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With apologies to the stringed crowd, the electric guitar booths at NAMM are not usually the loudest locations on the show floor. That distinction belongs to the Drum and Percussion Hall.
As it should be.
That said, we’re going to share the majesty of all the new drum gear unveiled at NAMM 2026 in the much more calm and peaceful milieu of your laptop or mobile device. Call it news minus noise—as glorious as percussive racket can be.
I also encourage you to bookmark this page and check back regularly, as more drum updates and enhanced data will be added as the show unfolds throughout January 22–24, and even for a few days after the last drum company shuts down and departs the Anaheim Convention Center.
Table of Contents
New Drum Gear at NAMM 2026
ddrum
DW
LP
Ludwig
MEINL
PDP
Pearl
Slingerland
SONOR
TAMA
Yamaha
New Groove Things
New Drum Gear at NAMM 2026
ddrum
Excuse the cliché, but ddrum gives drummers a lot of bang for the buck. These mid-level, affordable Dominion and D2 kits sound great, they’re tough enough to handle constant cartage from rehearsal space to gig and back, and they’re offered in bigger configurations for when a “Ringo kit” won’t deliver the versatility you need.
For even more fun, the Dominion and D2 shell packs are opening 2026 with exclusive new colors. The ddrum Dominion birch 6-piece shell pack—which includes a free 8" rack tom—is now offered in Inferno Red or Java Pearl. If you’re into propulsive bottom end, the ddrum D2 8-piece double bass drum kit explodes with a Lime Sparkle finish and black hardware. A 5-piece version is also available.
Shop Now: ddrum Dominion Birch 7-Piece Shell Pack in Java Pearl
DW
DW makes gorgeous kits, but even they may have outdone themselves with the MFG True-Cast 14x4" snare drum. The extremely limited edition—only 100 will be made for the entire planet—features a sand-cast, bell bronze shell, brass True-Cast hoops, a numbered badge and an exclusive flight case. The gleaming monochrome look of the MFG beams class and luxury—almost as if it were part of a glamorous, Art Deco Piece-Arrow roadster. But bell bronze snares also have the volume and belligerent attack to shed the tuxedo and jump into a cage match.
Shop Now: DW MFG True-Cast Bell Bronze Piccolo Snare Drum 14x4"
The limited editions don’t stop at a bronze snare, either. The DW Collector’s Exotic Pure Walnut comes in a snare and 5-piece shell pack, with only 75 kits and snares available worldwide. Dressed up in a satin Ebony Burst finish and black nickel hardware, these magnificent drums could stand strong in a gallery of the Guggenheim.
Shop Now: DW Pure Walnut 5-Piece Shell Pack in Satin Ebony Burst
Proving that an iconic acoustic drum brand can evolve into, well, less acoustic territory, the DWe Collector’s Series DrumLink 4-Piece Acoustic-Electric drum set is a retro-futuristic kit that can travel seamlessly between acoustic, electronic and hybrid sounds. Strutting old-school vibe with DW Collector’s 333 maple shells and DW 5000 series hardware, the DWe beams into the future with Roland WY-10 wireless drum triggers and a DrumLink triggering system, a Roland V71 sound module and a DrumLink cymbal pack. Mesh and mylar drum heads are included in the package, so you can choose to go acoustic or electronic before you hit the bandstand. If you need an extra rack tom to power your favorite grooves and fills, never fear—the DWe Collector’s Series DrumLink comes in a 5-piece kit.
Shop Now: DWe Collector's Series DrumLink 5-Piece Acoustic-Electronic Drum Set in Diamond Nebula
I experienced this dual concept when my surf band opened for a Duran Duran tribute band that backlined all the stage gear. (They didn’t want their massive tech setup messed with, and who could blame them?) The drummer built his own hybrid kit with his acoustic drums massively padded inside the shells for silence and Roland triggers attached to each drum. I loved that it felt just like playing my acoustic kit, but, wow, the triggered sounds were mighty. Every stick impact on every drum sounded big, resonant and full of impact, as if it were recorded in the most amazing recording studio ever built by some legendary engineer with thousands of hits to their credit. Given DW’s reputation for exquisitely crafted drums and Roland’s tech expertise, the DWe Collector’s Series kit promises sonic magnificence on an Olympian scale.
Shop Now: DW 333 Collector's Series Exotic 6-Piece Shell Pack in Almond Burst Over Quilted Heartwood Maple
Many drum manufacturers make shells in stunning finishes, but DW is one of those builders who often elevate “stunning” to “jaw-dropping magnificent.” A prime example is the DW 333 Collector’s Series Exotic 6-Piece shell pack in a Hollywood heart-throb-esque Almond Burst over Quilted Heartwood Maple. It’s such a work of art that I’d be afraid to take this kit out of my house, and I would never attach a kick pedal directly to its hoop without protection. One scratch or dent would trigger continuous tears for months. But I’d have to risk the anguish for the spectacular tone—a robust, warm and balanced attack, thanks to 9-ply shells constructed using DW’s Vertical Low Timbre (VLT) process. A less extravagant (and more affordable) but no less visually arresting option is the DW Collector’s Series 4-Piece SSC Maple shell pack in a Silver Abalone finish. The SSC stands for “Specialized Shell Configuration,” and it means four different DW shell-construction technologies were deployed to deliver maximum tone. I’m in.
Shop Now: DW Collector's Series 4-Piece SSC Maple Shell Pack in Silver Abalone
Speaking of SSC designs, you can get a snare that rocks the tech. Add it to a full-on DW SSC set, or bestow the sonic glory upon one of your older kits or even a set from another brand. The DW Collector’s SSC Maple snare comes in 14x8" or 14x6.5", and you can choose from a small banquet of hip finishes, such as White Glass Contrail, Broken Glass, Purple Glass, Smoke Glass Contrail and more.
Shop Now: DW Collector's Series SSC Maple Snare 14x8" in Purple Glass
LP
Multiple Latin Grammy Award-winner Tony Succar uses LP Micro Snares to add high-pitched, cutting sounds to his percussive arsenal. These rainbow-hued mini marvels can be easily mounted to any percussion setup or drum kit, and a quick-release lever disengages the snares, so you can switch between a biting snare tone and a timbale sound. On the selfish side, I see a great application for me, as my surf band performs a reverb-drenched instrumental version of “Low Rider” by War, and it would be fabulous to effortlessly add “tiny timbales” to my rig with a Micro Snare.
Shop Now: LP Tony Succar Micro Snare Drum 6x4" in Rainbow
LP is also seeing in 2026 with Tony Succar congas, cajons, bongos, timbales and timbalitos (in rainbow finishes, of course), as well as Pedrito Martinez steel timbales in Dark Mocha, limited-run cherry wood congas and bongos, a Deluxe Jam Block and more.
Shop Now: LP Pedrito Martinez Steel Timbales 13" and 14" in Dark Mocha
Ludwig
As one of those musicians of a certain age whose life was completely transformed by seeing The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964, I proudly admit to getting a tad weak in the knees whenever I see a Ludwig kit in an Oyster Black Pearl wrap. Ludwig Classic Maple drum sets bring the Fab Four vibe to the now, but they’re excellent drums for launching grooves of any style.
The Classic Maple Pro Beat 3-Piece shell pack lowers the boom with a 14x24" kick drum, and you can get it in a Beatlemania Black Oyster or some other groovy finishes (including a tiki lounge-y Lemon Oyster). The Ludwig Classic Maple Studio 4-Piece shell pack adds a rack tom and a perhaps tighter, more “recording-studio focused” 22x26" kick. You can go full-on Ringo—or evoke classic ’60s stylings (and beyond)—with the Classic Maple Fab 3-Piece shell pack. This kick delivers the nostalgia when you want it, but its 13x9", 16x16" and 22x14" configuration also leans into bigger, more propulsive styles that aptly drive any music from ’70s classic rock to ’80s radio hits to grunge, R&B and pop. (Ringo didn’t get there until 1968—his screaming teenager era kits were typically included a 12" tom, 14" floor tom and 20" or 22" kick.)
Shop Now: Ludwig Classic Maple Pro Beat 3-Piece Shell Pack in Black Oyster
I love feeling the floor rumble below my feet when I play big kick drums, but not every gig is appropriate for earthquake-like bass. Take the typical winery, restaurant or brewery booking. Space is usually tight, and patrons and servers want to converse without having to shout above an avalanche of low end. This is where sets such as the Ludwig Classic Maple Jazzette 3-Piece shell pack can be gig savers. The 18x14" is compact and produces meaty yet taut low frequencies that stay polite in upscale venues. But if 18" is just a bit too refined for your style, you can still manage floor space and volume with the 20x14" kick of the Classic Maple Downbeat 3-Piece shell pack.
Shop Now: Ludwig Vistalite 4-Piece Zep Shell pack with 26" Bass Drum in Bronze
If you’re bold and brave enough to sit behind a kit built to celebrate the legendary John Bonham—or perhaps you’re simply a massive fan—you can channel Bonzo’s brilliance with the Ludwig Vistalite 4-Piece Zep shell pack. This is a kit designed to intimidate Thor the God of Thunder with a 14x10" rack tom, 16x16" and 18x16" floor toms and a mammoth 26x14" kick drum. It looks as colossally impressive as it sounds with its clear acrylic shells in a choice of amber, blue or bronze finishes. However, you don’t have to wield maximum power with a complete Vistalite drum set. You can take advantage of Vistalite’s loud, punchy attack and excellent projection by incorporating the Ludwig Vistalite Snare into your kit of choice. Go with a 14x6.5" snare in an amber or clear finish, or rock a 14x5" size that adds yellow and blue to the color choices.
The USA-made Ludwig NeuSonic series is designed to be lightweight and portable, and its cherry/maple shell hybrid produces a balanced attack with enough warmth to blend seamlessly with a number of different musical styles. That versatility is also reflected in the NeuSonic kit configurations Ludwig offers. While you could use these kits for any gig and have a heck of a good time, I like the NeuSonic 3-Piece Downbeat shell pack for intimate settings, as well as situations where you may be crammed into the space between a restaurant’s wine racks, and still want to feel like you can drive the band. The NeuSonic 3-Piece Fab shell pack may evoke the vibe of Swinging London in the ’60s, but its 22" kick drum can also propel funk, R&B and soul grooves.
Shop Now: Ludwig NeuSonic 3-Piece Fab Shell Pack with 22" Bass Drum in Merlot Super Sparkle
Now, let’s talk about club gigs that don’t mic the drums. We’ve all been there. But if you’re playing in a rock or cover band and looking to move butts out of seats, the NeuSonic 3-Piece Pro Beat shell pack includes a 24" kick drum that won’t need any microphones to call people to the dance floor.
I never thought I’d want an additional rack tom—hey, if one was good enough for Ringo, then who am I to get greedy?—but I must admit that two rack toms open up the possibility of playing some pretty neat fills. The NeuSonic 4-Piece Rapid Mod shell pack can inspire a bit of flash with its 6x10" and 7x12" rack toms, 14x16" floor tom and 14x22" kick drum. Those are meaty drums, but if your beat construction cries out for even deeper tom fills, the NeuSonic 4-Piece Mod shell pack offers 10x7" and 12x8" rack toms and a 16x16" floor tom, along with same The 22x14" kick as the Rapid Mod set.
Shop Now: Ludwig NeuSonic 4-Piece Rapid Mod Shell Pack with 22" Bass Drum in Titanium Super Sparkle
For producers, DJs, finger drummers and other creators, the Ludwig Total Percussion Pad looks to add a ton of tones to their percussive palette. How many? Try 2,000 onboard world and orchestra sounds, plus three effects available per preset. I think I may need to get my film and television soundtrack ideas back on track.
Shop Now: Ludwig Total Percussion Pad
MEINL
One of the biggest music news stories of 2025 was the incredible Anika Nilles being tapped as the new touring drummer for Rush, stepping in for the late legend, Neil Peart. If you act fast—like a 175 bpm multiple-tom drum fill—you can celebrate Nilles with her MEINL Limited Edition Artist Signature cymbal. Her self-designed black and bronze Ocean Tides pattern evokes early Greek pottery, includes her engraved signature and is limited to just 100 cymbals worldwide.
Pictured: MEINL Anika Nilles Ocean Tides Artist Design Cymbal
Also honored with a MEINL Artist Signature is Grammy-nominated badass Aric Improta. His Arcwave design—also black and bronze—suggests lazy marine undulations on a Southern California beach or dreamy soundwaves on a DAW. The cymbal also includes Improta’s engraved signature and is limited to 100 cymbals.
Pictured: MEINL Aric Improta Artist Design Cymbal
For less-limited cymbal options, MEINL is introducing Byzance Traditional Extra Hammered, Classic Custom Dark Micro Stack, Pure Alloy Custom Super Bell Ride, HCS Soundwave and HCS Micro Stack Mini hi-hats. Want a ride to go with those hi-hats? MEINL is also offering Pure Alloy Custom Super Bell and Byzance Traditional Extra Hammered ride cymbals.
Shop Now: MEINL Classics Custom Dark Micro Stack Mini Hi-Hats
Notes from the Floor:
"While they didn’t have it set up in a stack configuration, I did get to try it out in its hi-hat formation. The juxtaposition of the Custom Dark alloy’s warmth with its inherent diminutive high end gave it a satisfyingly terse “chick” when closed, and a splashy-yet-brooding attitude when open. It would make it a fun, novel addition to any imaginative drummer’s playground." - Drew Beaupré (Longform Copy Manager)
PDP
Acrylic drums look amazing, and their robust low end, aggressive attack, rapid decay and raucous volume are perfect for putting your grooves front and center. The PDP Concept Acrylic kit comes in 4- and 6-piece shell packs and a separate 14x6.5" snare drum. Rock on. However, PDP hasn’t forgotten drummers who dig the sound of wood. The New Yorker 4-piece shell pack struts a flashy Twisted Cherry finish and a space-saving 16" bass drum.
Shop Now: PDP by DW Concept Acrylic 4-Piece Shell Pack in Clear Acrylic
Pearl
Offering a bounty of metallurgy—and bringing in the tone-terrific metals at affordable prices—the Pearl Primal Collective Snares series features four shell types: aluminum, brass, copper and steel. You also get to choose from four sizes for each snare: 13x7", 14x5.5", 14x6.5" and 14x8".
I don’t typically collect a lot of snares, but the thrifty prices of the Primal Collective could get me to rethink my meager inventory. The sonic benefits and resulting versatility for sessions would be huge, as aluminum snares are typically dry and focused, brass is dark and balanced, copper delivers warmth and articulation, and steel produces a sharp attack with excellent sustain and ringing overtones. Moving from tone to fashion, each snare is beautiful in its austere design, which really showcases the metal finishes.
Shop Now: Pearl Primal Collective Brass Snare Drum 14x6.5"
For aspiring beat bashers, the company is debuting the Pearl eRoadshow electronic drum set, which really brings the value. First, you get pretty much everything you need in one box—meaning, in addition to the pads, frame and control module, you’ll also find headphones, drum sticks and a drum throne. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, the eRoadshow’s quick-and-easy setup—Pearl claims it’s, “From box to beats in minutes”—is beneficial if you find yourself needing to constantly move the kit around from bedroom to rehearsal space to teaching studio or elsewhere. And at a 25-percent smaller footprint than some other e-kits, you probably won’t have to squeeze between your bed and desk if you leave the drums assembled and ready to play.
Shop Now: Pearl eRoadshow Complete Electronic Drum Set
The eRoadshow is populated with 165 sounds and 15 kits, and it is the only entry-level e-kit that is ready for double bass drums. Just because you’re a beginner doesn’t mean you can’t practice supersonic low-end salvos.
If you think we must be done with Pearl launches at NAMM 2026, we are not. The Crystal Beat 4-piece acrylic limited-edition shell pack is offered with a choice of two striking hues: Cotton Candy Fade and Glacier Fade. Eyes will definitely be locked onto the bandstand if you’re sitting behind one of these kits.
Shop Now: Pearl Crystal Beat 4-Piece Shell Pack in Cotton Candy Fade
Slingerland
Founded in 1913, the Slingerland brand harkens back to the days of Louie Bellson, Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. It also enjoyed a resurgence in the rock era, with drummers such as Neal Smith (Alice Cooper), Neil Peart (Rush), Bill Ward (Black Sabbath), Danny Seraphine (Chicago) and others using Slingerland drums and/or snares from time to time. But the company suffered through bankruptcy and multiple owners in the 1980s and ’90s, effectively diminishing its stature.
Shop Now: Slingerland Radio King Solid Maple Snare Drum in Black Diamond Pearl 14x5.5"
Happily, DW Drums acquired Slingerland in 2019, and revived the iconic name last year with limited-edition Radio King snare drums. This year, drummers can dive into a series of non-limited Slingerland Radio King snare drums in stunning, vintage-styled finishes (Black Diamond Pearl, White Marine Pearl and new-for-2026 Maroon and Gold Sparkle). The Radio Kings feature North American maple shells, nickel-plated Stick Saver hoops, Zoomatic throw-offs and new sizes for the non-limited series—14x5.5" and 14x7".
SONOR
I adore SONOR. I stalked a vintage SONOR kick pedal for months until I found one in good shape that I could afford. The tragedy here is I won’t get lucky with the posh and glamorous SONOR Craftsmen’s Collection Vintage African Marble shell pack. This is a jaw-dropping, limited-edition (100 kits worldwide) masterwork of handcrafted artistry that truly honors the German company’s 150 years of imagination and innovation. It’s also out of my reach—unless I dip into the dogs’ college funds (hahaha).
Shop Now: SONOR Craftsmen's Collection Vintage African Marble Shell Set
But for well-heeled drummers undaunted by the cost of luxury, the Craftsmen’s Collection Vintage African Marble should be on your wish list. The 4-piece shell pack includes a 20x14" bass drum, 12x8" rack tom, 14x12" floor tom and a matching 14x5.75" snare. Deluxe accoutrements are many, and feature 9-ply shells (eight maple with one ply of African marble), fully rounded bearing edges, high-gloss lacquer finish, classic teardrop lugs with SONOR TuneSafe technology, bass drum T-rods with the company’s Vintage Series prism clamp system and more. I may have to cap my pups’ education at high school so I can buy this astounding example of percussive fine art.
TAMA
TAMA is bursting into 2026 with the gorgeous, limited-edition (45 kits and 70 snare drums in North America) Starclassic Bubinga series in a gloss African Cherry finish with black nickel hardware. I think I’d need to upgrade my wardrobe a tad to sit behind this classy kit, but I know it will be worth it to be enveloped in the warm caress and resonant punch of 9-ply bubinga shells. The kit version is a 5-piece shell pack, and the snare is a 14x6.5".
Shop Now: TAMA Starclassic Bubinga 5-Piece Shell Pack in African Cherry
Speaking of snare drums, the TAMA Mike Portnoy Signature Melody Master Snare makes quite a statement with its unusual yet ghoulishly cool “white drip fading to purple sparkle” finish. The 14x5.5" Portnoy Signature features 9-ply bubinga shells, a 3-way tension strainer and the collectors-like exclusivity of only 130 being available in America (and 500 worldwide).
Shop Now: TAMA Mike Portnoy Signature Melody Master Snare 14x5.5"
While it might be laughable to get excited about cymbal stands—given the ultimate awesomeness of the lovely kits and snare drums I’ve just covered from TAMA—I must admit that, yeah, lightweight drum hardware that’s still tough and durable absolutely rocks my world. And anyone who thinks otherwise is welcome to drag my drum hardware case across a parking lot, down a busy street and into a venue.
Few people—except maybe The Rock—are bullish on heavy hardware, and lifting and positioning TAMA Spartan cymbal stands is like tossing feather pillows around. But these featherweight stands are far from flimsy. They can handle Hulk-like crash cymbal wallops without tipping, securely hold stand-mounted rack toms and possibly even withstand a slight headstock collision from your slightly dizzy guitarist. Gig-tested TAMA features include Anti-Walk Rubber Feet, Glide-Tight Grip Joints and Quick-Set Tilters.
Shop Now: TAMA Spartan Boom Cymbal Stand
Notes from the Floor:
"TAMA’s Spartan cymbal stands are noticeably lighter than Roadpros, which were also on display to be “test-driven” (i.e., picked up and adjusted). I’ve been a Roadpro loyalist for almost two decades—and even as a bigger guy, lugging around a comically heavy hardware case isn’t exactly my favorite part of load-in and load-out. Quick and easy to adjust, Spartan is extremely stable for its weight—even its boom arms are also lighter in comparison to the heavier-duty flagship. To top it all off, its Quick-Set Cymbal Mates, which aren’t on my old-school Roadpros, make it my new dream rig for gigging purposes." - Drew Beaupré
Rounding out the TAMA introductions for 2026 are the TAMA Star Reserve mahogany snare in a Satin Natural Tineo finish (limited to 50 units in North America), TAMA Starclassic walnut/birch kit in Molten Platinum Burst and a Star Maple snare in Charcoal Brown Paraiso.
Shop Now: TAMA STAR Reserve G-Mahogany Snare Drum in Satin Natural Tineo 14x6.5"
Notes from the Floor:
"After A/Bing against spruce, aluminum, maple, bubinga, steel and brass TAMA snares, the new Star Reserve G Mahogany delivered a nice midrange snap, without an overwhelming high end. It sits comfortably as a more-than-happy medium—one might say exceptionally “versatile,” to risk a marketing cliché." - Drew Beaupré
Yamaha
Yamaha honors legendary jazz, bebop and fusion drummer Roy “Snap Crackle” Haynes (1925–2024) with the Roy Haynes Signature Centennial Snare. This charmingly sophisticated snare drum is crafted with hand-hammered copper, boasts a Roy Haynes centennial badge and is limited to just 35 units in the United States.
Shop Now: Yamaha Roy Haynes Centennial Signature Snare 14x5.5"
Yamaha EAD series electronic/acoustic modules—which transform acoustic kits into hybrid digital rigs—are seeing the line expanded for 2026 with the EAD50. Also being introduced is the DSU50 Stereo Condenser Drum Microphone and Trigger Pickup. Rounding things out for Yamaha, Recording Custom kits are also seeing some “new,” with two fresh finishes: Red Autumn and Polar White.
Shop Now: Yamaha EAD50 Electronic Acoustic Drum Microphone System
Notes from the Floor:
"The Yamaha EAD50 is coming off the heels of the EAD10, which has quietly become an industry standard for streamers to record drums in their house or even live. For example, if you're playing a live gig and want to output an acoustic drum mix to add to a video later, but don't want to pull sound from front of house, you can have your own little unit to capture the kit. The old EAD10 is very similar to the new EAD50. The biggest difference between the new unit and the old is the interface. The EAD50 features a much bigger module with a lot more ins and outs and increased control over EQ. The EAD50 is really going to cement itself into the annals of “New Generation Ways of Miking a Drum Set.” It’s one little box that can capture and process a whole drum kit. I’m pretty excited about that." - Dustin Hackworth (Sr. Manager, New Product Marketing)
New Groove Things
You may ask yourself, “Is that all?” But if you follow NAMM each year, you should know that new releases, surprise introductions, last-minute debuts and random updates occur throughout the show with shocking regularity. I mean, they do if we’re lucky. (We all love gear, right?)
We’re going to do our part to keep the NAMM 2026 data deluge flowing. You can do your bit to keep checking back here to ensure you haven’t missed anything. After all, you don’t want to be that drummer who has zero clue about the trending drum gear everyone else is talking about.
Want the latest on NAMM 2026 releases? Don't miss out on the rest of our coverage: