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Drum cases are the best way to store and transport your drums for rehearsals and gigs. They can absorb impacts that occur when you’re traveling to a gig venue, prevent your drums from being exposed to the elements, and of course, keep them all in one place.
As drummers, we often invest large sums of money over the years amassing all of our gear, so it makes sense to ensure it’s all stored and protected by high-quality drum cases!
In this article, you’ll find the most impressive drum cases in production today. We’ve tested and analyzed their capabilities to find the best options for different types of drums and purposes, but they all share excellent build quality.
Contents
- What are the Best Drum Cases?
- How I Tested and Selected the Best Drum Cases
- In-Depth Drum Case Reviews
- Drum Cases Buyer’s Guide
- Benefits of Drum Bags (Soft Cases)
- Benefits of Drum Bags (Soft Cases)
- Benefits of Hard Cases
- Buy The Correct Size Drum Cases
- The More You Spend, The Better The Protection
- Aesthetics & Design
- Cases for Cymbals and Hardware
What are the Best Drum Cases?
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Best Hard Cases
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Best Drum Bags
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Best Heavy Duty Cases
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Most Protective Bags
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Best Budget Pick
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How I Tested and Selected the Best Drum Cases
I can’t even tell you how many different drum cases I’ve used throughout my career. I’ve toured with a few bands, so I’ve had plenty of experience trying out many of the soft cases and hard case options.
I’ve put all of these cases to the test to ensure they offer excellent performance and value. Most crucially, I looked at durability. I’ve selected cases tough enough to handle life on the road, protecting drums from the bumps and knocks of travel.
I assessed the build quality and materials of each case, including the padding, the quality of stitching and zippers, the thickness of the lining, and the durability of the handles.
Portability is also key, so I’ve highlighted cases that balance tough protection with easy carrying options, making it a breeze for drummers on the move.
Below you’ll find my top recommended drum cases that are durable and protective, and offer excellent value for money across the board.
In-Depth Drum Case Reviews
Gator Classic Series Standard Cases
Gator Classic Series Standard Cases Review
If you want to get a full set of hard cases for a 5-piece drum kit, look no further than the Gator Classic Series Standard Case Set. These cases are often referred to as the industry-standard option. They offer so much protection that they’re ideal for heavy touring.
These are arguably the best value hard cases for the money out there right now. I’ve used these for several shows and they are an absolute dream to use.
The protection and durability come from the roto-molded plastic. The cases have gone through a rotational molding process that ensures they’re very strong and stable.
The process also makes the cases waterproof. Not all hard cases are waterproof, making these a much better option for drummers who live in harsher climates.
When rain gets into your drum and hardware cases, it has the potential to cause a lot of damage to the metal and wood on your drums. It’s always better to have waterproof cases, making these a much better option in most situations.
The depths of each case allow you to fit most shell dimensions from a 5-piece set. You just won’t be able to put a snare drum deeper than 6.5” in the snare drum case.
Something else to note is that these cases are seriously heavy once the drums are stored inside. While that makes carrying them around challenging at times, just remember that your drums are a lot more protected in them than in most other cases.
Pros
- Excellent amount of protection offered
- Water-resistant design allows you to transport your drums while it’s raining without any worries
- Lifetime warranty
- Large enough to fit most drum shell sizes in a 5-piece setup
Cons
- Very heavy
- More expensive than a full set of soft cases
Gator Cases 5 Piece Drum Bag Set
Gator Cases 5 Piece Drum Bag Set Review
The winner of the best drum cases goes to this Gator Cases 5 Piece Padded Drum Bag Set, which is the perfect solution for any drummer looking to protect their valuable drums whilst on the road, and having transporting equipment between shows and rehearsals.
These cases offer superb value for money, and they will do an excellent job at protecting your valuable drum set against scratches and dents when either being stored or transported to gigs.
These bags are well constructed, and the padding is surprisingly thick at 10mm to help absorb any potential damage from impact.
The exterior of each drum bag is constructed of durable 600-denier nylon and each drum features a tough, sewn-in nylon carry handle that makes these bags durable and easy to transport.
These are hard wearing cases that you can trust, and they will fit all different brands of drums as long as you buy the correct fusion or rock-sized cases.
These are some of the top cases on the market because they provide a good level of protection and at a fraction of the price of many other sets of drum cases on the market.
I’ve used these in the past and I’ve always been very impressed with the overall value and portability they offer.
If you are in a band playing shows, and looking to transport your drums between shows, rehearsals, home, and storage then these are some of the best drum cases for the money.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Protective 10mm padding
- Reliable Gator brand
Cons
- No internal fabric lining for the drums
SKB 3 Piece Drum Case Package
SKB 3 Piece Drum Case Package Review
SKB is a legendary brand when it comes to touring cases. This SKB 3 Piece Drum Case Package consists of robust, high impact, and fully waterproof hardshell cases.
These are the best high-end drum cases out there for protecting valuable equipment whilst on the road.
I have a good friend who uses these cases for his really expensive high-end DW kit. He trusts them completely, as he says they’re some of the best heavy-duty cases around.
They are completely waterproof and unbreakable, meaning they can hold up to any weather and any amount of physical impact.
These are the best drum cases for the gigging and touring drummer that demand a greater level of protection offered than soft cases. These cases are incredibly tough and resilient – perfect for life on the road.
If you are a gigging drummer playing frequent shows and require something more substantial than gig bags then these are the best drum cases for you.
Pros
- Legendary touring cases
- Waterproof and unbreakable
- Fits all sizes of shell depths
Cons
- Set only includes 3 cases
- Premium price tag
Protection Racket 5 Piece Drum Case Set
Protection Racket 5 Piece Drum Case Set Review
This deluxe set of Protection Racket Drum Cases is a top option if you are looking for the best drum bags on the market. Protection Racket pride themselves in providing cases that combine effortless transportation and functionality with maximum protection.
I find Protection Racket bags are incredibly durable and they are constructed to a very high quality. Each case features a deluxe, thick inner fleece lining and the outer material is extremely strong and durable.
These cases utilize a superior dual density foam that provides strength, and is able to dissipate impact forces to protect the valuable drums inside. The outer material is also 100% waterproof and has high stability in extreme climatic conditions.
The material is not only strong but it is incredibly lightweight, meaning these cases are not only protective but they are convenient to transport.
I still continue to use protection racket cases when transporting my drums, and I love them. They are very durable, super lightweight and ideal for gigging.
Protection Racket drum cases represent the industry standard for the best drum cases around, with indestructible components and propile fleece lining that even cleans your drums whilst they’re in transit. These drum cases are the real deal.
Pros
- Waterproof racketex covering
- Lightweight yet protective
- Heavy duty, indestructible zips
Cons
- Expensive drum bags
On-Stage Stands 5 Piece Drum Bag Set
On-Stage Stands 5 Piece Drum Bag Set Review
Lastly, we have the affordable On-Stage Stands 5 Piece Drum Bag Set that features a rugged nylon exterior on each drum bag, along with a protective, padded interior.
This set of drum cases is a budget-priced solution for protecting your drums between rehearsals and gigs, but it lacks the premium quality of a more expensive set of drum cases.
The On-Stage drum cases are, however, more than adequate for transporting your drums between rehearsals and shows and keeping your drums protected whilst they are in storage.
I’ve always recommended these for drummers who own beginner kits. They’re the best affordable options on a budget that I’ve tested out, so I back them.
If you want reasonable quality at an affordable price, these drum cases will serve you well. The drum cases have a padded interior that will protect the drums from scratches and small impacts.
Pros
- Protective, padded interior
- Durable, comfortable handles and straps
- Budget priced drum cases
Cons
- Not heavy-duty cases
- Sacrifices on quality somewhat
Drum Cases Buyer’s Guide
Drum cases are an important part of a drummer’s arsenal. Let’s face it, drums are bulky and take up a lot of space. They are also awkward to transport between shows and rehearsals. Drum cases are the only way to transport your drums properly.
Without drum cases, your valuable drums will likely be scratched or damaged. This can happen when your drums may be in storage, in transit, or at a gig. The last thing you want to do is neglect your drum set, and not storing your drums within cases will lead to visible damage in the form of scrapes and knocks.
In this guide, I’ve presented to you my top recommended drum cases that you can rely on to protect your drums and keep them safe from damage. You can choose from drum bags or hard cases.
Benefits of Drum Bags (Soft Cases)
Drum bags are a great option for most drummers. They are protective, lightweight, and easy to store.
They are more flexible than rigid hard-shell drum cases, and can easily be stored within one another when not in use.
The best drum bags on the market feature a soft inner lining or fleece material, that is protective, and can actually clean the dust off your drums too. They will also feature thick padding to protect your drums from impact damage.
Drum bags make a great investment for a range of drummers because they are generally more affordable than hard cases and they are easier to transport. Because they are softer and flexible, they are easier to maneuver and to fit inside cars when gigging.
Thanks to their malleable design, soft cases are also very easy to pack away into the dressing room, or into the corner of a stage, rehearsal space, or studio when you’re playing your drums.
Benefits of Drum Bags (Soft Cases)
Drum bags are a great option for most drummers. They are protective, lightweight, and easy to store.
They are more flexible than rigid hard-shell drum cases, and can easily be stored within one another when not in use.
The best drum bags on the market feature a soft inner lining or fleece material, that is protective, and can actually clean the dust off your drums too. They will also feature thick padding to protect your drums from impact damage.
Drum bags make a great investment for a range of drummers because they are generally more affordable than hard cases and they are easier to transport. Because they are softer and flexible, they are easier to maneuver and to fit inside cars when gigging.
Thanks to their malleable design, soft cases are also very easy to pack away into the dressing room, or into the corner of a stage, rehearsal space, or studio when you’re playing your drums.
Benefits of Hard Cases
Hard cases are the go-to choice for professional, touring drummers. They are far more rigid and offer greater protection from bigger impacts and knocks.
For this reason, hard cases are able to withstand the rigors of touring better than soft case drum bags.
It’s common for hard cases to have plastic or even metal exteriors, with padded interiors to keep your drums in place and prevent them from being scuffed or scratched.
The best drum cases are also completely waterproof thanks to the durable plastic outer shell. Additionally, they can be lined to provide a tighter fit for your drums, as well as having buckles and straps to be fastened securely. Touring drummers swear by the best drum cases from brands such as SKB and Hardcase.
The only downside to hard cases for drums is that they tend to be heavier than their softer counterparts, but this is often a worthy tradeoff for the excellent protection they provide.
Buy The Correct Size Drum Cases
Your drum set configuration may be different from the specified sizing of the drum cases you intend to buy. Most drum sets are commonly either fusion or rock sized, or a rock/fusion size.
Check your drum set dimensions and make sure they match up with the corresponding drum case set!
The easiest way to determine the size of your drums is by referring to the specifications provided by the manufacturer, but if you don’t have access to this, you can measure them manually.
Using a tape measure, find the total distance from one rim of the drum directly across to the other side. Most drum measurements are given in inches.
You can then double-check that the dimensions of the individual drum cases match up with the dimensions of your kick, snare, and toms. This will help you to avoid getting the wrong sizes and having to send the cases back.
It’s a good idea to have all of your drum dimensions recorded somewhere, as you’ll also need them when you come to replace the skins in the future.
The More You Spend, The Better The Protection
You can get away with a budget set of drum cases if you rarely gig or rehearse away from your home. The likelihood is that buying an affordable set of cases makes sense if you have a beginner-level drum set.
However, if you have an expensive, professional drum set, then you should invest in the best quality drum cases you can afford.
If a drum set is looked after properly and the necessary precautions are taken, then there’s no reason why it shouldn’t last you for many decades. If you choose to sell it, you will obviously get a lot more if the shells are in good condition.
Therefore, investing in high quality cases is a wise move for anyone who cares about the longevity of their drum set.
Obviously there are certain things that are out of your control, particularly when you’re using your drums a lot for live shows, but ensuring that they’re always protected while in transit or in storage will keep the odds of retaining their condition in your favor.
Premium drum cases are not only better constructed but offer greater ease of use, too, so not only do you improve the protection of your drums, but you also make it easier to set up and pack down your gear.
Aesthetics & Design
Depending on your priorities and tastes, you may benefit from taking the time to consider the more superficial aspects of choosing drum cases. Cases come in varying color schemes and designs, some of which are quite simple and others that stand out more.
Indeed, the aesthetics of drum cases is not nearly as important as their physical qualities, such as their size, weight, durability, and how easy they are to carry. However, it may still be worth thinking about choosing cases that you like the look of, particularly if your drums will be stored somewhere on display.
Cases for Cymbals and Hardware
In addition to choosing cases for your kick drum, snare, and toms, it’s also important to combine them with specific bags for your cymbals, and bags that are designed to store your drum hardware.
In order to keep your valuable cymbals protected, you will need to invest in a protective cymbal case for storage and transportation. The same applies to drum hardware and drum hardware cases. Drum hardware bags will only generally be supplied as a five-piece set for the drum shells alone.
Hardware and cymbals are often very expensive and therefore require the same level, if not more protection, than your individual drums.
Due to the weight of cymbal stands, snare stands, your stool, and your pedal, it’s essential to choose a case that can be moved around easily and can bear a heavy load.
