The Best Affordable Drum Sets

Things to Consider When Buying an Affordable Drum Set

As a musician and teacher, I answer a lot of questions about which instruments to buy. I have played and taught drums for over twenty years, and both of my children are drummers. We've played, shopped for and bought drum sets many times. This brief guide comes from years of experience.

Buying a drum kit, especially one of the lower-cost options, can be confusing. You're not always told about the pieces and parts that are necessary, yet strangely not included in many kits. While there are currently some really good drum sets out there, especially online, it can be hard to tell from pictures and descriptions what is exactly being sold.
We're here to help first-time buyers and those looking for an awesome gift for a new musician. If you're a pro drummer or otherwise well-versed in what kind of kit is right for you, and if you have been through the process of finding an affordable kit and are happy with it, then this guide will be basically a review for you. If you're a parent or a new player looking for a little help with the purchase of a kit, then I think you'll learn some things and gain from the advice I want to offer here.

Stage Rocker 5pc drum set with double-braced hardware (Cymbals, Stool and Sticks included) - Black

This is the kind of drum set that I recommend to my students who are serious about playing. A drum set like this can take the beating that a full-sized person can dish out, and has a good, powerful sound. It's not a toy and doesn't sound like one, though it is appropriate for beginners.

This is a full-size, adult drum set with a four-star Amazon rating, for under $150. Believe me, that's unusual. If you're starting out, or you have a full-size young person you're buying for, this is a sweet deal.

A couple of caveats: first, as with all drum sets you buy anywhere, there's going to be a fair amount of assembly required. You won't need to call in an expert, but you should consider the time and effort needed to set it up. For example, if you want to have it under the Christmas tree in time for the next boring, you might want to start some time in the afternoon to make sure you're not working on it when Santa shows up.

Second, when they say "everything included," be ready. While it will definitely be playable and complete in that sense, in my experience there tends to be a few things that you decide you need as time goes on. So let's say there's everything included for the first few months of rocking out.

The quality on sets like these is surprisingly good, and they can really take a beating. I have one that cost about the same and it has held up to 5+ years of serious pounding at the hands of some big, strong boys.

Tangkula 5 Pc Silver Complete Adult Set Cymbals Full Size Blackdrum Set ...

This is a full-sized kit and has everything you need included, from the cymbal stands to a chain-driven kick drum pedal. I played a kit just like this for a long time in my practice band, and it did just fine -- loud and sturdy. You may want to replace the cymbals at some point, since in my experience these are the weak link in a lower-priced kit.

What's the Best Size Drum Set for Beginners?

This is Robert Wadlow, the tallest man in history. So which are you? Are you the world's tallest man? Or are you more his mom's size? Hopefully somewhere in-between...

 Drum kits are often measured in terms of the diameter of the kick drum, so when you're selecting a from picture the size of the kick. There's a kid-size set on this lens that has a kick drum that's 16 inches across -- that's pretty tiny! There's also a full-sized Pearl set with a kick drum that measures 22 inches across, a more typical size for an adult set.

Best Choice Products Drum Sets-1263 5 Piece Complete Adult Drum Set with Cymbals, Full Size (Black)

•  Full Size Complete Drum Set with Everything Included
• Hi-Hat & Crash Cymbals Sticks Stool Stands all Included
• Premium Quality & Easy Assembly
• High Gloss Silver Finish with Chain Driven Pedals
• Assembly Instructions Now Included

Beware of Drum Kit Add-Ons

In my experience, the most important thing people don't realize about owning a drum kit is the number of necessary parts that are often not included in the basic kit. In other words, you can shop and compare prices and choose a good kit, but then find out that parts like the cymbal stands, or even the cymbals themselves, aren't included. What started out as a sweet deal can rapidly turn into a budget-breaker, and you'll walk away with a severe case of sticker shock. It's not that the people selling drum kits are evil -- it seems to me to be something like a holdover from the old days of music stores wanting to get you in the door with one price and then send you out the door with another.

Another tradition is that the more expensive and top-end the drums, the more likely the price is only for the drums and not the add-ons. But in recent years the trend is toward better quality drum sets that actually do include things like kick pedals and hi-hat hardware. You'll find some excellent deals on beginner and mid-range kits that do truly include everything you need to start playing. Look for these deals first.

You'll Need Drum Sticks

On Stage Maple 5B Wood Tip Drumsticks 12 Pairs

No matter how complete your new drum set is, you're still going to need to throw down for sticks at some point. The sticks that come with kits are often an afterthought and don't last too long. Plus, drum sticks are hardly a one-size-fits-all item. They vary in length, material, thickness, and weight, and you'll need to come to some conclusions about which one is perfect for you. Plus they break! Drumsticks don't have to set you back a million bucks, but you will need several pairs. My advice is to experiment by picking up a few different weight and sizes, figure out which ones "fit," and roll with that.

Affordable Drum Sets -- The Electronic Option

Yamaha DTX400K 10-Inch Electronic Drum Set with Drum Throne, Vic Firth 5A Drumsticks and Stereo Headphones

It used to be that electronic drum sets were either flimsy toys for kids, or insanely expensive and fragile "fringe" instruments played by dudes who wanted to be Bill Bruford. Not anymore. Now there are a number of sturdy, affordable, and feature-loaded electronic drum kits out there. Full disclosure: I myself have never owned a set like this, though I have played a few. I chose the set here based on its features and excellent star rating on Amazon (which means satisfied customers!).

An electronic drum set is an excellent choice if you live in a family situation and the noise of a drum set is a problem for others in the house. I often recommend an electronic drum set like this -- it really keeps the peace. The drummer hears what they're playing through headphones, and can dial in huge, dynamic sound with ease; everyone else only hears quiet little clicks as the sticks hit the drum pads. I have had success with this kind of kit, and it can really solve a lot of problems.

More Cowbell!

Pearl PCB1030 Primero Rock Cowbell with PPS30 Mount

Ah yes, the cowbell. In my 1970s high school hard rock band, the cowbell was an essential "instrument" that got a workout in almost every song. If you don't know what a cowbell sounds like, I refer you to the beginning of "We're an American Band" by Grand Funk Railroad. If you're still unclear, then watch the classic SNL bit, "More Cowbell," featuring Will Ferrell as the producer during Blue Oyster Cult's recording of "Don't Fear the Reaper." That should do it.

Affordable Drum Kits -- One For the Little Ones

Gammon 5-Piece Junior Starter Drum Kit with Cymbals, Hardware, Sticks, & Throne - Metallic Blue
This is a good, solid kit for young players. I'm a firm believer in starting out early -- this set is good for kids 5 and up. But it's not a toy! I kind of hate those toy drum sets with butterflies and plastic drums that you can get. Why not start out a with a real instrument? It will cost a little more, but the difference in quality, sound, and durability is enormous. Most of all, you'll be giving your young one the message that you respect their future as a real musician!

This kit has drums, cymbals, stands, throne, and sticks (though you should probably pick up a few extra pairs of sticks). The kick drum measures 16 inches, too small for bigger kids but perfect for the young ones.

Some people might think that having to out together a drum kit out of the box is asking too much. And it is pretty serious undertaking, depending on the size and complexity of your kit. But just as a guitarist needs to know how to put on new strings, a drummer – you – needs to be able to set up and take down his or her kit. You can have someone do it for you I guess, but unless you have a roadie or two, you're going to have to figure it out for yourself eventually. The skill of drum kit set-up and take-down is unique to drummers, and something of which you may be justifiably proud.

Pearl Quality at a Great Price

Pearl RS525SCC706 Roadshow 5-Piece Drum Set, Charcoal Metallic

Pearl is one of the best-known manufacturers going. This kit is top quality, with 9-ply aged mahogany shells, wrap finish, and chrome hardware. Double-braced hardware package includes cymbal stand, hi hat stand, snare stand, throne, and chain-drive bass drum pedal

Happy Pounding!