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Best Drum Rugs – Comprehensive Buying Guide

August 10, 2022
Best Drum Rugs: A Comprehensive Buying Guide

Have you ever felt your bass drum or hi-hat pedal creeping forward when playing?

Even worse, has it ever happened during a live performance when you’re bashing away infront of a sea of people?

Or maybe you’re renting an apartment with wooden floors and have noticed that band practice is starting to chip and leave scratches on the floor, there goes the deposit!

Whatever your situation, a drum rug is an important piece of gear to not only help you play at your best but also avoid any future costly damages.

Best Drum Rugs

  1. Best Overall: Meinl Cymbals MDR-BK Drum Rug
  2. Runner Up: DW Drum Rug
  3. Best for Design: Meinl Cymbals Oriental Drum Rug
  4. Best for Budget: On-Stage DrumFire Non-Slip Drum Mat

Oh, and a heads up! There may be some products which I recommend for which I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you should you make a purchase. All recommendations are genuine and/or verified by myself!

1. Meinl Cymbals MDR-BK Drum Rug

Key Features

  • Size: 5.25′ x 6.5′
  • Non-slip rubber base
  • Tightly woven fabric
Meinl Cymbals Drum Rug.

Just to note, this is the drum rug I personally use. But I genuinely think its the best drum rug on the market today, here’s why!

Meinl, as you probably know, are one of the leaders in percussion instruments. Especially renowed for their cymbals, making up one of the “big four” manufacturers.

When it comes to any of their products, you usually expect the highest of quality, and their drum rug is no different.

One of the main reasons it’s the one I use, is because of its overall practicality. It measures 5.25 by 6.5 feet and is super lightweight, only 4 pounds! Because of this, I can throw it into the back of my car to take to band practice and shows.

The non-slip rubber bottom does exactly what you want it to do, provide stability and prevent the dreaded ‘drum creep.’ The tightly woven fabric on top of the drum mat is extremely durable and allows your drum kit to dig in for ultimate stability.

An added bonus is that the Meinl Drum rug comes with a carry bag and velcro strap, so you can easily store it away but it also makes travelling with it a breeze.

Although this is the rug I use, it has everything you could possibly ask for in a drum mat and is in my opinion the best drum rug on the market today!

Pros: First class performance and build quality, lighweight, and portable.

Cons: None.

2. DW Drum Rug

Key Features

  • Size: 5′ x 7′
  • Industrial-grade carpet
  • Non-skid surface
DW drum rug

I’m a huge fan of Drum Workshop and use a lot of their gear, including one of their drum thrones.

Yes, a lot of their products are more expensive than the industry average, but you have to give it to them, their quality is usually unmatched.

The same holds true with DW’s drum rug, I mean, it’s built from industrial-grade carpet, so durability isn’t an issue, this drum mat was built to last.

It also features a non-skid rubber bottom surface, so you won’t have to worry about your kit creeping away from you while drumming.

One of the main advantages of the DW, when compared to the Meinl drum rug, is it’s larger size. The 5 by 7 feet area is adept at accomodating pretty much all drum kit setups, including double bass!

With size, comes an increased weight of 20 pounds, however, I wouldn’t say it’s non-transportable, just something to consider if you want to be moving it frequently.

Overall, if you’re looking for a drum rug that can accommodate an extensive range of drum kit setups and sizes, while still offering excellent performance and build quality, this is the best drum rug for you!

Pros: Durable, large in size.

Cons: Expensive, too wide for smaller drum kits.

3. Meinl Drum Rug oriental

Key Features

  • Size: 5.25′ x 6.5′
  • Non-slip rubber base
  • Unique, oriental design
Meinl oriental drum rug

Don’t be fooled by this beautiful oriental design, this is the same high-quality Meinl Drum Rug as above, just with a bit of extra style.

If your drum kit is in open view in your home, the oriental drum rug design will definitely bring some life and add color to your room.

Just like the Meinl MDR-BK, this drum carpet features all the same qualities to keep your drum kit secured in one place; non-slip rubber bottom and durable thick woven fabric.

The only difference is the weight, the Meinl Oriental Drum Rug weighs 12 pounds compared to its lightweight brother. If you plan on laying this drum carpet in your home and not moving it often, then the weight isn’t an issue.

Overall, Meinl has done it again. The same exceptional quality but unique in it’s vibrant and beautiful oriental design.

Pros: Same high-quality rug, trendy oriental design.

Cons: None.

4. On-Stage DrumFire Non-Slip Drum Mat

Key Features

  • Size: 4′ x 4′ or 6′ x 4′
  • Lightweight
  • Affordable
On-Stage DMA4450 DrumFire Non Slip Drum Mat

If you’re on a budget or want something that is easily transportable, then you may want to consider the On-Stage Non-Slip Drum Mat.

I’ll be honest with you, this isn’t really a rug, so you won’t get that comfy carpet feel.

Instead, it’s made of a non-slip PVC material. Which is what they use to make yoga mats. Not only will this stop your drums from ‘creeping’ across the floor, but the material is extremely lightweight and rolls up perfectly for storage or traveling in between gigs.

If you want a budget-friendly option that is easy to transport, the On-Stage Non-Slip Drum Mat is perfect for you!

Drum Rug Frequently Asked Questions

What does a drum rug do?

The main purpose of a drum rug is to create a stable surface for the drum kit to sit on when being played. Often, the bass drum ‘creeps’ forward, however, a drum rug’s non-slip surface prevents this from happening.

How big should a drum rug be?

A drug rug should be big enough to fit your drum kit. On average, the size of a drum rug is 5 by 6 feet, plenty large enough to fit a standard 5-piece drum kit.

What To Consider When Choosing The Best Drum Rug For You

Size/portability: Before purchasing a drum rug, make sure you not only consider the size of your drum kit but these other factors. If you plan to use your drum mat for gigs, consider the typical sizes of the stages you will be playing on. Also, will it be easy to transport in between gigs?

Budget: Of course, the amount you are willing to spend will factor into which is the best drum rug for you. That’s why I’ve included various different price options.

Quality/Design: All the drum rugs on this list are high-quality and will do the job of stopping the ‘creep’ as well as protecting your floors. When it comes to design, think about where you’ll be using the drum mat, and will it fit in nicely with the environment you’re planning on using it in.

Final Thoughts

A good drum mat is an important piece of gear for any drummer out there.

If playing without a drum rug on a hard surface, after a few numbers, you’ll find you find your drum kit more and more difficult to reach as they continuously move across the floor.

If you want to play at your best, drum rugs are essential!

Additionally, they protect the floor or surface you’re playing on, as well as stop your kit from picking up the grub and grime on the different surfaces.

In my opinion, a drum rug shouldn’t be an afterthought, it’s an essential piece of equipment for any drummer!

Happy drumming! – Will

Will Fenton

Will, the founder of MIDDER, is a multifaceted individual with a deep passion for music and personal finance. As a self-proclaimed music and personal finance geek, he has a keen eye for futuristic technologies, especially those that empower creators and the public.

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