Best 8" Toms Under $500 2026
Affordable 8" toms under $500 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.8/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Gretsch Drums 08"x07" TT Renown Maple CB
Recording
High Pitch
Rock
Key Feature:
• Compact 8-inch size for tight setups
✓ PROS
- • Easy to incorporate into existing kits
- • Compact 8-inch size for tight setups
✗ CONS
- • Small size limits volume projection
- • Specialized application instrument
Gretsch Drums 08"x07" TT Renown Maple CBTom TomSize: 08" x 07"Renown Maple seriesLacquered...
⭐
4.8/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 426768
$318
#2
⭐
5.0/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Tama 08"x06" Starcl. W/B Tom -MBR
by
Tama
High Pitch
Metal
Recording
Key Feature:
• Perfect for fast, melodic playing
✓ PROS
- • Easy to incorporate into existing kits
- • Compact 8-inch size for tight setups
✗ CONS
- • Limited low-end response
- • Very high pitch may be limited
Tama 08"x06" Starcl. W/B Tom -MBRSize: 08" x 06"Starclassic Series6 mm thick shell made from four...
⭐
5.0/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 606222
$472
#3
⭐
4.5/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Gretsch Drums 08"x07" TT Renown Maple VP
Rock
Compact Setup
Recording
Key Feature:
• Compact 8-inch size for tight setups
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for fast, melodic playing
- • Easy to incorporate into existing kits
✗ CONS
- • May sound toy-like if not tuned properly
- • Limited low-end response
Gretsch Drums 08"x07" TT Renown Maple VPTom TomSize: 08" x 07"Renown Maple seriesFoil-wrapped...
⭐
4.5/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 477999
$318
#4
⭐
4.7/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Tama 08"x06" Starcl. W/B Tom -SPF
by
Tama
Recording
Fills
High Pitch
Key Feature:
• Compact 8-inch size for tight setups
✓ PROS
- • Compact 8-inch size for tight setups
- • High-pitched tom voice for fills
✗ CONS
- • Small size limits volume projection
- • Specialized application instrument
Tama 08"x06" Starcl. W/B Tom -SPFTom TomSize: 08" x 06"Matte lacquer finish shellsMaterial: 6 mm /...
⭐
4.7/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 606223
$472
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
DW Design 08"x07" Tom Tom White
by
DW
Rock
Fills
Metal
Key Feature:
• High-pitched tom voice for fills
✓ PROS
- • High-pitched tom voice for fills
- • Compact 8-inch size for tight setups
✗ CONS
- • Very high pitch may be limited
- • Small size limits volume projection
DW Design 08"x07" Tom Tom WhiteTom TomSize: 08" x 07"Colour: White GlossShell made of 8 layers of...
⭐
4.9/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 527152
$328
#6
⭐
4.6/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
DW Design 08"x07" Tom Tom Black
by
DW
High Pitch
Fills
Compact Setup
Key Feature:
• High-pitched tom voice for fills
✓ PROS
- • Great for recording applications
- • High-pitched tom voice for fills
✗ CONS
- • Very high pitch may be limited
- • May sound toy-like if not tuned properly
DW Design 08" x 07" Tom TomTom TomFinish: Black SatinDrum shell is made from 8 plies of specially selected...
⭐
4.6/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 402270
$328
#7
⭐
4.8/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Tama 08"x06" Starcl. W/B Tom -PBK
by
Tama
Recording
Rock
Fills
Key Feature:
• Perfect for fast, melodic playing
✓ PROS
- • Great for recording applications
- • Compact 8-inch size for tight setups
✗ CONS
- • May sound toy-like if not tuned properly
- • Specialized application instrument
Tama 08"x06" Starcl. W/B Tom -PBKTom TomSize: 08" x 06"Material: 6 mm / four layers of birch + two...
⭐
4.8/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606216
$472
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
DW Design 08"x07" Tom Tom Cherry
by
DW
High Pitch
Recording
Fills
Key Feature:
• High-pitched tom voice for fills
✓ PROS
- • Compact 8-inch size for tight setups
- • High-pitched tom voice for fills
✗ CONS
- • May sound toy-like if not tuned properly
- • Limited low-end response
DW Design 08" x 07" Tom Tom CherryTom TomFinish: Cherry StainDrum shell is made from 8 plies of specially...
⭐
4.9/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 443854
$328
#9
⭐
4.9/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
DW Design 08"x07" Tom Tom Acryl
by
DW
Rock
Metal
Recording
Key Feature:
• High-pitched tom voice for fills
✓ PROS
- • Compact 8-inch size for tight setups
- • Easy to incorporate into existing kits
✗ CONS
- • May sound toy-like if not tuned properly
- • Small size limits volume projection
DW Design 08"x07" Tom Tom AcrylTom TomSize: 8" x 7"Material: AcrylicChrome hardwareTrue Pitch...
⭐
4.9/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 476995
$351
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Gretsch Drums 08"x07" TT Renown Maple -SOP
Recording
Metal
Fills
Key Feature:
• Easy to incorporate into existing kits
✓ PROS
- • Great for recording applications
- • High-pitched tom voice for fills
✗ CONS
- • Specialized application instrument
- • Small size limits volume projection
Gretsch Drums 08"x07" TT Renown Maple -SOPTom TomDrum shells with a wrap finish6-Ply 100% maple wood shell...
⭐
4.7/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 531193
$318
#11
⭐
4.9/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Gretsch Drums 08"x07" TT Renown Maple GN
High Pitch
Metal
Rock
Key Feature:
• Perfect for fast, melodic playing
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for fast, melodic playing
- • Compact 8-inch size for tight setups
✗ CONS
- • Small size limits volume projection
- • May sound toy-like if not tuned properly
Gretsch Drums 08"x07" TT Renown Maple GNTom TomSize: 08" x 07"Renown series7-Ply maple wood...
⭐
4.9/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 430831
$318
#12
⭐
4.8/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
DW Design 08"x07" Tom Tom Tobacco
by
DW
Metal
Recording
Compact Setup
Key Feature:
• High-pitched tom voice for fills
✓ PROS
- • Great for recording applications
- • High-pitched tom voice for fills
✗ CONS
- • Very high pitch may be limited
- • Limited low-end response
DW Design 08"x07" Tom Tom TobaccoTom TomSize: 08 "x 07"Design seriesDrum shell made of 8 layers of...
⭐
4.8/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 358069
$328
#13
⭐
4.4/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Gretsch Drums 08"x07" TT Renown Maple -PB
Recording
Fills
Rock
Key Feature:
• Perfect for fast, melodic playing
✓ PROS
- • Great for recording applications
- • Easy to incorporate into existing kits
✗ CONS
- • Specialized application instrument
- • Small size limits volume projection
Gretsch Drums 08"x07" TT Renown Maple -PBTom TomRN2-0708T-PBLacquered shellColour: Piano Black (PB)7-Ply 100%...
⭐
4.4/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 528120
$318
#14
⭐
4.7/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Pearl Crystal Beat 08"x07" Tom #730
by
Pearl
Fills
Compact Setup
Recording
Key Feature:
• Perfect for fast, melodic playing
✓ PROS
- • High-pitched tom voice for fills
- • Compact 8-inch size for tight setups
✗ CONS
- • Very high pitch may be limited
- • May sound toy-like if not tuned properly
Pearl Crystal Beat 08"x07" Tom #730Tom TomSize: 08" x 07"Crystal Beat seriesModern remake of the...
⭐
4.7/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 387271
$345
How to Choose the Best 8" Toms
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 8" toms 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.
