Best 20" Bass Drums Under $500 2025

Affordable 20" bass drums under $500 - great value without compromising quality

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

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SN-NM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SN-NM

Versatile Rock Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Wide range of tuning possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Good balance of attack and low-end
  • • Popular 20-inch size for many genres
✗ CONS
  • • May lack extreme low-end for some styles
  • • Still limited compared to 22-inch options

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

5.0/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Yamaha Stage Custom 20"x17" BD NW - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Yamaha Stage Custom 20"x17" BD NW

Rock Jazz Recording
Key Feature:
• Good projection for medium to large venues
✓ PROS
  • • Good balance of attack and low-end
  • • Good projection for medium to large venues
✗ CONS
  • • May need porting for optimal performance
  • • Compromise size may not excel in any area

Yamaha Stage Custom 20"x17" BD NWBass DrumSBB2017 NWColour: Natural Wood (NW)100% Birch wood shell...

4.9/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BP-WM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BP-WM

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
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SWB-NM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SWB-NM

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
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBR-NM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBR-NM

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
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SN -WM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SN -WM

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
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBR-WM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBR-WM

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
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BRF -WM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BRF -WM

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
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SB -WM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SB -WM

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
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BP-NM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD BP-NM

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
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SB-NM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SB-NM

Live Performance Versatile Jazz
Key Feature:
• Suitable for most musical applications
✓ PROS
  • • Suitable for most musical applications
  • • Popular 20-inch size for many genres
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality pedal for best response
  • • May lack extreme low-end for some styles

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

4.9/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Pearl 20"x16" Export BD Mid. Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Pearl 20"x16" Export BD Mid. Blue

Versatile 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
  • • Compromise size may not excel in any area

Pearl 20"x16" Export BD Midnight Blue; Bass Drum; Export Series; Size: 20”x16”; 6-ply poplar shells,...

4.7/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBB-WM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBB-WM

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
DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBB-NM - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

DrumCraft Series 6 20"x16" BD SBB-NM

Jazz Pop Rock
Key Feature:
• Good balance of attack and low-end
✓ PROS
  • • Good balance of attack and low-end
  • • Suitable for most musical applications
✗ CONS
  • • Still limited compared to 22-inch options
  • • May need porting for optimal performance

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

4.7/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Yamaha Stage Custom 20"x17" BD -RBL - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Yamaha Stage Custom 20"x17" BD -RBL

Jazz Pop Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Wide range of tuning possibilities
✓ PROS
  • • Wide range of tuning possibilities
  • • Good balance of attack and low-end
✗ CONS
  • • May need porting for optimal performance
  • • May lack extreme low-end for some styles

Yamaha Stage Custom 20"x17" BD -RBLBass DrumSize: 20" x 17"Stage Custom Birch SeriesSBB2017Colour:...

4.8/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10

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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