10 Best Drum Sets 2024 in the United States

Whether you looking for a set to start your kid’s journey to rock superstar, or want to start your own amateur band, there is a drum set out there for everyone. Buying the right drum set can mean the difference between great sounding rock or empty noise. To help you choose the best drum set, we have put together this drum set buying guide to quickly and simply find the right kit for you.

Drum sets come in various sizes aimed at small children all the way through to adults, and can have a variety of pieces and drum heads attached. The two main configurations are four or five piece drum sets. Here are the main types of drum sets for you to compare and choose from:

Junior Drum Sets: Offering smaller diameter drums, these sets are aimed at younger children from as young as toddler age. On average, these kits use a 14/16 inch diameter base drum and seats can be adjusted low enough for kids to reach the pedals easily.

Fusion Drum Sets: Fusion drum sets are perfect for teenages and adults and normally offer 22 inch base drums, 10 and 12 inch toms, and a 16 inch floor tom. Providing accurate sound and tuning options, there are a wide range of options in fusion drum sets, from beginner to professional.

Standard Drum Sets: Offering larger toms, these types of drumsets produce higher volumes and bigger tones.

4-Piece Drum Sets: 4-piece drum sets consist of a bass drum, a snare drum, one rack top, and one floor tom. The basic setup makes these sets suitable for a wide range of music types and they are an ideal beginner’s choice.

5-Piece Drum Sets: 5-piece drum sets are the most popular setup, consisting of a bass drum, a snare drum, two rack toms, and a floor time. They are is a great choice for the budding percussionists in your life.

Electric Drum Sets: A completely different type of drum set, electric drums sets are in a category of their own. Smaller, quieter, and easier to use, electronic drum kits are designed for beginners who want to try out drumming before investing in a proper set.

Based on all the consumers' reviews we've scanned, these are the top things they mentioned about their new stuff:

1. Adaptability: Drum sets with upgradeable pieces and with space for additions are the best reviewed drum sets as owners feel they can build onto the set as they improve, or grow the set with their kids as they age. Choosing a good quality drum set will not only give you a good start on quality pieces but will also allow you to upgrade as you improve.
2. Value: Value for money and price is a particular concern for parents who have bought junior sets for their kids. As beginners, finding a good quality set at a good price gives parents a low cost alternative when they are not sure whether their children will enjoy and carry on their passion with drums.
3. Assembly: Drum sets that are easy to assemble are rated much higher than kits that are not. This is a particular concern for beginners or for people buying sets as gifts that have no prior drum set knowledge. If this is a concern for you, choose a best rated brand that has good assembling reviews and clear instructions.
4. Build: Drum set owners that are satisfied with their kit purchase refer to their drum build as solid and well put together. Things like good quality pedals and stands are of particular concern, especially to parents who bought the drums for young kids.

• Choose a drum kit most comfortable for the size of the player. If the player is over 5 feet tall, they will be more comfortably playing a standard drum set, while toddlers and small children would be more comfortable playing a junior set.
• When choosing the size of your drum set and its pieces, consider where the drums will be played to ensure the kit will fit. For smaller spaces, 4-piece sets will fit better and offer more portability.
• Before choosing your drum set, think about the skill level of the player. For beginners, 4-piece set will be sufficient, while intermediate players will want at least 5-pieces, and advanced players may opt for 6-pieces (usually an extra bass) and above. The more skilled or the more serious the player, the better the quality drum set you should consider.
• What sound do you want? Different wood types will create different sounds. The fewer the drums and the smaller they are, the more the drum set will be suited for jazz, blues, and acoustic music. The more drums there are and the larger they are, the better they will produce rock and metal music.
• Drums can be made from a variety of woods and each offer unique sound attributes. The top choice is maple, which offers warm balanced tones but if budget is an issue, choose a falkata set instead, which offers a similar sound for a lower cost. Birch is a perfect choice for semi-professionals wanting to record their sound, and mahogany offers enhanced low and mid ranges with reduced highs. Or choose poplar or lauan, which are low cost alternatives to birch while mimicking the same sound, ideal for beginners.
• The less piles (layers of wood) a drum shell has, the warmer the sound will be and the lower the fundamental notes.
• Drum set hardware should include the bass drum pedal, snare stand, hi-hat stand, and at least one cymbal stand, but will vary from set to set.
• Drum Sticks come in a variety of sizes and styles and are a necessary accessory. The weight of drum sticks will affect the style of music you will play.

Pearl: A household name in percussion, Pearl has been manufacturing and distributing quality drums, percussion musical instruments, and flutes in the United States since 1942.

GP Percussion: GP Percussion strive to produce and supply good quality instruments designed by musicians, aimed at a wide spectrum of skill levels from beginner to professional.

Gammon Percussion: Since forming in 2012, Gammon Percussion has specialized in drum sets and they aim to offer quality instruments for affordable prices across the whole range of skill levels.