List of product brands > Audio-visual electronics > musical instrument > Drum kit > Drum kit brand rankings Updated: 2025-02-21

2025 Drum Kit Brand Rankings

【2025 Drum Brand Ranking】Relying on the big data of the whole network, the drum kit brands selected according to the brand awareness, brand strength, word-of-mouth evaluation and sales popularity of the drum kit (in no particular order) :D W, SONOR, Ludwig, ROLAND, YAMAHA, Yamaha, Pearl, GRETSCH, TAMA, MAPEX, PDP, DDrum, If you are querying what brand of drum kit is good? This drum brand ranking list is for your reference only.

TOP.1

DW United States

DW, whose full name is Drum Workshop, is an American drum kit brand founded in 1972. Compared with other established drum kit manufacturers with a history of several decades, DW's less than 40-year history seems a bit thin, and its position in the industry mainly comes from hand-made custom drum kits. At a time when many manufacturers are relocating their production lines to Chinese mainland and Taiwan, most of DW's drum kits are still made in the United States, and their products have a high degree of customization freedom that other brands cannot match, so they are highly respected by professional drummers. With excellent quality and continuous innovation, DW began to be favored by a large number of professional drummers in the 80s of the last century. Jonathan Moffett played Beat It for MJ using DW's drum kit, and then again on his 1987 tour with Madonna. In 1989, legendary drummer Tommy Lee of Motley Crue purchased a drum kit from the then-unknown brand and subsequently became the face of DW. A year later, DW launched its first complete drum kit at NAMM (National Music Merchants Association), and DW became an instant hit. Right now...

1

Score

89

popularity

17616
TOP.2

SONOR SONO Germany

Sonor is a German percussion instrument manufacturer with a history of nearly 150 years, and is acclaimed for its rigorous materials and meticulous workmanship. Less than a decade after DW was founded, Sonor played the Rolls-Royce slogan in the drums and invited the smash hit Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain as its spokesperson. Legendary drummers such as AC/DC's Phil Rudd and Journey's Steve Smith then became Sonor's users. Domestically, the late Lu Xun, the drummer of the Ziyue band, also served as the spokesperson of Sonor's image in China. Sonor's early drums were incredibly thick, and he was the first in the industry to make snare drums and brass drum shells out of metal. At the beginning of the 20th century, Sonor invented the industry-landmark modern threaded drum structure, which was brought back to the United States from Germany by Ludwig's founder, William F. Ludwig, and used it in his own production. From the 80's onwards, the market began to favor lighter drum pieces, and Sonor also introduced a number of jazz drums with thinner shells. The thinner the shell, the lower the original pitch of the drum, which is more suitable for the style of modern music. Speaking of Sonor's drum kits...

2

Score

87

popularity

13130
TOP.3

Ludwig United States

Founded in Chicago in 1909 by the Ludwig brothers, German immigrants, Ludwig is now a percussion instrument manufacturer owned by Conn-Selmer. In the 60s of the twentieth century, the rock music craze from England swept the world, which directly promoted the development of the drum kit industry. In 1964, Ringo Starr, the drummer of The Beatles, played on a television show using Ludwig's drum kit. This spontaneous publicity saw Ludwig's sales soar to $13 million that year, cementing it as the most important drum kit manufacturer in North America. Unlike DW and Sonor, which specialize in high-end custom drum kits, Ludwig focuses on laying out a large product line. From the high-end Classic and Legacy collections produced in the United States, to the avant-garde Signet, to the entry-level Element, KeyStone, and the BreakBeats and Ludwig Jr for kids, Ludwig is one of the manufacturers with the most drum kits in the industry. The products cover different levels of needs, which is an important reason for the longevity of this century-old brand. The Classic Maple is Ludwig's most iconic U.S. drum kit, offering performance, tone and look...

3

Score

85

popularity

15393
TOP.4

ROLAND Japan

Looking at seniority alone, Roland, founded in 1972, is not convincing to be tied with big names like DW and Ludwig. But given Roland's current dominance in the field of electronic drums, the Japanese company that started out as an electronic component manufacturer definitely qualifies as one of the top drums in the industry. Unlike Yamaha, which launched both acoustic and electronic drum product lines, Roland only makes electronic drums. The relative concentration of resources is one of the reasons why Roland electronic drums are superior to Yamaha in terms of quantity and quality. The electronic drum isn't the only electronic instrument Roland has dabbled in. In fact, the company produces many electronic components or instruments that have a significant impact on pop, rock, hip-hop, and electronic music. Fact, a well-known British music magazine in the industry, believes that no other company has had a greater influence on the shaping of electronic music than Roland. Roland's electronic drum products are quite numerous, but they all have a clear audience targeting. To put it simply, for beginners on a budget, TD1KV with the lowest price is recommended; The new, higher-spec TD17K/17kv is suitable for entry-level drummers on a budget. If...

JD.com flagship store Tmall flagship store

4

Score

84

popularity

11434
TOP.5

YAMAHA Japan

A versatile player in the music industry, Yamaha established its subsidiary, Yamaha Drums, in 1967 to produce acoustic drums, electronic drums and other percussion instruments. For more than 50 years, Yamaha has become one of the most popular drum kits in recording studios thanks to its consistent sound performance and craftsmanship. Famous drummers such as Steve Jordan and ColdPlay's William Champion have served as the face of Yamaha. Whether it's acoustic or electronic drums, Yamaha's flagship products reflect Yamaha's strong R&D capabilities, and these unique innovations have made these products competitive in the market. However, for the mid-to-low-level drum kits, Yamaha's update frequency in recent years is not as good as that of its industry rivals, and it is not as cost-effective as similar products from Sonor, Ludwig, Gretsch and other manufacturers. In terms of electronic drums, Yamaha, which was originally on par with Roland, has shown signs of being left behind by its opponents because it is not as fast as its opponent in terms of generational change. Let's start with the acoustic drums. Since its launch in 2009, the PHX (Phonix) has occupied the first page of Yamaha's annual product catalog and is a well-deserved flagship series. The PHX is the culmination of Yamaha's innovative technology, with a hybrid drum cavity structure...

JD.com flagship store Tmall flagship store

5

Score

82

popularity

17958
TOP.6

Pearl Japan

Founded in 1946, Pearl Japan initially started to manufacture drum cavities for other manufacturers, and began to make drum kits under its own brand in the 60s, and launched the first professional drum kit series in 1966. With the rise of rock 'n' roll, Pearl has grown from a small factory in a quiet corner to one of the world's largest percussion instrument manufacturers. Pearl has a wide range of drum kits, ranging from entry to recording levels. At present, most of Pearl's products come from factories in Japan and Taiwan, of which the Japanese factory is mainly responsible for the Japanese market, and the products in overseas markets are handled by the factories in Chinese mainland and Taiwan. The shift in production location, coupled with the shift in the brand's focus to mid-range products, has led to a decline in the production and popularity of Pearl's high-end products. While Pearl also has a custom drum kit, MasterWorks, it is not as competitive as its DW and Sonor counterparts. If you're looking for Pearl's professional-grade drum kits, you can choose from the more consistent Reference, Master Custom and Session Studio Classic series. The Reference is a mass-produced drum kit launched by Pearl in 2013, and its most radical innovation is the snare drum. Ref...

6

Score

82

popularity

12901
TOP.7

GRETSCH United States

With more than 120 years of history, Gretsch is the oldest manufacturer of drum kits in the United States. Famous drummers such as Innie Colaiuta, Tony Williams and Elvin Jones have played Gretsch's drums. Stepping into the 21st century, in the face of the impact of brands such as DW and Sonor, Gretsch is not as competitive as before in the high-end drum market. Fortunately, Gretsch was one of the first established American manufacturers to move their production lines overseas, which made its mid-range products continue to maintain a high cost performance. This is one of the reasons why the century-old Gretsch brand has been popular with generations of drummers. Because of the individuality of the sound, experienced and professional drummers generally prefer custom drum kits. Just as Collectors is to DW and SQ2 is to Sonor, USA Custom is the face of Gretsch. The six-ply Formula maple drum cavity and hand-cut 30-degree cut are USA Custom's secret techniques that have been passed down from the last century and have stood the test of time in the industry and the market over the years. Although USA Custom is still branded as Made in the United States, many processes have been completed by factories in Chinese mainland and Taiwan, which is why the price of this custom drum kit is lower than that of Collecto...

7

Score

80

popularity

17796
TOP.8

TAMA Japan

TAMA Drums was founded in 1962 by Hoshino Gakki, a Japanese musical instrument company that also owns the famous guitar brand Ibanz. TAMA currently has several factories and distributors around the world, with Japan producing its high-end drum kits and lower-priced series in Chinese mainland. Similar to Gretsch, TAMA's strength lies in its mid-range products, affordable prices, and guaranteed workmanship. The Rhythm Mate, Imperialstar and Silverstar are three of TAMA's most popular entry-level drum kits, with increasing prices. If you're only on a budget of $4,000, Rhythm Mate is one of the few reliable options you can have. As a hardware manufacturer, TAMA's excellent quality in accessories is also reflected in the entry-level series of Rhythm Mate. Compared to the PDP MainStage and New Yorker in the same price range, the Rhythm Mate has a thicker drum cavity for a more rounded sound. However, the standard snare drum has a poor timbre, so it is recommended to replace it if possible. The Imperialstar, priced at less than 6,000 yuan, is TAMA's flagship product in the mid-to-low-end drum kit, which is much better than the Rhythm Mate in terms of drum wood and accessories. And for a budget in the 800...

8

Score

79

popularity

21536
TOP.9

MAPEX Taiwan

Mapex, which started its drum kit manufacturing business in 1989, was originally an American brand, but was later acquired by Taiwan's Gongxuesha Group and became its own brand. Mapex's drum kits have always been known for their cost-effectiveness, with a small product line, but they cover drummers of all levels. In the 2015 hit drum kit movie "Burst Drummer", the protagonist in the SOLO scene at the end uses Mapex's Saturn series. As the price of raw materials has risen in recent years, the price of Mapex products has also risen, reducing its advantage in the mid-range drum market. However, even if the price factor is aside, with the relatively complete supply and marketing network of Gongxue Society in Chinese mainland, Mapex is still one of the most accessible international brands for domestic drummers, so its products can maintain a high popularity in China. It is worth noting that Mapex sells different drum kits in different countries, and it is recommended that Chinese consumers first check the official website of Gongxue Society. Black Panther is a series that is not currently available for sale in Chinese mainland, but its flagship status within the brand makes it a series that cannot be bypassed when introducing Mapex. Black Panther's entire line of products uses Mapex's famous...

9

Score

77

popularity

9258
TOP.10

PDP United States

PDP stands for Pacific Drums and Percussion, which is a sub-brand founded by DW in 2000, and its main business is to produce affordable entry-level drum kits. Many of PDP's drum kits use the process and techniques of DW's mid-to-high-end custom drum kits, but adopt automated production and greatly reduce the production steps. PDP has little experience in the industry, but with DW's reputation and excellent cost control, its products are competitive in entry-level drum kits. A few years ago, PDP's M5 series was rated as an excellent entry-intermediate drum kit by major drum kit evaluation websites because of its excellent cost performance. In fact, the M5 has been replaced by the updated Concept series. The Concept drum kit produced in China is heavily influenced by DW, featuring DW's advanced Suspended Drum Stand (STM) and the famous True Pitch shaft. It can be said that the Concept's configuration in hardware is completely higher than its pricing of more than 8,000 yuan. In addition, the Concept has inherited the DW's refined finish and excellent bass tone, which cannot be said to be identical, but it performs impressively in a drum kit in the same price range. The Maple Drum Chamber's Concept has a wide range and is strong enough to handle a wide range of musical styles. In addition to Con...

10

Score

76

popularity

21393
TOP.11

DDrum United States

DDrum is the fastest-growing drum kit brand in the United States in recent years. After being acquired by Armadillo in 2005, DDrum, which was originally only an electronic percussion instrument, also began producing acoustic drum kits. As an emerging manufacturer, DDrum's drum kit is not as good as traditional entry-level drum kit manufacturers such as Mapex and PDP in terms of workmanship and configuration, but with its trendy and fashionable appearance and advantages in electronic triggers, its popularity is increasing among young drummers. Like Gretsch, DW and Sonor, DDrum has launched its own line of custom drum kits, USA Custom. However, given that the brand has just set foot in the field of acoustic drums, and there are flaws in many hardware workmanship, it is easier to choose its custom series. For drummers on a budget, the Dios drum kit will be a more reassuring choice after several improvements. Made in Taiwan, Dios features a thin maple drum cavity with classic bullet lugs, a kick drum with deep bass, and a tom with a bright and powerful hue. However, since Dios only has two snare sizes, this can be confusing for drummers who aren't used to the 13x7 mini size. In terms of finishes, Dios uses Sakura...

11

Score

75

popularity

6298

Brand Included Brand Claim

List of related product brands

Top drum kit brand rankings

1 21536
TAMA

TAMA Drums was founded in 1962 by Hoshino Gakki, a Japanese musical instrument company that also owns the famous guitar brand Ibanz. At present, TAMA has several factories and distributors around the world, with Japan being responsible for the production of its high-end drum kits, and the lower-priced series in China
2 21393
PDP

PDP stands for Pacific Drums and Percussion, which is a sub-brand founded by DW in 2000, and its main business is to produce affordable entry-level drum kits. Many of PDP's drum kits use the process and techniques of DW's mid-to-high-end custom drum kits, but they are produced automatically and reduced a lot
3 17958
YAMAHA

A versatile player in the music industry, Yamaha established its subsidiary, Yamaha Drums, in 1967 to produce acoustic drums, electronic drums and other percussion instruments. For more than 50 years, Yamaha has become the most popular drum kit in recording studios thanks to its consistent sound performance and production process
4 17796
GRETSCH

With more than 120 years of history, Gretsch is the oldest manufacturer of drum kits in the United States. Famous drummers such as Innie Colaiuta, Tony Williams and Elvin Jones have played Gretsch's drums. Stepping into the 21st century, in the face of the impact of brands such as DW and Sonor, Gretsch is in
5 17616
DW

DW, whose full name is Drum Workshop, is an American drum kit brand founded in 1972. Compared with other established drum kit manufacturers with a history of several decades, DW's less than 40-year history seems a bit thin, and its position in the industry mainly comes from hand-made custom drum kits. In no
6 15393
Ludwig

Founded in Chicago in 1909 by the Ludwig brothers, German immigrants, Ludwig is now a percussion instrument manufacturer owned by Conn-Selmer. In the 60s of the twentieth century, the rock and roll craze from England swept the world, which directly promoted the drum kit industry
7 13130
SONOR SONO

Sonor is a German percussion instrument manufacturer with a history of nearly 150 years, and is acclaimed for its rigorous materials and meticulous workmanship. Less than a decade after DW was founded, Sonor played the Rolls-Royce slogan in the drum and invited the smash hit Iron M
8 12901
Pearl

Founded in 1946, Pearl Japan initially started to manufacture drum cavities for other manufacturers, and began to make drum kits under its own brand in the 60s, and launched the first professional drum kit series in 1966. With the rise of rock music, Pearl also started from a small factory in a corner of the year
9 11434
ROLAND

Looking at seniority alone, Roland, founded in 1972, is not convincing to be tied with big names like DW and Ludwig. But given Roland's current dominance in the field of electronic drums, the Japanese company that started out making electronic components definitely qualifies for the drum kit industry
10 9258
MAPEX

Mapex, which started its drum kit manufacturing business in 1989, was originally an American brand, but was later acquired by Taiwan's Gongxuesha Group and became its own brand. Mapex's drum kits have always been known for their cost-effectiveness, with a small product line, but they cover drummers of all levels. In 2015 the big hit shelf
11 6298
DDrum

DDrum is the fastest-growing drum kit brand in the United States in recent years. After being acquired by Armadillo in 2005, DDrum, which was originally only an electronic percussion instrument, also began producing acoustic drum kits. As an emerging manufacturer, DDrum's drum kit is inferior to Mapex and PDP in terms of workmanship and configuration

2025 Drum Kit Brand Rankings

DW United States

SONOR SONO Germany

Ludwig United States

ROLAND Japan

YAMAHA Japan

Pearl Japan

GRETSCH United States

TAMA Japan

MAPEX Taiwan

PDP United States

DDrum United States

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