I review products independently and only recommend products I would use myself. If you purchase through a link, I may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.
If you’re looking to buy your first drum set, that’s awesome. Drumming is great fun, provides a wonderful creative outlet, and offers numerous health benefits.
If you are looking to buy yourself your first drum set, or potentially as a gift for someone else, the chances are you don’t know what drums to look for, or what features make a good beginner drum set.
But that’s where I can help! In this guide, I will share the top-rated beginner drum sets on the market today, as well as some tips for helping you to choose the right set for your needs.
I’ve reviewed these beginner drum kits based on their sounds, build quality, size, visual aesthetics, and value for money. Read on to discover the best beginner drums available!
Contents
- What are the Best Beginner Drum Sets?
- How I Tested and Selected the Best Beginner Drum Sets
- Best Beginner Drum Sets ReviewS
- Beginner Drum Set Buyer’s Guide
- Beginner Drum Set Components & Configuration
- What Type of Wood Do Beginner Drum Sets Use?
- How Much You Should Spend on a Beginner Drum Set
- Things to Consider When Buying a Beginner Drum Set
- Beginner Drum Set FAQs
What are the Best Beginner Drum Sets?
| Image | Recommended ProductsProduct | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
BEST
|
|
||
|
|
||
PREMIUM
|
|
||
BUDGET
|
|
||
|
|
How I Tested and Selected the Best Beginner Drum Sets
While I’ve been playing intermediate and pro drum sets for over a decade, I’ve had plenty of experience testing out beginner kits for students, friends, and family members who have wanted to start drumming.
My most crucial consideration while selecting these kits was the price. Most beginners aren’t likely to have big budgets for their first kit, so I made sure to pick kits that offer excellent value for money.
Build quality was also a pivotal factor. I assessed the construction materials and craftsmanship, focusing on durability and longevity. Sturdy drum shells, often crafted from materials like poplar or basswood, were needed to be cut with accurate bearing edges in order to produce good tones.
The next thing I looked at was all the components that come with the set. I made sure that each kit came with drums, hardware, and cymbals so that you could get set up immediately without needing to buy anything extra.
Below you will find my top recommended beginner drum sets that I have personally tried and tested. I can personally attest that these are great drums for aspiring drummers and beginners looking to begin their musical journey.
Best Beginner Drum Sets ReviewS
Mapex Venus Drum Set
Mapex Venus Drum Set Review
The Venus drum kit is the latest entry-level offering from the Mapex brand, and they have knocked it out of the park with this complete drum set.
The kit is made with quality Poplar shells, and it includes all the necessary tools you need to start playing drums as soon as you unbox it, including all the mounting hardware and cymbals.
I set this drum set up in my studio, and I loved how it sounded and felt to play, and the 9-ply Poplar shells produced excellent tones across each of the drums.
A big contributing factor to the sound and tunability of this drum set is the SONIClear bearing edges which are found on their higher-end drum sets.
While reviewing the quality of these drum shells, I found these bearing edges are cut with excellent attention to detail.
I owned and played a Mapex Armory kit for a long while, and the SONIClear edges were one of my favorite parts of it, so I think it’s incredible how Mapex offers those in their most affordable drum set.
The effect of this design is a wider tuning range and a stronger sound from the drums.
Additionally, you also get a full set of functional hardware and cymbals. All the stands are double-braced at the legs, and you get a boom stand, hi-hat stand, drum throne, and kick drum pedal.
The kick drum pedal is a standout performer, and it has a solid base plate and an interchangeable beater with rubber on one side and felt on the other. It’s the best bass drum pedal I’ve played on a beginner kit.
The Mapex Venus kit also has four available finishes to pick from. The kit I have reviewed is called Aqua Blue Sparkle, which I think looks amazing.
This beginner drum set is a lot of fun to play. It’s been designed in a way that makes it feel very comfortable, for both adults and children. The toms are very easy to position, and all of the hardware is very easy to adjust too.
And the overall value of the Mapex Venus is what makes it a winner. Compared to other popular 5-piece beginner drum kits, the Venus comes out as the most affordable option, and it also sounds the best in my opinion.
Pros
- Mapex’s SONIClear bearing edges make the drums easier to tune than most other entry-level sets
- Very sturdily built for the price, with excellent build quality
- Excellent sounding drums for an affordable price
Cons
- Very few negatives for the price, despite the quality of the cymbals
Pearl Roadshow Drum Set
Pearl Roadshow Drum Set Review
The Pearl Roadshow Drum Set is the most popular beginner drum set on the market, and for good reason. It is designed to a similar specification to the legendary Pearl Export – the world’s best-selling drum set.
The Pearl Roadshow comes complete with everything you would need to begin playing immediately. Included is a set of sturdy and durable hardware that is the best quality I have experienced from a beginner drum set.
I’ve played many Roadshow kits, and I find they sound more than decent and are easy to tune. The build quality is also good, as you can expect from Pearl, and the hardware components are solid and sturdy.
What you can expect from this drum set is the renowned Pearl quality that has given the company such a strong and long-standing reputation.
The drum shells are made from poplar wood, which is the same wood that Pearl uses for their Export series. While those also have mahogany plies, I think that this set sounds quite similar.
The drum shells are very well constructed and produce a strong and clear tone.
The Roadshow drums are each hand-cut with 45-degree bearing edges that help to produce punchy tones and allow for easy tuning across the board.
The drums sound good even with the included stock drumheads, but would sound even better if you were to upgrade the drumheads to a professional set from Remo, Evans, or Aquarian.
The Pearl Roadshow was a lot of fun to play and everything included is well-made and durable.
The hardware is fully functional, including the cymbal stands, hi-hat stand, snare drum stand, bass drum pedal, and drum throne. Everything feels solid and is supportive, with double-braced legs.
Pearl’s Roadshow drum set will provide a fantastic start to any beginner’s drumming journey, and it’s one of my top recommended drum sets available for beginners.
Pros
- Legendary Pearl quality
- Good sounding drums with a wide tuning range
- Durable and rugged hardware included
Cons
- Cymbals are not of the best quality
- Slightly more expensive than most options
Tama Imperialstar Drum Set
Tama Imperialstar Drum Set Review
The Tama Imperialstar is an excellent quality entry-level drum set. It may be on the pricier side for beginners, but it’s a killer package that offers excellent sounds!
This is a very generous package, with beautifully resonant Poplar drum shells, robust drum hardware, and a set of musical-sounding Meinl HCS cymbals, which are some of the best budget cymbals available.
The Tama Imperialstar drum set really has a lot to offer in terms of sound and performance. It’s what I would consider a top-of-the-range beginner drum set.
Not only does this drum set really feel great to play and produce great sounds, but it’s also built to last. This is not a cheap drum set that will fall apart.
It could definitely also be classified as a mid-level drum set with upgraded drum heads and cymbals. This is a drum set built to last many years and would even perform well as a drum kit to take to gigs.
The 6-ply Poplar shells sound excellent, allowing the Tama Imperialstar to deliver excellent tones for a wide range of music genres ranging from jazz and R&B to rock and metal.
I’ve seen a few cover bands where the drummers were using this kit, and I was likely the only one in the crowd to realize that the drummer was using a beginner kit, as it sounded fantastic on stage.
These drums will definitely support you on your drumming journey and will hold up well for rehearsals and live shows, too.
Pros
- Fantastic sound and performance
- High-quality hardware and cymbals
- Includes comfortable drum throne
Cons
- Expensive for a beginner drum set
Ludwig Pocket Drum Set
Ludwig Pocket Drum Set Review
The Ludwig Pocket Kit is my top pick as the best affordable entry-level drum set package that includes everything you need to begin drumming right away.
Ludwig has created this compact-sized package to provide a solid foundation for a lifetime of drumming enjoyment. With this drum set, you will certainly be equipped with the tools for a solid start.
The Ludwig pocket drum set is a compact beginner drum kit that provides a full-scale playing experience.
It is designed mainly for children, but an adult can comfortably play on this drum set too.
I’ve had a lot of fun playing with this kit in the past. The drums produce lively sounds, and it was really interesting to see how grooves and fills sounded on such a small set.
The hardware is sturdy and functional, and you receive a hi-hat stand, bass drum pedal, drum throne, snare drum stand as well as cymbal mount from the bass drum.
The kit also looks great, with the smaller sizes, range of quality wraps, and matching colored hardware too.
This drum set will certainly last years of playing, and it has the potential to sound even better with high-quality drumheads.
Overall, Ludwig is a great brand you can trust in the drumming world.
Pros
- Fantastic all in one package at a very affordable price point
- Compact, space-saving drum sizes
- Full range of tones despite the smaller shell sizes
Cons
- Not ideal for larger adults
- Stock drumheads and cymbals are not great
Eastar Adult Sized Drum Set
Eastar Adult Sized Drum Set Review
The Eastar drum set is an affordable full-sized drum set that is ideal for anyone looking at starting a new hobby.
This is an adult-sized drum set that produces clear tones when tuned up correctly. The drums are constructed from Poplar, which is good quality wood in drum manufacturing.
The hardware is reasonably sturdy and includes stands, a kick drum pedal, and a drum throne. The cymbals will definitely need upgrading sooner rather than later, as they are very basic.
Overall, this is a good beginner drum set to buy if you are on a low budget. The trade-off will be a loss in some quality, and while this kit still plays like any other drum set, it is less refined than the others included in this list such as the Mapex Venus or Pearl Roadshow.
The reason I selected this set for this list is that it’s a really cheap option from Amazon. Not everyone can order sets from sites like Sweetwater or Thomann.
There are lots of beginners that also can’t easily access music stores. With Amazon having such a large reach around the world, I think this kit is a great pick for beginners.
Pros
- Affordable beginner drum set
- Full sized drums and hardware
- Poplar wood construction
Cons
- Not an established drum manufacturer
- Cymbals are poor quality
Beginner Drum Set Buyer’s Guide
Buying your first drum set can be daunting, and there are a lot of drum sets available that are cheap and enticing. But lots of these very affordable beginner drum sets are poorly made.
You might not know how much a drum set costs. I have encountered many poor-quality drum sets in my time, from unknown manufacturers with bad manufacturing techniques.
This is why I have written this buying guide – to help you avoid bad products and give yourself a strong start to learning the drums with a top-quality beginner drum set that will help you on your drumming journey.
What you want to be looking for in a beginner drum kit is quality components all around. Everything included in the package should be robust, durable, and suitable for playing.
The best beginner drum sets like the Mapex Venus and the Pearl Roadshow are super sturdy and functional and are built with quality Poplar wood shells with precisely cut bearing edges.
There is always going to need to be a balance of quality and price, and the key is to find an optimal region where the two meet for your benefit of obtaining high quality at an affordable price.
Beginner Drum Set Components & Configuration
Most beginner drum sets come in a standard 5-piece drum set configuration. This is a very popular configuration that most drummers use while starting out, and beginners are taught to position the drum kit this way.
When we start playing the drums, we’re all taught to position the drum set this way. But over time, drummers like to develop their own preferences. This is how different drum set positioning comes about, and there are many possibilities when it comes to drum kit setups and configurations.
See below for a picture of a standard 5-piece drum set configuration, with all the main drum set components listed.
What Type of Wood Do Beginner Drum Sets Use?
Poplar is the most desirable wood for entry-level drum sets. It is a dense hardwood that is highly durable and produces a good-sounding tone for drums.
The drum shells should be well-formed, with precise bearing edges, and without any splits in the shell. The finish should also be even and there shouldn’t be any dents or evidence of damage whatsoever.
I owned a Pearl Export drum set for 8 years and this was made with Poplar wood shells. The Pearl Export is the most sold drum set of all time and this is a testament to how good Poplar sounds and looks for beginner drum sets.
Basswood and generic hardwood shells are also wood types used on beginner drum kits, but you’ll be best off buying a drum set with Poplar shells, or possibly Birch if you want to spend ever so slightly more.
How Much You Should Spend on a Beginner Drum Set
When buying musical equipment there is always going to be a balance between quality and price. In essence, there’s a certain aspect of “what you pay for is what you get”.
But with affordable beginner drum sets, it is certainly worth paying more for a better quality drum set like the Mapex Venus or Pearl Roadshow, which are slightly more expensive but still represent fantastic value for money.
For a good beginner drum set, you can expect to pay between $300 to $500.
So if you are serious and really want to kick off your drumming with a great quality drum set, then it’s worth spending on one of my top recommendations.
But if you are on a budget or want to gift a drum set to a younger person who might not have quite the expected interest or dedication, there are other more affordable options in this list that will all perform well.
Things to Consider When Buying a Beginner Drum Set
Here are some important things to consider when buying your first drum set. Some of these might not seem like a big deal, but take it from me, they are!
Noise
Acoustic drum kits are loud. Before you go ahead and buy a full-sized acoustic drum set make sure that you are able to practice without disturbing other people within your residence, or your neighbors.
You can use drum mutes to reduce the volume of the drum set but you don’t get the same rebound or sound while you play.
Soundproofing a room for drums isn’t the easiest thing in the world, but I’ve put together some methods and techniques you can use to help reduce noise from acoustic drums in your practice space.
Space
A drum set takes up a large amount of space within a room. You’ll need to make sure you have sufficient room in your home to accommodate an acoustic drum set.
If you live in a smaller living space like an apartment or a condo, then I guarantee you will be much better suited to an electronic drum set.
There are more portable drum sets available if you don’t have as much space in your home and still want to enjoy the sounds and feel of acoustic drums.
Tuning
Drums need proper tuning to allow them to produce good tones. They don’t sound good straight out of the box, unfortunately.
The good news is, tuning drums isn’t too difficult. The aim is to get an even tension across the drumhead by using a drum key in a star pattern across the lugs on a drum, by increasing or decreasing tension in incremental amounts.
I recommend using a drum tuning device like the DrumDial which measures pressure around the lugs of a drum to ensure you have an even tension.
I’d also recommend watching some good tutorials on YouTube to learn and improve your tuning abilities.
Dampening
Beginner drum sets are equipped with low-quality drum heads, that don’t offer any dampening. Drum dampening is very important to minimize overtones while producing a clear and focused sound.
To start off with, you’ll benefit from throwing a pillow or some blankets into the kick drum to produce a solid and punchy bass drum sound and to reduce the overtones. Bass drum muffling is important for most drummers.
You can also use some tape or drum dampening tools on the rack toms, floor tom, and snare drum to stop them from being too ringy with long sustains.
Setting Up
A beginner drum set will not come pre-built. You will need to build it yourself with all of the components that come shipped in various boxes. Generally, the drum shells will all be packed together inside one another like Russian dolls.
You’ll need to put on the drum heads using the hoops and screws (known as tuning rods) provided. you’ll also need to set up the hardware, which is pretty straightforward!
Motivation & Interest
Learning to play the drums is a journey that takes a lot of commitment and dedication. You won’t become John Bonham or Buddy Rich overnight!
It is important to consider how interested you really are in looking to play the drums, or for whom you might be buying a drum set.
If you are only looking to dip your toes into the world of drumming, then it’s not necessarily worth splashing out on a premium drum set for beginners.
You might be better off buying a cheap used drum set from eBay or Craigslist.
Beginner Drum Set FAQs
How Can I Start Learning Drums?
We live in the digital age, and the good news is that there is a plethora of drumming resources on the internet (such as this one). YouTube is an excellent resource and there are lots of free drumming lessons online you can use to your advantage.
If you are looking for a more bespoke, tailored approach to lessons then there are some excellent online drum courses to choose from. Drumeo, Mike’s Lessons, and 180Drums are all great platforms that you can use to improve your drumming skills.
How Long Should a Beginner Drum Set Last?
With proper care and maintenance, a quality drum set should last many years. A drum set should last a lifetime with due care. A properly looked-after beginner drum set should last well over a decade.
Drum shells and hardware are both very durable, and the only reason they might break or warp is if they are treated with negligence or thrown about. They are also likely to be damaged if they are not kept in cases whilst being transported.
How Quickly Will a Beginner Drum Set Need Upgrading?
If looked after properly the drum shells included in a beginner drum set will not require upgrading for a long time. But I would strongly advise you to upgrade the drumheads and cymbals included with beginner drum sets as quickly as possible.
The metal used for cymbals in beginner drum sets is poor-quality brass, whereas high-quality cymbals are made from cast bronze.
The stock drumheads included with beginner drum sets are cheap and thin. They deliver an awful lot of sustain and resonance and will require dampening to give a clearer and more concise tone.
I would recommend upgrading stock drumheads to professional quality drumheads produced by Remo, Evans, or Aquarian.
