5 Best Drum Stick Holders

Best Drum Stick Holders

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Drumstick holders are useful drumming accessories that keep spare sticks at the ready while you’re playing drums. You have the flexibility to choose where you want to mount a stick holder, meaning you can always have spare sticks easily within reach.

At some point, every drummer experiences the dreaded moment of breaking or dropping a stick while playing. If you have no spare drumsticks nearby, this can be disastrous! 

Rather than attempting to keep a beat with one hand while desperately searching for a dropped stick or having to play with a snapped stick, you can quickly grab a replacement from the holder without it affecting your performance. 

In this guide, you’ll find detailed reviews of the best drum stick holders and tips on choosing the right one.

What are the Best Drum Stick Holders?

Image Recommended ProductsProduct Features Price
Best Overall Design
Vater Multi-Pair Drum Stick Holder
  • Holds 2 pairs of drum sticks
  • Clamp style fastening system
  • Easy turn knob for tightening
Most Reliable Stick Holder
Vic Firth Drum Stick Holder
  • Holds 2 pairs of drum sticks
  • Metal construction
  • Wide clamp fits most hardware
Best Visual Design
DW One Beat Drumstick Holder
  • Holds 2 pairs of drum sticks
  • Sleek modular design
  • Attaches to any 1/2" rod
Best Affordable Holder
Stagg DSH Drum Stick Holder
  • Holds 2 pairs of drum sticks
  • Affordable drum stick holder
  • Spring tension clamp
Best Affordable Holder
Promark SD200 Stick Depot, 2 Pairs
  • Holds 2 pairs of drum sticks
  • Easily adjustable
  • Designed and manufactured in USA

How I Tested and Selected the Best Drum Stick Holders

In my years of playing live on stage, I’ve happened to drop several sticks. While keeping a stick bag near is standard for any setup, I’ve also found that having a drumstick holder attached to my kit makes it so much easier to get a new stick out. 

I’ve owned a few holders over the years, and I’ve done plenty of testing on others to see how useful they’ll be. 

When looking at holders for this list, I mainly looked at their attachment design, how many sticks they could hold, and how stable they were. 

Through my testing, I assessed the construction of each holder and the quality of its attachment mechanism to ensure it stays firmly in place on a piece of mounting hardware.

I was able to single out five drumstick holders that I highly recommend; all of which are reliable and convenient solutions for keeping spare drum sticks at the ready.

In-Depth Drum Stick Holder Reviews

Best Overall Design

Vater Multi-Pair Drum Stick Holder

With its all-metal construction and secure fastening mechanism, this Vater stick holder is one of the best options on the market.
Stability
4.8
Build Quality
4.9
Components
4.8
Value
4.8

    Vater Multi-Pair Drum Stick Holder Review

    Having tested numerous options, I can vouch for the Vater Multi-Pair Stick Caddy as the best drumstick holder overall. I’ve owned it for many years and it serves me well.

    It has a strong metal construction instead of plastic which makes it feel ultra durable, and it features an intuitive fastening system.

    This drum stick holder caddy can hold two pairs of sticks and it easily fits onto most pieces of drum hardware including hi-hat stands and cymbal stands. 

    It’s super sturdy, and I’ve found it very easy to mount it on my drum set hardware. My recommended place for it would be to attach it to the hi-hat stand.

    The fastening unit is strong and tightening it is a breeze with the large dial.

    It’s the choice of many drummers including Metallica’s Lars Ulrich and it holds up well every night on tour. This is an awesome product that also offers really good value for money.

    Pros

    • Infinite angle adjustments
    • Oversized dial is easy to use on stage
    • Easily attaches to any stand for perfect positioning

    Cons

    • Sticks can rattle inside
    Most Reliable Stick Holder

    Vic Firth Drum Stick Holder

    Vic Firth’s expertise in the field of drumsticks is unquestionable. This simple but highly effective device can be mounted on a piece of hardware of your choice.
    Stability
    4.7
    Build Quality
    4.7
    Components
    4.8
    Value
    4.8

      Vic Firth Drum Stick Holder Review

      The Vic Firth Drum Stick holder is a high-quality drum stick caddy from the world’s best-selling drumstick manufacturer. It features a simple and robust design, and it’s designed to hold two pairs of drumsticks close by whilst you play.

      It features a strong clamp that fits tightly onto any piece of hardware on your drum set. 

      This is a popular drumstick holder that is easy to set up and use. I like how easy it is to angle comfortably, which is an aspect that not too many others impressed me with. 

      Similar to the Vater Multi-Pair Stick Holder, this Vic Firth model is also made of metal and features a cushioned base inside.

      The Vic Firth drum stick holder works great and it’s a well-designed product. It’s simple yet effective, and the clamp mechanism grips tight onto any piece of hardware.

      Cheaper drumstick holders may look enticing, but it’s worth paying a little more for one like the Vic Firth stick holder that shouldn’t ever break. This sturdy drumstick holder should be on every drummer’s set to help keep spare drumsticks within reach.

      Pros

      • Great adjustment options
      • Easy to mount
      • Sturdy and practical design

      Cons

      • A little pricey
      • Drumsticks are pretty loose inside and can rattle
      Best Visual Design

      DW One Beat Drumstick Holder

      Capable of holding two pairs of drumsticks simultaneously, this smartly designed holder by DW is excellent value. Its combination of metal and black plastic will complement your drum hardware.
      Stability
      4.6
      Build Quality
      4.7
      Components
      4.6
      Value
      4.7

        DW One Beat Drumstick Holder Review

        This DW One Beat Drumstick Holder is a killer product. It boasts a really sturdy build quality and a unique design that comfortably holds four individual drumsticks. As you would expect from DW this drumstick holder is strong and reliable.

        It mounts differently than most drumstick holders because this one mount to a 5mm diameter rod such as a floor tom leg, tom holder, or cymbal boom holder. There is somewhere to mount this on most drum sets, but it’s not always that convenient.

        It felt incredibly sturdy when I tried it out, and I think it was much sturdier than any of the other stick holders available. 

        This stick holder looks great with its mirror chrome finish and it fits perfectly on my floor tom, which is a convenient place to reach on my drum set. It’s a fantastic solution for dropping drumsticks!

        Pros

        • Sleek and strong design
        • Beautiful mirror-chrome finish
        • Holds sticks individually which is useful

        Cons

        • Expensive for a drumstick holder
        Best Affordable Holder

        Stagg Drum Stick Holder

        This affordable holder is straightforward to set up and is a good solution if you’d like to save some of your budget to invest in other equipment.
        Stability
        4.6
        Build Quality
        4.4
        Components
        4.5
        Value
        4.7

          Stagg Drum Stick Holder Review

          This affordable Stagg Drum Stick Holder offers amazing value for money. It’s a sturdy yet lightweight drumstick caddy that can accommodate two pairs of sticks.

          The build quality is decent for the price and it easily mounts onto any piece of drum hardware. The spring tension jaw clamp is surprisingly strong (even though you can’t manually tighten it) and it doesn’t slip on the stand.

          Although it felt rather lightweight compared to the other options reviewed in this guide, it does exactly what it’s designed to do, and the internal pockets are deep enough to keep drumsticks in place without falling out.

          When using it, I could see how this would be a perfect option for drummers who aren’t very picky with accessory gear. 

          This is both practical and affordable and it will hold firmly in place on any cymbal stand. It’s the best drumstick holder if you’re operating on a smaller budget.

          Pros

          • Very affordable price tag
          • Tight spring tension clamp
          • Clamp fits onto wide stands

          Cons

          • Not very adjustable
          Best Affordable Holder

          Pro Mark Stick Depot Drumstick Holder

          A reliable device that holds two pairs of sticks in separate slots, making it great for drummers who like to switch their stick type when playing.
          Stability
          4.6
          Build Quality
          4.6
          Components
          4.6
          Value
          4.6

            Pro Mark Stick Depot Drumstick Holder Review

            The Pro Mark Stick Depot is another very popular drumstick holder and it can accommodate two pairs of drumsticks. This practical model holds the two pairs of sticks separately, making it easier for you to identify which pair you need.

            This holder had the same design as the previous Stagg one, but I found it to feel much higher in quality. 

            This stick holder also features a clamp mechanism that is attached easily to a cymbal stand. The main criticism of this product is that the clamp does not stretch very wide, so it won’t attach to thicker hardware tubes.

            This is a cool addition to any drum set, and it offers good value for money. I love that it holds two pairs of sticks separately and it’s also very adjustable so you can angle it to your liking, but I wish the clamp was a little wider. Overall though, it’s a solid choice.

            Pros

            • Good value for money drumstick holder
            • Holds two pairs separately
            • Easily adjustable for ideal angle and positioning

            Cons

            • Clamp does not fit onto all stands

            Drum Stick Holders Buying Guide

            No matter how skilled or experienced you are, there will come a time when you will either break a stick or drop it on the floor while playing. Stick holders can be your savior in these situations.

            Drumstick holders are more effective than keeping a drumstick bag nearby, because it’s much easier to recover a drumstick from a stick holder after dropping one.

            They are perfect for beginners right through to advanced drummers, because even pro’s drop drum sticks from time to time! If you never drop a drumstick the chances are you might be holding your sticks too tight and rigid.

            Let’s look at some of the essential things to consider when choosing a stick holder for your drum set.

            Things to Consider When Buying Drum Stick Holders

            Clamp attachment

            Drum stick holders are commonly attached to a cymbal stand or another piece of hardware. I like to mount mine on my hi-hat stand because it’s easily within reach. The quality and design of the clamp mechanism will determine how securely the holder attaches and whether it is likely to come loose. 

            Number of sticks

            Most drummers prefer to have at least two pairs of drumsticks nearby when performing in case they break several. You need to decide how many sticks you would ideally like to fit inside the holder based on how likely you are to need them. 

            Materials and construction

            The more expensive high-quality drum stick holders are made from metal materials to ensure that they don’t break if they are dropped or knocked over. Plastic options are more affordable but are also more likely to break.

            Features and Qualities of Drum Stick Holders

            Secure Attachments

            Playing the drums requires energy, technique, and power. It’s common for the drums, hardware, and other equipment to move around a little when you’re playing.

            Drum stick holders are commonly attached to a cymbal stand, hi-hat stand, or another piece of hardware.

            The mechanism used to secure them is usually a clamp, which is manually tightened.

            When choosing a drumstick holder, you should check that the attachment is suitable for your hardware and will stay firmly in place.

            Adjustable Angles

            Once the drum stick holder is attached to your hardware, you need to ensure that it can be correctly angled so that you can quickly grab a stick when required. 

            Some of these devices are fixed at one angle, which may make them more robust, but finding the ideal position to place them is more difficult. Others can be adjusted and moved at any angle, ensuring they don’t get in the way of your drumming. 

            Compartment Size

            Stick holders are mostly designed to hold two pairs of drumsticks in one compartment, but there are some options available that can hold more. 

            Drummers who use multiple stick types may find holders with several separate compartments, making it easier for them to make sure they grab the correct sticks. 

            Drum Stick Holders FAQs

            Where Should You Mount a Drum Stick Holder?

            The hi-hat stand is the most suitable location as it is the most conveniently located to reach. However, it’s worth experimenting and seeing which will be the easiest for you to access when you need a stick replacement. 

            What is the Best Material for Drum Stick Holders? 

            Drum stick holders are made from plastic, metal, or nylon materials. Plastic is an excellent material for this purpose, as it is lightweight but durable enough to last for a long time. 

            Metal stick holders are heavier but are very resistant to damage, and nylon is the weakest of the three materials.

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