Best Bass Drum Drumheads of 2026

"I've played a lot of snare heads, but this one stands out as the best in recent memory. Whether I'm tuning low for a fat, dry tone or high for that snappy crack, it delivers exactly what I want. Ghost notes come through beautifully, and it rolls like thunder. I strongly recommend this head—it's going to be a staple in my setup for sure."

"After years of using Remo Ambassador Coated heads, I decided to try this one for my newly restored snare. The quality was instantly noticeable, and it tuned up faster than anything else I've used. The sound is big, crisp, and incredibly responsive, and it holds up way longer than most heads. I play in several bands with different styles, and this head works for all of them. Even after heavy use, it just keeps sounding great. If you're looking to upgrade your snare tone, you owe it to yourself to try this."

"I was skeptical about achieving a true dry snare sound, but this head exceeded my expectations right away. Installation was effortless, and the tight, dry attack is perfect both in the studio and live settings. I barely had to adjust anything to get my ideal snare tone. This head really does make a huge difference—it’s now my favorite snare head."

"After struggling with my kick drum sound for ages, I finally tried the EMAD2 and it made a huge difference—now my bass drum delivers a clear, punchy thud with just the right sustain, no extra dampening needed. My band immediately noticed the improvement, and the drum feels much more balanced. If you want a kick that truly stands out, this is the head for you."

"I've been using this bass drum head for over a decade because of its fantastic deep tones and unbeatable price. The foam ring provides the exact boom and control I love, making it my go-to choice year after year."

"I was skeptical at first, but after installing the EMAD2 on my compact kit, I was blown away by the dramatic improvement in sound quality. The installation was simple, and I appreciate the versatile foam band options for different levels of dampening."

"After 35 years of drumming, I've made these my go-to skins. The deep tone, enhanced by the oil layer, and the superb feel set them apart. Even back when I played hard, these heads wouldn't break, which speaks to their exceptional build quality. Once you try them, you’ll understand the difference."

"I've used EC2 clear heads exclusively for three years. Their 360-degree technology makes tuning a breeze, and they always sound fat with just the right sustain and attack. Even on lower-end kits, these heads bring out the best sound. I always recommend giving them a try—you won’t be disappointed."

"When I put these heads on my kit, it was a game-changer—the toms sounded incredible, both live and in the studio. They brought my old drums back to life. I’m absolutely in love with the sound—can’t go wrong with these."

"I've outfitted my bass drums with this head and the improvement in both sound and appearance is obvious. The pre-cut port makes mic placement simple, and the smooth white finish is much easier to keep clean than coated heads. It also gives my drum set a brighter, more classic look. I've bought both 22" and 24" sizes and couldn't be happier."

"I use the 18-inch version on my Gretsch Catalina Club, and it's fantastic for all styles—not just jazz. The lined port allows for easy mic and blanket adjustments without worry, and paired with an EMAD batter head, my kick has that perfect low pop/rock thump. Live and studio engineers love how controlled the sound is."

"I've tried this resonant head on several kits. It's my go-to for versatility and just the right amount of muffling. The smooth gloss surface is perfect for custom band logos, and it's simple to remove the brand logo for a cleaner look. If you want a ported smooth white head, this is it."

"After trying out all the major kick drum heads, the Onyx stands out for its punch, clarity, and speed. It really shines at low volumes compared to others like the EMAD2. If you’re after fast response and rich tone, this one’s a must-try!"

"Switching from the Aquarian Super Kick 2 to the Evans Onyx single ply head was a game changer for me. The punch hits you right in the chest, especially at low tunings with the small ring insert. Durability is impressive for a single ply, even with heavy, regular gigging. I recommend using a kick pad for extra life, but overall, it's a great sounding, hard-hitting head."

"I bought two of these for my double bass SONOR set, and the sound quality and tuning flexibility blew me away. The heads deliver a beefy, vibrant tone and handle fast double bass playing without losing volume. I highly recommend them to anyone playing metal or wanting a powerful kick sound."

"I was searching for that perfect low-end thump and this Evans head absolutely delivers. Paired with the Onyx 2 batterhead, not only does my kit look great, but the sound is exactly what I was hoping for. Just a heads up—the interchangeable rings aren’t included on the latest version, so be sure to check what you’re getting. Still, I definitely recommend it for anyone wanting that deep punch."

"Switching to this ported drum head instantly reduced excessive resonance and cleaned up unwanted vibrations compared to my old non-ported one. Combined with the EMAD2 batter head, I now get a crisp, focused thump without extra noise. I expect this head to be a staple in my setup for a long time."

"The EMAD head delivers great tone and serious low-end. Even though the mic port and ring design have changed from what’s shown in the pictures, the newer version still provides easy mic access and a tight, punchy sound. If you want the convenience of a port without DIY cutting, this is a great pick."

"I swapped my old resonant heads on three of my toms with these, and the difference was night and day. Installation was a breeze, tuning was straightforward, and the deeper, drier sound really brought my drums to life. These heads are thin, so I handle them carefully, but the upgrade was absolutely worth it."

"After years of using other brands, I tried the Evans EC2 clear resonant heads on my Keller maple shells. The sound is full, punchy, and resonant, with remarkable tuning stability. They're also very responsive and easy to tune, making them a fantastic choice for any drum kit."

"We installed one of these on our DW 18-inch floor tom to control the excessive sustain, and it worked wonders. The ringing was tamed, and the tom now has a much more controlled, authoritative sound, perfect for studio use. Installation and tuning were quick and easy."

"I've always been loyal to Remo, but after giving the Evans EMAD a try on my 16-inch kick, I'm truly impressed. The head lets me tune super low without the sound getting muddy or dead, and the bass is both beefy and resonant. Tuning is crucial, but once you dial it in (YouTube helped me), this head is a game changer. Highly recommended!"

"I use the EMAD system on all my kits and combine the batter with the ported resonant head. It delivers just the right resonance and muffling, sounds awesome, and looks killer. Yes, they're pricey, but I've found nothing else that compares. If you like a punchy modern kick, it's worth the money."

"I converted a 16-inch tom into a kick and struggled to get the sound I wanted until I tried this head. Now the drum is tight, punchy, and exactly what I was looking for. I love the focused tone and short sustain—huge difference from my previous setup!"

"I used my own custom design and was thrilled with the phenomenal print quality and prompt delivery to Canada. The process was seamless, and there were no customs headaches at all. I’ll definitely use AZ HoG again in the future."

"I’m extremely satisfied with the drum decal for my 22” bass drum. The static option made installation a breeze, and the fit was just right, even though it was slightly undersized by about half an inch. The image came out stunningly sharp. I highly recommend following their image guidelines and will be a repeat customer!"

"I paid extra for image enhancement and was blown away by the vibrant colors and detail. This decal is a perfect tribute for my late brother’s drum set. The quality and service far exceeded my expectations, and I’ll definitely order from this company again."

"When I put the Evans EMAD Heavyweight on my 26-inch kick drum, I was blown away by the deep tone and solid punch—exactly what I’d wanted for years. I love that there’s no need for extra muffling and the head stands up to my heavy foot and wood beater. This is a major upgrade over my previous heads, and I’ll be switching my other drum set, too."

"After using Remo heads for more than 20 years, I swapped in this Evans on my Tama 18x22 bass drum. The quality is fantastic and the sound was so good it made me grin from ear to ear. The head gives a solid feel and the price is totally justified by the improvement in sound."

"I needed a deeper, lower tone for my 18x24s, and these Evans heads delivered. They seat perfectly, tune up easily, and are designed for heavy hitters. Even at lower volumes, the sound is rich and full, and the two-ply design adds durability."