5 Best Drum Heads For All Musical Styles

Best Drum Heads For All Musical Styles

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While the type of shells you have play a big role in how your drum kit sounds, it’s the drumheads that establish the tones, how the drums feel to play, and how they perform in different environments. 

A fresh set of heads can completely rejuvenate how your drum kit sounds, and higher-end heads can often make cheaper kits sound amazing. So, it’s important to have good heads to give your drum kit the best performance. 

In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best drum heads for all musical styles. I’ve compared performance, design, durability, and cost to give you my top recommendations.

What Are The Best Drum Heads For All Musical Styles?

Image Recommended ProductsProduct Features Price
Best focused sounds
Remo Pinstripe 3-piece Tom Pack - 10:12:16 - Clear
  • 10", 12" & 16" Tom heads
  • Two plies of 7mil film
  • Warm and focused sounds
Best versatile heads
Remo Emperor 3-piece Tom Pack - 10:12:16 - Clear
  • 10", 12" & 16" Tom heads
  • Two plies of 7mil film
  • Increased attack, projection and durability
Best modern sounds
Evans G2 Tom Pack - 10, 12, 16 - Clear
  • 10", 12" & 16" Tom heads
  • Two plies of 7mil film
  • Highly versatile drum heads
Best muffled heads
Evans Hydraulic Glass Rock Tom Pack - 10, 12. 16 - Hydraulic
  • 10", 12" & 16" Tom heads
  • Two plies of 6.5mil film
  • Thin film of oil suppresses overtones
Best snare head
remo emperor x
  • 14" diameter snare drum head
  • Made with two plies of 10-mil Mylar film
  • 5-Mil reverse black dot

Drum Heads Reviews

Best focused sounds

Remo Pinstripe Clear Drum Head Pack

A popular set of drumheads that offer warm and balanced tones. They’re quite thick, so they muffle your drums enough to not need any external dampening.
Performance
5.0
Design
4.5
Durability
4.5
Versatility
4.5
Value
4.0

    Remo Pinstripe Clear Drum Head Pack Review

    In first place we have a set of the legendary Remo Pinstripe Drum Heads. These drum heads offer immense durability as well as warm and focused sounds, and they are some of the world’s most popular drum heads.

    This drum heads set is constructed with 2-plies of 7-mil film and features the distinctive pinstripe around the drum which provides overtone control and increased attack.

    The Pinstripe series is so popular amongst drummers because of their ability to provide a well-rounded tone with the right level of dampening. Remo make fantastic drum heads, and these are the go-to choice of drummers around the world.

    These are some of the best drum heads for rock in addition to other musical styles, and they sound great across a wide tuning range. The two ply composition makes them very durable and they retain their sound for a long time.

    They are perfect for both live and studio, and the control of overtones provides them with a pre-dampened and focused sound. They also sound great on all types of drum sets, and can completely transform a beginner drum set from sounding cheap to high quality and musical.

    Remo make some of the best drum heads, and you definitely can’t go wrong with this pack. Another benefit is that, while they’re considered premium drumheads, they’re still a bit more affordable than similar heads from Evans and Aquarian. That’s why I recommend these over those ones. 

    Features:

    • 10″, 12″ & 16″ Tom heads
    • Two plies of 7mil film
    • Warm and focused sounds

    Pros

    • Ideal for both live and studio settings, as they perform brilliantly in both kinds of environments
    • Best drumheads for rock music, as they give your drums punchy and full tones
    • Boosted attacking sounds
    • Don’t require muffling, as the pinstripe design pre-muffles your drums already

    Cons

    • Lacks some sensitivity and articulation, so they’re not a great option for drummers that need that from their toms
    Best versatile heads

    Remo Emperor Clear Drum Head Pack

    Versatile drumheads that make your drums sound great in every tuning. They’re a highly popular option for professional drummers, as they’re reliable and quite durable.
    Performance
    4.5
    Design
    4.5
    Durability
    4.5
    Versatility
    5.0
    Value
    4.0

      Remo Emperor Clear Drum Head Pack Review

      Remo produce some of the best sounding drum heads in the world. And these Remo Emperor Clear Drum Heads are no exception. They offer lots of attack and projection that makes them suitable for a wide range of musical styles.

      These drum heads are bright and musical, and are favored by some of the world’s most in-demand professional drummers within genres such as rock, funk, pop and R&B.

      The Remo Emperor drum heads are an ideal choice for both beginner drum sets and professional drum sets.

      Upgrading a beginner drum set’s skins to these will provide them with a new lease of life, offering well-rounded tones and a clear sonic projection.

      Much like the Evans G2 series, these drum heads are also constructed of 2-plies of 7-mil film.

      You can’t go wrong with these drum heads, and they will make your toms sing beautifully whether tuned up high, low or in between. They’re many drummers’ go-to choice as the best drum heads for rock music.

      If you’re not sure what drumheads to get, these would be one of the best options to go with, as there aren’t many drummers that don’t love them. They just may not be your style if you want really tight and controlled tones.

      Features:

      • 10″, 12″ & 16″ Tom heads
      • Two plies of 7mil film
      • Increased attack, projection and durability

      Pros

      • Very popular amongst professionals due to their reliability and durability
      • Good attack and projection, making them effective for live gigs
      • Each head allows your toms to sing beautifully

      Cons

      • Increased sustain and resonance, which are sounds that some drummers may not want
      Best modern sounds

      Evans G2 Clear Drum Head Pack

      Some of Evans’ most popular drumheads. These provide solid tones that are warm and musical. The tones are also sought after in modern musical contexts.
      Performance
      4.5
      Design
      4.0
      Durability
      4.0
      Versatility
      4.5
      Value
      4.0

        Evans G2 Clear Drum Head Pack Review

        The Evans G2 Drum Heads are a brilliantly versatile set of drum heads that work really well for all styles of music. They have an open response and lots of clarity and punch.

        For the modern drummer seeking a clear and well-rounded tone these are some of the best drum heads available.

        These drum heads are constructed of 2-plies of 7-mil film and the sound offered has the perfect blend of depth, sustain and attack. These really are the choice of the modern working drummer who plays a wide range of musical styles.

        Not only are these the best sounding drum heads for lots of styles of music, but they are also durable and have a wide-tuning range. They sound great tuned up both high and low.

        These drum heads project more overtones than the Remo Pinstripe series, due to the absence of dampening and thus the sound isn’t quite as warm. The sounds offered are brighter and have more clarity in comparison.

        That’s the one big difference between them, so you should do a few listening tests to see which heads you may prefer. They’re both great, but I’d say the G2s are a bit more versatile, especially for achieving a modern drum kit sound. 

        Overall the Evans G2 series is a great set to choose for your drum set. These are undoubtedly some of the best drum heads for rock and will equip your drums with truly professional sounds.

        Features:

        • 10″, 12″ & 16″ Tom heads
        • Two plies of 7mil film
        • Highly versatile drum heads
        Best muffled heads

        Evans Hydraulic Glass Drum Head Pack

        Unique heads from Evans that give your drums short and full tones. They decrease resonance by quite a bit due to the two plies and thin layer of oil.
        Performance
        4.5
        Design
        4.5
        Durability
        4.5
        Versatility
        4.0
        Value
        4.0

          Evans Hydraulic Glass Drum Head Pack Review

          Lastly up for review we have these Evans Hydraulic Glass Drum Heads that are designed to deliver a fat and punchy sound with very little overtones and sustain.

          These drum heads are comprised of 2-plies of 6.5mm film and have a thin film of oil in between the plies that decreases sustain and enhances the low-end and attack.

          These Hydraulic drum heads are famously easy to tune and they sound great on all drums and especially on beginner drum sets, where bearing edges might not be perfect and might otherwise be difficult to achieve great drum sounds.

          The short, fat and punchy sounds from these drum heads and ease of tuning makes them the best drum heads for beginner drum sets.

          Even for better quality drum sets these skins still sound punchy and full, bringing the drums to life. They have a lot of attack and durability which means they are great for rock music and heavy hitters.

          They also work brilliantly for drummers that want vintage tones. Drum kits from the 60s and 70s didn’t have much resonance from the toms, and you can get a similar sound very easily by using these on your toms. You don’t even have to use much muffling once they’re on. 

          Features:

          • 10″, 12″ & 16″ Tom heads
          • Two plies of 6.5mil film
          • Thin film of oil suppresses overtones

          Pros

          • Best drumheads for beginner drum sets, as they decrease a lot of resonance to eliminate nasty overtones
          • Very easy to tune, as you don’t need to worry about sustain
          • Fat and punchy sounds, which work well for vintage drum sets

          Cons

          • Lacks sensitivity and articulation
          • Very dead sounding, as they lack tone and resonance
          Best snare head

          Remo Emperor X Coated Snare Drum Head

          One of the best snare drumheads on the market. It delivers fat tones from the reverse black dot, and it’s durable enough to survive the hardest hitting players. It’s a common option for rock drummers.
          Performance
          4.5
          Design
          5.0
          Durability
          5.0
          Versatility
          4.0
          Value
          4.0

            Remo Emperor X Coated Snare Drum Head Review

            The Remo Emperor X Coated Snare Drum Head is arguably the best snare drum head for rock music ever made! It is made with two free-floating plies of 10-mil Mylar film and a 5-mil reverse black dot that allows this thick snare drum head to deliver ultra-fat tones.

            This is one of Remo’s most popular drum heads especially amongst today’s hardest hitting rock drummers. This snare drum head delivers an incredibly satisfying pop and a fantastic tone.

            The Remo Emperor X is incredibly durable. You can be sure that even after significant hammering it will remain perfectly intact! It has a very full sound and a lot of presence within a mix.

            Overall the Emperor X is one of my favorite snare drum heads that has an especially wide tuning range. It will deliver killer sounds whether it’s cranked up high or tuned super low. If you’re looking for the best drum heads for rock and are on a budget, then grab this snare head first.

            Features:

            • 14″ diameter snare drum head
            • Made with two plies of 10-mil Mylar film
            • 5-Mil reverse black dot

            Pros

            • Incredibly durable snare drumhead that can last months of hard hitting
            • Wide tuning range, making it quite versatile
            • Delivers a full sound with a lot of presence
            • Excellent for both studio and live performance applications

            Cons

            • Not as responsive as single-ply heads
            • Could potentially sound dull in styles of music that need expressive snare drum sounds

            Drum Heads Buying Guide

            It is claimed that up to 70% of a drum’s entire sound is dependent on the quality and tuning of a drum head. Whether you are upgrading your worn out skins or looking for brand new heads for a recording session, a fresh set of drum heads will allow you and your drums to sound at their very best.

            Finding the perfect drum head for you is down to a matter of personal taste. There are lots of excellent drum heads out there, and many are versatile enough to handle a wide range of tunings and are appropriate for a variety of musical styles.

            There is also an element of experimentation and trial and error when it comes to playing different drum heads. There might be a particular series you like a lot, and seem to gel well with.

            For me, I personally love Remo Emperor drum heads. I believe they have a great balance of clarity, punch, warmth and resonance that makes them perfect for lots of musical styles and for performing both live and in the studio.

            Why Should I Upgrade My Drum Heads?

            Beginner drum sets and most intermediate drum sets will come equipped as standard with low quality drum heads. These are called “stock heads” and these are budget skins that offer poor tone and durability.

            A new drum heads set will instantly improve the sound of your beginner drum set, and replacing worn our drum heads on an existing drum set will bring a new lease of life to your drums. It really is that simple, and a set of high-quality drum heads will ensure your drums will sound great no matter what styles of music you play.

            There are different types of drum heads that have different features that will affect its overall sound and application.

            What’s The Difference Between 1 and 2 Ply Drum heads?

            1-Ply Drum Heads:

            Single ply drum heads are traditionally the most commonly used type of drum head. These drum heads are made from a single sheet of mylar and come in various thicknesses. The most popular single ply drum head is the Remo Ambassador – which comes in a 10mil thickness.

            Single ply drum heads are the industry standard for resonant drum heads (the underside skin opposite the batter skin.

            Some qualities of a single ply drum head:

            • Increased sensitivity
            • More ring and overtones
            • Open sounding
            • Highly articulate
            • Less durability
            • Better tuned to medium/ higher pitches
            • Best suited for jazz/ light rock/ folk/ latin

            2-Ply Drum Heads:

            2-ply drum heads consist of two layered plies, commonly of either 7 or 7.5mil thickness. Generally speaking, 2-ply drum heads provide greater attack and depth compared to single ply drum heads. For most modern drummers, 2-ply drum heads are the ‘go-to’ choice for batter skins, and single ply drum heads consistently the choice for resonant drum heads.

            Some qualities of a 2-ply drum head:

            • Fatter sound
            • Shorter sustain
            • Increased durability
            • Higher tuning range
            • Pronounced attack
            • Less overtones
            • Better tuned to low/ medium pitches
            • Best suited for rock/ R&B/ metal/ pop

            Clear vs Coated Drum Heads

            Drum heads come in either a coated or a clear finish, and clear and coated heads offer their own unique sound characteristics:

            Coated Drum Heads Provide:

            • Warmer sounds
            • Subtle muffling
            • A distinctive sound when played with brushes

            Clear Drum heads Provide:

            • Brighter sounds
            • More clarity and attack
            • A cleaner tone
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