A drum tuner either listens to the drum or measures the head. Tune-Bot and the tuner apps hear the pitch at each lug through a microphone, so they show the note and help tune toms to intervals, and several of their makers ask for a quiet room. DrumDial and Tama's Tension Watch measure head tension, and the Evans Torque Key sets each rod by torque, so room noise does not touch the reading, but none of them shows a note. The table compares 10 tuners on how they measure, what they help with, and what they cost in the US today.
Quick answer
Even lugsTune-Bot Studio$99.95 · 4.6 (403)
Toms to notesTune-Bot Gig$69.95 · 4.4 (90)
First tuningiDrumTune$12.99 · 4.0 (2,501)
Noisy roomDrumDial$64.99 · 4.5 (322)The best-rated option for each need, by the same ratings as the table: a high score from a few reviews counts for less than one from thousands. Nothing here is paid for.
What the data says
Pitch tools tell you the note; tension and torque tools tell you the lugs match each other.
DrumDial's maker says it tunes easily in loud surroundings, while the makers of Drum Tuner and Drumtune PRO ask for a quiet room, Drumtune PRO with a GIG setting for noise. Pick the method first: notes and intervals, or even tension in any room.
Every tuner app here has a lug mode and shows the note, and Drumtune PRO, iDrumTune and Drum Tuner also save tunings and suggest pitches across the kit.
Each app costs less than any device on this page. The Tune-Bots do the same job with a clip-on microphone and their own display; only the Studio saves tunings.
iDrumTune holds 4.6 from over 2,300 App Store ratings but 3.3 on Google Play, and Drumtune PRO sits near 3 on both stores, even though its Android version has over a million installs.
Check the rating on the store you will buy from.
Side by side
Ratings and review counts are the stores' and retailers' own, pulled on 2026-10-08. A cross means the feature is not there; a question mark means neither the listing nor the maker says. Prices are US dollars as listed on the named store on the date in each card; they change, so check the store before you buy.
One by one
Even lugsRecall a tuningToms to notes
Overtone Labs
$99.954.6 from 403 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you want a clip-on tuner that shows the note, matches lugs and saves pitches for 5 kits of 10 drums.
Skip it if you want to tune without striking the drum: every reading comes from a hit near a lug or the center.
Clip it to the hoop with the microphone over the head and strike near a lug or in the center: it shows the pitch in Hz and as the nearest note, matches lugs in Difference Mode and saves pitches for 5 kits of 10 drums, with separate top head, bottom head and fundamental slots. Every reading needs a clean strike, with the other head muted for lug work, and the interval suggestions come from Overtone Labs' free Drum Tuning Calculator app and website, not from the tuner itself.
Sources (17)
Clip the tuner to the drum hoop. Make sure the microphone end is over the drum head.source
Absolute Mode: Shows the pitch in Hz (8) as well as the nearest note and octave (10).source
Difference mode: Useful for matching lugs, it lets you choose one lug pitch as a referencesource
Pull off the paper tab from the batteriessource
Place your drum on a stool or carpet to mute the opposite head.source
The tuner has save slots for 5 different drum kits with up to 10 drums in each kit.source
Additionally, there are separate slots for top head, bottom head, or fundamental pitch for each drum.source
To tune a drum above 400Hz (most likely a snare resonant head), you will need to use the hi-range mode.source
9 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
First tuningEven lugsToms to notes
Overtone Labs
$69.954.4 from 90 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you want a clip-on tuner that shows Hz and the nearest note, with Difference Mode to match every lug.
Skip it if you want to save and recall a kit's tunings on the device: the Gig cannot store them.
The Gig reads each strike through a clip-on microphone and shows it in Hz and as the nearest note, with a Difference Mode for matching every lug to a reference lug. It cannot store tunings and has no Filter Mode or high range, so it reads up to 400 Hz, the point above which Overtone Labs says a snare resonant head needs the Studio's hi-range mode.
Sources (14)
Clip the tuner to the drum hoop. Make sure the microphone end is over the drum head.source
Absolute mode: Shows the pitch in Hz as well as the nearest note and octave.source
Difference mode: Useful for matching lugs, it lets you choose one lug pitch as a referencesource
We have included two AAA batteries.source
Tuning Range: 30 - 400 Hz, 1C - 4G#source
To tune a drum above 400Hz (most likely a snare resonant head), you will need to use the hi-range mode.source
Hi-Range 30 - 450 Hzsource
Storage Up to 50 pitches (5 kits × 10 drums) N/Asource
6 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Even lugsNoisy roomRecall a tuning
DrumDial
$64.994.5 from 322 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you want repeatable gauge numbers with no striking; the maker says it tunes easily in loud surroundings.
Skip it if you want to tune toms to specific notes: it shows a pressure reading, not a pitch.
Set it on the head about 3/4 in from the edge in front of each lug, find the highest reading and bring the other lugs up to match, all without striking the drum. It reads pressure, not pitch, so you work with repeatable gauge numbers (the maker's usual starting point is about 75 on the batter head and 74 on the resonant head) rather than notes.
Sources (13)
Measures Timpanic Pressure, not Tension Rod Torquesource
Timpani, snare drums, rack toms and bass drums are all easily tuned without even hitting the drum head.source
Easily Tunes in Loud Surroundingssource
Silent Operationsource
Ability to Repeatedly Tune to a Particular Pitchsource
A locking bezel with moveable locators for easy marking of your tuning rangesource
Find the lug with the highest reading and tune the other lugs to match this one.source
The DrumDial base should be about ¾ of an inch from the edge of the drum directly in front of a tuning lug.source
5 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Even lugsRecall a tuningNoisy room
TAMA (Hoshino Gakki)
$179.993.6 from 7 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you want a dial gauge you place next to each tension rod, with a ring that keeps the distance from the hoop.
Skip it if you want to see each drum's note or frequency: the TW200 only shows a tension value.
Place the Tension Watch on the head next to each tension rod, with the Position Gauge Ring keeping the same distance from the hoop, and adjust until every lug shows the same tension value; Tama's chart gives batter and bottom head starting ranges by drum size. It has no memory and shows no note, so Tama's manual tells you to write the values down to repeat a tuning.
Sources (12)
detachable nylon bumper to ensure consistent measuring distance from the hoop, resulting in an evenly tensioned drumsource
put the Tension Watch on the drum head next to each tension rod to get a readingsource
Go around the drum and adjust each tension rod to achieve identical tension value across all lugs.source
By writing down or memorizing the values, you will be able to easily replicate your desired tuning each time.source
DRUM HEAD TENSION EXAMPLEsource
BATTER BOTTOMsource
These numbers are just examples for the drum heads below. Use these numbers as reference.source
This bag is specially designed to carry the TW200 Tension Watch safely and securely.source
4 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Even lugsLow costNoisy room
D'Addario (Evans)
$27.994.4 from 607 reviews, Thomann
Pick it if you want each tension rod set to the same torque with a hand tool, using a magnetic head for quick changes.
Skip it if you want to tune toms to notes or intervals: it has no pitch or tension readout.
Set the handle to a torque and it releases at that point on every tension rod, so each lug gets the same torque, and the magnetic head can stay on a rod for quick changes while you play. It evens rod torque, not head tension or pitch, so it will not tell you what note a drum is on.
Sources (9)
The EVANS Torque drum key helps you attain more-accurate tuning with its torque handle that can be set to a desired tension.source
Magnetic head helps prevent slipping and stays in place for quick adjustmentssource
Designed in conjunction with Ned Steinbergersource
Preset the EVANS torque drum key's handle to release at a specified tension ensuring even tuning at each lug.source
A slip-resistant magnetized head holds the key in place without rattling for fast adjustments during play.source
4.5 out of 5 stars withsource
4.4 out of 5 stars from 607 customer ratingssource
Very finely adjustable torque keysource
1 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Even lugsRecall a tuningToms to notesNoisy room
EXALTD CO., Limited
$11.993.1 from 3,952 reviews, App Store and Google Play
Pick it if you want a phone app with per-drum presets, kit target pitches from an interval and a GIG sensitivity setting.
Skip it if you want a single-screen tuner and nothing more: it also packs a metronome and a multi-track recorder.
It reads the fundamental and each lug's pitch through the phone microphone, stores batter, resonant and lug pitches per drum as presets, and calculates target pitches across the kit from an interval you choose. Know before choosing that its US App Store rating is low (2.98 out of 5 from 289 ratings) and that on Android the tuner itself is a paid unlock after a short trial.
Sources (10)
Shape your sound by balancing batter and resonant heads.source
Save tuning presets to store your favorite sounds.source
Instantly spot which lugs need adjustmentsource
Adjust the tonal spacing between the individual drums.source
Drumtune PRO 2.0 will automatically calculate the target fundamental tones of your drum kit following an interval of your choice.source
with the sensitivity switch put to GIG, you can tune your drum when your fellow band members are playing their instrumentssource
Hit your drum to display its pitch, or difference with a target pitch, in note and/ or in Hz.source
7-Day FREE Trial of the Tuner Featuresource
2 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
First tuningEven lugsRecall a tuningToms to notes
RT Sixty Ltd
$12.994.0 from 2,501 reviews, App Store and Google Play
Pick it if you want a phone tuner with an in-app coach and a built-in tuning course to guide a first tuning.
Skip it if you want to try a tuner app before paying: there is no free version.
It measures each drum through the phone microphone with separate pitch, lug and resonant head modes, guides a first tuning with an in-app coach and a built-in drum tuning course, and saves whole kits as presets from its Drum Kit Designer. It is a paid download on both stores, and its Google Play rating (3.31 out of 5 from 167 reviews) sits well below its US App Store rating (4.59 out of 5 from 2,334).
Sources (10)
to ensure that the drumhead is evenly tuned and gives a smooth and warm tone.source
to allow you to be sure that the two heads are working together and giving rich overtones.source
save and load your favourite custom kit configurations via the interactive Drum Kit Designer, synced cross-platform to recall setups in seconds.source
There is also a tuning indicator bar which shows the drumhead tuning relative to musical notessource
you simply hold your device over the center of a drum, about 2-4 inches away, then strike the drumsource
an intelligent on-screen assistant guides you through the tuning process in real timesource
Reference pitches and intervals for every drum in your kit, plus building a bespoke tuning preset for your specific setup.source
Lessons 1-5 can be accessed free of charge at www.learndrumtuning.comsource
2 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
First tuningEven lugsToms to notesLow cost
heekyung moon
Free3.7 from 160 reviews, App Store and Google Play
Pick it if you want a free tuner with a lug map, saved drums and a kit planner, and you accept ads.
Skip it if you tune in a loud room or will not put up with ads: the maker asks for a quiet room.
A free microphone tuner whose lug map marks each tension rod sharp or flat against the average, with separate batter and resonant head maps, saved drums and a kit planner that gives target pitches built up from your lowest floor tom. It is a new app from a solo developer, first released in July 2026, and a US App Store reviewer reports getting stuck on an ad, which the developer answered by calling ads covering the tuner after the first session a real issue.
Sources (9)
a circular map of every tension rod around the drum.source
Set your lowest floor tom and get a target pitch for up to five toms plus kick and snaresource
Batter and resonant heads are separate maps; the report shows their interval in cents.source
Finish a head and you can save it to My Kit.source
The app shows the detected pitch in Hzsource
Strike one clear note at a time in a quiet room.source
Ads covering the tuner after the first session is a real issuesource
Contains adssource
1 more in the full Markdown version of this page.
Even lugsLow cost
Jan Maes
Free, or $5.993.1 from 21 reviews, App Store
Pick it if you have an iPhone or iPad and want to set your own pitches or intervals and be guided to them.
Skip it if you use Android, or want to know what works for free: the listing does not say what activation unlocks.
A plain iPhone and iPad tuner with lug pitch tuning, a spectrum view and a timpani mode, where you set the pitches or intervals you want and the app guides you to them. Its only listed purchase is a one-time DrumPitchPro Activation whose contents the listing does not spell out, and two recent US App Store reviewers describe unstable readings, one of them saying lug mode keeps latching onto different overtone peaks.
Sources (8)
Timpani Tuning Made Easy: Quickly tune your timpani to exact notes with real-time pitch detection and guidance.source
Set your desired pitches or intervals, and let the app guide you step by step for consistent tuning.source
Intuitive visuals and easy-to-read indicators make tuning quick and stress-free, even in noisy environments.source
DrumPitchPro Activationsource
Lug pitch tuningsource
Hit the bottom head near each lug and measure the edge frequency.source
without buying the in app purchase, you cannot tune anything outside of 100-200hzsource
In lug tuning mode, the app keeps latching onto different overtone peaks.source
Recall a tuningEven lugs
JaeMyoung Lee (JM Studio)
$9.995.0 from 1 reviews, App Store
Pick it if you want to copy known sounds with pitches measured from drummers' videos, and save your own drums.
Skip it if you want a tuner backed by many user reviews: it has almost none on either store.
It is built around copying known sounds: it gives top and bottom head pitches the developer measured from drummers' videos, lets you compare a YouTube snare against recorded reference tunings, and measures your own drums to save as presets. It is a one-developer app with almost no ratings (one on the US App Store, none shown on Google Play), so there is little outside evidence of how well it reads pitch.
Sources (7)
This allows for consistent tuning of each lug pitch.source
This feature includes not only the measurement of fundamental pitchsource
When you click the button, you can hear the pitch of the top and bottom.source
Videos and tuning figures of drummers are provided.source
Checkboxes for Individual Drums Saved as Presetssource
improved microphone handling when Bluetooth is connected.source
Continuously uploading drum tuning tutorials personally filmed by the developersource
Method
Where the facts come from. Every spec, feature tick and claim comes from the maker's own page, a store listing, a manual or a retailer's spec sheet, read on 2026-10-07, and the exact words relied on are kept with each row (open "Sources" on any card). Store ratings and review counts are the stores' own on that date, pulled through Sonar, an app-store analytics service. A feature is marked yes only when one of those sources says it; when none does, it is shown as unknown rather than as no.
How it was checked. Every row was researched once and then handed to a second, independent pass whose only job was to break it: open the same pages, check every spec, every tick, every rating and every quote. Rows it could not confirm were corrected, marked unknown, or dropped before publishing.
What this page does not measure yet. We have not put a drum recording through every app at half speed and compared how the hits survive. Time-stretching smears sharp attacks, and drums are all sharp attacks, so it matters; when we test it, the method will be here.
Prices. Every price is in US dollars, read on 2026-10-07 on the store or page named next to it, with a link: Sweetwater, Musician's Friend or the maker's own store for gear and books, the US App Store's in-app purchase list or the maker's pricing page for apps. When a maker sells for less on its own website than in the app, both are shown. Prices change, so the date is part of the fact: check the store before you buy. Nothing on this page is an affiliate link.
Photos. Product photos and icons belong to their makers and publishers, taken from their own pages to show which product a card is about. Each card names its source; a maker who wants a photo removed can write to support@upbeat.studio.
Questions drummers ask about drum tuners compared: tuner devices, tension gauges and apps.
One of three things. Pitch tuners such as Tune-Bot and the tuner apps hear the note at each lug through a microphone. Tension gauges such as DrumDial and Tama's Tension Watch measure how tight the head is. The Evans Torque Key sets each tension rod to the same torque.
Both read pitch through a microphone. Tune-Bot clips onto the drum and has its own display; the Studio saves tunings and the Gig does not. Apps such as iDrumTune and Drumtune PRO do the same on your phone, cost less, and add kit planners. Check how the app rates on your phone's store.
Drum Tuner: Tune Drum Heads is free with ads, with a lug map and a kit planner. Drumtune PRO's Android version is free to download, with the tuner unlocked after a 7-day trial. The other apps here are paid.
Tension gauges and the Evans Torque Key do not listen to the drum, so room noise does not affect the reading, and DrumDial's maker says it tunes easily in loud surroundings. Pitch tuners and apps work best in quiet; Drumtune PRO has a GIG sensitivity setting for noise.
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