Denis Loncaric
When starting out learning drums, the first step of 99% of drummers is to buy a practice pad.
To select the best drum practice pad for you, consider:
- How large it is
- How loud it is
- How portable it is
- How much it is
- and whether you need a single pad or a kit.
I bring to the table 18 years of dedicated experience in drumming, with a significant portion of my journey rooted in practicing on a Billy Hyde drum pad. This particular pad has been a steadfast companion in refining my skills, offering a blend of durability and quality performance.
What I recommend:
- Drumeo P4: Most Versatile.
- Movement Drum Co: Best Feel.
- Vic Firth Pad 6: Most Durable.
- Evans Realfeel 2: Best Bang for Buck.
- Sabian Quiet Tone Mesh: The Most Quiet.
- Remo Tunable: Real Drum Head.
- DW Go Anywhere: Drum Kit Made of Pads.
What I look for
Realistic Feel and Response
I looked for a pad that closely simulates the rebound and feel of an actual drum, crucial for honing authentic drumming techniques.
Surface Texture and Quality
I focused on finding a pad with the right surface texture, one that was kind to my drumsticks yet provided enough resistance to mimic a real drumming experience.
Durability
I prioritized durability, ensuring the pad I chose could endure regular and rigorous practice sessions while maintaining its quality.
Volume Level
I considered the volume level of each pad, seeking one that offered sufficient auditory feedback for practice while being quiet enough to not disturb others, an important factor for indoor practice sessions.
7 Best Drum Practice Pads
3. Vic Firth Pad 6
- Great value for money ratio
- Extraordinary rebound
Drumeo P4
This practice drum pad offers the most practice options, it is versatile and creative.
It is designed by Pat Petrillo. The main idea is to mimic different surfaces that real drum kit has.
Some drum practice pads have too much rebound so, Drumeo wants to avoid that with this model. This is one of the best practice drum pads on the market currently and it is one of a kind.
What I like
4 different surfaces make this pad very unique. Foam on the bottom is the great feature that will lower down the volume of the pad.
It will make practising very interesting.
What I don’t like
Uniqueness comes with the price so the main question is “Is it worth it”?It’s up to you. P4 is the only drum practice pad with 4 surfaces so if you decide you need that feature this would be the only option.
Verdict
This is a premium model. All materials used on this drum practice pad are high-quality.
Like every premium product, it is not for everyone. But, if you want the best rubber pad on the market this would be the one.
It is perfect for drummers who want the best drum pad on the market currently.
Movement Drum Co
Movement Drum Co offers us a high-quality product that includes three practice surfaces- a pad, a rubber that you can use to be quieter, and a plastic piece that can imitate a snare drum.
Keeping all accessories in mind, you would think that this pad is heavy. But, this is a light pad that is very portable, so it is easy to jump into practice everywhere you go.
If you are not satisfied by the three layers of Movement Drum Co Practice Pad, there is a softer bottom side, which makes it perfect for beginner drummers and people who just want to be quiet while practising.
What I like
The most important thing that distinguishes this model from others is the number of options at your disposal.
Apart from three customizable parts, it has a nice back surface. Another bonus is the plastic rims that you can further use to enhance the experience.
What I don’t like
The main dealbreaker for this practice drum pad is the price. Price may, drive away amateurs from the use of this drum pad.
Also, while it is surprisingly light, it is a little heavier than other pads that I have reviewed.
Verdict
Movement Drum Co has succeeded in making a practice drum pad that tries to imitate the real deal with the amount of customization that they offer.
Advanced and professional drummers should consider this practice pad, and if you are an average drummer that needs an upgrade, this is a very good choice.
Vic Firth Pad 6
One of my favorite regular rubber pads is Vic Firth’s drum pad. Regular rubber pads are really similar so I will review the Vic Firth pad.
The rubber of the pad is high quality.It can be mounted on a cymbal stand. It is quiet and softy. Similar to Vic Firth drum pad is Evans “Real feel”, Vater pad, Rock Jam drum pad… These pads and many more are very similar.
They are made of wood and rubber or two types of rubber. The one used on the bottom as a support and the other used for actual practice. This type of drum pad is most commonly used among the drummers
What I like
I am using it for many years and it is very durable. It is very soft so, the rebound is great.
What I don’t like
All rubber pads are bad at simulating the real feel from the acoustic drums. The stick tends to bounce too much. Yet, they are very good for practicing finger control.
Verdict
When it comes to regular rubber pads it is usually one time only purchase. They are all very durable, made out of quality rubber that will last for a long time.
Vic Firth pad is not expensive, it is made out of great materials and it is not too loud
Evans Realfeel 2
Here we have one model that is perfect for both beginners and intermediate musicians. Evans presents us with a classic model that is affordable to anyone.
This particular practice pad comes in three sizes and two variants. The 6-inch, 7-inch, and 12-inch models vary in price significantly and may be one-sided or two-sided.
Smaller-sized models are ideal for children who aspire to be drummers. Parents can determine if their child will take interest in drumming without buying the expensive drum kits.
A two-sided practice pad has a hard surface on one side, and a rubber surface on the other. The rubber side will provide you with enough rebound, while the other is your standard neoprene practice pad.
What I like
This particular practice pad does not have anything innovative, but it checks all boxes. It enables you to practice anytime and anywhere, it is relatively silent and it is affordable.
Evans does isn’t very fancy, but it helps you save the money for cymbals or other drum parts that are easily more expensive.
What I don’t like
The only thing that I don’t like is the build quality of the pad. Some people have reported that their product glue has started to fall off after some time. But, for this price, build quality is decent.
Verdict
Evans offers us a standard model that does everything that any good practice pad should do. It’s portable, it has enough rebound, and it’s affordable.
If you are a guy who likes his acoustics the most and just looks for an affordable practice tool, you should consider this price range.
Sabian Quiet Tone Mesh Pad
There are very few mesh pads out there, my favourite is Sabian QTM10 Mesh pad.
When it comes to reproducing a real feel on the drums, the mesh pads are the best you can get.
You can tighten them to get more rebound or lose them to get more of a reel feel.
The main flaw is that you will have to change a mesh head when it cracks which is inevitable.
The whole drum set made out of this kind of pads is Pearl “Rhythm traveler”.
My choice is definitely a mesh pad, it is quiet and it mimics acoustic drums realistically.
What I like
If I ever decide to buy a new drum pad for practice I will definitely buy one of these.
Nothing simulates the real feel quite as good as the mesh pad. Possibility of adjusting the head proves that. It is perfect for silent practice.
What I don’t like
It is the only practice drum pad with changeable drum head. The fact that this drum head will crack from time to time is bad.
Verdict
If you want to practice silently and with a real feel this is a model for you. QTM10 is my choice when it comes to a practice drum pad.
Remo Tunable
This particular practice pad from Remo can seem just like a budget pick for you. But, this pad is a quality product with a surprising amount of customization.
The first thing you will notice when you see this pad are the screws that you can use to customize the tension to your liking. Having that option certainly is a big plus.
Remo’s practice also has a rubber bottom to ensure that the pad isn’t slipping and is easily mountable on a stand.
It comes in 6-Inch, 8-Inch, and 10-Inch variations. Smaller ones are dedicated to the younger drummers, while the 10-Inch variation is for adults.
What I like
I didn’t expect I would find tension screws at this price range. Tension levels are game-changer, but it is a nice feature to change a daily practice routine.
Due to its smaller size, you can carry it anywhere. You can practice in front of the TV, on the bus, even during study breaks.
What I don’t like
While it is a nice feature, most people probably won’t experiment with the screws. With this price, Remo is targeting beginners, and they probably don’t want to customize too much.
The biggest variation may seem small compared to standard practice pads.
Verdict
Remo Practice Pad won’t rock your world with features, but it offers, in my opinion, one of the best product at this price range.
If anything, it is a budget product that you can carry with you the whole time and enjoy drumming anytime you want.
DW- Go Anywhere
I have used one of these for a couple of years and I am still sorry that I sold it. The reason was I needed cash.
If you live in an apartment,you will be able to play Go Anywhere drum kit without hearing your neighbors complaint. It is important to mention that drum throne and a pedal don’t come with a set.
Design of the hardware is very simple so you can pack it up in a few minutes and you are good to go.
What I like
You can wrap it up very fast and put it away.
It doesn’t take a lot of space so you can carry it around when you travel.
The rebound is great and it is not too loud either. Hardware is firm and quality.
What I don’t like
The fact that it doesn’t have some imitation of cymbals is a minus. I am playing a double pedal so, it would be great to have a larger bass drum surface.
Verdict
You will be able to put away this drum kit easily in a few minutes. This works for me due to a fact that I don’t have a room for a drum kit in my apartment.
It is very durable and silent, this makes it perfect for practising on the road.
Practice pad sizes
Practice pads come in different sizes, from 4’’ to 14’’. However, they are usually divided into three basic groups.
Small practice pads are great for traveling purposes or when you are limited in space. They are great for tabletop uses and deliver a decent practice experience. A 6’’ practice pad is the most popular among the smaller practice pads. This is because it can provide the ideal balance between a decent practicing surface and a portable pad. The only downside is they are not as comfortable as bigger pads and can be difficult to mount on the stand.
Medium-sized practice pads have the same benefits as smaller ones with a bigger playing surface. The most popular medium-sized pad is 8”, perfect for casual and professional drummers. It is still convenient for traveling with a decent surface area and stick distance.
Large practice pads, as the name implies, are the biggest practice pads. They aim to replicate the real kit with the ultimate comfort and experience. You can easily attach them to a stand, but they are a bit heavy and big for transportation.
Practice pad materials
There are 4 main types of materials for practice pads.
Mesh practice pads are the best and most popular ones. They have the most realistic playing feeling with great rebound and resistance. They are highly comfortable and have a lightweight feel.
Rubber practice pads are the second most popular ones and are great for beginners. They are also very comfortable but have a medium rebound. They are great for practicing accented paradiddles, but their sound can be a bit dull.
Foam practice pads are very easy on your hands when playing, but they offer minimal rebound. They’re ideal for drummers seeking a flexible drum pad that’s also lightweight. And they’re great for a brief warm-up or practice session rather than a realistic feel.
Plastic practice pads are great if you want pads for extreme sound control. It has a very fast rebound, making it perfect for dynamic play. Such pads are very popular in marching bands.
Practice pad types
Aside from the size and material, there are three main types of practice pads that you should know.
Double-sided practice pad and the best practice pad you can get. These ones with mesh heads are a match made in heaven. These pads have two different rebound levels. One side has a high rebound, while the other side has less rebound. They are perfect for anyone who wants to practice their playing strength and stick control.
Practice pads with metronomes will allow you good practice sessions while staying on time. They are the most convenient and technique-focused practice pads.
Wearable practice pads are not as popular as the two mentioned above. But they are also very convenient when you lack space or equipment to rest on your pad. They are perfect for beginners and intermediate players.
Things to know before buy
Sound Versatility – the drum practice pad should be as versatile as it can be. Access the drum kit sounds appropriate for a specific genre thanks to a friendly control interface.
Portability – if portability and space-saving are important to you then we recommend a smaller pad. With them you will still be able to practice with drum and stick techniques wherever you might be. Drum practice pads should be lightweight and portable, due that it may come at the cost of sturdiness.
Near-Quiet Performance – most pads have a near-quiet performance and will not make loud sounds like a regular drum set. They shouldn’t cause any disturbance while practicing so you can basically play any time of the day.
Rebound, Volume, and Assemblage – avoid gluing the playing surface back to the wood or a pad that sounds so hard that you can’t play it at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should you use a practice pad?
You should use a practice pad if you want to improve your technique and practice your single and double strokes, flams, or any other rudiments. A practice pad replicates a drum, comes in various sizes, and is super convenient for practicing anywhere.
How to make your own DIY practice pad
There are a few things you can use as your homemade practice pad.
- The best DIY practice pad is your computer mouse pad. It has the best rebound out of all DIY products, and when you stick it to the table, it won’t move. The material is quite similar to the real practice pads and thus the feel. They are also very durable, making it a good and inexpensive option for beginners. You can also improve it by putting a piece of cloth over it to lessen the rebound and make it more of a workout pad.
- The next homemade pad is your insole. Take the insole from your shoe, preferably a flat one, and attach it or tape it on a hard surface. You can place it on the table and start practicing. It is quiet, and the rebounce is pretty accurate.
- The third DIY practice pad can be your carpet on the floor. It can be a bit uncomfortable due to its height, but for practice purposes, it is more than enough.
Which drum practice pad should you avoid?
You should avoid plastic practice pads because they can be very loud, contrary to what we aimed for – quiet practice. Also, due to their plastic material, they are often prone to breaking, so you will need to replace them more often than others.
Practice pads vs drum pads
Practice pads are the same as drum pads. Practice pads or also called drum pads, are pieces of equipment that usually drummers and other percussionists use. They aim to make your practice quiet in all settings or serve as a good warm-up before a performance.
What makes a good drum practice pad?
The most important thing on a practice pad is the playing surface. The playing surface has the power of how your drumstick will rebound when you strike the pad. But it also impacted on type of sound it would create.
That’s why the mesh practice pads are the best since they offer the most realistic playing experience with the perfect balance of rebound and resistance. However, the size, the material, and the type of practice pad will all influence the quality of your practice. Let’s go over it quickly.
Conclusion
For almost 13 years I am using a Vic Firth’s PAD6. It is very good and durable and I am satisfied with it. This works fine for me because I do not need anything fancy for practice. I rather spend my money on cymbals and lessons.
Recently I discovered Sabian Quiet Tone and it is quite a revelation.
Let me know in the comments your experience with drum practice pads.
My name is Denis. I am a drummer, percussionist, music enthusiast, and blogger. Drums have been my passion for 15 years now. My idea is to write about the things I like and I am interested in. I want to share my drum passion with fellow musicians who walk, talk, and breathe drums.
