When you’re shopping for a new drum set, it’s not uncommon to find a set of drums with a snare drum included. However, not all snare drums are created equal, and it’s important to make sure you’re purchasing a set that you’ll actually play. A snares drum is the pulsing heart of the drum set, so it makes sense you’d want to make sure you’re buying the right one for you.
If you do have a snare drum that came with your drum set, it’s probably a good idea to find a better option. While it’s true that not all drummers play the same type of drum set, there are some things that are important about every drum set that you should consider before buying.
Read on to learn more about choosing the best snare drum heads for your drum set and playing style.
Top 10 Snare Drum Heads (Based on Our Research)
Our Editor’s Best Snare Drum Heads Reviews
Remo Controlled Sound Coated Drum Head with Reverse Black Dot – 14 Inch
Key Features:
- This is a 14″ diameter snare/tom drum head.
- The snare drum heads are made for medium and heavy-duty use. They are durable and have great sound quality.
- The snare drum heads are designed for mid-range tone and sensitivity, with a laminated center “dot” for durability and tonal focus.
- The Remo Coated Controlled Sound snare drum heads are a popular choice among drummers due to their ability to produce a wide range of sounds. These heads are made with a single ply of Remo’s Coated film, which gives them a bright, articulate tone. The Controlled Sound holes also help to produce a focused, powerful sound.
- The snare drum heads are coated with a black dot on the bottom.
Read More: Best Budget Snare Drum
Remo Ambassador Coated Drum Head – 14 Inch
Key Features:
- This is a 14″ diameter snare drum head.
- This is a description of a type of snare drum head, specifically medium-weight heads made with a coated single-ply 10-mil Mylar film. This information would be useful to a shopper who is looking for a specific type of head for their drum.
- The Remo Controlled Sound X Coated Snare Drum Head is a great choice for the drummer looking to produce a warm, open, bright, and resonant sound with a warm attack. This head is coated with a thin layer of film that helps to control overtones and produce a focused sound.
- The snare drum heads are the standard of the industry for both live and recording situations. They are made from high-quality materials and are designed to provide a great sound.
- The snare/tom batter and resonant heads are for a shopper who wants to buy a snare drum. These heads are made of a material that will produce a great deal of sound when struck and are also resonant, meaning that they will vibrate sympathetically with other drums or percussion instruments.
Evans EC Reverse Dot Snare Drum Head, 14 Inch
Key Features:
- This is a 14″ snare batter drum head made using two plies of film. An outer ply of 7mil and an inner ply of 10mil film. This head is designed to produce a deep, resonant sound.
- The snare drum heads have Edge Control technology, which pre-EQs the sound and removes mid-range overtones that can muddy the sound.
- The reverse dot on this snare drum head is mounted on the underside of the head, which is said to offer extra durability, focus, and attack without getting in the way of brushes.
- The snare drum heads are available in three different versions: a single-ply version with the reversed dot, a two-ply version without the reversed dot, and a three-ply version with the reversed dot.
- Evans snare drum heads are designed for use on snare drums. They are made in the USA from high-quality materials and are engineered to provide superior sound and performance.
Read More: Best Concert Snare Drum Sticks
Evans Genera HD Dry Drum Head, 14 Inch
Key Features:
- This snare drum head is made using two plies of film, a 5mil outer ply, and a 7.5mil inner ply, that yields an aggressive rimshot and balanced response.
- The snare drum heads for a shopper have vent holes that help to control the sound and sustain the drum.
- The Overtone Control snare drum heads are designed to eliminate excessive overtones and control sustain. The heads feature a 2mil overtone control ring on the underside that “floats” with the head.
- The Level 360 Technology on these snare drum heads provides an easy-to-tune head with a wider tonal range, making it perfect for the studio.
- The Evans snare drum heads are made in the USA and have been for over 60 years. They are known for their high quality and consistency.
Remo Ambassador Hazy Snare Side Drumhead, 14″
Key Features:
- These snare drum heads are the industry standard for both studio and live applications. They are known for their durability and consistent sound quality.
- This is a description of a snare drum head that is tunable and has a good tone.
- The snare drum heads are also known as the Timbale drumhead. They are made of a thin layer of plastic or metal and are used to produce a high-pitched sound when struck with a drumstick.
Read More: Best Snare Drums Under 500
Evans Clear 500 Snare Side Drum Head, 14 Inch
Key Features:
- This 14″ glass snare drum head is made of a single ply of 5mil film and is designed to produce a clear resonant sound.
- This 5mil head offers great snare response at high dynamic levels. It is great for players who want a durable head that can withstand high levels of play.
- These snare drum heads are best suited for deep drums or heavy rock performances. They are made from a durable material that can withstand a lot of abuse and help produce a deep, powerful sound.
- And 14″ sizes, the Remo Black Suede Ambassador is a single-ply drumhead with a smooth, dark finish. It provides a warm, resonant sound with a wide tuning range, making it ideal for a variety of genres and styles. The Ambassador is also available in Clear and Coated versions.”The Remo Black Suede Ambassador is a single-ply drumhead with a smooth, dark finish. It provides a warm, resonant sound with a wide tuning range, making it ideal for a variety of genres and styles. The Ambassador is also available in Clear and Coated versions.
- The Evans drum heads are designed for a shopper who wants a high-quality product. The heads are engineered and manufactured in the USA, so the shopper can be assured of a top-notch product.
Evans Hydraulic Drum Heads – B14HBG – Drum Head with Layer of Oil – Supresses Unwanted Overtones – Ideal for Rock, Metal, & Funk – Black, 14 Inch
Key Features:
- This is a 14″ drum head with a thin layer of oil between two plies of blue film. This is to suppress unwanted overtones.
- These snare drum heads are two-ply, meaning there are two layers of material. This offers more consistency and durability, allowing for longer playing time.
- This is a description of a type of snare drum head that produces a deep, short sound. This sound was pioneered by early 1970s rock and roll music.
- The snare drum heads have an exclusive Level 360 Technology collar design that ensures proper contact between the drum head and drum shell.
- The Evans snare drum heads are made in the USA.
Read More: Best Snare Drums For Jazz
Evans Heavyweight Coated Drumhead – Coated Snare Drum Head – Reverse Dot for Durability, Focus, Attack – 2 Plies of Film – 14 Inch
Key Features:
- This coated drumhead is made to be used as a drum set snare batter head. It is made to produce a warm, full-bodied tone with a bright attack. This head is durable and will last long with proper care.
- The Evans Heavyweight snare drumheads are made with two plies of 10mil film, plus a 3mil Reverse dot in the center of the head for even more durability, focus, and attack.
- Evans drumheads feature Level 360 Technology to provide ease of tuning, extended pitch range, and optimum quality of sound.
- Evans Heavyweight coated drumheads are designed for durability and come with a code that you can register to earn Players Circle points.
- Evans snare drum heads are designed, engineered, and manufactured in the USA. They are made to be durable and provide a great sound.
Evans Hybrid Coated Snare Batter Drum Head, 14 Inch
Key Features:
- This is a 14″ drum head that is extremely durable.
- This is a pair of snare drum heads that are built to last. They can withstand a lot of punishment, making them ideal for those who play with a lot of force.
- The snare drum heads have a woven textured surface that is an ideal match for brush players who are seeking maximum articulation.
- The head is made to be used specifically on a snare drum set.
- The Evans drum heads are designed, engineered, and manufactured in the USA. They are made with a high-quality material that will last a long time.
Read More: Best Snare Drum For Beginners
Remo Emperor Coated Drum Head – 14 Inch
Key Features:
- This snare drum head is designed for durability, warmth, and volume. It is made from a high-quality material that will last a long time, and it provides a warm, rich sound that is perfect for various genres.
- This is a description of a type of snare drum head. It is made of two layers of a seven-millimeter-thick Coated film.
- This is a description of a type of drum head that is good for various types of drums.
- This is a description of a snare drum head, available in a range of sizes.
Snare Drum Heads FAQs
1. What are the different types of snare drum heads?
There are many different types of snare drum heads, but the most common are clear, coated, and mesh heads. Clear heads are made of clear plastic and have smooth surfaces.
Coated heads are made of clear plastic with a coating that gives them a slightly textured surface. Mesh heads are made of a mesh material that allows air to pass through them.
2. What are the differences between each type of snare drum head?
The three main types of snare drum heads are clear, coated, and batter. Clear heads are made of untreated plastic, which gives them a bright, open sound.
Coated heads have a layer of film on the top, which gives them a warmer sound. Batter heads are made of thicker material, which gives them a deeper, more resonant sound.
3. What are the benefits of each type of snare drum head?
There are many benefits to each type of snare drum head. The most important benefit is that they each produce a different sound. Depending on the music you are playing, you may want a different sound from your snare drum.
For example, if you are playing jazz music, you may want a more mellow sound, while if you are playing rock music, you may want a more aggressive sound.
Another benefit is that each type of head has different durability. Some heads are more durable than others, so if you are playing in a band that is touring a lot, you may want to choose a more durable head.
4. How do I choose the right snare drum head for my playing style?
The best way to choose a snare drum head is to try out as many different heads as possible and see which ones produce the sound that you like the best.
There is no one perfect head for every playing style, so it’s important to experiment to find the right one for you.
5. How do I care for my snare drum head to ensure optimal performance and longevity?
You can do a few things to care for your snare drum head and ensure optimal performance and longevity. First, you should always ensure that the head is clean and free of dirt or debris. You can use a soft cloth or a brush to gently clean the head.
Secondly, you should always make sure that the head is properly tensioned. You can use a drum key to tighten or loosen the tension on the head. Lastly, you should check the head regularly for any signs of wear or damage. If you notice any damage, you should replace the head immediately.
Conclusion
There are many great snare drum heads on the market. Our list of the best snare drum heads will help you save time researching and choosing the best one for you.
