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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)
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 āRockā model RS525WFC being the most expensive (but still under $1,000). The RS525SC āNew Fusionā model, however, is a well-balanced option, with a 22āx16ā bass (with a port), a 14āx5.5ā snare, a 12āx9ā tom, a 10āx8ā second tom, and a 16āx16ā floor tom. The kit also comes with a 16ā brass crash and a 14ā brass/metal hi-hat.
Yamahaās Stage Custom Birch set includes 10āx7ā and 12āx8ā rack toms with a 16āx15ā floor tom. The snare is 14āx5.5ā, while the kick is 22āx17ā. You could get the kit in a cheaper configuration (SBP0F5) with a smaller kick and floor tom (20āx17ā and 14āx13ā, respectively).Ā
In both cases, the pack only includes five shells and a tom holderāno 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, youād have to buy the cymbals separately.
The only thing standing between the Imperialstar kit and the true ācomplete setā title is a pair of drumsticks. Otherwise, it covers the basic shells, a snare, stands, a pedal, a throne, and cymbals. The included 16ā crash, 20ā ride, and 14ā hi-hat are all part of a Meinl HCS pack. While they can feel a bit cheap, theyāre still up to the task.
Tama offers the 5-piece kit in three variations. The most affordable one is the IE58C 18ā bass drum kit. However, we went with the IE52C 22āx16ā bass for this review since itās more versatile. On this size variation, the snare is 14āx5ā, the floor tom is 16āx15ā, and the mounted toms are 10āx7ā and 12āx8ā.
Mapexās Armory line-up features a hybrid shell construction on the 22āx18ā kick and toms (10āx8ā, 12āx9ā, and 16āx16ā). 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 14āx5.5ā snare shell, on the other hand, is made with 1mm stainless steel. Itās optimized for long-range projection and accuracy. Mapex used to have a ātrade-inā 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.
The Pocket Kit is created for kids (ages 4ā10). But that doesnāt mean itās a toy. Itās actually more of a small-scale (yet legit) drum kit. Included in the package are a 12āx5ā snare, a 10āx6ā mounted tom, a 13āx10ā floor tom, a 16āx12ā 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.
Related Article: The Best Drum Sticks Of 2024: Find Your Perfect Match
Since youāre on a budget, youāll 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 arenāt 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. Itās usually off-center, and some people attach a ring protector over it. If your bass doesnāt 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.
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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