Best Drum Kits Under 1000 (Detailed Guide)

I wanted to be a drummer when I was young, but my parents pushed me towards learning the guitar. I loved that as well, it turns out. However, there was always something inside me that felt incomplete. I knew that I would not be at peace until I learned to play the drums or just at least give it a try. So, at 22, when I moved out, I decided to get a double bass pedal and my own drum kits to join a rock band.

Best Drum Kits Under 1000

The problem instantly arrived, which ones do I get? I had some saving but professional drum kits cost a lot and I did not want to get myself a cheap drum kit. I settled for a 2nd hand professional kit. Though that is a completely valid option, today, I will help those youngsters that are just like me when I was young.

This article will provide you with a list of the best drum kits under 1000 that I have tried and tested over many years. So, without further adieu, here are the best drum kits under 1000 in no particular.

BEST DRUM KITS UNDER 1000 REVIEW

1. MENDINI BY CECILIO - BEST JUNIOR DRUM KITS UNDER 1000

 Mendini - best drum kits under 1000

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • 16" x 11" Bass Drum.
  • 10" x 5" and 8" x 6" Tom Toms.
  • 12" x 10" Floor Tom.
  • 10" x 6" Matching Snare Drum.
  • 8" Hi-Hat and 10" Crash Cymbal.
  • Bass drum pedal.
  • A pair of wooden drum sticks.
  • Height adjustable drum throne.

They say in order to master something; you must start learning it from your childhood. I don't know if that is true, but it works for me here. The Medini by Cecilio Junior drum kits is the perfect gift to your daughter or son that shows interest in drumming.

People might prefer to buy for their children a 3 piece kit instead of the full, traditional 5 piece kit and I get why you would do that but honestly, just get them the 5 piece one. A proper kit should be given to your young rocker and do not underestimate children's ability when it comes to learning.

This Mendini by Cecilio junior kit is a 16-inch, 5 piece kit and it comes with all the necessary accessories and features that you may require. You get an adjustable "throne", drum sticks, cymbal and a pedal. If you do decide to get it, you can instantly set it up and get to playing. This kit is on the budget side of things so there's no high-quality material used here, it is mostly plastic.

The sound itself won't get your child into Meshuggah but hey, they don't need to sound that level good. This kit is for children from 5-10 and it will serve them just fine. You too can obviously go at it and have a bit of fun, but it will be a bit of a struggle playing it if your height is 5ft plus so just keep that part in mind. A great drum kit for children!

Pros

  • All needed accessories included.
  • Quite affordable.
  • Great for children.
  • Number of colors to choose from.

Cons

  • Not for those above 5ft.



2. BEST CHOICE PRODUCTS - BEST FULL SIZE DRUM KITS UNDER 1000

 Best Choice Products - best drum kits under 1000

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • 57" x 23" Bass Drum.
  • 2 Rack Toms.
  • 16.5" x 23" Floor Tom.
  • A Snare Drum.
  • High-Hat Cymbal and Ride Cymbal.
  • Bass drum pedal.
  • A pair of wooden drum sticks.
  • Height adjustable drum stool.

It is always so much fun reviewing products by companies with the name "best" in them. I mean, okay, if you say so. Is this Best Choice Products Drum kit able to top the best drum kits under 1000 lists? Let's see. This BCP drum kit is for adults and includes everything that you need to get started.

Everything comes in a big box, inside of which you will find little boxes that have a stool, 2 rack toms, drum sticks, snare, bass drum, floor tom, high-hat cymbal, ride cymbal, bass drum pedal. So, right out the box, you are ready to jam.

I love the way this drum kit looks. It is finished in a glossy black with white drum heads and some chrome here and there. Really, it looks really cool and has that timeless color combination. The drums themselves are made using solid wood and metal. They feel fairly durable and should last you for a couple of years no problem.

The sound, well, that's where it is average. Certainly not the best drum kit under 1000 but that is okay as this drum kit is fairly cheap and sounds good for its price. That is the key with BCP drum kit. Once you accept that it is an average drum kits for a casual player, it automatically seems much better and I would definitely recommend it to hobbyists that just want a drum kit without spending too much money.

Pros

  • Looks really nice.
  • The perfect kit for casual players.
  • Sounds decent for the price.
  • Affordable.

Cons

  • Average sound.



3. SAWTOOTH - BEST SOUNDING DRUM KITS UNDER 1000

Sawtooth - best drum kits under 1000

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Shell Material: 6 Ply poplar shells.
  • 22" x 16" Bass Drum.
  • 12"x8" & 13"x9" Tom Toms.
  • 16" x 16" Floor Tom.
  • 14"x5" Snare Drum.
  • 13" High-Hat Cymbal and 16" Crash Zildjian ZBT Cymbals.
  • Bass drum pedal.
  • A pair of wooden drum sticks.
  • Height adjustable drum stool.

Easily in the top 3 best drum kits under 1000 simply because of how inexpensive it is and well, it did get some extra points for the cool name. The Rise by Sawtooth sounds like a power metal band name and I am instantly a fan of it. This is a complete drum kits that is a 6-ply poplar. Poplar is a type of wood that is quite sought after because it creates a smooth and rich tone.

The construction of this drum kit is solid and fairly sturdy. No doubt, it isn't perfect but at this price point, that is expected. The drum kit looks good and comes in multiple colors with a ton of necessary accessories. The Rise by Sawtooth is indeed a 6-ply poplar, a wood that makes warm tones with the right amount of mids and highs. In terms of sound performance, I think they sound really good for the price.

If you compare them to something more expensive and premium, they always get easily outclassed but once you consider the fact that this kit is for students and how much it costs, it suddenly sounds way better. And that is what makes it a bang-on deal. This is a drum kit for beginners and teens and is perfectly fine for that targetted group.

Pros

  • Great value for money.
  • Durable enough.
  • 6-ply poplar wood gives a nice sound.

Cons

  • Snare is not smooth.



4. ASHTHORPE - BEST CHROME PLATED DRUM KITS UNDER 1000

 Ashthorpe - best drum kits under 1000

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Shell Material: Poplar hardwood shells.
  • 22" x 16" Bass Drum.
  • 13"x10" & 12"x9" Mounted Toms.
  • 16" x 16" Floor Tom.
  • 14"x6" Snare Drum.
  • 14" High-Hat Cymbal and 16" Crash brass Cymbals.
  • A pair of wooden drum sticks.
  • Height adjustable drum stool.

This Ashthorpe Drum Kit really takes the cake for me simply because of just how good it sounds and feels despite the fairly affordable price. I don't think any other drum kit at this price range sounds and cool this good. This is a 5 piece, full-size drum kit, which makes it ideal for most people out there. Kids, too can play this if they aren't below 5ft.

Now, coming to the sound, hands down it is amazing at this price! This kit is made of high-quality materials like Poplar wood, it has got top-quality brass cymbals, heavy-duty 2.3mm triple-flanged hoops and each drum on this kit features ahead for both the batter (top side) and resonant (bottom side) that is from the UT-series by Remo, which is world's largest drumhead company. All of this together provides you with a fantastic frequency response and resonance for that ultimate acoustic experience.

The Ashthorpe 5-piece drum kit includes everything that you need to get started. This kit looks really premium with its top-notch finishing, accents and all-chrome hardware. I can't recommend this if you are a full-time drummer who often goes out on the road, but this kit is perfectly viable for some light touring. In conclusion, these are the best drum kit under 1000 if you are an occasional performer.

Pros

  • Really good quality.
  • Sounds great.
  • Premium touch.
  • Remo heads.

Cons

  • Cymbals could be better.



5. EASTAR - BEST 5 PIECE DRUM KITS UNDER 1000

 Eastar - best drum kits under 1000

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Shell Material: cross-grained poplar shells.
  • 16" x 11" Bass Drum.
  • 10"x5" & 8"x6" Mounted Toms.
  • 16" x 16" Floor Tom.
  • 10"x6" Mounted Snare Drum.
  • 10" High-Hat Cymbal and 12" Crash Cymbals.
  • Two pair of wooden drum sticks.
  • Height adjustable drum stool.

Yet another drum kit for all you kids out there. Well, I don't think kids are reading these articles more like their parents or siblings. Anyways point being, the Eastar EDS-350 Juvenile Drum kit is a great pick for all the youngsters interesting in drumming all day long and annoying the neighbors.

First off, if not already clear, this is a beginner's kit for kids and should be their first kit as well. I would not recommend this to anyone that can already play. These aren't a toy but they aren't for adults or anyone above 5ft either.

In terms of quality, well, it is alright. It surely isn't bad. Easter made this 16 inches 5 piece drum kit with cross-grained poplar. Poplar is a type of wood which is quite sought after and it provides better strength, equally distributes the vibrations and sound really nice.

You get to choose from 3 colors and the outer layer of the PVC veneer makes these drums look quite appealing… at least to kids. Upon purchase, you get all the necessary accessories and 2 pairs of drum sticks for adults and kids so if you are a drummer, you can use those sticks to teach your kids.

Nice touch though; a drummer would obviously have sticks but nonetheless, I appreciate the extra effort. This is one of the best drum kits under 1000 that sound great for the price and can be a fantastic beginner drum kits.

Pros

  • You ger two pairs of maple drumsticks, for adults and kids.
  • Sounds great for a beginner kit.
  • Quite affordable.
  • Nice quality.

Cons

  • Only works as a beginner kit.



6. PEARL (DMP943XPC229) - BEST ROCK DRUM KITS UNDER 1000

Pearl White Satin (DMP943XPC229)  -  best drum kits under 1000

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Shell Material: 100% Maple SST shell.
  • Remo Drum Heads.
  • 16" x 11" Bass Drum.
  • 10"x7" Mounted Tom.
  • 16" x 16" Floor Tom.
  • 14"x5.5" Snare Drum.
  • High-Hat Cymbal and 2 Crash Cymbals.
  • A pair of wooden drum sticks.

There are some companies that go beyond the bubble of their target audience and enter the mainstream. Non-guitarists know about Gibson, non-keyboard players know about Casio and non-drummers know about Pearl. That is how big the brand is. So, naturally, the expectation you have from them is also increased. I am glad to say that they met mine with flying colors. This is hands down the best drum kit under 1000 in this article. This kit features 6-ply/5.4mm all Maple Shells that creates a loud and resonant tone and comes in several lacquer finishes.

Stability is a crucial part of drums. If your drums aren't stable, it is going to impede your performance. Pearl uses its efficient three-way tom mount to address that issue. With this three-way mount, the shell is able to easily and freely resonate and thus provide you with a wobble-free performance.

Pearl is a reliable brand and if my word isn't enough (it shouldn't be), the fact that they offer a lifetime warranty should be proof enough. My only complaint here is that they sell a lot of hardware separately and this kit is only a 3-piece one and considering that, it does feel rather expensive. With that said, if you do decide to get it, the performance is unmatched.

Pros

  • Top-notch quality.
  • Awesome sound.
  • 3-way opti-lock system.

Cons

  • Expensive.


7. DDRUM D1 JUNIOR COMPLETE DRUM KITS

 ddrum D1

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Shell Material: Basswood shells.
  • 16" x 10" Bass Drum.
  • 5"x8" & 5"x10" Rack Tom.
  • 13" x 10" Floor Tom.
  • 12"x4" Snare Drum.
  • 10" High-Hat Cymbal and 12" Crash Cymbals.
  • 1 pair of drum sticks.
  • Height adjustable drum Throne. 

The ddrum D1 junior drum kit is for all those rebel kids and teens that want a "real" drum kits instead of a toy one… and this kit certainly meets that criteria. This is one of the best drum kits under 1000 and is a complete kit with tunable, diminutive drum sizes, cymbals, hardware, and a tiny throne.

It is tiny in size so this is not recommended for adults unless you want to throw your back out. The drums themselves are fairly high-quality for kids' drums and actually look rather nice with 3 colors to choose from.

In terms of sound, I think they are the best sounding kid drums that I have tested so far, no question. That, honestly, did not come to me as a major surprise because they are a complete, traditional set and not a 3 piece and well, they are the most expensive kid drum kits so I did expect better performance.

Most drums for youngsters feel like a gimmick, but these actually sound really good and I would certainly recommend it to all aspiring drummers out there below 5ft.

Pros

  • Available in 3 colors.
  • Sounds good.
  • All needed accessories included.

Cons

  • Feels a little expensive for a kids' drum kit.


8. LUDWIG ACCENT DRIVE BLUE 5-PIECE DRUM KITS

 Ludwig Accent Drive Blue

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Shell Material: 9-ply Poplar Shell.
  • 22" x 16" Bass Drum.
  • 12"x9" & 10"x8" Rack Tom.
  • 16" x 16" Floor Tom.
  • 14"x6.5" Snare Drum.
  • 13" High-Hat Cymbal and 16" Crash Cymbals.
  • 1 pair of drum sticks.
  • Height adjustable drum Throne. 

Coming up next in this list of best drum kits under 1000, Ludwig 5-piece drum kits is absolutely the best in terms of sheer value for money. Ludwig Accent kit is made with a 9-ply Poplar Shell and 45-degree inner Accent with slight outer bevel and it is absolutely gorgeous to look at. If kids drumming league was a thing, this is the drum kits they all would be using.

Ludwig Accent drum kit delivers you with everything that a beginner's drummer is going to require to start their journey. These drums are made with the very nice material and will last a very long time under the right hands. The Assembly process does take time and there is no instructional manual but there is a video on youtube so you can just follow along. Again, the best kit for the money!

Pros

  • Best value for money.
  • Sounds great.
  • Will last a long time.

Cons

  • Nothing major. Just remember its for beginners.


9. LAGRIMA - BEST ACOUSTIC DRUM KIT UNDER 1000

 LAGRIMA

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Shell Material: genuine poplar hardwood shell.
  • 16" x 11" Bass Drum.
  • 10"x6" & 8"x6" Rack Tom.
  • 13" x 11" Floor Tom.
  • 12"x5" Snare Drum.
  • 8" High-Hat Cymbal and 10" Crash Brass Cymbals.
  • Bass Drum Pedal.
  • 1 pair of drum sticks.
  • Height adjustable drum Throne. 

It's not fair to this product that its rating is so bad that people give it 1 star because of no instruction manual. Yes, Lagrima should have included it but it really isn't tough to watch a youtube video. I actually prefer watching a video. Maybe just me. With that said, this drum kits is for kids and yeah, there really isn't anything special to mention here.

They are decent in quality, made of genuine poplar hardwood shells with double-layer oilskins and stainless steel cymbals. The sound is okay. It is a complete 5 piece kits so that is nice. As long as you are getting this for someone below the age of 12, I think they will appreciate it.

Pros

  • Looks nice.
  • Double Layer Oil Skin.
  • Genuine poplar hardwood shells.

Cons

  • Not for teens or adults.


10. PEARL ROAD SHOW DRUM KIT

 Pearl Roadshow

PRODUCT DETAILS

  • Shell Material: White Poplar shell.
  • 16" x 10" Bass Drum.
  • 10"x5.5" & 8"x5" Rack Tom.
  • 13" x 8" Floor Tom.
  • 12"x4" Snare Drum.
  • 10" High-Hat Cymbal and 13" Crash Cymbals.
  • Bass Drum Pedal.
  • 1 pair of drum sticks.
  • Height adjustable drum Throne. 

Not intended but it seems I saved this best drum kits under 1000 for last. Want the best 5 piece drum kit for your children? Well, the Pearl Road Show is the way to go then. By spending 100 dollars more, you get premium quality materials and a much better sound.

Drummer dad's or mom's would get this for their future drummer kids. That is how I would describe this kit. This 5 piece drum kit is a scaled-down for those below the age of 10. The drums are made with quality materials and White Poplar shell construction for a totally tuneable and awesome playing experience, 5 stars from me!

Pros

  • Best quality drums for kids.
  • Sound and feel good.
  • Includes everything needed.

Cons

  • No instructional manual.



CONCLUSION

That ends the best drum kits under 1000 kit. Most of the drum kit featured in this article were for kids and there were some that were focused on adults who are learning and want to learn.

The drums vary in terms of price and size so naturally, we cannot compare them directly. That is why this list of best drum kits under 1000 was in no particular order. Nonetheless though, read through the details and I hope you are able to find the perfect kit for you or your kid. Thank you for reading.

Leave a Reply