Hey there, inspiring drummers! Ever jam out to your favorite tunes and wish you could sound just like the drummer? But maybe a fancy, expensive drum set seems out of reach? Don’t worry, you’re not out of luck! In this post, we’ll countdown the Top 5 Best Drum Kits Under $1,000, proving that you can totally rock on without breaking the bank. Let’s get to it!
Included in this guide:
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall  | Pearl Roadshow RS525SC 5-Piece Drum Set
| 4.7 | Check Price |
Runner-up  | Yamaha SBP2F50 Stage Custom Birch 5-Piece
| 4.7 | Check Price |
Top Pick  | Tama Imperialstar IE52C 5-Piece Complete Drum Set
| 4.1 | Check Price |
Top Pick  | Mapex Armory 5-Piece Fusion Shell Pack
| 5 | Check Price |
Lowest Price  | Ludwig Questlove Pocket Kit 4-Piece Complete Drum Set
| 4.5 | Check Price |
Related Article: Top 5 Best Drummer Headphones For Every Budget (2024)
The Top 5 Best Drum Kits Under $1000
Despite being affordable, the Roadshow has everything you need to start drumming, from the hardware to the drumsticks. However, the configuration changes based on the model, with the “Rock” model RS525WFC being the most expensive (but still under $1,000). The RS525SC “New Fusion” model, however, is a well-balanced option, with a 22”x16” bass (with a port), a 14”x5.5” snare, a 12”x9” tom, a 10”x8” second tom, and a 16”x16” floor tom. The kit also comes with a 16” brass crash and a 14” brass/metal hi-hat.
- Ultra-responsive and smooth pedal
- Comes with a throne, a two-pair maple 5A stick pack, and a stick bag
- Poplar shells create smooth sounds with a boosted low-end warmth
- Brass cymbals can sound rough
Yamaha’s Stage Custom Birch set includes 10”x7” and 12”x8” rack toms with a 16”x15” floor tom. The snare is 14”x5.5”, while the kick is 22”x17”. You could get the kit in a cheaper configuration (SBP0F5) with a smaller kick and floor tom (20”x17” and 14”x13”, respectively).
In both cases, the pack only includes five shells and a tom holder—no pedals, cymbals, or stands. Technically, you could get the kit with the hardware. But this would take the price tag beyond the $1,000 mark. Plus, even then, you’d have to buy the cymbals separately.
- Stable tom mounting system with enhanced sustain
- Low-mass lugs for improved tone and sustain
- Good low-end punch and fat notes from the birch shells
- You need to double-check the model no. once the package arrives—some people got the smaller SBP0F5 model by mistake
- Not ideal for softer music styles
The only thing standing between the Imperialstar kit and the true “complete set” title is a pair of drumsticks. Otherwise, it covers the basic shells, a snare, stands, a pedal, a throne, and cymbals. The included 16” crash, 20” ride, and 14” hi-hat are all part of a Meinl HCS pack. While they can feel a bit cheap, they’re still up to the task.
Tama offers the 5-piece kit in three variations. The most affordable one is the IE58C 18” bass drum kit. However, we went with the IE52C 22”x16” bass for this review since it’s more versatile. On this size variation, the snare is 14”x5”, the floor tom is 16”x15”, and the mounted toms are 10”x7” and 12”x8”.
- Smooth and fast single-chain drive pedal
- Grain detail on the finishing wrap looks good for the price point
- Delivers a full, warm tone, and the 10” tom sings
- Hardware feels a bit flimsy and not super isolating
- 12” tom could sound muted, compared to the 10” tom
Mapex’s Armory line-up features a hybrid shell construction on the 22”x18” kick and toms (10”x8”, 12”x9”, and 16”x16”). Maple is used for the core and sandwiched between two plies of birch. This way, the shells get the best of both worlds: the resonance and projection with a focused attack.
The Tomahawk 14”x5.5” snare shell, on the other hand, is made with 1mm stainless steel. It’s optimized for long-range projection and accuracy. Mapex used to have a “trade-in” program that allowed customers to exchange their snares for different models in the Armory line (Daisy Cutter, Dillinger, Peacemaker, or Exterminator). This program is discontinued, though, and the Tomahawk is now what you get with all kits in the lineup.
- Suspension mounts provide powerful resonance from the toms
- SONIClear bearing edge makes it easier to fit heads flat on the shells for a wider tuning range
- Deep, throaty growl on the Tomahawk, ideal for rock and metal
- Coated heads might sound slightly dampened
The Pocket Kit is created for kids (ages 4–10). But that doesn’t mean it’s a toy. It’s actually more of a small-scale (yet legit) drum kit. Included in the package are a 12”x5” snare, a 10”x6” mounted tom, a 13”x10” floor tom, a 16”x12” bass drum, a hi-hat, and a crash/ride cymbal. All hardware pieces (stands, foot pedal, boom arms, etc.) are included, too. Ludwig even tossed a throne, sticks, and drum key into the mix.
- Comes with six beginners’ lessons from Questlove (setting up the kit, tuning, drum rolls, etc.)
- Loud sounds despite the down-scaled size
- Covered hardware reduces the risk of corrosion
- Drumsticks can be slightly big for kids
Related Article: The Best Drum Sticks Of 2024: Find Your Perfect Match
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Since you’re on a budget, you’ll want to steer away from mahogany. Your topic picks are poplar (soft highs/mids and low-end warmth), birch (full basses and highs with balanced mids), maple (full low-end), and basswood (comparable to maple). A hybrid construction like the one on the Armory kit will work as well.
For beginners, an all-in-one starter kit can cut the hassle out of the equation and provide a decent value for money. On the other hand, a shell pack gives you room to mix and match. Of course, this only works if you have some experience and already know what feels best to you
Clear heads aren’t necessarily better than coated ones. But they do tend to sound bright and deliver strong attacks. So, they can work well on bass drums. Meanwhile, coated heads usually sound subtle. Some kits will feature both head types to balance things out.
Sound holes in the bass help you create more focused and punchy sounds. Plus, you can use it to mic the drum. It’s usually off-center, and some people attach a ring protector over it. If your bass doesn’t come with a port, you could cut it out yourself.
You may need to factor in additional costs like drum sticks, headphones (for practicing quietly), and possibly a drum rug to protect your floor.
Product Recap
For value, the Pearl Roadshow is hard to beat, offering everything you need to start drumming at a budget-friendly price. If sound is your priority, the Yamaha Stage Custom Birch delivers rich, professional tones with its birch shells, but comes at a slightly higher cost. For igniting a child’s musical spark, the Ludwig Questlove Pocket Kit is a compact and age-appropriate option.
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