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Best drum kits in Australia

We pored through hundreds of reviews to find the best of each category of drum kits available.

Luke Holmesby
Luke Holmesby

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The best drum kits in Australia

How did we pick this list?

Our editorial team selected these products based on dozens of instrument reviews from critics, experts and amateur users. We decided on set criteria for each category and rated drum kits in each category accordingly.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

Best overall drum kit: Pearl Roadshow RS525SC

Pros

  • 9-ply poplar shell ensures durability
  • High impact snare and kick

Cons

  • Some reviews have reported that the cymbals could be better
  • Throne may not be the right size for some above average sized adults

Price (RRP): $874

Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

Pearl is one of the most renowned musical instrument brands around and it is hard to go past the brand's flagship model the Roadshow RS525. Dozens of professional drum reviewers and hundreds of customers on Amazon praised this kit as the best available.

It features a large 22"×16" bass drum, 16"×16" floor tom, 12"×9" and 10"×8" toms, 5" snare drum and cymbal package. What sets it apart from other models is the 9-ply poplar shell with 1.2mm triple-flanged hoop.

Best electronic drum kit: Roland TD-50KVX

Pros

  • Contains a single USB output, allowing drummers to multitrack record the entire kit on their DAW
  • An industry-first digital triggering feature that allows for a more realistic response

Cons

  • Expensive and not appropriate for the budget-conscious
  • The KD-A22 kick attachment results in a thud from the kick drum, which is not conducive to the kit being used for practice

Price (RRP): $11,499

Buy at eBay

Why we chose it

The Roland TD-50KVX is the most advanced of the Roland range and was rated the best electronic drum kit available by several instrument review sites around the world.

The TD-50KVX has a full acoustic bass drum as well as a 14-inch full-sized snare head, with a deep shell. The advanced processor comes with a PD-140DS Digital Snare and CY-18DR Digital Ride, featuring multi-element sensor systems and high-speed digital communication with the module.

In mounting a KD-A22 Kick Drum Converter, drummers can reach an impressive hybrid sound with significant editing abilities and adaptable connectivity.

Best cheap drum kit: Mendini MDS 80 – 5 piece

Pros

  • Pieces are well aligned for the average-sized adult, with a moveable seat allowing for balanced and symmetrical positioning
  • Extremely affordable at around half the cost of some of the more mainstream kits

Cons

  • Quality of cymbals is reported to be lower than others in the market
  • Smaller and fewer lugs than professional kits which can affect tune consistency

Price (RRP): $283

Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

Reviews from dozens of instrument review websites were in consensus that the Mendini MDS 80 5 piece was the best cheap drum kit and best for beginners on the market.

This has the same elements as the top end drum kits with a round padded height adjustable drum throne, a pair of wooden drum sticks, double braced snare, cymbal and hi-hat stands as well as a chain drive bass drum pedal.

Mendini might not have the same brand recognition as others but for an adult beginner on a budget, you could do a lot worse.

Best drum kit for kids: Gammon 5-Piece Junior Starter Drum Set

Pros

  • Adjustable stool that means the set can be kept as children grow
  • Three different colour options, which could make the difference between whether a child is interested in drumming or not

Cons

  • Not suitable size for adults or bigger children
  • Reported not to have the same quality as drums built for fully-grown adults

Price (RRP): $249

Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

The Gammon 5-piece junior starter drum set was widely praised by Amazon reviewers and critics, many of whom were parents speaking glowingly of their child's introduction to drumming via this kit.

With a lug bass drum, wood snare drum, toms, cymbals and a snare stand, there are enough pieces involved to appropriately challenge children embarking on a percussion learning curve. The array of colour options adds to the aesthetic appeal for any potential drumming superstar.

Best small drum kit: Ludwig Backbeats by Questlove

Pros

  • Incredibly portable and light compared to other drum kits
  • Said to be at its best playing hip-hop, funk and jazz sounds

Cons

  • Riser has been reported to shift after playing
  • The Ludwig badge is actually a sticker which makes for a cheap visual

Price (RRP): $797

Buy at Amazon

Why we chose it

User reviews and critical acclaim across drumming blogs such as gearsavvy, pmtonline and musicradar have the Ludwig Backbeats by Questlove rated as the optimal small drum kit on the market today.

This was specifically designed by Roots drummer Questlove to appeal to those living in small apartments and to make moving from gig to gig a little easier. It comes with a 16"x14" bass drum, 10"x7" rack tom, 13"x13" floor tom and a snare drum at a more standard 14"x5".

Methodology

  • Our editorial team compared more than 50 different drum kits from 23 manufacturers.
  • The brands were assessed according to customer reviews, expert recommendations and professional preferences.
  • The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.

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