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

Gretsch Drums 14"x6.5" Full Range Maple SD - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Gretsch Drums 14"x6.5" Full Range Walnut SD - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
Yamaha 14"x5,5" Tour Custom Snare CS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Yamaha 14"x5,5" Tour Custom Snare CS

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
Gretsch Drums 14"X05" Broadkaster SD Natural - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
Tama 14"x6,5" SP1465 Simon Phillips - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Tama 14"x6,5" SP1465 Simon Phillips

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
Tama 14"x6" Starcl. Walnut/B. MBC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Tama 14"x6" Starcl. Walnut/B. MBC

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
DW PDP 14"x6,5" CM Pearl. White - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
DW PDP 14"x6,5" CM Natural Laquer - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
Gretsch Drums 14"X5.5" Broadkaster SD NT. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
DW PDP 14"x6,5" CM Exotic WTC - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#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
DW 14"x5,5" SN Performance Charc. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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
DW 14"x6" Design Snare Blue Gran. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
DW PDP 14"x6,5" CM Charcoal Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Noble & Cooley 14"x05" Sassafras Solid Snare - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Noble & Cooley 14"x06" Sassafras Solid Snare - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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

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.

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