Shoulder rests are very important when playing the violin, as they add comfort for those who play for a long periods of time, and help beginners to achieve the correct finger placements, as well as removing a lot of stress from the wrist and arm. Yet with so many options for violin shoulder rests on the market, it can be hard for beginner players to know exactly what they need from their shoulder rest, which can make the ultimate decision a difficult one to make.

There are so many different sizes, fits and materials, so understanding what you need is very important. To make things easier for you, we have put together a list of some of the best options for beginners, as well as those who have a bit more experience, so that you can get the most from your shoulder rest, and get the best value for money.

Our Top 3 Picks

Everest ES Series Shoulder Rest for 4/4 Violin
  • Everest ES Series Shoulder Rest for 4/4 Violin
  • 5 out of 5
    Our rating
  • Long-standing reputation
  • Price: See Here
Kun Original 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest
  • Kun Original 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest
  • 4.6 out of 5
    Our rating
  • Simplistic shoulder rest
  • Price: See Here
Fiddlerman Wood Violin Shoulder Rest
  • Fiddlerman Wood Violin Shoulder Rest
  • 4.2 out of 5
    Our rating
  • Has collapsible feet for easier storage
  • Price: See Here

1. Everest ES Series Shoulder Rest for 4/4 Violin

The Everest ES Series Shoulder Rest is one of the most popular options for violin shoulder rests. They have a long-standing reputation of quality products, ensuring comfort when playing for long periods of time.

The Everest ES is specially engineered to fit the curve of your shoulder for ultimate comfort and range of movement for expressive play.

The Everest ES Series Shoulder Rest is made from ABS materials, which is both durable and flexible, making the Everest ES Series Shoulder Rest as versatile as possible for any level of player.

The legs of the Everest ES Series Shoulder Rest are made of a softer material, which is skid and ware resistant, so your violin is totally protected as you use the shoulder rest. The legs are also adjustable, so the Everest ES Series Shoulder Rest is perfect for younger players, as well as adults.

The Everest ES Series Shoulder Rest is reinforced for extra resilience at points of strain.

The adjustable nature of the Everest ES Series Shoulder Rest makes it perfect for a growing violin player throughout their lessons and needs.

The padding on the Everest ES Series Shoulder Rest is made of compacted foam for added comfort during playing.

The only downside to the Everest ES Series Shoulder Rest is that it is not as highly adjustable as other models, so taller players have found difficulty I making it fit their measurements.

However, if you are beginning to learn playing the violin and you need a comfortable and versatile rest, the Everest ES Series Shoulder Rest is one of the best options for you. It is durable and adjustable, and easily clips onto the violin without causing any damage.

2. Kun Original 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest


The Kun Original 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest is a simplistic shoulder rest, suitable for both beginners and experienced players.

The strong plastic frame and sponge padding makes sure that the Kun Original 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest is totally stable during playing, but also comfortable, so you can play for longer periods of time.

The feet are metal enclosed in rubber, so they don’t move or scratch the violin as they are snapped on and off. As the rubber begins to wear down, the feet can be removed and replaced in order to protect the violin’s beautiful finish.

The height on the Kun Original 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest is fully adjustable in three directions, so players of all ages and heights can use this shoulder rest. The highly adjustable design also allows the Kun Original 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest to fit perfectly onto the violin and prevent any slips or rotations during playing.

The ends of the Kun Original 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest are made of rubber, and come with Kun’s patented locking system to stop any movement or slipping of the shoulder rest, ensuring comfort and stability through long periods of play.

The Kun Original 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest is specifically designed for a 4/4-violin size, so it is not possible to use on a smaller size of violin, and this is slightly limiting for some players. However, as a beginner 4/4 violin player, the Kun Original 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest is an excellent option for both comfort and stability to help you progress through your musical career.

3. Fiddlerman Wood Violin Shoulder Rest for 4/4 and 3/4 with Collapsible and Height Adjustable Feet

The Fiddlerman Wood Violin Shoulder Rest is suitable for both 3/4 and 4/4 violin sizes, so it is perfect for both advanced and beginner players. The height is also adjustable to provide stability and comfort to players of all ages and heights.
The Fiddlerman Wood Violin Shoulder Rest also has collapsible feet, so it is very easy to store away when the violin is not being used.

The Fiddlerman Wood Violin Shoulder Rest is made from a solid wood frame, which creates a nicer resonance than plastic models, and is much more durable also. The foam padding gives a high level of comfort for long periods or practice, and aids beginners in getting and practicing the correct finger placements.

The Fiddlerman Wood Violin Shoulder Rest comes with a year-long warranty as well, so customers have a full peace of mind in case they find that the Fiddlerman Wood Violin Shoulder Rest is not right for them, or in the case of any damage.

The main downfall of the Fiddlerman Wood Violin Shoulder Rest are the plastic feet, which are not as durable as other metal encased versions available. This can be an issue for more professional violin players who require the shoulder rest to hold up during long periods of play.

4. Bonmusica 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest

This German made shoulder rest is one of the most popular options, as it is a very high quality, high performance shoulder rest.

The Bonmusica 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest fits perfectly onto a 4/4 violin, and the height and width are fully adjustable for all ages and sizes, making it perfect for beginners, as well as professionals. The Bonmusica 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest has a curved base to fit much more accurately onto the shoulder for improved comfort during practice.

The Bonmusica 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest is also better for those with wrist difficulties, as the snug fit almost latches onto the shoulder and takes pressure off the wrist, making it easier to find the correct positioning and finger placements.

The metal base and foam padding creates a long durability and higher comfort levels than a other shoulder rests, so it is perfect for those who have suffered a recent injury, or arthritis.

The main drawback of the Bonmusica 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest is that there are some plastic parts in the design, and these have a much lower durability than that of the metal parts of the design, and this reduces the overall durability. However, the Bonmusica 4/4 Violin Shoulder Rest is still a very high performing, maximum performance shoulder rest for players of all experience levels.

5. Everest Silver ES Series 3/4-1/2 Violin Adjustable Shoulder Rest

Another Everest ES Series Shoulder Rest, this version is designed to fit any violin between 1/2 to 3/4 sizes, so it is perfect for a player who has a number of violins, or required a snug fit on their violin.

It is made from a strong ABS material, so it is more durable than other shoulder rests on this list. It is fully adjustable, making the Everest ES Series Shoulder Rest perfect for players of any age, size, or experience. The adjusting system is fully integrated, so there are no risks of lost parts, and it is very simple and easy to do. Many of the parts are also replaceable, so the Everest ES Series Shoulder Rest is due to last as long as possible. The high quality neoprene foam gives a lot of extra comfort to the player, and is totally replaceable, so the entire shoulder rest is as durable as possible, as well as ensuring proper finger placement.

The main downside to the Everest ES Series Shoulder Rest is that the adjustments are very difficult to do for younger children, as they can be quite fiddly and tough to click into place. However, for beginners as well as experienced players, the Everest ES Series Shoulder Rest is an excellent option for a high quality, high performance shoulder rest. It provides optimum comfort and versatility for all players, and protects the beautiful finish of the violin.

When looking into buying a shoulder rest to help you progress as a beginner, or provide comfort and durable play, it is important to know what it is that you need and what you want to get out of the shoulder rest. It is important to know your needs, and to know what to look for when shopping for a shoulder rest, and we hope that this list will help you to decide which shoulder rest is best for you.