a digital metronome that looks like a mechanical one. Although it is fully digital, it is supposed to mimic a traditional pendulum or mechanical aesthetic. It’s really easy to use and has features that many other products simply don’t have. It has a cool Tap Tempo feature where you can simply tap to change the speed to whatever you like.

Korg’s KDM series features high volume and clearly-audible sound. It also has a wide range of rhythms and metronome sounds. No matter the genre or instrument, it’s packed with all the practical features you’d expect from a digital device to complement your playing.

Pros & Cons

Best Metronomes: Buying Guide

Nowadays, there are so many various kinds of metronomes available that making a decision might be difficult. That is the reason we put up this buyer’s guide. Do your homework on the four features listed below. You may buy the right metronome by being aware of what you desire.

What Should I Look For In A Metronome?

There are 4 main parameters that you need to pay attention to when choosing a metronome – Tuner, Power supply, Ease of use, and Shape.

1. Tuner. With many modern digital metronomes, you can use the tuner and metronome functions simultaneously. This is not so important for piano playing, but it can be very useful if you also play other instruments (such as guitar, violin or flute, etc.).
2. Power supply. If you choose an electronic metronome, you should pay attention to the type of power supply. Some are battery-operated, while others are plug-in modules. Modern metronomes can even be plug-in devices for your electronic device or PC.
3. Ease of use. You should find a metronome that is simple for you to utilize. It should make sense how you start the tool, choose your desired tempo, and arrange the beats. The metronome should ideally be ready for use as soon as you remove it from the packaging.
4. Shape. Modern metronomes come in many shapes and sizes. Some metronomes look like mechanical ones and are convenient to put on a table or on a piano. There are compact and even wearable models. Consider which option you prefer.

How To Use A Metronome?

A metronome is an essential tool in your piano practice. It can be used to improve sheet music reading, learn difficult patterns at a slower tempo, learn difficult rhythmic patterns, develop a steady rhythm, and so on. If you want to know how to use the metronome correctly, be sure to check out this article.

Best Metronomes: Conclusion

Here we come to the end of our article. We talked about what types of metronomes are and how to choose the right one based on your requirements and preferences. While mechanical tools only perform the function of a steady beat, other metronomes have additional functions.

It can be a tone generator, pitch calibration, transposition settings, various tuning modes, instrument input, and headphone output (headphone jack). If you like digital models, you will find many of these features in the best metronomes.

Please note that almost all digital pianos have a metronome function that you can use for your practice. It’s totally fine, but the built-in metronome doesn’t have most of the extra features you’ll find on the cheapest digital metronome model. If you are looking for the best digital piano for under $1000, I invite you to check out our top 10.

I wish you success in your piano practice. Share your experience in the comments if you use the metronome in your classes.