Best Drum Heads of 2025

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025

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Drum heads are an essential component of any drum kit, providing the surface on which drummers strike to produce their sound. These products come in a variety of sizes, materials, and thicknesses, each offering a distinct tone and feel. Whether you're a beginner or a professional drummer, having the right drum heads can significantly impact the quality of your sound. From classic single-ply heads to more durable double-ply options, there is a wide range of drum heads available to suit your needs.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Evans G2 Coated Fusion Tom Pack Cover #TOP 1
Evans G2 Coated Fusion Tom Pack
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Evans EMAD2 20” Clear Bass Drum Head Cover #TOP 2
Evans EMAD2 20” Clear Bass Drum Head
ftb score rating icon 9.7
D'Addario Evans Genera Dry Snare Drum Head Cover #TOP 3
D'Addario Evans Genera Dry Snare Drum Head
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Drum Heads

#TOP 1

Evans G2 Coated Fusion Tom Pack

ETP-G2CTD-F
white
Fusion
Evans G2 Coated Fusion Tom Pack Cover
Evans Drum Heads - G2 Coated Fusion Tompack (10, 12, 14 Inch)

The Evans G2 Tom Pack features coated tom heads that enhance warmth, focus, and depth in your sound. Made with two plies of 7mil film, these heads provide durability and a balanced attack, making them perfect for various musical styles. You will appreciate their average sustain and slightly bright tone, which can easily adapt to your playing needs. Additionally, with Level 360 Technology, tuning becomes effortless, giving you an extended pitch range for optimum sound quality.

What We Like
Enhanced warmth and depth
Durable two-ply construction
Versatile sound for various styles
Easy tuning with Level 360
#TOP 2

Evans EMAD2 20” Clear Bass Drum Head

BD20EMAD2
Clear
20 Inch
Evans EMAD2 20” Clear Bass Drum Head Cover
Evans EMAD2 Clear Bass Drum Head, 20” – Externally Mounted Adjustable Damping System Allows Player to Adjust Attack and Focus – 2 Foam Damping Rings for Sound Options - Versatile for All Music Genres

The Evans EMAD2 Bass Drum Head features an externally mounted adjustable damping system, allowing you to fine-tune the attack and focus of your sound with ease. You can choose between two removable foam rings to achieve the desired tone. Additionally, the Level 360 Technology ensures a proper fit, making it easier for you to tune and enjoy a wider tonal range. Available in various sizes, this drum head is versatile and suitable for all music genres, catering to your specific needs as a drummer.

What We Like
Adjustable damping for customised sound
Easy tuning with Level 360 Technology
Durable construction for longevity
Versatile for all music genres
Available in multiple sizes
#TOP 3

D'Addario Evans Genera Dry Snare Drum Head

B14DRY
White
14 Inch
D'Addario Evans Genera Dry Snare Drum Head Cover
D'Addario Evans B14DRY Genera Dry Snare Drum Head, White, 14-inch

The Evans Genera Dry Head is a 14-inch snare drum head crafted from a single ply of 10mil film, providing a responsive feel. Its 2mil overtone control ring on the underside floats with the head, helping to eliminate excessive overtones and control sustain, which is essential for achieving a clean sound. This single-ply design reacts similarly to a double-ply, offering a richer tone while maintaining the desired clarity. With this head, you can enjoy a well-rounded sound that enhances your performance.

What We Like
High-quality single ply construction
Effective overtone control
Rich tone with clarity
Responsive feel
#TOP 4

Evans 22-inch EMAD Bass Drum Head

BD22EMAD
Clear
22 Inch
Evans 22-inch EMAD Bass Drum Head Cover
Evans Bass Drum Heads - BD22EMAD - EMAD - 22-inch Bass Drum Head

The Evans EMAD Bass Drum Head is a 22-inch drum head crafted from a single ply of 10mil film, offering durability and a great sound. Its Externally Mounted Adjustable Damping system allows you to customise the attack and focus, giving you control over your performance. This head is versatile, making it suitable for all music genres, whether you're playing rock, jazz, or anything in between. It's a true working drummer's choice, ensuring you have the reliability and quality you need for your gigs.

What We Like
Customisable damping system
Durable 10mil film construction
Versatile for all music genres
Reliable for working drummers
#TOP 5

Evans G2 Clear Drum Head Pack

EPP-G2HDD-S
clear,black
Evans G2 Clear Drum Head Pack Cover
Evans Drum Heads - G2 Clear Standard Pack (12, 13, 16 Inch) with 14 Inch HD Dry Snare Batter

The Evans G2 Heads feature two plies of 7mil film, providing enhanced durability and a strong sound. This design ensures a balanced attack, which is perfect for various playing styles. With a slightly bright tone and average sustain, these drum heads are versatile for both practice and performance. The Level 360 Technology simplifies tuning, allowing you to achieve the sound you desire with ease. Enjoy an extended pitch range and optimum sound quality with these expertly crafted drum heads.

What We Like
Highly durable construction
Versatile sound quality
Easy tuning process
Clear and fat low-end
#TOP 6

Evans G2 Clear Rock Drum Heads Pack

EPP-G2HDD-R
White
Evans G2 Clear Rock Drum Heads Pack Cover
Evans Drum Heads - G2 Clear Rock Pack (10 , 12, 16 Inch) with 14 Inch HD Dry Snare Batter

The Evans G2 Clear Pack features two plies of 7mil film, providing you with exceptional durability and a wide-open response. This means you can play with confidence, knowing your drum heads can withstand the rigours of practice and performance. With a balanced attack and slightly bright tone, these heads offer versatility for various musical styles. Additionally, the Level 360 Technology ensures easy tuning, allowing you to achieve the perfect sound quickly and effortlessly.

What We Like
Highly durable construction
Versatile sound qualities
Easy tuning process
Fat low-end response
#TOP 7

Remo Emperor 12" Coated Drum Head

BE-0112-00
Coated
12 Inch
Remo Emperor 12" Coated Drum Head Cover
Remo Emperor Coated 12" Drum Head

The Remo Emperor Drum Head features a 12" diameter, making it ideal for a range of drum kits. Constructed with two free-floating plies of 7-mil Mylar film, it ensures durability and a responsive feel when playing. You will appreciate the consistent open warm tones it produces, enhancing your sound quality. This drum head is perfect for both practice and live performances, allowing you to achieve the sound you desire with ease.

What We Like
Durable Mylar construction
Warm, consistent tones
Ideal for practice and performances
Responsive feel
#TOP 8

Remo Ambassador 14" Hazy Snare Drum Head

SA-0114-00
Hazy
14 Inches
Remo Ambassador 14" Hazy Snare Drum Head Cover
Remo Ambassador 14" Hazy Bottom Snare Skin

The Remo Ambassador Snare Head is designed for the bottom of your snare drum, making it an essential component for achieving the perfect sound. Renowned as the industry standard for both studio and live performances, this drumhead ensures excellent tunability and tone. Used by nearly every drum kit manufacturer, it provides a reliable option for drummers seeking quality. Additionally, it can also be referred to as a timbale drumhead, showcasing its versatile nature for various musical styles.

What We Like
Industry standard for sound quality
Great tunability and tone
Versatile for various applications
Widely used by manufacturers
Perfect replacement skin
#TOP 9

Evans EMAD Bass Drum Pack with Custom Damping

EBP-22EMADSYS
Evans EMAD Bass Drum Pack with Custom Damping Cover
Evans EMAD System Bass Drum Pack - Contains 1 Bass Drum Head, 1 Reso Drum Head, 2 Interchangeable Damping Rings, & Foam Damping Rings - Customize Bass Drum Sound - 1-Ply Construction - 22"

The Evans EMAD Bass Pack allows you to customise your bass drum sound with ease. Its ultimate tone customization feature lets you control the attack, focus, and sustain, ensuring your drum fits perfectly in any mix. With adjustable sustain through interchangeable damping rings, you can fine-tune your sound for optimal quality. Additionally, the enhanced overtones control helps to manage unwanted sounds, providing a clearer tone. You’ll appreciate the Level 360 technology that ensures easy installation and consistent tuning, maximising your drum's performance.

What We Like
Customisable bass drum sound
Easy sustain adjustment
Control over overtones
Simple installation and tuning
Quality made in the USA
#TOP 10

Evans EC2S Clear Tom Drumhead, 12 Inch

TT12EC2S
Mehrfarbig
12 Inch
Evans EC2S Clear Tom Drumhead, 12 Inch Cover
Evans Drum Heads - EC2S Clear Tom Drumhead, 12 Inch

The Evans EC2S Drumhead features two plies of 7mil film, which enhances the tone, sustain, and tuning ease you experience when playing. With Sound Shaping Technology, you can enjoy a well-balanced sound and focused attack, making your performances more engaging. The innovative Level 360 Technology ensures that tuning is a breeze, allowing for an extended pitch range and optimum sound quality. This drumhead is an excellent choice for drummers seeking reliability and superior performance in their music.

What We Like
Optimised tone and sustain
Easy tuning process
Well-balanced sound
Focused attack
Quality construction
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are heads on a drum?

Drum heads are the plastic surfaces on the top and bottom of each drum. You may have heard them described as drum skins, but we have come a long way in technology and ethics since we used animal calf skins on early drum sets.

2. Do drum heads make a difference?

Jazz drummers tend to prefer a warmer sound so they often choose two-ply drum heads. Rock drummers, on the other hand, looking for a brighter, louder sound will often pick one-ply. The difference between coated and non-coated drum heads is that coated heads provide a warm, focused sound.

3. What are the different types of drum heads?

There are 2 kinds of head on each drum. The side that you hit is the batter head while the bottom skin is a resonant head.

Top Drum Heads For Church, Jazz & Metal Genres. Remo Ambassador Coated.Evans EMAD2.Remo Ambassador Hazy.Evans Genera HD.Evans EC Reverse Dot.Remo Emperor X Coated.Evans Clear 300.Aquarian PF12.

Editor's Notes

During our drum head research, we found 306 drum head products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 54,606 customer reviews through our big data system to write the drum heads list. We found that most customers choose drum heads with an average price of £36.91.

The drum heads are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of drum heads, including Evans, REMO.

Written by
Hayden Bryant Avatar

Hayden was born in Liverpool, and he never left his hometown until university. In his freshman year at the University of Manchester, Hayden was the group leader of a popular music group. Hayden is responsible for the popularity of his music, and this is because of his natural ability to play with keys and strings. He graduated with BFA in 2016 and returned in 2018 as a lecturing staff in the School of Music.