Keep the Beat with the Best Metronome

Boss is the most recognizable name in metronomes and the DB-90 is their best model. Known as the "Dr. Beat," it has been praised as being the best metronome in the industry because of its advanced features. The Boss DB-90 is fully programmable for mixed metered passages and can also play back multiple subdivisions. It has adjustable volume faders for each subdivision and you can adjust the amount of accent as well. There are also several different voices for the click and two headphone jacks so you can plug in headphones, or plug it into speakers. This option has a wide range of tempo adjustments, allowing you to move quickly from 60 bpm to any tempo.

The internal speaker is louder than most, so you can hear the time signature even over loud playing while the unit’s spin wheel adjusts tempo and other audio options much quicker than push button adjustment used on other metronomes. It also has an extensive memory so you don’t need to waste practice time on daily reprogramming. The metronome itself is constructed with durability in mind to promise years of reliable function and will last many years. While it's one of the most expensive metronomes available, its range of capabilities justifies the price of admission.

The Boss DB-60 is the best choice for players who don't need the full gamut of options available on the more expensive DB-90; in fact, this pick has many of the same features at a fraction of the price. It has separate volume controls for all of the standard subdivisions and the level of accent can be adjusted as well. It’s also programmable for changing rhythms with “write” and “memory” options. This metronome also offers a tap tempo option and even a timer for determining song length.

Additional features include the vital headphone jack, an internal speaker for the click as well as push buttons to change tempo. The size of the actual metronome is smaller than its competitors, making more portable which is always a plus for the actively gigging musician. This metronome has also been constructed to provide years of reliable service, not surprising given the Boss reputation for long lasting electronics.

Korg is a very reputable manufacturer of electronic musical equipment and their TM-50 is one of the most popular metronomes available because of its reputation fort reliability. It has a wide tempo range from 30-252 beats per minutes and fifteen different rhythmic variations that sub-divide the beat. Additionally, the tap tempo function is easier to use than most budget metronomes yet remains very accurate. This metronome also functions as a tuner which is helpful for timpani practice or drum tuning. There’s also a backlight LCD screen with a needle meter if you prefer a visual click, a volume dial, as well as a headphone and input jacks.

Boss has been long known for making the best metronomes and the DB-30 offers the best overall performance options and value for your money. It produces different time signatures and rhythmic patterns along with a headphone jack so you can plug in headphones and hear it over your drums (or instrument of choice). The DB-30 can also produce subdivisions, has a memory function for mixed metered passages, a “tap tempo” function, as well as a mute button.

Like most budget metronomes, the tempo is adjusted through the use of separate buttons for increasing and decreasing the speed of the click which actually reacts quicker than you might expect it to. The DB-30 is the smallest and most portable of all the Dr. Beat metronome, which is great for musicians who practice in many different locations. And despite this pick bearing the hallowed Dr. Beat name, it’s surprisingly inexpensive.

Kliq’s Metropitch is a great metronome which features a wide tempo range  of 30-250 beats per minute, a headphone jack, adjustable click volume, tap tempo function, and different rhythmic options. The beat can be subdivided a number of different ways and this will help you practice more effectively. This metronome is also a tuner and can produce different pitches for ear training. This is also one of the few budget metronomes which has a dial for quick tempo adjustment which is faster and easier to use than button orientations. Available in three different colors, this pick is housed in a very durable case with an integrated foldout kickstand mounted to the back allowing it to stand up on a table or desk.