Experienced drummers play on a wide range of drunk kits throughout their careers. Drum sets come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, creating a uniquely crisp sound.
One of the more prevalent materials is aluminum. Aluminum drums have an incredibly lightweight shell and reduce the snare buzz for smoother noise.
Finding the correct drum set can enhance your experience as a musician. This post will cover the ten best aluminum drum sets in 2022. We'll talk about the pros and cons of each set, along with a summary to see if it's the right set for your playing style.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Ludwig Acrolite Snare Drum
- Best priced: DW Collectors Cast Aluminum Snare Drum
- Best for all experience levels: Mapex Black Panther Atomizer Snare Drum
- Best for beginners: Pearl Heritage Sensitone Aluminum Snare Drum
- Best aesthetics: British Drum Company Aviator
- Most versatile: PDP Concept Select Snare
- Most muscular snare drums available: Tama Starphonic Aluminum Snare
- Best for any music genre: Dunnett Classic 2N Modeling Aluminum Snare
- Best for expert drummers: Gretsch USA Solid Aluminum
- Best for studio recordings: Noble and Cooley Alloy Classic
1. Ludwig Acrolite Snare Drum
Once Ludwig transitioned from brass to aluminum snare shells, the exceptional Acrolite series was born. Now, the Acrolite series has been going strong for over five decades.
The snare consists of the original brushed aluminum shells, steel hoops, and chrome tension bolts. The lightweight aluminum shell gives this snare drum a beautiful crisp sound desirable for drummers of all styles and genres.
It also sports the Ludwig weather master medium-coated head and a weather master clear side head.
PROS
- Beautiful brushed aluminum shells
- Suitable for all playing styles
- Reputable brand
CONS
- Not the best choice for maximum volume requirements.
Summary
Overall, it's a highly versatile snare drum and is the go-to for many drummers. You can use it when you need a snare that's not too buzzy and mixes well with the rest of your kit.
2. DW Collectors Cast Aluminum Snare Drum
Unlike older lightweight aluminum drum shells, the DW Collectors Cast Aluminum Snare Drum is robust. It features heavy-gauge aluminum with a durable reinforcement hoop.
Although it is pretty bottom-heavy, you don't get any of the dreaded pinging sounds you would from a brass or steel snare.
The wrinkle coating gives the drum a unique look, which can fit nicely with the rest of your set. DW Collectors is a reliable brand in the drumming world, known for its long-lasting and versatile snare drums.
With a size of 14x6.5, you have plenty of space to conduct any style of drumming.
PROS
- Durable design
- Good size
- Unique design
CONS
- A bit heavier than other aluminum snares
Summary
Even though it's a bit more on the heavy side, the DW Collectors Cast Aluminum Snare is still an incredibly reliable piece for your kit. It offers a clean sound and a good head size that will make it easier to perform.
3. Mapex Black Panther Atomizer Snare Drum
The Mapex Black Panther series has been a sought-after line for many years, and the new Atomizer collection consists of some fantastic upgrades.
For starters, it comes with snare beads to help reduce sensitivity. The re-designed edges make it much easier to tune than previous models.
Furthermore, it's one of the best throw-offs you can get your hands on in 2022. Using the Mapex Black Panther is exceptionally smooth, and adjusting the tension is extremely simple.
PROS
- Easy tuning
- Reduced snare sensitivity
- Beautiful design
CONS
- A bit pricey for beginners
Summary
Overall, you can't go wrong with the Mapex Black Panther series. With easy operation and clear sounds, it's a superb snare drum to add to your kit, no matter your play style or experience level.
4. Pearl Heritage Sensitone Aluminum Snare Drum
The sound from the Pearl Heritage Sensitone Aluminum Snare Drum has long been the gold standard for a drummer's arsenal. It gives that classic snare sound you would hear in hits from earlier days but with a modern pop that many drummers crave.
The beaded aluminum shell is perfect for drummers who want to explore new sounds without hassle. It's also lightweight and durable, so it should last as long as you need it.
PROS
- Classic sound
- Lightweight design
- Easy to operate
CONS
- It may not be suitable for experienced players.
Summary
The Sensitone line by Pear is a go-to snare drum for players looking to add some classic sounds to their kit. It's relatively inexpensive compared to other snares on the market.
5. British Drum Company Aviator
The British Drum Company is one of the most reputable brands in the industry, and the Aviator is their first aluminum snare. The metal design is like stepping into a time machine, sporting the same aesthetics as historical planes throughout the ages.
Not only is this a stylish piece to add to your kit, but it also offers a clean, dry punchy sound. Easy sensitivity control makes it suitable for both novice and experienced drummers.
The seamless aluminum is lightweight and durable enough to give you peace of mind while on the road.
PROS
- Elegant design
- Easy sensitivity control
- Incredibly palladium lugs
CONS
- A bit pricey
Summary
If aesthetics are what you're after, you can't go wrong with the Aviator. That said, it still performs exceptionally well—as expected from such a dependable brand.
6. PDP Concept Select Snare
If you're looking for a versatile piece to add to your kit, then look no further. The PDP Concept Select Aluminum snare drum is perfect for backbeats. It has ten chrome dual-turret lugs, beautiful wood hoops, and true-pitch tension rods.
The Concept Select is also quite a looker. The wood finish on the hoops contrasts well with the grayish aluminum finish on the shell.
PROS
- Sophisticated design
- Reliable lug quality
- Easy-to-use tension rods
CONS
- Hoops could be more durable
Summary
The PDP Concept Select offers the best of both worlds in terms of look and performance. The contrasting metal and wood are an eye-catcher, and operating the snare is extremely simple for beginner and advanced players.
7. Tama Starphonic Aluminum Snare
It's hard to find words for how reliable and robust this snare is. However, it makes sense considering Tama is the “strongest name” in the drum industry.
Not only is this snare exceptionally durable, but it also comes with all the standard features a drummer needs from a part.
The Tama Freedom Lugs make it incredibly easy to change your snare head. You don't even need to loosen the tension rods. The snappy sound from the Hi-Carbon snare wires is satisfying and sounds terrific with any playing style.
PROS
- One of the most muscular snare drums available
- Easy access to heads
- Stylish design structure
CONS
- Hard to pair with other pieces
Summary
If durability and strength are what you're after, it's worth checking out the Tama Starphonic Aluminum Snare. The sound quality is outstanding.
8. Dunnett Classic 2N Modeling Aluminum Snare
Dunnett Classic drums are among the best in the business. The 2N Modeling Aluminum snare is no exception.
The polished finish is incredibly stunning, and the hybrid edge shell adds to the pleasant aesthetic of this piece. Meanwhile, it performs extremely well in practically any genre.
PROS
- Top-quality brand
- Sophisticated polished finish
- Versatile for nearly any music genre
CONS
- More expensive than other snares on the market
Summary
If you have the budget, this Dunnett Classic snare is worth considering. It's beautiful, strong, and suitable for a wide range of playing styles.
9. Gretsch USA Solid Aluminum
Gretsch is another drum brand that's known for its quality. When you look at the build of the USA Solid Aluminum Snare, you can see why they have this reputation.
The metal finish is lightweight and durable. It’s what you’d expect from an aluminum shell, but the Gretsch USA can withstand drops from more clumsy drummers.
The sound is impeccable and can match just about any genre. However, it's a bit much for beginners. Expert drummers will love snares from this Gretsch line.
PROS
- Beautiful aluminum finish
- Great size (14x5)
- Reputable brand
CONS
- Not the best choice for beginners
Summary
If top-quality is what you're after, you can't go wrong with the Gretsch USA Solid Aluminum snare. It looks amazing and sounds extremely clear.
10. Noble and Cooley Alloy Classic
This snare by Noble and Cooley has been approved for its sound quality by a wide range of audio engineers. On top of that, the elegant raw/chrome finish looks stunning.
The snare shell is lightweight but reliable in strength, thanks to its cast aluminum construction. The result is a dense, focused sound that reverbs beautifully.
There's a nice crack when set at high tunings, but you also have the choice to replicate wood shell sounds when set to low tunings.
PROS
- Multifunctional
- Smooth metal finish
- Dense sound
CONS
- Might be tricky to tune for beginners
Summary
If you're a working drummer or spend a lot of time in the studio, consider checking out this aluminum snare by Noble and Cooley. It offers the sound range you need to perform at your best.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is a wide range of aluminum snares you can add to your set. Each offers a unique sound and features that pair nicely with your genre and drumming style.
If you're looking for more options, be sure to check out our collection of snare drums here at Drum Center of Portsmouth. We are your leading source for all things drums.