There are a number of different ways to set up a rack tom. The most common setup is to have one mounted on a stand and the other sitting on the drummer’s knees. However, a variety of other options are now available to drummers. This includes mounting a tom on a floor stand and placing another on the drum throne. Depending on how a drummer likes to play, this can be a very effective setup.
To help you find the best rack tom for your needs, we’ve rounded up the top options currently on the market.
Read on to learn more about our favorite rack toms.
Our Editor’s Best Rack Tom Tom Drums Reviews
- BRIGHTER THAN ACRYLIC – Crafted from carbon steel, these metal toms deliver naturally brighter tone with exceptional projection. Unlike acrylic drums that can sound subdued, carbon steel cuts through dense mixes with clarity—perfect for heavy metal, progressive rock, and live stage performances.
- SUPERIOR ATTACK & SUSTAIN – Experience longer sustain, cleaner decay, and more pronounced attack compared to acrylic alternatives. The carbon steel construction produces higher sound pressure levels and superior projection, ensuring every hit is heard even in large venues or complex arrangements.
- VERSATILE ADJUSTABLE HARDWARE – Each tom comes with a stand featuring an adjustable cymbal mount, compatible with Ride, Crash, Splash, Bell, Stacks, Reverse, and Holy cymbals. Easily integrates with existing drum racks and multi-clamp systems—no additional hardware needed.
- OPTIMIZED 6-INCH DRUMHEAD + SHELL DIMENSIONS – Engineered with a 6-inch drumhead and carefully calibrated shell depths (8.6", 11", 12.5", 14.5"), this rack tom set delivers a broad, distinctive tonal spectrum—giving players a unique sound with powerful projection.
- RUGGED DURABILITY FOR HEAVY HITTING – Built for aggressive playing, the drum rack features nylon + fiberglass composite links that provide exceptional stability and durability. Even under prolonged high-intensity performance, the setup remains secure—ideal for heavy-hitting metal drummers.
- 7mm Seamless Acrylic Shells
- Powerful, high-volume tone with low overtone
- Optimount Tom Suspension System
- Precision-Cut Rounded 45-degree Bearing Edges
- 1.2mm triple-flanged hoops
- Medium-Weight
- Double-Braced Legs
- Tube Joint with Integrated Memory Lock
- Dual Ball-and-Socket Arms with Aux Clamp
- Designed in California
- Medium-Weight
- Double-Braced Legs
- Tube Joint with Integrated Memory Lock
- Ball-and-Socket Arm with Auxiliary Clamp
- Designed in California
- BRIGHTER THAN ACRYLIC – Crafted from carbon steel, these metal toms deliver naturally brighter tone with exceptional projection. Unlike acrylic drums that can sound subdued, carbon steel cuts through dense mixes with clarity—perfect for heavy metal, progressive rock, and live stage performances.
- SUPERIOR ATTACK & SUSTAIN – Experience longer sustain, cleaner decay, and more pronounced attack compared to acrylic alternatives. The carbon steel construction produces higher sound pressure levels and superior projection, ensuring every hit is heard even in large venues or complex arrangements.
- VERSATILE ADJUSTABLE HARDWARE – Each tom comes with a stand featuring an adjustable cymbal mount, compatible with Ride, Crash, Splash, Bell, Stacks, Reverse, and Holy cymbals. Easily integrates with existing drum racks and multi-clamp systems—no additional hardware needed.
- OPTIMIZED 6-INCH DRUMHEAD + SHELL DIMENSIONS – Engineered with a 6-inch drumhead and carefully calibrated shell depths (8.6", 11", 12.5", 14.5"), this rack tom set delivers a broad, distinctive tonal spectrum—giving players a unique sound with powerful projection.
- RUGGED DURABILITY FOR HEAVY HITTING – Built for aggressive playing, the drum rack features nylon + fiberglass composite links that provide exceptional stability and durability. Even under prolonged high-intensity performance, the setup remains secure—ideal for heavy-hitting metal drummers.
- RAVEN BADGES: The Raven Drum Kit also carries the iconic Raven vent badge, an emblem first introduced with our Raven snare. Inspired by the historic walls of the Tower of London—home to the ravens that sparked this kit’s design—this vent badge brings a touch of heritage and mystique to every drum
- LASER ENGRAVED B BADGE: Finished in a sleek Black Ash satin, the inner shell of each drum boasts a striking black satin lacquer
- PALLADIUM HARDWARE: Easily identifiable, Raven features our small, single Art-Deco inspired Palladium lug on both toms and bass drums. The stylish brackets are fixed to the shells by a bespoke engineered isolation system which ensures greater resonance from the drum whilst maintaining dependable positioning
- HOLOGRAPHIC ID BADGE: Every British Drum Co. drum comes with a unique holographic ID badge mounted on a cherry backing plate
- 8 ply Scandinavian Birch & Black Ash Shell
- Exclusively available with chrome standard triple-flange hoops that will give your drum a versatile sound
- Sets a new standard for quality drums that will rock your world
- Designed with a fresh look that will contribute to any professional-style drumset
- Created with true pitch tuning rods to give drummers control over their sound in any environment
- The drum offers a Design Series turret leg which is a scaled-down version of the round DW lug
- 【Compatibility】--- Made of high‑quality durable zinc alloy, suitable for all types of brackets.
- 【Exquisite Workmanship】--- With exquisite craftsmanship, one‑time molding, electroplating and painting, not easy to fade, strong hardness.
- 【Adjustable Angle】--- The round handle can be rotated 360° and can be adjusted to the desired angle.
- 【Ideal Replacement】--- The product tom drum rack suitable for replacing dirty, old and damaged parts.
- 【Lightweight and Portable】--- The product appearance is exquisite and compact, and easy to carry.
- SNARE DRUM SUPPORT WITHOUT FLOOR CONTACT: Mounts directly to your drum rack, keeping the area beneath your snare drum free of hardware for a cleaner setup and more foot space.
- FULLY ADJUSTABLE POSITIONING: Features Gibraltar’s Adjustable Right Angle clamp, giving you the freedom to position your snare exactly how you want it.
- ULTRA ADJUST SNARE BASKET: Includes Gibraltar’s Ultra Adjust snare basket for secure and customizable drum placement to match your playstyle.
- SECURE AND STABLE MOUNTING: Memory locks are included for both the clamp and snare basket shaft to ensure consistent, reliable setup every time.
- IDEAL FOR DRUM RACK SYSTEMS: A smart, space-saving solution that integrates seamlessly into your existing rack setup for a modern and minimal stage footprint.
- 3-piece shell pack: bass drum, floor tom, and rack tom
- Includes rack tom mount and cymbal arm mount
- Open bottom for punchy resonance at a lower volume
- Poplar shells for warm, balanced sound
- Tandem bag set packs entire kit for easy transport
Best Rack Tom Tom Drums Buying Guide
Before choosing the best tom drum you should consider following options:
1. Size: Toms come in different sizes. The most common diameters are from 8 inches up to 18 inches.
A smaller diameter drum produces a higher-pitched sound and is often used for jazz music. A larger diameter drum produces a deeper and more rich sound and is often used in rock and roll.
If you are a beginner drummer, opt for a medium-sized drum, which is great to produce a rich sound while also easy to play.
2. Material: Toms are generally made of three materials: wood, metal, and acrylic/plastic.
Wooden drums produce a warmer sound than metal ones, but they are more expensive and sensitive to humidity and temperature changes.
Acrylic/plastic drums are cheaper and more resistant to humidity and temperature, but they produce a more synthetic sound.
Metal drums are the most popular among drummers and they produce the best sound, but they are the most expensive.
3. Number of Toms: The number of toms you want depends on the sound you want to achieve.
If you want a complex sound, get more toms. If you want a simpler sound, get fewer toms.
4. Budget: Drummers often overlook the importance of having a good budget when they are shopping for a drum.
Not having enough money can lead to buying a drum that is not suitable for your needs.
If you are a beginner, it’s better to buy a cheaper drum and upgrade later on, than to buy an expensive drum that does not meet your needs.
5. Quality: Quality is one of the most important factors to take into consideration when buying a drum.
It is normal for the sound produced by a drum to change after some time. That’s because all drums expand and shrink, based on the temperature of the room and the climate.
What else you should know about rack tom tom drums
1. What is a rack tom tom drum?
A rack tom tom drum is a type of drum that is typically used in a drum set. It is a smaller drum that is usually mounted on a stand or rack.
2. How is a rack tom tom drum different from a regular tom tom drum?
Rack tom tom drums are usually smaller than regular tom tom drums, and they are mounted on a stand or rack instead of being placed on the floor.
3. What are the benefits of using a rack tom tom drum?
There are a few benefits of using a rack tom tom drum. One is that they tend to be more versatile since you can position them in a variety of ways. Additionally, rack tom tom drums usually have better tone and sustain than floor tom tom drums. Finally, rack tom tom drums are generally easier to tune than floor tom tom drums.
4. How do I set up a rack tom tom drum?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to set up a rack tom tom drum will vary depending on the specific drum and the drummer’s preferences. However, some tips on how to set up a rack tom tom drum include making sure that the drum is properly secured to the rack, and adjusting the height and angle of the drum to the drummer’s liking. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the drum is tuned to the desired pitch before playing.
5. How do I play a rack tom tom drum?
To play a rack tom tom drum, you will need a drumsticks and a drum key. First, use the drum key to loosen the tension rods around the top and bottom of the drum. Next, hold the drumsticks in each hand and strike the drumhead in the center.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best rack tom tom drums. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best rack tom tom drums will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.