Top drum accessories to make playing easier

Playing drums is a ton of fun, and for many, a business too. That said, drums require a lot more work than some other instruments — between things like setting your drums up, tuning them, selecting the right drum heads, and more. That’s why the right drum accessories are so important.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide of drum accessories — to help you get past all the extra stuff and spend more time playing the drums.

Best drum accessory overall: ROC-N-SOC Nitro

Every drummer needs a throne, so why not go in on one of the most efficient and comfortable?

The coolest feature is the nitrogen gas shock absorber that adds bounce that works in time with your playing. It also provides comfort and stability.

A “bicycle” design reduces leg fatigue, and the seat is adjustable from 18″ to 24″. And if you need a back rest, ROCK-N-SOC sells an aftermarket model that makes the Nitro even more comfortable.

Best drum tuner: DrumDial drum tuner

Tuning drums can be a real art form, and while a DrumDial isn’t going to totally replace learning how to fine tune your drums’ tone, many pros agree that it can at least help get you in the right ballpark quickly and easily.

The way it works is that it basically measures the tension of the drum head through a spring, which helps you get the same head tension every time you tune.

That means you can find the sweet spot for your drum, then match that next time you tune, the time after that, and so on. It’s a pretty neat device, especially if you go through a lot of drum heads, gig a lot, or just want to save a few minutes during the tuning process.

Best practice pad: Vater Practice Pad

You can’t always get behind a kit, but that doesn’t mean you can’t always practice. Getting a practice pad is a perfect way to keep practicing even when it’s late at night and your neighbors have gone to bed.

Not only that, but it also forces you to practice the things you really should be practicing every day — rudiments and technique.

One of the best practice pads on the market is built by Vater. Apart from the fact that it offers a more realistic feel than some others, the pad also boasts the ability to screw onto any standard 8mm stand for cymbals, so you can ensure the right position to maximize your technique.

Best stick bag: Vic Firth SBAG2

A great stick bag is important, especially if you’re a gigging drummer. Not only does it store and keep safe your tools for drummer, but it also helps you organize and manage them, which is very helpful in maintaining a flow behind the drum kit.

There are plenty of reasons many consider Vic Firth’s stick bags to be the best, but the main reason is simple — it has tons of room and pockets for organizing your sticks, tuning keys, metronomes, and other time-keeping tools.

The bag is a little pricier than the others, but whoever said drumming was cheap?

Best metronome: Boss DB90 Dr. Beat

Every great drummer needs a good metronome — after all, drumming is all about keeping the beat, and if you can’t stay in tempo then that’s going to be a major issue for both your music and for your band mates.

Boss has been making excellent metronomes for years, and the DB90 is no exception — in fact, it’s the flagship of the Dr. Beat line. The DB90 includes a number of different sliders, buttons, and a rotary dial for quick and easy tempo changes.

On top of that, it has a foot switch input, allowing you to tap out the tempo for a song with your foot. It also has a backlight, for darker environments, and a number of different voices to choose from.

Safe to say, if you’re looking for the best metronome available, the DB90 is the metronome to beat.

Best cymbal bag: Zildjian 22″ Gig Cymbal Bag

If you’re a gigging drummer, you need a safe way to carry your cymbals around– after all, those precious cymbals don’t come cheap. Zildjian’s 22″ Gig Bag is one of the best drum accessories to quickly and easily transport your cymbals and keep them safe.

Not only does the bag include a ton of padding for those cymbals, but it also has adjustable shoulder straps so you can wear it like a backback, and a number of different pockets for different size cymbals or other accessories that you may want to carry around.

The bottom of the bag is also reinforced — so expect it to be able to handle far more than your cymbals weigh. You’ll want to keep in mind the size of your cymbals. While 22″ is more than enough for the vast majority of drummers, if you have any cymbals larger than that you may want to look into larger bags.

Best in-ear monitors: Audio-Technica ATH-E70

A good pair of in-ears is an important accessory for any gig — not only does it help you preserve your hearing, but it also ensures that you can hear the other musicians in your band.

While a good pair of in-ear monitors can run into the thousands of dollars and will most certainly do what you need, you don’t really need to spend thousands to get the job done. That’s where the Audio-Technica ATH-E70 headphones come in.

These in-ears are centered around three things — sound, fit, and functionality, and as such the drivers are tuned to offer an accurate sound reproduction while still ensuring a tight seal — blocking out all that external sound and preserving your ears.

They are a little pricey, but for what you get they come at a reasonable price.

Best drum dampeners: Moongel

A drum’s natural tone is often best, but sometimes you’ll need to kill some of those overtones in order to bring out a drum’s true tone. When that’s the case, Moongel is a great choice of drum accessories.

Like some drum heads and other dampeners, Moongel aims to remove some of the sustain from a drum. This makes drums and cymbals sound warmer and removes unnecessary overtones.

The difference between Moongel and other methods is that it’s far easier to use. Just put it on the drum or cymbal and take it off when needed.

That makes it perfect for when you gig and you’re using someone else’s kit — as well as for when you’re recording a need to tame overtones.

Best ear plugs: Eargasm High Fidelity Ear Plugs

Sometimes you’ll want to use in-ears for listening to music while you’re playing, but other times, such as when you’re practicing, all you need to do is deaden the sound a little to preserve your hearing. That’s where ear plugs come in.

While these plugs from Eargasm are slightly pricier than other models, there’s a good reason for that — they’re comfortable, durable, and they cut out all that extra noise.

They come with a case that can clip to your keys or stick bag, which makes them convenient to carry around. When you’re preserving your hearing, you really don’t want to skimp on cheap ear plugs.

Keep your most valuable asset as a musician and get some ear plugs ASAP.

Best isolation headphones: Vic Firth Stereo Isolation Headphones

Some people prefer over-ear headphones to in-ears for one simple reason – they’re far more comfortable than in-ear monitors. This makes them perfect for live, studio, and practice use.

Vic Firth’s Stereo Isolation headphones have long been one of the preferred drum accessories for drummers around the world. They offer fantastic sound isolation, have wide frequency reproduction, and are very affordable price for the value.

Best drink holder: Vater Drink Holder

This last accessory may not be as drumming-related as the others, but it can help you keep your flow on the stage or in practice nonetheless — by putting your drink in an ideal spot for you to grab.

Whether it be a beer at the bar you’re playing or a water bottle to stay hydrated, the Vater Drink Holder is perfect for keeping the gigging drummer thirst-free.

FAQ

What are the essential drum accessories every drummer should have?

Every drummer should have a few important accessories like sticks, a tuner or drum key, a practice pad, a comfortable and sturdy drum throne, and a stick bag.

What accessories are essential for practice?

The best accessories for practice include a metronome, a practice pad (even better if you include a kick pad to work on bass drum technique), and a way to easily view sheet music like a mobile device holder or a music stand.

Which accessories are best to protect and maintain my drum kit?

Cases or bags for your drums and cymbals keep things safe and organized. A humidifier or dehumidifier protects drum shells from damage due to temperature changes. And to keep everything looking show ready, a good polishing kit like one from Meinl or Zildjian.