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When it comes to snare drums, your choice of drum head can make a world of difference in shaping its sound and improving the drum’s overall tone.
A professional level snare drum head from a brand such as Remo, Evans, or Aquarian is a low-cost investment that offers enhanced tonal quality, versatility, and durability.
In this guide, we’ll explore the five best snare drum heads that cater to a wide range of musical styles and preferences.
I’ve featured some of the most popular snare drum heads that are ideal for demanding performances and studio recordings, and meet the standards of professional drummers.
What are the Best Snare Drum Heads?
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How I Tested and Selected Snare Drum Heads
Over the years I’ve played a wide array of drum heads from all the major brands including Evans, Remo, and Aquarian. Drawing on my drumming expertise, I’ve selected snare heads that marry sound quality, affordability, and durability.
Throughout my testing, I’ve focused on each drumhead’s responsiveness, tone, and sensitivity; and considered how each head influenced the overall sound of the snare drum.
I looked for durability in the face of hard-hitting drumming sessions, and ensured that each drumhead could withstand constant strikes and aggressive rimshots.
The heads I selected cater to various budgets, as well as a wide range of drumming styles. So no matter what genre you play, you can be sure that one of my selections will be suitable for you.
In-Depth Snare Drum Head Reviews
Remo Ambassador Coated Snare Drum Head
Remo Ambassador Coated Snare Drum Head Review
The legendary Remo Ambassador Coated Snare Drum Head is the world’s most popular drum head! It offers the perfect combination of attack, projection and warm tones.
The Remo Ambassador snare drum head sounds great on all types of snare drums and it really can’t be beat. It’s been around for a very long time and it’s been played on millions of hit records. It really is the gold standard for use on snare drums.
Constructed with 1 ply of 10-mil coated film, the Remo Ambassador delivers an exceptional balance of attack, tone and sustain. It’s considered by professionals to be the best snare drum head no matter what style of music you play.
The Remo Ambassador is the most versatile, resonant and open sounding drumhead that’s simply the best snare drum head for all types of musical situations – both live and in the studio.
Features:
- 14″ Diameter
- Single-ply 10-mil Mylar film
- Industry gold standard snare drum head
Pros
- World’s best selling snare drum head
- Bright, open and resonant sound
- Perfectly versatile for all styles of music
Cons
- Open sound may require some muffling with tape or moongel
Remo Controlled Sound Coated Snare Drum Head
Remo Controlled Sound Coated Snare Drum Head Review
In second place for the best snare drum head we have the Remo Controlled Sound Coated Snare Drum Head that is another hugely popular choice. The overall sound is bright and focused with a really great amount of attack.
The Controlled Sound snare drum head is a hit amongst drummers because it’s the perfect sweet spot being lively and open but without too many overtones. It’s ultra responsive and it sounds perfect for all styles of music.
Much like the Remo Ambassador snare drum head the Controlled Sound is constructed with a single ply of 10-mil film, but this snare drum head features a 5-mil reinforced center dot that adds durability and tonal focus.
The Controlled Sound center dot produces a killer backbeat sound as well as responsive, subtle ghost notes. It also delivers great sounding rimclicks and buzz rolls. Overall it’s a super versatile snare drum head that sounds great across all tuning ranges and on different types of snare drums.
Features:
- 14″ Diameter
- 10-Mil film with 5-mil reinforced dot
- Very popular and versatile snare head
Pros
- Delivers the perfect backbeat!
- Incredibly popular snare drum head
- Enhanced focus and durability
Cons
- None
Evans Hybrid Coated Snare Drum Head
Evans Hybrid Coated Snare Drum Head Review
The premium priced Evans Hybrid Coated Snare Drum Head is a new drumhead innovation that’s constructed with 2 layers of unique tear-resistant fibres that offer unmatched durability.
I love to use the Evans Hybrid for rock music and live shows because it’s incredibly resilient and it won’t ever break! It also offers a powerful tone and it’s surprisingly responsive. It has a lot of attack and it always sounds great tuned up correctly.
The Evans Hybrid snare drumhead is thicker and heavier than other heads so therefore the sound is less open and bright. But it produces a loud tone that cuts through music really well.
The best thing about the Evans Hybrid snare drum head is that it will outlast any conventional drum head. Long after a typical drum head will need replacing, the Evans Hybrid will still sound great! So whilst it is more expensive, it lasts longer.
Features:
- 14″ Diameter
- Unique tear-resistant fibres
- Unmatched durability
Pros
- Indestructible snare drum head!
- Far more durable than conventional drum heads
- Powerful tone
Cons
- Expensive
- Less versatile for softer styles of music
Evans HD Dry Coated Snare Drum Head
Evans HD Dry Coated Snare Drum Head Review
The Evans HD Dry Coated Snare Drum Head is a killer sounding snare drum head that produces rock-solid backbeats and an overall aggressive sound with a balanced response.
This drum head is constructed with 2 plies of film: a 5-mil outer ply and a 7.5-mil inner ply for improved durability and attack. The drumhead also features a 2-mil overtone ring as well as small precision-drilled vent holes around the edge, both working together to eliminate unwanted overtones.
The Evans HD Dry as you may expect provides a focused and dry sound. It has a lot of overtone control to help control the sustain and tighten the sound. But despite this, it’s still sensitive and articulate. This is a true all-purpose snare drum head ideal for the studio as well as on stage.
Features:
- 14″ Diameter
- 5-Mil outer ply and a 7.5-mil inner ply
- True all-purpose snare drum head
Pros
- Controlled and focused sound
- Eliminates excessive overtones and controls sustain
- Versatile all-purpose snare drum head
Cons
- None
Remo Powerstroke P77 Coated Snare Drum Head
Remo Powerstroke P77 Coated Snare Drum Head Review
Lastly we have one of my favourite snare drum heads – the Remo Powerstroke 77 Snare Head. This is a thicker snare drum head featuring 2 plies of 7-mil coated films with an additional 7-mil inlay ring for a focused sound.
This is a fantastic snare drum head that yields a punchy, focused and loud tone. It’s ultra durable and has excellent overtone control that helps to provide you with a studio-ready sound.
I’ve tuned this head low, high and everything in between. It delivers on all fronts and it has an amazing projection and tone. For pop, rock, metal and gospel music this snare drum head definitely rocks!
Features:
- 14″ Diameter
- 2 Plies of 7-mil film and a 7-mil inlay ring
- Very durable and loud snare drum head
Pros
- Very durable and loud snare drum head
- Best snare drum head for heavy hitters
- Pre-muffled sound with minimal overtones
Cons
- Quite a dull sound
- Not very versatile
The Best Snare Drum Head Buyer’s Guide
It’s no secret that upgrading your snare head will greatly improve the sound of your snare drum. It’s important to experiment and to use your ears whilst choosing the right sound for you, especially when tuning!
In this guide, I have included the most popular snare drum heads in the drumming world – favoured by top drummers for their reliability and consistently great sounds. You really can’t go wrong with any of the snare drum heads within this guide.
Open Sounds Vs Controlled Tones
The snare drum heads featured in this guide range from having zero muffling or overtone control (Remo Ambassador) to having serious dampening to eliminating overtones and reducing sustain (Evans HD Dry).
Which you go for depends on your personal tastes and the styles of music you like to play. If you like a warm, natural and open sound you will definitely want to choose the Remo Ambassador, which has been an institution in the drumming world for many years.
If you like a focused and dry sound that sounds studio-ready then you will opt for a snare drum head with greater overtone control. Most modern styles of music require dampening to reduce overtones; so contemporary drummers do like to use a snare drum head that provide a tighter and less ringy sound.
