The best drum heads in the world today

The best drum heads in the world today

This is a gallery of the best drum heads on the planet - for bass drums, snares and toms. Whether you require single or twin-ply, resonant, specialist or retro-style, there's a drum head here to suit every player.

Our picks are collated from Rhythm Magazine's extensive reviews process and buyers' guides, as well as MusicRadar's own gear guides.

Browse through the gallery and, where available, click-through to read the full review for an in-depth breakdown of each head.

Evans Level 360 heads

MusicRadar’s verdict:

The Level 360 concept brings a modified design to Evans' head offerings. These tweaks aim to ensure greater contact and balance between the head and drum, as well as greater tonal range. With this evolution of its design process, Evans has launched a true revolution in drum heads.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Evans Level 360 heads

Remo White Suede heads

MusicRadar’s verdict:

These heads are as versatile as they come and are priced the same for either the Ambassador weights or the Emperors, depending on your preference.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Remo White Suede heads

Remo Suede heads

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Suede heads have a textured surface on both the top and bottom, which is etched into the head. Since this isn’t a coating, it won’t wear off with time. The resulting sound retains the clarity and sustain of a clear head but also has some of the warmth of a coated product. Suedes are available in Diplomat, Ambassador, Emperor and Powerstroke 3 models.

4 out of 5

BUY: Remo Suede currently available from Andertons Music Co., Thomann and PMT Online

Remo Ambassador-X heads

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Just like the standard Ambassador, this is a supremely versatile head which will find favour with all types of drummer playing every style of music.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Remo Ambassador-X head

Remo Ambassador X14 heads

MusicRadar’s verdict:

The Ambassador X14 follows the success of the existing Ambassador X range.Supremely playable; open, powerful sound; substantially more durable than a regular Ambassador.Quite simply, what's not to like?

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Remo Ambassador X14 heads

Remo Ambassador Coated single-ply snare head

MusicRadar’s verdict:

The Ambassador is the industry standard snare batter head for live playing and recording. The Coated Weatherking Ambassador is virtually unchanged since its appearance back in 1957 - to quote the cliché, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Formed from a single 10 mil film of Mylar, the Coated Ambassador’s sound is bright, clean and lively.

4 out of 5

BUY: Remo Ambassador Coated currently available from Andertons Music Co., Thomann and PMT Online

Remo Emperor Coated twin-ply snare head

MusicRadar’s verdict:

If your Ambassadors are wearing out quickly or are a bit too bright the answer may be a change to Emperors. Two layers of 7 mil Mylar add significantly to the durability while darkening and warming the tone. Emperors are still open and resonant, though, and are good all-rounders for the firm hitter.

4 out of 5

BUY: Remo Emporer Coated currently available from Andertons Music Co., Thomann and PMT Online

Evans G-Plus Coated single-ply tom head

MusicRadar’s verdict:

These heads are a revelation in design – a real cut above the rest. Offering the combination of a warm, open sound without the nuisance of excessive ringing sustain, ease of tuning and durability, the G Plus is ideal for gigs. These aren’t mere heads, they’re instruments in their own right. Give these a try, you might become a convert, as we have.

FULL REVIEW: Evans G-Plus Coated drum heads

BUY: Evans G-Plus Coated currently available from Thomann and PMT Online

Evans G2 Coated twin-ply tom head

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Always a popular choice for those needing harder wearing heads, these are beautifully made with a distinctive, slightly squared, preformed collar. The Genera G2 is the equivalent of Remo’s Emperor, with two plies of 7 mil Mylar producing an extremely hard-wearing head that is loud, consistent, more dense and focused than a single ply and has slightly shorter sustain.

4 out of 5

BUY: Evans G2 Coated currently available from Andertons Music Co., Thomann and PMT Online

Aquarian Power Trio heads

MusicRadar’s verdict:

A tailored solution of heavy duty batters specifically designed with hard-hitters in mind.These are amongst the thickest kit heads ever made and appear capable of soaking up hours of punishing playing.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Aquarian Power Trio heads

Evans Black Chrome heads

MusicRadar’s verdict:

While these Evans heads appear slightly more expensive than others on the market, they are incredibly durable, sound amazing, are easy to tune, look stunning - what more can we say, what more can you want?

5 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Evans Black Chrome heads

Remo Fiberskyn-3 heads

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Laminated Mylar and polyspun fibres produce a playing surface that, with its slightly ragged texture, looks like a real animal skin. There’s a dry warmth and softer stick response, deeper and tubbier, combined with a focused dark sound. They tune very easily over quite a broad range and don’t need any damping.

4 out of 5

BUY: Remo Fiberskyn-3 currently available from Andertons Music Co., Thomann and PMT Online

Aquarian Super-kick-1 bass drum head

MusicRadar’s verdict:

One of Aquarian’s most popular heads and a bit of a secret weapon if you like a fat, deep, wet, resonant ‘blat’. The Super-Kick-1 batter is a single ply with a ‘floating’ perimeter muffler - a 1.5" band of thin white felt held loosely against the inner surface by a white card ring. For an all-rounder dabbling in rock, New Orleans funk, country and pop, they’re heaven.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Aquarian Super-Kick and Regulator bass drum heads

BUY: Aquarian Super-kick-1 currently available from Thomann; Aquarian Regulator bass drum head currently available from Thomann

Remo Powerstroke Pro heads

MusicRadar’s verdict:

The three finishes bring variations in tonality and texture. Alongside existing pre-dampened bass drum heads, these are worth investigating.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Remo Powerstroke Pro head