Mini Handpan vs Standard Handpan: Which Size Should You Choose?
A LIDAH mini handpan is 43 cm wide and weighs 3.5 kg. A standard handpan is 53 cm wide and weighs 4.5 kg. The difference lies in how many notes fit on it, how the handpan fits your body and how easily you take it with you.
Below you can read, question by question, what that means in practice, so you can choose based on what matters to you.
| Mini handpan | Standard handpan | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 43 x 43 x 23 cm | 53 x 53 x 26 cm |
| Weight | 3.5 kg | 4.5 kg |
| Number of notes | 7 or 9 | 9 to 13, in the Pro Series 16 to 21 |
| Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel, in the Essential Series also Ember Steel |
| Bag | Handpan Bag Small | Handpan Bag Regular |
How big and how heavy is a mini handpan?
A mini handpan measures 43 x 43 x 23 cm and weighs 3.5 kg. A standard handpan measures 53 x 53 x 26 cm and weighs 4.5 kg.
So a mini is ten centimetres narrower. That sounds like very little, but the playing surface is about a third smaller. On your lap you feel it straight away: the handpan sits more compactly and your arms don't need to open as wide.
Does a mini handpan sound different?
Our mini in D Minor has D3 as its root note, the same note as our standard D Kurd 10. The mini in F Minor starts on F3.
The difference is at the top. On a mini with 7 notes the highest note is a G4, on the D Kurd 10 it is a C5. So you have fewer high notes to build a melody with.
Hear it for yourself. Below, Dany Rud plays our Mini D Minor 9 and our Stainless Steel D Kurd 10 in the same room. Their notes differ by just one, so you can hear how close a mini comes to a standard handpan.
Is there a mini handpan in D Kurd?
Not exactly. Our D Minor minis are tuned to D Celtic, which is very close to D Kurd.
The Mini D Minor 9 has the same notes as our D Kurd 10, except for one. The Mini D Minor 7 also lacks the two highest notes. If you want exactly D Kurd, choose a standard handpan.
Why does a mini handpan have 7 or 9 notes?
A smaller surface has room for fewer tone fields. That is why a mini has 7 notes on top.
On the 9 note version, the two extra notes sit on the underside. So it is exactly as big and as heavy as the version with 7. Choosing between 7 and 9 is only about how much musical room you want, not about size.
Read more in how many notes a handpan should have.
The underside of the Mini D Minor 9. The two extra notes sit beside the opening.
Is a mini handpan more comfortable to play?
For many people it is, because every note sits closer to your hands. You notice it most when:
- you have smaller hands or shorter arms and don't want to reach far
- you play the handpan on your lap and the far edge of a large handpan is out of reach
- you play for long stretches and prefer a lighter instrument
On a mini every note stays under your hands, however you sit.
How do you travel with a handpan?
Always in a bag that fits. Our Handpan Bag comes in Small for handpans of 40 to 46 cm and in Regular for 50 to 56 cm. So a mini goes in the Small and a standard handpan in the Regular.
If you fly, don't count on your handpan being allowed as hand luggage without question. Even a mini is wider than the cabin bag size of most airlines, at KLM for example 55 x 35 x 25 cm. So check in advance what your airline allows for musical instruments.
A mini handpan in the Handpan Bag Small, worn as a backpack.
Which size is best for beginners?
Both. All the notes on a handpan belong to the same scale, so whatever you play, it sounds good together.
A mini is the simplest and most affordable way to start: few notes, a quick overview. A standard handpan gives you more room to grow into. Our Stainless Steel D Kurd 10 is the handpan beginners choose most often with us. For more help with your first choice, read which handpan is best for beginners.
Mini or standard: which size suits you?
A mini handpan suits you if:
- you often take your handpan with you, outdoors, to a lesson or travelling
- you like every note to be close by
- you want to start with a simple layout and the most affordable entry point
A standard handpan suits you if:
- you want more notes, now or later
- you want exactly D Kurd, or the warm sound of Ember Steel
Still unsure? The Handpan Test helps you on your way in a few questions. Size is one of the choices when buying a handpan. It is part of our complete guide on how to buy a handpan.
Got a question? Send us a message on WhatsApp or ask it through our contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a mini handpan and a standard handpan?
Size, weight and the number of notes. A LIDAH mini handpan is 43 cm wide and weighs 3.5 kg, with 7 or 9 notes. A standard handpan is 53 cm wide and weighs 4.5 kg, with 9 to 13 notes.
Which steel is a mini handpan made of?
All our mini handpans are made of Stainless Steel. If you want the warmer sound of Ember Steel, choose a standard handpan from our Essential Series.
Can I take a mini handpan on a plane as hand luggage?
Don't count on it. Even a mini is wider than the cabin bag size of most airlines, so check in advance what your airline allows for musical instruments.
Is a mini handpan cheaper than a standard handpan?
Yes. A handmade mini costs less than a standard handpan, because there are fewer notes to shape and tune.
