It’s no coincidence that the snare drum sits at the center of the kit.

As the most expressive drum in the setup, the snare sets the foundation for every drummer’s personal sound. It’s like choosing a bandmate—pick the right one, and you’ll be amazed by what you can do together.

However, before you can zero in on the best snare drum for you, try to determine what type of snare sound would best enhance your music, your style of play and your personal tonal preference. Whether you’re seeking a specific snare drum as your main instrument for every gig or looking for a second or third snare to accommodate the diverse sonic needs of various bands and/or studio sessions, we can suggest some worthy contenders.

Of course, nothing beats playing and hearing a snare drum to get first-hand experience of whether it truly meets your needs, so be sure to visit your local Guitar Center and try out some options in person. One of our Gear Advisers can assist you with your search.

Need help choosing a full setup? Check out our drum kit buying guide and drum head buying guide.

Table of Contents

A Basic Chart of Snare Sounds
What Kind of a Snare Drum Are You Looking For?
I Want a Snare Drum With Lots of Attack
  TAMA 50th Anniversary Starclassic Mirage Snare Drum
  Mapex Black Panther Persuader Snare Drum
  Orange County Drum & Percussion Maple Ash Snare Drum
  Yamaha Stage Custom Birch Snare Drum
I Want a Snare with Warm, Deep Resonance
  Zildjian 400th Anniversary Limited-Edition Alloy Snare Drum
  PDP Dark Stain Maple and Walnut Snare Drum
  TAMA Starclassic Walnut/Birch Snare Drum
I Want a Dynamic and Expressive Snare Drum
  Ludwig Universal Series Black Brass Snare Drum
  Gretsch Drums Black Nickel Over Steel Snare Drum
  DW Performance Series Steel Snare Drum
  Mapex Black Panther Atomizer Snare Drum
I Want a Versatile, All-Purpose Snare Drum
  Pearl GPX Limited-Edition Snare Drum
  SJC Drums Pathfinder Series Snare Drum
  Pork Pie Big Black Brass Snare Drum
  SONOR Kompressor Aluminum Snare Drum
I Want the Sound of a Legendary Snare Drum
  TAMA 50th Anniversary Mastercraft Bell Brass Snare Drum
  Ludwig Black Beauty Snare Drum
  Ludwig Supraphonic Snare Drum
  Truly Vintage
Crack, Swack and Own the Gig

A Basic Chart of Snare Sounds

How much swack, crack, attack or resonance do you want? We’ll get deeper into specific snare drums and the sounds they offer, but here’s a handy chart to provide you with a rudimentary guide to shell materials and characteristics.

Material	Type	Low End	Midrange	Treble	Overall Vibe
Acrylic	Synthetic	Warm	Warm	Warm	Dry, good projection
Aluminum	Metal	Muted	Dimensional	Crisp	Good sensitivity
Ash	Wood	Muted	Pronounced	Pronounced	Good attack
Beech	Wood	Warm	Pronounced	Pronounced	Focused and sensitive
Bell Brass	Metal alloy	Tight	Pronounced	Pronounced	Loud and present
Birch	Wood	Warm	Muted	Pronounced	Cuts through
Brass	Metal	Warm	Dimensional	Pronounced	Vivid and loud
Bubinga	Wood	Warm	Smooth	Smooth	Punchy
Bronze	Metal	Pronounced	Pronounced	Muted	Warm with subdued attack
Carbon	Synthetic	Muted	Smooth	Smooth	Dry and balanced
Cherry	Wood	Muted	Pronounced	Pronounced	Bright
Copper	Metal	Pronounced	Pronounced	Muted	Dark and loud
Fiberglass	Synthetic	Tight	Tight	Tight	Focused
Mahogany	Wood	Warm	Smooth	Muted	Resonant
Maple	Wood	Slightly warm	Smooth	Smooth	Balanced and versatile
Oak	Wood	Slightly warm	Pronounced	Muted	Tight with quick decay
Poplar	Wood	Warm	Muted	Muted	Rich and smooth
Steel	Metal	Muted	Pronounced	Crisp	Versatile and present
Titanium	Metal	Slightly warm	Smooth	Crisp	Focused
Walnut	Wood	Warm	Smooth	Smooth	Big and warm

What Kind of Snare Drum Are You Looking For?

Now, let’s get into the nitty gritty. You may ask yourself, “What kind of sound do I want?” It’s not just about shell material, as there are a lot of construction and hardware details that contribute to the personality of a snare drum. The type of drum heads you prefer and how you choose to tune them—low and beefy, barking and punchy or present and bright—add to the sonic equation, as well. But let’s try to answer your question…

I Want a Snare Drum With Lots of Attack

Perhaps you’re in a rock band where those darned guitarists just love distortion and have zero awareness of that thing called a “volume knob.” Or you’re playing with a large cover band, and you want to ensure you can crack through the horn section, keyboards, percussionists and background vocalists. There are many reasons to choose a snare with attack, articulation and projection. Here are some of the best snare drums to do the job.

TAMA 50th Anniversary Starclassic Mirage Snare Drum

The TAMA 50th Anniversary Starclassic Mirage snare drum is a stunner, both visually and sonically. It’s a reissue of a coveted rarity, boasting a 5.5mm thick acrylic shell, black nickel hardware, die-cast hoops with 20 lugs and 20-strand Super Sensitive High-Carbon snare wires. The seamless 14x6.5" shell produces resonance, depth, clarity and clean sustain (no pesky overtones). The 50th Anniversary Starclassic Mirage is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a cutting snap with a hefty swack to bust through a mix without being too bright.

Pictured: TAMA 50th Anniversary Limited-Edition Starclassic Mirage Acrylic Snare Drum

Mapex Black Panther Persuader Snare Drum

The MAPEX Black Panther Persuader excels at projection. It can cut through the noise of a raging band and command the rhythm. The brass shell is 1.2 mm thick and hammered across the entire surface. The hammer marks create more surface area, putting more vibrating brass in contact with the air and squeezing that much more tone out of the shell at high volumes. They also look very cool. Another benefit is the Sonic Saver hoop design, which has the rounded shape of die-cast without the added weight, letting the drum sing while taking it easy on your sticks.

Pictured: Mapex Black Panther Persuader Snare Drum

Orange County Drum & Percussion Maple Ash Snare Drum

With its 7-ply maple and ash shell, the Orange County Drum & Percussion Maple Ash 13x7" snare delivers a taut wallop and focused mids that can cut through a mix with precision. While a 13x7" snare typically doesn’t produce the deep lows of a 14x6.5", it can hold higher tunings without choking out and also provide excellent stick rebound. In other words, you can really pop this pup and get all of the attack and sensitivity you’ll probably ever need. This is also a snare that comes in at a very nice price.

Pictured: Orange County Drum & Percussion Maple Ash Snare Drum

Yamaha Stage Custom Birch Snare Drum

Bust through on a budget with the Yamaha Stage Custom snare. Birch definitely slashes through a thick music mix, and the Stage Custom’s sleek, 6-ply 14x5.5" shell delivers volume, resonance and enhanced highs. As a bonus, the snare’s lovely honey-amber finish and old-school badge mimic the classic kits played by iconic Yamaha artists.

Pictured: Yamaha Stage Custom Birch Snare Drum

I Want a Snare with Warm, Deep Resonance

Cutting right through a dense music mix isn’t the only way to command attention. Sometimes, a warm, taut and funky thwack can move the groove just as effectively as an articulate crack. Here are some of the top snare drum picks for those who travel on the warmer side of tone.

Zildjian 400th Anniversary Limited-Edition Alloy Snare Drum

For its 400th Anniversary Limited-Edition Alloy snare, Zildjian clearly went all out. The company’s B20 bronze alloy—which has been used to craft its cymbals for centuries—is the material utilized to craft the 400th Anniversary model’s seamless shell. In addition, boutique snare designer Aaron Latos collaborated with Zildjian on this one-of-a-kind bronze beauty, and he numbered and signed every one of the 400 snares produced for the limited-edition run. This is an opulent drum by every measure, but for those who love refined artistry and exceptional tone, the Zildjian 400th Anniversary Limited-Edition delivers across the board. It looks like a supermodel, and its bronze alloy produces a warm, resonant thwack and articulate mids.

Pictured: Zildjian 400th Anniversary Limited-Edition Alloy Snare Drum

PDP Dark Stain Maple and Walnut Snare Drum

The PDP Dark Stain Maple and Walnut snare is another limited-edition beauty—and made even more striking with its matching wood rims. The combination of maple and walnut is a good one for players seeking warmth and attack. The 10-ply shell goes for the balanced frequency range of a maple core and then lays on inner and outer plies of walnut to achieve a big bottom. The PDP Dark Stain snare looks like something you’d find in an art deco parlor, while its rich tone evokes the exuberance of the Jazz Age.

Pictured: PDP by DW Dark Stain Maple and Walnut Snare Drum

TAMA Starclassic Walnut/Birch Snare Drum

The TAMA Starclassic Walnut/Birch brings a trio of woods together to create a combo plate of warmth and depth. First up is a walnut core that provides deep resonant lows. Next, are come thin birch plies that add cut and attack. The shell is topped off with an outer ply of cedar that mellows out the sharpness of the birch and balances the overall tone. The result is a snare that emulates the lively thud and refined crack of D.J. Fontana’s performance on “Jailhouse Rock” (Elvis Presley, 1957).

Pictured: TAMA Starclassic Walnut/Birch Snare Drum

I Want a Dynamic and Expressive Snare Drum

For some styles of music, it’s typically more appropriate to have a snare that acts like a battering ram, and just keeps the groove pounding away. But that style probably won’t win you many friends—or future clients—if you’re backing a singer-songwriter, adding percussive color to a folk act, or playing trad jazz. For gigs like those, you likely need a snare that can express sensitivity and dynamic interest—but without disappearing entirely from the mix. Here are some of our most popular responsive snare drums for more musically delicate situations.

Ludwig Universal Series Black Brass Snare Drum

The Universal Series Black Brass snare drum is relentlessly versatile chameleon. Slam into the Black Brass, and it will produce aggressive mids with expansive projection. Play softly, and the flavor is warm with a delicate attack. Ghost notes are voiced clearly. You can have a ton of fun with the dynamic versatility of the Black Brass by playing tasty, almost imperceptible Bernard Purdie-style strokes, and then bashing out a ferocious snare roll a la Dave Grohl.

Pictured: Ludwig Unviersal Series Black Brass Snare Drum

Gretsch Drums Black Nickel Over Steel Snare Drum

The Gretsch Drums Black Nickel Over Steel Snare pairs a steel shell with a nickel coating. Steel can be very dynamic and present, and nickel plating is typically good for dampening overtones and harmonics, so the combination is well suited for producing tones from sharp and cutting to fat and punchy, depending on your approach. You can change things up even further by playing rimshots on the Black Nickel Over Steel’s 2.3mm, triple-flanged hoops to unleash delightfully savage clangs with lots of sustain.

Pictured: Gretsch Drums Black Nickel Over Steel Snare Drum

DW Performance Series Steel Snare Drum

The DW Performance Series Steel Snare brings out the keen brightness and coherent midrange of steel, but the sound is tamed slightly by its thin 1mm shell, which makes the drum more sensitive to subtle playing. The tone is complex without being ringy, so you can negotiate a number of dynamic and sonic shifts simply by adjusting your drum strokes. If you like tuning your snare to the music at hand, DW’s True-Pitch tuning rods allow fine adjustments and are resistant to detuning. It has nothing to do with expressiveness, of course, but the chrome finish is elegant and eye catching.

Pictured: DW Performance Series Steel Snare Drum

Mapex Black Panther Atomizer Snare Drum

True to the precision that aluminum snares can deliver, the Mapex Black Panther Atomizer is built for articulate drummers looking to spotlight the dynamic nuances of their playing. Its thin 2mm shell accentuates attack, while retaining the low end found in 14x6.5" snares. The Atomizer also sports Mapex’s proprietary Sonic Saver hoops—a clever compromise between triple-flange and die-cast designs. These steel hoops are folded inward for a round shape, producing a drier sound than triple-flange, while producing more resonance than die-cast.

Pictured: Mapex Black Panther Atomizer Snare Drum

I Want a Versatile, All-Purpose Snare Drum

We’ve probably all seen professional drummers on YouTube demoing techniques or drum gear in their personal studios, and surrounded by racks upon racks of different snare drums. (If you want a “wow” moment, get a peek at The Drum Doctor’s snare collection during his play-through of the TAMA Mastercraft Bell Brass Snare.) Well, not all of us can have a different snare drum available for each and every musical context and application. Many of us likely want one single, versatile snare drum that can make the scene on countless gigs and get it done. Here are some of our top snare drum picks for terrific “all-rounders.”

Pearl GPX Limited-Edition Snare Drum

“Versatility” doesn’t have to be defined as “expensive.” The beginner-friendly and affordable Pearl GPX Limited-Edition snare delivers an even, consistent response at any playing volume and tuning. The 14x6.5" GPX features a 6-ply hardwood shell and 30-strand snare wires, resulting in a snare that can produce everything from a crack to a swack to a meaty thud and beyond.

Pictured: Pearl GPX Limited-Edition Snare Drum Putty Gray

SJC Drums Pathfinder Series Snare Drum

We’re not solely focusing on “nice price” options, but the SJC Drums Pathfinder Series Snare Drum is another model that delivers versatility and value. The 7-ply maple/hybrid wood SJC Pathfinder can serve up everything from your most nuanced grace notes to full-on, battering ram strokes, and all of the dynamics in between. The 14x6.5" Pathfinder is a great choice for a student endeavoring to learn a bunch of styles, or a cover-band drummer who must negotiate a number of hits from rock to country to funk, R&B and pop.

Pictured: SJC Drums Pathfinder Series Snare Drum Moon Blue

Pork Pie Big Black Brass Snare Drum

One of the top-reviewed snare drums on our website, the Pork Pie Big Black Snare Drum offers a well-rounded tonal character with a range that’s phenomenal. The brass shell sounds fantastic when tuned low for impactful punch, or way up high for fast-cutting attack. The Big Black Brass’ sensitivity, projection and volume make it a “Swiss Army knife” snare that can easily fit into any musical style or acoustic environment.

Pictured: Pork Pie Big Black Brass Snare Drum

SONOR Kompressor Aluminum Snare Drum

The SONOR Kompressor is a 14x6.5" aluminum snare that offers exceptional sensitivity for navigating a variety of musical styles, as well as various studio and stage situations. (It also comes in 14x8" and 14x5.75" sizes.) The Kompressor effortlessly handles low, medium and high tunings to match whatever tone you’re going for, and it keeps pitch consistent with SONOR TuneSafe lugs.

Pictured: SONOR Kompressor Aluminum Snare Drum

I Want the Sound of a Legendary Snare Drum

We’re sure that more than a couple of you have pined for, desired and sought out a particular instrument because your musical heroes played the very same model. The yearning can get even more intense if you discover that not only was that instrument chosen by an adored and respected musician, but it was also used on many of your favorite tracks—whether played by a hero or others. Legends tend to become legends for good reason, and, in the case of snare drums, it’s difficult to find fault with models that have graced innumerable hits, albums and other inspired tracks through modern musical history. So, if you want a bit of legend to caress your recordings and gigs, check out these iconic snare drums.

TAMA 50th Anniversary Mastercraft Bell Brass Snare Drum

Los Angeles drum collector, rental specialist and tech The Drum Doctor (Ross Garfield) calls it, “One of the best snare drums in the history of the world.” It earned the title by owning so many sessions—from Metallica’s “Black Album” to Nirvana’s Nevermind and countless other historic tracks—that it was nicknamed “The Terminator.” The 50th Anniversary Mastercraft Bell Brass snare drum—commemorating a half century of TAMA (1974–2024)—is a faithful take on the original that burst on the scene in 1980. The Bell Brass is a very loud snare with a penetrating crack that also serves up a thick, meaty low end. Learn more by reading our article, The History and Return of the TAMA Bell Brass Snare Drum.

Pictured: TAMA 50th Anniversary Mastercraft Bell Brass Snare Drum

Ludwig Black Beauty Snare Drum

There’s a long-standing (yet benevolent) sibling rivalry between the Ludwig Black Beauty and Ludwig Supraphonic snare drums. Both can lay claim to being incredibly famous and appearing on more hit songs and recorded tracks than any other snare in history. We’ll talk about the “other” celebrity Ludwig snare in a moment, but a massive reason for the Black Beauty’s renown and reputation is its ability to sit magnificently within the frequency spectrum of any mix—rock, jazz, metal, funk, gospel, R&B, reggae, and on and on. The Black Beauty does all of this by cutting through, but busting out subtly. It never overwhelms a track or comes on as too aggressive. The tone can be described as a refined attack with warm, yet tight lows and mellow sustain. If you want to learn more about this legendary snare, check out Every Drummer Has One: The Story of the Ludwig Black Beauty.

Pictured: Ludwig Black Beauty Snare Drum

Ludwig Supraphonic Snare Drum

Now, it’s time to discuss the other Ludwig legend, the Ludwig Supraphonic. Like the Black Beauty, the Supraphonic snare drum has graced an almost incalculable number of recording sessions and live performances. However, the Supraphonic might have an edge with drummers who are fans of John Bonham. Bonzo preferred a 14x6.5" Supraphonic, because he wasn’t a fan of the bronze-shelled Black Beauty, which he felt sounded too dark. Instead, the Led Zeppelin drummer went for the drier sound and warm, rich and organically compressed swack of the Supraphonic’s chromed-plated aluminum shell.

Pictured: Ludwig Supraphonic Snare Drum

There is also a third option—the somewhat confusingly labeled Ludwig Supraphonic Black Beauty. This version of the iconic snare features a 14x6.5" brass shell with black-nickel plating, chrome-plated hardware, Imperial lugs, triple-flanged hoops, a Ludwig P85 throw-off and Supra-Phonic 20-strand snare wires.

Truly Vintage

Keep in mind that you just might find a real classic and legendary snare in our vintage drum collection. Be on the lookout for old-school Slingerland Radio Kings, Rogers Dynasonics, Leedy Broadway Standards and, well, just about anything from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s that fires up your percussive imagination.

Crack, Swack and Own the Gig

There are so many excellent snare drums available, and just because we categorized a particular model one way doesn’t mean you couldn’t use it for just about any application. This guide is, well, just that—a guide. We hope it helps you make an easy and informed choice regarding which snare drum is just right for you and your music.

However, if you would rather follow your own path, let us help you with that, too. We've got a huge collection of snare drums here at Guitar Center. You’ll find numerous makes, models, sizes, shells and other features to consider. Have fun.