Best Mapex Snare Drums of 2025

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025

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Snare drums are a popular percussion instrument used in various music genres, from rock to jazz. Mapex is a well-known brand that produces high-quality snare drums with a range of sizes and materials to suit different playing styles. These snare drums are designed to produce a crisp and clear sound with a rich tone and excellent projection. Whether you're a beginner or a professional drummer, Mapex snare drums are a great choice to enhance your performance and take your playing to the next level.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Mapex BPML4500CFB Snare Drum with Maple Shell Cover #TOP 1
Mapex BPML4500CFB Snare Drum with Maple Shell
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Mapex Black Panther Snare Drum 14"x5" Cover #TOP 2
Mapex Black Panther Snare Drum 14"x5"
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Mapex MPX Steel Piccolo Snare Drum 14-inch Cover #TOP 3
Mapex MPX Steel Piccolo Snare Drum 14-inch
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 7 Mapex Snare Drums

#TOP 1

Mapex BPML4500CFB Snare Drum with Maple Shell

Mapex
BPML4500CFB
Mapex BPML4500CFB Snare Drum with Maple Shell Cover
MAPEX Snare Drum (BPML4500CFB)

The Mapex BPML4500CFB Snare Drum features a North American Maple shell, providing a warm and resonant sound that enhances your performance. Its reinforcement rings contribute to the drum's durability while ensuring consistent tonal quality. The classic styling of single-flanged hoops not only adds to the aesthetic appeal but also offers a unique playing experience. With its clear and bright tone, you will find it ideal for various musical styles, making it a versatile addition to your drum kit.

What We Like
High-quality Maple shell
Durable reinforcement rings
Classic single-flanged hoops
Clear, bright sound
#TOP 2

Mapex Black Panther Snare Drum 14"x5"

Mapex
BPST4551LN
Black
Mapex Black Panther Snare Drum 14"x5" Cover
MAPEX Snare Drum (BPST4551LN)

The Mapex Black Panther Snare offers exceptional sound quality with its Sonic Saver Hoops, ensuring a warm and resonant tone. Made from six-ply maple, this drum delivers a rich and full-bodied sound that is perfect for various musical styles. Its 14" x 5.5" size makes it versatile, allowing you to fit it seamlessly into your setup. The steel construction provides durability, ensuring that this snare drum can withstand the rigours of regular use while maintaining its performance.

What We Like
Excellent sound quality
Durable steel construction
Versatile size for setups
Rich tone from maple
Sonic Saver Hoops enhance resonance
#TOP 3

Mapex MPX Steel Piccolo Snare Drum 14-inch

Mapex
MPNST4351CN
Chrome
Mapex MPX Steel Piccolo Snare Drum 14-inch Cover
Mapex MPX Steel Piccolo Snare Drum - 3.5 x 14-inch - Polished

The Mapex MPX Piccolo Snare offers a compact 3.5" x 14" size, making it perfect for tight spaces and portability. Its steel construction ensures a bright, cutting tone, ideal for various music styles. The Piccolo Cast Throw off feature allows for quick and easy snare wire disengagement, giving you flexibility during performances. With Remo UX Heads, you can expect great sound quality and durability, ensuring your drum lasts while delivering exceptional performance.

What We Like
Compact and portable design
Bright, cutting tone
Easy snare wire disengagement
High-quality Remo UX Heads
#TOP 4

Mapex MPX 5.5 x 14-inch Steel Snare Drum

Mapex
MPNST4551CN
Chrome
Mapex MPX 5.5 x 14-inch Steel Snare Drum Cover
Mapex MPX Steel Snare Drum - 5.5 x 14-inch - Polished

The Mapex MPX Snare Drum is a 5.5" x 14" steel drum, perfect for drummers looking for a bright and cutting sound. The polished finish not only looks great but also enhances its durability. Featuring Remo UX heads, you can expect clear tones and easy tuning, which is ideal for both practice and performance. The Army throw-off mechanism provides quick and reliable snare engagement, allowing you to switch between sounds effortlessly, making it a versatile choice for any drummer.

What We Like
Bright and cutting sound
Durable polished finish
Clear tones with easy tuning
Quick snare engagement
Versatile for practice and performance

Mapex MPX Maple/Poplar Side Snare Drum

Mapex
MPNMP0550CNL
Natural
Mapex MPX Maple/Poplar Side Snare Drum Cover
Mapex MPX Maple/Poplar Side Snare Drum - 5.5 x 10-inch - Natural with Chrome Hardware

The Mapex MPX Side Snare Drum features a compact 5.5" x 10" size, making it perfect for adding a unique sound to your drumming. The combination of maple and poplar woods offers a warm, resonant tone, enhancing your overall performance. With the Army Throw off mechanism, you can easily switch between snare and non-snare sounds, providing versatility in your playing style. The drum is equipped with Remo UX Heads, ensuring durability and rich sound quality, so you can enjoy a reliable instrument for your music sessions.

What We Like
Compact size for versatility
Warm, resonant tone
Easy sound switching
Durable Remo UX Heads

Mapex MPX Maple/Poplar Snare Drum, 5.5 x 14-inch

Mapex
MPNMP4550CNL
Natural
Mapex MPX Maple/Poplar Snare Drum, 5.5 x 14-inch Cover
Mapex MPX Maple/Poplar Snare Drum - 5.5 x 14-inch - Natural with Chrome Hardware

The Mapex MPX Snare Drum is a 5.5" x 14" model crafted from a combination of maple and poplar, delivering a rich and versatile sound. Featuring Remo UX heads, this drum provides excellent tonal quality, making it suitable for various music styles. The Army throw-off mechanism allows you to quickly engage or disengage the snare wires, offering flexibility during performances. The natural finish with chrome hardware not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also ensures durability, giving you a reliable drum for all your playing needs.

What We Like
Rich and versatile sound
Quick throw-off mechanism
Durable chrome hardware
Attractive natural finish
#TOP 7

Mapex Black Panther 13" Hydro Maple Snare Drum

Mapex
BPNML3700LFB
Black
Mapex Black Panther 13" Hydro Maple Snare Drum Cover
Mapex Black Panther 13" Hydro Maple Snare Drum BPNML3700LFB

The Mapex Black Panther Snare Drum features a 7" x 13" size, making it compact and easy to handle, ideal for both studio and live settings. Its construction from maple and walnut provides a warm, rich sound, enhancing the quality of your performances. The flanged hoops contribute to better tuning stability, ensuring you achieve the desired sound without hassle. Additionally, the sleek black finish not only looks striking but also adds a professional touch to your drum kit.

What We Like
Compact size for portability
Rich, warm sound quality
Tuning stability with flanged hoops
Striking black finish
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our Mapex snare drum research, we found 10 Mapex snare drum products and shortlisted 7 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,770 customer reviews through our big data system to write the Mapex snare drums list. We found that most customers choose Mapex snare drums with an average price of £270.02.

The Mapex snare drums are available for purchase. The top 7 picks range in price from a low of £135.00 to a high of £742.00, find the one that fits your budget.

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.