Best Concert Snare Drums of 2025

Nicole Kim Avatar
Nicole Kim
Last Updated: Jan 10, 2025

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Concert snare drums are a vital component of any percussion section. These drums are specifically designed to produce a crisp and articulate sound that cuts through the ensemble. They are typically made of high-quality materials such as maple, birch, or mahogany and feature a variety of hardware options to customize the sound and feel of the drum. Concert snare drums also come in a variety of sizes and depths to suit the needs of the player and the music being performed. Whether you are a professional percussionist or a student in a school band, a concert snare drum is an essential instrument to have in your arsenal.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Gretsch Drums S1-6514-BRH Brass Snare Drum Cover #TOP 1
Gretsch Drums S1-6514-BRH Brass Snare Drum
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Mapex Natural Maple Snare Drum (MPML4550CNL) Cover #TOP 2
Mapex Natural Maple Snare Drum (MPML4550CNL)
ftb score rating icon 9.8
MAPEX Snare Drum 14-inch (MPBW4350CDK) Cover #TOP 3
MAPEX Snare Drum 14-inch (MPBW4350CDK)
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Concert Snare Drums

#TOP 1

Gretsch Drums S1-6514-BRH Brass Snare Drum

Gretsch
S1-6514-BRH
Brass
14-inch
Gretsch Drums S1-6514-BRH Brass Snare Drum Cover
Gretsch Drums Full Range Series S1-6514-BRH 6.5x14" Hammered Brass Snare Drum

Gretsch Brass Snare Drum is a 6.5x14" concert snare drum with a polished hammered brass shell. The drum features a fully adjustable throw-off, 10 lugs, die-cast hoops, and Remo heads. The adjustable throw-off allows you to customize your sound easily. With 10 lugs, tuning stability is enhanced. Die-cast hoops provide durability, while Remo heads ensure consistent tone quality. This drum is ideal for concert performances, offering versatility and reliability.

What We Like
Adjustable throw-off
Tuning stability with 10 lugs
Durable die-cast hoops
#TOP 2

Mapex Natural Maple Snare Drum (MPML4550CNL)

MPML4550CNL
Natural
Mapex Natural Maple Snare Drum (MPML4550CNL) Cover
Mapex Snare Drum, Natural (MPML4550CNL)

The Mapex Natural Maple Snare Drum (MPML4550CNL) features a 6.5mm maple shell and measures 14" x 5.5". This concert snare drum is made from high-quality maple wood, which produces a warm and rich sound. The drum's size and construction make it versatile and suitable for a wide range of musical styles.

What We Like
High-quality maple wood for warm and rich sound
Versatile and suitable for a wide range of musical styles
Standard size and construction for easy integration into existing drum kits
#TOP 3

MAPEX Snare Drum 14-inch (MPBW4350CDK)

MPBW4350CDK
Black
14-inch
MAPEX Snare Drum 14-inch (MPBW4350CDK) Cover
MAPEX Snare Drum, Black, 14-inch (MPBW4350CDK)

This MAPEX snare drum offers great cut and projection, making it a perfect compliment to the main snare. It comes in 14" X 3.5" size and features a 7.2mm poplar shell. This concert snare drum is perfect for musicians who want to enhance their sound and performance.

What We Like
Great cut and projection
Perfect compliment to main snare
7.2mm poplar shell
#TOP 4

DW Performance Series Snare Drum

DW
DRPL0814SSNA
Natural
DW Performance Series Snare Drum Cover
DW Performance Series Snare Drum - 8 Inches X 14 Inches Natural Lacquer

The DW Performance Snare Drum is a high-quality concert snare drum designed for professional drummers. Made from maple wood, this drum features a 10-ply shell construction with a thickness of 7.1mm, providing a rich and resonant sound. The 45-degree bearing edge ensures excellent tone and sensitivity. The triple-flange hoop type and patented lugs contribute to the drum's durability and stability. With its steel carbon snares, this snare drum produces a crisp and articulate sound. Whether you're performing on stage or in the studio, the DW Performance Snare Drum delivers exceptional performance and reliability.

What We Like
High-quality construction
Rich and resonant sound
Durable and stable
#TOP 5

Ludwig LB416T Snare Drum

Ludwig
LB416T
Ludwig LB416T Snare Drum Cover
Ludwig Snare Drum (LB416T)

The Ludwig Snare Drum (LB416T) is a high-quality percussion instrument designed for concert performances. With dimensions of approximately 43.9 cm in length, 44.2 cm in width, and 22.1 cm in height, it offers a compact size that is easy to handle. Weighing in at 11 pounds, this drum strikes a balance between portability and sound quality, making it convenient for musicians on the go. Proudly made in the United States, it reflects exceptional craftsmanship and reliability, ensuring you can trust its performance during important events.

What We Like
High-quality sound
Compact and portable
Reliable craftsmanship
Perfect for concerts
#TOP 6

Mapex Snare Drum BPCW3550CNW

BPCW3550CNW
Mapex Snare Drum BPCW3550CNW Cover
MAPEX Snare Drum (BPCW3550CNW)

The Mapex Cherry Wood Snare is a 13" snare drum crafted with a medium-thick cherry wood shell, delivering a warm and focused tone. Its vintage sound combined with modern precision and reliability makes it perfect for concert performances. The cherry wood shell provides a rich and deep sound, ideal for various music genres. The warm tone adds depth to your music, while the modern precision ensures consistent quality. The reliability guarantees a durable and long-lasting snare drum for your musical needs.

What We Like
Warm, focused tone
Vintage sound
Modern precision
#TOP 7

Mapex BPCW4600CNW Snare Drum

BPCW4600CNW
Mapex BPCW4600CNW Snare Drum Cover
MAPEX Snare Drum (BPCW4600CNW)

The Mapex Cherrywood Snare Drum, model BPCW4600CNW, offers an optimized version of the original Cherry Bomb snare. With a medium thick cherrywood shell, this drum delivers a warm, focused tone perfect for various music styles. Its modern precision ensures reliability and function, while providing a vintage tone suitable for classic and alt-rock genres. The Cherrywood Snare Drum is ideal for drummers seeking a versatile instrument that combines classic warmth with modern functionality.

What We Like
Warm, focused tone
Versatile for various styles
Modern precision and reliability
#TOP 8

DW Performance Series Snare Drum - 6.5" x 14"

DW
DWDRPL6514SSNA
Natural
DW Performance Series Snare Drum - 6.5" x 14" Cover
DW Performance Series Snare Drum - 6.5 Inches X 14 Inches Natural Lacquer

This concert snare drum has a size of 6.5 inches by 14 inches and is made of maple wood with a natural lacquer finish. It features 3.0mm triple-flanged hoops that produce a wide tuning range and sharp attack. This snare drum is ideal for drummers who seek a versatile sound for various playing styles and genres.

What We Like
Versatile sound for different playing styles and genres
Wide tuning range
Sharp attack
#TOP 9

Gretsch BH 5510 Snare Drum

Gretsch
BH-5510-BK
Black
10 x 5,5"
Gretsch BH 5510 Snare Drum Cover
Gretsch Drums BH 5510 BK Snare Drum (BH-5510-BK)

The Gretsch BH 5510 Snare Drum is a high-quality concert snare drum. Crafted with a 7-ply popular shell, this drum produces rich and resonant tones. The 1.6mm triple flange hoops enhance durability and provide a consistent rim for your sticks to rebound off. With 6 lugs, tuning this snare drum is precise and reliable, ensuring optimal sound quality. The 45-degree bearing edge contributes to the drum's articulation and sensitivity, allowing you to achieve a wide range of dynamics effortlessly. The GTS mount direct to the shell offers easy setup and adjustment, making it convenient for drummers of all levels.

What We Like
Rich Tones
Durable Hoops
Precise Tuning
#TOP 10

GEWApure Snare Drum PS801123

PS801123
Black
GEWApure Snare Drum PS801123 Cover
GEWApure Snare Drum, Black (PS801123)

The GEWApure Snare Drum is designed for concert settings, featuring a 14 x 3.5-inch size that delivers a sharp and focused sound. Its poplar shell wrapped in black not only looks sleek but also enhances resonance, giving you a rich tone. With 10 tension rods on each side, you can easily adjust the drum's pitch to suit your playing style, ensuring a customizable experience. The coated batter head offers a warm, controlled sound, perfect for various musical genres. This snare drum is crafted to meet the demands of both beginners and seasoned players, making it an excellent choice for any drummer.

What We Like
Adjustable pitch for customization
Sleek black design
Rich tone from poplar shell
Warm sound with coated head
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the difference between a concert snare and a drum set snare?

Concert snare drums are typically drier in sound and come equipped with concert-specific snare cords. However, many symphonic percussionists use multiple snares depending on the desired sound for a particular performance.

2. What is concert vs marching snare?

Marching snare drums are taller and deeper than snare drums used for orchestral or drum kit purposes. They often measure around 12 inches in depth. In comparison, orchestral and drum kit snare drums are about 6 inches deep, while piccolo snare drums are even shallower at around 3 inches deep.

3. What size is a concert snare drum?

Concert snare drums, also known as orchestral snare drums, are usually the same size as drum kit snares, measuring 14 inches in diameter and 5.5 inches in depth. However, concert snares may have different heads and snare wires to produce a distinct sound, and they are often more expensive than drum kit snares.

4. What are the 2 types of snare drum?

There are various types of snare drums available, but among the common ones are metal snare drums like steel and brass. Steel snare drums are the most common, while some players prefer brass snare drums for their unique sound. Limited edition black-nickel-over-brass shells can also be found in the high-end drum market. Acrylic snare drums are another type favored by some players for their translucent colors.

Editor's Notes

During our concert snare drum research, we found 24 concert snare drum products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 2,648 customer reviews through our big data system to write the concert snare drums list. We found that most customers choose concert snare drums with an average price of $374.86.

The concert snare drums are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of concert snare drums, including Gretsch, Mapex, DW, Ludwig, Gewa. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Nicole Kim Avatar

Nicole Kim has been a music teacher and a private piano instructor for six years now. She is a very talented musician who plays piano to a high standard and won several awards in international piano competitions. Lately, she has been sharing her music expertise online, giving incredible tips on how to select the right musical instruments.