What Drumsticks Should You Use?
Updated Nov 13, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Editorial policy
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Start with 5A sticks, the middle size: light enough for control and sturdy enough for daily use. The question “what drumsticks should I use” comes down to size, wood and tip, and 5A maple or hickory covers the widest range of styles. Pick the wood and tip for the sound you want.
Start with the 5A size
Drumstick sizes run from thin to thick, and 5A sits in the middle: thin enough for fast playing and thick enough to last. The sticks shown here are all 5A, which is why 5A is the safe first pick. A thinner stick moves faster and breaks sooner, while a thicker stick lasts longer and needs more effort to move. If 5A does not suit you, change the size before you change anything else.
Maple and hickory feel different
Wood decides the weight and how much shock reaches your hands. Maple is the lighter wood: the OIETON, WOGOD and ARLX sticks are maple, and the OIETON pack even says players who want a heavier, denser feel should compare other options. Hickory is denser and soaks up more shock: the Vic Firth American Classic 5A is USA hickory, built for durability and shock absorption. Pick maple for a light stick and hickory for a denser one.
Wood tips and tip shapes
The tip shapes the sound on cymbals and drums, so look at it before you buy. The Vic Firth American Classic 5A has a tear drop tip with a deep back-cut design for cymbal articulation, and the WOGOD 5A has a water drop-shaped tip. The OIETON and ARLX sticks have rounded wood tips with a natural finish. A wood tip gives a softer attack than a nylon tip, and a round tip plays evenly across the drum.
How many pairs to buy
Sticks break, so buy a spare pair. The OIETON pack holds 12 pairs, or 24 sticks, which covers practice and backup use. The WOGOD and ARLX packs hold 2 pairs each, which suits a player who wants a spare pair. Start with a bulk pack if you play every day, and a 2-pair pack if you want to try a new size or wood first.
What you need
OIETON 5A Drum Sticks Bulk 12 Pairs
A 12-pair bulk pack of 5A maple sticks, about 16 inches long, with rounded wood tips for practice and backup use.
- Pairs: 12
- Size: 5A
- Material: Maple
- Tip: Wood
Vic Firth American Classic 5A Drumsticks
A 5A hickory stick with a tear drop wood tip, a lacquer finish and a balanced weight for rock, pop and jazz.
- Size: 5A
- Material: Hickory
- Tip: Wood
WOGOD 5A Drum Sticks Maple Drumsticks
A 2-pair pack of 5A maple sticks with a water drop-shaped tip, for rock, jazz, blues and marching bands.
- Pairs: 2
- Size: 5A
- Material: Maple
ARLX Drum Sticks 5A Wood Tip Drumstick
A 2-pair pack of 5A maple sticks with a wood tip and a natural finish, light and fast for jazz and pit work.
- Pairs: 2
- Size: 5A
- Material: Maple
- Tip: Wood
These come from our ranked list Best Drum Sticks, which compares them spec by spec.
Frequently asked questions
What size drumsticks should a beginner use?
Start with 5A sticks. They sit in the middle of the size range, and the sticks here are 5A maple or hickory with wood tips. If 5A does not suit you, change the size before you change the wood or the tip.
Is maple or hickory better for drumsticks?
It depends on the weight you want. Maple is the lighter wood, so the OIETON, WOGOD and ARLX sticks are light maple sticks. Hickory is denser and soaks up more shock, so the Vic Firth American Classic 5A is the denser pick.
How long do drumsticks last?
It depends on how much and how hard you play. Sticks wear down and break with use, so keep a spare pair on hand and replace a stick when the tip chips or the shaft cracks.
Ranked drumsticks lists
More how-to guides
Product details come from each Amazon listing and can change. Check the listing before you buy.