Best Snare Drum Head 2024 Reviews and Buying Guide

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When it comes to getting the best drumming experience, you need the best gear. And the snare is seen as the heart of a drummer.

In most cases, and mostly for beginners, drum players overlook drumheads. As long as they have beautifully crafted drum heads, they think they have it all.

But the drum heads are a key component to getting that drum sound you want. It makes the difference between a pro and an amateur player. They are critical for your drumming hardware.

However, choosing the right head form your drum heads may not be that easy. And this why many people just settle with what originally comes with their drums.

Don’t worry, though; I am here to help you. I will be reviewing a number of the excellent snares for a variety of music genres. 

What is the best snare drum heads?

The first step to knowing the right snare head is to understand your playing style. There are various options for rock, metal, jazz, and pop. And there are specific criteria that differentiate these items.

Drum players use Snares to produce a variety of sounds, depending on the music style. Hence, you will realize some drummers want snares that ring out, while others prefer short, snappy snare sounds. 

Whatever the case, it all comes down to choosing what sounds right to you. After playing for a while, you will be able to create your own unique style. This means you can tell what you want in every component, including snare drums.

The list below contains some of the best snare heads for all music genres. 

7 Best Snare Drum Heads Reviewed

Remo VE0114-00 Vintage Emperor coated Drum Head

Remo has been making a lot of drumming accessories for a long time. They make their drum heads very professional.

This Vintage Emperor coated head is one of the most famous drum heads among drummers. And it is easy to see why.

Its features include:

  • A two-ply polyester design with twin 7mm films.
  • Excellent response on frequency, giving it an extra punch.
  • Sturdy and long-lasting. Drummers don’t have to replace it too often.
  • It comes in different sizes to care for any kit.

Note that the first versions of this snare head were produced in the 1960s. And it is noted that it became a revolutionary step to the way people play their drums. 

There not much I know about this information, but I understand this drum heads are highly regarded by many drummers. 

It offers a deep and warm sound, which one can tune to fit rock, metal, or any type of music genre.

Remo produces a variety of other products with the same quality, including toms and drums. 

And as you may have already guessed, they are not the cheapest. But they are affordable for many musicians. The value for money is carried in its durability and quality. 

Pros:

  • Durable 
  • Highest quality
  • A variety of sounds

Cons:

  • It may be recommended more for beginners.

Remo Ambassador Hazy Snare Side Drum Head

Remo has continuously impressed all types of drumming enthusiasts by offering high-quality accessories. And they are market leaders when it comes to the best snare heads.

The Hazy Snare Side Drumhead is among their best products. And the fact that it is too common means many drummers find it useful. And perhaps it is the model on your drum heads already.

It is one of the most affordable snare drum heads on the market. It comes with a single 3-mil of the coated film; hence, it is thinner than most alternatives. 

According to the manufacturer, this drum set offers a “perfect balance” of frequencies. It does not accentuate any specific frequency.

This drum set is very easy to tune since many drummers use it across the globe. You can create a wide range of resonant overtones.

But I would not recommend it for high-intensity drumming. It is just not the best on the market. And this can be seen through its price.

However, if you are looking for versatility, the Remo emperor Ambassador is an excellent choice.

Pros:

  • Versatile 
  • Highly affordable 
  • 3-mil coated film 

Cons

  • It is not a great snare drum heads on the market.

Evans EC Reverse Dot

You may have already come across the Evans brand. The company is among the most popular drum heads manufacturers in the world. And for many years, they have been making drum products that revolutionize the drumming industry.

The EC Reverse Dot is one of their most popular products. It is highly recommended for its sturdy contraction and high-quality sound production.

It is crafted from two plies of mil film, making it highly resistant to strong hits. And for this reason, it is a perfect choice for metal and jazz drummers who are naturally very aggressive.

The head bears Edge Control Technology, unique to the brand, which eliminates mid-range tones. It also gives out a high-pitched sound you may never find with most drum heads. 

In the center, these heads drums act as a target for beginners to practice accuracy. And its vertical design makes tuning very easy.

The double-layer mil film means you can get a broad range of sounds. After tightening it up, you can make faster strokes because of its high responsiveness.

This is one of my personal favorites. And its strength and durability make it a worthy investment.

Pros:

  • Highly durable 
  • Removes mid-range tones
  • Easy setup 
  • You can easily use brushes. 
  • Acts as a target to improve stroke accuracy.

Cons:

  • It is too loud, hence not suitable for some music genres. 

Evans S14H30

I cannot emphasize enough how important brand consideration is when choosing the right drum head for your snare. And since Evans is a very popular brand, you can be sure to get the best quality.

And we all know that a snare drum has two sides. The S14H30 Clear 300 snare drum head is made for the bottom side. Hence, it is not for the side you play.

Nevertheless, the bottom of a snare drum is just as important as the top. This is because it helps you achieve a beautiful and warm sound from the snare drum.

And one feature that Evans has really put their time in is design and durability. It makes it a standout. This is something you may need to have that special feeling while playing your drums. 

This snare drum head is suitable for any style of music. It is designed to prove a wide range of dynamics and tuning options. For drummers, we always look for versatility.

It is built to offer a great response and tonal sounding. It is far better than what you from basic drum heads that come with new drums sets.

It is crafted from a single thin-ply. And this is why it may give out a very different sound.

Another thing that may interest you is that it is very durable. You may not need to buy another one for a long time.

Pros:

  • A single-ply drum head means it is durable and greatly responsive because of the single-ply drum head.
  • It is versatile, suitable for a variety of music genres.
  • Very affordable.

Cons:

  • It may be hard for some drummers to get its difference from other snare drum heads.

Big Fat Snare Drum Head

It is a common belief among some drummers that you have to buy another set of drum heads to get varying sounds. Well, this is logical. 

But with the Big Foot Snare drum head, you don’t have to change your current snare head. This head will deliver the same quality results you may be looking in your drums.

All you need is to set it on top of your current snare. The result is the sound of a 70’s snare that can be recognized immediately.

It features a plastic ring with thick rubber on the edges. This means it is more of an accessory. You can remove and add on the snare at any time you want. The rubber gives it some extra with so that it doesn’t bounce off when you strike. It also plays the role of a dampener, helping you change the sound of your snare.

This drum head is sturdy. But you may want to check out the two newer versions that come with a hole in the middle. They both greatly change the snare sound, but each offers a different sound.

Pros:

  • Easy setup
  • Alters the snare sounding 
  • Provide dampening
  • It comes in three varying versions. 
  • Sturdy.

Cons:

  • It might be a little costly. 

Aquarian Drumheads TCFXPD14 Coated Focus – X

I would like to mix things up a little. And now, heading to more expensive options, we have the Aquarian TCFX14 Coated Focus-x snare head of a drum. 

It features a single ply, and the single-ply very impressive. Aquarian is one of the fastest-growing brands in the world. They have been making the highest quality single-ply drum head accessories, and it is easy to see why this single-ply drum head is very good.

It is called the focus-x because it removes all unwanted ring. You can combine this feature with some nice small muffle from the muffling ring (included). And since it is coated, you will receive inspiration, rich sound from your snare.

With such a high-quality construction, it means you will have to pay a bit more for it. But then, its durability and functionality should give you back your investment.

Many users have praised the immense durability of this batter head. It can easily convert an average sounding snare into a high-performance one.

Pros:

  • Steady and durable.
  • For professional drumming
  • It enhances your snare.

Cons:

  • It is expensive 
  • Only a few different sizes available.  

Ludwig Silver Dot by Remo 14 Clear

This snare drum head brings back the snare sound of the 70’s classic series. It features an additional silver dot, which makes it deliver brilliant sonics and visuals. It also increases its durability, allowing it to take in serious beating for a long time. The 10-mil transparent mil film brings out a more balanced sound. 

It is single-ply, which means the single-ply sounds incredibly beautiful. You can play and any music genre and feel like you are in control of this single-ply.

Also, this item perfectly fits the Ludwig kit. Therefore, it might be a great option for those playing this brand. 

In general, the high-tension Remo Crimplock hoop is the most important feature of the drumhead. It teams up with Remo to reduces overtones and improves the overall seating of the head. The result is a high-quality product suitable for a variety of drumming needs.

For those who love classic drum styles, this head is for you. It can also serve new musicians in need of a fresh sound.

Pros:

  • A well-balanced build
  • Durable and sturdy 
  • Good with Ludwig kit
  • A more focused tone.

Cons:

  • There is only silver.
  • More focus on classic sounds. 

What to look for in a Snare drum head

The majority of finishes in snare drum heads sound are the same. But there are a few things that make the difference.

  • Single/double-ply. The first thing you should consider is the layers in the film. Single-play films offer more contact, hence more satisfying. But double-ply films are more durable. There is no telling which one is better than the other thing, but you need to think about how you want your sound to come out.
  • Durability. No one wants to buy drum snare heads that easily break. Hence, consider heads that use thinker ply and generally have a more durable construction. Some brands include chip-resistant film and other technologies to increase durability. 
  • Additional dots. Do you want to reverse or power dots? These features offer additional support when you are changing tone or sound.
  • Weight. This may not be a very important factor, but still critical. Large and heavy drum heads can be hard to attach and use. Also, heavier drum sets sound different from lighter ones. 

Final thought

There is so much improvement in technology for snare drum heads. Therefore, try to buy your heads based on what is more applicable to your style. 

As you can see, there are a lot of things to consider when looking for the snare drum head. But the most important factor is sound quality. The products in this guide are all top-quality; hence, it is your budget to talk. 

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