Best 14" Wooden Snare Drums for Intermediate 2026
Perfect 14" wooden snare drums for intermediate - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.9/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Gretsch Drums 14"x6.5" Full Range Maple SD
Natural Tone
Rock
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Professional tone for all musical applications
✓ PROS
- • Standard 14-inch size with wood warmth
- • Professional tone for all musical applications
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to humidity and temperature
- • May lack cutting power for heavy music
Gretsch Drums 14"x6.5" Full Range Maple SDSnare DrumSize: 14" x 6.5"Barrel-shaped maple shell with...
⭐
4.9/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 609677
$548
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Gretsch Drums 14"x6.5" Full Range Walnut SD
Professional
Blues
Natural Tone
Key Feature:
• Professional tone for all musical applications
✓ PROS
- • Natural wood character and resonance
- • Excellent for recording and live performance
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to humidity and temperature
- • Wood maintenance and care required
Gretsch Drums 14"x6.5" Full Range Walnut SDSnare DrumSize: 14" x 6.5"Barrel-shaped walnut shell...
⭐
4.7/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 609675
$548
#3
⭐
4.6/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha 14"x5,5" Tour Custom Snare CS
by
Yamaha
Recording
Jazz
Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent for recording and live performance
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for recording and live performance
- • Natural wood character and resonance
✗ CONS
- • Wood maintenance and care required
- • More expensive than metal alternatives
Yamaha 14"x5.5" Tour Custom Snare CSSnare DrumSize: 14" x 5.5"Tour Custom Series6-ply5.6 mm thick...
⭐
4.6/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 616728
$384
#4
⭐
4.7/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Gretsch Drums 14"X05" Broadkaster SD Natural
Natural Tone
Recording
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Natural wood character and resonance
✓ PROS
- • Standard 14-inch size with wood warmth
- • Warmer alternative to metal snares
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to humidity and temperature
- • Heavier than aluminum options
Gretsch Drums 14"X05" Broadkaster SD NaturalSnare DrumSize: 14" x 05"Broadkaster seriesMaterial:...
⭐
4.7/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 617343
$1,098
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Tama 14"x6,5" SP1465 Simon Phillips
by
Tama
Jazz
Rock
Natural Tone
Key Feature:
• Warmer alternative to metal snares
✓ PROS
- • Warmer alternative to metal snares
- • Standard 14-inch size with wood warmth
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than metal alternatives
- • May lack cutting power for heavy music
Tama 14"x6.5" SP1465 Simon PhillipsSnare DrumSize: 14" x 6.5"Simon Phillips Signature model6 mm...
⭐
4.8/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 606467
$1,297
#6
⭐
4.4/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Tama 14"x6" Starcl. Walnut/B. MBC
by
Tama
Rock
Recording
Natural Tone
Key Feature:
• Professional tone for all musical applications
✓ PROS
- • Standard 14-inch size with wood warmth
- • Natural wood character and resonance
✗ CONS
- • May lack cutting power for heavy music
- • Wood maintenance and care required
Tama 14"x6" Starcl. Walnut/B. MBCSnare DrumSize: 14" x 6.5"Starclassic Walnut / Birch Series -...
⭐
4.4/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 616452
$549
#7
⭐
5.0/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
DW PDP 14"x6,5" CM Pearl. White
by
DW
Jazz
Recording
Professional
Key Feature:
• Standard 14-inch size with wood warmth
✓ PROS
- • Professional tone for all musical applications
- • Natural wood character and resonance
✗ CONS
- • May lack cutting power for heavy music
- • More expensive than metal alternatives
DW PDP 14"x6.5" CM Pearl. WhiteSnare DrumConcept Maple SeriesSize: 14" x 6.5"Drum shell in wrap...
⭐
5.0/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 605267
$362
#8
⭐
4.4/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
DW PDP 14"x6,5" CM Natural Laquer
by
DW
Recording
Blues
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Natural wood character and resonance
✓ PROS
- • Professional tone for all musical applications
- • Warmer alternative to metal snares
✗ CONS
- • May lack cutting power for heavy music
- • Sensitive to humidity and temperature
DW PDP 14"x6.5" CM Natural LaquerSnare DrumConcept Maple SeriesSize: 14" x 6.5"Matte lacquer finish...
⭐
4.4/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 605266
$362
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Gretsch Drums 14"X5.5" Broadkaster SD NT.
Blues
Jazz
Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent for recording and live performance
✓ PROS
- • Natural wood character and resonance
- • Warmer alternative to metal snares
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than metal alternatives
- • Heavier than aluminum options
Gretsch Drums 14"X5.5" Broadkaster SD NT.Snare DrumSize: 14" x 5.5"Broadkaster seriesMaterial:...
⭐
4.8/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 617344
$1,098
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
DW PDP 14"x6,5" CM Exotic WTC
by
DW
Jazz
Professional
Rock
Key Feature:
• Warmer alternative to metal snares
✓ PROS
- • Professional tone for all musical applications
- • Warmer alternative to metal snares
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to humidity and temperature
- • Wood maintenance and care required
DW PDP 14"x6.5" CM Exotic WTCSnare DrumConcept Maple Exotic SeriesSize: 14" x 6.5"10-ply maple...
⭐
4.5/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 605271
$395
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
DW 14"x5,5" SN Performance Charc.
by
DW
Natural Tone
Blues
Rock
Key Feature:
• Warmer alternative to metal snares
✓ PROS
- • Professional tone for all musical applications
- • Warmer alternative to metal snares
✗ CONS
- • Heavier than aluminum options
- • Wood maintenance and care required
DW 14"x5.5" SN Performance Charc.Snare DrumPerformance SeriesSize: 14" x 5.5"10-ply maple shell45°...
⭐
4.5/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 605197
$659
#12
⭐
4.4/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
DW 14"x6" Design Snare Blue Gran.
by
DW
Blues
Rock
Recording
Key Feature:
• Professional tone for all musical applications
✓ PROS
- • Standard 14-inch size with wood warmth
- • Warmer alternative to metal snares
✗ CONS
- • May lack cutting power for heavy music
- • Sensitive to humidity and temperature
DW 14"x6" Design Snare Blue Gran.Snare DrumLimited Thomann editionSize: 14" x 06"8-ply shell made...
⭐
4.4/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 611453
$366
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
DW PDP 14"x6,5" CM Charcoal Burst
by
DW
Recording
Blues
Professional
Key Feature:
• Standard 14-inch size with wood warmth
✓ PROS
- • Standard 14-inch size with wood warmth
- • Professional tone for all musical applications
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than metal alternatives
- • Heavier than aluminum options
DW PDP 14"x6.5" CM Charcoal BurstSnare DrumConcept Maple SeriesSize: 14" x 6.5"Matte lacquer finish...
⭐
4.7/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 605268
$362
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Noble & Cooley 14"x05" Sassafras Solid Snare
Rock
Natural Tone
Professional
Key Feature:
• Warmer alternative to metal snares
✓ PROS
- • Warmer alternative to metal snares
- • Natural wood character and resonance
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than metal alternatives
- • May lack cutting power for heavy music
Noble & Cooley 14"x05" Sassafras Solid SnareSnare DrumLimited special editionSize: 14" x...
⭐
4.4/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 611850
$1,704
#15
⭐
4.8/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Noble & Cooley 14"x06" Sassafras Solid Snare
Recording
Professional
Rock
Key Feature:
• Professional tone for all musical applications
✓ PROS
- • Professional tone for all musical applications
- • Warmer alternative to metal snares
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to humidity and temperature
- • Heavier than aluminum options
Noble & Cooley 14"x06" Sassafras Solid SnareSnare DrumLimited special editionSize: 14" x...
⭐
4.8/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 611851
$1,704
How to Choose the Best 14" Wooden Snare Drums
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 14" wooden snare drums 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.
