AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best 13" Wooden Snare Drums 2026
The top pick is Mapex BPCW3550CNCY Black Panther Cherry Bomb 13x5.5" Cherry Snare Drum ($512). Pearl 13"x05" Export SD G. Silver gives you the most for the money at $144. Gretsch Drums 13"x06" USA Custom Snare Drum leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 29 models across 9 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 8, 2026
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All 13" Wooden Snare DrumsTop 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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Mapex BPCW3550CNCY Black Panther Cherry Bomb 13x5.5" Cherry Snare Drum
13"x5,5" DL Cherry Bomb NSW · Mapex
1 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Size13"
This is a 13 by 5.5 inch snare with a cherry wood shell that is 5.1 mm thick. It has Sonic Saver hoops, PureSound wires, and a Natural Matte finish. It may suit you if you want a wooden snare from the Black Panther Design Lab Series with chrome hardware.
Pros
- Cherry wood shell, 5.1 mm thick, makes up the drum body.
- Sonic Saver hoops are fitted on this snare.
- PureSound wires are used in the snare set.
81AudioFu
Index↓ 4.2%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$535 · Aug 17$512 now$512€459 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size13"
This is a 13 by 6 inch snare drum with a 7-ply maple shell and a white pearl foil finish. It has chrome shell hardware and Power Hoops, so it suits you if you want a wooden snare with a clean, finished look. Check that the size and hoop style fit the rest of your kit before you buy.
Pros
- Shell is 7-ply maple, a laminated wood construction
- Chrome shell hardware gives the drum a finished metal look
- Comes with Power Hoops for the rim of the drum
64AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$267 now$267€239 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size13"
This Kompressor snare is a real gem for players seeking a refined, focused sound. The beech shell offers a beautifully warm and controlled tone, perfect for jazz, studio work, and more subtle styles. It's a well-built, professional-grade snare that delivers a lot of bang for your buck.
Pros
- Beech shell delivers a warm, focused tone with surprising projection.
- 12-ply construction provides excellent durability and resonance.
- 2.3mm steel hoops offer a crisp, articulate rimshot response.
Cons
- 7x13” size limits versatility – not ideal for all genres.
- Matte finish can be prone to fingerprints and requires careful maintenance.
62AudioFu
Index↓ 57.2%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$783 · Aug 17$336 now$336€299 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size13"
You get a 13 by 5.75 inch snare with a nine-ply beech shell that is 5 mm thick. It is a Benny Greb signature model with chrome hardware, a Dual-Glide strainer, 2.3 mm power hoops, and 18-spiral steel wires. It suits drummers who want a sturdy snare with a Birch veneer finish and two inner dampers included.
Pros
- Nine-ply construction gives this snare a layered, sturdy build
- The 5 mm thick beech shell is a solid, well-defined foundation
- Power hoops at 2.3 mm add strength to the drum's rims
62AudioFu
Index↓ 17.8%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$948 · Aug 17$779 now$779€698 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size13"
This is a 13 by 6 inch wooden snare drum with a seven-ply European birch shell, 7 mm thick, finished in a silk-matte GT Black lacquer. It has a 45 degree bearing edge, a Tunesafe screw lock, a Dual Glide snare strainer, and Remo Ambassador heads on top and bottom. It suits you if you want a made-in-Germany wooden snare in a standard size with a solid-feeling build.
Pros
- Seven-ply European birch shell, 7 mm thick, for a sturdy build
- CLTF tension-free glued shell for a stable structure
- OSM reduced shell diameter designed for optimum vibration behaviour
60AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$725 now$725€649 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size13"
This Vintage Snare VP is a real gem – the beech shell gives it a beautiful warmth and sensitivity that's perfect for jazz, studio work, or anyone wanting a refined vintage vibe. The hardware is top-notch, and it’s surprisingly responsive. It’s a premium-priced snare that'll inspire some seriously creative playing.
Pros
- Beech shell delivers a warm, resonant tone with surprising projection.
- Super50 strainer offers incredibly smooth, reliable, and quiet operation.
- Triple-flanged hoops enhance sensitivity and produce a crisp, defined rimshot.
Cons
- Beech shells can be somewhat susceptible to humidity changes, potentially affecting tuning.
- Vintage Pearl finish may show wear more readily than modern, lacquered finishes.
60AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$891 now$891€798 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size13"
This is a sturdy 13-inch snare with a thick poplar shell. The wrap finish and silver color make it look professional. It is a solid choice for players who want a reliable, budget-friendly drum.
Pros
- Six-ply construction offers solid stability
- Graphite Silver finish looks modern
- Thick 7.5mm shell provides durability
Cons
- No specific sound character is described
- Lack of hardware finish details is noted
59AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$144 now$144€129 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size13"
This Mapex MPX Hybrid snare is a seriously good value. It’s got a really nice, warm, and surprisingly articulate sound that sits well in a mix. Perfect for gigging musicians needing a versatile, affordable snare that doesn’t compromise on tone.
Pros
- Maple/poplar hybrid shell delivers a warm, focused, and surprisingly resonant tone.
- Triple-flanged hoops enhance sensitivity and provide a crisper, more defined rimshot.
- Remo UX heads offer a controlled, responsive feel without being overly bright or thin.
Cons
- Maple/poplar construction, while warm, lacks the outright crack of all-maple snares.
- The gloss natural finish, while visually appealing, is prone to stick marks and fingerprints.
57AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$166 now$166€149 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size13"
This is a 13 by 6 inch wooden snare drum with a six-ply maple gum shell. It has die-cast hoops, a 30° bearing edge, and Gretsch USA drum heads, and it is made in the USA. If you want a wooden snare with a solid-feeling build from a USA maker, this one is worth a look.
Pros
- Six-ply maple gum shell gives a layered build
- Shell is 6.72 mm thick
- Silver Sealer inner shell coating finishes the inside of the shell
56AudioFu
Index↓ 12.1%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$1,104 · Aug 17$970 now$970€869 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size13"
You get a 13 by 5 inch snare with a 6-ply poplar shell that is 7.5 mm thick. It has a Jet Black wrap finish and chrome-plated shell hardware. This one suits you if you want a snare from the Export Series in a black finish and a standard size.
Pros
- Six-ply poplar shell gives a layered build
- Shell is 7.5 mm thick, made of poplar
- Jet Black wrap finish covers the shell
55AudioFu
Index↓ 3.1%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$144 · Aug 17$140 now$140€125 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 29 13" wooden snare drums
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
Ludwig 13"x03" Piccolo SnareLudwig55↓ 35.2%$144€129$144€129Check ↗
- 12
Sonor 13"x6" Vintage Snare TeakSonor54Stable$891€798$891€798Check ↗
- 13
Sonor 13"x6" Vintage Snare Red OySonor54Stable$891€798$891€798Check ↗
- 14
Sonor 13"x6" Vintage Snare Rosew.Sonor54Stable$891€798$891€798Check ↗
- 15
Pearl 13"x05" Export SD M. AmethystPearl53Stable$144€129$144€129Check ↗
- 16
Pearl 13"x05" Export SD Mid. BluePearl53Stable$144€129$144€129Check ↗
- 17
Pearl 13"x05" Export SD Sat. ScarletPearl53Stable$144€129$144€129Check ↗
- 18
Pearl Modern Utility 13"x5" #224Pearl53Stable$378€339$378€339Check ↗
- 19
Pearl M1330 #102Pearl53Stable$490€439$490€439Check ↗
- 20
Pearl 13"x03" Piccolo Snare #114Pearl53Stable$512€459$512€459Check ↗
- 21
Gretsch Drums 13"x06" Full Range Birch SDGretsch Drums51Stable$179€160$179€160Check ↗
- 22
Gretsch Drums 13"x07" Silver Series Ash -SNGretsch Drums51Stable$201€180$201€180Check ↗
- 23
Gretsch Drums 13"x06" Full Range Hybrid SDGretsch Drums51Stable$229€205$229€205Check ↗
- 24
Mapex 13"x07" Hydro SnareMapex51Stable$496€444$496€444Check ↗
- 25
DW PDP 13"x07" Black Wax SnareDW49Stable$300€269$300€269Check ↗
- 26
Millenium 13"x07" Mahogany Snare #11Millenium47Stable$128€115$128€115Check ↗
- 27
DW PDP 13"x07" Walnut SnareDW47↑ 4.0%$440€394$440€394Check ↗
- 28
Tama LGM137-STA Sound Lab SnareTama47Stable$557€499$557€499Check ↗
- 29
Noble & Cooley 13"x06" Cherry Burgundy Spkl.Noble & Cooley47Stable$1,618€1,449$1,618€1,449Check ↗
13" Wooden Snare Drums by the numbers
Measured across all 35 models we track, not a sample.
Median $336 — half of all 13" wooden snare drums here cost less.
median of 35 models · 13"–13"
How to choose the best 13" wooden snare drums
Wood Type
Maple offers warmth and a balanced response, perfect for versatile playing. Birch is typically brighter and more focused, good for cutting through a rock mix but might lack that buttery low-end. Cherry tends to be more mid-focused, giving you that vintage 'thump' but can get muddy if not controlled.
Shell Thickness
Thicker shells (around 10mm+) tend to have more projection and sustain, but can be less sensitive to quiet playing. Thinner shells (7-8mm) are more responsive and offer a more controlled, 'dry' sound - great for jazz but might get lost in a loud band.
Bearing Edge
A sharper bearing edge will give you a more aggressive, cutting tone with quicker decay. A rounded bearing edge will produce a warmer, more resonant sound with longer sustain. This is huge for tailoring the drum's character.
Hardware & Lugs
Don't sleep on the hardware. Cheap lugs can dampen the drum's natural resonance. Solid, well-built hardware is essential for stability and tuning accuracy, especially when you're gigging regularly.
Rim Type
Chrome rims are standard, but consider a wood or coated rim for a warmer, more controlled tone. Triple-flanged rims offer a more defined attack and a higher, more focused pitch - a common choice for studio recording.
Buying guide
Alright, let's talk 13" snares. They're not the default choice for most, but a good 13" can be a secret weapon - offering a tighter, more focused crack than their larger cousins, perfect for jazz, studio work, or cutting through a dense mix. Don't let the smaller size fool you; these drums can pack a serious punch when dialed in right. It's about finding that sweet spot between sensitivity and snap, and that requires knowing what you're looking for.
A 13" snare's strength is its focused nature, so be wary of drums that sound 'dead' or overly muffled. Don't chase the cheapest option; corners are almost always cut somewhere - usually in shell thickness or hardware quality. It's worth paying a little more for a drum that resonates and responds well to your playing, and that'll hold up to regular gigging.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 35 13" wooden snare drums from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
Are 13" snares harder to tune?
Not inherently. They have a slightly smaller head surface, which can make finding the sweet spot a bit more precise, but the principles of tuning remain the same. Patience is key.
Can I use a 13" snare in a rock band?
Absolutely. It'll require more careful mic placement and potentially a more aggressive playing style to cut through, but a well-chosen 13" can work surprisingly well. It's all about finding the right wood and bearing edge.
What's the difference between a 5.5" and a 6" depth?
The deeper the shell, generally the more resonance and low-end thump you'll get. A 5.5" will be a bit more focused and controlled, while a 6" will have a slightly fuller sound. It's a subtle difference, but can be noticeable.
Do I need to replace the heads?
Almost certainly. Factory heads are often a compromise. Investing in a good set of heads - coated for warmth, clear for attack - will dramatically improve the drum's sound and response.
What's the best wood for a beginner?
Maple is a great starting point. It's versatile and forgiving, offering a balanced tone that works well in a variety of situations. It's also generally more affordable than some of the more exotic woods.
