The Gammon Percussion Full-Size Adult Drum Set is our best drum kit and it has a total of five pieces much like a real drum kit. This awesome drum kit is very great for professional use due to its perfect size and just-right arrangements. Its stool is ready for the user to use while playing the drums and the crash cymbals plus the hi-hats are all included in this one pack of drum kit. You also get stands along with the drum kit and the pedals are chain driven much like standard pedals out there. This professionally packed set is ready for some action without any other additional gear.
Our step-up pick is the Pearl RS525SCC706 Roadshow 5-Piece Drum Set and this drum set has a charcoal and metallic finish that adds to its sense of style and durability. You can also choose from a myriad of styles and colors for the drum kit. The drum set you choose can also be customized depending on the type of genre you usually play, such as rock, jazz, new fusion or fusion. Like any standard drum set, it also has five pieces that will give you performance on demand as well as professionalism in playing the drums.
The budget pick is the Gammon Complete 5-Piece Junior Drum Set and youngsters who want to practice drumming at an early age should get this budget pick. It comes with a complete set with 5 pieces of drums in just one go and this drum set is ideal for junior players or for kids around 3 to 10 years of age. The lug bass drum measures 10 by 16 inches while the hi-hat cymbals measure 2-8 inches and you can choose between black rims or chrome rims with a high gloss finish. You can also choose from different colors and styles for your preference.
A Little Background
Drum kits or drum sets often come in traditional packages and are often called acoustic drums, as compared to electronic drum sets. Drum kits are usually heavier and bulkier and are usually more expensive than electronic drum sets and this is why only studios and big time sound system providers usually have a real drum kit – or professional drummers.
How We Picked
In choosing the best drum kit, we considered the following:
Playing level – some drum kits are for kids, some are for adults, some are for beginners and some are for experts. It depends on your skill level whether you want to buy a startup drum kit just to play or a professional set for recording and frequent live stage performances.
Quality – obviously, you will need to have a drum kit that has unmatched durability for its components.
Flexibility – a drum kit should be easily positioned in any way you want.
Our Pick
Gammon Percussion Full-Size Adult Drum Set
The Gammon Percussion Full-Size Adult Drum Set is our best drum kit and this awesome drum kit is very great for professional use due to its perfect size and just-right arrangements. It has a total of five pieces much like a real drum kit and this drum set also comes in handy with cymbals as well as drum sticks plus a stool or drummer’s throne to keep you comfortable. You also get stands along with the drum kit.
The crash cymbals plus the hi-hats are all included in this one pack of drum kit and its stool is ready for the user to use while playing the drums. This professionally packed set is ready for some action without any other additional gear. The pedals are chain driven much like standard pedals out there and the black finish is at a high gloss material quality so it can stand for the years to come and look good at your current gig or live performance.
This drum set has a lug bass drum that measures 22 by 14 inches that plays clear and deep bass tunes. The hi-hat cymbals measure a standard 12 inches that provide the best high frequency rhythm action while the crash and ride cymbal measures 14 inches. The wood snare drum measures 14 by 5 1/2 inches in its size and produces beats like no other and the floor tom measures standard at 16 by 16 inches. The stands are included for the cymbals, hi-hats and the snare and there are also mounted toms that measure 13 by 10 inches. There are also memory locks that can be adjusted to your needs.
The Gammon Adult Drum Set comes with a drummer’s key plus a pair of drum sticks to get the party started and the drum set is also available in many other colors such as wine red, metallic blue and metallic green. The drums can be spread at an average of 5 by 3 1/2 feet in its dimensions so make sure you have room for it and there is also a bonus instructional DVD included with this drum kit for beginners.
Flaws but Not Dealbrakers
The Gammon Percussion Full-Size Adult Drum Set may look perfect but it does have a few shortcomings but they do not ruin the quality of the drum kit. For example, it is only meant for beginners or intermediate players but is a good starting point for learning the drums.
Step-up Pick
Pearl RS525SCC706 Roadshow 5-Piece Drum Set
Our step-up pick is the Pearl RS525SCC706 Roadshow 5-Piece Drum Set and this drum set has a charcoal and metallic finish that adds to its sense of style and durability. Like any standard drum set, it also has five pieces that will give you performance on demand as well as professionalism in playing the drums.
The drum set you choose can also be customized depending on the type of genre you usually play, such as rock, jazz, new fusion or fusion. In fact, you can also choose from a myriad of styles and colors for the drum kit. The drum set has triple flanged hoops that measure 1.2 mm each and the poplar shells are 9-ply and measure 7 mm each. It has a standard set of drums including one bass drum measuring 16 by 22 inches and there is also a floor tom at 16 by 16 inches plus a 12 by 9 tom and a 1 by 8 tom. The snare drum measures a standard 5 1/2 by 14 inches and the cymbals have great quality.
There is also a stand for the cymbals, the hi-hat and the snare and a high quality pedal for the bass drum and there are also two convenient tom holders. The drum throne or sitting stool holds excellent quality as well and the hardware of this drum kit is double braced for excellent performance and durability. There is also a stick bag that houses in the included two pairs of maple material drum sticks.
The hi-hats are also hybrid in their design and the drum heads are also excellent in their quality. There is also a drum key for tightening the drum faces to achieve a good sound. It also comes with a pearl drum poster as a bonus. Overall, if you are looking for an entry level drum kit then this is the set to buy.
Budget Pick
Gammon Complete 5-Piece Junior Drum Set
With that, our budget pick is the Gammon Complete 5-Piece Junior Drum Set and this drum set is ideal for junior players or for kids around 3 to 10 years of age. It comes with a complete set with 5 pieces of drums in just one go and you can also choose from different colors and styles for your preference.
The drum set comes complete with everything that you need such as the cymbals, the drum sticks, the stool and the stands and you can choose between black rims or chrome rims with a high gloss finish. Moreover the lug bass drum measures 10 by 16 inches while the hi-hat cymbals measure 2-8 inches and there are also two hang toms that play deep notes as well as the floor tom which provides good bass levels. Also, the wood snare drum provides excellent beat capabilities.
Adding to that, there is also a drummer’s key for adjusting your drum’s tightness so you can adjust depending on the genre you want or your level of playing. The bass drum pedal is built with excellent quality and the snare stand is also built to last as well as the cymbal and hi-hat stands to make it last for years of use. The cymbals measure 1-10 inches and the real and authentic wood shells of this drum kit makes it very reliable and sounding very professional in the long run. Just a few minutes of assembly is required for this easy drum kit.
The Gammon Junior Drum Set also comes with the needed drum sticks for you to play on the go. You can also buy replacement parts for the stands, for the drums and for the hardware from the drum kit manufacturer or from external manufacturers. Youngsters who want to practice drumming at an early age should get this budget pick.
Best 8-Piece Drum Kit
Tama Imperialstar 8-Piece Double-Bass Drum Set
the Tama Imperialstar 8-Piece Double-Bass Drum Set has two bass drums in the set making it very powerful as a set of drums to use for any live performance. It uses Meinl HCS cymbals for its set of cymbals and the bass drums measure 22 by 18 inches each while the floor tom drums measure 14 by 14 inches and the other floor tom measures 16 by 16 inches.
It comes with a drum throne or drummer stool that allows you to sit comfortably. There are a total of 3 cymbals to rock out with plus a hi-hat with stands and there are three toms at 8 by 7, 12 by 9 and 10 by 8 inches each. The poplar construction makes the 6 shell materials very excellent in quality and performance for a drum kit with a 6-ply construction for added durability. There is also a high performance and durable bass pedal.
The snare measures 14 by 5 1/2 inches as a standard and there re is also a bearing edge of 45 degrees. The thickness of the poplar shell construction is 6 1/2 inches and the hoops are made from die cast material. The mounts are made from traditional yet high quality material. All of the hardware material is made from high quality steel for extra durability and it is given a wrap finish with standard lugs. The candy apple finish of this drum kit adds to its aesthetics and vibrant looks on stage.
The drum shells are made from high quality poplar material each at 7.5 mm and the ride cymbal measures 20 inches, the crash measures 16 inches and the hi-hats measure 14 inches. Tama is a well-known traditional drum kit provider for years.
Ideal Drum Kit for Professional Use
Dixon Blaze PODBZ522PB 5-Piece Drum Set
The Dixon Blaze PODBZ522PB 5-Piece Drum Set has a total of five awesome pieces that require only a few tweaks to use and the piano gloss finish of this awesome drum kit makes it stage worthy as a drum set. As a matter of fact, this set contains two regular toms, one at 8 by 10 inches and another at 9 by 12 inches and it also includes a floor tom which measures 16 by 14 inches.
The hybrid shells are 7-ply in their quality to add to the overall durability of the drum set and there are also bearing edges on the drum kit shells at 45 degrees. The bass drum measures 22 by 18 inches and produces a good bass sound while the snare drum measures 6 1/2 inches by 14 inches and produces great and clear beat sounds.
There is also a double tom holder that is mounted with isolation mounts for convenience and so that it will not mix with other sounds and drums. Also, the gloss and satin finish makes this amazing drum kit aesthetic in its looks and performance. It comes with 7 red silk wood shells plus 2 maple shells and the drums are made from high quality North American Maple wood plus red silk wood for providing a crisp and clear sound. There are also tons of hardware packs available for you to add to this drum kit set. The drum set is backed by a limited warranty.
Best Full Size Drum Kit
Mendini MDS80-GN Complete Full-Size Drum Set
The Mendini MDS80-GN Complete Full-Size Drum Set contains a complete kit of drums that are ready to use. It is also a full size drum set with a great finish and a good looking build. The bass drum measures 16 by 22 inches while the snare drum measures 14 by 5 1/2 inches and both of them deliver a solid performance when it comes to beats and the like.
The toms measure 13 by 9 inches and 12 by 8 inches while the floor tom measures 16 by 16 inches and all of them provide solid sound when it comes to rolling and fills. A chain driven pedal comes along with the hi-hat cymbals which measures 14 1/2 inches and provides ultra solid highs along with the ride and crash cymbal with a measurement of 16 inches. In fact, both the hi-hat and the crash cymbal come with convenient with stands.
A Jinbao lug that is made from high quality zinc material is used with the bass drum on this set and the bottom head part is also a Jinbao brand while the batter head is a Remo UK brand, both of which provide solid performance. It comes with wooden drum sticks that will give you a solid and high quality performance on stage or at home or over at your studio.
The drum throne or drum seat is also adjustable and has a round and padded design for comfort while playing drums for hours and the pedal for the bass drum is also chain driven much like the hi-hats. There are also 1.5 mm triple flange hoops that deliver superior quality, mechanism and sound.
The drum shells are made from high quality birch wood for an awesome performance and durability in the long run and the unit requires only a few minutes of assembly. Also coming with a professional drum key for adjusting the tightness of your drums, because it is a full size, adults and teenagers can definitely play it with ease. The drum sticks that are included are sized 5b and the unit brings out the full range of tons, from low to middle up to high and sharp tones altogether. It is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty of 1 year for customer satisfaction.
Best Shell Pack Drum Kit
Yamaha Stage Birch 5-Piece Shell Pack
The Yamaha Stage Birch 5-Piece Shell Pack is a shell pack from Yamaha which contains five pieces of awesome and high quality drums. With a pure white finish, this drum kit will look nicely on any studio, any stage and any home or living space possible. Its kick drum or bass drum measures 17 by 20 inches while its snare measures 14 by 5 1/2 inches and both of them, when combined together, can help you deliver a solid performance.
The birch wood material for the shell pack drum kit makes it very durable and solid in its performance and quality and there is also a mount receiver for the bass drum which contains 3 holes. The floor tom measures 13 by 14 inches while two other rack toms measures 12 by 18 and 10 by 7 inches, all of which deliver good rolling and filling results in any live set or performance.
In fact, all of the shells for the rack toms, snare and floor tom are made from high quality birch with 6-ply quality with a thickness of 6 mm while the drum shell is made from 7-ply quality of birch wood at 7 mm of thickness.
There is also a YESS tom mounting system that keeps the toms isolated from the rest of your drum parts so it does not cause unnecessary vibration as you roll and there is also a bearing edge that measures 45 degrees. The high gloss lacquer finish on this drum kit helps it to withstand many hours of practices, performances, recordings and the like and the air seal system on this drum kit helps it to be fully preserved for long years of usage. The lugs have an absolute style that do not get in the way of your performance whether on stage or in the studio.
There is also a 22-inch kick available and a myriad of color choices possible for this drum kit and there are also stoppers included with the bass drum legs to keep it from slipping and to ease the frustration of setting it up. There are also die cast claw hooks so that noise will be reduced using the rubber insertion plates for every performance. A good rumble plus a punchy and warm tone is produced using the high quality birch material on this drum kit. Resonance is also added and improved using the mounting system of this drum kit. The drum set also comes with basic mounting hardware and sustainability and rich tones are given to the drum kit thanks to its low mass lugs for an excellent vibration capability. Overall, from beginners to professionals, you can be assured that this drum kit is all that you’ll ever need.
Ideal Drum Kit for Children
AW 3pcs Junior Children Drum Set
The AW 3pcs Junior Children Drum Set can be used for young kids and children who want to get started with playing the drums despite the young age and it is great for kids from 3 to 8 years of age because of its simplicity and straightforward use and design. You can definitely give it as a Christmas or birthday gift for your son or nephew or to any kid who wants to learn the drums.
The drum throne is also extra padded for comfort on the go while playing for hours and enjoying the drums. There are also drum sticks included so your kid does not have to go look for other drum sticks and the drum shell is made from high quality and authentic wood for added durability. It comes complete with cymbals, bass drum, toms and snare drum.
The bass drum measures 10 by 12 inches while the snare drum measures 8 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches and the tom drum measures 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 inches while the cymbals measure 8 inches. The silver finish adds a great visual appeal to the drum kit. The drums are made from high quality material from maple and PVC and the sticks are also made from high quality maple wood material. The durability of this awesome drum kit is superb.
Best Junior Drum Kit
Mendini Cecilio Metallic Junior Drum Set
Made for juniors or kids from around 3 to 13 years of age due to its medium size and simple set up, the Mendini Cecilio Metallic Junior Drum Set contains 3 pieces of equipment which are all ready to be used when needed. There are also four lugs coming with this drum kit and the snare has been mounted and has dimensions of 4 by 10 inches.
The seat is also very sturdy and it is not too far from the ground so kids with younger ages can enjoy it and the bass drum pedal has four lugs as well and measures 13 by 18 inches. The tom also has four lugs and measures 8 by 6 inches. it comes with the needed wooden drum sticks for your kids to enjoy playing the drums with and practicing to their heart’s content and the drum throne or drum stool / seat is highly adjustable for a great seat height plus it is padded for extra added comfort for many long hours of drumming. There are also setup instructions that come with this drum kit for kids.
The shells of the drums are made from high quality and genuine hard wood material to help add to its quality of sounds. Younger players will also benefit from the triple flanged hoops to add to its better sound capabilities and ease of use. You can also easily mount off the cymbals from the bass drum so the whole thing is easy to set up and easy to take down as well. There are five different colors and designs to choose from for this drum set for children. The whole drum kit spans at a size of 13 inches so it does not take up a lot of room and it only requires a few minutes of assembly due to its straightforward design.
Drum Kit with Chrome Hardware
DW Performance Series 5-Piece Shell Pack
The DW Performance Series 5-Piece Shell Pack has a black diamond finish which makes it luxurious looking and durable in its build and design and the chrome hardware of this awesome professional drum kit also adds to the durability of the whole package. It is also a standard shell pack which contains 5 pieces of drums and equipment along with it and the snare measures 5 1/2 by 14 inches and is very clear in producing high quality sounds.
The floor tom measures 14 by 16 inches and delivers great rolling action along with the other toms at 10 by 8 inches and 9 by 12 inches and the bass drum, which measures 22 by 18 inches, delivers great deep bass sounds that will bring the audience to life. The construction of the shells has a thickness of 5.6 and has an 8-ply quality for great durability and protection. The shell pack is made from high quality maple material to withstand many uses. There are also mounts that are suspended in design with this shell pack drum kit.
There are also triple flange hoops that add beauty to your performance and the lugs on this drum kit are also patented and it also has branded drum heads. The material for the drum hardware is high quality steel to withstand years of use and it has a bearing edge of 45 degrees and is back cut for high performance and helps increase the attack of the drums and avoids contact from the shell to the head.
It has been given a lacquer finish for durability and style. For further enhancing your fundamental tones, the STM or suspension tom mounts help isolate the toms from the rest of the drums. The HVX shells help produce punchy tones for a great performance overall and you can also choose satin oil for its finish. Claw hooks included in this drum kit are made of die cast material that makes it low in mass. Adding to its hardware is the turret lug set.
The Competition
When it comes to other drum kits, they were not satisfactory and most of them aren’t even realistic in sounds and quality. Whether it is a drum kit for kids or adults, it should be playable at a comfortable place and should be ready to take some beating.
Q: What are the pros and cons of acoustic and electronic drums?
A: According to Drums the Word , acoustic drums feel more realistic than electronic drums and can be positioned more fluidly than electronic drums. On the other hand, acoustic drums can’t be easily toned down to avoid waking up the neighbors compared to electronic drums where you can use a headphone.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What tips should I consider when practicing drums?
A: According to Drumeo , you should combine skills with your playing passion and not just focus on drum techniques and stick rolling yet make sure you stick to a lesson or consult a professional teacher. You can watch YouTube videos and learn by yourself as well but it always pays to practice with a real teacher or a buddy who knows drums well.
Wrapping It Up
To top it off, the Gammon Percussion Full-Size Adult Drum Set is our best drum kit from the sets of drum kits out there to power up your performance and help you practice better on the drums.
Jen Miller is a former electrical engineer and product specialist with more than 20 years of product design and testing experience. She has designed more than 200 products for Fortune 500 companies, in fields ranging from home appliances to sports gear and outdoor equipment. She founded Jen Reviews to share her knowledge and critical eye for what makes consumers tick, and adopts a strict no-BS approach to help the reader filter through the maze of products and marketing hype out there. She writes regularly and has been featured on Forbes, Fast Company, The Muse, The Huffington Post, Tiny Buddha and MindBodyGreen.