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Home » Tutorial » Acoustic Drum Kit Buyer’s Guide

Acoustic Drum Review

Last updated June 11, 2025

Acoustic Drum Kit Buyer’s Guide

  • Proudly written by Pro-Drummer,
  • Sam Jowett
  • 5 Comments
  • Acoustic Drums | Drums/Percussion

Best

beginner Rock kit

Gretsch Catalina Amazing kit for beginners
  • Designed For: Beginners
  • Best Feature: The Classic Rock Sound
  • TedScore™: 8/10
Click for Best Price

Best

budget beginner kit

BDK-1 Starter Drum Kit Great for beginners on a budget
  • Designed For: Beginners
  • Best Feature: Hardware Built To Last
  • TedScore™: 8/10
Click for Best Price
Winner

Best

intermediate kit

Tama Superstar Classic Super kit for those a little more experienced
  • Designed For: Intermediate Jazz Players
  • Best Feature: Maple Shells
  • TedScore™: 8/10
Click for Best Price

Getting an acoustic drum set is a thrilling decision! You likely want to make sure you’re clued up on the nitty-gritty before you buy your first kit or think about an upgrade.

Our comprehensive buying guide provides essential tips and factors to consider when choosing the perfect drum kit. From understanding different drum types and components to considering your budget and skill level, this guide will help you make an informed decision and find the drum kit that suits your needs.

We will walk you through our acoustic drum kit buyers guide and by the end you will know everything you need to know and maybe even a little bit more!

Table of Contents

Components of a drum kit

ONE

On a standard five piece drum kit there is a bass drum, snare drum and three tom toms (high, middle and low, these are also known as rack toms). There are three key cymbals: the hi-hat, crash and ride cymbal. You can have more or less of any of these components to suit your style and requirements.

To position and use each of these components we use hardware. This consists of cymbal stands, tom tom stands/legs, a snare drum stand, a bass drum pedal and a drum stool, or as us drummers like to call them, thrones!

Anatomy of a drum
  • The Shell. This is the main body of the drum, apart from the heads this can have the biggest impact on the drums sound. Most are made from wood, but metal and acrylic shells are also popular.
  • Batter Head. This is the top head, where we strike the drum. It sits on top of the shell and is held in place by the hoop.
  • Hoops. The hoops hold the heads in place. They are usually metal, but wooden hoops are also available and give the drum a warmer tone.
  • Tension Bolts. These go through the hoop and into the lugs to keep the hoop firmly in place. They tighten the head to your desired tension.
  • Lugs. These sit on the shell of the drum for the bolts to thread into.
  • Resonant Head. This is the bottom head. Generally, it is thinner than the batter head and as such is not stuck, as you would go straight through it!
  • Snare Lever. Only found on a snare drum and used to press or release the snares to the snare head.
  • Snares: The snares are the metal coils pressed against the snare head, which give the snare drum its distinctive sound.

What to consider when buying an acoustic drum kit

TWO

The following five topics cover our drums buying guide. They should help you narrow down the options and create your shortlist. The biggest and most expensive options are not always the best way to go for your first drum kit.

Acoustic Space

This is, of course, one of the more obvious points to double-check. Drum sets take up more floor space than we sometimes think, and you don’t want to get home and immediately have to sacrifice part of your brand new set-up!

It is also worth noting that it is essential to consider ear protection even in a large room. Playing for a sustained period of time will negatively affect your hearing.

Acoustic Drum Kit Buyer'S Guide
Essential for loud environments
DESIGNED FOR: Loud environments
COMES WITH: Rubber Earplugs
FEATURES: Blocks out harmful frequencies
Check Price >
9/10

Shaw ER20 Ear Plugs

What Retailer to Buy From?

When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Gear4music.

It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too.  Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.

Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!

PROS
  • Reproduces the same sound as your ears but quieter
  • Washable
CONS
  • Blocks out all frequencies, not just the harmful ones
The TedScore™: 9/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Musically appropriate combination

Different drum sets suit different genres and different venues. A larger kit will suit bigger venues as it will project your sound over a bigger distance. Whereas a smaller kit doesn’t produce those big sounds, so is suited much better to more intimate venues.

Different drum heads and cymbals are also suited to a particular sound and style.

Budget

When you have set your budget, and are looking through the drum menu, try to keep tabs on what is included in the deal. Are cymbals and hardware included? Are they only selling the shells? This is a big one to double-check as this means you will only be buying the drums themselves, and you will need to factor in hardware and cymbals on top!

Budget kits generally produce a low-quality sound because of the materials used in the shells and the drum heads’ quality. However, this does not always mean that it doesn’t give you everything you need. This may be a good option for you as a first drum kit. If your child would like to give drumming a go but you’re not quite sure of their commitment, a less expensive option could be a good option.

Acoustic Drum Kit Buyer'S Guide
Great for beginners on a budget
DESIGNED FOR: Beginners
COMES WITH: Full-size Drum Kit
FEATURES: Double braced hardware is built to last
Check Price >
8/10

BDK-1 Full Size Starter Drum Kit

What Retailer to Buy From?

When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Gear4music.

It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too.  Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.

Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!

PROS
  • Includes everything you need to get you started
CONS
  • Low-quality tone from drums and cymbals
The TedScore™: 8/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

Some drum brands are known for their high end, more expensive drum sets, such as DW and SJC. Some specialise in budget kits such as Gear4music and Millennium, and some cover the spectrum such as Pearl and Yamaha. Please don’t try and save money by missing out on a few bits and buying them further down the line. Like most things, makes and models change, making it more difficult to create a usable, good sounding and looking drum kit.

4 or 5 piece kit?

The answer to this lies with what you want to play. Do you play grooves that incorporate many rack toms, or do you focus more on the snare, bass drum and cymbals? The cymbals are not included in the number of a 4, 5 or any size piece kit. 

The configuration can change with any of these kits (I’m referring to the position of the rack toms here). One up, one down. Two up, one down. One up, two down, e.t.c. If you are unsure what is best for you, then the safest option is a five-piece kit, two up, one down, as this will cover all bases. 

If you are a beginner and looking to work through a graded syllabus, you will find that a 5 piece kit is essential to playing exactly what is notated. However, if you are not interested in grades, you can opt for whatever you like.

Drum shell woods

The drum shell material has a significant impact on the drum sound. Wood typically gives the drum a warmer sound than one made of metal or plastic. When making the shell, thin plies are bent with steam and glued together. The more plies used, the better the drum sounds.

Sometimes, drum manufacturers only use one type of wood to make the entire shell, but sometimes multiple woods are used. The shell can be painted, stained or wrapped in a finish of your choice that protects the shell and makes the drum aesthetically engaging.

Types of drum kit

THREE

There are two primary types of drum kits, electronic drum kits and acoustic drums. If you are unsure which is best for you, check out our article Acoustic vs Electric Drums. Within the acoustic drum kit category, there is a wider choice. This is great for us as not only does it help us achieve the right sound but also stops us lugging around too much gear for those smaller gigs.

Below is a list of the three main types of drum kits:

Jazz kits are designed to create tight, open sounds. They also tend to be smaller, not just in the physical size of the drums but a reduced number of drums. When you buy a drum kit, there will be options to buy a 4 piece or a 5 or 7, e.t.c. The bass drum and snare drum are a given within those numbers; the rest of the numbers are the tom toms.  This Tama kit is perfect for the beginner:

Acoustic Drum Kit Buyer'S Guide
Great for beginners on a budget
DESIGNED FOR: Jazz Players
COMES WITH: Full-size Drum Kit
FEATURES: Maple Shells
Check Price >
8/10

Tama Superstar Classic

What Retailer to Buy From?

When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Gear4music.

It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too.  Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.

Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!

PROS
  • Sound quality is top-notch
  • Hardware and Bags are included
CONS
  • Does not include cymbals
The TedScore™: 8/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

A rock kit is much bigger, which helps create big, deep tones. The tom tom diameters on a rock kit usually start at a minimum of 12” and go up to an 18” floor tom. You would most probably want at least a 5 piece kit to learn some tasty fills.

Acoustic Drum Kit Buyer'S Guide
Great for drummers after that Classic Sound
DESIGNED FOR: Rock Players
COMES WITH: Full-size Drum Kit
FEATURES: Deep Cherry Burst Design
Check Price >
8/10

Gretsch Catalina

What Retailer to Buy From?

When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Gear4music.

It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too.  Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.

Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!

PROS
  • Sound quality is top-notch
  • Hardware and Bags are included
CONS
  • Does not include cymbals
The TedScore™: 8/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

Fusion Kits can cover a broader spectrum of genres. The shell pack typically consists of a 20” bass drum, 14” snare drum and 10”, 12” and 14” rack toms. You can cover a whole host of sounds with the right drum heads.

Acoustic Drum Kit Buyer'S Guide
Great for evolving drummers
DESIGNED FOR: Evolving Drummers
COMES WITH: Full-size Drum Kit
FEATURES: Slate Black Design
Check Price >
9/10

Pearl Decade

What Retailer to Buy From?

When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Gear4music.

It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too.  Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.

Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!

PROS
  • Affordable Price
  • Hardware and Bags arDurable Shells e included
CONS
  • Shell Pack Only
The TedScore™: 9/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

There is an even wider choice beyond these three options. We also have drum sets based on these set-ups but labelled as a ‘junior kit‘. This is often an excellent option for a smaller beginner, often without losing the quality that we sometimes find in a drum kit that has been labelled as a ‘beginner drum set’.

Cymbals

FOUR

The three cymbals we use most are the ride cymbal, crash cymbal and hi hats. You can buy the cymbals as a set or individually if you would like a more customised set.  Either way you’ll need cymbal stands and a hi hat stand.

The hi hat cymbals are the smallest out of these and are two cymbals operated with a pedal at the bottom of the hi hat stand. This allows the drummer to create many different sounds.

Acoustic Drum Kit Buyer'S Guide
Great for evolving drummers
DESIGNED FOR: Professional Drummers
COMES WITH: 16” K Custom
FEATURES: Light in weight which produces a low, dark sound.
Check Price >
9/10

Zildjian A Quick Beat Hi Hats

What Retailer to Buy From?

When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Gear4music.

It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too.  Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.

Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!

PROS
  • Versatile Cymbal
CONS
  • Premium price tag
The TedScore™: 9/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

The next in size is the crash cymbal. Along with the kick drum, we use the crash cymbals to accentuate moments in the music (or ‘stabs’ as we call them) and mark the beginning of sections.

Acoustic Drum Kit Buyer'S Guide
Great for evolving drummers
DESIGNED FOR: Professional Drummers
COMES WITH: 16” K Custom
FEATURES: Light in weight which produces a low, dark sound.
Check Price >
9/10

Zildjian A Quick Beat Hi Hats

What Retailer to Buy From?

When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Gear4music.

It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too.  Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.

Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!

PROS
  • Versatile hi hat cymbals
CONS
  • Premium price tag
The TedScore™: 9/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

The biggest cymbal on the drum kit is the ride cymbal. The drummer will keep a steady rhythmic pattern on the ride.

Acoustic Drum Kit Buyer'S Guide
Great for loud playing without losing definition
DESIGNED FOR: Jazz, Rock and Blues
COMES WITH: 21” Hand Hammered
FEATURES: Unlathed bell, which creates a loud, clean bell sound with good stick definition
Check Price >
9/10

Sabian HH Raw-Bell Dry Ride

What Retailer to Buy From?

When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Gear4music.

It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too.  Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.

Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!

PROS
  • Versatile Cymbal
  • Hand Hammered for a warm and funky tone
CONS
  • Premium price tag
The TedScore™: 9/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

There are many other effects cymbals for acoustic drums, which include the splash, china, chopper and stacker. These cover a much more extensive range of sounds and tend to be used by more advanced drummers as they know how to use them in a musically appropriate way.

A fairly new option in the cymbal world are ‘low volume’ cymbals. A great choice if you need to practice but don’t want to annoy your neighbor’s!

Acoustic Drum Kit Buyer'S Guide
Great for loud playing without losing definition
DESIGNED FOR: All Drummers
COMES WITH: 14” Hi Hats, 16” Crash, 18” Ride
FEATURES: Matte finish produces fewer higher frequencies
Check Price >
9/10

Zildjian Low Volume

What Retailer to Buy From?

When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Gear4music.

It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too.  Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.

Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!

PROS
  • Extremely quiet
  • Same feel as traditional cymbals
  • Comes as a set
CONS
  • Not suitable for performing
The TedScore™: 9/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

Accessories

FIVE

After the main accessories of drum sticks, hardware, heads and bags, the most important bit of kit is a drum key. This is a vital tool to tune your drums and can also be used on memory locks on hardware. Don’t waste your time trying to find a spanner to fit the bolts; they’re super cheap and make life much easier.

Drum sticks

Drum sticks vary in material, length (measured by number) and width (measured by letter). There isn’t really a system of entry-level sticks and sticks for advanced players like we see in drum kits. When you start learning, you need to get used to the weight and feel of the drum sticks from the outset. 

However, smaller sticks such as the Vic Firth Kidsticks are good for particularly small hands, but these will no doubt be outgrown quickly.

Acoustic Drum Kit Buyer'S Guide
Great for children with small hands
DESIGNED FOR: Children
COMES WITH: Hickory & Colourful
FEATURES: Shorter Length and lighter feel
Check Price >
7/10

Vic Firth Kidsticks

What Retailer to Buy From?

When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Gear4music.

It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too.  Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.

Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!

PROS
  • Hickory is durable
CONS
  • Will be outgrown quickly
The TedScore™: 7/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

By far the most popular sticks are the Vic Firth 5A’s. They are versatile and durable. As you progress in your playing ability, you may want to try out a different style of stick, and there are plenty to choose from. There are many signature drum sticks made for famous drummers that are now readily available for us all to buy.

Vic Firth Drum Stick Review
Drummer's go-to drumstick choice
DESIGNED FOR: Children
COMES WITH: Hickory
FEATURES: Superior Durability frequencies
Check Price >
10/10

Vic Firth American Classic 5A Hickory

What Retailer to Buy From?

When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Gear4music.

It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too.  Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.

Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!

PROS
  • Versatile
  • Hickory is durable
CONS
  • Does not give the bright sound you can achieve with a nylon tip
The TedScore™: 10/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Drum hardware – stands etc.

Your drum kit is completely unplayable without hardware. It positions your drum kit where you want it. Drum kit hardware includes a hi hat stand, cymbal stand, snare drum stand, bass drum pedal, tom tom mounts and of course, a throne. It is definitely worth buying good quality hardware, and it will last much longer and be much more reliable.

You can buy a whole host of different types with slightly different features. Hi Hat stands most commonly have three legs, but you can buy some with only two. The main two types of cymbal stands are those with or without a ‘boom’ arm. This allows you to position your cymbal above a drum or even another cymbal. And snare drum stands often have different ways of altering the angle.

Drum thrones have two main characteristics: how you can adjust the height and the seat itself. To adjust the height, you can either opt for a drum throne with equally spaced keyway rods (where you choose which allow for a range of settings). A threaded steel rod, which allows you to customise the height. And there are also hydraulic thrones for quick adjustments.

The type of seat you have will undoubtedly affect how comfortable you are. Seats come in different shapes and materials. From perfectly round to saddle style and vinyl to cloth, they all offer their own benefits.

Acoustic Drum Kit Buyer'S Guide
Great for portability
DESIGNED FOR: Drummers wanting to travel light
COMES WITH: Saddle Drum Throne
FEATURES: Double Braced Leg Base
Check Price >
8/10

Gibraltar 9000 Series

What Retailer to Buy From?

When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Gear4music.

It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too.  Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.

Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!

PROS
  • Reasonably priced
  • Comfortable
CONS
  • Not the most ergonomic design
The TedScore™: 8/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

For those drummers who may be taking their drum sets here, there and everywhere, there are lightweight options such as the DW Drums 6000 Series.

Acoustic Drum Kit Buyer'S Guide
Great for portability
DESIGNED FOR: Drummers wanting to travel light
COMES WITH: Ultra Light Hardware
FEATURES: Flush bases and glide tilters
Check Price >
8/10

DW Drums 6000 Series

What Retailer to Buy From?

When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Gear4music.

It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too.  Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.

Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!

PROS
  • Incredibly lightweight
  • Comes with a hardware bag
CONS
  • Does not feature boom arms on cymbal stands
  • Not as durable as double braced hardware
The TedScore™: 8/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

Double-braced hardware is the way to go for those who are hard hitters and feel you need something particularly sturdy.

The piece of hardware with the most options are bass drum pedals. There are two types of bass drum pedals, single and double. As a beginner, you would only start with a single pedal. 

Later down the line, especially if you want to learn heavier rock and metal grooves that feature a lot of bass drum, you may want to consider a double bass drum pedal. It may take up more room, and you may want to look at a two-legged stand for your hi hats.

Acoustic Drum Kit Buyer'S Guide
Great for entry-intermediate players
DESIGNED FOR: A range of styles
COMES WITH: Flush bases and glide tilters
FEATURES: Beater angle adjustment
Check Price >
8/10

Yamaha FP7210 Kick Drum Pedal

What Retailer to Buy From?

When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Gear4music.

It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too.  Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.

Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!

PROS
  • Incredibly lightweight
  • Comes with a hardware bag
CONS
  • Does not feature boom arms on cymbal stands
  • Not as durable as double braced hardware
The TedScore™: 8/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

There are then a further four separate categories of pedals. Chain drive, double chain drive, belt drive and direct drive.

Chain Drive – Despite being found on beginner drum sets, this is not always a lesser quality pedal than the double chain drive. It is the most common pedal amongst drummers as it is often less expensive and is quick and responsive.

Double Chain Drive – This is more durable than the single chain and helps stop the pedal from moving from side to side.

Belt Drive – As the name suggests, the chain has been replaced with a durable belt. Belts are much more rigid than the chains, which gives the player a higher response.

Direct Drive – These pedals have a solid connection between the beater and the footboard. This gives you the greatest control and speed. Although this is disputed between drummers who play with their heel up and those that play with their heel down.

Drum heads

The drum head sit on the top and bottom of each drum and usually come as part of the deal. As a beginner, the heads are not a deal-breaker, as long as they don’t have any holes in them. As you progress and really want to start sounding your best, good quality heads can make all the difference. 

The top head is called the batter head, and this is the head we strike. 

We call the bottom head the resonant head. Resonant heads are thinner, we don’t strike them; otherwise, there won’t be a drum head left!

Acoustic Drum Kit Buyer'S Guide
Great for live and studio playing
DESIGNED FOR: A range of styles
COMES WITH: Small vents around the perimeter
FEATURES: 14” 2ply head
Check Price >
9/10

Evans HD Dry Coated
Snare Head

What Retailer to Buy From?

When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Gear4music.

It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too.  Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.

Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!

PROS
  • Controlled, Focused sound
  • Will make your snare drum sound amazing
CONS
  • Premium price
The TedScore™: 9/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

Again, like most parts of the drum kit, the batter heads come in a varied range. You can get clear, coated, fibreskyn, calftone and many more. The differences in these heads can give you dryer, more open, brighter or warmer sounds.

Bags

Protection is super important, especially if you are transporting your drums around. Drum case bags are a great way to do this as they are lightweight and easily stored.

Some bags are simply made with durable material. Others have durable material on the outside and have a fleece lining for added protection, which is reflected in the price range.

Acoustic Drum Kit Buyer'S Guide
Great for transporting
DESIGNED FOR: Rack toms with suspended mounting systems
COMES WITH: 5 Piece fusion set
FEATURES: Shock Resistant Propadd Foam with internal fleece and pro-grip handles
Check Price >
9/10

Protection Racket Drum Bag Set

What Retailer to Buy From?

When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item.  Our personal favorite is Gear4music.

It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too.  Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.

Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!

PROS
  • Extremely Durable
  • Lightweight
CONS
  • Premium price
The TedScore™: 9/10
The TedScore™ is our unique system of scoring products.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.

Shell packs v complete drum sets

SIX

This one is down to your circumstance. Are you looking for a simple set-up to get you going, a new kit to help you achieve that next level, or have you already got parts of a drum set you would like to keep and only need the shells? Shell packs usually only include the bass drum and tom toms. This is a good idea for any drummer looking to upgrade their drums and already have the hardware and cymbals.

Advantages

Buying a shell pack will give you much more freedom and choice when you come to look at the wider kit. It makes it much easier to customize your sound. This is a good option for experienced musicians as they will have come across particular brands and models they like and do not like. 

There is often a financial saving when purchasing a drum set bundle deal. However, you may not necessarily end up with the hardware and cymbals that you would like.

Disadvantages

The time it will take you to find and choose exactly what you want will take considerably more than if you were to buy a complete drum set. It may be worth it in the end, but it is certainly something to consider.

Drum kits for beginners – what to look for

SEVEN

When buying a drum kit for a beginner, it is just as important that you end up with everything you need as it is when you are a professional. You don’t need high-end gear, just the essentials, which are reliable and reasonably priced.

It is a good idea to start with the snare drum when you begin learning. You will no doubt be itching to use more and more of the kit as you progress, which is why it is a good idea to buy a 5 piece drum kit with cymbals and hardware from the very beginning. For more info for beginners, check out our drums for beginners guide.

Entry-level drum kits tend not to sound very good, but this is not important at this stage. The most important thing is that the very sight of your drum kit makes you excited and want to get on it and start practising. Therefore, finding a drum kit that looks great is a good place to start.

Avoid unbranded drum kits as they will not be sturdy, particularly if you have a younger child that may not have good coordination; they may strike a drum head too hard and break it as some of the cheap options are paper-based.

Upgrading your drum kit

EIGHT

As you get better and better, you may start thinking about going up a gear with your drum set. It is easy to chop, change and insert new items of any part of the drum set. Snare drums and cymbals are often the first to be upgraded, especially if you have brought an all-inclusive deal, as these items can often be of lower quality.

Good quality hardware should last a long time but can still be upgraded when required. The beauty with hardware is that it all looks very similar across the different brands.

Acoustic drum kit buyer's guide
Summary

We have taken you through the fundamentals and what to look out for when buying an acoustic drum set. If you can, try before you buy! It is a great idea to hear how the acoustic drums sound and check how comfortable you are when sitting at it, and you could, after all, be sitting at it for a very long time! 

Please make sure you double-check what is included in the deals on offer, so you’re not left disappointed at the end.

FAQ's

What should I look for when buying a drum kit?

Check what is included. Is it a shell pack only, or is hardware and cymbals thrown in? Also, think about the style you play, and if that will work on the drum kit you are looking at.

What is the best drum kit for beginners?

A standard 5 piece drum kit with hardware and three cymbals (hi hats, crash and ride) will set you up well.

How much should I sell my drum set for?

This depends on what you are offering and the condition it is in. Have a look at sites such as eBay to get a rough idea of the going rat

Is it OK to learn drums on an electronic kit?

Absolutely! There are pros (the obvious being able to control the volume much more easily) and cons (such as getting away with poor technique but still achieving a good sound), but if used properly, then it can be a great tool.

What are the best drum sets you can buy?

A top range drum set from most drum manufacturers are the best. These include the Yamaha PHX Phoenix, DW Performance Series, and the Gretsch USA Broadkaster.

Buying Used Drums: What's Your Budget, What's Your Goal?

There is nothing wrong with buying used drums, and you can often pick up a really good deal. As long as what you want is there and in tip-top condition, then great!

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  • Sam Jowett
    Sam Jowett

    Sam is a first class graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. He has played for a number of professional ensembles including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, British Sinfonietta and the Novello Orchestra, which have led him to perform on some of the countries finest stages including the Royal Albert Hall and London Palladium. Alongside Tongwynlais Music Academy, Sam is also a tutor for Rhondda Cynon Taf Music Service. Sams current project is exploring the world of junk percussion, he also enjoys making whisky based cocktails.

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↓ Click here to leave a comment ↓
  1. jerry_can says:
    March 10, 2025 at 4:18 pm

    Drums + apartment = angry neighbors lol

    Reply
  2. TinaSpoon says:
    January 23, 2025 at 11:15 pm

    This is super helpful, thanks! Been lost trying to figure out what to get for my kid who wants to start drums. Acoustic space section made me reconsider getting a full set for our small apartment. Maybe electronic is the way to go.

    Reply
  3. Alex_Grid says:
    November 11, 2024 at 5:08 pm

    I’ve read through the section on drum shell woods and I believe the emphasis on the impact of wood type on sound quality cannot be overstated. However, I would argue that for a newcomer, the difference in sound between Birch and Maple, for instance, is not as perceivable compared to an experienced player. Would it not be more prudent to recommend based on durability and cost for someone just starting out?

    Reply
  4. Milly K. says:
    September 17, 2024 at 2:50 am

    Hey Sam, thanks for the guide. For a newbie, would you say it’s better to start with a 4 piece or 5 piece drum kit? Trying to make sense of it all!

    Reply
    • DrumMaster22 says:
      March 10, 2025 at 4:18 pm

      Milly K., starting with a 4 piece might be less overwhelming and better for learning the basics. Just my two cents!

      Reply

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