9 Best Drum Heads for All Music Styles

Evans UV2 Coated Review

The Evans UV2 is one of the most impressive tom head packs I’ve tested in a long time, and honestly, I’ve been blown away by them. From all nine tom head packs I’ve tried, these really stood out as some of my favorites, and the durability is just incredible.

Evans has taken their popular two-ply coated design and added their patented UV-cured coating, which makes a massive difference in terms of lifespan. Even after weeks of playing, these heads look and feel brand new – no flaking, no stick marks, no uneven wear whatsoever.

These heads feature two plies of 7mil film, similar to a coated G2, but the UV coating gives them an edge. They have a fat, punchy tone with clear attack, plus a short-to-medium sustain that makes them sit beautifully in a mix.

They also have a pretty unique blend of brightness and warmth from the attack, making them versatile for virtually all modern styles of music including rock, gospel, pop, fusion, funk, metal and more. 

I’ve tested them on both a beginner Tama Imperialstar and a high-end Tama Star drum set, and in both cases, they brought out the best in the kit. They’re really easy to tune, hold their pitch well, and each tom responds beautifully. 

It’s easy to see why top pros like Chris Coleman and Anika Niles swear by them. For drummers wanting a versatile, modern head with excellent durability and sound, the UV2s are a knockout choice.

Remo Emperor Clear Review

The Remo Emperor Clear tom heads are among the most popular out there, and I’ve always used these on tours in the past. They’ve been my go-to choice for live shows because of their punch, fullness, and excellent attack that works amazing under microphones.

These heads are made from two plies of 7mil Mylar film; very similar in construction to the Evans G2 Clear heads. They deliver a fat, punchy tone with exceptional attack and brightness, and have a really nice open character without being overly harsh. 

The sustain is solid and musical, giving each tom a clear, natural resonance, while still keeping overtones under control. For my personal taste, I sometimes like a touch more dampening, but even without it, these heads sound fantastic and very balanced.

They’re incredibly versatile and sound excellent across a wide range of styles. I found that tuning them was also pretty easy compared to some of the other heads from my testing. 

If you’re looking for tried-and-tested heads with a classic, open, and natural sound, the Remo Emperor Coated is a great choice.

Evans G2 Clear Review

The Evans G2 Clear Drumheads are some of the most versatile out there, and these are ones I’ve enjoyed using a lot lately. They offer a bright, articulate attack with a medium sustain and a wide-open, full tonality that sits work amazingly especially live.

These heads are made from two plies of 7mil film, same thickness to the coated G2, but the clear finish gives them a sharper, more cutting tone. The tuning range is impressive – these sound as good tuned low as they do high, which makes them incredibly easy to work with. 

From my testing I did find the floor tom a little trickier to tune than a head with additional dampening (such as the Evans EC2 or HD Dry) but I got there eventually. Personally, I’d still add a moongel on some drums to tame a few overtones.

While they aren’t as warm as coated heads or the UV2s, I’ve found them perfect for styles that need clarity and projection, such as rock, pop, fusion, gospel, funk, and even some heavier genres.

Their reliability, strong attack, and wide-open sound make them great all-rounder drumheads. They are also excellent value for money considering they are the most affordable options featured here.

Remo Ambassador Coated Review

The Remo Ambassador Coated heads are a classic for a reason- they sound fantastic and suit almost any style of music. Tonally, they’re very similar to the Evans G1 Coated, with warm, punchy, full-bodied sound and plenty of character. 

From my testing, I found the Evans G1 coated gives a slight edge on the floor tom, but on the high and mid toms, the Ambassadors are just as expressive.

These heads are single-ply 10 mil film, keeping things simple yet effective. Tonally they have a very open and musical sound with a nice balance of attack and sustain. I did find the coating wears faster than the coating on the Evans G1 though – you’ll see plenty of stick marks even after a single session.

I’ve recorded albums with these on toms, and they really sound amazing with a warm tone yet with enough attack to cut through the mix. Both easy to tune and very affordable, they’re perfect for drummers who want a classic, proven sound without spending a fortune.

Evans EC2 Clear Review

The Evans EC2s feature an extra edge control ring beneath two plies of 7mil film, which gives them a tighter resonance and shorter sustain than the Clear G2s, while still having that punchy attack I love.

I actually prefer these over Remo Pinstripes – to my ears, they feel fuller and more tonally rich in the low end. They’re really easy to tune and respond beautifully across the kit. 

The dynamic range is great, with a thick, full tone that works equally as well on floor toms and higher toms. At the same time, the clear finish keeps the attack bright and defined, which I really like.

These heads are incredibly durable – I’ve been playing them hard over multiple sessions, and they hold up really well. No flaking or weird tuning issues, which is why they’re popular with pros, especially within rock music.

Overall I’m a big fan of the EC2s. They strike a great balance between punch, fullness, and durability, making them some of my go-to heads of late.

Evans HD Dry Review

The HD Dry tom heads are an amazing new tom head option. They give a focused and punchy tone right out of the box with no need for additional muffling, making them perfect for drummers who want a tight, modern sound. 

These are 2-ply heads, with a 7.5 mil inner layer and a 5 mil outer layer, so they are slightly thinner than all the other 2-ply heads featured here, but with an added 2 mil control ring on the inside and small vent holes around the edge. These help to tighten up the tone further.

The durability on these heads is amazing- they are built to take a beating. Even after heavy sessions, there’s no stick marks or wear on the coating. 

More importantly, they sound incredible straight out of the box. I tuned them up easily across my toms and didn’t have to fight them at all to get a nice, even pitch interval between each one.

The sound is tight and punchy but still musical. They’ve got minimal overtones, yet they retain the warmth and natural character of the drum. It’s just a really nice balance.

I think these are perfect for both recording and live use when you don’t want messy overtones, but still want a modern character with enough warmth and resonance to avoid sounding flat or dull. 

Honestly, I can see these working across so many styles- rock, gospel, pop, fusion, metal, country- you name it.

Aquarian Texture Coated Review

The Aquarian Texture Coated heads are another solid choice- sitting in the same league as the Evans G1 and Remo Ambassador Coated. They have a single-ply 10 mil construction that keeps the sound open, expressive, and balanced, with a fairly open level of sustain.

I’ve tested all three extensively, and while I do lean more towards the Evans G1 and Remo Ambassadors, the Texture Coated heads always sound clean and full. I think they bring out the natural character of the drums really nicely.

I’ve had these on my Tama Star for many sessions, and they bring out the drums’ natural character beautifully. They have nice warmth with a punchy attack, and the coating itself is extremely durable- more so than the Remo Ambassador, though not quite as tough as the Evans coating. 

They tune easily and sit beautifully in a mix, and I can see them working across pretty much any genre- rock, pop, jazz, fusion, gospel, hip-hop, RnB. I personally still prefer the Evans G1 or Remo Ambassadors, but these are a quieter, less common option that still sounds fantastic and will make any drum kit feel a bit more professional.

Evans G1 Coated Review

The Evans G1 Coated tom heads are a joy to play. They’ve got this punchy, warm, full-of-life tone that’s really musical, with plenty of sustain without sounding harsh or overbearing. The coated finish gives them a subtle warmth that makes each tom really sing.

These are made with a single ply of 10-mil film, and I found them super easy to tune- I didn’t have to wrestle with them at all. Each tom just found its perfect sweet spot really easily. 

They’ve got an open, expressive sound that works across pretty much any style of music, whether it’s rock, pop, funk, fusion, or jazz. Honestly, on any drum kit they make things sound more professional and lively.

For a drummer looking for tom heads that balance punch, warmth, and versatility, the G1 Coated heads are a really solid choice.

Remo Pinstripe Clear Review

The Remo Pinstripes are heads that I’ve played countless times since I started drumming, and I can definitely see why they’ve stayed so popular for decades. They have a warm, punchy tone with a bright attack that cuts through without being harsh.

They’re built from two plies of 7-mil Mylar with a built-in damping ring, which helps control overtones while keeping the sound open. On different kits, I’ve noticed they can really transform the sound, especially on entry level sets. A beginner kit with Pinstripes instantly feels more professional and musical. I actually put these on my very first Pearl Export, and they made a huge difference.

That said, when I compared them to some of the newer heads with more modern damping, like the Evans HD Dry or EC2s, the Pinstripes didn’t stand out quite as much. The sustain is still fairly long, and to my ears, they can sound a little thinner and less full compared to other two-ply heads.

Even so, they’re a classic for a reason. For drummers after warmth, punch, and a reliable sound that works across genres, the Pinstripes are still a great option.