The 5 Best Cheap Drum Sets That Don’t Suck - 2021

As part of our “instruments that don’t suck” blog series, we’re looking at budget-friendly or “cheap” instruments that are still made to last, of high build quality and that sound great! Next up: cheap drum sets! When choosing a budget-friendly drum set, it’s hard to get a handle on the decent ones and the options that won’t break down on you the first time you hit the snare! Thankfully – we have a huge range of options to choose from. Whether you’re just starting out in the world of drums, you need a good quality smaller kit for recording or you want something to take on the road with you, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good quality kit. Thanks to improvements in manufacturing (and the fact we only stock drum sets we believe in) “cheap” doesn’t have to mean poor quality. So today we’re going to look at our top 5 best cheap drum sets that don’t suck, as these are budget-friendly options that are made to an extremely high quality and that sound amazing. Just remember, when you think “cheap” think “budget-friendly” instead.

The Mapex Tornado 5 Piece 20" Fusion Burgundy Drum Kit, is a great option when you need a high-quality cheap drum set, that will last you a long time. Made to high standards, these kits are often used by adult musicians who need something to create percussion tracks as well as beginners who need something to start with. You get a 20” bass drum, a snare and 2 x toms as well as pedal, hardware, 16" crash cymbal, hi-hats and all the hardware you need – ideal as a Christmas gift for your budding drum superstar. The smaller size means you can pack it away easily and it won’t take up too much room when it’s set up. At under £300, this is a great option for those in need of a cheap drum set that doesn’t suck! Shop all Mapex kits HERE.

The TOURTECH TT-12S Electronic Drum Kit is one of our favourite cheap drum sets that continues to impress us here at PMT. For the budget-friendly price tag, you get a huge number of features, able to provide beginner drummers with the tools to learn and practice as well as intermediate and pro players a great way to hone their skills, record and jam with other musicians. In the box you get a complete 7 piece drum kit, all required cables, sticks, mounting hardware and power supply – so you’re good to go straightway, just add a drum throne, some headphones or an amplifier! For less than £200 you get a budget-friendly drum set with a total of 250 sounds built-in, 20 kit presets as well as a purpose-built Song Playback and Recording features that you can play along to and hone your skills. Highly sensitive, easy to set up and great sounding – the TOURTECH TT-12S Electronic Drum Kit is one of our favourite cheap drums sets that will last a lifetime. View all TourTech drum Kits HERE.

 The Natal Arcadia Poplar 22" Shell Pack in Black with Hardware pictured above, is a superbly designed cheap drum set that sounds amazing, provides you with everything you need to get started on your road to drum superstardom and best of all - won’t break the bank. You get 5 drum shells with skins, including bass drum, 2 rack toms, floor tom wooden snare and all the associated hardware and pedals - you just need to add cymbals, sticks and drum throne. Each part of the kit has been designed to withstand the most ardent of players making it one of our favourite cheap drum sets – it’ll take whatever you throw at it! An impressive and extremely budget-friendly drum kit ideal for beginner players and intermediate drummers alike.

The Tama Club Jam Satin Blonde Drum Shell Pack is one of our favourite cheap drum sets that certainly doesn’t suck. The Tama Club Jam shell pack kits are widely regarded as some of the best budget-friendly drum sets on the market today, fusing expert craftsmanship with high-quality materials whilst remaining firmly in an affordable price bracket. This 4-piece drum kit features an 18"x 12" Bass Drum, 10" x 7" Rack Tom, 14" x 7" Floor Tom and 13" x 5" Snare Drum all made from a 6ply Mersawa / Poplar blend. This hybrid blend of wood ensures you have the soft highs, mids and boosted low-end warmth you need to create articulate beats. There's no hardware included for cymbals, but the kit has built-in stands, so set up is a breeze. It may be small, but this will easily take on the hardest of drum hitters. Whether you’re a beginner drummer or you’re an old hand in need of a second kit for recording or around the house, this cheap drum set is both budget-friendly and superb quality, offering a fantastic sound at all times. View all Tama Drums HERE. 

Don’t be fooled by the smaller size of the Ludwig Questlove Breakbeats Shell Pack, this is not a toy, but a powerful kit designed by drum and percussion legend Questlove, to provide drummers with a convenient kit for apartments and a perfect kit for younger players too. The Ludwig Questlove Breakbeats Shell Pack includes a 16'' x 14'' Kick Drum, 10'' x 7'' Tom with auxiliary clamp, 13'' x 13'' Floor Tom and 14'' x 5'' Snare Drum - you just need to add your own cymbals and pedals. If you're a drummer looking for a cheap drum kit that doesn't suck, then this is ideal. Although this cheap drum set is on the smaller size and would certainly appeal to the younger players out there, it’s actually a fantastic option for adults in need of a tight, conveniently sized set for recording or smaller live gigs. View all Ludwig Drums.

View a full selection of cheap drum sets over at PMT online or call into our dedicated House Of Drums department in your local PMT store. Our drum experts can help you find the right kit to suit your needs and create complete bespoke setups depending on your sound and your style of playing.

If you like the idea of playing drums without disturbing the neighbours, then an electronic drum kit is the best option for you. But where do you start?

Fortunately there are plenty of cheap electronic drum kits around that won't break the bank. Click on the banner below to see our top 5 best cheap electronic drum kits.