A violin teacher’s pick of the best violin shoulder rest from Kun, Wolf, Everest, Bon Musica, and more.

When I wrote a new post about violin shoulder rests on my blog last week, I asked which shoulder rest the readers of my blog prefer. The post had over 50 comments – featuring more than 20 “best” shoulder rests. And that is exactly how it should be! Picking a shoulder rest is a very personal choice and depends on your playing style, neck height, body structure, and even your chinrest and the shape of your violin.

Naturally, each violin player will gravitate towards another shoulder rest choice. Even though there is no one-size-fits-all solution, there are a few rests on the market that work for a lot of my colleague violinists and students. In this post, I am sharing what I consider to be the best violin shoulder rests around today. My choices are not only based on my own preferences, but also on the opinion of my fellow violin teacher friends and over a hundred opinions of my students and readers.

My Top 4 Best Violin Shoulder Rests

There are so many shoulder rests to choose from, so you might be confused which one is the best. Here are the top four rests worth trying out!

What to Look for When Buying a Shoulder Rest

When looking for a violin shoulder rest there are many things for you to consider. Do I want one with feet that attach to the body of my instrument, or a simple pad? How much would I be willing to spend? Should I get an ergonomic one? At this point, you see that “wow, they come in fun colors too!!” All the while forgetting that your original reason for looking at them in the first place was to be more comfortable while playing.

Before considering which shoulder rest to buy, you might want to read my previous post “The Essential Guide to Using a Violin Shoulder Rest“. Getting a deeper understanding of the different types of shoulder rests and how to use them will help you to make a better buying decision.

How will my buying guide help you?

Today I will help you sort through the most loved violin shoulder rests according to my personal research. I will list the pros and cons of each shoulder rest so you can decide which shoulder rest best fits your needs.

Please remember that the best way to find perfect shoulder rests is through trial and error. Most violinists need years of trying different set-ups and rests before they find what works best for them. So, if it seems overwhelming to choose the right shoulder rest based on this blog, I totally understand. It IS a difficult decision and many professional players still struggle to find the right set-up for them.

My best advice is to allow yourself to take the time to experiment. Try out different rests and set-ups and feel for yourself what feels best. If you are able to, go to music shops and ask if you can try out shoulder rests in the shop. In the end, your comfort always matters more than the opinions of any other violinist, including mine. I know this approach can be daunting and time-consuming, especially for a hobby player.

In the process, it helps to remind yourself that finding a good violin shoulder rest can greatly impact how comfortable you feel playing your violin. If you have a set-up that works for you, you will enjoy learning and practicing more! That is why it is worth spending the extra time on finding the correct shoulder rest for you.

What Is a Good Violin Shoulder Rest?

If you are looking for a shoulder rest to buy, I recommend to check out the shoulder rests presented below. All of these shoulder rests are popular violin shoulder rest that work for a range of different players.

For each shoulder rest you will find a detailed description as well as direct links to various webshops where we found the shoulder rests at great prices.

1. Flexible Shoulder Rests

1. Wolf Forte Secundo

Completely Adjustable Shoulder Rest

I personally own a Wolf shoulder rests since 15 years and am still enjoying the shoulder rest. The main reason to go for a Wolf shoulder rest is the reasonable price and great ergonomic flexibility of the rest. You can change the shape, adjust the height and width and the tilt. This is the most affordable shoulder rest on the market that offers this amount of flexibility. The main part of the rest is made of comfortable rubber. This rubber is topped with flexible aluminum plating. That allows you to shape the rest ergonomically.

If you have a longer neck, this is a great rest for you. Because the height can be adjusted on either side to any height between 0.5 and 8 cm

2. Bon Musica

Customizable rest that can hook over your shoulder to prevent slipping

The Bon Musica shoulder rests has a completely adjustable height, angle and width. In this way it can be adjusted to custom fit each player ergonomically. You can bend it to hook over your shoulder to alleviate the worry of it sliding down. The flexible metal can be shaped easily to exactly fit the shape of your shoulder and collarbone.

3. Pirastro KorfkerRest Model 2

Premium light-weight shoulder rest that enriches the sound to the instrument

One of the most premium options on the market. Made of bendable tonewood, so it is lightweight and adjustable. This product comes with the ErgoPack which contains spare pads, joints, screws, locking rings and a torx screwdriver.

Some violinists swear by this shoulder rest, sharing it enhances the sound of their instruments. However, it is being said that other shoulder rests that do not “hug” the body of the violin (such as pad rests) have the same positive effect on the sound.

The shoulder rest is extremely light-weight which can be comfortable for players who play for long periods of time.

2. Pre-shaped Pad Shoulder Rests

1. Everest Shoulder Rest

Great Price-Quality Ratio

This Everest is a solid plastic shoulder rest with foam material covering the base. Violin teachers especially like this model, thanks to the easy set-up. The rest firmly grips the violin which means it doesn’t fall off easily when kids are practicing.

It is also one of the most affordable ergonomical shoulder rests on the market, making it a great option for violinists on a budget that still want to get a customizable rest. There are versions of the Everest rest available with foldable feet, so you can easily store it in your violin case. Furthermore, the rubber covers on the feet of the rest are replaceable if you lose them.

2. Kun Collapsible

Save space in your violin case without compromising on comfort

A Canadian made shoulder rest that comes in all instrument sizes. There are a variety of models to cover every need. Its unique shape built from composite material makes it lightweight and comfortable to play.

There is a special locking device that makes sure the rest never fully rotates. This will protect your instrument from unwanted damage. One of the best parts of this shoulder rest is that it is foldable, which makes it very easy to store and take with you on trips.

The Kun rest is a favorite of both amateur and professional players alike.

3. FOM Shoulder Rest

Cheaper dupe option of the Kun

Many of my students are happy with this cheaper alternative to the KUN shoulder rest. If the KUN shoulder rest is not in your budget, you might like to try this rest.

4. Fiddlerman shoulder rest

Great option for players with a short neck

Made of wood or lightweight carbon fiber The wood model has height adjustable feet that collapse for easy storage.

In contrast, the carbon fiber rest has a simple design with a visible carbon fiber texture. As well as a built in curve and tilt. This helps the rest stay in place without sliding.

3. Pad & Cushion Violin Shoulder Rests

1. Playonair Shoulder Rest

Unique Shoulder Rest that Offers Flexibility & Free Range of Motion

The Playonair shoulder rest is a velour covered air filled cushion that comes with an adjustable strap. The cushion changes in sync with your body movements and changing posture while you play.

The Playonair often works well for young students that find a regular shoulder rest too bulky as well as for a player that would like to play without shoulder rest, that need a little extra support.

The rest comes with a blow tube so you can inflate the rest to your preferred amount of firmness.

2. Gel Rest Micro Shoulder Rest

Best Choice for Authentic Baroque Playing Style

This Gel Rest Micro shoulder rest is a soft and comfortable cushion for your collarbone. Seeing that it is only 3 inches in diameter and ⅜ inches thick, it’s a great option for players that like a discrete shoulder rest.

It stays in place by suction and can be placed anywhere since it does not use rubber bands or a strap. Some violin players, such as baroque players, like to play violin in the original way without a shoulder rest. This rest can offer any violinists a perfect mix between all the benefits of playing without a shoulder rest, but with the little extra support that this cushion offers.

4. Miscellaneous

1. Foam pad shoulder rest

Cheapest shoulder rest that can be used for young kids

A thin sponge for those who want minimal padding. It goes on easily with good old rubber bands.

This rest might especially work well for very young children that can not use a standard shoulder rest yet.

I do not recommend this shoulder rest for adult violinists. In that case I recommend to spend the extra money on a higher quality ergonomically adjusted shoulder rest. This will help you to play pain-free and the materials will last longer. There upon doing the job it is meant to do, make playing easy on the shoulder.

2. Children’s Sponge Shoulder Rest

Many teachers start children off by attaching a soft dry sponge to a young player’s instrument. These inexpensive cloth covered sponges can be purchased online or made yourself. To make one yourself watch the video below.