9 Best Bass Drum Kick Pedals For Performance 2024; We Compare Single, Double And Budget Options

Looking to buy a new bass drum kick pedal? Well we share with you the best here today!

Best Double Pedal List
Top Single Pedals For Drum
Compare The Best Cheap Pedals On The Market

We also show you what to look for when buying a new drum pedal, so look out for that below too. 🙂

It’s amazing how something so simple can be so different depending on the make and model. But this goes for most accessories and musical gear – drumsticks, cymbals, guitar picks, guitar pedals, guitar strings, guitar straps, capos, slides, and so on.

As with anything, there are premium, high-quality pedals that cost a lot of money. There are budget options for beginners. There are single and double kick options depending on your playing style and preferences.

While most players tend to use single kick, double kick is a popular option for hard rock and metal bands. It can have other applications too, but it’s most commonly used in those genres.

So, to an extent, finding the right pedal will depend on the style of music you play. But your personal preferences will also be a major determining factor.

In this guide, I’ve highlighted nine bass drum kick pedals by category. These are all excellent products, so it mostly comes down to what you need. Read on.

The Best Double Kick Pedals For Drums

Here are several double kick pedals that are worth a look.

Pearl P932 Demonator Right Footed Single Chain With Interchangeable Cam Powershifter

As you can guess, the Pearl P932 is basically the P930 but in a double kick configuration. Its price is reasonable, but you wouldn’t necessarily call it a “budget” pedal, so it belongs in this category.

The P932’s feature set is also a lot like its single kick counterpart, so there isn’t anything new to mention in that regard.

As with the P930, this pedal also has good customer reviews. Some people even call this the best pedal for the money. Pearl knows what it’s doing.

There is one thing you should be aware of with this product, which is that the pedal doesn’t clamp or grip every bass drum well. Try it with your bass drum before making the purchase. This is not a bad idea no matter which kick pedal you end up with.

Mapex Armory Series P800TW Responsive Drive Double Bass Drum Pedal

This is just a solid double kick pedal at a solid price.

The P800TW comes with dual chain-drive action, torque-free spring system, extended footboard, and falcon beater with interchangeable weights. It also comes with a padded bag.

This pedal generally costs a little more than the Pearl P932, but not by much. You could even say it’s comparable in a lot of ways.

Most customers have been quite satisfied with their purchase of this unit, demonstrating that Mapex is a force to reckon with in the drum world.

DW MDD Machined Direct Drive Double Pedal

Looking for a premium double kick with a premium price tag? You’ve found it.

The DW MDD comes with a solid aluminum direct drive cam, V.E.R.T. vertical spring adjustment, tri-pivot swivel toe clamp, interlocking delta hinge, and optimized fulcrum geometry linkage.

No customer has been entirely dissatisfied with the build of the pedal, but some have indicated that it doesn’t feel quite right. This is probably a matter of preference, so it’s worth giving a try before you get married to it. The manufacturer, DW, however, claims this is a versatile pedal that’s highly adjustable and playable. So, it might just be a matter of playing with it until it feels right.

By the way, if you’re upgrading from another DW pedal because you like DW products, you shouldn’t expect this pedal to feel familiar. It only shares about 10% of the components from their range of kick pedals.

This is worth a look if you’re committed to double kicking.

Double Kick Pedals On Sale Conclusion

Ah yes, the double kick. Any drummer looking to beef up their sound or attempt technical rhythmic patterns will probably at least consider picking up a double kick at some point.

If you’re playing metal, then it’s almost a given that you’re going to have a double kick, though it’s not an absolute requirement. If you’re particularly good, you can already execute fast rhythms on your bass drum with just one foot. Being able to play on a single kick what others can only play on a double kick might give you some serious bragging rights.

Still, I must admit, double kicks are just cool and a lot of fun to play with.

Top Single Kick Pedals For Drums

Here are several single kicks that are worth your money.

DW DWCP5000AD4 Accelerator Single Bass Pedal

The DWCP5000AD4 has high ratings on Amazon, and you can tell, just by looking at it, that some love went into its attractive black, red, and silver design.

This DW pedal comes with dual-chain accelerator sprocket, tri-pivot toe clamp, delta II ball bearing hinge, dual-bearing spring rocker, and non-skid rubber pad.

There’s not much more to say about this stunning DW piece of hardware. It will feel like a significant upgrade over any budget pedal if that’s what you’ve been using to this point, and that’s good to know if you’re looking to trade up.

Tama HP910LN Speed Cobra Single Pedal

If you like Tama, but you’re looking for more than just a budget pedal (as mentioned above), the beautiful HP910LN is something you might appreciate.

The Speed Cobra claims to deliver both power and speed, something a little hard to find in a kick pedal. Usually, you just get one or the other. Additionally, the long footboard can give you extra leverage allowing you to play more with less effort. That’s kind of a big deal when you’re playing three 45-minute sets at a bar every night.

Also of note: The Speed Cobra is an improved version of the Iron Cobra, which was already a great pedal.

Customer reviews seem to confirm everything you’ve heard about the pedal, so it’s one of those few instances where it lives up to the hype. Its price point is about average for a pedal in this category, so it’s a must see.

Sonor Drums Perfect Balance Pedal By Jojo Mayer

Sonor Drums isn’t the most recognized name in drums. But the Perfect Balance Pedal consistently comes up in “best of” lists. There’s a good reason for that.

It comes with a low mass drive system and elongated board, self-mounting clamp and magnetic spring dock, and a pedal bag. This pedal also folds into a compact size with the click of a button so it’s easy to take with you. The ballistic fiber strap and double chain are also interchangeable.

This pedal is the invention of Swiss drummer Jojo Mayer and reflects his pursuit to create a pedal with balance, a rare thing in a kick pedal, as I alluded to earlier.

Are there any downsides? Well, it does cost a little more than the pedals already mentioned though not by much. Also, reviews are somewhat mixed. Some people see it as the perfect pedal, while some customers have noted that its sound is a bit obnoxious and its design is flawed.

Well, you can’t be sure one way another without giving it a go. This Sonor product could be just what you’ve been looking for, or you might prefer something else.

Single Kick Pedal Reviews Conclusion

When you go back to the basics of drumming, there’s nothing quite like a quality single kick pedal, which you can use for practically any style of playing.

Double kicks are great for certain genres and applications (mostly metal), but at the end of the day the true test of a drummer is whether they can hold down a steady beat and play in the pocket – not how fast or flashy they can play! So, before you worry about trying to be the world’s fastest double kick player, it’s worth practicing and getting proficient with just one kick.

Compare The Best Budget Pedals

If money is a bit tight, here are a few affordable kick pedals you should consider.

Pearl P930 Demonator Single Chain Interchangeable Cam Powershifter

The Pearl P930 isn’t just easy on the wallet – it’s also a quality pedal.

Pearl is a recognizable name in the drum world, and the P930 only reinforces them as a major contender in this category.

This is a single chain pedal with demon style power shifter function longboard, dual surface beater with control core, infinitely adjustable beater angle, and perfect circle cam with removable eliminator-style eccentric cam.

Overall, this is a pedal with great action and adjustability. Experienced drummers might not get much use out of this pedal, but if you’re a beginner or intermediate player, this is an option worth considering.

Pearl has done something right with this product.

Tama HP200P Iron Cobra 200 Single Pedal

Tama is another recognizable brand name in the drum world, and one worth looking at in your search for the perfect kick pedal.

The HP200P is affordable, and it has a near perfect score with customers too.

It comes with power glide cam for speed and punch, dual sided beater for alternate sounds, para-clamp for easier hoop connection, new Iron Cobra footboard design, and single chain for durability.

If you’re looking for a pedal that’s good bang for buck, you’ve found it. It helps that the design was inspired by other quality Tama gear, so you know you aren’t just getting a cheap facsimile of the real thing.

PDP By DW Concept Direct Drive Single Bass Drum Pedal With Extended Footboard

The PDP pedal rides that line between budget pedal and quality single kick. You could almost put it in with the other single kicks on this list, but there’s no denying its price point is also more than reasonable. It does cost a little more than the Pearl or Tama mentioned above, mind you.

This pedal comes with retractable spurs, XF brushed aluminum footboard, DW spring rocker adjustment, and lightweight aluminum baseplate.

Overall, this is a great choice for intermediate level players and is a joy to play.

So, the PDP is a good choice for the price. And, in case you didn’t know, Pacific Drums and Percussion (PDP) is a division of Drum Workshop (DW), which gives it a bit of credibility.

Cheap Kick Pedal Conclusion

It’s amazing how even low-priced gear can be so amazing these days. Most manufacturers now understand there are customers who want their product but can’t necessarily afford to pay an arm and a leg for it, so they develop great quality budget options. Just because they’re cheap doesn’t mean they aren’t good!

What Should I Look For In A Kick Pedal For Electronic Drums / Regular Ones?

So while you know any of the above would be a good match for your drum set, let's look at what you should be looking for if you want to see why these were picked.

Pedals, like sticks and cymbals, mostly come down to preference and what you’re most comfortable with.

I’m mostly a guitar player myself, so my preferences for picks and strings and other accessories were largely formed through experience and trial and error. But there’s no way you can play for 17 years (whoa, has it been that long?) without forming some preferences.

I play drums a bit, and I’ve watched enough other drummers to know that they like the sound of certain shells, snares and cymbals, sticks, and so on.

Choosing a kick pedal mostly boils down to comfort and your ability to perform the way you want to perform with it. If it doesn’t feel right, you won’t perform at your best.

Keeping this in mind, here are a few criteria I would consider myself.

Budget

Budget is an important determinant for most musicians. You don’t want to spend more than you can afford, but you still want to get something decent for the amount you spend.

It’s amazing how good “cheaper” gear has gotten these days, so even if you don’t have a lot of money, this should not prove to be a deal breaker.

Even if you have money to burn, it doesn’t mean you always get something better by paying more. “Better” is a subjective term when you’re comparing music gear. The more you pay for a piece of gear, the more “custom” it tends to be, making it subject to what you like or don’t like about kick pedals.

Still, I would think about how much I’m willing to spend before going and buying a pedal.

Durability

It seems silly talking about durability when discussing kick pedals, because in theory they are all made of durable materials and will stand up to abuse.

Well, that’s how it would work in a perfect world, but not how it works in practice.

Sometimes, you can drop a pedal, even a short distance, and it will damage or break. You wouldn’t expect it, but it can happen.

You can’t exactly test the durability of a pedal, unfortunately, so your best bet is to check reviews to see whether the pedal you’re looking at sands up to abuse. If it’s being used by a touring musician and they swear by it, odds are you won’t have any trouble with it.

Sometimes a good pedal will come in the form of one that isn’t durable, so then it’s a matter of caring for it such that it doesn’t break.

Comfort & Playability

Comfort and playability is probably one of the biggest considerations for any drummer.

If the pedal doesn’t feel right to you to begin with, tweaking and adjusting it may not do the trick (although it’s always worth a try).

You want to play the way you play, which means the pedal that appeals to you most may not be the same as that of your favorite pro. It’s the one that allows your creative expression to come across to the audience.

Another thing that can easily happen is you get used to whatever pedal you practice the most on. Swapping out for another pedal could end up feeling weird. But it’s still worth experimenting, because you never know what you might end up with. I’ll talk more about experimentation a little later.

Genre

The genre of music you play can be an important deciding factor, as I’ve hinted at throughout this guide.

Purist drummers (such as jazz drummers) will likely want a single kick pedal that adjusts to their technique and allows them to play at their best.

A metal or hard rock drummer is probably going to want a double kick. Some drummers playing progressive rock and other odd genres might consider a double kick too.

A weekend warrior playing rock and blues songs at the bar might be satisfied with a budget option.

There is plenty of gear to choose from no matter your playing style, so it’s good to have an idea of what kind of music you’ll be playing when you’re trying to decide what kick pedal to buy.

Is There A Pedal That’s Better For Performance Versus A Pedal That’s Better For Recording?

There isn’t a straightforward answer to this question, because it’s quite subjective.

Some drummers use the same gear in the studio as they do on stage.

Some drummers have touring kits, which are more portable and lightweight. Some drummers that have touring kits use the same hardware on the road as they do in the studio (meaning they would use the same kick pedal too).

So, there isn’t necessarily a formula for what’s right or wrong. You can figure this out by trial and error, but I do have a couple of suggestions.

One way to figure out the ideal setup for yourself is to ask around. If you know other drummers, you can get their opinion and see what they’re using. You could read interviews in magazines. You could watch some gear rundown videos on YouTube. You could read online reviews.

Another way of thinking about it is that you may want to keep your more expensive gear in the studio and have less expensive gear for the road. That way you aren’t choked when your $1,000 double kick goes missing, is damaged or stolen. You might sacrifice your sound a little, but when you consider the tradeoff (most people won’t notice), not losing your expensive gear is a better option.

But overall, you’ll still want to consider the above criteria in your decision (see the section What Should I Look For In A Kick Pedal?). Comfort and playability matters. Budget matters. The style of music you play matters. Durability matters. You can’t ignore these factors when deciding which pedal to bring with you on stage.

The short answer is no, there isn’t a pedal that’s better for performance versus recording. There are just pedals, and you’re free to experiment and choose.

Does The Kick Pedal Affect The Bass Drum’s Tone?

The answer is somewhat complicated, but the short version is “yes”.

It’s important to remember that the height of the beater can throw off the sound of the drum. Fortunately, adjusting the height is relatively simple. All you need is a drum key, which you should have if you’re thinking seriously about performing anyway.

When you’re hitting a bass drum, or any drum for that matter, it’s all about where you hit it. You’re going to get a very different sound depending on where you hit, and that’s something you should spend some time learning about your drums (i.e. try hitting them in different places and listen carefully to the sound that comes out).

Best Bass Drum Kick Pedals For Performance Final Thoughts

Browsing and picking gear can be a lot of fun.

As a musician, it can be hard to go to an instrument store without coming home with something new (beware of blowing your budget).

I know a few people that work at music stores that can attest to that fact. When I worked at music stores, I was always in the studio at the back, teaching lessons, so I didn’t spend all my paychecks on gear. This doesn’t mean I wasn’t tempted mind you.

Anyway, if there’s anything more I can say about kick pedals, it would be this: be open to experimentation.

I’ve seen some drummers try out different kick pedals only to be surprised by the brands and makes they ended up liking most.

If you go in assuming you’ll love DW or Tama, you might end up being disappointed or underwhelmed. Keep an open mind and try different pedals as you come across them. You’ll end up finding some interesting gear this way.