Best Rack Tom-Tom Drums of 2025

Nicole Kim Avatar
Nicole Kim
Last Updated: Jan 4, 2025

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Rack tom-tom drums are an essential part of any drum kit. These drums are mounted on a rack or stand and are played with drumsticks. They come in various sizes, including 10-inch, 12-inch, and 13-inch, and provide a higher-pitched sound than floor toms. Rack tom-tom drums are commonly used in rock, pop, and jazz music, and are often used to create fills and accents within songs. They can be purchased individually or as part of a drum kit and are available in a range of colors and finishes to suit any musician's style.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Yamaha Stage Custom Birch Tom Cover #TOP 1
Yamaha Stage Custom Birch Tom
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Pearl Rack Tom Cover #TOP 2
Pearl Rack Tom
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Pearl EXX1309T Rack Tom Cover #TOP 3
Pearl EXX1309T Rack Tom
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Rack Tom-Tom Drums

#TOP 1

Yamaha Stage Custom Birch Tom

SBT-1411RB
Raven Black
Yamaha Stage Custom Birch Tom Cover
Yamaha Stage Custom Birch 14x11 Mounted Tom, Raven Black

The Yamaha Birch Tom offers a compact design with dimensions of 31.75 cm in length and 39.37 cm in both width and height, making it easy to fit into your setup. As a percussion instrument, it enhances your drumming experience, providing rich sound quality and durability. This mounted tom is part of the renowned Yamaha Stage Custom series, ensuring you're getting a reliable product. Manufactured in China, it combines quality craftsmanship with affordability, making it a great choice for both beginners and seasoned players alike.

What We Like
Compact size
Durable construction
Rich sound quality
Reliable brand
#TOP 2

Pearl Rack Tom

EXX10P/C31
JET BLACK
Pearl Rack Tom Cover
Pearl Rack Tom (EXX10P/C31)

The Pearl Rack Tom (EXX10P/C31), part of the Floor Tom-Tom Drums category, is a high-quality drum with a sleek design. It features 6-ply/7.5mm Poplar/Asian Mahogany Shells, providing a rich and resonant sound. The Opti-Loc Tom Suspension System ensures maximum stability and resonance, allowing you to play with confidence. Equipped with Remo Drum Heads, this drum delivers excellent tone and durability. The included ADP20 Adaptor Clamp and TH70S Tom Holder make it easy to set up and adjust the drum to your preferred position. With its choice of six covered finishes, you can choose the one that suits your style. The Pearl Rack Tom is a reliable and versatile drum that will enhance your drumming experience.

What We Like
Rich and resonant sound
Stable and resonant with Opti-Loc Tom Suspension System
Excellent tone and durability with Remo Drum Heads
#TOP 3

Pearl EXX1309T Rack Tom

EXX1309T/C717
High Voltage Blue
Pearl EXX1309T Rack Tom Cover
Pearl Drum Set Rack Tom (EXX1309T/C717)

The Pearl Rack Tom is designed for drummers seeking quality and performance. Its 6-ply, 7.5mm shells made from poplar and Asian mahogany provide a rich tone and durability, enhancing your sound. You can choose from six stylish finishes to match your personal aesthetic. The Opti-Loc Tom Suspension System ensures that your tom is securely mounted while allowing for maximum resonance and sustain. Plus, with Remo drum heads, you can expect excellent sound quality and reliability, making it easier for you to focus on your playing without worrying about equipment issues.

What We Like
High-quality shell construction
Multiple finish options
Enhanced sound resonance
Reliable Remo drum heads
#TOP 4

Pearl Export EXX Rack Tom

EXX8P/C33
Pure White
Pearl Export EXX Rack Tom Cover
Pearl Export EXX Rack Tom 8 Inches X 7 Inches (EXX8P/C33)

The Pearl EXX Rack Tom is designed for drummers looking for quality and versatility. It features a six-ply shell made of poplar and Asian mahogany, which enhances the drum's resonance and durability. You can choose from six attractive covered finishes, allowing you to match your drum kit's style. The innovative Opti-Loc Tom Suspension System provides optimal support, helping to reduce unwanted vibrations and improve sound quality. Additionally, the drum comes equipped with Remo drum heads, known for their superior sound and longevity, ensuring you get the best performance out of your instrument.

What We Like
Durable shell construction
Customizable finishes
Improved sound quality
High-quality drum heads
#TOP 5

Pearl Rack Tom (EXX8P/C760)

EXX8P/C760
Burgundy
Pearl Rack Tom (EXX8P/C760) Cover
Pearl Rack Tom (EXX8P/C760) Burgundy

The Pearl Rack Tom is a high-quality floor tom-tom drum manufactured by Pearl. It features 6-ply/7.5mm Poplar/Asian Mahogany shells, which provide a rich and resonant sound. The choice of durable covered finishes ensures the drum's longevity and protects it from wear and tear. The Opti-Loc Tom Suspension System allows for easy setup and ensures the drum stays securely in place while playing. The Remo Drum Heads deliver excellent tone and responsiveness. With the included ADP20 Adaptor Clamp and TH70S Tom Holder, you can easily mount the rack tom on any drum set. Whether you're a professional drummer or just starting out, the Pearl Rack Tom offers exceptional sound quality, durability, and convenience.

What We Like
High-quality sound
Durable covered finishes
Easy setup with suspension system
#TOP 6

Pearl Export EXX 8" Rack Tom

EXX8P/C717
High Voltage Blue
Pearl Export EXX 8" Rack Tom Cover
Pearl Export EXX Rack Tom 8 Inches X 7 Inches High (EXX8P/C717)

The Pearl EXX Rack Tom is designed with a robust 6-ply poplar and Asian mahogany shell, ensuring rich sound and durability for your drumming sessions. You can choose from six stylish covered finishes, allowing you to customize the look to match your personal style. The innovative Opti-Loc Tom Suspension System provides excellent stability and resonance, enhancing your overall performance. Equipped with Remo drum heads, this rack tom delivers a crisp and clear tone, making it perfect for any music genre. With the included ADP20 adaptor clamp and TH70S tom holder, setup becomes quick and hassle-free.

What We Like
Durable shell construction
Customizable finishes
Stable suspension system
Crisp sound quality
Easy setup
#TOP 7

DW Drum Set Rack Tom, Black (DDCT01BLCR)

DW
DDCT01BLCR
Black
DW Drum Set Rack Tom, Black (DDCT01BLCR) Cover
DW Drum Set Rack Tom, Black (DDCT01BLCR)

The DW Drum Set Rack Tom, Black (DDCT01BLCR) is a high-quality 5x6 & 5x8 Tom Drum Set made from North American Maple and finished with a stylish Black Satin and chrome hardware. It features HVLT shell technology that delivers a full tonal spectrum, attack, punch, and sonic versatility. The True Pitch Tuning technology allows for an expanded tuning range with ultra-smooth fine-tuning, reducing the need for frequent tuning adjustments.

What We Like
Stylish Black Satin finish with chrome hardware
Full tonal spectrum, punch, and sonic versatility
Expanded tuning range with ultra-smooth fine-tuning
#TOP 8

Pearl Export 10"x7" Rack Tom

EXX10P/C49
Mirror Chrome
Pearl Export 10"x7" Rack Tom Cover
Pearl Drum Set Rack Tom Export 10"x7" (EXX10P/C49)

The Pearl Rack Tom offers a solid 6-ply shell made from poplar and Asian mahogany, ensuring durability and great sound quality. You can choose from various covered finishes, allowing you to customize your setup to match your style. The Opti-Loc Tom Suspension System enhances resonance and sustain, providing a clear and vibrant tone. Additionally, it comes equipped with Remo drum heads, known for their exceptional sound and reliability. With the included ADP20 adaptor clamp and TH70S tom holder, setting up and adjusting your drum is easy and efficient.

What We Like
Durable 6-ply shell
Customizable finishes
Enhanced sound resonance
Reliable Remo drum heads
Easy setup with clamps
#TOP 9

DW Acrylic Rack Tom Drum Set (DDAC0708STCL)

DW
DDAC0708STCL
Acrylic
DW Acrylic Rack Tom Drum Set (DDAC0708STCL) Cover
DW Drum Set Rack Tom, Acrylic (DDAC0708STCL)

The DW Acrylic Rack Tom Drum Set features transparent 5MM thick extruded, seamless acrylic shells with various pro components. It sets a new standard for quality drums with a fresh look that will contribute to any professional-style drumset. The drum is designed with true pitch tuning rods to give drummers control over their sound in any environment and offers a Design Series turret leg which is a scaled-down version of the round DW lug.

What We Like
High-quality and durable acrylic shells
Easy to tune with true pitch tuning rods
Unique and fresh design that contributes to any drumset
#TOP 10

Pearl Decade Maple Rack Tom

DMP1007T/C229
White Satin Pearl
Pearl Decade Maple Rack Tom Cover
Pearl Drum Set Rack Tom (DMP1007T/C229)

The Pearl Rack Tom is designed to elevate your drumming experience with its high-quality features. It boasts a 10"x7" Decade Maple tom equipped with an Opti-Loc mount, ensuring stability and resonance. The EvenPly Six construction with a 5.4mm 100% Maple SST shell enhances the tonal richness, providing a warm sound that drummers crave. Its sleek satin lacquer finish not only looks great but also protects the wood. With Remo drum heads, you can expect exceptional sound quality, making this rack tom a reliable choice for both practice and performance.

What We Like
High-quality sound
Stable mounting system
Sleek finish
Durable construction
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the difference between a floor tom and a rack tom?

The main difference between a floor tom and a rack tom is their size and positioning. Floor toms have a wider diameter and are deeper, providing a lower pitch and more sustain. They are usually positioned under the ride cymbal. Rack toms, also known as mounted or hanging toms, have a smaller size and are mounted on the bass drum. They produce a sharper and thinner sound.

2. What are the different types of rack tom drums?

Rack tom drums come in various sizes, with the most common being 8", 10", and 12" in diameter, and a depth of 6"-10". These drums produce a sharp and thin sound. Rack toms can be classified into two categories: hi-toms and mid-toms. Most drum kits have two rack toms, typically consisting of one hi-tom and one mid-tom.

3. What is the difference between a snare drum and a tomtom?

The main difference between a snare drum and a tom-tom is their sound and purpose. Snare drums have a crashier and less distinct tonality, while tom-toms have a more melodic or pitched sound. Snare drums provide the main driving sound in a drum kit, while tom-toms are used to add flavor and variation to the overall sound.

4. What is the difference between tom-tom and bongo?

Tom-toms and bongos have distinct differences in harmonic content and frequency range. Bongos aim for a higher frequency range with emphasis on the treble, while tom-toms resonate at lower frequencies even when playing the smallest tom drums. This contrast in tonal characteristics creates a noticeable difference between the two drum types.

5. Why do drummers use 2 toms?

Drummers use two toms, particularly floor toms, to have more flexibility in positioning the ride cymbal. With two floor toms, they have more space to keep the ride cymbal lower and closer to the toms. This setup allows for a comfortable playing experience. However, some drummers may find it inconvenient as the ride cymbal might feel too far away in a conventional 2-rack-1-floor drum setup.

Editor's Notes

During our rack tom-tom drum research, we found 24 rack tom-tom drum products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 4,922 customer reviews through our big data system to write the rack tom-tom drums list. We found that most customers choose rack tom-tom drums with an average price of $171.98.

The rack tom-tom drums are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of rack tom-tom drums, including YAMAHA, Pearl, DW. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 1,860 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.