Best Professional Drum Set (Top 5 Kits Reviewed)

What makes a better drum set that you can upgrade to? In this article we’ll go over that, and some of the best professional drum sets on the market today.

The Best Pro Kits for the Money

Top Professional Drum Sets at a Glance:

Product	Feature Image	Editor’s Rating	Relative Price
#1 Best Overall Pro Set Pearl Roadshow 5-Piece Drum Set		(4.5)	$$$
#2 Best Pro Shell Pack Yamaha Stage Custom Birch 5pc Drum Shell Pack		(4.6)	$$$$
#3 Best Budget Set Gammon Percussion Full Size 5-Piece Set		(4.5)	$$$
#4 Best Professional Electric Set Roland V-Drums TD-1DMK Drum Set Bundle		(4.6)	$$$$
#5 Electric Kit With Most Features Alesis Command Mesh Kit|8-Piece Electronic Drum Kit		(4.2)	$$$$

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!

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 things you should look for in a professional drum set.

Find great deals on percussion instruments at Sweetwater.com

Our Top 5 Professional Drum Kit Reviews

1. Best Professional Set: Pearl Roadshow 5-Piece Drum Set

Pearl Roadshow 5-piece Complete Drum Set with Cymbals – 22″ Kick

Pearl is a brand that offers affordable drum set models and has a high user-satisfaction rating, making them a popular choice amongst musicians. Even though these are easy on the pockets, they are on par with several high-end brands.

Pearl Roadshow Set Features

As our #1 pick for the best professional drum set to upgrade to, the Pearl Roadshow Drum Set is ready straight out of the box. With 9 ply poplar, 7mm shells, you can expect to receive a highly durable drum set. The drums included are 22″x16″ bass drum, 16″x16″ floor tom, 10″x8″ tom, 12″x9″ tom, and 14″x5.5″ snare drum.

This is a complete set, so you can expect to get a double-braced cymbal, hi-hat, and snare stands along with this set. You also get a stick bag, sticks, and a poster!

It’s a great set for both beginners and professionals. Pearl Roadshow is great for dedicated practice and honing your skills.

Pearl Roadshow 5-Piece Drum Set Key Points

What Do Pearl Roadshow Kit Owners Think? >>

Manufacturer Info:

Website: http://pearldrum.com/

2. Best Pro Shell Pack: Yamaha Stage Custom Birch 5pc Drum Shell Pack

Yamaha Stage Custom Birch Shell Pack – 5pc – Natural

The Yamaha Stage Custom Drum Shell Pack features birch construction, which is stellar material for both stage kits and an in-studio drum.

This pack is the second version of this style of the drum kit, and it seeks to make improvements all around, producing spectacular sound with a full set of 780 series hardware.

Yamaha Stage Custom Birch Shell Pack – 5pc – Cranberry Red

Yamaha Stage Shell Set Features

The drums project a crisp attack and an open sound on each shell, which is made even better thanks to the added resonance offered by the Yamaha Enhanced S

Sustain System.

Other value-added hardware bonuses include die-cast claw hooks, ball mounts, and clamps that are buffered with resin to keep rattling at a minimum.

Even better, Yamaha Stage kits include bass drum legs that have in-built stoppers. These make it easier to tear down and set up whenever you need to move to a new gig.

This kit is a great intermediate priced drum set. Truthfully, it could be an excellent component even if you have a $3,000 recording set-up, plus it’s priced affordably.

The chief difference between an expensive kit and the Yamaha Stage custom pack is its low-mass lugs versus common hi-tension lugs seen in high-end models.

Of course, this is a mass-production set that is made in China, as opposed to made in Japan, which for most people can be a turn-off.

But you can take comfort in the fact that Yamaha’s quality control is top-notch. Even their mass-market models consistently feature superior quality.

Yamaha 5-Piece Stage Drum Shells Key Points

What Do Yamaha Stage Players Think? >>

Manufacturer Info:

Website: https://www.yamaha.com/

3. Best Budget Kit: Gammon Percussion Full Size Complete 5-Piece Drum Set

Gammon Percussion Full Size Complete 5 Piece Drum Set – Black

Gammon is a relatively small, family-owned and operated company known for their drums that are very aesthetically pleasing but are not supremely flashy. Also, they are built quite well and deliver a solid performance; all these at an affordable price.

Gammon 5-Piece Drum Set Features

Granted, this is a relatively new drum set manufacturer compared to our other models, but our research showed an extraordinary amount of positive reviews. Hence we felt it deserved a mention here.

Gammon offers a full sized 5-piece drum set that includes a hi-hat, crash cymbals, sticks, a stool, and the stand. Unlike most drum sets, this one is complete. If you are a looking to get everything in one go,

Gammon wants to give it to you. With a beautiful high gloss black finish and chain drive pedals, it is hard to go wrong with Gammon Percussions drum set.

It is also very price friendly when compared to other drum sets with similar features. The 5 drums included are snare drum, bass drum, two mounted toms, and a floor tom. To make things even greater,

Gammon also has replacement parts for each part of their drum set. This makes the getting high-quality drum kit support much easier.

Gammon Full Size 5-Piece Drum Set Key Points

What Do Gammon 5-Piece Drum Set Owners Think? >>

Manufacturer Info:

Website: http://www.gammondrums.com/

4. Best Professional Electronic Kit: Roland V-Drums TD-1DMK Electronic Drum Set

Roland V-Drums TD-1DMK Electronic Drum Set

Roland Corporation is a Japanese company that started manufacturing and distributing musical instruments in 1970. They are also well-known for their quality digital recording equipment.

As they continue to innovate and try to meet the growing needs of the public, they now offer a wide variety of electronic drum sets and percussions, and one of which is the TD-1DMK model.

Roland V-Drums Features

The Roland V-Drums TD-1DMK Electronic Drum Set has an overall width of 1200 mm, a height of 1250 mm, and depth of 1100 mm. Approximately, the total weight is at 22 kilograms.

It’s equipped with a large LCD screen that has an icon-driven user interface. Also, it has a USB function that will enable you to connect it to your computer for you to save, in WAV or MP3 format, and playback the sound you played on the drums.

This drum set’s CY-5 cymbal pad has a hi-hat that is integrated with a 10 inches playing zone. This will also give a swing movement that is natural and a bow and edge triggering that is separated.

What’s more interesting is that the manufacturer included an FD-8 model Hi-Hat Controller that will provide drummers an authentic hi-hat sound as well as the ability to transition from open to closed positions smoothly.

The snare drum that comes with this set has a patented dual-triggering technology called PDX-8 mesh V-Pad. With this, there would be a balanced and accurate sensing between the rim and the head.

Since the rim measures 10 inches, the resulting rim shots would be comfortable to the ears and noiseless.

On the other hand, the toms are made of a durable, time-tested, 8.5 inches PD-8A rubber pad which gives a highly accurate triggering.

To further enhance the drum set’s performance, the bass drum’s head is loaded with new mechanics and is cloth-designed.

Additionally, the KD-9 dual kicking pads or pedals are designed to provide the user with comfortable usage, great feel, and solid playability. This also gives out a dynamic response and an accurate triggering.

This drum set also has a SuperNATURAL-powered Sound Module for a solid performance and enhanced playability. This also ensures that the sound produced by the drum set is natural and expressive.

It has Quick Record or Quick Play and data storage functions. In addition, it also has a COACH mode that you can use if you are trying to improve your drumming skills or just starting to play the drums.

Upon purchase, you will get three drumsticks, an audio cable, a polishing cloth, and a user’s manual. In case you are from the USA, you would also get an MDS-4V drum stand, which has a V-Compact and space-saving design.

Roland V-Drums TD-1DMK Electronic Set Key Points

Read What Roland TD-11K Owners are Saying! >>

Manufacturer Info:

Website: https://www.roland.com/global/

5. Electric Kit With Most Features: Alesis Command Mesh Kit

Alesis Command Mesh Kit | Electronic Drum Kit with Mesh Heads

The Alesis Command Mesh Kit is a complete eight-piece electronic drum kit which includes all the parts that a modern drummer needs to play like a Rockstar.

Alesis Mesh Kit Features

The set features a 10-inch dual-zone mesh snare and three 8-inch dual-zone mesh tom pads, which produce a great feel and natural response. It even includes an 8-inch mesh kick tower pad with pedal.

The three cymbals provide a virtually unlimited range of playing expression: a ride cymbal, crash cymbal with choke function, and hi-hat.

These are designed to deliver unmatched response and playability. With their compact size, the Command Kit can be set up where larger kits will not fit.

It’s a fantastic electronic drum set that could be considered the gold standard in mesh heads. Compared to an acoustic set, the Command Kit takes a little adjustment and getting used to.

Once you get the hang of it, you can play it as if it was a “real” drum set instead of an electronic kit.

We do want to raise one caveat – the instructions are not clear as they could be as some of the components look identical to each other, albeit upside down. if you do get hung up, you can always turn to YouTube videos to get the assembly done right.

Alesis Command Mesh Kit Key Points

What Do Alesis Kit Owners Think? >>

Manufacturer Info:

Website: https://www.alesis.com/

Other Professional Level Drum Kits We Liked:

Best Compact Pro Kit: Taye Drums GoKit 5-Piece Drum Set

Taye Drums is a company that has been around since 1975. They take pride in the quality of their products because all parts, from the smallest to the largest, have been crafted and inspected by their experts.

They have also created innovative solutions so that drummers can replace parts of their drum sets with lesser time and energy.

Taye GoKit Features

The GoKit 5-Piece Drum Set is composed of an 18 x 7.5 inches main drum, an 8 x 5 inches bass drum, 10 x 5.5 inches and 12 x 6 inches toms, and a 13 x 4 inches snare drum. It also comes with useful accessories including:

• one main stand
• one snare stand
• one boom cymbal stand
• a bass drum pedal and
• an add-on boom cymbal arm.

The package comes shipped in three separate boxes, and together with the drums, would weigh about 24 pounds.

The Taye Drums GoKit has heavy-gauge metal parts that are plated with a perfect shade of chrome. All the hinges, threads and several other moving and adjustable parts are easy to handle; thus, assembling and disassembling will not be much of a hassle.

The shells have a mirror-like coat that further enhances the look of the set. Inside these shells, the parts are flawlessly finished with satin.

Additionally, the bearing edges have been sanded very smoothly and uniformly. They have an angle measurement of 45 degrees and are equipped with a round cover.

Taye Drums GoKit Drum Set Key Points

Check Taye Drums GoKit Set Availability >>

Manufacturer Info:

Website: http://tayedrums.com/

What Should I Look for When Buying a Professional Drum Set?

Discussed below are the key features that will help you choose the best professional drum set that fits both your budget, and your personal style.

Consider Your Preferred Music

One of the biggest influences that will help you decide on the best drum set for you is the type of music you want to produce. Each type of drum set can produce a different sound.

For instance, if you want to play blues, you’ll need a different drum set than if you were trying to play heavy metal.

To explain this a bit deeper, you should specifically be looking at drum heads. This part of the drum is responsible for the type of sound that is produced. Thicker skinned heads will result in a deeper sound.

If you are one of the individuals who play multiple music genres, then we highly recommend you choose the maple drum set as this is guaranteed to be the most versatile amongst all kinds of drum sets.

The next best option after that is Birch. For folks who are into heavy rock, Tama drums are an ideal choice. Though a little more expensive, many heavy rock drummers endorse this brand since they manufacture drums that have the perfect blend of looks and sound.

If you’re in search for a versatile snare, the best option is a maple snare with a 5.5-inch depth. The tuning range on this is simply fantastic, and the tone blends well with any music type.

On the other hand, metal snares tend to get too loud to the point that the sound is too piercing, especially if the drummer isn’t experienced yet.

Having said that, none of these are considered standard rules because what you should be thinking of is what kind of sound is best for you and your band.

This means that, on paper, it may not be an ideal choice for your genre, yet it may work wonders for your band. Thus, it is best to play a number of drums and do thorough research before making your final buying decision.

• Set a Budget

It is quite a known fact that drum sets are not too cheap, and adding more pieces will cost you more. Nonetheless, there are quite a few drum sets that will work well for you and will not exceed your budget.

However, if you are specifically searching for an instrument that will last you for quite a number of years and provide you with an exceptionally high-quality sound, then you may have to go for theexpensive and well-known brands.

• Number of Pieces

This is crucial depending on the type of music you want to produce as well. The higher number of pieces in your drum set can make it possible for you to do more things. Apart from the number, looking at what is included in the set is also critical.

Some drum sets only come with the shells (drums). Others provide you with hardware and cymbals to make a complete set. One thing to keep in mind when buying a drum set that includes hardware is the quality of the hardware.

If you have high-quality shells, but bad hardware, your set will not work as best as it can because it is the one that supports the shells.

Drum sets come in several pieces ranging from three to eight, but the standard is about five. The number of pieces that would work best for you would depend on your level of experience.

You must also note that it is also vital to understand that if you buy a three-piece drum set, it does not mean that you cannot add additional pieces to it in the future.

Hence, it is advisable that as you get better through continued practice that improves your drumming versatility, you can add extra pieces to your set.

• Thickness and Number of Plies

Back in the day, drums were thinner and unstable. With wide changes in temperature, they would tend to flex and lose their shape.

In addition, they were not able to produce a sound that has the right and consistent tune quality because, technically speaking, what affects the projection of sound is the thickness of the ply. Therefore, you should always opt for plies that are thick.

When it comes to the ideal number of plies, the toms should have eight plies while the snare drums should have eight or ten plies. On the other hand, the bass drum should have a minimum of ten plies.

• Drum Size

Going more into what type of music you’ll be playing, you should know how the size of each drum affects this. For those who like heavy music, having two bass drums and seven toms is recommended to fulfill your thunderous desires.

However, for jazz, you will want something more restrained such as a modest 18-inch bass drum.

When looking over drum sets, pay close attention to the type of drums in the set as well as the size.

• Shell Materials

The raw materials that make up the shells are critical since they contribute not just to the durability of the instrument but also to the quality of the sound produced. Some drums are made of mere metal, and they should be your second option.

A good acoustic drum set usually has a base that is made out of high-quality, seven-ply maple wood. Likewise, the stands and the mounting systems should also be made of solid and sturdy materials.

• Fit and Finish

When you start shopping for a drum set, you will find that the shells are finished using three different materials namely: wrap, satin, and lacquer.

A shell that is finished with a wrap coat can enhance the sound, but most non-musicians would not be able to identify the difference because the changes are very minute.

For a better quality set, we suggest you go with a drum set that has been finished with satin. This kind of finishing will allow the drum to vibrate and resonate freely once hit by a drumstick, giving it a lovely sound.

What Should I Consider When Choosing the Brand of a Drum?

Once you’ve determined the type of drum set that you need, you must also decide what brand you should go for. Of course, drum set brands come in different price ranges.

You must take note though that if you are an absolute newbie, selecting a drum from a premium brand even if you can afford it may not always be an ideal choice.

Find great deals on your favorite drums at Sweetwater.com >>

You should be 100% certain that you will pursue drumming as a career or lifetime hobby. If not, you would just be left with a costly piece of musical equipment.

Another thing to consider is that some brands are popular and expensive because of the look of their drum sets, and these good-looking drums can have either great or poor sound quality.

In general, if the product looks great, a significant amount of the purchase price is going towards cosmetics. Thus, in this situation, expensive does not always equate to quality.

Also, if the brand produces and sells multiple kinds of musical instruments, you must not assume that the quality of their guitars or pianos will be at par with the drum sets.

So, what are we trying to imply here? The brand of the drum set is not always the number one consideration.

What matters most is that you should spend time playing different drum set brands to help you understand which manufacturer and model is perfect for you.

What are the Best Sounding Professional Drum Set Brands?

A drum set is often the centrepiece of any band. People may praise the lead guitarist or the lead singer, but a significant component of the music will come from the drummer. In our opinion, the drummer is the most crucial component of the band.

Without drums, a band will have the look and feel of an acoustic band. The drums are what turns an acoustic group into a rock band.

Today I’m going to provide two professional drum set reviews. I’m going to compare the Gammon Percussion Full Size Complete Adult 5 Piece Drum Set with Cymbals Stands,

Stool, and Sticks and the Pearl RS525SCC706 Roadshow 5-Piece Drum Set. These are our two contenders for the best drum set available in the market today.

To our thinking, the best professional drum set is a combination of value for money, durability, and intangibles. Cost is, of course, an important consideration. After all, even if a drummer wants a specific kit, he has to be able to afford it.

At the same time, the look and feel of the drum set should be a factor. Drum sets all contain the same components. So, the best drum set should be one that follows the style of the band.

For example, a black drum set might work with a power metal or death metal band, but a pop act might not want such a dark set.

How Much Does a Good Professional Drum Set Cost?

The picks we selected today are $499 and $259.95 respectively. This price range is more or less what you can expect if you want to buy a quality drum set.

A more expensive set will probably have more expensive materials or might have some add-ons that make it extra special. A cheaper drum set might be missing an important part, or it might consist of more affordable materials than what you would want.

Considering how vital the drum set is to your future band, it in your best interests to choose a drum set within the price range we stated above.

Alternatively, if you want to be able to save money but still want quality, you can also get a drum set second-hand from an owner who wants to dispose of their old drum set.

Provided that you can carefully check out the drum set to make sure there are no hidden defects, you can probably get away with buying a used drum set.

Professional Drum Set Variations:

Keep in mind, though, that even if a pre-owned drum set still appears to be in excellent condition, it has already been exposed to significant wear and tear. The money you saved by getting a pre-owned set might be spent later on replacing worn out components of your drum set.

New is still better. You can get away with a less expensive model at the start if you don’t want to spend too much money.

The feeling of holding a pair of sticks while hitting a drum set and producing a beautiful rhythm is simply amazing. To experience that, you must graduate from a beginner set best used for practicing and developing your initial skills to one that will allow you to advance.

We can say with certainty that a low-quality drum set will never be able to offer the same sound that professional drum sets would possibly offer.

One of the biggest differences between low-quality drum sets and high-quality ones is the materials used to make them. High-quality drum sets are made with a very specific wood type, have a set number of plies, better supportive hardware, and are manufactured very differently.

For those who intend to take drumming a bit more seriously, we highly suggest that you only invest in a high-quality drum set.

More Tips

Apart from the points mentioned above, here are more tips for finding the best professional drum set to help you when you’re deciding which kit to purchase.

• Try to research or ask the recommendations of professional drummers, drumming teachers, band members, and music store employees.
• Take a look at online videos and read articles that talk about certain drum set brands and models.
• Seek the opinion of a person who owns that particular drum set you are interested. If he or she is your relative or friend, you can ask them to play it so that you can hear and evaluate the sound quality

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Out of the drum sets reviewed on our list, Pearl Roadshow offers the best value. It is great for both beginners and professionals. This is great because you may not be sure of your current expertise level. This will ensure that you do not get a drum set that you cannot handle.

It also comes with much more accessories than PDP’s shell set. Not having to pay for the hardware will save you money down the road. This also allows for you to get started playing as soon as your drum set arrives.

The size of the drums included in the set gives you plenty of options to choose from in the type of sound you want to produce.

Our #1 Pick!

Pearl Roadshow 5-Piece Drum Set

What are Pearl Roadshow Players Saying? >>

Editor’s Rating:

4.5