10 Reviews: Best Snare Drums for Metal (Apr 2024)

Before we speak about how it sounds, you simply need to marvel at how utterly lovely this snare drum looks. The light brown satin finish complements any drum set with which this snare is paired. The Starphonic Copper snare is a genuinely one-of-a-kind instrument. There is no other snare drum that sounds like that. It has a throaty dark tone that works well with heavy music. When you strike the center of the snare, the roar it emits resonates throughout the mix, providing a strong backbeat.

My precious Tama Starphonic Copper arrived to Costa Rica yesterday after I had waited for it for a long time. I put an Evans Genera Dry head on it and without a doubt the sound is incredible, I can recommend this product to anyone who wants the best snare drum.

by José Pablo Ramírez Montoya

The snare is composed of brass and produces a very loud sound. The tones are quite complex, reflecting Matt Halpern’s intricate playing style. You may tune the snare high to make it crack, or low to make it booming. Both tunings sound fantastic. The snare’s hardware is of high quality. Pearl’s low-mass swivel lugs on the snare enable the drum to vibrate freely. It also includes the MasterCast hoops, which give the drum a powerful attacking tone.

John Tempesta is an inspiration to everyone learning to play metal or hard rock. Tama’s 14×7 John Tempesta Series Snare Drum embodies everything you love about his sound. This drum offers a robust sound without losing the depth of tone, thanks to 42-Strand snare wires and a 2mm thick 7″ brass shell. This snare drum is one of the best for playing live because it cuts through the noise to produce a loud and echoing sound.

This is the best of the best in the world of steel snare drums. The thick, 3mm shell has a lot of bites. However, the sharpness of the sound is balanced by the darker tones inherent in the instrument. This steel snare drum includes 10 classic lugs, a lightning throw-off, die-cast hoops, and the distinctive Gretsch knurled design on the center shell. The unrivaled brightness and pop will wake you up and remind you why you love playing snare drums, while the dark tones will bring out sounds you didn’t realize you were looking for.

The legendary Jeff Hamilton invented this snare. Even metal drummers in metal bands will find the warm and woody features simpler to mix and EQ in the studio. The snare also works well for gentler, less aggressive metal styles like progressive metal. The snare has all of Mapex’s top drum kit features, such as SONIClear bearing edges and Sonic Saver hoops. Overall, it’s a refreshing departure from the hefty metal shell snares on the remainder of this list.

Session musicians swear by this industry standard for its dependable wide tuning range and close bearing edges. It can take high tunings effectively, producing a solid, concentrated sound. At lower tunings, it sounds like a wood shell snare drum. This old favorite has been around for decades, and once you start playing, you’ll understand why. This aluminum shell drum is ideal for anybody who enjoys experimenting; it will collaborate with you to discover the right character in your music.

DW Collectors Series snares are well-known for producing some of the best-sounding snare drums on the market. This snare features a titanium shell, which gives it a somewhat less metallic sound than most other snares. It has a great low end with a lot of cracks. When you strike it in the center, the tone is quite deep and has a lot of volumes. The rimshots are cannon-like, blasting through any mix in which the snare drum is placed. If you tune the snare high, it produces a piercing tone.

I just love this snare. I did replace the batter head with the Evans dry. Responsiveness, dynamics just fantastic. Fits perfectly with the rest of my DW kit and I couldn't be happier.

by Michael Stevanus

Ludwig’s Black Beauty is a renowned snare drum. The 8″ depth gives it a lot of power, thus it blends in well with metal music. Although the snare is forceful, it excels in terms of sensitivity. The tiniest ghost notes may be heard quite well, implying that all notes in blast beats can be heard clearly. The snare is constructed of brass, which is what gives it its famous power. It is well worth the money you spend on it.

Beautiful drum at an amazing price. Sounds phenomenal! And as always, incredible and unrivaled customer service. Thank you!

by Emilie Schreiber

The Gretsch Bell Brass snare is a popular choice since it is all about momentum. This snare has been flying off the shelves since Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters picked it up – and with good reason. It’s the closest thing to the renowned 1980 Tama Bell Brass sound you’ll find. This drum cracks at high tunings and stays up with you regardless of how many beats per minute you’re playing, always ringing out a fantastic tone. The 3mm brass shell increases volume for maximum depth.

This is Gretsch’s heaviest drum, and it delivers a punch! Precision and projection will take the room by storm with a 5mm shell and 45-degree bearing edge. It also comes with 42-Strand snare wires, a Lightning throw-off, die-cast hoops, and a ‘Snap-In’ key holder. This metal snare drum is not to be underestimated; think of it as capturing thunder. To fully enjoy all this machine has to offer without being overwhelmed by its powerful sound, you must be a proficient player.

Gretsch USA Snare Drums have a lot of juice right now. They sound great and maintain that Gretsch sound.

by SHANE