The Best Snare Drums
Even if you're not a musician, it's not hard to pick out the distinctive sound of a snare drum amongst the other percussion instruments. The sharp staccato noise you hear when you tap one of these drums comes from a series of tense wires that are held under the lower skin of the drum. These wires are what make snare drums such responsive instruments and why they're so popular in most drum kits. But choosing the right one can be a tough task if you haven't picked up a pair of drumsticks yourself yet. That's why we've done the research for you and selected our favorite snare drums to help you start marching to your own beat.
Mendini Student Steel Snare Drum Set
More sound, more savings
Getting your first drum set is as exciting as it is scary. From finding the right drum, getting all the right accessories, and then learning how to play it, there’s a lot of time and money that goes into finding that right rhythm. That’s why we recommend this great affordable snare drum set by Mendini to those fresh to the game. The size of this particular drum makes it the perfect option for marching bands and solo practice thanks to its wide tuning range that can reach most sounds. Best of all, it’s available in five different color options to match your aesthetic or even your school colors.
Pros:
- Great cost value
- Comes with a pair of drumsticks
- The stand is easy to assemble and disassemble
Cons:
- Stand is heavy
Vangoa Snare Drum Set
A total tempo collection
Without some key accessories, you’re going to have a hard time playing the snare drum right away. So if you’re looking for the complete package, go with this Vangoa Snare Drum Set. It comes with everything you need to mount, play, and carry the drum where you want. The set includes a stand with a memory lock and bracket tightener for full angular adjustment, a heavy-duty bag for the drum and one for the stand, and even comes with other goodies like a mute pad, drum key, drumsticks, and stand-up performance strap.
- 10 lugs with continuous motion speed key for faster tuning
- Open and balanced head for sustained sound
- Anti-slip feet on the stand
Cons:
- Beads are not as efficient as on other drums so this drum is more suited for beginners
Eastar Snare Drum Set for Beginners
Start finding your beat
If you’re just getting started on your beat journey, you’re going to want a tried and tested snare to guide you along the right path. Now, here’s where the Eastar Snare Drum Set for Beginners comes in. The set comes with everything you need to get drumming right away including sticks and a stand, while the mid-size drum itself features a 10-lug design for an improved tone that can be further adjusted with the internal overtone felt. Moreover, everything is designed for super-easy setup and breakdown so you can practice when you need. Best of all, the mute pad will ensure that no one will be bothered by your initial attempts when you do.
Pros:
- Available in Starry Black and Starry Blue color
- Built-in silencer reduces overtones
- Dual-support legs on the stand
Cons:
- Included sticks are of worse quality than other brands
Griffin Piccolo Snare Drum
Tighten up your sound
While an untrained ear may think that all snare drums sound the same, there’s actually a lot of variation in drum design that produces very distinct sounds. One such variation is the shallower-shelled piccolo drum, which tends to have a higher pitch and faster response than its thicker depth counterparts. And now you can get this tighter sound in your acoustic drum set thanks to this super sleek, poplar wood piccolo snare sold by Griffin. Use it as a primary or secondary snare in your set and maybe even try out different brushes on it to play with its responsiveness.
Pros:
- Solid, durable wooden construction
- Has installed snare beds
- Comes with a drum key
Cons:
- No internal damper, so sometimes you may hear a slight ringing
Pacific PDP By DW Black Wax Maple Snare Drum
Choose your player
Any skilled drummer knows there are several factors to consider when buying a new drum for their kit, and one of the most important is size. While smaller snares vibrate faster, producing a higher-pitched sound, larger snares do the opposite and make a lower-pitched one. With the Pacific PDP by DW Black Wax Maple Snare Drum, you get to pick the size that’s right for your sound. But whatever size you choose, you can be sure that this baby is gig-ready from the get-go. That’s primarily thanks to its impressive sound, which is articulate from the edge to the center, with minimal adjustments necessary along the way.
Pros:
- Hand-applied wax sealer for a super smooth finish
- Loud sounding
- Easy to control and tune
Cons:
- Higher cost
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a snare drum make its signature sound?
The design of this drum, which is based on a medieval European instrument called a tabor, is actually quite ingenious. When you tap on the top of the snare head, also called the batter head, the drum transmits air vibrations to the lower head, which is where the “snares” come in. These are basically a series of wires or strings that vibrate with every tap from above. The result is a snappy, high-pitched sound.
Why does my snare drum sometimes produce a sound like a tom?
This is usually the result of bad tuning. First, check that your wires are installed correctly and aren’t too loose. Next, try tuning all the lugs on both heads of the drum to the same pitch. If the sound still isn’t fixed, then consider changing up the heads on your drum as the problem may lie with them.
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