The Quietest Drumheads & Cymbals for Apartment Practice

For millions of drummers, the biggest challenge isn’t finding time to practice — it’s keeping the noise down. Apartment walls, shared spaces, thin floors, and cranky neighbours can turn even a basic practice session into a battlefield. Traditional drumheads and metal cymbals are loud by nature, producing high SPL levels that easily travel through walls, ceilings, and floors.

Fortunately, manufacturers have stepped up in a huge way over the past decade. There are now drumheads, cymbals, and complete low-volume practice systems designed specifically for noise-sensitive environments. The best part? Modern low-volume gear doesn’t feel like rubber pads anymore — it’s responsive, musical, and surprisingly close to the real playing experience.

This guide breaks down the quietest drumheads and cymbals for apartment living, what to expect from each option, and how to choose the setup that best fits your home practice needs.

Why Regular Drums Are So Loud

Before exploring solutions, it helps to understand the source of noise:

• Drumheads vibrate strongly, sending shockwaves into the air and through the hardware.

• Cymbals project high-frequency energy, which travels easily through thin walls.

• Low frequencies from kicks and floor toms transmit through the floor and into neighbouring rooms.

• Stands and hardware resonate, amplifying the problem.

In an apartment, this combination can be overwhelming — not just for you, but for everyone within a 20-meter radius.

The goal is simple:
Reduce volume without sacrificing feel.

1. Mesh Drumheads — The Quietest Option for Acoustic Kits

Mesh heads are by far the most effective way to drastically reduce noise. They replace standard heads with fabric-like woven material, dramatically lowering volume while maintaining bounce.

Top Mesh Head Options

Remo Silentstroke

The industry standard for quiet practice.

Pros:

• Extremely quiet (up to 90% reduction)

• Wide range of sizes

• Excellent rebound

• Works well with triggers if you want to add electronics

Cons:

• Very springy feel unless tensioned carefully

• Less acoustic tone (almost none)

Evans SoundOff Mesh

Evans’ take on mesh heads.

Pros:

• Slightly more natural stick feel

• Durable

• Reduced springiness compared to Remo

Cons:

• Still fairly “bouncy” compared to real heads

RTOM LV Mesh

A premium option.

Pros:

• Best feel of all mesh heads

• Strong rebound without trampoline effect

• Very quiet

Cons:

• More expensive

Who mesh heads are best for:

• Drummers in apartments

• Late-night practice

• Anyone wanting to convert their acoustic kit into a quasi-electronic hybrid

• Teachers who need quiet lessons at home

Mesh heads offer the quietest solution with the closest feel to a real kit — just without the volume.

2. Low-Volume Drumheads (Non-Mesh) — A More “Real” Acoustic Sound

If you want reduced volume but still want real acoustic tone, consider low-volume heads instead of mesh.

Evans dB One Drumheads

One of the best low-volume innovations on the market.

Pros:

• Reduce volume by ~80%

• Still sound like real drums

• Incredible stick feel

• Great tuning response

• Work perfectly with the matching cymbal set

Cons:

• More expensive than mesh

• Slightly quieter than some players want

Aquarian Super-Pad System

Pads that sit on top of your existing heads.

Pros:

• Great feel

• Do not require replacing heads

• Easy to install and remove

Cons:

• Not as quiet as mesh

• Slight tone muffling

Who low-volume heads are best for:

• Drummers wanting a real acoustic sound

• Players who dislike mesh bounce

• Those who rehearse during the day and need only moderate noise reduction

These heads are quieter, but also musical, which makes them ideal for drummers who care about tone even at low volumes.

3. Low-Volume Cymbals — Quiet Without Feeling Dead

Cymbals are notoriously loud due to metal vibration and high-frequency content. Low-volume cymbals solve this through thousands of precision-cut holes that reduce mass and resonance.

Zildjian L80 Low Volume Cymbals

Still the gold standard of quiet cymbals.

Pros:

• 80% quieter

• Incredible stick feel

• Work perfectly with mesh heads

• Warm, controlled sound

Cons:

• Not ideal for loud rehearsals

• Expensive for a low-volume product

Sabian Quiet Tone

Sabian’s entry in the low-volume space.

Pros:

• Slightly brighter than L80

• Good bell definition

• Durable

Cons:

• Not as soft-sounding as L80

• More metallic tone

Evans dB One Cymbals

Designed to pair with the dB One heads.

Pros:

• The quietest low-volume cymbals available

• Very soft, controlled tone

• Excellent for tiny apartments

• Best for nighttime use

Cons:

• Not as “cymbal-like” as L80

• Very short sustain

Who low-volume cymbals are best for:

• Apartment drummers

• Late-night players

• Teachers doing quiet lessons

• Anyone playing with mesh heads

They offer the feel of real cymbals but a fraction of the noise.

4. Hybrid Options — Quiet + Electronic Enhancement

If you want to take quiet practice a step further:
combine mesh heads with triggers, and play e-drums through headphones.

This gives you:

• Acoustic kit feel

• Digital sounds

• Minimal noise

Trigger options include:

• Roland RT30 series

• Yamaha DT50

• ddrum Red Shot / Pro

This setup is more expensive but delivers the best of both worlds.

5. The Quietest Complete Practice Kits (If You Don’t Want to Modify Your Own)

If you’d rather buy a dedicated quiet practice kit, these are great options:

Pearl e/Merge or Pearl Mimic Pro Hybrid Kits

High-end hybrid solutions with near-silent play.

Tama True-Touch Training Kit

Fantastic rebound, almost silent, feels incredibly close to real drumming.

Yamaha DTX6 / DTX8 Electronic Kits

Quiet pedals, pad options, and great sound quality.

Donner DED-200 / DED-500 low-cost e-kits

Budget-friendly, perfect for new drummers or light practice.

6. Additional Ways to Reduce Noise Even Further

Even with low-volume gear, you can still take steps to minimize noise:

Use a carpet or drum rug

Prevents vibration transfer into floors.

Add tennis balls under plywood (“tennis ball riser”)

A famous technique for eliminating kick drum impact noise.

Use quieter beaters

Felt or rubber beaters reduce click and impact.

Mute your kick drum pedal spring

Petroleum jelly or tape helps silence the spring “zing.”

Place your kit away from shared walls

Sound reflections matter more than you think.

Conclusion

Practicing drums in an apartment doesn’t have to be a battle. Modern low-volume gear allows drummers to practice anytime—morning, afternoon, or late at night—without disturbing neighbours. Whether you choose mesh heads, low-volume acoustic heads, perforated cymbals, hybrid setups, or full electronic kits, there’s now a solution for every budget and every environment.

With the right combination of heads, cymbals, and accessories, you can enjoy the feel of real drumming while keeping the peace at home.