Best 13" Toms for Recording 2026
Professional 13" toms for recording use - perfect sound and reliability
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.9/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Gretsch Drums 13"x09" TT Renown Maple VP
Unique Sound
Alternative Setup
Rock
Key Feature:
• Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
✓ PROS
- • Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
- • Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
✗ CONS
- • Higher cost for specialty size
- • May be difficult to find replacement parts
Gretsch Drums 13"x09" TT Renown Maple VPGretsch Drums Renown Maple 13"x09" Tom TomFoiled...
⭐
4.9/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 463672
$461
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Gretsch Drums 13"x09" TT Renown Maple GN
Jazz
Custom
Alternative Setup
Key Feature:
• Adds tonal variety to standard setups
✓ PROS
- • Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
- • Professional recording applications
✗ CONS
- • Higher cost for specialty size
- • Not included in most standard configurations
Gretsch Drums 13"x09" TT Renown Maple GNGretsch Drums Renown Maple 13" x 09" Tom TomLacquered...
⭐
4.7/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 474745
$461
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Gretsch Drums 13"x09" TT Renown Maple SOP
Alternative Setup
Unique Sound
Rock
Key Feature:
• Professional recording applications
✓ PROS
- • Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
- • Great for custom drum configurations
✗ CONS
- • Higher cost for specialty size
- • Not included in most standard configurations
Gretsch Drums 13"x09" TT Renown Maple SOPTom TomSize: 13" x 09"Renown Maple SeriesFoiled...
⭐
4.9/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 575183
$428
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Pearl Crystal Beat 13"x09" Tom #730
by
Pearl
Rock
Custom
Alternative Setup
Key Feature:
• Adds tonal variety to standard setups
✓ PROS
- • Professional recording applications
- • Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
✗ CONS
- • May be difficult to find replacement parts
- • Not included in most standard configurations
Pearl Crystal Beat 13"x09" Tom #730Tom TomSize: 13" x 09"Crystal beat seriesModern remake of the...
⭐
4.8/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 387273
$459
#5
⭐
4.6/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Gretsch Drums 13"x09" TT Renown Maple PB
Custom
Rock
Alternative Setup
Key Feature:
• Professional recording applications
✓ PROS
- • Adds tonal variety to standard setups
- • Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
✗ CONS
- • Not included in most standard configurations
- • Non-standard size limits head options
Gretsch Drums 13" x 09" TT Renown Maple PBGretsch Drums Renown Maple 13"x09" Tom TomLacquered...
⭐
4.6/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 455156
$461
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sonor SQ1 13"x09" Tom Tom SCB
by
Sonor
Recording
Custom
Alternative Setup
Key Feature:
• Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
✓ PROS
- • Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
- • Great for custom drum configurations
✗ CONS
- • Not included in most standard configurations
- • Non-standard size limits head options
Sonor SQ1 13"x09" Tom Tom SCBTom Tom100% European birchBearing edge: 45°CLTF "Cross Laminated Tension...
⭐
4.9/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 536523
$637
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom SWB
by
DrumCraft
Recording
Custom
Alternative Setup
Key Feature:
• Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
✓ PROS
- • Professional recording applications
- • Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
✗ CONS
- • May be difficult to find replacement parts
- • Higher cost for specialty size
DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom SWBTom Tom6 SeriesSize: 13" x 09"Shell material: Maple /...
⭐
4.5/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 523888
$171
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha 13"x09" Recording Custom SOB
by
Yamaha
Alternative Setup
Custom
Rock
Key Feature:
• Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
✓ PROS
- • Great for custom drum configurations
- • Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
✗ CONS
- • Higher cost for specialty size
- • May be difficult to find replacement parts
Yamaha 13"x09" Recording Custom SOBRecording Tom TomFinish: Solid Black (SOB)Shell material: 100% birchHigh...
⭐
4.5/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 517733
$725
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha Stage Custom 13"x09" TT -HA
by
Yamaha
Unique Sound
Recording
Rock
Key Feature:
• Adds tonal variety to standard setups
✓ PROS
- • Professional recording applications
- • Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
✗ CONS
- • Non-standard size limits head options
- • Limited mounting hardware options
Yamaha Stage Custom 13"x09" TT -HATom TomSize: 13" x 09"Stage custom birchSBT1309-HAColour: honey...
⭐
4.8/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 362392
$186
#10
⭐
4.8/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom BRF
by
DrumCraft
Recording
Jazz
Custom
Key Feature:
• Professional recording applications
✓ PROS
- • Professional recording applications
- • Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
✗ CONS
- • May be difficult to find replacement parts
- • Limited mounting hardware options
DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom BRFTom Tom6 SeriesSize: 13" x 09"Shell material:...
⭐
4.8/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 523890
$182
#11
⭐
5.0/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Yamaha Stage Custom 13"x09" TT -NW
by
Yamaha
Jazz
Rock
Custom
Key Feature:
• Good bridge between 12-inch and 14-inch
✓ PROS
- • Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
- • Professional recording applications
✗ CONS
- • Higher cost for specialty size
- • Not included in most standard configurations
Yamaha Stage Custom 13"x09" TT -NWTom TomStage custom birch seriesSize: 13" x 09"SBT1309-NW6-Ply...
⭐
5.0/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 375800
$186
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom SB
by
DrumCraft
Jazz
Rock
Unique Sound
Key Feature:
• Adds tonal variety to standard setups
✓ PROS
- • Adds tonal variety to standard setups
- • Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
✗ CONS
- • May be difficult to find replacement parts
- • Higher cost for specialty size
DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom SBTom Tom6 SeriesSize: 13" x 09"Shell material: Maple /...
⭐
4.5/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 523887
$186
#13
⭐
4.6/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Yamaha Stage Custom 13"x09" TT -CR
by
Yamaha
Custom
Alternative Setup
Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for custom drum configurations
✓ PROS
- • Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
- • Great for custom drum configurations
✗ CONS
- • Higher cost for specialty size
- • Non-standard size limits head options
Yamaha Stage Custom 13"x09" TT -CRTom TomSize: 13" x 09"Stage Custom Birch seriesSBT1309-CR6-Ply...
⭐
4.6/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 404519
$186
#14
⭐
4.9/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom SBR
by
DrumCraft
Custom
Rock
Alternative Setup
Key Feature:
• Unique 13-inch size for distinctive sound
✓ PROS
- • Great for custom drum configurations
- • Professional recording applications
✗ CONS
- • Higher cost for specialty size
- • Not included in most standard configurations
DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom SBRTom TomSeries 6Size: 13" x 09"Shell material:...
⭐
4.9/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 543477
$175
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom BP
by
DrumCraft
Custom
Alternative Setup
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for custom drum configurations
✓ PROS
- • Adds tonal variety to standard setups
- • Professional recording applications
✗ CONS
- • Non-standard size limits head options
- • Limited mounting hardware options
DrumCraft Series 6 13"x09" Tom Tom BPTom TomSeries 6Size: 13" x 09"Shell material: Maple /...
⭐
4.7/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 523882
$182
How to Choose the Best 13" Toms
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced 13" toms typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
