Find Your Groove with the Best Starter Drum Kit

Does it have everything you need?

One thing I’ve seen catch a lot of beginners off guard is that some drum kits with tempting price tags aren’t actually full kits. A lot of times, what you’re looking at is a “shell pack”—just the drums, with no hardware or cymbals included. It’s an easy mistake to make if you don’t read the fine print. I always tell new drummers to double-check what’s in the box. If you want to start playing right away, make sure the kit includes all the essential hardware and cymbals so you’re not stuck chasing down missing pieces.

What does ‘hardware’ actually mean?

In drum kit terms, hardware refers to all the metal components that hold everything together—stands, pedals, tom mounts, and so on. If you see “hardware included” in a listing, it means you’ll get what you need to mount cymbals, hi-hats, your snare, and toms. Some kits are sold without this hardware because they’re meant for drummers who already have it. Also keep an eye out for “double-braced hardware,” which just means the stands are reinforced and more durable. That’s always a plus, especially for kits that’ll get moved around a lot.

What does the number of pieces mean?

The “piece” count on a drum set usually refers to just the drums, not the cymbals. So a 5-piece kit usually means a snare, kick drum, two rack toms, and one floor tom. That’s the standard layout and a great place to start. It gives you everything you need without overwhelming you with options. Some electronic kits list more pieces because they count every trigger or pad, including cymbals. Just something to be aware of when comparing acoustic kits to electronic drum sets.

Should You Start with a 5-piece Drum Kit?

In my experience, yes. A snare, two mounted toms, one floor tom, and a kick drum is the setup you’ll see in most practice spaces, studios, and rehearsal rooms. Learning on a 5-piece gives you a solid foundation and makes it easier to adapt to other kits down the line. And since drummers often share kits at lessons or gigs, starting with this common layout just makes life easier. Some 6-piece kits simply add an extra floor tom, which is nice, but not necessary at the start.

Starting with a Well-Rounded Kit

If you’re serious about learning, a complete and balanced kit can make all the difference. Look for a set that includes everything you need, sounds good out of the box, and gives you some room to grow. Whether you’re after the best starter drum kit for adults or one that fits your personal playing style, the kits I’ve recommended above are a solid place to begin.

Are tonewoods important?

This one comes up a lot, and here’s the honest answer: yes and no. Shell material can shape the sound, but as a beginner, you likely won’t notice the difference between, say, poplar and mahogany. What matters more right now is getting a complete kit that feels good and stays in tune. Later on, when your ear develops, you’ll have a better sense of what shell tone you prefer. So don’t stress over wood type at this stage—just get the best full kit you can afford.

Drum Sticks

Some kits come with a pair of sticks, but many don’t. I always recommend grabbing a few pairs in different sizes and weights so you can see what feels right. A good starting point is the Vic Firth 5A at Amazon, or if you like a bit more heft, try the Vic Firth 5B at Amazon. For a full overview of your options—including brushes and mallets—check out our guide on The Best Drum Sticks + Brushes & Mallets. You might also want to learn about different stick sizes, especially if you’re still figuring out your grip and playing style.

Cymbal Quality

Here’s something to expect: most beginner kits come with very basic cymbals. They’ll work for getting started, but if you stick with drumming, chances are you’ll eventually want to upgrade. Most long-term players end up replacing the stock hi-hats, crash, and ride with better-sounding cymbals. Don’t expect to find any Zildjian, Sabian, Meinl, or Paiste cymbals in the entry-level bundles—they’re usually reserved for mid- to high-end kits.

Drum Sizes

In this guide, we list drum sizes by diameter first, then depth—so a 14″ x 5.5″ snare is 14 inches across and 5.5 inches deep. Some manufacturers flip this around, which can get confusing. Also, there are lots of Types of Drums and size options depending on your musical style and space.

Drum Rug

Here’s something most beginners don’t think about until the kit starts sliding across the room. Drum rugs help keep everything in place, especially on hardwood or tile floors. They also help focus your sound a bit, cutting down on weird reflections. I always use one for rehearsals and sessions—it just makes everything feel more solid.

Sound Dampening and Muffling

You can shape your drum sound in a few simple ways. If the kit rings too much or sounds boxy, try using Sound Rings or MoonGel. Some folks get creative with tissue paper and tape, or even toss a wallet on the snare for that fat, dry sound. For the bass drum, a pillow inside the shell is a classic trick to get a tighter, punchier tone.

Ear Protection

Drumming is fun, but it’s loud—loud enough to mess with your hearing if you’re not careful. Whether you’re in a small room or playing along with tracks, it’s smart to wear earplugs early on. Trust me, your future self will thank you. Check out our guide to musician’s earplugs for solid, comfortable options.

Some Helpful Drum Terminology

• Ply
  A ply is a single layer of wood. Drum shells are typically made from multiple layers of wood, so a 6 Ply shell means it has 6 layers. More is not always better, as fewer plies can also mean a more resonant sound.
• Drum Kit vs Drum Set
  These terms are essentially interchangeable and mean the same thing at music retailers.
• Drum Throne vs Drum Stool
  Drummers sit on thrones, pianists sit on stools—other than that, they mean the same thing.
• Kick Drum vs Bass Drum
  In terms of drum sets, these are also interchangeable and mean the same thing. Technically, a kick drum is designed to be used with a kick pedal, but there are bass drums not designed for that purpose, such as ones you might see played in an orchestra or marching band.
• Cymbals
  Crash, Splash, Ride, Hi-Hats… Hi-hats and Ride cymbals are often played continuously through parts of a song, while crash cymbals are used for accents and fills. Splash cymbals are just smaller, higher-pitched versions of crash cymbals. For a basic drum setup, you’ll want to have hi-hats and at least one crash cymbal. Most budget drum sets only come with a single crash or a single combined crash/ride cymbal.
• Drum Heads
  These are the “skins” that are installed and stretched over the open ends of the drum shells. You usually strike the batter head (the top head) and have a resonant head on the other side that increases sustain. These tend to wear out over time and are considered a consumable part akin to the strings on a guitar. Some popular drum head brands are Remo, Evans, and Aquarian.
• The Drum Key
  This is used to loosen and tighten the lugs on your drum heads in order to tune them to the pitch you want. Drum tuning advice is beyond the scope of this guide, but here are some helpful references: What You Need to Know About Drum Tuning by Ben Meyer at Modern Drummer, and Drum Tuning by Gene Okamoto of Pearl Corporation. The drum skins often come loose or detached on a new kit, so you’ll also need the key to properly install/tune them when your kit is delivered.