Best 14" Wooden Snare Drums Under $800 2026
Affordable 14" wooden snare drums under $800 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.8/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Gretsch Drums 14"x5" Full Range Snare Maple
Natural Tone
Rock
Professional
Key Feature:
• Excellent for recording and live performance
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for recording and live performance
- • Warmer alternative to metal snares
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than metal alternatives
- • May lack cutting power for heavy music
Gretsch Drums S1-0514-MPL 14"x5" Snare MapleSnare DrumSilver SeriesSize: 14" x 05"10-Ply8 mm thick...
⭐
4.8/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 348771
$505
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha Recording Custom 14"x8" WLN
by
Yamaha
Jazz
Natural Tone
Blues
Key Feature:
• Professional tone for all musical applications
✓ PROS
- • Professional tone for all musical applications
- • Natural wood character and resonance
✗ CONS
- • May lack cutting power for heavy music
- • Wood maintenance and care required
Yamaha Recording Custom 14"x8" WLNSnare DrumSize: 14" x 08"New Recording Custom SeriesShell...
⭐
4.7/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 451876
$702
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Yamaha 14"x5,5" Live Custom Hybr. UIS
by
Yamaha
Professional
Recording
Natural Tone
Key Feature:
• Standard 14-inch size with wood warmth
✓ PROS
- • Standard 14-inch size with wood warmth
- • Natural wood character and resonance
✗ CONS
- • Wood maintenance and care required
- • May lack cutting power for heavy music
Yamaha 14"x 5.5" Live Custom Hybr. UISSnare drumSize: 14" x 5.5"Live custom hybrid oak...
⭐
4.7/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 484179
$681
#4
⭐
4.9/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Mapex 14"x06" DL Heartbreaker NSW
by
Mapex
Rock
Jazz
Blues
Key Feature:
• Professional tone for all musical applications
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for recording and live performance
- • Standard 14-inch size with wood warmth
✗ CONS
- • Heavier than aluminum options
- • Sensitive to humidity and temperature
Mapex 14"x06" DL Heartbreaker NSWSnare DrumSize: 14" x 06"Black Panther Design Lab series8 mm...
⭐
4.9/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 407633
$637
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Gretsch Drums 14"x08" Swamp Dawg Snare
Recording
Blues
Professional
Key Feature:
• Standard 14-inch size with wood warmth
✓ PROS
- • Warmer alternative to metal snares
- • Natural wood character and resonance
✗ CONS
- • Heavier than aluminum options
- • May lack cutting power for heavy music
Gretsch Drums 14" x 08" Swamp Dawg SnareSnare DrumSize: 14" x 08"Drum shell material: 6-Ply...
⭐
4.8/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 416133
$611
#6
⭐
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
#7
⭐
4.7/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sonor SQ1 14"x5" Snare Cruiser Blue
by
Sonor
Recording
Rock
Natural Tone
Key Feature:
• Natural wood character and resonance
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for recording and live performance
- • Professional tone for all musical applications
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than metal alternatives
- • May lack cutting power for heavy music
Sonor SQ1 14"x5" Snare Cruiser BlueSnare drumSize: 14" x 05"SQ1 SeriesSatin lacquered7-ply7 mm...
⭐
4.7/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 512224
$769
#8
⭐
4.8/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Tama MP1455BU 14x5,5" Mike Portnoy
by
Tama
Rock
Professional
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Natural wood character and resonance
✓ PROS
- • Standard 14-inch size with wood warmth
- • Excellent for recording and live performance
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than metal alternatives
- • Heavier than aluminum options
Tama MP1455BU 14x55" Mike PortnoySnare DrumMike Portnoy SignatureSize: 14" x 5.5"Colour: Black with new...
⭐
4.8/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 293193
$758
#9
⭐
4.6/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Yamaha 14"x5,5" Live Custom Hybr. UMS
by
Yamaha
Blues
Natural Tone
Professional
Key Feature:
• Excellent for recording and live performance
✓ PROS
- • Standard 14-inch size with wood warmth
- • Warmer alternative to metal snares
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than metal alternatives
- • Heavier than aluminum options
Yamaha 14"x5.5" Live Custom Hybr. UMSSnare DrumSize: 14" x 5.5"Live Custom Hybrid Oak Series7-Layer...
⭐
4.6/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 525668
$681
#10
⭐
4.8/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Tama 14"x6,5" Starcl. Maple Sn. ROY
by
Tama
Natural Tone
Professional
Recording
Key Feature:
• Excellent for recording and live performance
✓ PROS
- • Professional tone for all musical applications
- • Natural wood character and resonance
✗ CONS
- • May lack cutting power for heavy music
- • Wood maintenance and care required
Tama 14"x6.5" Starcl. Maple Sn. ROYSnare DrumSize: 14" x 6.5Starclassic Maple SeriesShell made of 100%...
⭐
4.8/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 557430
$635
#11
⭐
4.9/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Tama PMM146 Starphonic Maple
by
Tama
Professional
Rock
Blues
Key Feature:
• Professional tone for all musical applications
✓ PROS
- • Warmer alternative to metal snares
- • Excellent for recording and live performance
✗ CONS
- • Sensitive to humidity and temperature
- • Wood maintenance and care required
Tama PMM146 Starphonic MapleStarphonic Snare DrumMaple ShellSize: 14" x 06"With 1 mappa burl outer layer - 6...
⭐
4.9/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 238222
$681
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sonor SQ1 14"x6,5" Snare Cruis. Blue
by
Sonor
Professional
Recording
Blues
Key Feature:
• Excellent for recording and live performance
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for recording and live performance
- • Standard 14-inch size with wood warmth
✗ CONS
- • Wood maintenance and care required
- • Sensitive to humidity and temperature
Sonor SQ1 14"x65" Snare Cruis. BlueSnare DrumSize: 14" x 6.5"SQ1 seriesSatin-finished7-Ply7 mm...
⭐
4.6/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 410259
$769
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sonor 14"x06" Kompressor Snare Beech
by
Sonor
Blues
Professional
Rock
Key Feature:
• Standard 14-inch size with wood warmth
✓ PROS
- • Natural wood character and resonance
- • Warmer alternative to metal snares
✗ CONS
- • May lack cutting power for heavy music
- • Wood maintenance and care required
Sonor 14"x06" Kompressor Snare BeechSnare DrumSize: 14" x 06"12-Ply 8 mm beech shellLugs with...
⭐
4.9/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 573969
$637
#14
⭐
4.6/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Tama 14"x6,5" Starcl. Maple Sn. SLW
by
Tama
Jazz
Recording
Rock
Key Feature:
• Professional tone for all musical applications
✓ PROS
- • Standard 14-inch size with wood warmth
- • Excellent for recording and live performance
✗ CONS
- • Heavier than aluminum options
- • More expensive than metal alternatives
Tama 14"x65" Starcl. Maple Sn. SLWSnare DrumSize: 14" x 6.5"Starclassic Maple SeriesMaple...
⭐
4.6/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 533960
$626
#15
⭐
4.4/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
DW 14"x6,5" SN Performance Ebony
by
DW
Natural Tone
Blues
Professional
Key Feature:
• Professional tone for all musical applications
✓ PROS
- • Professional tone for all musical applications
- • Standard 14-inch size with wood warmth
✗ CONS
- • May lack cutting power for heavy music
- • Heavier than aluminum options
DW 14"x65" SN Performance EbonySnare drumPerformance seriesSize: 14" x 6.5"Chrome hardwareStandard...
⭐
4.4/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 351129
$714
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.
