While you’ve probably put a lot of effort into picking out a great drum set, buying a good set of drum bags or drum cases is very important to make sure that your drums stay free from damage.
Getting a set of drum bags or drum cases is essential if you are a traveling musician and you are frequently carrying your drums around.
My top pick is the TAMA DSS52K Drum Bag Set. They are waterproof, good-cushioned bags for a 5-piece drum set with a carrying strap.
My budget pick is the Gator Cases Protechtor Series 5, an affordable set of drum bags that are of very decent quality.
The 5 Best Drum Cases and Bags (2023)
Let’s compare these in more detail.
1. TAMA DSS52K Drum Bag Set
The TAMA DSS52K Drum Bag Set is a good-quality choice for drum gear protection. These bags are suitable for a 5-piece drum set with a 22″ bass drum but can also fit 4-piece to 7-piece drum sets, with different bass drum sizes, ranging from 18-inches to 22-inches.
Pros
- Waterproof design (Water-resistant nylon)
- Ergonomic rubber handles
- Thich cushioning
- Good carrying strap
Cons
- A bit pricey
While this set is a bit pricey and you can probably find good hard case options for a similar price, it does offer portability and comfort while transporting, all the while sporting good material quality and design.
The TAMA drum bag set features ergonomic rubber handles and a carrying strap with shoulder pads, making it very travel-friendly. The water-resistant nylon adds that much more value along with the thick cushioning which can probably withstand a small drop.
| Case sizes | 14″ snare, 10″ & 12″ toms, 16″ floor tom, 22″ bass drum |
| Material | Water-resistant nylon with a 10 mm cushion |
| Other Features | Ergonomic rubber handles, carrying straps |
Overall, the Tama drum bag set is a good choice if you’re after travel-friendly, portable bag sets with medium-level protection.
2. Gator Drum Bag Set Standard
If you’re looking for a nice set of affordable drum bags, you should consider the Gator Drum Bag Set Standard. It comes with five different bags, all of which are made out of nylon material, with 10mm padding to give you extra protection.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Compact design
- Easy to fold when you’re not using them
- They don’t take up as much space as hard cases
Cons
- Protection is not as good as hard cases
You can fit your standard drum set in here easily. When taking these bags on the road, you can use carrying straps and once you take the drums out you can fold them back, saving precious space.
These bags offer great portability and usability, however, the protection level cannot compare to that of hard cases. But, for an affordable price, this is a good option.
| Case sizes | Kick Drum – 22” X 18”, Tom – 12” X 10”, Tom – 13” X 11”, Floor Tom – 16” X 16”, Snare Drum – 14” X 5.5” |
| Material | Nylon |
| Other Features | Carrying straps |
This is a very good set if you’re a home drummer and you just need the bags to pack your drums when you’re not using them or to take them to practice on the other side of town. If you’re looking for something more heavy-duty, you should probably check some of the other sets on this list out.
3. SKB 1SKB-DRP2 Drum Case Package 2
The DRP2 set by SKB is a high-end, very heavy-duty case set that comes in different configurations depending on the package you buy.
Pros
- Roto-molded shells with padded interior
- Pedestal feet for upright positioning
- Heavy-duty web straps
Cons
- Pricey
- Only three cases in this particular set
All of these are made out of roto-molded plastic, with a padded interior and several different features for added protection. They are also stackable and can sit upright on their own.
For high-level protection, a hard case option would suit you best, and this set comes with 3 cases but you can also choose between 4, and 5-piece sets if you have a larger drum kit and want to ensure quality protection.
| Case sizes | 18″ x 22″ bass drum, 10″ x 12″ tom, 16″ x 16″ floor tom |
| Material | Roto-molded Polyethylene |
| Other Features | Carrying straps, slide-release buckles, 90-degree-stop carry handles |
If you’re a professional with expensive drums who’s on the road a lot, you know it’s worth it to invest in a durable set of hard cases.
4. ChromaCast Pro Series
The ChromaCast Pro series bags come with 4 bags in the set. They are all made with a plushy inside, giving you enough protection, but are still soft and light to carry.
Pros
- Nicely padded, plushy interior
- Added pockets on top of the bags
- Good value for money
Cons
- Not the best protection from physical damage
- 16″ bass drum bag
On the outside they are made out of faux skin, giving you a sleek, black design. They also have additional pockets for drum heads and adjustable straps.
There is also the option for a singular bag of your choosing but buying them as a set offers more value. This is a 4-piece set that is suited for a 16-inch bass drum but you can also choose one for a larger bass drum or even a 5-piece set if you like.
| Case sizes | 24″ Bass Drum, 16″ Floor Tom, 13″ Tom & 14″ Snare Bag |
| Material | Faux skin and plush |
| Other Features | Carrying straps, Additional pockets for drumheads |
These give your drums good protection while not being as heavy and rigid as hard shells tend to be. Plus, it’s a great value-for-money option.
5. Humes & Berg Galaxy Bag Set
Finishing this list is the Humes & Berg Galaxy Bag Set. It’s made out of nylon with half-inch padding on the inside, giving you good protection for your drums.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Half-inch padding for protection
- Easy to fold when you’re not using them
Cons
- Not the best protection from physical damage
- 4-piece bag set
It comes with a double-stitched zipper with steel teeth and large zipper pulls, meaning that it won’t break when you’re halfway on the road and it’s easy to operate in the dark when on stage.
This 4-piece set is a good, affordable choice but it does not feature a snare drum bag, however, it does include a stick bag. Depending on if you already have some gear protectors, this could be a good consideration point for you.
| Case sizes | 10″ and 12″ toms, 16″ floor tom, and 22″ bass drum |
| Material | Nylon |
| Other Features | Double-stitched zipper with steel teeth and large zipper pulls, Shoulder straps, and Stick bag |
This is a nice set for people who don’t want to spend a ton of money but still get nice protection and easy-to-use bags for their drums.
Drum bag or Hard Case (Shells)?
When buying bags or cases for your drums you can go two ways. Bags are usually made out of nylon or some similar material. They are lighter and foldable, meaning they will take up less space when not being used, however, because of this, they will not offer as much protection from weather and physical damage. But, they are generally a cheaper option.
Hard shells, on the other hand, will give you all of the protection, but they can be bulky, a little bit heavy, and take up more space. If you need the cases for everyday touring, you should buy cases, but if you just need someplace to keep the drum and take them to practice every now and then, bags may be enough.
Summary
This guide includes some of the best drum bags and cases available in 2023. Whether you need something light to keep your drums in or heavy-duty to give you the maximum protection on the road, you should find something suitable on this list.
My top recommendation is the TAMA DSS52K Drum Bag Set, which are waterproof, good-cushioned bags for a 5-piece drum set with a carrying strap.
My second recommendation is the Gator Cases Protechtor Series 5, an affordable set of drum bags that are of very decent quality.
