Who makes the best bass drum pedal? Find out in this expert buying guide with complete reviews!
Top 7 Single and Double Kick Bass Drum Pedals Compared
What Should You Look For In A Good Bass Drum Pedal?
Top 7 Bass Drum Pedals Reviewed!
1. Best Overall Single Kick Pedal: Tama HP200P Iron Cobra
2. Best Alternative Choice Single Kick: Gibraltar 5711S
3. Best Premium Single Kick Pedal: Drum Workshop DWCP2000
4. Best Overall Double Kick Pedal: Tama HP200PTW Iron Cobra
5. Best Budget Double Kick Bass Pedal: Griffin Double Kick Drum Pedal
6. Best Mid-range Double Kick Pedal: Pearl P932 Demonator
7. Best Premium Double Kick Pedal: Pearl P-3002D Eliminator Demon Drive Double Bass Drum Pedal
Final Thoughts: Which Bass Drum Pedal Offers the Best Kick?
We certainly hope you benefit from the information we provide in this article! Just so you know, we may receive compensation if you use the links on this page. If you do, thank you so much!
Best Bass Drum Pedal: Top 7 Single and Double Kicks Compared
Great kick drum pedals at a glance:
| Product | Feature Image | Editor’s Rating | Link |
| #1 Best Overall Single Kick Drum Pedal | |
4.7 / 5 |
$$
|
| #2 Best Budget Kick Drum Pedal
Gibraltar 5711S Single Chain CAM Drive Single Bass Drum Pedal |
|
4.4 / 5 |
$$
|
| #3 Best Premium Single Kick Pedal | |
4.7 / 5 |
$$$
|
| Editors PicK!
#4 Best Overall Double Kick Pedal |
|
4.8 / 5 |
$$$
|
| #5 Best Budget Double Kick Bass Pedal | |
4.3 / 5 |
$$
|
| #6 Best Mid-range Double Kick Pedal | |
4.7 / 5 |
$$$
|
| #7 Best Premium Double Kick Pedal |
|
4.8 / 5 |
$$$$
|
What Should You Look For In A Good Bass Drum Pedal?
For those about to take drums a little more serious, you’ll want to invest in a higher quality drum set. Let’s discuss a few of the finer things you should look for to assemble a complete professional drum set.
Think of the best bass pedal as the engine that allows the bass drum to do its best work. The bass drum itself is an integral part of any good drum set, and comes in many sizes covering virtually all musical genres.
Considering there are many different types of pedal hardware on the market, we’re looking at three of the best bass drum pedals to help give you an idea of what goes into a good unit before your purchase.
In terms of variations, there are single and double pedals, direct-drive and longboard pedals, chain and belt-drive pedals, and even split footboard pedals.
With these many types to choose from, we’re here to help you pick the right bass drum pedal that fits your needs.
Regardless if you’re new to the drums or an intermediate player not, your choice of bass pedal should be reliable and comfortable to play.
Top 7 Bass Drum Pedals Reviewed!
In this post, as we have mentioned, we will discuss and compare the features, pros, and cons of the top three bass drum pedals popular on the market today to help you make comparisons and decide on which one to get.
1. Best Overall Single Kick Drum Pedal: Tama HP200P Iron Cobra
TAMA HP200P Iron Cobra Features
As part of the Iron Cobra 200 series, the Tama HP200P is a very powerful single pedal. One of the reasons it’s considered the best single kick pedal is its superior responsiveness and accuracy of the hammer action.
Its single chain design uses durable hardware. The stability of the pedal is impressive yet to be expected given the aluminum and steel construction. You may also appreciate the quality of the beater. The double-sided design allows you to achieve a different tonality and play anything from jazz to rock and metal.
One of its standout features is the Power Glide Cam technology. This is what improves the accuracy of the beater motion. But it also comes with a minor drawback. Given the high responsiveness of the pedal, beginners may have a hard time learning kick pressure control on the HP200P.
That said, professional drummers understand its value. Another thing that makes this a good buy is the improved foot board design. It offers great grip and facilitates more fluid techniques. This pedal from the Tama company also uses the Spring Tight technology. This uses a half-moon shaped spring as opposed to the traditional design and really helps retain power transmission.
What We Like About It
- Budget-friendly and durable
- Super responsive action
- Minimal power transmission loss
- Power Glide Cam and Spring Tight technology
- Improved stability and foot grip
What We Don’t Like
- Lacks premium aesthetics
Summary
Although the pedal doesn’t have much in terms of style and aesthetics, it’s utility and performance that make it stand out. Also, some drummers prefer a lighter model as long as it provides enough stability.
2. Best Budget Kick Drum Pedal: Gibraltar 5711S
Gibraltar 5711S Single Bass Drum Pedal Features
Another single pedal, this model is arguably the best kick drum pedal for beginners. The Gibraltar 5711S has very good response and improved stability. It also benefits from Gibraltar’s G-style pedal board design, a design that enhances the foot grip and helps the consistency of high-tempo kicks.
One of the unique features is the use of Steel Rock plates. These are stabilizer plates that keep the pedal leveled and also improve kick consistency. They also give the pedal a more robust feel, something that novice drummers often prefer.
While the 5711S offers enough control, it doesn’t have the same pinpoint accuracy of more expensive counterparts. It’s a good practice pedal but not a go-to choice for live gigs and fast music. Yet it still offers a good balance between precision, power, and smoothness.
This pedal from the Gibraltar company comes with a dual surface beater that will allow you to change the sound of the bass drum to fit the genre. It’s also a weighted beater which means that it helps provide extra oomph if you lack proper technique or leg power.
You may also like the flashy finish of the pedal which gives it a premium-quality look. Last but not least, the footplate features a drum key holder. This does nothing in terms of performance but it’s a huge quality of life feature that shaves precious seconds off adjustment times.
What We Like About It
- G-style pedal board design
- Features stabilizer plates
- Weighted beater included
- Durable cast frame
- Cool textured finish
What We Don’t Like
- More suitable for beginners and slow to medium tempo beats
Summary
You may also like the flashy finish of the pedal which gives it a premium-quality look. Last but not least, the footplate features a drum key holder.
This does nothing in terms of performance but it’s a huge quality of life feature that shaves precious seconds off adjustment times.
3. Best Premium Single Kick Pedal: Drum Workshop DWCP2000
DW DWCP2000 Bass Drum Pedal Features
Although it’s part of Drum Workshop’s entry-level pedal series, the DWCP2000 is still an affordable beast and perhaps the best bass pedal in its price range. The pedal has a very sturdy construction and offers ease of play that should resonate with beginners and intermediate drummers.
The design features single chain action and a single sprocket with an offset cam. This combination facilitates a quick response and little to no lag. The beater setting is very easy to adjust from the lug nut and should help accommodate various techniques and preferences.
The base plate is made of steel which gives the pedal stability and a bit of weight to it. Furthermore, the stability is enhanced by Velcro strips and adjustable spikes. You’ll like this model if you often play on a variety of surfaces.
One of the things that sets the DWCP2000 pedal apart is the design of the plastic beater. Between it and the distance adjustments, you can get a very bright attack on the bass drum. You may also appreciate the smooth response and control over double kicks. The precision is impressive and may even help mask some flaws in technique.
What We Like About It
- Spring rocker assembly
- Turbo cam
- Adjustable toe clamps
- Enhances stability and durable base plate
- Very accurate attack
What We Don’t Like
- No double-action beater
Summary
The DWCP2000 is a beginner-friendly pedal, yet it can hold its own during performances. And the range of adjustability should also agree with more experienced drummers.
EDITOR’S PICK!
4. Best Overall Double Kick Pedal: Tama HP200PTW Iron Cobra
TAMA HP200PTW Iron Cobra Double Pedal Features
The Tama HP200PTW is a double kick drum pedal from Tama’s Iron Cobra 200 Series. It features most of the components from the 900 series which makes it a very sturdy and reliable double bass pedal. The model offers a nice blend of convenience and power and holds its own in a variety of genres.
You can use this even for more extreme metal genres as speed and stability are non-issues. The Spring Tight tension adjustment technology is present. This allows simple tension adjustments and maintains tension consistency much better than similar designs.
The single chain Power Glide Cam is another trademark feature of the 200 Series. It offers simple adjustments of both beater angle and footboard. The same single chain action is also found on the left pedal. And hooking up the two takes mere seconds to accomplish as the design is highly intuitive.
Both pedals should feel equally smooth, which isn’t something all manufacturers can boast about. Another interesting feature is the double-sided beaters. The felt side offers a warmer attack while the plastic side gets a brighter tone out of the kicks.
Easily customizable for a variety of genres from soft jazz to extreme metal, it’s no wonder that the 200 Series is preferred by many top drummers. Add to that its user-friendly construction and the convenient para-clamp connection design, and it’s hard to beat the price to performance ratio of the HP200PTW.
What We Like About It
- Very durable for the money
- User-friendly design with quick hoop connection
- Double-sided beaters for tone adjustments
- Smooth action and fast response
- Effortless beater angle adjustment
What We Don’t Like
- Can become loose easily if not properly set up
Summary
Easily customizable for a variety of genres from soft jazz to extreme metal, it’s no wonder that the 200 Series is preferred by many top drummers.
Add to that its user-friendly construction and the convenient para-clamp connection design, and it’s hard to beat the price to performance ratio of the HP200PTW.
5. Best Budget Double Kick Bass Pedal: Griffin Double Kick Drum Pedal
Griffin Double Kick Features
The Griffin Double Kick Drum Pedal has a quad or four-way beaters. It is made entirely of metal and sold with a drum key.
It also boasts of double-spine weighted pedal plates, an adjustable power cam system, a double-locking spring tension rod, and force-locking bass drum clamps.
The pedal has a base plate that measures 13 x 5.5 inches on each side and weighs 11 pounds. The distance between pedals can be adjusted from 20 inches to 27 inches.
What We Like About It
- Durable and heavy duty double kick pedal
- Can provide smooth drum action
- Spring can be adjusted for constant tension control
- Offers frictionless bearing for smooth pedal action
- Beater shaft locks to ensure correct position at all times
- Beater speed can be adjusted through the power cam system
- Your foot is prevented from unwanted slips by the foot stop
- Can be used for rock and metal and even for jazz music
What We Don’t Like
- The seat may not stay tight if used for a prolonged period.
- The stand may not be able to handle heavy weight.
Summary
What you will love about the Griffin Double Kick Drum Pedal is that it is feature-rich and is offered at a very competitive cost. It is made up entirely of metal while its parts can be adjustable to match your needs.
6. Best Mid-range Double Kick Pedal: Pearl P932 Demonator
Pearl P-932 Demonator Powershifter Features
What’s the best budget kick drum pedal that Pearl has to offer? For many, the answer is the P-932 Demonator. It offers tremendous adjustability for the beaters and its overall design is reminiscent of much more premium alternatives.
Among its main highlights you’ll notice the longboard design. This excellent product from the Pearl company is a must-have if you’re a heel-to-toe player and rely on this technique to pick up speed on your double kick drumming. The click-lock feature is another nice touch because it makes tension adjustments simpler and long-lasting.
You can also choose to use either the offset cam or linear cam. All of which makes the P932 far more than just an awesome-looking kick drum pedal. The interchangeable cam powershifter helps you accommodate your play style and gives new dimensions to your drumming.
Having dual surface beaters is always a nice touch and the P932 comes with felt and plastic tips. You should have no issues getting a warmer, richer tone, or a punchier bright attack on the bass drum.
If there’s one drawback with the design is that it’s not as fast as other double bass pedals. Yet the precision and lack of lag certainly compensate for this. It just may not be the optimum choice for a complete beginner, or newcomer to double kick pedals.
What We Like About It
- Interchangeable cam shifter
- Super smooth tension adjustment
- Longboard for heal-to-toe playing
- Dual surface beaters with plastic and felt tip
What We Don’t Like
- Not as fast as other alternative
Summary
If there’s one drawback with the design is that it’s not as fast as other double bass pedals. Yet the precision and lack of lag certainly compensate for this.
It just may not be the optimum choice for a complete beginner, or newcomer to double kick pedals.
7. Best Premium Double Kick Pedal: Pearl P-3002D Eliminator Demon Drive Double Bass Drum Pedal
Pearl P-3002D Eliminator Demon Drive Double Kick Pedal Features
The Pearl Eliminator Double Bass Drum Pedal offers only smooth and fast action. It has 16 bearings and self-aligning spherical bearings. This instrument measures 15.5 x 17 x 9.5 inches and weighs 6.5 pounds. It has a beater stroke adjustment, control core beaters, ninja bearings, and click-lock spring tension.
What We Like About It
- Has unparalleled smoothness while playing
- Allows you to custom fit the pedal to your body and your musical style
- Allows you to play fast beats, rock grooves, and jazz
- Direct link and footboard are always in alignment due to the spherical bearing
What We Don’t Like
- There can be pedal resistance.
- Footboard may seem too low if you set at the highest adjustment
Summary
What is awesome about the Pearl Eliminator Double Bass Drum Pedal is that it has self-aligning spherical bearings and adjustable beater strokes. It also offers unparalleled smoothness while allowing you to have fast action.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
After a thorough comparison and discussion of the features, pros, and cons of the top products popular on the market today, which can we now consider as the best kick drum pedal?
In terms of features, we can say that the TAMA HP200PTW Iron Cobra 200 Double Pedal is not only versatile, intuitive and technically advanced, but also very competitively priced.
Meanwhile, the premium-built Pearl Eliminator Double Bass Drum Pedal raises the bar quite high allowing you to custom fit the pedal to your different musical styles. It offers features such as the click-lock spring tension and the beater stroke adjustment.
Overall, we can say that the TAMA HP200PTW Iron Cobra 200 Double Kick Pedal is the wisest choice among these products because it’s excellent mix of features and price. In the practical sense, it can easily function as a single kick, plus it also offers brand name durability and reliability.
With the specifications and the possibilities that each bass drum kick pedal offers, you should now have a better idea of what you need to choose your perfect match.
Editor’s Pick!
What are TAMA HP200PTW Double Kick Pedal Users Saying? >>
Editor’s Rating:
4.4
Leave a Reply