logo
  • Home
  • Main Categories
    • Accessories
    • Amplifiers
    • Band & Orchestra
    • Bass
    • DJ & Karaoke
    • Drums & Percussion
    • Guitars
    • Keyboards & Synthesizers
    • Live Sound & Lighting
    • Microphones
    • Studio & Recording Equipment
    • Traditional Instruments
  • About
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Drums & Percussion
Last updated: 18 Feb 2021

Best Drum Sets for Beginners

Best Overall
logo
QoQoba Electronic Drum Set for Beginners
Shop now
Runner-Up
logo
Ivation Portable Electronic Drum Pad
Shop now
Honorable Mention
logo
Ashthorpe 3-Piece Complete Kid's Junior Drum Set
Shop now
Also Consider
logo
Best Choice Products 3-Piece Kids Beginner Drum Set
Shop now
Derek Sautter
By Derek Sautter
Published 2:29 pm
Show contents
  • 1 QoQoba Electronic Drum Set for Beginners
  • 2 Ivation Portable Electronic Drum Pad
  • 3 Ashthorpe 3-Piece Complete Kid’s Junior Drum Set
  • 4 Best Choice Products 3-Piece Kids Beginner Drum Set
  • 5 IWORD Electronic Drum Set
  • 6 ADM 14″X 5.5″ Student Snare Drum Set
  • 7 Rock And Roll It – CodeDrum Drum Set
  • 8 Bongo Drum Set
  • 9 MUSICUBE Bongo Drum Set

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, there are a lot of things you need to know before you start learning to play the drums. One of the most important things to learn is how to set up the drum set, which is where a good beginner drum set comes in. A beginner set allows you to start practicing at home without having to go to a professional studio. We've compiled a list of some of our favorite beginner drums sets in 2021 to help you get started on your journey to becoming a great drummer.

Best Drum Sets for Beginners

1

QoQoba Electronic Drum Set for Beginners

– Best Overall
img
Check Latest Price
Key Features

The QOQOBA Electric Drum Set has a rechargeable battery that can last up to 10 hours of continuous use. It comes with seven drum pads and two foot pedals, as well as an aux jack for night/quiet practice mode or just play anywhere you feel inspired to drum without barriers or disturbing others (with headphones connected). A built-in speaker is also included in the set so you can connect it to external speakers for family entertainment or music production.

THE SCOOP

This electronic drum set is a great option for kids. It is simple to set up and requires no batteries or power source.

2

Ivation Portable Electronic Drum Pad

– Runner-Up
img
Check Latest Price
Key Features

Includes 3 toms, 1 snare drum, 1 hi-hat cymbal, 1 ride cymbal, 1 crash cymbal, 1 pedal for closed/open hi-hat and 1 kick pedal for bass drum tone. Comes with two standard size drum sticks into a travel bag for music on the go. Convenient picture labels are marked w/ the picture of its “real-life” drum or cymbal for easy identification. The compact pad system, pedals & 2 standard size drum sticks into a travel bag for music on the go.

THE SCOOP

This portable drum set includes an 8” high-quality digital drum pad with a touch screen and touch sensitivity. It has a five-button setup and a non-slip foot pedal.

3

Ashthorpe 3-Piece Complete Kid’s Junior Drum Set

– Honorable Mention
img
Check Latest Price
Key Features

Includes 3 toms, 1 snare drum, 1 hi-hat cymbal, 1 ride cymbal, 1 crash cymbal, 1 pedal for closed/open hi-hat and 1 kick pedal for bass drum tone. Comes with two standard size drum sticks into a travel bag for music on the go. Convenient picture labels are marked w/ the picture of its “real-life” drum or cymbal for easy identification. The compact pad system, pedals & 2 standard size drum sticks into a travel bag for music on the go.

THE SCOOP

For younger kids, this drum set comes complete with all the essentials, including bass, cymbals, bass pedals, and even a drumstick.

4

Best Choice Products 3-Piece Kids Beginner Drum Set

– Also Consider
img
Check Latest Price
Key Features

This set comes complete with two toms, one bass drum, and a cushioned stool. It’s child-friendly size and attractive design makes it the perfect starting point for your little one’s musical career. The all-wood design and chrome-plated hardware are strong and durable for years of continued use. Children can develop hand-eye coordination and musicality while having fun using this kit.

THE SCOOP

This drumset includes three pieces: a stool, two sticks, and a drum pedal. The stool can be adjusted to stand on the floor, while the sticks can rest on two different surfaces.

5

IWORD Electronic Drum Set

img
Check Latest Price
Key Features

The iWord Electric Drum Set is made of food-grade silicone, so it’s safe for kids to play with. It has a built-in earphone jack and two built-in speakers that can be connected to external speakers for performance or playing games. There are seven drum pads included in the kit, including one snare, 3 toms, 1 crash, 1 hi-hat, 2 foot pedals, 5 timbres, 8 demo preset songs, and three rhythms. You can connect headphones to the jack, which will make you inspired by the drums,play in a place without obstacles or disturbing others. A rechargeable lithium battery provides up to 8-10 hours playtime on this set.

THE SCOOP

The IWOD Electronic drum set is perfect for adults who are just getting started with drumming. It’s compact and easy to carry around with you anywhere, making it a great choice for those who want to practice on the go.

6

ADM 14″X 5.5″ Student Snare Drum Set

img
Check Latest Price
Key Features

This snare drum comes with pad case sticks and a stand for players to sit by. It’s made of 14×5 steel, so you can play it without having to worry about your fingers getting stuck in the grooves. 

THE SCOOP

This beginner’s drum set has all the essentials, including a bass drum, snare drum and cymbal. It comes with a sound-absorbent nylon carrying case.

7

Rock And Roll It – CodeDrum Drum Set

img
Check Latest Price
Key Features

This electronic drum kit comes with a color-coded music book to help you learn how to play the drums. It’s portable and easy to use, making it perfect for on-the-go rock sessions. The set features multiple drum sounds, professional demos, instrumental accompaniment tracks, record and playback, audio input and output, as well as USB power options (cord included). You can also plug in your own headphones or hi-fi speakers so you can practice without having to worry about batteries running out. 

THE SCOOP

This all-in-one drum set comes with everything you need to get started, including a bass drum, hi-hat, cymbals, and a headband.

8

Bongo Drum Set

img
Check Latest Price
Key Features

This set of 6 and 7 inch bongo drums is made from high-quality, weatherproof wood and metal with authentic, ethically sourced animal hides hugging the top of hickory shells. It has an exotic, natural gloss finish that makes it a wonderful musical souvenir for your home or music room. The tops are easily tuneable without breaking so you don’t have to worry about them tearing out during tuning. You can also get a free bonus tuning wrench as well as upgraded packaging and shipping insurance.

THE SCOOP

If you’re looking for a basic drum set, the Bongo drums are a great choice. They offer basic sounds and drumsticks, and also come in an upgraded version with a powerful head.

9

MUSICUBE Bongo Drum Set

Key Features

This drum comes with a tuning wrench. It’s made of kraft paper, which is more environmentally friendly than coloful laminating box. The black powder-coated hardware and natural glossy finish ensure for the well performance in your hand. You can easily tune it to a relaxed status if you don’t use it at all.

THE SCOOP

A durable and versatile drum set that is perfect for beginning drummers. It is suitable for kids and beginners.

10

img
Check Latest Price

Drum Sets for Beginners Buying Guide

If you're just getting into drumming, it can be daunting to find the right kit. You'll need to make a decision: do you want a kit with a few drum sticks, or do your other instruments need a drum kit? What type of sound do the drums need? Is a four-piece drum set right for you? We can help. For just $35, you can get a quality beginner drum setup with your choice of sticks and a mic. In addition to a detailed education on the science of drum sound, we’ve compiled a shopping guide and included some of our favorites to help get your feet wet.

What are some tips about drum sets for Beginners?

If you’re a beginner, it‘s best to start with a basic kit and gradually work your way up to the more expensive models. For the most part, a beginners drum set will be a good fit for someone who is somewhere between 5” and 6“ tall. While a larger kit will give you a better ability to play in tight spaces, the larger drum heads will add weight to your kit. If you are starting out with an older drum kit, start small. The majority of beginner drum kits are around 8‽ inches tall (although some manufacturers offer kits that are 10‹ inches high). If your ears aren‗t too sensitive, you can gradually increase the size of your drum head until you feel more comfortable. It‖s not recommended to use any type of vibration pedal (buzz, clap, or metronome) while playing your drums. These pedals can drastically alter the tone of the drum.

Considerations

As far as beginner drum kits go, most of the models we looked at come with a large number of external drums, which are great for learning and developing your drumming technique. But if you're not interested in drums and want to focus on a sound or style, you'll need to buy your own kit. That said, some beginner kits feature a handful of drums that you can learn to play with, but it's best to start with drum shells that are easy for beginners to learn on. For example, if your goal is to just play a few bars of a song, a kit with 16 or so drum sounds will get the job done. If you want something a little more involved, pick up a drum kit that includes a tom, snare, and a bass drum. The more external sounds a beginner has access to, the better prepared they will be to take on the bigger challenges ahead. Big, fat sounds are all well and good for marching bands, marching and rumbling in your school band, or just trying out a new band’s choreography, however, when it comes to solo drum practice, chances are you‘ll be playing to a crowd. You need your kit to be small enough so you don't get in the way of your performance, large enough that the sounds you use are appropriate for the size of drum heads, to have enough space on drums to put the drums down, so they don t get knocked around during your playing, with padding to protect your hands, knobs that will make it easy to adjust the sound and volume, as well as a sturdy stand. And, of course, don ’t forget, all the external hardware is going to need cleaning after every use.

Price

Inexpensive

Entry-level drum kits start at $50 to $150. These kits will feature at least a year's worth of practice time and come with the drums only, no bass. Some of these drumkits may include a snare and/or a cymbal.

Mid-range

From $200 to around $350, you’ll find a wide range of beginner drumming kits, from electric to acoustic to hybrid kits. The more money you put into the kit, the better quality of materials, more dynamic sound, and more accessories you get.

Expensive (and more expensive than entry-stage drum pads)

Spend over $400 and you can find professional-sounding drum equipment for the serious drummer. This includes drumheads, cyms, microphones, drum stands, strap kits for multiple players, bass drum, ride cymnets, a kick pedal, rack mounts, soundboards, as well as crash cyphon sets.

Features To Look For In Beginners Drum Sets

Whether you’re purchasing a digital kit, a hi-hat only, or a kit for a larger band, there are a few features you should look for to ensure you purchase the perfect set for you. If you are going to be playing regularly, it is important to consider how you will be using the drum kit as well as how comfortable you want to make your drummer.

Size

Drum kits come in a range of sizes, and it can be difficult to know which one is best for your needs. Digital drum kits tend to have smaller shells, which makes them more portable, however, they may not be as sturdy as a metal kit. Additionally, smaller drum shells can make the sticks feel flimsy, making it more difficult for new players to get used to playing a drum set. You can also consider the size of the cymbal when considering the overall size. A smaller cymbol is easier to control and will also offer a better tone.

Materials

While the drums are the most important part of your drum setup, you can t neglect the materials. For starters, the wood is the best material for the sound your drums will produce. It will dampen noise, improve the quality of sound, be durable, light weight, an inexpensive material, but it will cost you more to buy it. Metal is an extremely durable and reliable material. However, if you don‘t want it to rust, choose a resin kit instead. Plastic shells are also easy to transport and have a quality sound. The only downside to plastic shells is that they are not as durable as wood. Accessories: Accessories are another key feature to look out for when buying a beginners drum system. Accent drums, hats, cabs, straps, drumshead covers, practice pads, stand, stands, etc. are all accessories that can come with your kit and help make playing more comfortable and easier.

Quality

The quality and durability of a beginner drum drumming kit is crucial. When purchasing, make sure the material is good quality, like wood or metal. Also, pay attention to the double-sided foam pad that comes with most kits as it‒s important that it lasts through a long period of time.

About Beginners Drum Set

Divergent in its most basic sense, a beginner drum set is a kit that is designed to be used by novices or those who are just learning to play drums. Unlike more advanced drum kits, which are designed with advanced players in mind, beginners usually don't come with any drumsticks or cymbals. However, they are often not too expensive. If you’re a musician who wants to learn to drum, finding a high-quality beginner kit is an important goal, so we‘ve put together the following buying guide to help you pick the right one.

Drum Sets for Beginners FAQ

Q: What is a beginner drum set?

A: A beginner kit is just like a full-sized drum kit but it doesn’t have all the standard equipment such as cymbals, bass drum, snare drum or anything else that you would find on a professional recording session. These kits are meant to introduce the beginner to the drums and teach them how to hold, pump and control the various drums to make them more responsive and interesting to play.

Q: How do beginner drums sets work?

A: The drums in a set are set using either a bass pedal or a pad. Bass drums are typically fitted with a weighted rim while pads are generally not. They are fitted in place using a metal bracket that is placed on the bottom of the drum stick. This bracket then screws into a hole in the side of a drum rack that then fits the appropriate drums. While in most instances, you will find that the bass drums, pads and drums come together inside a rack, there are other instances where the kit and the rack are separate pieces. In the instances that drums do come apart, they are then put back together using the screws that fit into the holes in both pieces together.

Q: Which type of drumset is best for beginners?

A: There are many different types of drumsets for different levels of experience. It“s important to find a kit that suits your level of development and plays to your strengths. A full kit will be the best option for a player who has not played drums before. Beginners should look for kits with either 8 or 12 drums so they can get used to playing with the right rhythm. Some players might want a low-cost kit for learning to sound and feel comfortable with their drumming. That said, a more advanced player might feel like they need something more robust and durable.

Derek Sautter
By Derek Sautter
Derek is a professional musician who specializes in percussion and works with the independent WGI group Cap City Percussion. With a Bachelors of Music from Capital University, specializing in Music Industry studies, he consistently finds himself playing and teaching percussion to anyone who has the will to learn. Derek is also a former member of DCI groups Legends (2014-15) and Colts (2016-18); he is also the percussion technician and instructor of the drum line at Olentangy High School. You may find him playing a gig throughout the greater Columbus, Ohio area.
You May Also Like
img
Best Snare Drums for Beginners
img
Rock-out with our Selection of Cheap Drumsticks
img
Get on Amazon and Grab One of these Drum Sets
  • Contact
  • About
logo
Copyright American Songwriter © 2021
  • Privacy Policy