If you or your child has suddenly shown an interest in the drums, one of your first questions is likely “How much does a drum set cost?” That answer depends on a few different factors, which we’ll discuss in this article.
Professional instruction is the quickest and most efficient way to learn to play the drums, however, a single lesson a week for many weeks can only get a new drummer so far.
To truly understand and embrace the drums, a new musician will need to commit to practicing in between lessons, as well. And that means you’ll need a good quality drum set!
So how much does a full drum set cost?
Drum kits can range in price significantly, depending on the type, the size, the brand, and the level you’re playing at. Beginner drum kits can be found for as cheap as $200, while professional drum kits can cost upwards of $10,000, depending on the type and added elements.
Here’s what you need to know!
How Much Should a Beginner Drum Set Cost?
How much does a beginner set of drums cost? The average drum set will cost around $500 to $1500, with the price depending on a variety of factors such as:
- What kind of hardware is included
- If it’s custom-built or handmade (as opposed to factory-produced)
- How many shells it has
- What quality the shells are
- Whether it comes with additional accessories, like travel cases
When you’re interested in learning how to play the drums, again, getting drumming lessons from an instructor is the best way to do so.
Plus, they’ll be able to give you an idea of which drum sets are worth the money – and which are not.
They’ll even teach you about the essential drum rudiments, as seen in the video below, so you know exactly what to do with your drums as soon as you get them home!
Now, we’ll take a closer look at the ins and outs of drum set pricing so you can get a better answer to the question, “how much does a beginners drum set cost?”
How Much Does a Full Set of Drums Cost?
Do you have questions about the drum set price? As you might expect, the answer to this question varies widely depending on the style of drums you’re interested in playing, which components you want your drum set to have, and a medley of other factors.
However, we’ll do our best to answer the question “how much does a drum set cost?” by breaking the question down by instrument type.
How Much Does a Basic Drum Set Cost for Kids?
Junior drum sets aren’t just for kids, but if you’re looking for a basic set of drums for your kids to learn to play on, a junior set is the way to go.
Complete junior drum sets typically start at around $300. This price includes stock cymbals and all the necessary hardware and stands. Drum thrones – what you sit on – may not be included, and can range in price from $30 up to $200.
A drum kit in the $300 range is acceptable for a young, first-time player.
These junior kits are traditionally three- or four-piece sets. They include a base drum, two toms, and a cymbal.
Three-piece sets will not include cymbals, but you can purchase them separately when buying the kit for a relatively low price.
So before asking “How much does a drum set cost?”, it’s important to first question what level of kit you’ll need. Typically these junior kits are intended for absolute beginners and small children.
While the set won’t sound as rich and warm as more expensive kits, it will allow for practicing while in the home.
If your child is just starting out on the drums, and will be practicing at home, you may want to purchase silencing pads, as well.
These cost around $50 for a set, and mute the sound the drum heads make, while still allowing for the drummer to feel and hear what they are doing.
These are great to have, as they allow kids to practice in a basement or bedroom without the noise disturbing the rest of the house.
Now that you know the answer to “how much does a drum set cost?” for beginner kits, you are probably wondering what more advanced kits will cost.
Intermediate Drum Kits
As you learn to play, and play well, eventually you may want a better kit to practice on. While junior kits are great for kids just starting out, they can outgrow them quickly, both in size and the type of playing they are doing.
When this happens, it might be time to purchase a full-size, intermediate kit. An intermediate kit is, traditionally, a five- or six-piece configuration. Most intermediate kits will include a shell pack only, and cymbals will need to be added separately.
When picking out an intermediate drum kit, you’ll want your budget to be around $700 to $1,500, depending on the type of kits you are looking at.
There are several intermediate kits that can be more expensive, and a few that can be found for under $700; however, most would agree that the $700 to $1,500 range will afford you a decent kit to practice on.
How Much Does a Professional Drum Set Cost?
If you or your child have joined a band and is planning to play a lot, a professional drum kit may be more your style. How much does a good set of drums cost if you’re looking for a more professional version compared to a beginners drum set?
The short answer, again, is that it varies.
Professional kits come in the same configuration as intermediate kits, but are built with better wood and components. They can stand up to greater travel, movement and playing.
When picking out a professional drum kit you’ll want the drummer to try out kits before making a decision.
Professional kits can cost between $3,000 and $10,000 depending on the kit and components included.
Most professionals will opt to purchase a shell pack with hardware, then add specific drums or cymbals that they feel are necessary.
Picking out a professional drum kit is less a question of “how much does a drum set cost?” and more about what feels right to you and your needs as a player.
How Much Does a Used Drums Set Cost?
You can save a significant amount of money if you choose to buy used drums instead of brand-new ones.
Not only do gently used drums tend to be identical to their brand new counterparts, but the previous owner may be able to give you some tips and tricks to care for them, too.
Even for high-end gear, you’re usually better off buying used drums and cymbals. Gear tends to lose a lot of value as soon as it leaves the shop – it depreciates rapidly.
Try buying a used drum set for beginner and you can often get higher-quality equipment for a fraction of the price. Plus, really experienced runners tend to know how to properly care for their instruments, so if you find the right seller, you might get a serious bargain.
Expect to pay a few hundred dollars for a quality set of used drums. To find them, check local online spaces like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and Gumtree.
When you find a set you’re interested in, be sure to look up the brand new price (either on Amazon or by going to a dealer) so you can make sure you’re not getting scammed.
How Much Does an Electric Drum Set Cost?
Electric drum sets tend to be more expensive than acoustic ones – after all, there’s more equipment involved.
A budget set of electronic drums will usually cost around $400 with accessories costing an additional $200 or so.
If you’re an intermediate or professional player, though, expect to pay more. These sets can be as much as $8000.
Added Components and Accessories
During your research on drum set cost, you’ll likely encounter many different opinions on accessories and added components, as well. Even if you have a beginner drummer in your home, you’ll want to purchase sticks, stands and cymbals separately. In addition, you might want to invest in drum bags. These travel cases protect the drums as they are moved.
There are also a few components you will need as you progress as a drummer that will not come standard with a kit. Some drum kits, for example, do not come with cymbal stands and cymbals.
Advanced drummers may find they like particular cymbals for their sound and feel, so then you have the option of purchasing these components separately.
How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Drum Set?
Buying a drum set for beginners online is a great way to save money and to ensure that you’ll be able to find the exact kind of drums you want and need. Especially if you live in a rural area, it can be difficult to find drums for sale (particularly used drums that are of the higher-end variety).
Therefore, turning to the Internet is a great choice. However, you’ll want to pay close attention to shipping fees and surcharges, as these can be quite astronomical.
On average, a drum set will take several days to reach you by post and it can cost anywhere from $50 to $100 or more to ship.
UPS and FedEx, too, ship primarily based on weight. You’ll want to ask the seller whether shipping is included in the price or if you’ll be expected to pay more.
Are Drum Sets Expensive?
To get the right drum set to help you reach your goals as a musician, it’s important that you don’t cut any corners in regards to what you’re able to pay. While you definitely don’t need to splurge or go over your budget, it’s a good idea to get the best quality drum set you can afford.
Once you get to a certain level, the quality of the instrument you plan on will make a big difference. Invest wisely, and you’ll be rewarded with years of playing and gigging!
Photo by Derrick Coetzee
Megan L.