The 5 Best Drum Sets for Kids for 2022 - Reviewed

Raising a child with the ability to express themselves creatively can be a challenge. Providing them with all the best tools, though, is a great start. Traditional instruments aren't designed for the size and skill level of kids. High-quality drum kits for kids can allow your child to learn the skills necessary to operate a musical instrument, even before they're old enough to reach the kick pedal on a standard adult-size set. We've compiled some of the best drum sets for kids in 2022 in this guide, making it easy to choose your kid a set they'll love and encourage them to pick up the drum sticks. With different features, colors, and sizes, there is no way to go wrong! Check out our favorite kits for mini drummers down below.

 

Our top picks:

1. Best for children wanting to learn: Pearl Roadshow Jr. 5-pc
2. Best for playing at home: Pearl Midtown 4-pc Drum Set
3. Best for a professional sound: Gretsch Brooklyn Micro Drum Kit
4. Best value for a low price: Ludwig Junior Drum Set - 5 Piece - Wine
5. Best overall: Pearl Roadshow 4-pc

 

In this list, you'll find some of our best picks for the year! Be sure to check the product specifications to be sure the set you choose has everything you need. Each high-quality junior drum kit is designed specifically for use by young kids without compromising on features and standards. Check out the sizing and what's included in the set, and move on to the pros and cons when you want to hear about why it might be a good fit for your child. If your kid is interested in playing the drums, read on to find out our top 5 best junior drum sets.

 

1) Pearl Roadshow Jr. 5-pc Drum Set w/ Hardware & Cymbals - Jet Black

This innovative starter drum kit combines quality and style with a bold and elegant jet-black exterior. The shell is white poplar, meaning the tone quality and pitch are on par with industry standards for drum sets. Kids will love the classic look that feels straight out of a rock band. The set includes five pieces: two toms, one-floor tom, a bass drum, and a snare. In addition to the drums, it boasts two top-tier cymbals with additional purchases. Without the downside of a set designed for children, kids would never be able to reach this many individual drums within a set all at once. With this Pearl kit, your child can rehearse new skills without waiting until they fit an adult set.

 

 

The Verdict: This set checks many boxes for schools, parents, and kids. It has the features and professional exterior to properly suit a recital, showcase, or orchestra. It doesn't look cheap like some child versions of adult instruments and gives the children an authentic drumming experience on a complete 5-pc kit. While it may not be as high-quality in terms of cutting-edge materials as a regular drum set with its large drum heads, it is the perfect compromise for a child who wants to learn. The set blends high quality with affordable to create a professional sound and stylistically coherent appearance that lets your child develop their skills in the best way possible.

 

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2) Pearl Midtown 4-pc Drum Set - Black Cherry Glitter

This shell pack has all of the essentials with none of the fluff. Add what you need - like cymbals, stands, and custom bass drum pedals - later. What you get with the high-quality Pearl Midtown shell pack are the four essential features of a drum set: the bass drum, the snare, bass drum hoops, toms, and drum heads. It is portable, convenient, and great for compact storage. The sizing of the instruments means they are an excellent fit for smaller kids without losing the tone quality of full-sized drums. The shell is 6-ply poplar with chrome hardware, making for a professional-looking aesthetic. Kids love the black cherry glitter color palette for the shell - it's a set that looks straight out of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. You'll have to prise the drumsticks out of their hands.

 

 

The Verdict: While this set lacks certain features needed for a complete professional kit, it is meant for kids. While they're learning, they can get away with having fewer drums than usual. It's best to start off with a smaller set so they can master the basics. Any child would still learn serious skills from using this set, and you don't have to worry about lugging around and storing a 5-piece junior kit. The black cherry glitter shell gives the set a regal look that is truly timeless. It's perfect for recitals, band concerts, and just playing at home.

 

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3) Gretsch Brooklyn Micro Drum Kit - Satin Gray

This professional starter drum kit is perfect for any kid who wants to learn skills while looking and feeling like a rock star. The bass drum is slightly smaller than you'd get in a Ludwig set but similar to the previous two we looked at (the Pearl Midtown and Roadshow). It has larger toms than the Roadshow that are similar in size to Midtown. This shell pack comes with a bass drum (and bass drum pedal, of course), two toms, a snare, and a floor tom with legs. The shells are slightly thicker than the standard, constructed from 6-ply North American Maple/Poplar wood. A lifetime labor warranty makes investing in this instrument easier, knowing that you won't be out of pocket if anything goes amiss. All the mounting hardware is included with the set for easy assembly by a parent - you don't need to waste time and money having it professionally put together.

 

 

The Verdict: This set has everything you need for a professional sound while being smaller, which is great for children. Because it is a relatively standard set rather than a designated children's kit, it is on the pricier side. On the flip side, if you have a child who is serious about a music career, this set is perfect for recording sessions, concerts, gigs, and recitals.

 

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4) Ludwig Junior Drum Set - 5 Piece - Wine

 

This killer 5-piece junior drum kit for kids makes it easy for any child to tap into their musical potential. The set comes with a bass drum, two toms, a floor tom, a snare drum, and cymbals. It is a complete 5-piece junior set, similar to the Pearl Roadshow. This means it has all the components your child needs to play any tune. Schools looking for a starter drum set for band recitals could also benefit from this ideal set. This Ludwig kit's toms and snare are similar in size to other sets we looked at. On the other hand, the bass drum is much larger, at about 18" x 10". This impressive size means a booming, tonally full sound. The set has great features like a crash cymbal, hi-hat stands to add to your set, and a throne, the perfect size for a mini drumming pro.

 

 

The Verdict: This set is ideal for a passionate early drummer. The set fits perfectly for a younger child and has all the features of a professional drum kit. With a beautiful wine finish on the exterior, this instrument looks great and stays in good condition. The Ludwig set combines quality and quantity as well as affordability. This affordable set has a great sound with five beautiful drums. While they may not have the most professional sound, it's an excellent value for a low price. That means your child can start learning now rather than waiting longer to be able to afford a set.

 

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5) Pearl Roadshow 4-pc Drum Set w/ Hardware - Bronze Metallic

This stout 4-piece drum kit is considerably more significant than the four others featured on this list. With an 18" x 12" bass drum and toms larger than 14", this is an excellent fit for older kids who want a set that will easily allow them to transition to a standard size soon. This set doesn't come with cymbals, but it does come with a wide range of features. The drums included in this set include a bass drum, one standard tom, one-floor tom, and a snare. It doesn't come with a second tom like some of the other sets on this list, but it does include a floor tom, which is great for versatility and variety of sound. The hardware package included makes this set easy to assemble so that your child can start playing as soon as possible.

 

 

The Verdict: With a gorgeous bronze metallic exterior, this set is clean, tonally high-quality, and complete. It is one step closer to a professional set than most of what you'd find in children's drum sets. This is the perfect set when your child wants to start learning an instrument but isn't old enough to know if they'll stick with it. It has a higher quality than some other kid's sets and therefore costs a slightly higher price point. That means your child can truly experience and learn on a high-quality drum kit, which makes a huge difference in their progress.

 

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What To Look For When Choosing the Best Drum Set For Kids

Usually, shopping for your kid can be a breeze. Either you know what they want because they can't stop talking about it, or you're a friend of the family who can easily ask the parent what to get. The nitty-gritty of deciding between brands and types doesn't usually matter. For musical instruments, though, those types of details can make or break the product for the child. How do you pick the best junior drum sets for your children? There are several brands to choose between, including:

• Pearl
• Ludwig
• Gretsch

Within these brands are series like the Roadshow and the Midtown, offered by the company Pearl. Reading a company's mission can tell you a lot about the type of instrument they are trying to make and what features they find the most important. It's essential to know a little bit about drum sets for kids. This is so that you can make an educated selection for your child. If you buy a set that is too big, too small, not the right brand, or under-researched, you might end up with something that isn't quite what you expected and doesn't work for your kid. Use these expert tips to help you find what you need for your child to start drumming today.

How Many Types of Drums Come In a Set?

Every set is different. For different styles of music or different preferences, drum sets can come with any combination of percussive instruments. Most sets come with a few virtual drums. The most common drums in a standard set are the bass drum, the floor tom, and regular toms. Also, there's the snare drum, and cymbals (ride, crash cymbal, and hi-hat). Together, these drums make up a 5-piece drum setup with cymbals. The two primary groups to classify the instruments on the set are those with a shell and those without. The shell is made of several layers of wood bent into a circle. It makes up the exterior of the drum.

Which Materials are Best?

Different types of wood used in the drum's shell can impact the instrument's tone, among other things. Common shell materials include:

• Maple, which is commonly used in snare shells
• Beech, which is excellent for low-end frequencies
• Birch, which is dense and durable
• Basswood, which is often used in middle layers between more expensive woods
• Poplar, found in many of the above sets, is superb for sound and strength
• Oak, which is great for a robust and loud sound
• Mahogany, commonly found in vintage drums
• Steel, which offers a bright, penetrating sound for rim shots and loud snares
• Copper, which is perfect for an orchestral sound
• Brass, which is warm, clear, and crisp, perfect for rim shots and loud sound
• Aluminum, which is also crisp but drier than brass for snare rim shots
• Bronze, which is mainly used for snare drums

These woods can be used alone or together to create different combinations of strength, tone, appearance, and pitch. Often, a less expensive wood will be lodged as a layer between two more expensive kinds of wood. That way, the internal and external of the shell are expensive for a high-quality tone and appearance. The middle is then substantiated with cheaper wood to cut down on costs and make a set more affordable. Cymbals, unlike drums, don't have a shell. They are, however, a vital element of the drum kit in creating the perfect sound.

What Age Groups are Junior Drum Sets for?

The beauty of buying your child a beginner set is that it takes away a lot of the danger, volume, and risk of destruction that a more adult drum kit might pose. On a junior set, a child between the ages of 3 and 12 can thrive and challenge themselves to build skills without the pressure of using an expensive and intimidating adult drum set. The first accommodation a junior drum set will make for younger kids is the size. This makes it easier for your child to play in the same way an adult would play a standard-size set, and their feet will be able to reach the bass drum pedal (or kick pedal). They will also have a full range of the set and be able to reach all the different drums from the stool, which they wouldn't be able to do with an adult kit. Elementary school-age kids are the perfect users of these smaller, more easily used drum sets. The other way these sets accommodate young kids is that it is not as huge of an investment as a standard drum set. Junior sets still maintain the high quality of a professional drum set, but they go for cheaper than what you'd see a professional band playing at a gig. This means that any damage done to the set won't be devastating since we all know that kids aren't always the most careful when handling their stuff! Acquiring new skills is best begun as a child. Children are more likely to cement their newly learned skills and keep honing them into adulthood if they start early. Junior drum sets are perfectly designed to let kids begin to learn the process of playing an instrument without needing to learn one drum at a time. Because the sets are scaled-down in size and difficulty, kids can easily reach all the drums on the set and learn to play like a pro before they even become teenagers.

How Big Are Junior Drum Sets For Kids?

A lot of the appeal of a junior drum set is that it is small enough for a child to reach all the parts. And, because they're smaller, they don't produce as loud a sound as the standard adult drum kit - which parents will be pleased to hear! A standard (adult) set would include a bass drum, floor tom, and mounted toms. Here's how the sizing breaks down:

• Bass Drum: 22"
• Floor Tom: 16"
• Mounted Toms: 12" and 13"

The amount of floor space that the drum takes up averages out to approximately 60" x 48". It is important to remember that this refers to a full-size drum kit. An expanded drum might be closer to 88" x 48", and a compact drum kit would be more like 33" x 28". A junior set is much smaller than the average full-size adult drum set. The junior set is approximately 38" x 35". This is roughly similar to the size of a compact set but with more instruments. The junior sets' drum sizes are:

• Bass Drum: 16"
• Floor Tom: 13"
• Toms: 10" x 5" and 8"

This downsizing makes these sets perfect for young kids who aren't tall enough for a standard kit yet. If you have an inkling that your kid might be due for a growth spurt, be sure you buy on the larger end of junior drum set sizes. If unsure of sizing, you should visit a drum store to check which sized kit your kid feels most comfortable sitting at. Come to Drum Center of Portsmouth and talk to one of our pros - we love seeing families come in to kit out the next generation of drummers!

Conclusion

No matter how old your child is or where they are in a drumming experience, the right set for their skill level is out there. Typical junior sets are designed for ages 3-12 or 3-10, meaning any child or pre-teen can find a fit for their needs. Junior kits are perfect for elementary school-age kids who want to start developing their skills as a drummer without the commitment of buying an expensive standard set. Use this handy guide to help you find what works and doesn't. With junior drum sets, your kid feels like a real rock star with a professional-looking set with all the components of a standard drum set. Choose your set based on color, size, pieces included, ease of setup, cost, and more. Our reviews have all the information you need to make your choice. Your child is sure to be happy with whatever you get them, but using these reviews can help you find exactly the right fit for their needs. Maybe your older child needs a set that will fit them even after a growth spurt, or perhaps you need something that you won't be devastated about if it ends up broken by a child with a lot of enthusiasm. Every option is right here in our guide to the five best junior drum sets for 2022. For more help, contact us today or come down to the store!