- Learn which bass drum pedals are ideal for cash-strapped players
- Take a peek into the finest bass drum pedals that money can buy
- Consult the FAQ section to find what makes the best budget bass drum pedals so great
Drums are the most expensive instruments, excluding vintage Gibsons and pianos, but they’re pricey for a reason.
Unlike the removable magnets or replaceable strings, you can’t re-engineer something as complex as a drum pedal.
Normally, there aren’t hundreds of low-priced drum pedals on the market, but online drumming academies and virtual classrooms have inspired more brands to make cheap drum parts to cater to the masses of new learners and drum students.
Whether you’ve always wanted to learn how to play drums, want a decent-quality backup pedal, or if you’re searching for a gift for a friend, you’ve come to the right place.
Let me show you some of the best budget bass drum pedals that money can buy.
What Are The Best Budget Bass Drum Pedals?
Gibraltar’s 4711ST takes as the ultimate low-cost kick drum pedal for a variety of reasons.
It’s a stylish pedal that will probably redeem your opinion of cheap drum gear since it’s sturdier, more versatile, and more customizable than most.
Including Gibraltar 4711ST, my list of the best budget bass drum pedals includes:
- Gibraltar 4711ST Velocity Strap Drive Single Pedal (Our Pick)
- LOLUNUT Bass Drum Pedal (Best Value)
- Edge Hardware Design PE2 (Premium Option)
- CODA DH-208 200 Series (Most Versatile)
- Yeasoul Double Chain Pedal (Best For Rock)
- Edge Hardware Design PE2D
- Gibraltar 4711SC-DB
1. Gibraltar 4711ST Velocity Strap Drive Single Pedal
The Gibraltar Strap Drive Single Bass Drum Pedal uses a Kevlar non-stretch strap drive system for solid, dependable action.
- Remarkably sturdy bronze construction
- Easily adjustable spring
- Compact size for touring drummers
Gibraltar is among the most popular drum pedal manufacturers, renowned for its acclaimed Stealth Series.
Even though the brand mainly produces mid and high-end models, its catalog features a range of quality budget pedals, and the 4711ST is one of its finest representatives.
Features
- Dimensions: 6 x 4.5 x 13.75 inches
- Weight: 2.84 pounds
- Drive system: Kevlar strap drive
- Pedal: Single
- G-style pedalboard
- Bronze construction
- Dual-action beater
The budget selection of bass drum pedals is not exactly diverse.
If you’re doing your research on Amazon, Sweetwater, Target, or eBay, you’ve probably noticed that most models have worryingly similar features and price tags.
Hidden gems exist across all price points, and Gibraltar 47711ST is the best you can find if you’re on a tight budget.
While adjustable spring is a common feature of all bass drum pedals, budget models often have clunky mechanisms that you’ll need months to fully decipher.
With Gibraltar 47711ST, the spring tension adjustment is super-easy, as the mechanism rocks a small rotating piece that works as intended.
You’d be surprised how often that is not the case in low-cost drum pedals.
Most budget kick drum pedals have chain drive systems; 47711ST packs a strap drive mechanism reinforced with Kevlar material for superior durability.
Robust, responsive, and dependable, its drive offers a fine balance between smooth action and long-term sturdiness.
Regarding its bass drum beater, Gibraltar’s 47711ST has double-sided playing surfaces. This enables you to experiment with its sound more flexibly.
The polished look of 47711ST’s pedalboard is great, but its smaller size is what makes it different.
This is not necessarily a benefit, especially if you’ve spent years with traditional kick drum pedals, but it makes it lighter, more compact, and more flexible when it comes to speed.
I wouldn’t say this kick drum pedal is perfect. The small playing surface may not be as suitable when paired with big bass drums, and since nearly all of its features aren’t “traditional” in comparison to other budget pedals, you’ll probably need a while to get accustomed to it.
Overall, it’s easily the best budget bass drum pedal out there, packing a set of features you’d commonly see in at least mid-range models; the responsiveness of a boutique pedal, and the adjustability of a pricy one.
Pros:
- Remarkably sturdy bronze construction
- Easily adjustable spring
- Compact size for touring drummers
- Decently light
Cons:
- Tiny pedalboard
- Reduced hitting surface
2. LOLUNUT Bass Drum Pedal
The LOLUNUT Bass Drum Pedal offers excellent value for the money because, aside from being cheap, it’s remarkably well-made and sturdy.
- Robust
- Lightweight despite its size
- High adjustability
You probably haven’t heard about LOLUNUT, but it’s a decently popular Amazon merchant offering a variety of low-priced drum equipment.
Its double-chain bass drum pedal offers excellent value for the money because, aside from being cheap, it’s remarkably well-made and sturdy.
Features
- Dimensions: 14.1 x 10.1 x 7.5 inches
- Weight: 4.29 pounds
- Drive system: Double chain drive
- Pedal: Single
- Metal construction
LOLUNUT’s bass drum pedal may look quite ordinary, which leads me back to my previous statement – you’d miss it if you didn’t know what to look for.
Aesthetically, it’s the same pedal as Yeasoul’s model, and pretty much any pedal made (or retailed) by brands with unordinary names.
It’s got a double-chain drive, which means it’s an excellent choice for all rock players and “slower” metal drummers.
The drive system is robust and reliable, just like the rest of the construction.
Speaking of which, LOLUNUT’s pedal is made of quality metal materials.
It’s a great backup for tours, but even if it were to become your primary kick drum pedal, you won’t notice a drop in performance for years to come.
High adjustability is what separates this pedal from its similarly-priced counterparts.
The angled spring tension, pedalboard, and the beater’s angle can all be adjusted on the fly within seconds.
LOLUNUT’s drum pedal features a beater head made of high-density cotton.
It probably won’t feel as accurate as Gibraltar’s model, but it responds well to most small-to-mid-sized bass drums.
More importantly, its soft structure makes it great for electronic drums too.
Pros:
- The large hitting surface can be used from all sides
- Lightweight despite its size
- High adjustability
- Soft beater makes it great for most drumming styles and music genres
- Made of robust metal materials
Cons:
- Relatively sluggish feel out of the box
- Very large foot plate
3. Edge Hardware Design (EHWD) Standard Single Bass Drum Pedal PE2
This pedal is created with the purpose of encouraging drummers at all levels to explore audaciously the vast musical possibilities by supplying dependable, innovative, and affordable drum hardware.
- Excellent durability
- High adjustability
- Dual-sided beater for extra versatility
EHWD makes premium drum pedals, stands, thrones, and accessories.
Despite being a bit basic for my taste, the PE2 single bass drum pedal is one of the best options on the market if you’re looking for a chain drive model.
This model rocks a dual-surface head, a convenient drum clamp, and sturdy metal construction.
Features:
- Dimensions: 12.99 x 4.53 x 6.81 inches
- Weight: 3.21 pounds
- Drive system: Single chain drive
- Pedal: Single
- Metal construction
- Dual-surface head
- Bass drum clamp
As far as budget bass drum pedals go, the criteria for premium models don’t revolve around the price tag.
Before diving deeper into Edge Hardware Design’s PE2, let me first explain why I dubbed it the best premium kick drum pedal.
It is slightly pricier than average, but the main reason is the combination of its robust features.
While some low-end models are sturdy, PE2 is built like a brick house, featuring sturdy metal construction.
For a single-chain bass pedal, it offers surprisingly smooth action and virtually full adjustability to top it off.
The dual-surface head packs a “normal” side for all pop, blues, jazz, and fusion drummers while its plastic side packs quite a punch and is suitable for even the most extreme of metal styles.
Just like Gibraltar’s model, the reliability of its spring adjustment system is top-notch, at least for a budget bass drum pedal.
The hardware around the spring is just as sturdy and dependable, ensuring that you’ll be able to reap these benefits for more than a few years.
Is it worth the money? Absolutely.
It’s barely a few bucks more expensive than the priciest model on my list, and it offers a different set of advantages for drummers that prefer more traditional features in their kick drum pedals.
Pros:
- Familiar yet superior features
- The hoop clamp makes it easy to attach to your drums
- Excellent durability
- High adjustability
- Dual-sided beater for extra versatility
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive than average
4. CODA DH-208 200 Series Kick Bass Drum Pedal
The CODA 200 Series hardware features double bracing, good chrome plating, and steel tubes.
- Superior tension adjustability
- Quality-made beater
- Dependable direct drive cam
CODA may not be as popular as Gibraltar or Edge Hardware Design, mainly because the brand purposefully makes different drum pedals.
The DH-208 is the “Jack of all trades” on today’s list, fit for any kind of drummer, regardless of chosen style or level of experience.
Features:
- Dimensions: 13 x 5 x 5 inches
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
- Drive system: Direct drive
- Pedal: Single
- Alloy steel construction
- Two spring attachments
CODA’s DH-208 is probably the most straightforward model on my list of the best budget double bass pedals, so you’re probably wondering how come it’s also the most versatile one.
Nearly all of the benefits it brings to the table can be tied to its lightweight construction.
First of all, DH-208 is one of the lightest direct drive pedals, weighing only 2.5 pounds.
Since direct drive pedals are known for their superb responsiveness (to the point that fine-tuning can become a chore), CODA ensured there are two springs to help you find the sweet spot.
Made of durable alloy steel materials, this pedal is more than just sturdy.
It’s more resistant to corrosion than metal and steel. This translates to superior long-term durability, especially if you’re mainly touring after summer’s over.
Just like PE2, it rocks a cotton-made beater, but it doesn’t feature a plastic side.
I wouldn’t recommend it to metal players, but rock drummers shouldn’t have much trouble controlling it.
There is one thing I wasn’t particularly fond of regarding CODA’s DH-208: it doesn’t have a foot plate.
The foot pedal is also a bit smaller than average, but the lack of a foot plate demands a higher level of control, or it may slip away from you during a gig/rehearsal.
Pros:
- Made of corrosion-resistant alloy steel materials
- The lightest kick drum pedal on the list
- Superior tension adjustability (two springs)
- Quality-made beater
- Dependable direct drive cam
Cons:
- Doesn’t feature a foot plate
- Small foot pedal
5. Yeasoul Double Chain Pedal
The Yeasoul is one of the best budget drum pedals on the market characterized by its superior sturdiness and adjustability.
- Built to last
- Excellent feel and initial action
- Made of quality metal components
Yeasoul is not a drum (or drum gear) manufacturer.
Even so, it’s made one of the best budget drum pedals on the market characterized by its superior sturdiness and adjustability.
As a rock drummer, you’ll probably appreciate its size, weight, and double-chain CAM that can withstand years of punishment.
Features:
- Dimensions: 12.5 x 12 x 8.5 inches
- Weight: 4.36
- Drive system: Double chain drive
- Pedal: Single
- Adjustable tension, stroke & beater angle
- Metal construction
- Complementary drum key
The attention to detail Yeasoul’s engineers committed to this drum pedal is exemplary.
At a glance, it looks exactly the same as your average budget kick drum pedal, but it’s significantly sturdier and more adjustable.
Featuring a sturdy double-chain mechanism, it offers the reliability hard rock drummers need. The foot pedal is big and strong, placed right above the oversized footplate.
Adjustability-wise, you can tweak the beater head angle and the spring tension. Out of the box, its action is decent, but it’s great at fine-tuning so it should be a breeze.
If you’re a rock drummer, there are no drawbacks to this drum pedal.
If not, you probably won’t like the fact that it’s much bigger and slightly heavier than average.
Pros:
- Built to last
- Excellent feel and initial action
- Fully adjustable tension and beater head angle
- Made of quality metal components
Cons:
- Very heavy
- Large footplate; demands more space on the stage
6. Edge Hardware Design Standard Double Bass Drum Pedal PE2D
The ddrum RX bass drum pedal is everything you need when you're stepping up to your next pedal.
- Excellent transmission between pedals
- Reliable hardware
- Dual-action beater head
We’re back at EHWD’s store, and this time it’s the PE2D on the menu.
Similar to PE2, the PE2D is a simple double bass drum pedal that doesn’t compromise performance for the sake of style and aesthetics.
Features:
- Dimensions: 14.96 x 7.09 x 10.24 inches
- Weight: 8.8 pounds
- Drive system: Single chain drive
- Pedal: Double
- Metal alloy construction
- Two spring adjustments
- Double-sided beater heads
The selection of budget double bass drum pedals is significantly narrower in comparison to single bass pedals, plus you’re already familiar with EHWD, so I’ll be brief.
The PE2D is a pair of PE2s connected with a metal shaft.
If you’ve skipped past PE2, its main features include the well-made spring, smooth single-chain action, and double-sided beater heads.
As far as practicality goes, PE2D is neither considerably larger nor heavier in comparison to the average double bass drum pedal set.
What I love about it the most is how smooth it feels out of the gate while tweaks to its action can be performed in minutes, thanks to the quality spring adjustments.
Pros:
- Excellent transmission between pedals
- Reliable hardware
- Dual-action beater head
- Hoop clamps for easy installation
- Robust metal alloy construction
Cons:
- Its price tag borders the mid-range category
- No footplate on the main pedal
7. Gibraltar 4711SC-DB Velocity Single Chain Drive Double Pedal
The 4000 Series Chain Drive double bass drum pedal is a simple and fast pedal, styled with the "G" style pedal board and hammer dual surface beater this pedals delivers speed and ease of use.
- Surprisingly light given how durable it is
- Awesome chain-drive CAM
- Double-sided beater
Gibraltar’s 4711SC-DB is one of the best budget double bass pedals on the market, belonging to the same series as the single 4711ST.
Boasting several improvements, such as the upgraded transmission and a new pair of beaters, it’s the ultimate choice for drummers that play a bit softer music.
Features:
- Dimensions: 15.2 x 9 x 7.9 inches
- Weight: 5.29 pounds
- Drive system: Double chain drive
- Pedal: Double
- Metal construction
Gibraltar’s 4711SC-DB can be one of the best investments you’ve made if you’re looking for double bass drum pedals you’ll use for longer periods.
Outstanding robustness and virtually unbeatable reliability are some of the things that separate it from contemporary low-end double bass pedals.
It’s several pounds lighter than PE2D while being a slightly smaller kit. Durability-wise, it’s made of solid metal and was built to withstand years of use.
I mainly recommend 4711SC-DB to more casual drummers.
Whether you’re playing in a tribute soft rock band or are making authored alt music with your mates, this is a great choice for everything but death metal blast beats.
Pros:
- Surprisingly light given how durable it is
- Awesome chain-drive CAM
- Double-sided beater
- Smooth, easily adjustable action
Cons:
- Relatively short transmission shaft
FAQ
What is the budget price range for bass drum pedals?
The budget range for single pedals begins at around $40 and ends near $70; for double bass pedals, it begins at around $100 and goes up to approximately $150.
What can I expect from a low-cost bass drum pedal performance-wise?
Budget pedals are supposed to help you learn the basics without hurting your wallet too much.
They can also serve as backups if you’re planning a long tour and don’t feel like spending $100 on renting a pedal for the night.
Is it better to invest in a mid-range model?
When it comes to drum gear, it’s always better to invest in more expensive equipment, but there’s a variety of reasons why you shouldn’t.
The earlier you start practicing the better, plus not all budget bass pedal models are flimsy.