Best Concert Snare Drums of 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
Top 10 Concert Snare Drums
Gretsch Drums S1-6514-BRH 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.
Mapex Natural Maple Snare Drum (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.
MAPEX Snare Drum 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.
DW Performance Series Snare Drum
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.
Ludwig LB416T Snare Drum
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.
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.
Mapex BPCW4600CNW Snare Drum
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.
DW Performance Series Snare Drum - 6.5" x 14"
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.
Gretsch BH 5510 Snare Drum
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.
GEWApure Snare Drum 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.
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.
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.

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.