AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best 22" Bass Drums Under $2,000 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 22 models across 8 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 7, 2026
Top 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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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 S. White · Pearl
11 for sale on Reverb2 finishes at Thomann
- Size22"
This is a 22-inch by 18-inch kick drum from Pearl's Export series. Its six-ply poplar shell has a wrap finish in Slipstream White and chrome-plated hardware. It suits you if you want a kick drum with a layered poplar build and a classic white look for your kit.
Pros
- Six-ply poplar shell gives a layered build for kick drumming
- Shell has a wrap finish, adding protection and a clean look
- Chrome-plated shell hardware fits a classic drum kit look
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 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 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 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 22 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 Jet BlackPearl50Stable$430€385$430€385Check ↗
- 13
Pearl 22"x18" Export BD M. AmethystPearl50Stable$430€385$430€385Check ↗
- 14
Pearl 22"x18" Export BD Mid. BluePearl50Stable$430€385$430€385Check ↗
- 15
Pearl 22"x18" Export BD Sat. ScarletPearl50Stable$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
Tama 22"x18" Imperialstar BD -BOBTama46Stable$423€379$423€379Check ↗
- 21
Gretsch Drums 22"x18" BD Renown Maple GNGretsch Drums44Stable$1,301€1,165$1,301€1,165Check ↗
- 22
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 36 models we track, not a sample.
Median $434 — half of all 22" bass drums here cost less.
median of 36 models · 22"–22"
How to choose the best 22" bass drums
Shell Material
Maple, birch, and mahogany are common. Maple tends to be warmer, birch punchier, and mahogany can be a good compromise. Expect a thicker shell (around 7-9mm) in this price range; thinner shells will often sound flappy and lack sustain.
Bearing Edge
This is HUGE. A well-machined, consistent bearing edge transfers vibrations efficiently. Sharp, uneven edges kill the resonance. Look for drums where the bearing edge is clearly a focus in the construction - it's the single biggest factor in tone.
Hardware Quality
Don't underestimate this. Cheap legs and a flimsy bass drum spurs will rattle and vibrate, muddying the low end. Solid, well-built hardware makes a noticeable difference in overall feel and resonance.
Head Selection
Most drums in this price range come with decent, but often generic, heads. These are usually fine to start, but upgrading to a higher-quality batter head (like Remo Ambassador or Evans EQ2) can drastically improve articulation and responsiveness.
Resonance & Sustain
A good bass drum doesn't just boom; it resonates. It needs to have a controlled sustain that allows for nuanced dynamics and a full, rich tone. Avoid drums that sound 'dead' or overly dampened - those are often corners cut to save money.
Buying guide
So, you need a 22" bass drum that doesn't require selling a kidney? It's a common problem. You want that solid low-end thump to cut through a loud band, or a controlled, punchy response for recording, but you're not dropping two grand on a single drum. We've rounded up some seriously good options under $2000 that'll give you professional sound and feel without the crippling debt.
At this price point, you're going to be making trade-offs. You probably won't get exotic wood combinations or perfectly flawless finishes. Focus on the bearing edge and hardware - those are the areas where cheaping out really hurts the sound.
Don't be afraid to upgrade the heads immediately; it's the easiest and most impactful upgrade you can make.
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 36 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 birch and maple for a bass drum?
Birch delivers a tighter, more focused low-end with more attack - great for cutting through a loud rock band. Maple is warmer and rounder, with a more sustained low end, which can be more versatile for recording and different genres.
Are thicker shells always better?
Not necessarily. Thickness contributes to sustain and low-frequency response, but too thick can make the drum feel sluggish. It's the combination of thickness and the bearing edge that matters most.
What should I look for in bass drum spurs?
Solid construction is key. Look for spurs with rubber feet that are securely attached and won't wobble or pull out easily. Adjustable spurs are a bonus for different floor surfaces.
Can I realistically expect a 'vintage' sound for under $2000?
That's a tough ask. Vintage drums have a certain character developed over time and often feature unique construction techniques. You can get close with careful selection and head choices, but don't expect an exact replica.
Is it worth buying a used bass drum?
Absolutely. You can often find higher-end models from a few years ago at significantly discounted prices. Just be sure to inspect the drum carefully for any damage or wear and tear, especially around the bearing edge.
