- Learn how to pick the right snare stand
- Discover some of the best snare stands for all budgets on the current market
- Learn what to look for in drum snare stands…
Beginner drummers often downplay the importance of stands, prioritizing buying better snares, cymbals, and toms instead.
Although that’s precisely where my train of thought went when I was younger, years of experience (and mistakes) led me to believe that having a quality and dependable stand is equally important as a quality, good-sounding snare.
After scouring the market, I’ve handpicked some of the finest models that money can buy, so without any further delay, let’s dive in.
What are the Best Snare Stands?
My top pick for the best snare stand around is Pearl’s S930S. Its straightforward design doesn’t reveal its superior durability and adjustability, while the main benefits it has to offer lie in its outstanding quality of the hardware.
The Gibraltar 9706NL Legless Snare Stand is my best premium pick. It is superiorly compact while boasting a high level of durability, packs a collapsible design to save even more space for gigging musicians, and is very easy to set up thanks to its multi-angle basket adjustment system.
The Ludwig Snare Drum Stand L422SS is my pick for the best-value snare stand. Whether you’re into pop, rock, or extreme heavy metal, this drum stand will survive whatever punishment you throw its way – and at a decent price point.
Picking a snare stand is a matter of personal preference, plus you may have a snare that won’t fit on a Pearl stand.
That’s why I suggest you take a look at the other snare stands I consider among the best, which include:
- Pearl Snare Drum Stand S930S (Our Pick)
- Ludwig Snare Drum Stand L422SS (Best Value)
- Gibraltar 9706NL Pro (Best Premium)
- Luvay Snare Stand (Best Budget)
- Ludwig LAS22SS Atlas Standard Snare Stand
1. Pearl Snare Drum Stand S930S
Pearl's S930S Snare Stand is built to deliver full-impact durability and light weight portability for the gigging drummer.
- Exemplary level of sturdiness
- Easy to use
- Value for money
Engineered to endure years of abuse while offering plenty of utility and value, you can’t go wrong by trusting in Pearl’s durability and dependability.
The S930S is my pick because it checks all boxes concerning performance, adjustability, and versatility.
Features
- Dimensions: 15.24 x 5.28 x 4.41 inches
- Weight: 7.58 pounds
- Adjustment range between 16.5 and 24 inches
- Uni-lock gearless tilter
- Air suspension rubber arm tips
- SureGrip rubber leg feet
The main reason Pearl Drum S930S is, in my opinion, the best snare drum stand is that its features are superior to all alternatives on the market.
Regardless of which price range, it eclipses the competition regarding stability, robustness, and, most importantly, convenience.
Its adjustability range is tremendous, spanning from 16.5 to 24 inches; Pearl’s S930S can fit snares that are 10 to 14 inches large, while the gearless Uni-Lock tilter makes on-the-fly adjustments a breeze.
In terms of stability, its oversized rubber feet ensure it will stay in place, regardless of how aggressive your drumming style is.
The only thing I saw as a minor inconvenience of this snare stand is its weight.
It’s just slightly heavier than average but other than that, it’s perfect for my taste.
Pros
- Exemplary level of sturdiness
- Super-easy to adjust with a gearless tilter and broad height adjustment range
- Oversized rubber feet will keep it in place
- Great price-to-value ratio
Cons
- A bit heavier than an average snare drum stand
2. Ludwig Snare Drum Stand L422SS
Ludwig's Atlas Standard hardware is the go-to choice when you need high-quality, functional equipment that will get the job done.
- Sturdy
- Made of top-quality metal materials
- Lightweight
If you’re searching for sturdy snare stands that can endure decades of rough use, look no further than Ludwig’s L422SS.
It’s among the sturdiest heavy-duty snare drum stands on the market that’s surprisingly light and easy to set up.
Features
- Dimensions: 15 x 5 x 6 inches
- Weight: 7.24 pounds
- Double-braced design
- Hideaway tilters
- Basket snare adjustments
Unloading, setting, and tuning your drum kit can take a considerable amount of time, not to mention that your bandmates probably won’t let you do it in peace.
I recommend Ludwig’s L422SS snare drum stand to drummers who value simplicity, dependability, and convenience.
This is a straightforward snare stand made of premium quality metal materials.
Boasting reinforced hardware and simplified basket-style stand adjustments, it’s a perfect companion to bring on a tour.
As a heavy-duty double-braced snare stand, Ludwig’s L422SS is ideal for virtually all heavier styles of music.
Whether you’re playing in a cover rock band or are making authored brutal death metal music, this stand will keep your snare in place.
Pros
- One of the sturdiest snare stands on the list
- Made of top-quality metal materials
- Lightweight in comparison to other heavy-duty stands
- Easy to set up and adjust
Cons
- Slightly pricier than average
3. Gibraltar 9760NL Pro No Leg Adjustable Snare Stand
Aside from being our premium option pick, Gibraltar’s 9760NL is among the most portable snare drum stands on the market.
- Superb quality hardware
- Durable construction
- Portable and collapsible
Gibraltar’s responsible for innumerable innovations in the drumming world, and with 9706NL, the brand revolutionized portable snare drum stands.
Aside from being my top premium pick, Gibraltar’s 9760NL is among the most portable snare drum stands on the list.
Features
- Dimensions: 5.25 x 4.25 x 16.25 inches
- Weight: 5.69 pounds
- Legless drum stand
- Collapsible design
- Rack mounting system
- Metal hoops
- Can be used with snare drums 10 to 15 inches large
Snare drum stands aren’t the most expensive pieces of drumming equipment, which begs the question, “why wouldn’t I invest in the priciest model?”
The answer is quite simple; the price tag isn’t always indicative of the quality of the product, but in the case of 9706NL, you’ll get your money’s worth and then some.
It’s the first and only “legless” snare drum stand on the list, meaning that it’s smaller, lighter, and exceptionally convenient for touring drummers.
The way it works is quite simple; you can attach it to your drum rack, and after a few days of banging your heart out on your snare, you’ll notice the difference between premium and lower-quality hardware.
Another thing that separates this snare drum stand from the other models in this list is its collapsible design.
To ensure your 9706NL takes up the least space possible, you can collapse it and reduce its overall size to a mere 17 inches.
Overall, its main drawback is its hefty price tag.
I wouldn’t recommend it to drummers playing extreme metal styles, but it won’t have any problems enduring hard rock and heavier metal playing.
Pros
- Superb quality hardware
- Durable construction
- Portable and collapsible
- Legless design
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Slightly more difficult to set up
4. Luvay Snare Stand
Luvay’s sturdiness, adjustability, and affordability make it one of the best snare stands you can buy on a tight budget.
- Decent quality hardware
- Durable
- Very affordable
Luvay is a brand you may or may not have heard about, but what’s important is that their snare stand is good enough almost to be comparable to entry-level Ludwig and Gibraltar models.
Sturdy, simple, and lightweight, it’s an excellent choice for student drummers and artists struggling to find a label.
Features
- Dimensions: 16.18 x 5.08 x 4.8 inches
- Weight: 4.6 pounds
- Double-braced legs
- Adjustable grips
- Can fit snare drums from 12 to 14-inch large
- Complementary drumstick holder
Budget drum stand makers form the majority of brands on the market; picking a model with a hint of quality about it is harder than you’d expect, but fortunately, mistakes won’t be as punishing on your wallet.
Luvay’s snare stand rocks a double-braced tripod, a foldable design, and heavy-duty metal construction.
It’s neither too light nor heavy, which is suitable for all but the heaviest and most aggressive playing styles.
One of the things that surprised me the most is that you can adjust its height between 18 and 26 inches; this feature is commonly present in high-tier drum stands, as the higher you go, the more stable the legs need to be.
Speaking of which, Luvay’s snare stand sports perfectly angled rubber stabilizers that won’t move as long as they’re planted to the ground.
Although Gibraltar, Ludwig, and Pearl snare stand models are far superior, Luvay’s sturdiness, adjustability, and affordability make it one of the best snare stands you can buy on a tight budget.
Pros
- Decent quality hardware
- Broad height adjustment range
- Good durability for the price
- Very affordable
Cons
- The stabilizers won’t support the snare as reliably at full height
5. Ludwig LAS22SS Atlas Standard Snare Stand
When you're looking for first-call hardware at a great price, grab Ludwig's Atlas Standard snare stand and rest easy knowing you're getting great value on a great product.
- Outstanding durability
- Lightweight
- Superb stabilizer quality
If you liked L422SS, you’re probably going to adore LAS22SS Atlas.
This Ludwig snare drum stand is bigger, sturdier, and more stable than most similarly-priced models, which is everything a rock drummer needs to rely on during a gig or rehearsal.
Features
- Dimensions: 25 x 17 x 17 inches
- Weight: 8 pounds
- Height adjustable up to 15 inches
- Double-braced stand legs
- High-quality metal construction
Ludwig’s LAS22SS Atlas is the second model from this brand I’ve included; it’s almost twice the size while being even more durable than its older cousin, the L422SS.
It’s made of robust metal materials and features double-braced drum legs that grant it superior stability.
Additionally, LAS22SS rocks quality stabilizer feet that will lock your snare in place even if you unleash a fierce onslaught of blast beats.
The hardware components are the main draw of Ludwig LAS22SS Atlas; sturdy, reliable, and remarkably easy to adjust, each piece will help you fine-tune your stand’s position to perfection.
Pros
- Outstanding durability
- Lighter than most rock snare drum stands
- Superb stabilizer quality
- Dependable hardware
Cons
- Bulky design
FAQ
How do I choose a snare stand?
The main criteria for choosing a snare stand revolve around the dimensions of your snare drum and your budget.
More expensive stands are usually sturdier, more adjustable, and equipped with better features (superior stabilizers, extended range of adjustment, etc.)
Can I use a snare stand for a tom?
Yes, snare stands can be used to set up tom drums if the dimensions permit it.
How tall should a snare stand be?
It’s a matter of subjective preference. Some people hang their snares low, others prefer them to be at hip height (or above).
Ideally, you should find a snare stand that is at least 15 inches tall but can extend if you need it to.