13 Best Violin Shoulder Rests- Budget to Luxury

The use of shoulder rests is hotly debated among violinists. There is a small but vocal contingent of violinists who argue that shoulder rests should not be used at all, because it restricts the player’s body and the sound quality of the violin. Although this may be true, most violinists these days prefer to use some sort of padding to make playing more comfortable. I tend to believe that there is no one-size-fits-all violin set-up. Since everyone’s body shape is is different, it is important to find the violin shoulder set-up that suits you best. This might mean using a shoulder rest, home-rigged padding, or nothing at all.

My Personal Experience With Violin Shoulder Rests

It took me a long time to find the best violin shoulder rest for my body type. I dealt with severe violin-induced shoulder and neck pain during my early twenties which may have been caused by using the wrong type of violin shoulder rest.. This led me to become very curious about the different shoulder pads my colleagues and teachers used. Over a period of several years, if I noticed a violinist using a shoulder rest that I had not seen before I would go out of my way to ask them about it.

On my quest to find the best violin shoulder rest, I purchased a variety of shoulder rests and created my own homemade shoulder pads as well. I even played with no shoulder rest for a few months to see if that would help me reduce tension. While I liked the lightweight, freeing feeling of playing without a shoulder rest, the lack of friction between the violin and my clothing made it difficult to keep the violin where I wanted it.  I also noticed more tension in my left hand while playing with no shoulder rest.

After years of trial and error, I realized I preferred an unrestricted, lightweight set-up with just enough friction and padding to make it comfortable. For me, the Ottomusica MagicPad checked all these boxes, and that is what I have been using for the past few years. However, what works for me may not work for you, and I always encourage violin students to experiment until they find the best violin shoulder rest for their specific body type.

Starting your search for the best violin shoulder rest

It can be costly and time-consuming to find the best violin shoulder rest for your body, so I hope that the following list can point you in the right direction. Don’t ever settle for a shoulder rest that causes you discomfort or pain. Violin playing should be pain-free. If you are a student, please consult your teacher when changing your set-up.

If possible, I also recommend asking other violinists if you can try out their set-ups. Rehearsal breaks are a great time to do this. Playing on someone else’s violin for just 2 minutes can give you a good idea of whether or not you’d like to invest in the type of shoulder rest they use.

Here is my list of 13 shoulder rests to consider, plus a few “homemade” options to try for cheap.

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1. Players Economy Foam Violin Shoulder Pad – Best for young violin students

I recommend all my young violin students use a foam sponge when they’re first learning to hold the violin. It provides the height and cushion that many young students need, without locking the shoulder into place. If you are buying this for a young child who plays on a fractional violin, be sure to purchase the sponge size corresponding to your child’s violin size.

2. OttoMusica SR11 Shoulder Rest Magic Pad – Best thin adhesive shoulder pad

I have been contentedly using the Magic Pad for the past couple years. Personally, I prefer a low height to my violin so the Magic Pad works well for me. I like how the padding is firm and has a nice texture to grip onto clothing. The simple, circular pad is aesthetically pleasing, and the sticky adhesion on the back leaves no mark on the varnish and can be moved around as desired. If you’re a fan of the “no-shoulder-rest” philosphy but you need just a little bit of padding and friction against your shoulder, the Magic Pad would be a great choice.

3. Small Red Sponge for Violin Shoulder Rest– Best stackable thin shoulder pad

When I started grad school in Chicago, I started noticing a lot of violinists using these red rubber pads on their violins. The benefit is in the versatility: I’ve seen them secured to the back of violins with either rubber bands or rubber cement (this won’t harm the violin, but only do this with your teacher’s permission!). These pads can be placed next to each other or stacked to get the optimal height or width desired.

4. Play on Air Deluxe Shoulder Rest – Best inflatable shoulder rest

I had a mentor who swore by the play on air. He raved about how comfortable it was for him and encouraged his students to use it. It is essentially a thin balloon that provides a layer of support and padding for the shoulder. Some detractors have complained that it is difficult to inflate and tends to slip off during performances. Other professional violinists claim they have used this for decades with no issues. I would say it is worth a try if you prefer a wide base of padding on your instrument. This also comes in fractional violin sizes, so it could work well for young students.

5. Kun Original Violin Shoulder Rest – Best basic shoulder rest

This is a classic shoulder rest and possibly the most popular shoulder rest for beginners. The design is “practical and uncomplicated,” according to the manufacturers. On a personal note, this is the shoulder rest I used happily throughout my childhood, all the way up until I started developing shoulder pain issues in college.

6. Kun Bravo Collapsible Violin Shoulder Rest – Hardwood and Brass – Luxury alternative to Kun Original

For those who like the Kun Original but desire a more elegant, professional-looking hardwood option, the Kun Bravo Collapsible Shoulder Rest may be a good choice. Some violinists believe that the Maplewood Kun Bravo base allows the violin to sounds better than the plastic Kun Original does. The high quality rubber on the feet of the rest should allow for a secure hold on the violin. The folding ends on the collapsible model make it easier to store in violin cases.

7. Everest EZ4A Violin Shoulder Rest – Best budget alternative to Kun Original

Similar to the Kun, the Everest shoulder rest offers a slightly more cushioned padding and adjustable grippers. Some violinists find this rest to be a more ergonomic design than the Kun Original at a more affordable price. Similar to the Kun, the grippers can be unscrewed and placed in alternate positions to fit your individual instrument. Everest offers a collapsible version, a colorful “Spring” collection, and a Maplewood version. I used the Everest EZ series model for a while and enjoyed the cushioned padding.

8. Wolf Forte Secondo Violin Shoulder Rest – Thicker, more padded alternative to Kun Original

This is one of the most popular violin shoulder rests. Those who like this rest enjoy the wide, flat base that allows the violin to be held high. Because of this wide base, this shoulder-rest is suitable for those with broad shoulders. It is adjustable both in width and height, and the metal base is slightly bendable. Personally, I found that this shoulder rest was too ridged for me, but that was probably because my shoulders are on the narrow side. This may be a good choice for intermediate level students who need help with their posture.

9. Bonmusica Violin Shoulder Rest– Best customizable hooked shoulder rest

The main feature of this shoulder rest is the extremely secure hold caused by the curved base that hooks around the violinist’s shoulder. The trade-off is that this hook restricts movement by locking the violin into one place. Many violinists appreciate that this shoulder rest can be customized by bending or twisting the curved base. It seems to me that this shoulder rest would be most suitable for violinists with tall necks. Personally I am not a fan of anything that locks my shoulder into place, but if you’re seeking a more secure hold, this rest might work well for you.

10. Mach One Maple Violin Shoulder Rest Hook – Best luxury hooked shoulder rest

The Mach One Hook is one of the more high-end options, but if it is in your budget you might enjoy the stylish Maplewood design and great sound quality of this shoulder rest. Proponents of this shoulder rest say that the Maplewood base allows the violin to resonate more. The pronounced curve of this shoulder rest is designed to hug the curve of the shoulder. The “hook” of this shoulder rest will suit you if you prefer a more secure hold and don’t mind the restriction of a hooked base. It may be too high if you have a shorter neck, but some advocates claim that this shoulder rest helps improve their posture. The Mach One Hook is a beautiful, visually pleasing shoulder rest that will allow your violin to produce its best sound.

11. VIVA LA MUSICA Shoulder Rest “VLM Augustin Diamond”, Gold Hardware – Premium sound quality

This is the shoulder rest that my graduate violin professor used, so I know that anyone who chooses this rest will be in good company! It is another high-end shoulder rest with a beautiful appearance. The base appears to be wider and flatter than the Kun, Everest, and Mach One, yet it is said to be extremely lightweight. According to distributors, the S-shape of the base is designed to distribute weight across the collarbone, thus giving the performer more stamina. The Viva La Musica brand also makes other versions of this shoulder rest in different wood finishes and plated foot hardware.

12. Comford Violin Shoulder Cradle – Best ergonomic shoulder rest

The manufacturer describes the Comford Cradle design as being “based on the human shoulder structure and theories of biomechanics.” This scientific approach seems to pay off because many reviewers claim the Comford Cradle is the most comfortable violin shoulder rest they have ever tried. It is designed to improve posture and reduce strain on the shoulder. The long legs and rubber grips of the clamps offer security (this rest should not fall off during performances).

13. Pirastro Korfker Violin Shoulder Rest – Best overall

The Pirastro Korfkerrest is by far the most expensive violin shoulder rest I know about, but users swear that it is worth every penny. This violin shoulder rest is lightweight and completely adjustable in every way, from height to tilt. Even the wooden base of the rest is made of bendable wood (a technological feat) that can be shaped to the curve of your shoulder. The high-quality Maplewood allows the violin to resonate and allows for a wide dynamic range and diversity in articulation on the instrument.

Update: On 1/29/21 Berent Korfker sent me an email which read in part:  “I wanted to let you know that since last Summer we are now also selling extra long feet for those who need them, but also extra short feet which make the shoulder rest very low. With the right shaping the rest can almost touch the back of the violin. I thought you may be interested in this. You may be able to add this to the description in your article.”

Inexpensive, homemade violin shoulder rest options:

• Large blocks of foam can be purchased at your local craft store. You can cut the foam to your desired shape and secure it to your violin with rubber bands. This will not look pretty but covering the foam with a black cloth will make it look more presentable for concerts.

• Fold a piece of rubber rug grip to your desired height and secure it to your violin with rubber bands. I used this method for a few years. I liked the no-slip friction of the rubber texture on my clothing. The fact that I could adjust the height by changing the fold of the grip or cutting out a bigger swatch of material allowed me to customize this shoulder pad at will.

• Similar to the folded rug grip, you can fold a handkerchief, towel, or microfiber cloth to your desired height.

Finding the best violin shoulder rest for yourself can take a while.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all the violin shoulder rests available. I tried to include the best violin shoulder rests I have personally tried, as well as the most popular options I have noticed among my colleagues. There are many, many more options out there to explore.

If you’re not satisfied with the feel of the first shoulder rest you try, take your time to explore other options. You might be lucky and stumble upon your perfect fit right away, or you might have to spend a few years figuring it out like I did. The most important thing is that you can play comfortably and freely without pain or distraction. A good shoulder rest should make the violin feel like an extension of your body.

If you are a student, be sure to consult your teacher before changing anything about your violin set-up!

This post is the first in a series of violin product reviews. Please keep an eye out for upcoming posts in this series.