AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best 22" Bass Drums 2026
The top pick is Yamaha SBP2F5 Stage Custom Birch 22x17/16x15/12x8/10x7/5.5x14" 5pc… ($479). Millenium Focus 22"x16" Bass Drum Red gives you the most for the money at $173. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 23 models across 8 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 7, 2026
Narrow the chart
All 22" Bass DrumsTop 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
-
Yamaha SBP2F5 Stage Custom Birch 22x17/
16x15/ 12x8/ 10x7/ 5.5x14" 5pc… 22"x17" Stage Custom BD RB · Yamaha
78 for sale on Reverb4 finishes at Thomann
- Size22"
The Stage Custom bass drum is a solid, reliable choice for gigging drummers. The birch construction gives it a punchy, articulate sound that cuts through a mix, making it ideal for rock, pop, and funk. It's a great balance of quality and affordability for players needing a workhorse kick drum.
Pros
- Birch shell delivers a focused, warm low-end with good attack
- Raven Black lacquer looks sharp, resists chipping better than some
- 6-ply construction balances resonance and controlled projection
Cons
- Birch shells can lack the 'boom' of maple for certain styles
- Lacquer finish requires careful handling to avoid scratches
85AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$479 now$479€429 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size22"
This is a 22 by 18 inch bass drum with a maple and walnut shell and a matte lacquered finish in a purple to black fade sparkle colour. It has wooden hoops, Remo heads, black shell hardware, and a tom holder, so it suits you if you want a kick drum with a wood build and a bold look. It is a good pick for a drummer who wants a matching kick drum with a tom holder already included.
Pros
- Maple and walnut shell gives it a wood build
- Matte lacquered finish with a purple to black fade sparkle colour
- Black shell hardware matches the dark finish
66AudioFu
Index↓ 2.8%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$401 · Aug 17$390 now$390€349 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Pearl EXX2018B Export EXX 22x18" Bass Drum
22"x18" Export BD G. Silver · Pearl
11 for sale on Reverb2 finishes at Thomann
- Size22"
This Export bass drum is a solid choice for beginner to intermediate drummers needing a reliable and good-looking low end. The 6-ply construction gives it a surprisingly warm tone for the price point, and the wrap finish looks a lot more premium than it is. It's a great foundation for a kit or a standalone addition for practice or gigging.
Pros
- 6-ply poplar shell delivers a warm, resonant low-end response.
- Graphite Silver Twist wrap offers a distinctive aesthetic and enhanced durability.
- Chrome-plated hardware provides reliable performance and a classic look.
Cons
- The wrap finish can be susceptible to minor scratches and blemishes.
- Legs, while functional, are basic and might benefit from an upgrade later.
65AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$430 now$430€385 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size22"
This is a 22 by 18 inch bass drum from DW's Concept Maple series. It has a high gloss lacquered finish, chrome plated shell hardware, and a silver to black sparkle fade colour. If you want a bass drum that looks polished and eye-catching, this one is a good fit.
Pros
- Concept Maple series shell, built from maple
- High gloss lacquered finish on the shell
- Chrome plated shell hardware for a polished look
56AudioFu
Index↓ 3.9%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$713 · Aug 17$686 now$686€614 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size22"
This is a 22 by 16 inch kick drum in red, from the Millenium Focus series. It has a foil covered shell, chrome hardware, and a kick drum rosette in the box. It suits you if you want a simple, good-looking kick drum for a standard drum kit at a budget-friendly price.
Pros
- Foil covered shell gives it a finished look in red
- Chrome hardware matches the shell finish
- Comes with a kick drum rosette included
54AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$173 now$173€155 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size22"
You get a 22 by 18 inch kick drum with a maple and walnut shell, wooden hoops, and Remo drumheads. Its satin black to vivid blue fade finish gives it a bold look, and the undrilled shell lets you choose where to add mounts. It suits drummers who want a wood kick drum in a common size and don't mind doing their own drilling.
Pros
- Maple and walnut shell gives this 22 inch kick drum a wood build
- Wooden hoops are included with the shell
- Remo drumheads come fitted on the drum
Cons
- The shell is undrilled, so you must add any holes for mics or pedals yourself
53AudioFu
Index↓ 2.6%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$434 · Aug 17$423 now$423€379 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size22"
This is a 22 by 18 inch kick drum with a maple and walnut shell and wooden hoops. It has a matte lacquer finish and a Satin Black to Red Fade colour. It suits you if you want a 22 inch bass drum with a wood shell and you're fine drilling your own holes.
Pros
- Shell is made of maple and walnut
- Wooden hoops are fitted to the drum
- Matte lacquer finish covers the shell
Cons
- Undrilled shell means you must drill your own holes for hardware and mounts
53AudioFu
Index↓ 2.5%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$445 · Aug 17$434 now$434€389 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size22"
This is a 22 by 18 inch bass drum with a maple and walnut shell and wooden hoops. It has a matte lacquered shell, matte chromed hardware, and a Satin Black to Vivid Blue fade color. It suits you if you want a bass drum with a wood look and Remo heads already fitted.
Pros
- Shell is made of maple and walnut, a mix of two woods
- Wooden hoops give the drum a wood frame
- Comes with a kick drum rosette for a finished look
53AudioFu
Index↓ 2.3%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$444 · Aug 17$434 now$434€389 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size22"
This is a 22 by 18 inch kick drum with a maple and walnut shell. It has a high gloss lacquered finish in Scottish White Burst, a kick drum rosette, wooden hoops and matt chromed hardware. It suits you if you want a kick drum in a standard size with a rosette already included and a classic look.
Pros
- Shell is made of maple and walnut wood
- High gloss lacquered finish in Scottish White Burst colour
- Comes with a kick drum rosette
52AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$390 now$390€349 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size22"
This is a 22 by 18 inch kick drum with a maple and walnut shell and a high gloss white finish. It comes with wooden hoops, Remo heads and matte chrome hardware, so you get a complete drum to start with. It suits you if you want a classic-looking kick drum and don't mind drilling your own mounting holes.
Pros
- Maple and walnut shell offers a classic build from named woods
- High gloss lacquered finish in Scottish White Burst colour
- Matte chromed shell hardware matches the drum's finish
Cons
- Undrilled shell means you must drill your own holes for mounting or a microphone
52AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$423 now$423€379 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 23 22" bass drums
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
Sonor 22"x17,5" AQ2 Bass Drum WHPSonor · 2 finishes52Stable$725€649$725€649Check ↗
- 12
Pearl 22"x18" Export BD Sat. ScarletPearl50Stable$430€385$430€385Check ↗
- 13
Pearl 22"x18" Export BD Mid. BluePearl50Stable$430€385$430€385Check ↗
- 14
Pearl 22"x18" Export BD M. AmethystPearl50Stable$430€385$430€385Check ↗
- 15
Pearl 22"x18" Export BD Jet BlackPearl50Stable$430€385$430€385Check ↗
- 16
Pearl EXX 22"/08"/14" Add-On #704Pearl50Stable$669€599$669€599Check ↗
- 17
Pearl Crystal Beat 22"x16" Bass #730Pearl50Stable$885€793$885€793Check ↗
- 18
DrumCraft Series 6 22"x18" BD SBR-WMDrumCraft49↑ 5.6%$423€379$423€379Check ↗
- 19
Sonor 22"x14" Vintage Series VPLSonor48Stable$1,953€1,749$1,953€1,749Check ↗
- 20
Sonor ProLite 22"x16" BD WalnutSonor48Stable$2,007€1,798$2,007€1,798Check ↗
- 21
Tama 22"x18" Imperialstar BD -BOBTama46Stable$423€379$423€379Check ↗
- 22
Gretsch Drums 22"x18" BD Renown Maple GNGretsch Drums44Stable$1,301€1,165$1,301€1,165Check ↗
- 23
Tama MBSB22DZ Starclassic Performer 22x18" Bass Drum22"x18" Starclassic P. BD SGR · Tama41↓ 2.7%$1,227€1,099$1,227€1,099Check ↗
22" Bass Drums by the numbers
Measured across all 37 models we track, not a sample.
Median $434 — half of all 22" bass drums here cost less.
median of 37 models · 22"–22"
How to choose the best 22" bass drums
Shell Material
Maple's got that warm, focused low-end with good resonance, great for recording. Birch is punchier, cuts through a mix better, a solid gigging choice. Mahogany gives you a darker, more vintage tone - can be a little muddy if not controlled. Each has its trade-offs, it's all about the sonic character you're after.
Bearing Edge
A sharp, consistent bearing edge is critical. It's where the head makes contact with the shell and dictates how much resonance you get. Sloppy edges mean a dead sound, even with a good head. Look for a clean, even profile - this is a detail easily overlooked.
Hoops
Chrome hoops are the standard, but their weight and thickness affect sustain. Lighter hoops (like wood or die-cast with a thinner profile) will let the drum breathe more, while heavier hoops will dampen the resonance a bit. Think about what you want - more sustain or a more controlled thump.
Head Selection
The head is half the drum! A thin, resonant head will give you more boom, but less attack. A thicker head will be punchier and more controlled. Experiment with different head types (batter, reso) to shape the tone - don't just slap on whatever comes stock.
Internal Dampening
Some drums come with built-in dampening (bassulator, rings, etc.). These can be useful for controlling overtones and tightening up the sound, but they also kill sustain. It's usually better to start with a dry drum and add dampening as needed, rather than removing it from a drum that's already too resonant.
Buying guide
Alright, so you're in the market for a 22" bass drum - a solid choice, the workhorse size for a lot of genres. It's big enough to have some serious thump but still manageable on stage and in smaller studios. Finding the right one isn't just about slapping a head on it; it's about the shell material, the hoops, the internal dampening - all of it contributing to the overall sound and feel. Let's break down what you need to know to get a drum that actually delivers.
Don't get caught up in flashy finishes or fancy hardware. A well-built shell with a good bearing edge will always sound better than a poorly constructed drum with all the bells and whistles. Cheaper drums often cut corners on the shell material (thin plywood) or the bearing edge - those are the red flags.
Paying a bit more for a quality shell and well-crafted edges is almost always worth it; it's the foundation of a good drum sound.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 37 22" bass drums from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
What's the difference between a 'dry' and 'resonant' bass drum?
A 'resonant' drum has lots of sustain and overtones - it rings for a long time. A 'dry' drum is more controlled, with less sustain and a more focused low-end. It's all about the balance between those qualities.
Do I need a bass drum pedal with a lot of power?
Not necessarily. It depends on your playing style. A powerful pedal gives you more force, which can be useful for loud gigs, but a lighter pedal can feel more responsive for quieter playing. It's about comfort and control.
What's the deal with different head sizes (like 12" or 14" kick heads)?
The smaller the head, the tighter and punchier the sound. A 14" head is a good all-around choice. A 12" head is often used for a more focused, aggressive tone, while a larger head might be used for more low-end rumble.
Should I dampen my bass drum?
It depends! If your drum is too resonant and muddy, dampening can help control overtones. But too much dampening will kill the life out of it. Start with less dampening and add more as needed.
Can I get a good sound out of a cheap bass drum?
You can improve the sound, absolutely. Replacing the heads is the biggest bang for your buck. But there's only so much you can do to compensate for a poorly constructed shell. You'll likely be fighting an uphill battle.
