Drumming is a beloved hobby, but it can come with a high cost. From drumsticks to drum heads, beaters to mallets, and the drum set and cymbals, the expenses can add up quickly.
However, acquiring a drum set does not have to break the bank. In fact, there are numerous options for the best cheap drum sets that are available in the market that are not only affordable but also of good quality.
The common misconception is that cheap drum sets are not good. But this is not always the case. Many budget-friendly options are not getting the recognition they deserve due to this preconception.
With over 20 years of drumming experience, I have learned to spot high-quality, affordable drum sets regardless of their price tag. Some drum sets may come with a high price tag and fancy features, but they may not be worth it in the long run due to their cons. As a beginner or even a pro, looking for an affordable kit for practice is understandable.
If you’re in search of a great-sounding and affordable drum set, you’ve come to the right place. I am here to guide you through the process of finding the best cheap drum sets that suit your needs and budget.
best cheap drum set Review
Some best cheap drum sets can be your reference. Check out the reviews below.
Pearl Roadshow 4-piece kit
Pearl is a top choice for those looking for a high-quality and affordable drum set. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced drummer, the Pearl Roadshow kit offers unbeatable value for its price. The professional-looking shells and included cymbals make for a superior drumming experience.
While the kit may be slightly more expensive than other budget options, the quality and value it provides are well worth the investment. As a trusted name in the drumming industry, you can trust that a Pearl drum set will meet your needs and exceed your expectations.
The Roadshow kit is available in a variety of configurations, including a four-piece kit with an 18-inch kick, a five-piece with a 20-inch kick, and a five-piece with a 22-inch bass drum. Although the kit is ready to play straight out of the box, upgrading the stock heads and cymbals for a better sound is recommended. The kit also features impressive metal hardware, but you can always upgrade it as well.
Pros
• Excellent construction
• Affordable
• Solid hardware
Cons
• Poor-sound cymbals
Mapex Rebel
Mapex has a long-standing reputation for producing high-quality drum sets at affordable prices. As a beginner, I personally recommend the Mapex Rebel kit for its exceptional craftsmanship, superior sound, and great value.
The Rebel kit targets the budget market and includes everything a drummer needs, including drums, cymbals, stands, sticks, stools, and pedals. Despite its low price, the kit boasts 7.2mm-thick, 9-ply shells that deliver a rich tone and resonance. The five-piece configuration includes two toms, a floor tom, a kick, and a snare drum, as well as a 14-inch hi-hat and a 16-inch crash/ride.
The double-braced stands and bass drum/pedal combo provide a sturdy performance. While the Remo heads may eventually need to be replaced, the kit is still playable straight out of the box. With proper tuning, the Mapex Rebel kit is a great alternative to more expensive options, and the cymbals are not as good as other entry-level kits.
Pros
• Excellent value for money
• It comes with a drum seat
• Good quality shells
• Better sounds than other cheaper kits
Cons
• At this price, it’s hard to criticize.
Ludwig Accent Drive
Ludwig is a reputable brand that has been synonymous with high-quality drum sets since 1909. Renowned drummers such as Ringo Starr and John Bonham have used Ludwig drums throughout their careers.
The Accent five-piece kit is a great option for entry-level drummers, featuring five-ply hardwood shells and including two toms, a snare drum, and a 22-inch kick drum. All necessary hardware is included, except for hi-hat and crash cymbals. Despite its budget-friendly price, the drums deliver a rich and full sound when properly tuned.
However, it’s worth noting that the included cymbals may not meet your expectations and will likely need to be replaced. The newer bass drums feature standard pillows stuffed in them to improve tonal quality, as they can sound clanky and resonant without dampening. Overall, the Ludwig Accent kit is a great investment for those looking for a high-quality, budget-friendly drum set.
Pros
• A good price
• They come from a good brand
• Good sounds
Cons
• Poor-sound cymbals
• The included stool is not adjustable
Mendini 5-piece Adult drum set
The Mendini 5-piece drum kit is an affordable option for beginner drummers, with a price point that is about half that of the Pearl Roadshow. While the brand may not be as well-known among experienced drummers, it is a great choice for those just starting out. The kit comes with everything needed to start playing right away, including decent-looking drums wrapped in cheap plastic and small lugs.
However, it should be noted that the quality of the cymbals is lacking, and the included kick drum pedal is not of good quality. Additionally, it may be necessary to upgrade the hardware. Despite these drawbacks, the kit’s low cost makes it a great choice for those on a budget.
Pros
• Cheapest kit
• Good-sounding shells
• It comes with everything a drummer needs
Cons
• Poor-quality hardware
• You may want to replace the drum heads
Gammon 5-Piece Drum
The Gammon five-piece drum kit is a budget-friendly option that can be purchased for less than $300. It is similar in price to the Mendini drum set and offers slightly better quality. Gammon has been a more well-known brand in the market for offering affordable drum kits for many years. One of the standout features of this kit is the impressive drum shells, which can produce a professional sound with proper care and maintenance.
However, the included cymbals are not of great quality, and the ride sounds like cheap sheet metal. Gammon has made an effort to provide high-quality hardware, with metal knobs that securely hold the stands in place. Despite being budget-friendly, Gammon has invested in the quality of their hardware and shells, making this kit a great value for the price.
Pros
• Sturdy hardware
• Good quality shells
• Better choice over the Mendini
Cons
• Poor quality cymbals
Best Choice Products 1263
This is a very affordable drum set that is perfect for those who are just starting out. Despite the low cost, it comes with everything a drummer needs to begin playing, including a snare, kick drum, two rack toms, floor tom, hi-hats, ride cymbals, drum throne, drumsticks, bass drum pedal, chrome hardware, and more.
The shells are sturdy, and the chain-driven pedals and hardware are reliable. It’s a great option for those who are just starting to explore drumming and want to see if it’s the right fit for them. However, it’s worth noting that the cymbals that come with the kit are not of great quality and will likely need to be replaced.
Additionally, the crash cymbal sounds like sheet metal. To improve the sound, you may want to consider investing in better heads like Remo Ambassador and use a towel on the bass drum to tame the resonations. Overall, this kit is a great starting point for those looking to set their drumming journey in motion.
Pros
• Recommended for beginners
• You can easily upgrade it
• Well-constructed
Cons
• Poor-sounding cymbals
• The stool is not trustworthy
best drum set for beginners?
Below are some lists of the best drum set for beginners.
Pearl Roadshow RS525SC
When choosing a drum set, one of the most important factors to consider is the brand. In this case, Pearl is a reliable and reputable brand known for producing high-quality drum sets. The Pearl Roadshow kit, although priced higher than other cheaper sets like the Gammon Percussion drum set, it is worth the investment. Pearl has a long history of manufacturing top-notch drum sets, making this five-piece kit an excellent option for beginner drummers.
The kit includes three toms, a snare, and a bass drum, with mounted toms on the bass drum and a floor tom with three adjustable legs. The drums sound decent and are versatile for tuning, making them suitable for a wide range of musical styles. The cymbals included in the kit, although not the best-sounding, are better than most other entry-level drum kit cymbals. Finding a good drum kit for under $500 can be a challenge, which is why the Pearl Roadshow kit is a great option for those looking for a high-quality kit at a reasonable price.
Pros
• Better sounding cymbals
• A beautiful finish
• Pearl hardware quality
Cons
• It would be better if it had another cymbal.
PDP Player 5-piece Junior
PDP is one of the most well-liked brands among drummers. It is renowned for producing expensive drum kits. Therefore, this PDP Player junior drum set should be adequate if you have a bit more money to invest in your drum kit than the Pearl above. A five-piece kit with a hi-hat and crashing cymbals is included.
You’ll see that this is a small-scale drum set designed for young drummers, with a 12-inch snare, smaller cymbals, and an 18-inch kick drum. It’s ideal for jazz drummers as well as novices.
One of the most well-known larger junior drum kits available, it is. Although the drums are little, they produce a powerful sound. The 18-inch bass can provide a full sound, mainly because most drummers in the industry use them.
The drum key can be used to tune or tension the toms, which measure 8, 10, and 12 inches. The floor tom has three movable legs, while the two smaller ones are attached to the bass drum.
Pros
• Small and compact kit
• Good sounding and durable drums
• Solid construction
Cons
• It does not include a drum throne
Gammon 5-Piece Full-size kit
You might want to have a look at this Gammon Percussion 5-piece kit if you’re looking for an affordable drum set that’s suitable for beginners. What’s most intriguing about this kit is how inexpensive it is.
You have all you need to start playing for less than $300 USD. That indicates that the drum set is a complete 5-piece set with cymbals, drums, gear, a stool, and several drumsticks.
A bass drum, a snare drum, two mounted toms, and a flow make up the drum set. The drums are full size and are 22 inches in height, 14 inches in width, 12 and 13 inches in depth, and 16 inches on the floor.
There are two drum heads on each drum, and you can tune and alter them as you choose. There is mounting gear for the smaller toms on the bass drum.
The hardware in Gammon is quite remarkable. You have memory locks on the mounting hardware, which may be tightened to save your placements. Additionally, a single pedal that connects to the bass drum is included, and a hi-hat stand has been added.
The sound of the cymbals is rather stunning. They might not be experts, but they are adequate for beginners.
Pros
• Affordable
• Features everything
• It sturdy
Cons
• Poor-quality shells
• You may need to replace the factory drum heads
• Replace the cymbals.
Cheap drum sets for kids
Best Choice Products 3-piece Drum Set
Best Choice Products, a trusted company known for producing children’s products, including kids musical instruments, offers budget-friendly drum sets for young drummers. Their three-piece kit comes with a bass drum, two toms, drumsticks, a brass cymbal, a cushioned drum throne, and a bass drum pedal for immediate playing.
While the cymbals may not be top-notch, they are sturdy enough to withstand frequent use. Assembly may take longer without an instruction manual, but overall, it’s a suitable choice for junior drummers.
Pros
• Good sounding when tuned right
• It comes with everything you need to start playing
• Compact and useful
Cons
• You may want to get different cymbals
GP Percussion GP55 Junior
GP Percussion, a lesser-known brand, offers one of the best beginner drum sets for junior drummers. The 5-piece kit provides everything necessary to start playing, including five drum parts, cymbals, a drum stool, pedals, hardware, sticks, and a drum key, making it compact, affordable, and suitable for kids aged 3 to 8.
Most parents who want to support their children often find themselves tied because of the expensive products out there. With products like the GP55 Junior drum set, you don’t have to spend too much.
The set is equipped with everything the drummer will need to start playing. Besides, it looks sturdy and robust right from the box.
Your son or daughter will play for a long time before you think about upgrading.
Pros
• Good value for money
• Designed for kits
• Full package
Cos
• Those cymbals
• Small hi-hats
Music Alley 3-piece drums set (DBJK02-BK)
For a compact and portable drum set solution, consider Music Alley. Though not a well-known brand, it offers a wide range of drum kits, including this three-piece set designed to teach young drummers the basics.
Made for ages 3 to 7, it features real wood shells with tunable skins, chrome-plated hardware, a 14-inch bass drum, an 8-inch snare and tom, and a 10-inch cymbal. Comes with drumsticks, a drum throne, and a bass drum pedal for immediate play.
Pros
• Features everything your kid needs to start playing
• Robust and sturdy hardware
• Budget-friendly and compact
• Easy to assemble
Cons
• Low-quality cymbals
• Available in only two colors
Drum Set Eastar 14 ” Drum Kit for Kids Beginners
The Eastar 14” Drum Kit is a comprehensive set for beginner drummers. It includes a 14″ x 10″ bass drum, a 10″ x 5″ mounted snare drum with an adjustable sound belt, an 8″ x 6″ mounted tom drum, and a 10″ cymbal with an arm.
Constructed from sturdy Poplar hardwood, this kit is built to last and produce bright sounds. The transparent shell skins of the tom, bass, and snare drums provide greater flexibility, openness, and balance for optimal sound quality.
Included accessories are an adjustable drum throne, two small wooden drumsticks, a plated bass drum pedal, and two 7A adult wooden drumsticks.
While this is a budget-friendly option for kids, the pedal may prove difficult for younger players to use, as it requires significant force to produce a strong bass sound.
Pros
- Includes necessary components and accessories for beginners
- Great materials
- Quite cheap for its group
Cons
- Not-so-good drum pedal
Cheap drum sets for adults
Mendini MDS80
The Mendini MD S80 is a budget-friendly option for those searching for 5-piece drum sets. Despite its low cost, it offers decent quality and performance, impressing even experienced drummers. The kit boasts good sound and an easy setup like a traditional acoustic kit and comes with cymbals, a rarity among beginner kits.
While the cymbals may not be of the highest quality, they are an added bonus and eliminate the need for separate purchases. Despite its faults, the Mendini MD S80 is a remarkable option for its price range and quality.
Pros
• The cheapest drum kit around
• Has everything
• Decent drum sounds
Cons
• Low-quality cymbals
• You would not want it on stage
Gammon 5-Piece
The Gammon 5-piece drum set is a top-selling cheap beginner option. It comes with standard features and a professional look. Like the Mendini, it sounds great for its price range and comes with a drum throne, sticks, and bass drum pedal. To improve the sound, you may need to change and tune the heads.
The cymbals, as with most low-priced sets, are of poor quality. The Gammon is slightly more expensive but has sturdy hardware, contributing to its online popularity. Overall, a useful kit with a professional appearance.
Pros
• One of the cheapest and yet most useful drum kits
• Everything you need to start playing right from the box
• Decent sounds
Cons
• Low-quality cymbals
• Not good enough for stage application
Alesis Nitro Mesh
The Alesis Nitro Mesh is a standout electronic drum kit, offering affordability and realistic drum sounds. Known for challenging industry giants like Yamaha and Roland, Alesis provides an affordable option. The Nitro Mesh features mesh heads for a more realistic playing experience and reduced noise compared to rubber pads.
It’s considered the best beginner electronic drum kit for its realistic feel and quiet operation, ideal for home practice without disturbing neighbors. The kit also boasts a wide range of onboard drum kits and training modes to enhance skills.
Pros
• Cheapest all-mesh e-drum kit
• Easy-to-use module
• Easy to setup
• Compatible with a double-bass pedal
• Quiet
Cons
• Lack of advanced features
Ashthorpe 5-Piece Complete Full-Size Adult Drum Set
The Ashthorpe drum set offers a complete, high-quality solution for drummers of all skill levels. With essential components including a 22″ x 16″ bass drum, mounted toms, floor tom, snare, cymbals, throne, hardware, sticks, and more, this drum set delivers professional sound. Built from premium materials like Poplar shells, improved heads, and triple-flanged hoops, it provides excellent resonance and frequency response.
This kit is perfect for the beginner or experienced drummers looking for a drum set that performs well and is easy to set up. However, the cymbals are not tunable and can detract from the overall sound quality.
Pros
- Easy to setup
- Professional look
- Premium Materials
- Compact
Cons
- Loq-quality cymbals
Good cheap drum sets
Mapex Tornado 5-piece 20-inch Fusion kit – Burgundy
There are many cheap drum sets on the market today. But you need to understand that not all of them are good.
When choosing, it is always good to consider the brand. And in this case, Mapex is one of the manufacturers that will never disappoint.
This Tornado 5-piece 20-inch Fusion Burgundy drum kit is a perfect choice for those who need high-quality cheap solutions. It is a strong kit that will last you for a long time.
Right from the box, you will notice that this kit is made with high standards.
You will often find these kits with adult musicians who want to make percussion tracks. It’s also good for beginners who want good-quality in their first drum kits.
The kit is configured with a 20-inch bass drum, a snare, and two toms. It also features a pedal, hardware, 16-inch crash cymbal, and hi-hat cymbals.
Since it comes with all hardware, this kit could be a perfect gift for your friend. It’s compact, and hence, will not take up too much space.
Pros
• Affordable, high-quality drum kit – under $300
• Compact
• It comes with everything you need to start playing
Cons
• Consider changing the cymbals
• It does not sound as good as a professional drum kit
Shell Pack – Satin Blonde
When it comes to delivering high-quality products in the drum world, Tama is one of the excelled brands. As a popular company it is, Tama understands the importance of customer satisfaction.
Club Jam is a line of compact drum sets the company released recently. It’s one of the best cheap drum sets you will find out there.
Note that this only a shell pack, which means it does not come with cymbals and hardware. Entry-level drum set cymbals are poor-quality, but Tama here gives you a chance to find your own pieces.
This is a four-piece kit configured with and 18-inch bass drum, 10-inch and 14-inch floor toms, and a 13-inch snare drum.
All the drums feature 6-ply mersawa/poplar shells. This is a hybrid mixture of wood that promises soft highs and boosted low-end sounds. Such features are often found on higher-end kits.
It does not include hardware for the cymbals. However, it comes with built-in stands, which makes setup to be easy. This is a feature of the best cheap drum kit.
This kit is perfect for beginners or professional drummers who need a second kit for recording.
Pros
• Budget-friendly and superb-quality from a compact drum kit
• High-end sound
• From a reputable brand
Cons
• Hardware not included
Ludwig Questlove Breakbeats Shell pack
Questlove is one of the most famous drummers in the world. He wanted to create something compact and yet useful for gigging drummers, helping them avoid the hustle of carrying around heavy drum sets. Hence, the Breakbeats line was born.
This could be one of the smallest kits you have ever seen. But don’t be fooled, it’s very powerful. The idea behind such a size was to offer drummers convenience apartments. It’s, therefore, perfect for young drummers too.
The shell pack comes configured with a 16-inch bass drum, a 10-inch tom with an auxiliary clamp, a 13-inc floor tom, and a 14-inch floor tom.
If you are looking for a beginner kit that does not suck, go for this kit. Although it a small cheap kit that would attract young drummers more, adult players will also find it very useful.
Since Ludwig is a highly-acclaimed brand, you would expect to get excellent service from this best cheap drum kit. It’s designed for the modern drummer.
Pros
• Compact and high-quality drum kit
• Easy to setup
• Great construction with everything one needs in beginner drum kits.
Cons
• It does not come with hardware and cymbals
• More attractive to younger players
Cheap drum sets under 200
Lagrima 5-piece Drum Set
If you want to go as low as possible, the Lagrima 5-piece drum set could be your ultimate choice. It’s hard to complain at this price range, even if everything else does not fall in the category of your ideal quality.
What you are looking at here is just a gilt-edged chance to get into the drumming realm. That means you can only use it to know what drums are and how you are supposed to play them.
You can easily replace the cymbals and heads to get better sound.
The drum kit is configured with a 22-inch kick drum, 12-inch, and 13-inch toms, a 16-inch floor tom, and a 14-inch snare drum.
You can adjust the snare, which is a useful feature at this price. Also, you get a drum stool, a set of sticks, a bass drum pedal, a crash/ride cymbal, hi-hat, and a cymbal stand.
The best thing about this drum kit is that it’s well designed for adult players. There is always something nice you will like.
Pros
• Cheap
• Excellent sound
• A full-sized drum kit
Cons
• Poor-quality cymbals
• A rickety drum stools
• No instructions
First-Act-Discovery Drum Set
When looking for kids’ drum sets, price is always the most significant consideration. There always no need to spend too much on beginner kits when there is no assurance of continuation.
First-Act-Discovery is a brand that I had never heard of before, but I am glad I stumbled into it. This drum kit is designed for kids. It’s very cheap and entertaining available in pink color.
The drum kit comes with everything your child will need to start playing drums. All the features offer and easy approach to drumming.
Pros
• One of the biggest advantages of this drum kit is that it comes with learning guides for kids. That means they can study different patterns on their own.
• Very easy to play. It is crucial to buy a drum kit that encourages your kid to play, motivating them with every strike. This kit has such features. The hi-hat sounds wonderful.
• It has very many features for kids. From the build-quality to their finishes, these drum kits are designed to kits.
• Compact and useful. The small drums and hardware are perfect for junior drum players.
Cons
• It may not be good for older kids
Mendini Cecilio 16-inch 3-piece Junior Drum Set
Buying drum sets for your kits can be quite confusing. On the one hand, you want to get the best for them. But then, you are not sure whether or not they will continue drummer.
That is why it would be best to find something that is below $200. Getting a budget kit, like the Mendini Cecilio Junior drum set here, is a good choice.
The kit features a 16-inch by 11-inch kick drum, a 10-inch by 6-inch tom, and a 10-inch by 5-inch snare drum with a stand. You also get a 9.5-inch cymbal with a cymbal arm.
Other components include a pair of wooden drumsticks, an adjustable padded drum throne, easy-to-read instructions.
Hence, the set comes with everything your kits need to start playing. It’s also the cheapest drum set you can find on the market.
This kit is well designed for junior drummers who want to start their drumming career. Buy adult beginners can also use it to learn a few tricks.
Pros
• An affordable kit
• Includes sticks and a throne
• It is good for all ages
Cons
• It does not offer room for growth
• It looks more like a toy
Cheap used drum sets for sale
When looking for the best drum sets for beginners, you need something as cheap as possible and yet high-quality. Since there are so many beginners sets out there, it can be hard to identify the right one.
If you don’t want new sets, you can easily find used drum sets for sale cheap. Some of the sellers have upgraded their kits, and hence, you will be getting better sounds.
Used drum sets offer an excellent value for money if you find the right item. Luckily there is a wide range of sites where they are listed.
A used drum set sold at less than $500 could be close to $1000 when new. Or it could have been less than $300 when new but now upgraded with better features.
Most cheap drum sets do not offer the best sounds. As you can see from the reviews above, they mostly have poor sounding cymbals, and the shells require you to change.
By the time you will be upgrading, your kit will not be the same as when you bought it. You can also list it with selling sites for such products and better prices.
How much do drum sets usually cost?
Different factors determine the cost of a drum kit. Generally, you can find a good deal between $300 and $1000.
These differences come from the quality of shells, hardware included, custom builds, hand-made, tiers of quality offered by the brand, and the number of pieces.
Used drum sets are often the most recommended option for beginners. However, if you prefer the new one, there are some good drum choices with decent prices out there.
Beginner cheap drum sets cost between $150 and $500. The best can go up to $800, which would have entered the intermediate world. Choose drums that fit you the best.
Intermediate sets range in cost from $500 to $800 for the higher end of beginner sets. The highest-end intermediate set will set you back between $2000 and $4000, while anything above this is professional.
