Top 9 Drum Heads — Best Options for Practice, Performances and Recording

This purchase shot to the top of our list because of the versatility it affords drummers. This can be the best drum heads for metal but also for jazz since it caters for so many requirements. This is thanks to the system it was named after called EMAD. The externally mounted adjustable damping system gives you two foam rings to pick from. Each ring dampens sound in a unique way and you can add or remove them according to what you want out of your drums.

But let’s not forget quality. You’re backed by the experience Evans has after six decades in the business. The heads are manufactured in the US so you’re assured of quality. The company ensures its products pass quality controls.

Note that this is specifically bass drum heads, so you won’t be able to give your entire kit an upgrade. But if you’re after revamping your bass, you’ve probably found the best bass drum heads on today’s market. Simply be prepared for the slightly elevated price tag; but it’s worth it to get long lasting heads.

The kit does include both the batter head and the resonant head. The microphone port in the resonant head even makes it one of the best drum heads for recording.

Lastly, they look impressive too so will give you some flair on stage.

Why are we impressed?

• Looks professional
• EMAD technology allows versatility
• High quality
• 4” mic port

What negatives must you be aware of?

• Only for bass drum
• Expensive

Here is another set that will make you feel like a top class drummer simply by looking at them. These uncoated drum heads look stylish with the black rings set on the transparent surfaces.

The double play (made of two 7mil thick layers) will give you a sound that may serve various genres if you’re not too picky. Mostly, it’s popular for those drummers playing rock music. These won’t easily play soft.

The set will give you new heads for multiple drums—floor and toms—and they’re reasonably priced. Just confirm with the supplier which units exactly you’ll receive as some sets include a snare drum head too, but products vary. Make sure you get what you think you’re paying for.

The heads are easy to tune and produce excellent sound, making this a wise option for upgrading cheap sets. The double ply also means it’s durable so you’re making a long term investment.

What makes it stand out?

• Durable double ply design
• Looks stylish
• Heads for all your toms in one purchase
• Tunes well

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• Brand not consistent in what’s included in package
• Not sensitive enough for softer playing

Here is one of the impressive coated sets on our list and we love the black design. But the black color also means you’re getting a unique sound in a lower range. The unique coating leads to better attack in your low end playing. Part of the exceptional audio is thanks to the two ply design incorporating two 7.5 mil layers. You won’t get too much resonance, making it practical for impressing your audience during performances. Because there’s a good sustain balance the heads offer good compromise if your set must cater for playing various genres. Just note that there’s limited projection.

This is a set for your toms but the good news is that the brand also caters for the other drums with similar units. You can transform your entire kit and get a similar sound all around if necessary. Note that this is specifically designed for rock sets but Evans also has Fusion and Standard sizes on offer with a similar design.

This is another product produced in the US so you’re assured of exceptional quality compared to some imported units.

What do we love it for?

• Available in various sizes
• High quality manufacturing ensures durability
• Offers impressive low sounds

What were we disappointed with?

• Not much projection
• Not cheap

If you’re after a single-ply design you’ll probably end up purchasing this set. It’s not the cheapest ones around but compared to some others listed above they come at a very reasonable price. For a total of three drum heads you can upgrade your toms on a budget. The brand manufactures various sizes—Standard, Fusion and Rock—too so it’s an option no matter your type of set.

Once again you don’t have to be concerned with quality as the brand manufactures its wares in the US. The high standards mean even your singly ply heads will serve you well for a long time. As these are 10mil designs you can rest assured they won’t perish quickly.

Good news: the brand does manufacture coated versions of its drum heads too. You can shop on a budget and still get exactly what you’re after if you require a slightly different sound.

The heads can work for many genres, making them practical options for those offering drum lessons or session players that must be able to do it all.

Why are we impressed?

• Durable 10 mil design
• Versatile and will work for many genres
• Various sizes available
• Coated set available

What negatives must you be aware of?

• Not as long lasting as coated heads
• Not the cheapest

Here’s a drum head with a unique feature: a built in muffle ring. This patented floating muffle ring will give you a dampened sound while still guaranteeing a natural audio. The only drawback here is that not all players want sound muffled. And unlike our Editor’s pick you can’t remove this muffler. But if you know you’ll always want it in place, this is a wise purchase since it’s much cheaper than the Evans unit showcased above. This may also be a wise option for recording studios where muffling is usually a standard requirement. Some users have commented that it’s much more muffled than the Evans counterpart, so if possible it’s worth testing it out before you buy so you know what to expect.

The head will last you a long time since it’s a doubly ply design. There are two layers of 7mil film that will give you excellent sound and last you a long time.

The stylish design will give any drum set a visual upgrade too. Just make sure whether you’re ordering a batter head or the resonant head as well, as this isn’t always stated clearly on all marketing.

What stands out?

• Stylish
• Good price
• Double ply lasts long

What cons did we manage to find?

• Can’t remove muffler
• Too muffled for some players

With REMO’s stellar reputation in the drum heads market we simply had to showcase their wares and this design is one of their best. And lucky for you it comes in a wide range of sizes so you can fit them onto all your drums that need upgrading. You’ll also find both clear and coated versions, so pick the design most suited to your genre & playing preferences.

It’s only a one ply design, but since it’s a 10mil it’s still durable and will last you a while. It’s made from a Mylar film that many drummers enjoy playing on.

Whether you enjoy live playing or you’re working in a recording studio, this should work. Users are appreciative of the head’s sensitivity which gives you a lot of control over the audio you produce.

The coated version can give both volume and clarity to your play. Many avid drummers use this brand for both resonant and batter drum heads. The one unit can actually be used to replace either of the two heads, so simply keep some stock of this model and you’ll have replacement parts no matter your need.

Some users report buzzing when they play, but you may be able to fix that problem with proper tuning.

Why is it special?

• Various sizes
• Coated and uncoated versions available
• Can be used as batter or resonant heads
• Reputable brand

What are the flaws?

• Some buzz during play
• Not as durable as double ply

Here’s a unique approach to drum heads: it’s the only hydraulic type head we picked. That means you get two layers with oil between them. The role of the oil is to help manage overtones, giving you exceptional sound. Why invest in this type? Because it makes it much easier to tune your drum to the exact sound you’re after. For beginners it also makes tuning easier so you can start to enjoy quality sound without too much effort.

In the Evans head your play is further enhanced by the brand’s 360 Technology that will ensure you have a level play area all around the drum. This will affect the pitch and the technology even makes it easier to fit your new heads without too much effort.

You won’t get the best sustain and tone with this—some of the units mentioned above will deliver better in this regard—but you’ll enjoy the durability & attack.

A unique feature is that the brand manufactures different colors of the heads. Your band’s set can get some character and aesthetic attraction by you simply changing the drum heads.

What makes it special?

• Multiple colors available
• Easy to tune
• 360 technology

What cons did we find?

• Sustain and tone have room for improvement
• Not the cheapest on the market

The Remo brand went all the way in creating a durable drum head option. You don’t only get one 10mil layer but two. That affects your tone but definitely your new heads’ longevity too, making it a worthwhile investment especially for those who hit hard and play often.

Rock players usually hit hard and many of them prefer this Remo design because it can handle the rough playing. But the there’s more to it: the black dot ensures you still get warm tones in your playing.

Durability is key for playing rock music and this unit comprises of Mylar layers—they’re known for their longevity.

Note that this is specifically a snare drum head. You’ll pay a bit more than for other brands’ similar designs, but the sound you get is worth it.

Really heavy hitters may see the coat starts fading after a few sessions. This is normal, but of course this will affect sound. To maintain the same quality audio you will need to replace them, especially before a recording or major performance.

It’s a practical purchase too as these are reasonably easy to tune.

Why are we impressed?

• Warm tones
• Durable layers
• Easy tuning
• Black dot feature

What negatives must you be aware of?

• Expensive range
• Not a full set

Another popular name in the drum market is Pearl, so you can’t go wrong in trusting these mesh drum heads. As a bonus it’s one of the cheapest options on our list. Of course, being mesh heads they’re more appropriate for practicing and using where you don’t want to make a lot of noise.

Part of the benefit of trusting an established brand is that you can get long warrantees and with this purchase you’ll get lifetime cover. You’ll play on them for years and still get use out of them. Since there’s no coating that can wear down they may not require replacement as often as some others on our list.

If you’re using them to practice it won’t help if they don’t give you a real experience. Luckily these Pearl mesh heads respond realistically so once you play on regular heads it won’t feel uncomfortable or too unfamiliar.

The brand does manufacture various sized units of these, so you can fit them to your whole kit if necessary.

What do we love it for?

• Durable
• Realistic feel during play
• Long warranty period

What were we disappointed with?

• Some players find them too bouncy