Are you looking for a way to improve your drumming skills quickly, efficiently, and conveniently? Well, you’re in luck, as practice pads tick all three boxes! Practice pads develop your control, speed, hand rudiments, and grip by simulating the natural responses of a snare drum or tom drum.
They’re often portable, so you can practise wherever you like to ensure your percussive skills are always up to scratch.
So, let’s jump right into the 13 best drum practice pads on the market today!
In a hurry?
Here are our top five drum practice pads:
| RealFeel by Evans Apprentice Pad 7’’ | The ReelFeel practice pad from Evans is ideal for taking with you wherever you go whilst still providing enough surface area to rehearse all essential rudiments and techniques. Backed up by Evans’ industry reputation, durability in all scenarios is paramount with this pad. | Check current price |
| Vic Firth 12’’ Double Sided Practice Pad with Soft and Hard Rubber | A leading name in the industry, the Vic Firth 12" practice pad offers varied tones with its double-sided design, consisting of soft and hard rubber. It's perfect for adapting your rudiments to perform at their optimum on multiple surfaces. | Check current price |
| Premier Marching Practice Pad | The Premier Marching Practice Pad is a great tool for marching drummers, providing a compact diameter of 6.5 inches that's great for packing up and taking with you when you're on the go. | Check current price |
| PPK-5 Practice Pad Drum Kit by Gear4music | The PPK-5 Practice Pad Drum Kit by Gear4music is a superb setup that lets you get familiar with the kit and the kick drum pedal without disturbing anyone. It can be set up either at home or quickly and easily packed down to take with you on the road. And with a robust steel construction, it can take a fair amount of heavy-hitting practice! | Check current price |
| Meinl 12’’ Anika Nilles Split Tone Practice Pad | Three distinct sound areas separate the Meinl Anika Nilles Split Tone Practice Pad from the rest. It's designed by renowned German drummer Anika Nilles, who wanted to apply accentuated notes and tones to her everyday rudiment practice. Also extremely portable, the Split Tone is the ideal practice pad for applying accentuated notes to your real kit when the time comes. | Check current price |
Best drum practice pads
1. Stagg 8” Desktop Practice Pad – The best “no-fuss” practice pad
Key features
- Anti-slip EVA foam base for quiet, stable practise
- Rubber and foam construction provides an authentic-feeling stick response
- Can be used as a desktop pad or attached to a cymbal stand
- A no-fuss portable practice pad
The Stagg 8” Desktop Practice Pad provides everything you need for productive, good-quality drum practice without all the unnecessary bells and whistles. It’s eight inches in diameter, providing ample space to rehearse your rudiments without taking up too much room or being a struggle to carry around.
With an anti-slip EVA foam base, the pad remains stable on any desktop – and it can be attached to a cymbal stand for a realistic practice experience. Plus, it not only promotes muscle memory and strength building but also good skill thanks to the rubber construction’s authentic-feeling stick response.
2. Remo SilentStroke 8” Practice Pad – The best realistic-feeling pad
Key features
- Remo SilentStroke drumhead reduces volume by up to 80%
- Tuning can be adjusted
- Rubber base for stable, non-slip practice
- Can be placed on a flat surface of mounted to a stand
The Remo SilentStroke 8” Practice Pad takes all that Remo quality we expect from their drumheads and brings it to our practice sessions.
With a SilentStroke head, this pad quietens volume by up to 80%. Even with a reduction in noise, it still feels realistic to play, and it can be tuned up or down to suit your setup and needs.
To develop your skills even more, fit the pad to a drum stand – you’ll have the authentic feel of a Remo drumhead along with the familiarity of an actual drum setup. If you opt to play the pad on a flat surface, the protective rubber base is there to stop any slipping and keep the pad stable.
3. RealFeel by Evans Apprentice Pad, 12” – The best pad to suit any style of drumming
Key features
Gum rubber design provides realistic stick rebound- Dual-sided model available for variable stick feel
- 12’’ diameter lets you develop a full range of techniques
- Different colour surfaces to easily identify which surface you’re playing
Are you always being told to stop tapping on the table? Me too. That’s why the RealFeel by Evans Apprentice Pad comes in handy for mastering your technique and keeping your loved one’s sanity intact.
It doesn’t get closer to the real thing than the Evans RealFeel. Its thin gum rubber surfaces deliver a lively response and a solid stick sound, ensuring every beat you make is tight and precise.
A 12-inch diameter lets you apply all sorts of techniques to the practice pad, from intricate rudiments to marching drumming styles, catering for every aspiring percussionist out there. And if you opt for the two-sided model, you’ll have variable stick responses to play with.
Although it may not be as easy to carry around with you as smaller practice pads, the Evans RealFeel does make for a great practice tool at home when space doesn’t accommodate a full acoustic or electronic drum kit. If you’re after a more portable pad, the single-sided version is also available in six-inch and seven-inch formats, and the dual-sided model comes in six inches.
As a brand, Evans are extremely reputable, with decades of percussion engineering under their belt. This experience translates elegantly into every product that has their name on it, making them one of the leading brands in the industry.
4. Premier Marching Practice Pad – The best pad for marching drummers
Key features
- Compact and portable 6.5” diameter
- Suitable for marching drummers of any ability level
- Rubber material for authentic-feeling response
- Durable wood and rubber construction
If you’re a marching drummer, the Premier Marching Practice Pad is a great way to develop your skills either in your own time, on the road, or pre-performance.
Constructed from wood and rubber, it has a durable design that can take a good amount of heavy-hitting as you practise your rudiments. It also responds very realistically thanks to the rubber’s authentic feedback.
With a 6.5” diameter, it’s ideal for taking on the road or to rehearsals for quick warm-ups.
5. Meinl Anika Nilles Split Tone Practice Pad – The best versatile practice pad
Key features
3 different pad types, each with a unique feel- Perfect for training accentuated notes
- Included carry bag is ideal for players on the move
- Endorsed by German drumming sensation Anika Nilles
Drumming goddess Anika Nilles’ Split Tone Practice Pad made by Meinl is arguably the best practice pad for your money in today’s market. Featuring three uniquely-designed surfaces, it’s tailored to accentuated note development and attentive playing.
The Split Tone pad is a great tool for counting time signatures as it delivers a completely different tone to accentuated notes, so they really stand out during your rudiment.
The centre produces a low tone, the two red dots produce a high tone, and the bottom section is completely muted; this is fantastic for developing and understanding ghost notes.
Now, this three-sectioned surface is revolutionary in the practice pad world but sometimes drummers still want their old faithful single-note surface from a practice pad. Flip the Split Tone practice pad over and you have a single-noted rubber surface with authentic stick feedback and the kind of durability you just can’t go wrong with.
Most practice pads are focused on being as lightweight, portable, and transport-friendly as possible. They can even be as small as four inches in some cases, and although this is good for portability, the lack of surface area could hinder your development of certain techniques and playing styles.
The Split Tone Practice Pad is one of few that has plenty of space to apply your techniques. And you can easily carry it with you thanks to the dedicated carry bag included.
Better still, this practice pad is very reasonably priced for what it offers and is definitely worth taking advantage of while you can!
6. Premier 12” Practice Pad – The best choice for practising snare drum playing
Key features
- Non-slip backing for stable practice
- Durable wooden base
- Medium-hard rubber surface for a defined response
- Size mimics that of a snare drum
The Premier 12” Practice Pad is one of the best drum practice pads for those who want to practise their drumming with slightly more surface area. Its 12” diameter closely resembles a full-size snare drum, allowing you to fully develop your skills before moving over to the real thing.
Thanks to a wooden base with non-slip backing, the pad is both durable and stable when in use. It can also be attached to the Premier Accessory Stand for a realistic playing experience.
The surface comprises 6mm-thick rubber, providing authentic-feeling rebound that’s just like an acoustic drum.
7. DW Drums Go Anywhere Practice Pad Kit – The best pad for training arms and feet
Key features
Adjustable rods allow you to customise your setup- Heavy-duty frame provides superb stability
- Incredibly quiet way of practising intricate drum fills
- Accurately warms up your hands, arms, and feet
The DW Drums Go Anywhere Practice Pad Kit with Stand takes you as close to the real thing as possible without the noise or wear and tear of a full-size acoustic kit.
Two eight-inch and ten-inch pads are attached to four fully adjustable L-rods and a bass drum pad is mounted to the bottom of the stand. This setup opens up a whole new way of developing your full kit ability and strength.
Each pad features a different tone in order to develop accentuated notes and help you improve those intricate, complex fills, similar to the Anika Nilles practice pad but on a much larger scale.
DW Drums are getting bigger with every passing year. Renowned drummers such as Dave Grohl, Aaron Spears, Neil Peart, and more use DW Drums – a testament to the superb quality they have to offer.
Of course, this setup isn’t as portable as standard, single practice pads, but that doesn’t mean it’s not portable at all. Its tripod legs fold up neatly and each L-rod detaches, making it all compact enough to fit in a hardware bag.
With fully height-adjustable arms, the DW Drums Go Anywhere Practice Pad Kit with Stand can be played stood up or sat down, making it extremely versatile for all drummers and percussionists. Better still, you can complete your setup with some low-volume cymbals, giving you the ultimate, realistic practice session.
8. Vic Firth 12’’ Double Sided Practice Pad – The best pad for heavy-hitting drummers
Key features
Gum rubber is super resistant to heavy hits- Dual-side design offers versatile practising
- Rubber sides stick to any surface
- Great portable design for practising on the go
Vic Firth jumped on the practice pad bandwagon with their 12’’ Double Sided Practice Pad.
The two sides of this pad not only offer superb versatility but thanks to their rubber construction, they also easily stick to any flat surface for stable, reliable practice.
Vic Firth are a leading name in the drumming industry. Famous for their drumsticks, their great attention to detail is favoured by drummers of all abilities. The Double-Sided Practice Pad allows you to focus on your all-important practice sessions without worrying about any wear and tear – its durable rubber construction makes sure of it.
Its 12-inch playing surface is perfect for developing wrist and arm mobility, strength, and overall performance, and these will be effortlessly transferrable to your full-size kit.
Also available with a six-inch diameter, the practice pad is ideal for quiet, home practice and is well-known for being one of the quietest practice pads on the market today due to the gum rubber playing surface.
9. Sabian 14” Quiet Tone Classic Practice Pad – The best choice for extremely quiet practice
Key features
- Quietens practice by up to 90%
- Triple-flanged metal hoop for rim shots and cross-sticking
- Attaches to a snare stand
- Adjustable tension for changing the responsive feel
If you want a truly professional, premium playing experience even during your practice sessions, the Sabian 14” Quiet Tone Classic Practice Pad is perfect.
It features a real drumhead for an authentic feeling while you practise and a triple-flanged metal hoop that allows you to rehearse all the rim shots and cross-sticking that you wouldn’t be able to on a normal practice pad. And you can do that without disturbing the neighbours – this pad reduces noise by up to 90%!
Further adding to the realistic feel, the pad can be fitted to a snare stand, as well as be used on a flat surface. This makes it effortless to take your drumming from the pad to snare – as it will feel almost exactly the same. Better still, you can adjust the tension of the pad, in essence changing the response and feel to suit you.
10. PPK-5 Practice Pad Drum Kit by Gear4music – The best compact kit setup
Key features
- A great setup for home practice
- Compact enough to be taken on the road
- Robust steel construction
- Kick pedal included
The PPK-5 Practice Pad Drum Kit by Gear4music is an excellent way to get to know your way around the kit and improve your skills without disturbing others. It also serves as a useful warm up tool, with its compact size suiting quick and easy setups on the go.
Not only do the pads respond like real drums, but they also promote strength and muscle memory in wrists and feet. There’s a kick pedal included which has a single chain mechanism with an adjustable two-spring recoil – great for familiarising yourself with pedal action for the full experience.
11. Meinl 12’’ Marshmallow Practice Pad – The best choice for simple, quick practice
Key features
Thick foam surface responds naturally at low volumes- Authentic feel allows for easy skill transfer to a full kit
- 8mm thread insert for attaching to any cymbal stand
- Bright orange rim stands out amongst the rest of your gear
Before I start, no, you can’t eat it, but you can get some amazing drumming skill results from it! The Meinl 12’’ Marshmallow is a practice pad for quick, stress-free rehearsals or rudiments that you just have to try out right away.
Meinl is a renowned percussion manufacturer from Germany, and they’re one of the most reputable and trustworthy percussion brands in the world. They specialise in all sorts of percussion that drummers drool over, from cymbals to sambas. So, it’s no wonder that their Marshmallow practice pad can handle the demands of life on the road and stay in one piece after every trip.
Its thick foam playing surface offers a realistic feel with natural stick responses and rebounds, allowing you to easily transfer everything you’ve developed to a full-size kit with no problems.
The Marshmallow also comes in sea foam green or black, but I personally like how the orange easily stands out amongst the rest of your gear.
Adding a new way of practising at your kit and a different way of playing the pad on its own, this Meinl practice pad is equipped with an 8mm thread insert for attaching to most cymbal stands.
12. RealFeel by Evans Folding Bass Pedal Practice Pad – The best foot-training pad
Key features
Gum rubber provides incredibly realistic rebound- Lightweight and collapsible construction is easily portable
- Attach either a single or double pedal with ease
- Practise your footwork without disrupting anybody
The RealFeel by Evans Folding Bass Pedal Practice Pad is a footwork trainer with natural responses and feedback that make your skills transferable to a full kit.
The pad is made from Evans’ gum rubber that withstands heavy hitting without disturbing anyone. Thanks to a fully collapsible design, it also folds up neatly, so you can pop it in a bag and take it with you and your kick pedal to practise anywhere at any time.
Attach either a single or double pedal to the practice pad via the metal plate and your pedal’s standard hook clamp and you have extreme rigidity and sturdiness for any type of beat you’re mastering. Evans has your back for keeping both you and your neighbours happy with the RealFeel Folding Bass Pedal Practice Pad.
If you’re looking to really enhance your footwork (let’s be honest, we drummers always are) then this tool is essential. And it’s quick and stress-free to set up; it’ll soon become part of your daily routine.
13. Tama True Touch Training Kit – The best full kit choice
Key features
Realistic touch and sensitivity to dynamics- Quiet volume doesn’t disturb anybody when rehearsing
- Despite low volume, each tone is expressive and distinct
- Simple design allows for super easy portability
Tama have really gone to town to engineer the best possible practice tool, and they’ve ticked every single box imaginable with the five-piece True Touch Training Kit. Each pad has been specifically designed to reduce volume whilst still having the expression of a regular acoustic kit.
For example, the AAD (Accuracy Articulation Dynamics) snare pad has metal spherical balls inserted in the middle to provide the essence of a typical snare sound with reduced volume.
Additionally, each pad is tuneable via tunning key, just like a real drum. This lets you customise the amount of feedback and response; no other practice pad or practice pad arrangement allows you to tune in your desired stick rebound.
Despite its fairly large size, the Tama True Touch Training Kit is portable. All the major components collapse and come apart for easy transport or storage.
Everything you could think to do on an acoustic kit, you can do on the True Touch kit. This includes drumming techniques, such as rim shots, ghost notes, and drags. I could very easily go on about this practice pad kit but realistically, it does itself justice once you use it to develop your percussive skills.
What to look for in a practice pad
The main thing to look for in a practice pad is what sort of material the playing surface uses. Materials vary in their level of stick feedback, feel, and response.
Softer, denser materials provide less feedback and response. These are typically tailored to strength and endurance development. Harder, bouncier materials provide a more natural feel similar, similar to standard acoustic drums. This is better for developing drumming techniques that can be transferred to a full-size drum kit.
Practice pads are the perfect tool for travelling musicians who want to develop their skills on the road or warm up right before they go on stage. And so it’s also important to consider size and portability when buying a drum practice pad.
A bigger surface area is great for beginners and those who want to practise with more arm movement, however it limits portability.
Smaller practice pads, on the other hand, improve the accuracy of your drumming and are portable enough to pack up and take with you.
One more thing to consider in practice pads is their noise level. Some are louder than others, but of course, they’re all quieter than a full-size drum kit.
FAQs
Are drum practice pads worth it?
A practice pad is worth investing in if you want to develop your drumstick technique and drumming strength. Practice pads come in all different materials and sizes, each designed to improve your drumming ability beyond your regular drum kit rehearsals. Some practice pads offer a natural feel, true to a real kit, whereas some offer a denser feel with hardly any rebound in order for you to develop your drumming strength.
How can I practise the drums quietly?
To practise the drums quietly, you can:
- Use drum dampeners to control any unwanted ringing and resonance
- Invest in an electronic drum kit and headphones
- Use low-volume drum heads and low-volume cymbals
- Drum on practice pads to improve skill without making too much noise
Does a practice pad need a stand?
A practice pad does not need a stand. You can use it on your lap or a flat surface like a desk. However, some pads do come with the option to mount it to a stand – this can be very beneficial for practice as it will help you get familiar with the feel and setup of a kit, making it easier to transfer your skills from the pad to the drums when you’re ready.
Final thoughts
We’ve taken a deep dive into the 13 best drum practice pads on the market today; they might all seem very similar but each one has its own unique features that are designed to develop your drumming skills.
Hopefully, this article has broadened your knowledge and helped you choose the right one for you.
Don’t just take our word for it though, why not take a look at our full range of practice pads?
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