- Surprise an aspiring drummer with a great gift!
- Find something unique to give to long-term drummers
- Check out our list of gifts suited for drummers of all skill levels
- Also, you might find some other great ideas in our Xmas gift guide for music producers!
Those outside of the music business simply don’t have their finger on the pulse of the latest trends in accessories, expendables, and gadgets that are available to the modern drummer.
Don’t worry. Regardless of your budget or the personality of your favorite drummer, we’ve got your back.
Best Gifts For Drummers Under $20
1. Moongel
Moongel is a non-toxic self-adhesive gel that sticks to drum heads, cymbals, and most percussion equipment, giving you a flexible dampening solution for your drum gear. Move the Moongel around the drum head and cymbal until you find and impede the offending frequencies.
- Reusable
- Great value
- Practical
This may be the least expensive item on our list, but its importance must not be underestimated.
For years drummers had to use gaff tape to dampen their snare and toms. The tape would leave a visible residue on the drum head and would often times bounce off the drum.
Today we have Moongel. These small rectangular reusable pads work great for drum dampening, and they even work on cymbals.
Features:
- Great value
- Reusable
Review
The moment Moongel went on the market, it was immediately something that every drummer had to have. Controlling the overtones of your drums has never been easier.
Related: 7 Best Snare Drums For Rock (Ranked By Tone & Dynamics)
2. Accessories Replacement Kit
- Various diameter felts
- Easy to install and replace
- Good selection of miscellaneous pieces
There are a lot of small parts used in the acoustic drum set. Something always turns up missing.
This accessory kit includes felt pads, wing nuts, cymbal sleeves, and even a spare drum key. This Amazon best-seller can go straight from the Christmas stocking to the drum bag.
Features:
- Most drummers won’t think of buying this for themselves
- Can be a real life saver
Review
This replacement kit contains most of the small items that are notoriously missing or forgotten. No matter how small a part is, it is always a big deal when you don’t have it.
3. Stick Pro
Most drummers play a variety of styles that require tremendous skill. Stick Pro greatly improves your overall playability and gives you total confidence with improved grip regardless of your technique.
- Unique
- Improved control
- Improved grip
Here is a gift idea that you probably won’t find on anyone else’s list of things to buy for drummers. And it’s under $20.
My very good friend Don Kulcsar invented this product and had no idea that it would be endorsed by some of the best drummers in the world.
Legendary drummer Dennis Chambers who has played with everybody from Santana to Steely Dan uses and endorses this cool product, as you can see in this YouTube video:
It’s called Stick Pro, and Don initially thought that it would be an excellent showmanship device to allow the drummer to spin and twirl the stick.
But as he handed some of them out to his drummer friends (yours truly included), he found that the gadget helped with stick control and stability.
You can learn more about the Stick Pro and how to purchase it here.
Features:
- Unique
- Invented by a drummer
Review
These little hoops take time to get used to but stick with it, and it will pay off. You may find that your technique improves, and it will be almost impossible to drop a stick.
Best Gifts For Drummers Between $20 and $30
4. Zildjian ZSB Basic Drumstick Bag
Keep your sticks mated and accessories accessible, with the Zildjian ZSB Drumstick Bag. Zildjian's standard stick bag features adjustable floor tom loops for quick access to sticks and mallets as you perform, an external pocket for storing gels and drum keys, and an internal carabiner to hold your keys while you perform.
- Tough nylon handles
- Durable outer jacket
- External pocket
Many drummers have a few stick bags in their closets. One for gigs where they might be using mallets, brushes, rhythm sticks, etc and a smaller bag for the standard dance gig.
Your drummer friend will already have their favorite drum bag, so we recommend a basic gig bag as a backup.
Features:
- Best basic bag
- Excellent backup bag
Review
This is a black canvas bag with the beautiful gold Zildjian logo embroidered on the front. It hooks nicely on your floor tom and has sturdy handles on top for carrying to the gig.
5. Vater Drink Holder
Vater's drink holder uses a unique, clamp-style fastening system to keep your drinks close at hand. It can be used on cymbal stands or mic stands.
- Metal construction for durability
- For acoustic, electronic, and aux percussion kits
- Clamp system keeps holder attached to stand
Playing drums is a physical activity. Staying hydrated is a must. Having Gatorade or water at the ready is more important than you may think.
This low-profile drink holder by Vater will clamp onto any stand to put your drink at arm’s reach, no matter your setup.
Features:
- Mounts anywhere
- Durable metal construction
Review
This Vater drink holder is very durable and has the same mounting system as their drum stick holders, so once you tighten it down, it’s not going anywhere. Its 3.5” diameter will fit most drinks.
6. Vic Firth Stick Caddy
- Durable
- Solid tube construction
- Can tilt to any angle
It happens to every drummer at some point. A stick gets dropped in the middle of a song, and now your one-handed drumming technique is put to the test.
The Vic Firth Stick Caddy is not a bag like some other stick holders. It’s a solid tube that mounts at any angle the drummer needs. Don’t miss a beat before grabbing this great gift.
Features:
- Solid tube construction
- Tiltable to any angle
Review
Having a spare stick at the ready is a must when you’re playing live. Don’t skimp on this one. This industrial strength fully adjustable stick holder is the way to go.
Related: Drumstick Size Guide (Which To Choose And Why)
Best Gifts For Drummers Under $100
7. Eargasm
These High Fidelity Earplugs protect your ears from harmful noise levels while still allowing you to hear your surroundings clearly. Get up to 21 dB of noise reduction so that you can do more of what you love while minimizing the risk of noise-induced hearing loss, tinnitus, and anxiety.
- Suit all modern music lovers
- Compact
- Stylish
Hearing protection is a must for drummers. Using industrial ear plugs will protect your hearing, but they make everything sound muffled. Enter Eargasm.
These earplugs use a filter that significantly reduces the decibels without affecting the balance of frequencies.
They come in a little metal container that goes on your key chain, so they are always at the ready.
Features:
- Decibel reduction without affecting the sound
- Never be without them by using the convenient aluminum case
Review
If you leave these on your keychain while you’re going through security at the airport, they will make you open the aluminum case. But that is a small price to pay for protecting your most valuable asset: your hearing.
8. Reflex Practice Pad
Whether you're working on rudiments or elevating your endurance, it pays to have a quality practice pad. That's where Zildjian's Reflexx Conditioning Pad comes in. This 6-inch practice pad has two versatile sides — each tuned for top-tier performance.
- Promotes control, strength, and endurance
- Flexx surface for high-velocity techniques
- Workk surface for low-velocity technique
A drum pad is used for practice, as well as warming up before a gig. Most pads are made of a rubber material that is not quiet enough to use in a hotel room. That’s where the Reflex pad comes in.
Not only is this pad super quiet, but it has two sides specifically designed for different purposes.
One side is like a regular practice pad, while the other side has a material that is not bouncy and therefore feels like a real drum.
This is a great gift for beginners and pros alike (and their family members who enjoy silence).
Features:
- Different materials on each side for various practice styles
- Quiet enough to use in a hotel room
Review
Practicing on a rubber pad is not the same as practicing on a real drum. This Reflex Pad is the closest thing I have ever felt to a real drum.
Related: 5 Best Drum Practice Pads (For Quiet Practice)
9. Soundbrenner Pulse Vibrating Metronome
Practicing to a metronome is foundational to understanding rhythm and developing one's inner musician. It's also a core part of the modern recording process. The Soundbrenner Pulse is a tactile alternative to audible metronomes and click tracks, enabling live performers and session players to stay keyed in to their environment without losing time.
- Full tempo control from your wrist
- Multiplayer sync and DAW integration
- Ad-free companion app
Practicing with a metronome is essential in learning the drums. Until the invention of this unique piece of technology, a drummer had to put on headphones to hear the click.
But the Soundbrenner Pulse Vibrating Metronome is much more than a rehearsal aid. During a live performance, you can sync up to five Soundbrenners using one of the bandmate’s cellphones.
A great alternative to using a click track on stage is the Soundbrenner Pulse Vibrating Metronome.
Features:
- Eliminates the need for a metronome
- Can sync with the whole band
Review
The pulse that the Soundbrenner emits is quite powerful, and you can feel it even when you are playing hard.
The charge lasts about five hours, and it comes with a leg strap so you can detect the pulse in the leg if you prefer that over the wrist.
Best Gifts For Drummers Between Under $300
10. DW DWCPRUG2 Large Drum Rug
Built from industrial-grade carpet, the DW DWCPRUG2 drum rug is tough enough take whatever punishment you choose to dish out. Thanks to its non-skid rubber surface, you won't have to worry about your kit walking away from you while you're drumming.
- Durable
- Non-skid surface
- Stylish emblazoned DW logos
Showing up at a gig to find that there is no carpet on the drum riser can take the wind out of your sails. Having an excellent drum rug rolled up in your van can save the day.
This Industrial-grade drum rug with DW logo inscriptions on each corner not only looks great, but its non-skid surface will make sure everything stays in place.
Its large 5’3” by 6’7” footprint can contain a sizeable acoustic drum set.
Features:
- Very durable
- Large footprint
Review
This drum rug has a rubber underside, so it won’t slip around like a normal rug. It looks great on the drum riser, and the logos in each corner add a level of professionalism.
11. Drumeo Subscription
Learn to play the drums with the best teachers in the world! Organized video drum lessons you can watch anytime with direct access to legendary drummers every step of the way.
Some people love one on one lessons. Others resonate with online programs. When it comes to online drum instruction, you can’t go wrong with Drumeo.
With lessons for the absolute beginner to the advanced pro, Drumeo has it all. The lessons are taught by the best teachers in the business and also by famous pro drummers.
Check out our article for more on Drumeo and the best online drum lessons/courses!
Features:
- Best online drum course
- One month of Drumeo is less expensive than a single one-on-one lesson
Review
Drumeo has a complete curriculum for any level of drummer. But more than that, you can watch lessons from some of the most famous drummers on earth, giving their best advice and teachings from a real-world standpoint.
The quality and quantity of instruction on this site is daunting. I would recommend Drumeo to any drummer of any level.
12. Ahead Spinal-G Saddle Throne
You spend a lot of time sitting at your kit. So it's important to invest in a drum throne that properly supports your body. The Ahead Spinal-G is just such a throne. The biggest difference in the Spinal-G is its center channel, which is cut out like a bicycle seat. This keeps pressure off the tailbone and your sensitive undercarriage, reducing back and shoulder pain as the night rolls on.
- Designed to reduce back and shoulder pain
- Stable 4-legged base with rubber feet
- Swivel height adjuster
A drummer spends the entire set on the drum throne. Having proper support for the spine and tailbone is crucial.
The Ahead Spinal-G Saddle Throne with a center channel keeps the pressure off of the tailbone and reduces back pain.
Features:
- Ergokinectic technology works with your body mechanics as you play
- Most comfortable drum throne
Review
This is the most comfortable drum throne I have ever sat on. It makes playing a three-hour gig an absolute pleasure.
Best Gifts For Drummers Under $1000
13. Roland SPD-SX Sampling Percussion Pad
Roland's SPD-SX sampling percussion pad is Roland's most advanced sampling percussion pad to date. With tons of sounds, three multi-FX, and 4GB of internal memory for up to six hours of onboard sampling, the SPD-SX is perfect for both stage and studio.
- Intuitive sampling
- Three simultaneous multi-fx
- 16 internal drum kits
To play in a dance or EDM band, the modern drummer needs many percussion sounds. Everything from hand claps to orchestral hits is fair game in the modern radio repertoire.
The Roland SPD-SX is the industry standard in live sampled sound. With six hours of storage space to load sounds and songs to your heart’s desire, you can even play an entire show using backing tracks with the drums removed.
Features:
- The industry standard in sampling pads
- Four gigabytes of internal storage
Review
I use this sampling pad with every band I play in. I love having all my favorite sounds and samples queued up and ready to play.
But more than that, I have performed a complete three-hour gig by myself using backing tracks loaded on my Roland SPD-SX.
Related: 6 Best Electronic Drum Pads With Great Responsitivity
14. Avantone Pro CDMK-8 Drum Microphone Kit
Avantone has packaged their second-generation drum mics into an 8-mic bundle that delivers killer sound and amazing value. Extensive research and development went into the mics in the Avantone CDMK-8 kit, resulting in road-tested designs that serve up a powerful, punchy rendition of any drum kit, onstage or in the studio.
- Condenser mics for overheads
- Amazing value
- Stylish
This remarkable drum mic kit will be the envy of every sound person who opens the beautiful heavy-duty vintage tweed case.
Years of research and development have gone into making these cabernet-red finished beauties look as great as they sound.
Features:
- An amazing value
- Beautiful look – even the case
Review
I don’t own this mic kit, but it is on my must-have list. I have spoken to a few drummers who have this product, and they swear by it.
Related: Best Audio Interfaces For Recording Drums
15. Sweetwater Gift Card
Sweetwater is the largest online retailer of musical instruments and pro audio equipment in the United States, based out of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
If you’re still undecided, why not opt for a Sweetwater gift card and let the drummer in your life get what they need.
Ultimately, the right gift rides on several factors. The personality of the drummer is certainly a determining element.
How long has the drummer been playing? Is the drummer gigging professionally, or are they in a garage playing for their own enjoyment?
No matter what you choose from this list, your Neil Peart wanna-be will be overjoyed at the amount of thought that went into your gift.
Before you go, check out our guide to the 7 Best Online Drum Lessons/Courses (For All Skill Levels)!