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Complete Guide to Choosing your Singing Bowl

Thinking of buying a singing bowl but not sure about the criteria to consider before making your purchase? Tibetan singing bowls come in a wide variety of types and sizes so choosing the right one for you may seem a bit daunting. Quality singing bowls don’t come cheap so buying one is an investment that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

 Meditating with a Tibetan singing bowl

Tibetan Singing Bowl

If you’ve clicked on this blog post, chances are you’re familiar with what a singing bowl is and you’d like to buy one. When played with a striker or mallet, Tibetan or Himalayan singing bowls produce vibration and rich tones said to offer healing properties and promote relaxation. For hundreds of years, Buddhist monks have been using singing bowls for spiritual and mediation practices as well as for sound in connection with teaching.


Singing bowls not only have an effect on the person using it, but also on their surroundings. Their incredible and powerful bold sounds carry very far even when you cannot physically hear it. If you’re looking for an alternative treatment for physical and mental illnesses like depression and chronic pain, the sound and vibrations of a singing bowl can help. 
Today, whether you’re a Buddhist or not, many people are attracted to the sound a singing bowl makes.

They have especially become popular in the Western world and can be found in wellness stores, yoga studios, sound therapy centres and more. Generally, singing bowls are made from various metals including gold, silver, copper, iron, tin or lead. They can range in size, quality, shape, and tone with each characteristic making it unique. In the 1990’s however, crystal singing bowls became popular and combined both acoustics and crystal healing. In this article, we will aim to help you make an informed decision when it comes to choosing your singing bowl.

Singing bowls for meditation

Tibetan Singing Bowl for Meditation

Here’s what to look for and ask yourself when choosing a singing bowl:

  1. What will you use your singing bowl for?

Before choosing your bowl, you need to ask yourself what you will be using it for. Will it be for sound therapy, meditation, physical or chakra healing or relaxation? Your answer will determine the type of bowl you will need. There are different types of singing bowls with each having their different purposes and uses. Certain types of bowls may work best in certain cases. If you’re a beginner, we suggest you start off with a small to medium sized machine-made bowl. The antique hand hammered ones are quite pricey and are a bit more difficult to play.

  1. The quality

High quality bowls are made from the finest metals to ensure they last longer. It’s advisable to ask an expert for advice if you’re not sure of what to look for in a good quality bowl. High quality singing bowls are able to hold their vibration. They can produce several tones, overtones and harmonics. If you strike the bowl and the vibration sounds as if it is fading or pulsating away, chances are it’s not a good quality bowl. Tip: Steer clear of bowls with cracks

Tibetan singing bowl on a cushion

     3. Sound, Feel, Notes and Vibrations

The most important aspect to consider before you buy your singing bowl is the sound. As we mentioned earlier, a good quality bowl should be able to hold its vibration. Rub the rim of your singing bowl with either the leather or wooden part of the striker. In order to generate good vibrations, ensure the sides of the bowl remain free and clear of fingers. Do not be alarmed if your bowl does not sing right away. When it does sing, be aware of positive signs in your body such as tingling and vibrating sensations. The calming sound and vibration of Tibetan singing bowls induces a sense of peace. These bowls can also be used as an aid to meditation.

     4. The Aesthetics

When choosing your bowl, take into consideration all the following elements. The shape, size and its visual appearance are important aspects that are worth noting. Look for a bowl that speaks to you. If a plain hand hammered one stands out to you and makes you feel something as opposed to an engraved one, then choose the plain one. The weight of your singing bowl should be one that allows you to hold it for long therapy sessions. Heavier bowls over 1.5 kgs or around 3 pounds may become difficult to hold when playing for long periods of time.

Tibetan singing bowl set

Want to buy a singing bowl as a gift? Our online store has singing bowl sets handcrafted by skilled artisans in the foothills of the Himalayas. They include a lokta paper display box, nylon cushion and wooden mallet. These singing bowl starter kits are ideal for beginners and their size is designed to make you feel comfortable. Our quality machine-made singing bowls are affordable and ideal for those just starting out.

Tibetan singing bowl gift set

Where can you buy a Tibetan Singing Bowl?

The good news is that you can purchase your wholesale singing bowls right here online at Himalayan Handmades. Our Tibetan singing bowls are by far the most loved and purchased product in our online dharma store. A singing bowl is a great tool for deep relaxation and chakra balancing.

Wholesale Singing Bowls

Singing bowls have healing properties that can improve your overall well-being. To get the best bowl suited to your needs, be sure to narrow down your preferences but ultimately choose a bowl that creates harmony within you when it sings. These magnificent traditional instruments have incredible medicinal and healing properties.

Remember, to get the best out of your singing bowl, it is essential to practice and not get discouraged when your bowl does not make a great sound at first. Be patient when playing it so you can experience all the benefits it has to offer.

Our wholesale Tibetan singing bowls are shipped to customers worldwide direct from the manufacturers in Kathmandu, Nepal. They take pride in creating the best quality bowls for beginners and experienced practitioners. Buy yours today and experience the healing power of sound.

BUY YOUR SINGING BOWLS HERE