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The importance of a good drum throne can never be understated. Unfortunately, many drummers out there only realize how vital they are after developing back injuries from using cheap thrones for years.
It’s important to make sure that you have proper posture when playing, but high-quality drum thrones do a much better job of making it easier.
If you’re someone who has back problems, you may benefit from using a drum throne with a backrest. They aren’t for everyone, but they certainly help relieve pain for many drummers.
Here’s a list of some of the best drum thrones with backrests. I’ve compared them according to comfort, design, adjustment types, and overall value.
Contents
- What are the Best Drum Thrones with Backrests?
- How I Tested and Selected the Best Drum Thrones with Backrests
- In-Depth Drum Throne Reviews
- Drum Throne with Backrest Buying Guide
- What Makes a Drum Seat with Back Support a Good Buying Option
- Features to Look For in an Ergonomic Drum Throne
- Drum Thrones with Backrests FAQs
What are the Best Drum Thrones with Backrests?
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Best Large Seat Throne
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Best Affordable Throne
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Best Throne for Gigging
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Best Throne for Back Pain
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Best Throne for Stability
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How I Tested and Selected the Best Drum Thrones with Backrests
I’ve always been quite a big fan of having a backrest, and I’ve played numerous thrones like this over the years.
When I test the thrones out, I mainly look at comfort and stability. I want to make sure the throne is ergonomic, keeping my back supported while allowing me to sit up straight for an extended period.
I check stability by inspecting the density of the legs and seeing how they support my weight while I play. I’ll typically play the drums quite hard to see how much movement there is. If there isn’t any leg movement, I know the throne is good.
After that, I’ll look at general build quality, features, and overall value. These are the final things that give me an idea of how a throne performs and compares to other options that it competes with.
In-Depth Drum Throne Reviews
Gibraltar 9808HMB Drum Throne
Gibraltar 9808HMB Drum Throne Review
Gibraltar’s 9808HMB drum throne is a fantastic option for drummers who want something a bit larger to sit on. It has a classic saddle seat shape, but the saddle is around 16” in size, making it much larger than most other throne seats.
I really enjoy the unique design of this throne. While I mainly sit at the edge of the seat, I can feel how a larger person would feel more at home with this one.
The soft cordura top with vinyl casing gives the throne a premium feel. It’s very impressive, considering this is one of the more affordable drum thrones out there that offers a backrest.
It’s in typical Gibraltar fashion to give a throne of this caliber for an affordable price.
It has a hydraulic height adjustment, meaning you simply press a lever down to raise the seat to a suitable height. When you want to lower it, you lift the lever and push it down gently.
It’s a fantastic way of getting the right height, but it does make some drummers nervous that there’s nothing you can do if that mechanism gets faulty eventually.
The backrest is heavily padded, offering plenty of support for your lower back if you need it. It’s one of those backrests that feels very comfortable when you lean back for a few seconds in between songs.
Overall, I thought it was a decent drum throne to consider, and it’s definitely the best one for drummers wanting a large seat.
Pros
- Very comfortable to sit on
- Hydraulic adjustment system mechanism is seriously smooth
- Surprisingly affordable for what it offer
Cons
- Large saddle seat is bulky when moving around
Gibraltar 9608MB Moto-Style Drum Throne
Gibraltar 9608MB Moto-Style Drum Throne Review
Here’s another good Gibraltar drum throne, and it’s one of the most loved thrones on the market. It’s mostly due to it being so affordable, but it’s also because it offers everything you need from a solid drum throne.
I owned this throne for many years, and it served me incredibly well through short tours and long recording sessions.
The Gibraltar 9608MB is relatively heavy-duty, but it’s still on the lighter side compared to higher-quality options from other brands. While that means it isn’t as durable, it also means it’s light to carry around, and that makes it great for gigging.
The standout feature of this throne was the large backrest. It’s a lot larger than most backrests out there, so it’s very comfortable to lean back on when you’re not playing the drums.
However, it’s not the kind of backrest that will keep you supported when you’re playing. It sits quite far back, so it’s difficult to have it line up with your spine while you’re using your legs to play the pedals.
That can be a bit frustrating for drummers that want boosted support, but it’s perfect for drummers who want something to lean back on at times but don’t want to use a backrest when they’re actually playing the kit.
The spindle height adjustment is fantastic. You can raise and lower the stand very quickly by twisting the seat around. You can also loosen the bolts if you want to do it the old-fashioned way.
Pros
- Very compelling price tag
- Large backrest
- Reliable height adjustment mechanism
Cons
- Some drummers find the backrest to be too far back compared to the seat
Pearl Roadster Multi-Core Saddle Drum Throne
Pearl Roadster Multi-Core Saddle Drum Throne Review
Pearl claims to have taken multiple years to design this drum throne, and you can feel it with all the attention to detail.
It’s without a doubt one of the most comfortable drum thrones I’ve ever sat on, as it’s one that anyone can sit on for hours.
This is the throne you want for those 3-hour-long pub gigs on weekends. The multiple layers of material on the cushion do such a great job of keeping you happy. There also seems to be padding in all the right places, stopping you from getting sore in certain areas.
The backrest has an ergonomic design, perfectly supporting your back when sitting in a playing position. I was easily able to raise it to fit my body structure, and I could easily remove the backrest as well.
One of the coolest features of the Pearl Roadster Multi-Core Saddle Drum Throne is the Stop-Lock mechanism. It allows you to lock the seat in place or release it to allow it to wobble around. I haven’t seen this feature on too many other thrones that have backrests.
There really aren’t any drawbacks to this throne, but the higher price tag may steer a few drummers away when they compare it to the previous Gibraltar options.
Pros
- Incredible comfortable to sit on for long periods
- Stop-Lock feature allows you to secure the seat in place if you want
- Amazing design quality in every small detail
Cons
- A bit on the pricey side
Ahead Spinal-G Drum Throne
Ahead Spinal-G Drum Throne Review
If you have existing back problems, finding a good drum throne to alleviate them can be very challenging. Thankfully, this Ahead Spinal-G drum throne is an easy option to go for, as it’s well-known for being one of the best thrones for back pain.
It all comes down to its ergonomic design. It has a split seat, removing all the pressure from your tailbone when you sit and play. That makes a massive difference to drummers who unknowingly overcompensate with other back muscles when their lower back is taking strain.
The seat also has a few inches of memory foam on the top, which perfectly molds the seat to fit your body shape when you play.
The backrest is fantastic, as it works alongside the ergonomic seat design to keep you feeling as comfortable as possible when you’re playing.
However, I’m not a big fan of the plastic covering that hides the metal arms that keep the backrest secure. It makes the throne look a bit like an office chair. That’s not something that everyone will feel the same way about, though.
I have a friend who has been using this throne for years. He has a mild back condition, but he says that using this throne stops him from worrying about it when he plays drums.
You shouldn’t pass this throne up if you struggle with back pain. It will do wonders for your playing, and you’ll wish you had started using it sooner.
Pros
- Split seat relieves pressure from your tailbone
- Memory foam top makes the seat very comfortable
- Impressively sturdy
Cons
- Plastic cover for the backrest arms doesn’t look too great
Tama Ergo-Rider Quartet Drum Throne
Tama Ergo-Rider Quartet Drum Throne Review
If you want one of the most stable and sturdy drum thrones available, look no further than the Tama Ergo-Rider. There are a few versions of this throne out there, but I’m recommending the Quartet version with a backrest, as it’s one of the better options for back support.
The backrest is purely designed for lumbar support. You’ll see that it’s a bit smaller than all the other backrests we’ve looked at so far. It’s just meant to keep your back supported, and you’re not meant to lean on it too much.
That design is perfect for drummers who feel that having a backrest will weaken their posture.
I feel that the true strength of this throne comes from the bottom. The four double-braced legs sit firmly on the ground, and Tama’s Super Stabilizer keeps it secure.
This is a sturdy drum throne that will never move, no matter how much energy you put into your playing. It’s also a drum throne that will last an apocalyptic event due to how durable it is.
I’d recommend this more for drummers who just want to keep it in a single place. If you need a throne for the road, you’ll get very frustrated with how heavy the Ergo-Rider is.
Pros
- Very heavy-duty
- One of the best choices for heavier drummers
- Backrest is incredible for lumbar support
- Excellent option to have in a studio space
Cons
- It’s so heavy that moving it around can be a bother
Drum Throne with Backrest Buying Guide
When it comes to buying drum gear, a drum throne is always one of the last things that drummers think about. It’s only when they experience the shift in feel from a premium drum throne that they start to realize its importance.
If you’ve only ever played on inexpensive drum thrones, I highly recommend that you start saving for a good one. It will help your posture, and it will often make playing a drum kit feel far more comfortable.
Regarding drum thrones with backrests, they add a bit of extra support, but they’re not for everyone. The main argument against them is that they can cause drummers to get lazy with their posture.
Leaning on a backrest for too long will make you forget to keep your back straight. However, there are plenty of positives to counter that argument.
What Makes a Drum Seat with Back Support a Good Buying Option
- Backrests are great for drummers who have issues with back pain. They do a good job of alleviating pressure on certain joints around your spine.
- Backrests tend to help with endurance. It can be very refreshing to lean back on a backrest in between songs when you’re gigging.
- They’re great for stability for drummers who are a bit larger in size. If your body covers the whole size of a drum throne cushion, having a backrest will add a bit of sturdiness when you’re playing.
Features to Look For in an Ergonomic Drum Throne
Seat Style
The two main types of drum throne seats you’ll find are round seats and motorcycle seats. Motorcycle seats are also commonly referred to as saddle seats.
It’s incredibly rare to find a drum throne with a round seat as well as a backrest.
Saddle seats tend to come with higher-priced thrones, and all thrones with backrests sit a bit higher in the cost range.
However, it’s good to know the differences in case you do come across a round seat with a backrest.
A motorcycle seat will offer more room for leg movement. Many drummers prefer these, as their legs will feel freer to the pedals without clashing with the edge of the seat.
A round drum throne won’t offer as much room, but many drummers still prefer using them. They offer more of a standard feel, distributing your weight across the entire surface.
You’ll also find thrones that have a combined design. These will be rounded, but their shape will also allow a bit more room for your legs to move compared to standard round ones.
Materials
You need to look at the cushion area of a drum throne when establishing the quality of the materials. This is where the biggest divide comes between cheap and expensive thrones.
When looking at thrones with backrests, you also need to see what the backrests are made from. They’ll often have the same material as the cushion, but some brands like to put slightly different materials there.
You need to find a drum throne with high-density padding if you want something that will feel comfortable and last.
The thicker the material inside the cushion, the better it will hold up over time. It will also be much better for your posture and comfort levels.
Some drum thrones offer memory foam on their cushions. This foam works the same as memory foam with pillows. It will start to recognize your weight and position itself in the best way for you to feel comfortable.
The covering and stitching of a drum throne are another area to look at. All the best thrones have luxury stitching that makes them look as good as they feel to sit on.
Height Adjustment Design
There are about four different types of height adjustment designs for drum thrones, but all the thrones with backrests tend to have spindle or hydraulic designs; these two types are reserved for high-end thrones.
Spindle Throne Adjustment – the spindle design acts like a screw. You can twist the cushion of the drum throne to raise it higher or lower.
If you don’t want it to twist and do that, you can tighten the bolts underneath the seat part.
Spindle designs are incredibly reliable, as they can still work very well when something goes wrong internally with the throne design.
Hydraulic Throne Adjustment – these drum thrones with hydraulic designs utilize a lever that you press down to raise and lower the seat.
These thrones are amazing for times when you need to make quick adjustments. You can also raise the seat while sitting on it, which can be very useful.
However, they’re not as reliable as spindle designs. If something goes wrong with the hydraulic adjustment system, you may not be able to change the height of your throne until you fix it.
The other two height adjustment designs are bolt locking and sliding tube mechanisms. These designs come on drum thrones that cost much less than any options with backrests.
You’ll also find an adjustable backrest on all the options I listed above.
Backrest Design
You’ll find two main types of backrests when looking at different drum thrones.
The first is a larger one that you can put your whole weight against when leaning back. These backrests are amazing for taking breaks, but they’re also good for drummers that need a bit of extra support to keep their backs straight.
The other backrest designs are a bit thinner, and they’re made to offer lumbar support. They rest against your lower back to alleviate a bit of pressure, but they’re not big enough to lean against them as you would on a regular office chair.
Some backrests are far more comfortable than others. There are a few drum thrones out there with backrests that are positioned too far back. Those aren’t great for back support, but they still work well as tools to lean back on when you need to.
Drum Thrones with Backrests FAQs
What is the Best Drum Throne Height?
It depends on your body shape and how tall you are, but you should always position a drum throne high enough so that there’s a slight downward angle from your thighs.
If your thighs are at a 90-degree angle, you’ll use more energy from your legs and put greater strain on your back when playing the pedals.
Should Everyone Use a Drum Throne with a Backrest?
No, some people love backrests, while others find them to be too much of a crutch. You don’t need to use one if you don’t feel the need for it.
However, backrests are a lifesaver for drummers who experience back and spinal pain.
How Important is a Good Drum Throne?
It’s just as important as having a good set of drumheads and cymbals. Playing drums with a poor-quality drum throne for too long can often lead to postural issues. So, picking the right drum throne is vital.
