Whether you’re brand new to drumming or you’re simply looking to upgrade your existing kit, you might be wondering how you’re going to afford a decent set of drums.
All the different parts that go into making an entire kit can soon add up and before you know it, you might end up going way over your intended budget.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be this way, though. There are quite a few high-quality drum kits that are ideal for beginners and intermediate players alike that don’t break the bank. But where do you find these?
Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you! Below, we’ve put together a collection of the best drum kits under $1000 and reviewed each one of them thoroughly. We’ll point out both their good and bad points too, giving you a better idea of which set would be the best choice for you.
In a hurry? Let’s kick things off by taking a look at our top pick.
OUR TOP PICK
The Pearl Export could be an ideal choice for both beginners and upgraders as it comes with a total of 5 drums, giving you the ability to practice with an entire set. The drums included with the Pearl Export are a snare drum, two mounted toms, and one floor tom.
All hardware including cymbal stands and a bass pedal drum are also included.
Each drum in this kit has been constructed using a combination of poplar wood and Asian mahogany. This, paired with the top-quality lugs, helps to produce strong volume, deep resonance, and almost unrivaled clarity.
This 5-piece drum kit has also been constructed using Pear’s patented Superior Shell Technology. This process mixes extreme heat with over 1000lbs of hydraulic pressure. This results in perfect acoustic performance from each drum every time with maximum resonance.
Another fantastic feature the Pearl Export has to offer is adjustable Uni-Lock tilters. This gives you the ability to position the snare drum with more precision. Meanwhile, the double-braced tripods provide superb stability.
The P-830 bass drum pedal also utilizes Pearl’s Demon Drive pedal with Eliminator interchangeable cam technology. This helps dial in your power, which could make it easier for a beginner to learn how to control the drum more effectively.
Pros
- Durable construction - made from poplar wood and Asian mahogany using Superior Shell Technology
- Outstanding sound quality - each drum is designed to produce strong volume, deep resonance, excellent acoustics, and superb clarity
- Features Uni-Lock tilters - these allow you to position your snare drum for better precision
- Double-braced tripods - provide ultimate stability while you’re drumming
- Eliminator interchangeable cam technology - the P830 bass drum pedal gives you better control
Cons
- Cymbals not included - while hardware is included with this set, the cymbals need to be purchased separately
EDITORS CHOICE
The Pearl Roadshow would be an excellent choice if you’re just starting out with learning how to play the drums. It has everything you need to start practicing right away including drums, hardware, sticks, and cymbals. It even includes a drum throne that offers you a comfortable place to sit while you practice.
The drums included with this 5-piece kit are a bass drum, snare drum, two rack toms, and a floor tom. It also includes both a hi-hat cymbal and a crash/ride cymbal.
This gives you the ability to practice and experiment with loads of different styles of music. All the while, you won’t have to worry about spending a fortune to do so.
Each of the drums features a shell that is constructed from hardwood and has triple-flanged steel hoops. This ensures excellent durability and also makes the drums easy to tune.
The double-braced stands are height-adjustable and feature diecast tier joints and tilters that allow you to lock the drums into a more comfortable playing position. As far as sound quality is concerned, you can expect superb clarity across any volume.
Pros
- Excellent choice for beginners - easy to set up and features everything you need to get up and drumming straightaway
- Drums, cymbals, and more - this entire kit comprises a bass drum, snare drum, two rack toms, floor tom, hi-hat cymbal, crash/ride cymbal, sticks, and a drum throne
- Durable - the drum shells are made from hardwood and feature triple-flanged steel hoops
- Double-braced stands - rugged construction that's built for stability
- Superb clarity - from loud accents to ghost notes, these drums produce outstanding sound quality
Cons
- Weak cymbals - some people noted that the cymbals were easily bent out of shape after a while, especially if hit hard.
BEST VALUE
Endorsed by Ringo Starr, Ludwig is one of the oldest and best-known drum bands in the world. The Element Evolution would be a great choice for anybody looking to upgrade their existing kit. It’s also a great choice for beginners and contains everything you need to get started.
This includes a kick drum, a floor tom, two rack toms, a snare drum, sticks, and a throne. It even comes with three Zildjian cymbals; one 20” ride, one 16” crash, and one 14” hit-hat. This gives you the opportunity to really find your musical style and practice drumming across a range of genres.
Each drum shell is made from poplar wood which doesn’t only ensure durability but helps to produce and sustain top-quality sound. The cymbals also produce a bright, intestinal sound that has no issues cutting through the mix.
The tom mounts and legs can be adjusted to give you a more comfortable drumming experience, as can the boom cymbal holders. This is particularly useful if you’re new to drumming and you want to concentrate on getting your technique correct.
The included drum throne can also be adjusted to provide you with the most comfortable drumming height.
Pros
- Excellent upgrade choice - features a floor tom, two rack toms, a snare drum, one 20” ride cymbal, one 16” crash cymbal, one 14” hi-hat cymbal sticks, and a drum throne
- Poplar wood drum shells - ensures durability and helps to produce a top-quality sound
- Adjustable mounts and legs - allows you to position the drums at a comfortable level
- Height-adjustable drum stool - provides comfort and the perfect sitting position while you’re drumming
- Two-year warranty included - gives you even more value for money
Cons
- May need professional tuning - some people found that this drum kit was quite hard to tune at home, especially for those who are new to drumming.
RUNNER UP
If you’re looking to upgrade your drums without spending too much money, the PDP Concept Shell Kit could be a great option.
It’s made by DW, who are renowned for producing top-quality drum sets, so you know you’ll be getting an outstanding shell kit that will last a long time. It’s even backed by an included two-year warranty.
Constructed from Asian maple and featuring triple-flanged graduated hoops, these shells are softer than standard North American maple shells. This doesn’t mean they lack anything in terms of sound quality, though.
You can expect a real punch of crisp, responsive sound and the right balance of attack and sustain. This construction helps produce a high-clarity sound under drum mics too, so this would be a good choice of kit for anybody looking to record while they play.
Another thing that makes this drum kit stand out is its magnetic MAG snare throw-off. This holds the snare wires securely until they are released, helping to produce a louder, responsive sound. They also feature innovative Remo heads that deliver excellent tone straight out of the box.
One important thing to note is that this drum kit is a shell-only set. It comprises a kick drum, two rack toms, a snare drum, and a floor tom.
However, it doesn’t include cymbals, mounts, or legs. This is why it’s ideal somebody looking to upgrade their kit.
Pros
- Shells made from Asian maple - produces excellent sound while being highly durable
- Comprises five drums - one kick drum, one snare drum, one floor tom, and two rack toms
- Magnetic MAG snare throw-off - hold the snare wires until they are released for a louder, more responsive sound
- Remo heads - delivers excellent tone right from the first beat
Cons
- Shells only - doesn’t include cymbals, mounts, or legs, making it a better kit for upgrading rather than a beginner’s drum set
RUNNER UP
The Gretsch Catalina Maple is another shell pack that may be an excellent choice for anybody looking to upgrade their existing kit. Each shell is made from poplar wood, which is known for producing a warm, even tone.
Poplar wood is also renowned for its durability, so not only will you be able to produce top-quality sound but you’ll have a drum set that’s built to last. Each shell also features a lacquer finish which provides extra durability and gives an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
These shells have been designed with 30-degree bearing edges. This maximizes the surface area between the hoop and the shell and optimizes the transfer of vibration. In turn, you’re given a fast response and a punchier sound is produced.
The drums included with this shell pack are one bass drum, one floor tom, one snare drum, and two rack toms. The bass drum includes a ‘gas cap’ mount plate and telescopic bass drum spurs to give it more stability while you play.
Pros
- 5-piece shell kit - includes one bass drum, one floor tom, one snare drum, and two rack toms
- Poplar wood construction - highly durable and known for producing warm, even tones
- Lacquer finish - provides further durability and gives the drums a stylish appearance
- 30-degree bearing edges - maximizes the surface area and optimizes vibration transference for a punchier sound
- Telescopic bass drum spurs - provides stability for the bass drum while you play
Cons
- Cymbals, stands, and pedals not included - this is a shell pack that would be better suited for somebody looking to upgrade their existing drum kit
Best Drum Kits Under 1000 Buying Guide
When you’re looking for a drum kit on a budget, it’s easy to get caught up in pricing and totally forget about the actual quality of the set.
While this is understandable, it does mean that you run the risk of purchasing a drum kit that isn’t suitable for your needs or that won’t stand the test of time.
To help you find the best drum kit under $1000, we’ve put together some key points you need to consider before settling on your final decision. Taking a little extra time to do this will help you find that perfect drum kit the first time around.
Type of Drum Kit
The first thing you need to think about is what type of drum kit you need. Are you just starting out on your drumming journey? Or are you looking to upgrade an existing kit?
If you’re brand new to drumming, it’s a good idea to choose a drum kit that contains everything you need. This doesn’t only offer you more value for money but allows you to get a feel for the different types of drums and cymbals that you’ll be learning.
If you’ve been drumming for a little while and you’re ready to move to the next level, it may be a better idea to go for a shell pack rather than a complete set. This will allow you to upgrade your existing drum kit without having to get rid of the mounts and stands you’ve become accustomed to.
One thing to note with shell packs, however, is that they don’t come with cymbals, stands, or mounts. This is an incredibly important thing to take into account, especially if you’re new to drumming. Get this wrong and you could end up with a load of drums and no way to set them up!
Drum Selection
The next thing you need to think about is the drum selection that your kit comes with. Most drum kits will come with five drums. These will typically be a bass drum, snare drum, two rack toms and a floor tom. Some also come with cymbals.
If you're a beginner, don't be suckered into thinking the more drums your set includes the better. Quality is more important than quantity. Once you've learned the basics you can decide if you want to add more drums.
Shell Material
It’s also important to look at what material the drum shells are made from. There are two main reasons for this.
First of all, certain materials are stronger than others and you want your drum kit to be as durable as possible. Secondly, different shell materials produce different sounds.
For example, poplar wood produces warmer tones than maple. So, think about the type of music you’d like to play on your drums and try to find a material that best fits the sound of that genre.
Extra Features
As with anything you spend your hard-earned money on, it’s always good to get as much value for money as possible. Drum kits are no exception to this rule, and there are some that come with extra features that give you more bang for your buck.
The first of these is adjustable legs and mounts. As you may have guessed, these allow you to adjust the position of your drums and cymbals so they are more comfortable to play.
This is something that’s particularly useful for beginners as the more comfortable you are, the quicker you may be able to improve your technique.
Some drum kits come with a drum throne (seat) included. This offers you a comfortable place to sit and practice. These can often be height adjusted, too. So, as with legs and mounts, you’ll be able to create a more comfortable drumming experience rather than being forced into a standard position.
Drumsticks being included with your kit is also a pretty good extra feature, especially if you’re trying to save some money. You’ll be surprised at how many kits don’t come with drumsticks and, as an eager learner, there’s nothing worse than being delayed by a lack of equipment!
Budget
Finally, it’s a good idea to set yourself a budget and try to stick to it as much as possible. We know that you’re looking for a drum kit under $1000, but this doesn’t mean you need to go right up to the last remaining cent.
Take some time to look at what each kit includes and focus on the points we’ve listed above. When you do this, you may find that you’re able to find a fantastic drum set at a fraction of the price you expected to spend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are drums hard to learn?
The drums require a lot of time and dedication to get the basic techniques down. Once you have mastered the basics, you will be able to find advancing easy to do. There is a common misconception that the drums are incredibly difficult to play but this isn’t the case.
Being able to maintain the rhythm and tempo is the most important skill to master when it comes to drumming and it is very rewarding when you get the hang of it.
Can you teach yourself the drums?
Teaching yourself the drums is possible so long as you have the dedication and discipline to practice on a regular basis. If you can’t find a teacher or don’t want one, there are plenty of resources available online where you can learn the basics with ease and be able to learn at your own pace.