10 Best Beginner Drum Set Reviews 2021: Choose Your Ideal Drum Kit

When I was a teenager, I wanted to be a drummer. I wanted to hit the drums like those cool dudes sitting behind the drum set. I thought a drum and a pair of sticks are enough for that. But to start a drumming career, you must have a good drum set to begin with. In this best beginner drum set article, you can find all the best drum sets you can choose for your beginner sessions.

I used to love hearing the musical rock concerts. The songs, lyrics, tune, lyrics, etc. were like pure magic to my ears. Out of all other performers, the drummer was always my favorite. The way a drummer plays his instrument was really exciting to watch. But watching one playing the drums is one thing, and playing the drums are completely different things.

If you are passionate about drums and want to make a career out of it, I suggest starting taking drum lessons as soon as possible. You need to know about the rudiments, how to hold a drumstick, how to read music sheets, etc. in the initial stage. In this article, all the information regarding the top ten drum sets is included to make your search more convenient.

Product Name		Rating & Highlighted Features		Price
Ashthorpe Adult Drum Set Black		​​The thrones are cushioned and flexible.
Ashthorpe Full-Size Adult Drum Set Red		Includes Wooden drumstick.
LAGRIMA 5 Piece Full-Size Drum Set		​This really is a durable drum collection.
Pearl Roadshow 5-Piece Drum Set ​		​It is possible to begin playing it directly after getting the drums set.
Ludwig 5 Piece Accent Drive Drum Set		​​You can set it up Effortlessly.
Ludwig Drum Set (LC178X0)		​Good sound quality.
Rock Jam Mesh Head Electronic Drum Kit		​This Collection Includes eight-piece.
Alesis Drums Nitro Mesh Kit		​Quite responsive mesh drums.
ddrum BR D Series 5-Piece Drum Set		​This kit comes with everything you Want.
Alesis Drums Turbo Mesh Kit		​Cheap contemplating quality.

Top 10 Best Beginner Drum Set Reviews

If you don’t have enough time to read the whole article, don’t worry. We have a quick recommendation for you as well. Based on all the features and benefits, the Ashthorpe 5-PieceFull-Size Adult Drum Set is the one in our opinion. This set is worth every penny and never fails to deliver the performance it promised.

Now, let’s go and check out all the best beginner drum set reviews!

Ashthorpe Adult Drum Set Black

If you are looking for the best beginner drum set for adults, then this Ashthorpe model is something you can look forward to. This full-sized adult drum set has the ultimate standard configuration of 5-piece within a convenient price range.

Features:

Genuine Remo Heads:

Both the top and bottom side of every drum head has the UT series heads of the Remo brand. Given that Remo is the largest drum head company in the world, the quality of these parts is bound to be excellent.

Professional Set:

This is a complete drum set consisting of all the necessary equipment for playing or practicing both. This full-sized kit can be used by beginners and professionals as well. The package has a bass drum, a floor tom, two mounted toms, one wired snare, premium brass cymbals, stands, padded stool, drumsticks, keys, etc.

Improved Sound Quality:

This set is made using the highest quality components like shells of poplar hardwood, upgraded drum heads, flanged hoops, etc. These tools can increase the tonal quality and the frequency response to give you the best acoustic feel of the music.

Stylish Outlook:

This comes in three different colors like black, blue, and silver. The hardware is chrome made and has the best quality accents.

Easy Setup:

The package includes detailed instructions to be followed. You won’t have any trouble completing the setup.

Pros:

• Available in three different colors.
• The thrones are padded and adjustable.
• Wooden drumstick.
• It comes with an instruction manual.
• The setup process is easy.

Cons:

• Some may find the sound is not very loud.

Ashthorpe Full-Size Adult Drum Set Red

If you want the same quality Ashthorpe 5-piece adult drum set in red color, then you are in luck!

Features:

Quality Remo Heads:

Both the top and bottom side of every drum head has the UT series heads of the Remo brand. Given that Remo is the largest drum head company in the world, the quality of these parts is bound to be excellent.

Professional Configuration:

This is a complete drum set consisting of all the necessary equipment for playing or practicing both. This full-sized kit can be used by beginners and professionals as well. The package has a bass drum, a floor tom, two mounted toms, one wired snare, brass cymbals, hardware, stands, chained pedals, drumsticks, keys, etc.

Upgraded Sound Feature:

This set is made using the highest quality components like shells of poplar hardwood, upgraded drumheads, flanged hoops, brass cymbals, etc. These tools can improve the tonal quality and the frequency response to give you the best acoustic feel.

Stylish Outlook:

This design of this set is sleek and powerful. The hardware is chrome made and has the best quality accents.

Easy to Assemble:

The package has easy to follow instructions. You won’t have any trouble completing the setup.

Pros:

• The padded thrones are adjustable.
• Comes with Wooden drumstick.
• Reasonable price.
• Simple setup process.

Cons:

• Sound quality may disappoint some people.

LAGRIMA 5 Piece Full-Size Drum Set

The Lagrima 5-piece drum set has some of the best features among others. In addition, this budget-friendly kit can be used by both adults and kids.

Features:

Sleek Design & Materials:

The drum shells are made of real wood and have a lucrative glossy outlook. The drum skin has a layered oil skin which increases the elasticity of the drum head, making it sturdier. The hardware is adjustable yet unbreakable, which strongly supports the drum set when played.

Bass & Tom:

You can adjust the angles of drums using the screws when you are playing. The tonal quality will increase and the music will be more spontaneous.

A Complete Package:

This is a complete drum set that has a bass drum, snare drum, and stand, tom drums, hi-hat stand, cymbals, stool, pedal, drum key, etc. Most of these accessories are not found in many other drum sets.

Artistic Sound Feature:

The lower part of the drum has a chord. When you play the drum, the drum surface vibrates with the chord, thus creating sound.

Pros:

• The price is very reasonable.
• This is a long-lasting drum set.
• This set is trouble-free to play.
• Stylish and glossy design.
• Kids can also play this drum set.

Cons:

• Cymbals are too small for some players.

Pearl Roadshow 5-Piece Drum Set

The Pearl brand is famous for its quality product at a reasonable price. This pearl beginner drum set is hands down one of the best starters set for a beginner drummer.

Features:

Polished Outlook & Materials:

The drum shells are made of poplar wood and have a lucrative glossy design. You can start playing the drums right after it arrives at your doorstep.

All-in-One Package:

This is a complete 5-piece drum set that has a bass drum, snare drum, three tom drums, hi-hat stand, cymbal stand, snare stand, stool, etc. The hardware is made of very good quality. The stands work as good backups to drums when you are hitting your drums.

Sound Versatility:

The drum set is made of poplar wood, however, the sound it produces is pretty great and versatile. The snare and toms produce great sound beats. You can play this drum set for different genres of music like jazz, rock, fusion, etc.

Durable Hardware:

The hardware of this pearl drum set is made with sturdy materials. The stands of this set work as a great support for the snare and cymbals.

Pros:

• You can start playing it right after receiving the drums set.
• This is a long-lasting kit.
• The price is reasonable.
• Very good quality hardware.

Cons:

• The pedal of the bass drum is not satisfying.
• Doesn’t have a sturdy life.

Ludwig 5 Piece Accent Drive Drum Set

Ludwig has been constant with delivering some best drum sets over time. This 5-piece improved drum set of accent series has made it to this list due to its excellent performance.

Features:

Compact Design:

The shells are made of poplar wood with a sleek appearance. This small-sized drum kit can be used by adults and kids. It can last long with proper maintenance.

Complete Set:

This is an all-inclusive 5-piece drum set that has a bass drum, snare drum, three tom drums, hi-hat stand, cymbal stand, snare stand, stool, twin lugs, etc. This is a perfect package for a new drummer.

Flexible Sound Quality:

The drum shell is made of poplar wood, however, the sound it produces is quite good for a beginner. With proper tuning, you can make it sound even better.

Quality Hardware:

The hardware of this drum set is made with quality materials. The stands and the stool work as a great backup for the cymbals, drums, and your body as well.

Pros:

• You can set it up with ease.
• Kids can also play it.
• This is a sturdy drum kit.
• The price is reasonable.
• The hardware is of good quality.

Cons:

• The cymbals are not long-lasting.
• The seat can be a bit uncomfortable.

Ludwig Drum Set (LC178X0)

Ludwig has created drum sets for people of all ages. This Ludwig model is specially made for kid beginner drummers who are 4 or more than 4 years old.

Features:

Portability:

Also known as the pocket kit, this drum set weighs 62 pounds and can be easily carried anywhere. The set comes in three different colors and has a sturdy aluminum finish to give it a polished look.

A Proper Kit:

This is an all-inclusive drum set that has a bass drum, snare drum, two tom drums, hi-hat stand, cymbal stand, snare stand, stool, drum keys, etc. This is a perfect package for a kid beginner drummer. It also comes with an exclusive lesson plan by Questlove.

Flexible Tone Quality:

The sound and tone are good considering it is a starter drum set for kids. However, with proper tuning and practice, you will be able to improve the sound quality a lot.

Well-Built Hardware:

The hardware of this drum set will give you good support in the initial practice days. You can upgrade the parts with time.

Pros:

• Easy to put together.
• Great sound quality.
• It comes at an affordable price
• The hardware is made of sturdy materials.

Cons:

• Only one cymbal comes with the set.
• The stands are not that strong.

Rock Jam Mesh Head Electronic Drum Kit 

If you want to buy the best beginner electronic drum set within a budget price, this RockJam Mesh drum kit should be your pick.

Features:

Chic Structure:

This budget kit has a stylish outlook that you can set up easily without any trouble. This construction of this drum set is sturdy yet flexible enough to give you the real feel.

Trendy Package:

This electronic drum set has four mesh heads that have velocity-sensitive pads. They will give the real feel and natural response just like the traditional drum head. The toms are made with high-quality rubber to keep the volume down when you are playing drums!

Adjustable Sound Feature:

The sound quality is pretty good considering it is a starter drum set. The kick drum creates loud sounds. You can use a speaker to maximize the sound volume.

Tech Savvy Hardware:

The package includes USB out, AUX-in, headphone jack, and MIDI to connect with any other musical tool. There are also 30 preset drum kit voices and several songs for you to practice along.

Pros:

• This set has eight-piece.
• The price is reasonable.
• The drum module has 30 voice kits.
• It has an easy to assembly rack.
• The mesh head gives the real drum head feel.

Cons:

• The drum sticks don’t bounce much.

Alesis Drums Nitro Mesh Kit

Alesis is known for making quality drum equipment for some time. Moreover, this cost-effective electronic drum set is listed as the beginner drum set of amazon’s choice.

Features:

Quality Design & Structure:

This stylish looking drum set is easy to set up and play whenever you need it. The mesh drum heads give you the real feel and natural response just like the normal ones.

A Practical Kit:

This electronic drum set has four mesh heads that have velocity-sensitive pads. They will give the real feel and natural response just like the traditional drum head. The toms are made with high-quality rubber to keep the volume down when you are playing drums!

Sound Control Feature:

The sound quality is pretty good considering it is a starter drum set. The kick drum creates loud sounds. You can control the sound depending on where you are. This ultra-quiet sounding drum kit is perfect for practicing at night.

Well Organized Hardware:

The package includes a rack, drum sticks, drum key, power supply, and connection to connect with any other musical tool. There are also 40 preset drum kit voices and many songs for you to practice along.

Pros:

• Very responsive mesh drums.
• The price is within your reach.
• The drum module has 40 voice kits.
• It has a strong aluminum rack.
• An all-inclusive drum set.

Cons:

• The bass drum isn’t of the best quality.

ddrum BR D Series 5-Piece Drum Set

If you want to use a similar and a smaller version of the D2 drum set of ddrum, then this D120B drum set should suffice your need!

Features:

Smooth Design & Robust Materials:

This drum set weighs 44 pounds and can be easily carried anywhere. The stands and the hardware are black-coated to give it a trendy appearance. You can use this drum for a long time if maintained properly.

Simple Setup:

This set is easy to put together. You can assemble all the parts in a short time, even without any instructions. Any intermediate or beginner player can play this drum set.

A Total Package:

This is an all-inclusive drum set that has a bass drum, snare drum, three tom drums, hi-hat stand, cymbal stand, snare stand, stool, drum keys, etc. You have to buy drum sticks separately.

Enhanced Sound Quality:

This drum set produces good quality sound and tone. With proper tuning and practice, you can get a high-pitched sound.

Long-Lasting Hardware:

The hardware of this drum set works as good support in the initial practice days. You can upgrade the parts with better quality parts later.

Pros:

• This kit comes with everything you need.
• Sleek and compact design.
• This full-sized kit is fairly durable.
• Hardware is made of real metal

Cons:

• The tom heads aren’t of the best quality.
• No drumsticks with the set.

Alesis Drums Turbo Mesh Kit

And last but not the least, the Alesis drums turbo mesh kit is an electronic drum set with various features. This drum set is cheap but has quality features, unlike many other phony kits.

Features: 

Efficient Design & Strong Materials:

This 7-piece drum set is compact and easy to play. The mesh drum heads are all set to give you the real feel and natural response just like the traditional drum heads.

A Standard Kit:

This electronic drum set has mesh heads that have velocity-sensitive pads to give the real feel and natural response. The toms are made with high-quality rubber to keep the volume down! There is also a kick pedal instead of a kick tower like the nitro mesh drum set.

Incredible Sound Quality:

The sound quality is very good compared to the similarly priced drum set. You can use the headphone or the speaker to control the sound volume as you need. This ultra-quiet sounding drum kit is perfect for practicing at night without disturbing anyone else.

Digitalized Hardware:

The drum set comes with a foldable steel rack, drum sticks, USB-MIDI port, power supply, drum coach, metronome, Aux input to sync with any other musical tool. There are also 10 preset drum kit voices and 30 songs so you can practice along.

Pros:

• Mesh drum heads are very responsive.
• Affordable considering quality.
• Gives a natural drum head feel.
• Made with durable material to last long.

Cons:

• It doesn’t have any throne.
• The drum module has only 10 voice kits.

How To Buy The Best Beginner Drum Set?

If you are an amateur and trying to improve your playing skills, you should have a drum set so you can practice more frequently. But before that, there are several things to consider when buying a beginner drum kit.

There are various types of drum sets available in the market, but not all of them are good for you. Hence, make a list of what to look for in the best beginner drum set.

Does it have everything you need?

Make a list of everything you want in your drum set and start comparing them. One thing you have to make sure before the purchase, does it have everything you need? Because if it doesn’t, then your practice and learning session will never be complete and enjoyable for you.

What do you mean by ‘Hardware’ in acoustic drums?

Normally a drum set includes many things. A complete drum set would have a bass drum, snare, toms, cymbals, etc. Besides these, there are some important parts that work as a back up when you are playing your drum set. You can’t set your drums on the floor and start hitting them with a stick right away. To set the drum kit, you will need hardware.

Each quality drum set comes with a set of hardware. Hardware includes drum stands, cymbal stands, tom holders, kick pedals, etc. These parts are used to make your drum set playable. Check if the drum set has the necessary hardware before ordering it.

What does the number of pieces mean?

In terms of drums, we often say that the 5-piece drum set is a complete drum set. This set up means a bass drum, a snare drum, two rack toms, a floor tom are used altogether. When we say a 4-piece drum set, it consists of a bass drum, two toms, and a snare drum. The three-piece drum set includes a tom, a bass drum, and a snare.

These three setups have only one difference in their configuration, the number of toms in each set. Among these options, the most famous one is the 5-piece drum set. As a beginner drummer, you should also purchase the drum set with 5-piece.

Drum Sticks

Drum sticks are one of the most important key features of a drum set. Your sticks need to be made of good quality materials so they last longer. Also, the weight of a drumstick impacts the sound it produces on a drum. Usually, a pair of 5A sticks are the most common pick for a beginner level drummer.

Cymbal Quality

The quality of cymbals is important in drum playing. A good quality cymbal will better your drum beat while a poor quality will decrease the sound quality. Make sure your drum set has the proper cymbals according to your need.

Drum Size

The size of your drum is important for playing. This list of the best beginner drum sets is specifically for adults who are more than 5 ft. tall. If a kid is taller than 5 ft., he can choose an adult beginner set. And if the student is shorter than 5 ft., he or she might practice with a kid’s starter drum set for ease.

​Best Beginner Drum Set Selection Methodology

We made an initial list of full-sized drum sets that are found in the USA. These are complete drum sets with necessary hardware and you can start using them instantly after you get your delivery. But to shorten the list we had to go through a more intricate process of analyzing each drum set. At this stage, we kept mostly 5-piece drum sets as it is the standard configuration.

As for the 2020 update, we made this list with the best 10 beginner drum sets following the reviews, customer feedback, ratings, the accessories, etc.

Some Helpful Drum Terminology

• Snare: The drum that can create a loud sound of cracks.
• Bass drum: The biggest drum of the set that creates a low beat sound.
• Tom: The drum that can create the sound of a specific tone or pitch.
• Cymbal: Bronze or brass plate used to create higher ringing sounds.
• Throne: The seat where a drummer sits while playing drums.
• Hi-Hat: Two cymbals put on each other and can be played both by opening and closing.

Should You Always Trust the Brand?

Drums are a world-wide used musical instrument that is used in several genres of music. The widespread popularity has resulted in some keen manufacturers who cater specially for drummers. These famous brands have been creating quality drum sets for musical growth. However, don’t blindly trust a brand when it comes to choosing a beginner drum set.

Although their products are always pricey, it’s not necessary that the high-end brands will maintain a similar quality with all their products. There is a chance that the learner’s drum set is not as good as the professional drum set of a specific manufacturer. So, it’s better to analyze all the features when you are thinking of purchasing one.

Why didn’t we include 4-piece or 3-piece kits?

We are talking about the best beginner drum set for a newbie learner. So as a starter set you must consider the best combination of the drum set for your convenience and easy learning. Among all the configurations, the 5-piece complete drum set is the most used among drummers across the world. This set usually has a bass drum, a snare drum, and three toms.

Not only as professionals, but a drummer should also start with this specific set to learn the different ways of playing drums. Even though you can use a 4-piece or 3-piece kit to play drums, using the 5-piece drum set is undoubtedly the wisest option. Hence, we had a few 4-piece drum sets but we didn’t include any 3-piece drum kits in this list.

My Take on Standard vs. Electronic

Once the acoustic drum sets were the most used for playing drums. It is quite natural that drums also get an electronic version developed with time. The conventional methods are still preferred to maximum expert drummers, but there is no denying the fact that electronic drums have made a place of their own in the music industry.

The standard drums do not need to be set up electronically. And the sound it creates is much more realistic than an electronic drum would create. For live gigs or as a starter kit also, the price is much in reach if you want to buy one for learning purposes. The techniques you will learn with this type of drum set are functional and worth your time.

Loud sound is the one problematic issue with acoustic drums. If you have people around you, playing drums may disturb their peace of mind in general. Electronic drums can save you from such issues as you can control the sound volume. It also takes much less space than a standard drum kit. You can also use this for recording high-quality music in your personal studio.

Price-wise electronic drums are way more than an acoustic version. If you are not aiming as a future drummer, spending so much in starting is actually not important. If you have to compare these two versions, both of them have some distinguished features to top each other. It ultimately comes down to what you want to play and achieve in the long run.

Adult Drum Kits vs. Junior Drum Kits

While we are talking about the best beginner drum sets nowadays, this list is made keeping in mind about adult learners. But if you ask me about the best beginner drum set for 8 year old, I would have to switch to something more appropriate for the kids. In fact, there are many kids drum sets for 3-10 years old.

While people may think that an adult drum kit is a better choice than a kid’s drum set, I would have to disagree. Surely, you can upgrade the adult drum set more rapidly. And the adult versions may create a louder sound then the kid’s one, but these don’t make the former one better than the later one. Sound quality-wise, a beginner learner kids drum set also possesses good features.

Tips and Tricks for the Absolute Beginners

• Learn how to hold a drumstick properly.
• Learn how to read the music sheet.
• Learn about drum rudiments and patterns.
• Practice as frequently as you can.
• Coordinate your hand and foot movement.
• Don’t lose your patience.
• If possible, take lessons from an expert.
• Take proper care of your drum set.
• Use ear protection for your safety.
• Enjoy while you play drums.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best drum kit for a beginner?

There are several types of drum kits available for drummers. But if you are a beginner drum player who needs to practice a lot, it would be better to buy a complete 5-piece drum set. It will include all the necessary parts you need for playing drums. Moreover, you can gradually upgrade the drum kit by changing one piece at a time.

What makes up a typical drum set?

For regular drum practice, you should have a drum set of your own. A drum set means a whole package of important equipment. A typical drum set contains 5-piece. A bass drum, toms, snare drum, hi-hat, and cymbals. Then there is also the hardware part. It consists of hi-hat stands, cymbal stands, pedals, etc.

Are tonewoods important?

Tonewoods are basically the wood that is used to make a guitar body or drums shell. There are several types of tonewoods to be used in manufacturing these acoustic instruments. It is suggested that different tonewoods actually can make different sounds. Only an expert musician can identify the difference though.

Should I get a large drum kit or a small one?

The size of a drum kit depends on many factors like what type of music you are going to play. For rock music a standard size drum kit with larger shells are good. If you prefer Jazz music, then fusion styled drum kits with smaller shells would be ideal. For the individual drums, a 14” snare drum, 14” toms, and a 20” bass drum is considered standard size normally.

Should you worry about noise at your place of residence?

When you are about to start a drummer career or beginner learner sessions, daily practice is the key to be a successful drummer. If you have a studio or a practice pad for rehearsal, that would be great. But if you are going to practice at your home, make sure your neighbors are not around during your practice session.

Because drums make loud sounds and it will disturb the people around you unless you live in a quiet and remote area. It is better to take proper measures before you are planning to play it at your home.

Is ear protection absolutely necessary?

When you hit a drum, you can hear how loud sound it makes. During the practice session or while you are performing in a gig, always remember to wear earplugs. Because continuous exposure to 85 dB or higher can harm your hearing sense. There is a chance of hearing loss at an early age if you do not take proper safety precautions.

Do I need to start out with drum lessons?

There are many ways to learn playing drums, hire a mentor, enroll in an online institute, or teach yourself. All these options include drum lessons. After finding the perfect drum kit for practice, you would have to start practice following the provided lessons.

Don’t be scared as the initial lessons will consist of some basic practices to warm up your muscle and courage both.

What are the best drum kits you can buy today?

The 5 best drum kits you can buy today are

1. Ashthorpe Adult Drum Set
2. Ashthorpe Complete Full-Size Adult Drum Set
3. LAGRIMA Full-Size Drum Set
4. Pearl RS525SCC706
5. Ludwig Accent Drive Drum Set

How long should a drum set last?

If you are starting as a beginner, you must have bought a beginner level drum set for you. As you have to keep practicing, the drum set has to be sturdy enough to last a long time. A good point of a drum kit is, you can always upgrade them with time. If one piece of the set is not working for you, just change that piece with a new one.

This way you can use the drum set for a longer period. And with proper maintenance, a good quality drum set should last a lifetime.

How much should I spend on the best beginner drum set?

As a beginner drummer, you need to choose your drum set wisely. You can’t skip practicing at all, hence a durable drum set should be the first choice. Also, a complete drum set would make your session easier. And with time, you can gradually update the set piece by piece.

For that, your budget should be close to $500 at least. You can definitely get a set at a cheaper rate, however, the quality may not be up to the mark.

Final Thoughts:

A well-built drum set is always going to work in your favor, so spending your money on a quality drum set is a must. There are several manufacturers worldwide who sell good drum kits, but not necessarily the best one for you. As a beginner, you should select the best drum set based on your need. But doing that can be tough if you don’t have any prior knowledge about drums.

Hence, in this best beginner drum set article, we have included the top ten drum sets you can find now in the market. Judging all the key points, these drum sets are perfect for a beginner level drummer. We have also given the drum set features, a buying guide describing some important tips, some common queries, etc. so you don’t face any confusion at all.

So, if you have decided, go grab your pick of the drum set and start practicing as soon as possible! Time is the most valuable asset for all of us. Thank you for spending your precious time on reading our article. We hope our one-stop buying guide has helped you out with your queries. If you want to read more articles like this, please keep an eye on our website.