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Last updated: 16 Nov 2021
Reviewing The Best Drum Practice Pads For Beginners
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Shy of practicing your drums? Parents don't want you bringing the house down? Neighbors complaining? Been there, done that. I've also bought enough practice pads to know the good from the lot. These magical pads help you practice your drums with little-to-no volume. If you're planning to buy practice pads for yourself, know that there's a certain feeling that comes with playing drums and you don't want your drum pads to cloud that feeling. Whether you're planning to practice on top of your snare or get a solo pad to practice in your lap or on a tabletop, we've got you. This guide comprises detailed reviews of 9 excellent drum practice pads of 2021. At the end of this article, there's also a buyer's guide to help you easily make this purchase.
Let's get started and get that ba dum tss going - but without volume this time.
Optimum Drum Practice Pads Worth Considering in 2021
1
SLINT Practice Drum Pad Set
– Best Overall
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THE SCOOP
Whether you’re just learning to play the drums or need a practice pad for warming up, get your hands on this kit! It comes with a 12-inch, double-sided practice pad, 3 pairs of 5A drumsticks, a drum stand with bag, drumsticks bag, a bag for drum pad, and 6 gels.
It’s the perfect solution if you’re just getting started as a drummer or want an affordable and peaceful solution for getting used to your child playing and learning the drums!
Pros
- It’s a complete kit, comes with pads, drumsticks, bags, and more
- The practice pad is double-sided and has a solid wood base in the middle
- Comes with warranty
Cons
- The drumsticks included are three pairs of the same type (5A)
2
Evans Realfeel Practice Drum Pad
– Runner-Up
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THE SCOOP
Available in multiple sizes and comes with an option to be bought with drumsticks and stand – we’re particularly zeroing in on this 12-inch double-sided practice pad.
Costs only about $35, is made up of gum and recycled rubber, and sports a fabric finish that resists the inevitable wear. One side is soft, meant for realistic rebound and the other is hardened to build endurance. It’s an excellent practice pad for kids and adults alike!
Pros
- It’s available in three sizes; 6″, 7″, and 12″
- The bottom is non-slip for added grip
- The pad has a sturdy design with smooth edges
Cons
- The hardened side sounds relatively dull
3
KIBAGA Double Sided Drum Pad
– Also Consider
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THE SCOOP
This is also a 12″ practice pad – it’s got a rubber foam side as well as a black bottom side with EVA polymer, making sure that your pad won’t move while you’re hitting it.
Moreover, the qualitative material comprising of 1″ robust wood and a silicone layer contributes to supreme durability! It’s good for both kids and adults.
Pros
- Their customer service is excellent – will replace your product if it’s faulty
- Can’t be beaten for the price of $20
- You can put it over your snare drum easily
- Both front and back are glued very well – you don’t have to worry about the tops coming apart
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a stand or pair of sticks
4
Remo RT-0008-00 Tunable Drum Pad
– Honorable Mention
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THE SCOOP
Available in three sizes; you can get this pad for any of your drums! It’s designed with the look and feel of a real drum and allows you to practice no matter where you are.
The best part? It offers a muffled sound response and allows you to adjust the tone as well as the feel of the pad through tuning. We’re hands over heels in love with this drum practice pad!
Pros
- Available in three sizes; 6″, 8″, and 10″, and two beautiful finishes; black and grey
- You can easily mount the rubber pad on a tabletop or a stand
Cons
- It’s not a silent practice pad – so if you’re looking for quiet rubber, this isn’t it
Finding Your Next Drum Practice Pad: A Buyer's Guide
A drum practice pad doesn't have to be expensive to be a quality one.
This means that whether you're a beginner or a professional, both of you can get your hands on the same practice pad and you'll be more than happy!
In this section, we'll review the few things you have to keep a check on when buying a drum practice pad. We'll also be answering a couple of internet's most frequently asked questions about the product in question.
Let's get started!
Can I Make My Own DIY Drum Practice Pad?
If you're running short on funds, it's something you don't want to spend your money on, and you've got an eye and creativity for a DIY, you can easily make your own drum practice pad!
You'll need these materials that you can get within $10:
- A round wooden board
- Superglue
- A rubber-like material
Just make sure the wooden board is smooth and doesn't have any sharp ends. Once you've got that out of the way, modestly apply glue on it, and paste the rubber over the board. The size of the rubber should be the same as that of the board.
What Do You Need to Avoid When Buying a Drum Practice Pad?
A couple of drum practice pads out there will not be worth your money and time so it's wise to not spend there.
Plain rubber
So, if you get a plain rubber pad and just throw it on top of your snare, it's going to do you no good. Your drum will still be loud and the bounce will be terrible. Some sellers out there do compel beginners to buy such pads and they honestly do no good.
Heavyweight
When traveling around, we already mostly have a lot to handle - laptop, headphones, luggage bag, a book perhaps. The last thing you'll need is to carry a heavy practice pad with you.
In case you do end up buying a heavy drum practice pad, you'll mostly find it sitting at your home. So, it's better to steer clear of a heavyweight practice pad - aim for portability instead.
Noise
If practicing quietly is one of your main concerns then you'll need a practice pad that helps you achieve that. The soft, gummy part of a practice pad is usually what helps you get a lower volume.
The Evans' and Vic Firth's drum practice pads that we reviewed above are particularly the ones with quiet playing surfaces.
The feel doesn't inspire you
If your practice pad doesn't motivate you to get out of your routine, or bed, and play, then you aren't doing it right.
The feel, bounce, response, articulation of your pad should be quick and tight to keep you coming back for more.
Most of the practice pads reviewed above are good-enough feel-wise to have this concern out of the way. We'll suggest you buy double-sided practice pads that have both hard and soft surfaces - it gives players a healthy variation to switch between.
Buy a Solo Pad or a Practice Drum Set?
If you already have a drum kit and you're used to practicing on the kit, and your main goal is to practice with a low volume, we suggest that you get proper muting practice pads and throw them on top of your drums. This will have you playing at a very low volume.
However, if you're an absolute beginner and you're looking for a portable gadget to practice drums wherever you want to, get yourself a solo practice pad. You can place it over your snare or over a tabletop and just use your hands or drumsticks to practice.
If you want to take this up a notch and have a proper stand to practice on, get yourself a complete practice drum pad set that usually comes with drumsticks, a stand, and the practice pad. We've reviewed 3 such sets above - don't forget to check them out!
How Much Do Drum Practice Pads Usually Cost?
The drum practice pads can cost anywhere between $20 and $100. There's no reason to incline towards the high-price side unless you see significant features that you otherwise are unable to get your hands on.
More often than not, the ones you find in the $20 - $50 price range will offer you everything you can expect out of a decent drum practice pad.
People Also Ask
Q: What is the difference between a mute pad and a drum practice pad?
A: While the latter can also serve as a mute pad for your drums, it doesn't do so flawlessly. The former is a rubber pad that you put on top of your drums and as a result, you get little-to-no sound. The latter is a wooden board with a rubber top and can be played individually as well as by putting it on top of your drum. There are also tunable drum practice pads available - we've reviewed one of them above!
Q: Are practice pads worth it?
A: It depends. If you're going to use them to practice more often, they'll turn out to be great to get your hands warmed up for different playing techniques. You can easily just stuff a drum practice pad in your bag, with a pair of drumsticks, and then practice anywhere you want to!
Q: Do drum practice pads make sound?
A: This varies from one pad to another. Some double-sided pads have a different sound response from each side - the soft side is usually quieter and the hard side usually gives out loud volume. Similarly, some pads are tunable and have volume while the other, simple ones have little-to-no volume.
