Floor Tom: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Buying a floor tom is a more focused decision than buying a complete drum kit. You are looking for a specific combination of size, shell material, hardware and head specification that fits your playing context, your kit configuration and your budget. These are the key decisions and what they mean in practice.

Shell Size

The most consequential decision. Floor tom sizes are described by diameter and depth — a 14×14 is 14 inches in diameter and 14 inches deep. A deeper shell produces more sustain and a lower fundamental pitch; a shallower shell is punchier and cuts through a mix more readily. For most standard kit configurations, a 14×14 is the practical starting point. Rock and heavy music drummers often prefer a 16×16 for additional depth and volume. An 18-inch floor tom produces very deep, slow-speaking tones and is most common in jazz and fusion contexts where extended low-frequency sustain is appropriate.

Shell Material

The shell material affects the tonal character. Birch is bright with a fast attack and prominent high-frequency content; maple is warmer and fuller with a sustained low-mid resonance; mahogany is darker and drier. For rock and pop music, maple is the most common choice. Birch suits fast, articulate playing where the attack definition is important. Most mid-range instruments at accessible price points use birch or a birch-poplar hybrid, which provides acceptable tonal quality without the premium associated with all-maple construction.

Bearing Edge Quality

The bearing edge — the machined surface where the drumhead contacts the shell — has a significant effect on playability. A well-cut bearing edge makes the drum easier to tune, produces consistent contact around the full head circumference and maintains tuning stability. Poorly cut edges cause the head to seat unevenly, producing tuning inconsistency and uneven sustain. This is difficult to assess in a shop but can be checked with a straight edge: the edge should be flat and even around the full circumference of the shell.

Hardware and Legs

The floor tom's three legs (on most standard designs) set the height and playing angle. Look for legs with memory locks — locking rings that hold the leg at the set height and prevent them from sliding down during playing. Legs without memory locks are a persistent frustration. The tension rods and lugs should turn smoothly and hold their position; worn or damaged lugs are difficult to tune consistently. On new instruments, these are unlikely to be a problem; on used instruments, check each lug and rod individually.

Budget Guidance

Entry-level floor tom options from Pearl, Tama, DW (Pacific Drums) and Mapex are available below £150 and represent good value for learners and hobby drummers. Mid-range instruments from the same brands — typically £150–£400 — offer better shell quality, improved hardware and more precise bearing edges. Professional-grade instruments above £400 use select-grade tonewoods, better hardware and more precise construction tolerances. For most players, the mid-range tier represents the best value: the improvement over entry-level is audible and tactile, and the additional cost over the entry tier is not large.

For a full explanation of what affects its sound, the overview guide covers the detail. For those just starting out, the beginner's guide covers the basics. And for specific value recommendations at each price point, the value guide has the breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions