A drum head is the surface you hit, and its film, coating and ply count shape attack, sustain and durability. Swapping heads is one of the simplest ways to change how a drum sounds, and each head is sold by diameter, so size matters as much as type.
The six heads below cover a tom head, a vented snare head, an oil-filled head, two Remo classics and a bass head with damping rings. Plies, film thicknesses and sizes come from each listing page. We have not played these heads ourselves, and sound claims are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Diameter | Must match the drum shell: 12, 14 or 22 inch here |
| Coated or clear | Coated is listed as warmer; clear as brighter |
| Plies | Two plies usually add durability and control |
| Damping | Vents, oil or foam rings reduce overtones |
Specs at a Glance
| Head | Size | Construction | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evans G2 Coated | 12 in | Two plies of 7 mil film | Level 360; tom batter |
| Evans Genera HD Dry | 14 in | 5 mil coated ply, 7.5 mil inner ply, 2 mil ring | Vent holes; snare batter |
| Evans Hydraulic Black | 14 in | Two plies with a thin layer of oil | Frost coating; made in the USA per the maker |
| Remo Emperor Coated | 14 in | Two plies of 7 mil coated film | Snare, tom or bass use |
| Remo Pinstripe Clear | 14 in | Two plies of 7 mil clear film | Pop, R and B and rock |
| Evans EMAD2 Clear | 22 in | 7 mil outer ply, 10 mil inner ply | Two foam damping rings |
The 6 Best Drum Heads
1. Evans G2 Coated Tom 12 Inch
A two-ply tom head with 7 mil film, described as having a warm, clear attack, balanced sustain and a slightly bright tone. The listing says Evans Level 360 technology eases tuning, and the product measures 12.6 inches across including the hoop.
Suits: general tom use. Strengths: a balanced character. Weaknesses: sold in a single size per listing. Skip it if you want heavy overtone control.
View Evans G2 Coated Tom Drumhead 12 Inch on Amazon
2. Evans Genera HD Dry 14 Inch
A snare batter head with a coated 5 mil outer ply, a 7.5 mil inner ply, a 2 mil control ring on the underside and vent holes around the edge that the maker says remove stray overtones. The listing describes it as a durable, balanced snare head.
Suits: a drier snare sound. Strengths: vents and a control ring. Weaknesses: less open than a plain coated head. Skip it if you want maximum ring.
View Evans Genera HD Dry Snare Drum Head 14 Inch on Amazon
3. Evans Hydraulic Black 14 Inch
A two-ply head with a thin layer of oil between the films, which the maker says suppresses unwanted overtones, plus a frost coating for warmth. The listing calls the sound fat, deep and short, reminiscent of early rock. Note that its material field says stainless steel, which conflicts with the film description.
Suits: rock and funk toms. Strengths: strong overtone control. Weaknesses: a conflicting material field. Skip it if you want an open, ringing tone.
View Evans Hydraulic Black Drum Head 14 Inch on Amazon
4. Remo Emperor Coated 14 Inch
A two-ply head of 7 mil coated film that the listing says provides durability, warmth and volume. It is described as suitable for snare, tom and bass applications and measures 14 inches.
Suits: a warm all-round head. Strengths: a flexible use. Weaknesses: little detail on damping. Skip it if you want vents or oil.
View Remo Emperor Coated Drum Head 14 Inch on Amazon
5. Remo Pinstripe Clear 14 Inch
A two-ply clear head of 7 mil film. The listing describes midrange tones with low end and increased durability, and names pop, R and B and rock as its uses.
Suits: a clear, focused tom sound. Strengths: a durable build. Weaknesses: no coating. Skip it if you want a warmer coated surface.
View Remo Pinstripe Clear Drumhead 14 Inch on Amazon
6. Evans EMAD2 Clear Bass 22 Inch
A clear bass batter head with a 7 mil outer ply and a 10 mil inner ply, plus an externally mounted adjustable damping system with two foam rings. The maker says the rings change attack, focus and sustain. It is also sold in sizes from 18 to 26 inches.
Suits: adjustable bass drum control. Strengths: two damping ring options. Weaknesses: the largest size, so check your shell. Skip it if your bass drum is not 22 inches.
View Evans EMAD2 Clear Bass Drum Head 22 Inch on Amazon
Fitting Notes
- Measure the drum diameter before ordering.
- Seat a new head by pressing on it gently before tuning.
- Tune in an even criss-cross pattern across the lugs, a little at a time.
- Replace the head when the surface dents or loses tone.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Ordering the wrong diameter.
- Using a batter head where a resonant head is needed.
- Trusting an odd material field over the film description.
- Over-tightening one lug at a time.
Drum Heads FAQ
What does coated mean?
Coated heads have a textured surface, which the listings tie to a warmer tone.
Which head controls overtones the most?
By the makers’ descriptions, the Evans Hydraulic with its oil layer and the Genera HD Dry with its vents.
The Short Version
For a balanced tom, the Evans G2. For a drier snare, the Genera HD Dry. For an oil-damped tom, the Hydraulic Black. For a warm all-rounder, the Remo Emperor. For a clear tom, the Remo Pinstripe. For an adjustable bass drum, the Evans EMAD2.
