Weight is one of the most important factors in choosing a pandeiro.

Having a light weight drum can make the difference between practicing for thirty minutes at a time instead of stopping after five because of fatigue, or playing for a whole song or roda de samba before getting tired and having to stop. It can also be much easier to play at faster tempos and to move the drum more with the left hand (for right handed pandeiristas).

On the other side, a heavier drum often has a larger, stronger shell and more durable hardware. This often makes the drum louder. Stronger drums, nylon heads, and double lugs can also support higher tunings.

All of the pandeiros from Virada Drums are individually handmade, so weights may slightly vary (+/- .3 oz.).