13 Best Drum Sets for Kids and Teenagers

This list has the best drum sets for beginners, whether you’re looking for the best drum set for kids or the best drum set for teenager. See the buying guide below for a quick run-down on the best drum kits as well as what each one includes.

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Updated 3/13/2023

Lots of kids (including teenagers) decide they want to learn to play drums. Let me rephrase. Lots of kids think that playing the drums sounds super cool.

Even though you might feel an eye twitch coming on if your kid mentions wanting to try their hand at drumming, I implore you to at least pause to think about the benefits of learning to play a musical instrument.

Research shows that learning to play an instrument:

• Teaches patience and perseverance
• Improves time management skills
• Helps with memory and benefits your brain (Check out the TedEd video below) 

• Shows the value of practice and personal discipline
• Builds confidence (This is a huge part of self esteem. See other facts about teens’ self esteem that we can’t ignore as parents.)
• Strengthens the immune system (The American Psychological Association has research exploring how music is keeping people healthier.)
• Reduces stress (Check out this study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information if you don’t believe us.)
• Increases motor skills

I’ll also throw in the hopper that any gift idea that moves kids away from screen time is a major win, and an interest in drums or another musical instrument is a great way to spend time. (We do have other gift ideas specifically for tweens & teens if a drum set turns out to be a little pricier than you want. No judgment.)

Sold on the drum set idea yet? If not, what if I told you there are some options that aren’t even SUPER LOUD? Because honestly, that’s the biggest turn-off, right?

What if I also told you that some of the best beginner drum sets on the market are available through Amazon and these great options will arrive right on your doorstep, with no visit to a music store required?

With that swirling around your brain, let’s at least talk about the best drum set options out there for kids and teens. Options that give you the best quality for your money, and provide the right starting point for your child and situation.

The best drum set for kids and the best drum set for teenager depends on the age of your young drummer, how serious you anticipate the hobby could become, and how much you’re willing to spend.

Regardless of how you answer those questions, there are some good values on quality drum sets out there.

We recommend starting the drum set hunt with these two big questions:

1. Are you looking for an acoustic drum set or an electronic drum set?
2. Do you need a junior drum set (in general for kids 10 and younger) or a full-sized drum kit, which includes adult drum kits?

With this information, you can start digging into sets with different numbers of pieces and different quality along a varying price range. We’ll walk you through all of that below and give you details on what each set on our list includes.

The goal here is a quick and easy comparison of beginner drum sets that are quality (but can be on your doorstep quickly and affordably).

Acoustic Drum Set vs Electronic Drum Kits

Acoustic drum sets are very loud, but they’re the real deal. It’s ideal for kids or teens to learn on acoustic drums if their goal is to play longer term. They just feel different.

Acoustic drums do take up a lot of space, so make sure to think through where you plan to set them up and store them. They’re not easy to move or transport, so ideally you can leave them set up in the spot where they’ll be used.

Electronic drum kits have great volume control, so they can be a great option if you live in an apartment or near other people. Or if you just generally don’t want to deal with the noise levels of an acoustic drum set. It can be a way to gauge true interest in playing drums before committing to an acoustic drum set.

Junior Drum Kits vs Full-Sized Drum Kits

Junior drum sets are sized for young kids, ideally kids 10 and younger. Tweens and kids in their teen years should size up to a full-sized kit and then adjust seat height.

For younger players, junior drum kits are nice because most include everything needed to play. They’re truly an all-in-one set. For older players, you need to be more careful when purchasing to see what the set or “shell pack” actually includes.

Nice and more expensive drums typically aren’t sold as complete drum sets. “Shells” are the actual drums, so shell packs often include the toms and kick drum, but not always a snare drum, cymbals or other pieces.

Pieces in a Drum Set

Percussion instruments can be confusing if you aren’t familiar with the different pieces. The typical pieces that can be found in drum sets include:

• Snare drum
• Bass drum (also known as a kick drum)
• Tom drums
• Ride cymbal
• Hi-hat cymbals

If you purchase a drum set or a shell pack, look carefully at which of these pieces are included. Something might seem like a great value until you realize you need to buy extra pieces.

Many drum sets also come with additional pieces like a bass drum pedal, a padded stool (called a throne), drumsticks and carrying cases. We list these for you in the Key Features box for each of the drum sets on our list.

Number of Pieces in a Drum Set

Drum sets are often listed as a “5-piece” or a “3-piece” set. This number includes only the drums and not always things like cymbals, so make sure you’re clear what comes in any set you purchase.

At this point, you don’t need to worry about things like drum heads. You can look at upgrade options down the road if your child decides to stick with drumming.

We give various options below, knowing that each kid and household has different needs. Many of the sets below also come in different colors, so you can personalize the drums for the kid.

See the Key Features box for each set to see at a glance how many pieces the set includes and other things the kit provides.

Best Junior Drum Sets

Junior drum sets are perfect for kids 10 and under because the sets truly come with everything needed to set up and play. They are just smaller versions of a complete drum set.

Ludwig Questlove Pocket Kit 4-piece Complete Drum Set (ideal for kids under 10)
The junior set is a perfect starter kit for kids ages 4-10 who want to learn the drums. It’s basically a three-quarter sized drum set that looks and sounds like the real thing. A winner in terms of a first drum set. 

Mendini by Cecilio 3-Piece Drum Set (ideal for kids under 10)
This 3-piece drum set by a trusted brand is a great starting point for smaller kids – ages 6-10. Many feel like the best drum kit for a beginner likely comes from Mendini by Cecilio.

Mendini by Cecilio 5-Piece Complete Junior Drum Set (ideal for kids under 13)
With an upgrade to the 5-piece drum set, this Mendini by Cecilio kit has everything the entry-level drummer needs to get started. It’s perfect for kids ages 6-13.

Ashthorpe 5-Piece Complete Junior Drum Set (ideal for kids under 12)
This complete start drum set works well for musicians ages 3-12 years old, so it will even work for small children. It features hardwood shells and chrome accents. It comes in 5 glossy, vibrant colors.

Music Alley 3-Piece Kids Drum Set (ideal for kids under 8)
This smaller set is an affordable way to let young children try out whether they like drumming as much as they expect. It’s a real drum set, not a plastic toy. It is best for kids ages 3-8, so it’s ideal for younger children. 

Eastar 5-Piece Junior Drum Kit (ideal for kids under 12)
This set doesn’t get the near perfect reviews of the other models above, but reviews are still very positive and the price is lower so we’re including it as a strong option for beginners who just aren’t sure how serious they might be.

This set also works for kids up to age 12, so it might be a better size for a tween wanting to try out drumming.

Best Full-Sized Drum Sets (ideal for tweens and teens)

For older children, a full-sized kit is the better option. The goal is better quality without a sky high price tag since you’re dealing with a new drummer who may or may not stick with it long term (though the goal is that they stick with drumming for a long time). The best drum set for teenager just means the best drum set for YOUR situation.

Pearl Roadshow 5-Piece Drum Set
This acoustic drum kit comes with everything you need, including drums, hardware, cymbals and drum throne (stool). The height of each stand is adjustable and can lock in different positions. Reviews are high on sound quality.

Pearl is a well-known name in drums and may be the best option for beginning drummers and the best drum set for teenager.

This set comes in different models:

• Fusian
• Jazz
• New fusian
• Rock 

The different models have slightly different drum sizes, so check those out before purchasing so you’re sure to get the best drum set for teenager.

Ludwig Accent Drive 5-Piece Drum Set
This full 5-piece set includes all hardware and everything a new drummer needs to get started. Ludwig is a top brand for beginner drum sets.

Ludwig Breakbeats by Questlove 4-piece Shell Pack with Snare Drum
Ludwig is a top brand and a popular choice when looking for the best drum set for teenager. This particular set pays tribute to Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, well-known from his long-time gig with Jimmy Fallon. 

Best Choice Products 5-Piece Drum Set
Made of solid wood and metal, this is a great drum set for beginners as they get the feel of drumming, but it will also last as skills grow. It’s great quality for the price point.

Best Electronic Drum Kits

If you need – or want – to control volume, an electronic drum kit might be the best starting point. Sometimes the best drum set for teenager is the one that keeps the whole family happier.

Alesis Drums Nitro Mesh Kit Electronic Drum Set
This electronic drum set uses mesh to create a realistic and responsive playing experience for beginner and intermediate drummers. It feels like you’re playing on an acoustic drum set, but it’s so much quieter.

This is an 8-piece drum set that comes with 60 play-along tracks and 350+ acoustic/electric different sounds. It also includes 60 free virtual interactive drum lessons.

Pyle 8-Piece Electronic Drum Set
This professional electronic drum kits comes with everything you need: tom pads, mesh snare pad, crash cymbal, ride cymbal, hi-hat cymbal, digital foot pedals and drum sticks.

Paxcess Electronic Drum Set – Roll Up Drum Practice Pad
This is a little different from the other drum sets on the list, but still worth including as an option for kids and teens wanting to try their hand at drums. It’s a roll-up, portable electronic drum set with pads: a snare, a bass, 3 toms, cymbals (2 crashes, ride and hi-hat) and 2 pedals.

It might seem like **just** a drum pad, but it’s a whole lot more. This practice pad is a very affordable way to explore an interest in drumming. Plus, it’s a ton of fun. That might just make it the best drum set for teenager.

It is powered by a rechargeable battery with 8 hours of playtime per charge. It has high quality speakers but also a headphone jack.

If you’re looking for other great gift ideas for tweens and teens, check out our lists:

• 95 Best Gifts for Tween & Teen Boys
• 75 Best Gifts for Tween & Teen Girls