I don't know what to buy
Beginner gear buyer's guides
Three honest picks per category — a budget option, an everyday standard, and an upgrade. We recommend what fits a beginner, not what pays most.
Every guide
- Best Drum Sticks for BeginnersThe 5A drum sticks worth buying first — a budget pair, an everyday standard, and a grippier option if your sticks slip.Buyer's guide
- Best Practice Pads for BeginnersQuiet practice pads for beginners — a budget pad, a portable travel size, and the long-lasting standard.Buyer's guide
- Best Headphones for Electronic DrumsClosed-back headphones for electronic drums — a value pick, a long-lasting standard, and an upgrade for recording.Buyer's guide
- Best Ear Plugs for DrummersHigh-fidelity earplugs that protect a drummer's hearing without muffling the kit — budget, everyday, and premium picks.Buyer's guide
- Best Drum Thrones for BeginnersHeight-adjustable drum thrones for beginners — a budget seat, a saddle-style upgrade, and a throne built to last.Buyer's guide
- Best Bass Drum Pedals for BeginnersSingle bass drum pedals for beginners — a budget replacement, a reliable standard, and a lasting upgrade.Buyer's guide
- Best Drum Risers & Anti-Vibration Mats for ApartmentsDrum risers, isolation platforms, and mats that stop drum vibration reaching the floor below — for apartment and shared-home setups.Buyer's guide
- Best Double Bass Drum Pedals for BeginnersYour first double bass drum pedal — a budget pedal to try it, the standard beginner-to-intermediate pick, and a longboard upgrade you won't outgrow.Buyer's guide
- Best Electronic Drum Sets for BeginnersSeven beginner electronic drum sets compared on snare size, kick noise and what's not in the box — plus which kit suits a child or a small room.Buyer's guide