AudioFu

Best 20" Bass Drums for Live Performance 2025

Perfect 20" bass drums for live-performance - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $500
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Rock For Pop For Jazz For Recording For Live Performance For Versatile
BRANDS: DrumCraft
Gretsch Drums 20"x16" Renown Maple BD -VP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Gretsch Drums 20"x16" Renown Maple BD -VP

by Gretsch Drums
Versatile Recording Rock
Key Feature:
• Suitable for most musical applications
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for most musical applications
  • • Good projection for medium to large venues
✗ CONS
  • • May lack extreme low-end for some styles
  • • May need porting for optimal performance

Gretsch Drums 20"x16" Renown Maple BD -VPBass DrumShell Material: MapleColour: Vintage PearlShell with wrap...

⭐ 4.8/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 430119
$1,208
Buy at Thomann View Details
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SB -WM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SB -WM

by DrumCraft
Recording Jazz Versatile
Key Feature:
• Wide range of tuning possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Good balance of attack and low-end
  • • Suitable for most musical applications
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality pedal for best response
  • • May need porting for optimal performance

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SB -WMKick DrumSeries 6Size: 20" x 16"Shell material: Maple /...

⭐ 5.0/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 523697
$406
Buy at Thomann View Details
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBB-WM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBB-WM

by DrumCraft
Live Performance Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Popular 20-inch size for many genres
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for most musical applications
  • • Good balance of attack and low-end
✗ CONS
  • • Still limited compared to 22-inch options
  • • Compromise size may not excel in any area

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBB-WMKick DrumSeries 6Size: 20" x 16"Shell material: Maple /...

⭐ 4.7/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 543519
$428
Buy at Thomann View Details
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SN -WM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SN -WM

by DrumCraft
Jazz Live Performance Rock
Key Feature:
• Good projection for medium to large venues
✓ PROS
  • • Good balance of attack and low-end
  • • Wide range of tuning possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality pedal for best response
  • • May lack extreme low-end for some styles

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SN -WMKick DrumSeries 6Size: 20" x 16"Shell material: Maple /...

⭐ 4.9/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 523698
$417
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sonor 20"x14" Vintage Series VP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sonor 20"x14" Vintage Series VP

by Sonor
Live Performance Versatile Jazz
Key Feature:
• Popular 20-inch size for many genres
✓ PROS
  • • Popular 20-inch size for many genres
  • • Suitable for most musical applications
✗ CONS
  • • Compromise size may not excel in any area
  • • May need porting for optimal performance

Sonor 20"x14" Vintage Series VPBass DrumVintage SeriesColour: Vintage PearlDrumshell material: BeechHardware:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 461219
$1,758
Buy at Thomann View Details
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SWB-WM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SWB-WM

by DrumCraft
Versatile Recording Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Suitable for most musical applications
✓ PROS
  • • Wide range of tuning possibilities
  • • Suitable for most musical applications
✗ CONS
  • • May lack extreme low-end for some styles
  • • Requires quality pedal for best response

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SWB-WMKick DrumSeries 6Size: 20" x 16"Shell material: Maple /...

⭐ 4.6/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 523699
$366
Buy at Thomann View Details
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BP-WM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BP-WM

by DrumCraft
Pop Rock Recording
Key Feature:
• Wide range of tuning possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Good projection for medium to large venues
  • • Suitable for most musical applications
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality pedal for best response
  • • May lack extreme low-end for some styles

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BP-WMKick DrumSeries 6Size: 20" x 16"Shell material: Maple /...

⭐ 4.9/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 523648
$395
Buy at Thomann View Details
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BP-NM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BP-NM

by DrumCraft
Rock Pop Recording
Key Feature:
• Wide range of tuning possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Good projection for medium to large venues
  • • Wide range of tuning possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Compromise size may not excel in any area
  • • Requires quality pedal for best response

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BP-NMKick DrumSeries 6Size: 20" x 16"Undrilled kick drumShell...

⭐ 4.5/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 523709
$362
Buy at Thomann View Details
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBR-WM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBR-WM

by DrumCraft
Rock Pop Jazz
Key Feature:
• Wide range of tuning possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for most musical applications
  • • Wide range of tuning possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Still limited compared to 22-inch options
  • • Requires quality pedal for best response

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBR-WMKick DrumSeries 6Size: 20" x 16"Shell material: Maple /...

⭐ 4.6/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 543516
$395
Buy at Thomann View Details
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BRF-NM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BRF-NM

by DrumCraft
Versatile Live Performance Jazz
Key Feature:
• Good balance of attack and low-end
✓ PROS
  • • Good projection for medium to large venues
  • • Good balance of attack and low-end
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality pedal for best response
  • • Still limited compared to 22-inch options

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BRF-NMKick Drum6 SeriesSize: 20" x 16"Undrilled kick drumShell...

⭐ 4.5/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 523707
$366
Buy at Thomann View Details
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBR-NM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBR-NM

by DrumCraft
Live Performance Pop Versatile
Key Feature:
• Good balance of attack and low-end
✓ PROS
  • • Good balance of attack and low-end
  • • Wide range of tuning possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • May need porting for optimal performance
  • • Still limited compared to 22-inch options

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBR-NMKick DrumSeries 6Size: 20" x 16"Shell material:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 543522
$373
Buy at Thomann View Details
DW Design 20" Pancake Gong Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

DW Design 20" Pancake Gong Set

by DW
Versatile Live Performance Jazz
Key Feature:
• Good projection for medium to large venues
✓ PROS
  • • Popular 20-inch size for many genres
  • • Wide range of tuning possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality pedal for best response
  • • Compromise size may not excel in any area

DW Design 20" Pancake Gong Set*Bundle offer comprising*, DW Design 20" Pancake Gong Drum*Gong Drum*Size:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 381381
$637
Buy at Thomann View Details
DW Design 20" Pancake Bass Drum - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

DW Design 20" Pancake Bass Drum

by DW
Versatile Recording Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Suitable for most musical applications
✓ PROS
  • • Good projection for medium to large venues
  • • Wide range of tuning possibilities
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality pedal for best response
  • • May lack extreme low-end for some styles

DW Design 20" Pancake Bass DrumPancake Bass DrumSize: 20"Design seriesShell material: 100% North American...

⭐ 4.6/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 425195
$538
Buy at Thomann View Details
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BRF -WM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BRF -WM

by DrumCraft
Rock Recording Versatile
Key Feature:
• Popular 20-inch size for many genres
✓ PROS
  • • Good balance of attack and low-end
  • • Suitable for most musical applications
✗ CONS
  • • Compromise size may not excel in any area
  • • Still limited compared to 22-inch options

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BRF -WMKick Drum6 SeriesSize: 20" x 16"With kick drum bracketShell...

⭐ 4.7/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 523658
$406
Buy at Thomann View Details
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SWB-NM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SWB-NM

by DrumCraft
Live Performance Recording Rock
Key Feature:
• Wide range of tuning possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for most musical applications
  • • Good projection for medium to large venues
✗ CONS
  • • May need porting for optimal performance
  • • Compromise size may not excel in any area

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SWB-NMKick DrumSeries 6Size: 20" x 16"Shell material: Maple /...

⭐ 4.5/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 523701
$384
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 20" Bass 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 20" bass 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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