5 Best Drum Rugs To Keep Your Drums In Place

Best Drum Rugs To Keep Your Drums In Place 2

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A drum rug is one of the most important investments a drummer can make, as it provides a sturdy and comfortable platform to play the drums on, and prevents your drum set from moving whilst you play.

Many drummers will tell you nightmare stories of playing gigs without a rug, and having their drum set creep during the set, so having your own to take with you is a wise idea. 

When looking for a drum rug, you need to make sure that you’re getting one that’s big enough for your kit, made of high-quality and durable materials, and comes at a reasonable price. 

In this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the best rugs for your drum set. I’ve compared durability, build quality, performance, and cost to give you my top recommendations. 

In a Rush’ Round-Up

Image Recommended ProductsProduct Features Price
Meinl Black Drum Rug
  • 5.25 x 6.5 Feet
  • Durable and lightweight rug
  • Non-slip underside
Meinl Oriental Drum Rug
  • 5.25 x 6.5 Feet
  • Vibrant, oriental design
  • Non-slip underside
DW Drum Rug
4.8/5
  • 5 x 7 Feet
  • High quality drum rug
  • Non-slip underside
Ludwig Drum Rug
  • 5.25 x 6.5 feet
  • Large, lightweight rug
  • Non-slip rubber backing
On-Stage Stands Non-Slip Drum Mat - 6' x 4'
  • 4 x 6 Feet
  • Non-slip PVC drum mat
  • Affordable and lightweight

How I Tested and Selected the Best Drum Rugs

These rugs have been tested and chosen personally. My selection process was based on their suitability for live shows, considering factors like grip, stability, and portability.

I examined how they adhered to different flooring types, ensuring they remained firmly in place, no matter how intense the drumming.

Durability was another crucial aspect. I selected drum rugs that could endure years of rigorous use without wear and tear.

These rugs I’ve selected blend affordability, performance, craftsmanship, and visual appeal, and below you’ll discover my in-depth reviews of each option.

Drum Rugs Reviews

Meinl Black Drum Rug

One of the most popular and practical drum rugs on the market. It works brilliantly at all times, and it has a Velcro strap to help transport it easily.
Materials
4.8
Build Quality
4.6
Durability
4.8
Portability
4.5
Value
4.5

    Meinl Black Drum Rug Review

    The winner of the best drum rug goes to Meinl for this awesome and practical drum rug. I own this Meinl Drum Rug and I love it.

    It’s the perfect size measuring 5.25 by 6.5 feet and it’s lightweight enough to transport in my car to shows and rehearsals.

    I find that this Meinl Black Drum Rug is a lifesaver when it comes to playing gigs.

    When drums are set up on a hard surface without a drum rug things tend to go wrong quickly. You’ll likely experience the bass drum creeping away from you whilst you play.

    Luckily this drum rug will ensure you never have to experience your drum set creeping away from you!

    It features a non-slip PVC underside that allows it to attach itself firmly to the floor.

    And the high-quality, tightly woven fabric top won’t tear or split with your equipment being placed on top.

    This durable and lightweight rug also has a Velcro strap to keep it rolled together whilst in storage or when being transported between shows.

    Not only will the Meinl drum rug ensure your drums stay firmly put, but it will also protect your floor from scratches, black marks, dents, and other potential blemishes drumming equipment can cause.

    Overall this is definitely the best drum rug on the market. It’s well-designed and affordable, and it’s made from durable materials.

    Features:

    • 5.25 x 6.5 Feet
    • Durable and lightweight rug
    • Non-slip underside

    Pros

    • Made from durable materials that protect your floor and drums
    • Excellent performance and build quality
    • Easy to transport and great value for money

    Cons

    • Included carry case is thin and quite poor quality

    Meinl Oriental Drum Rug

    Another high-quality rug from Meinl, but this one has a funkier appearance for drummers who like a bit of quirkiness in their drum setup.
    Materials
    4.8
    Build Quality
    4.6
    Durability
    4.8
    Portability
    4.5
    Value
    4.5

      Meinl Oriental Drum Rug Review

      The Meinl Oriental Drum Rug is the same excellent quality drum rug from Meinl, but this version features a beautiful oriental design on the fabric top.

      This is the best drum rug for you if you would like to add a dash of color and vibe to your living space! The high-quality print is really attractive and adds some interesting flavor to your room.

      This 5.25 by 6.5-foot rug looks great on wood floors and on stage, too!

      It is not only ideal for acoustic drum sets, but it’s also great for electronic drum sets to protect your flooring and ensure your drums don’t creep away from you.

      Just like the previous Meinl drum rug, this drum mat features the same high-quality materials and carry bag for easy storage and transportation.

      Features:

      • 5.25 x 6.5 Feet
      • Vibrant, oriental design
      • Non-slip underside

      Pros

      • Same excellent rug, but with a vibrant design
      • Extra color and vibe for your living space
      • Excellent build quality

      Cons

      • Not many negatives to comment on

      DW Drum Rug

      A premium drum rug from DW with an extra-large surface area. It’s amazingly durable, and the non-slip material underneath is very strong.
      Materials
      5.0
      Build Quality
      4.9
      Durability
      4.9
      Portability
      4.5
      Value
      4.5

        DW Drum Rug Review

        The DW Drum Rug is perfect for your drums at home, in the studio, or on stage to keep your drums exactly where you want them and to protect your flooring.

        It is made from high-quality materials and this drum rug is designed to be used for frequent shows and touring. It is durable and robust enough to withstand the inevitable abuse equipment does experience whilst on the road!

        The non-skid rubber bottom is ultra-strong and fits snug to the floor, and the woven fabric top is durable and hardwearing. The 5 by 7-foot size will be able to accommodate even the largest drum kit setups.

        This drum mat is also lightweight enough to easily be transported anywhere.

        If you’re looking for the best drum rug to protect your floor and keep your drums right where you want them, this is another great option for you.

        Features:

        • 5 x 7 Feet
        • High quality drum rug
        • Non-slip underside

        Pros

        • Durable and hardwearing rug
        • Perfect for home and on stage
        • Large size for bigger drum sets

        Cons

        Ludwig Drum Rug

        A good mid-range drum rug from Ludwig. It’s made of higher quality materials than budget rugs, but it remains affordable for most drummers.
        Materials
        4.4
        Build Quality
        4.5
        Durability
        4.5
        Portability
        4.4
        Value
        4.6

          Ludwig Drum Rug Review

          This Ludwig Drum Rug is another fantastic option to consider. I’d label it as a mid-range rug when comparing its price to the other rugs on this list.

          It’s more affordable than the Meinl and DW rugs but still priced high enough to make you not worry about the quality of its material. 

          Ludwig is often known to be a vintage drum brand, and this rug continues that trend with its timeless black and white appearance. 

          The unique thing about this rug is that it has hook-and-loop fasteners to tie together when you’ve rolled it up.

          They come in really handy when transporting the rug, and I’ve found designs like this to be a lot more reliable than Velcro, as there’s less chance of the loops coming loose. 

          The size of the drum rug is 5.25 by 6.5 feet. It’s the same size as the rugs from Meinl, so you get the same special comfort at a more affordable price. 

          The downside of this Ludwig rug is that it’s not weighted at the corners. This makes the edges roll inward if you don’t have any part of your drum kit resting on them. It can get frustrating, and having weighted corners is what makes the high-end drum rugs so useful.

          Features:

          • 5.25 x 6.5 feet
          • Large, lightweight rug
          • Non-slip rubber backing

          Pros

          • Hook-and-loop fasteners are great for traveling
          • Timeless black and white look
          • More affordable than the high-end rugs

          Cons

          • Corners aren’t weighted

          On-Stage Stands Drum Rug

          A good budget drum rug option. It’s incredibly lightweight, making it an excellent gigging drum rug that you won’t mind getting damaged.
          Materials
          4.0
          Build Quality
          4.1
          Durability
          4.0
          Portability
          5.0
          Value
          4.8

            On-Stage Stands Drum Rug Review

            Next on the list, we have the budget On-Stage Stands Drum Mat for your drum set.

            This is a more affordable drum mat that is constructed from a soft PVC material that resembles a yoga mat, and it does a good job of protecting your floor whilst gripping to it.

            This budget drum mat is not made of high-quality materials like the other Meinl or DW drum mats within this guide, but the PVC material will keep your drums firmly in place.

            The size of this drum rug is 4 by 6 feet, which means it will be large enough to accommodate most drum sets.

            Whilst this drum mat has a budget price tag, it does lack the quality of premium carpet drum rugs like the Meinl and DW products reviewed earlier.

            However, if you just want an affordable drum mat you wouldn’t mind leaving at a gig, or something particularly lightweight you can quickly throw in the car, then this is the best drum rug for you!

            Features:

            • 4 x 6 Feet
            • Non-slip PVC drum mat
            • Affordable and lightweight

            Pros

            • Affordable budget drum mat
            • Large size for most drum sets
            • Keeps your drums firmly in place

            Cons

            • PVC material gets sticky
            • Not as high quality as other options, and will likely tear or break eventually

            Drum Rug Buyer’s Guide

            A drum rug is an important investment to make in order for you to play at your best. This can be anywhere from at home, in a rehearsal studio, recording studio, or on stage. 

            Playing drums on a hard floor without a drum rug is a nightmare.

            Without a drum carpet, you will find that your drum set will continuously move away from you as you play.

            The best drum rugs are not only designed to keep you playing at your best, but they also protect your floor wherever your drum set is set up.

            A drum set has the potential to damage floors either by scratching, chipping, or leaving marks. 

            There is a lot of drum hardware within a drum set that has contact with the floor including stands, bass drum pedals, a hi-hat stand, a drum throne, cymbal stands, and bass drum spurs. 

            The bass drum spurs are sharp points that are intended to anchor the bass drum into place.

            In my opinion, a drum rug is an essential accessory for a drum set. Buying one will save you a lot of potential aggravation down the line and you will be thankful you have one.

            Things to Consider When Buying a Drum Rug

            Choose a size

            Your drum rug should be larger than the size of your drum kit setup. Drum sets come in all shapes and sizes.

            Being mindful of what drum rug size you require will mean you utilize the space effectively and will ensure all your drums fit correctly on it.

            Look for a brand

            You’ll find very cheap rugs that aren’t intended for drums, but they never work as well. Getting a decent drum rug from an established brand is the best route to take to ensure that you’re happy with your rug. 

            Think about your budget

            More expensive rugs are heavy-duty and more durable. Expensive rugs feature non-slip bases, and are also often weighted at the corners, ensuring that they stay in place at all times. 

            Consider your environment

            If your practice room is already carpeted, you may not need a rug. However, it’s always good to have one for gigs. 

            Make sure to get a non-slip rug

            Only consider drum mats that have non-slip backings. If they don’t have that, the bass drum will still shift forward as you play the kit.

            What Features to Look for in Drum Rugs

            Weight

            Weight is something you should take into consideration, especially if you’re planning on using the drum rug at gigs.

            Some drum rugs are very large and weigh a lot. While they’re durable and comfortable to play on, they’re very cumbersome when transporting your gear. 

            Some heavy rugs are too large to put in the backseat of a car. So, make sure to get a rug that has a comfortable weight for that setting. 

            If you only need one for a studio space, a heavy and large drum rug will be the perfect option. It will practically last forever, which is great! 

            Heavier rugs are always more expensive, especially the ones that are weighted at the corners. Inexpensive drum rugs don’t weigh a lot, but they also don’t provide as much stability from the base of your setup. 

            Material Quality

            The material used for a drum rug is the biggest contributor to its quality. Brands like Meinl and Ludwig use thick carpet material to create rugs that are solid and long-lasting. 

            Pro-tier drum mats have the best materials, with a good example being DW’s industrial-grade carpet that they use for all their drum rugs. 

            When you look at affordable rugs, you’ll find that they don’t use carpet material. Instead, they use rubber-like material that does the same job but doesn’t feel as solid or durable. All the inexpensive drum rugs feel more like yoga mats than carpets. 

            The cheaper materials are a lot lighter to move around, but they’re nowhere near as tough. 

            Appearance

            Choosing a color for your drum rug is fairly similar to choosing a finish for your drum kit. It sums up how your drum setup looks, and having a drum rug that doesn’t fit your aesthetic preferences may really bother you. 

            Arguably, the best drum mat color to get is black. It looks the most stylish and timeless, and it’s the easiest color to leave visible tape on for hardware memory placements. 

            However, plain black rugs also get dirty rather quickly. If you don’t want to be vacuuming stick shards from your drum rug constantly, you may fare better with a colorful drum rug. 

            Just make sure that you get a drum rug that doesn’t clash with the color of your drum set. Aesthetics shouldn’t be a big worry, but having an awesome rug that matches your drum kit will make you more proud of your gear when you see it. 

            Drum Rugs FAQs

            Why Do Drummers Put Tape on Their Drum Rugs?

            Drummers often put tape on their drum rugs to mark the places where the legs of their hardware should be.

            It’s a good way of locking their drum setup in place and remembering exactly where everything goes every time they need to set their drum set up. 

            It’s mostly touring drummers that do this, as they’re constantly setting up and packing down their drum kit.

            To feel most comfortable at every gig, a drummer will thrive with the exact same distances between their drums and hardware that they’re accustomed to. 

            Why Use a Drum Rug Instead of a Normal Rug?

            Drum rugs are far more durable than normal rugs, and feature non-slip backings.

            A drum set has lots of direct contact with the floor, and drum rugs need to be durable so that they will never tear, rip, or be pierced by any part of the drum set whilst playing. 

            As much with all musical equipment on tour, a drum rug is liable to lots of physical abuse on tour. So it will need to be made of quality materials to endure life on the road. A normal rug won’t be able to stand up to the rigors of touring.

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