Includes a 78" x 66" drum rug and a bass drum anchor. Designed to hold double bass drums securely. Compact for easy storage and transport. Made in the USA from high-quality materials. Compatible with KickBlock and PedalBlock systems.
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Non-Slip Gel Backing
ahead Drum Rug with Gel Back
4.8
80"x64" size. Gel back prevents slipping on various surfaces. Durable fabric withstands heavy use. Ideal for drum kits and percussion setups. Easy to clean. Lightweight for transport. Compatible with various drum brands.
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We made sure to find, review, and rate cheaper acoustic drum sets and shell packs that
Have everything included
If you’re looking for a complete drum kit that includes hardware and cymbals, this is the category for you. These kits come with all the essentials—bass drum, snare, toms, cymbals, stands, pedals, and sometimes even a drum throne. They are perfect for beginners or drummers who want a ready-to-play setup without purchasing additional components separately.
Are shell packs only
Shell packs include just the drums—typically a bass drum, snare drum, and toms—without cymbals, stands, or pedals. These are ideal for drummers who already own hardware and cymbals or want to customize their setup with high-quality components.
Realistically, just about any old 5×7 rug will do the job to keep your kit from moving. In the off chance you want a stylish one or one for a particular brand, this article will help you pick one.
Rugs are fairly easy to come by, and for drummers, the rug you use really doesn’t matter as long as it fits all your drums and keeps your pedals and kick drum spurs in place.
Drum rugs provide a few essential functions for us: bass drum stability, hardware location, and overall look. While drummers are crafty and use whatever may be laying around, a lot of us want a stylish rug that is practical and looks good on stage.
I’ll break down the most popular drum rugs (and some not-so-popular) for you, in this in-depth review. I’ll compare quality, price, pros, cons, and give my true honest opinion on each one.
No-Slip, Durable Elegance
Meinl Drum Rug (78" x 63")
4.4
78" x 63" dimensions. No-slip rubber bottom. Tightly woven fabric top. Prevents drum creep. Compatible with full kits and double bass. Includes carrying case. Durable and visually appealing. Not suitable for smaller drum risers.
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Meinl Drum Rug (78″ x 63″): Overview
Meinl is a company best known for their awesome cymbals and percussion. In fact, many drummers I see now have switched from the mega cymbal companies over to Meinl.
In addition to making great cymbals, they also make a killer drum rug that’s offered in five different styles.
The rug size is 5.5ft x 6.5ft, so you’ll have plenty of space for all your drums and cymbals. It does include a carrying case, but I probably wouldn’t use it to be honest.
It does a great job preventing bass drum creep, especially if you’re heavy-footed like me. I’ve also noticed an improvement in acoustics. The underside of the rug is a non-slip rubber that prevents your rig from moving on stage.
The rug is also made of very tightly-woven fabric that drum spurs with sink into and will stay put. Don’t worry about your bass drum moving away from you ever again!
The rug seems to be well-made, although I have my doubts about fitting it back into the carry bag it came in (I probably won’t even attempt that).
My conclusion — Meinl’s rug is by far the best value. With so many design options, you can’t go wrong!
Meinl Drum Rug (78″ x 63″)
78" x 63" dimensions. No-slip rubber bottom. Tightly woven fabric top. Prevents drum creep. Compatible with full kits and double bass. Includes carrying case. Durable and visually appealing. Not suitable for smaller drum risers.
High-Quality, Non-Slip Rug
DW Drum Rug (62" x 78")
4.4
62" x 78" drum rug. Industrial-grade black carpet. Non-skid rubber backing. Cutout silver DW logo in each corner. Thick construction for shock and sound absorbency. Holds drum kit securely in place. Suitable for studio and stage use. Durable and sturdy.
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DW Drum Rug (62″ x 78″): Overview
Drum Workshop (more commonly known as DW) is a drum set and hardware manufacturer located in California. They make incredible sounding drums at both an intermediate and professional level.
The DW Drum Rug is by far the cleanest looking rug on the market. It features an all black design, non-skid rubber bottom, four silver DW logos, and is the perfect compliment to your DW Collector’s Series drum set.
It’s heavy, looks great, and doesn’t slide around. It’s perfect for my DW Design, keeping everything in place even during aggressive drumming. It also helps improve the sound quality by partially decoupling the drum set from the floor.
My kick pedals for my stick nicely to the rug and don’t move when pressed. The logos are tastefully done and located only in the corner.
Although it doesn’t offer much as far as design goes, simple sometimes can win. If you tour or travel a lot with your drums, the black cloth makes it easy to spike with colored tape.
The biggest issue with black rugs for drummers? Stick shavings.
If you are an aggressive player, you will definitely be vacuuming this drum rug very often, as you will see the fragments of your old drumsticks collecting at your feet. If you keep your rug clean, this shouldn’t be a huge issue. I wish there were more color options, as the black rug tends to show dust and sawdust easily.
My conclusion — It’s an amazing quality drum set rug coming in at a size of 5.3ft x 6.6ft, but I cannot justify the higher cost comparatively.
DW Drum Rug (62″ x 78″)
62" x 78" drum rug. Industrial-grade black carpet. Non-skid rubber backing. Cutout silver DW logo in each corner. Thick construction for shock and sound absorbency. Holds drum kit securely in place. Suitable for studio and stage use. Durable and sturdy.
Ultimate Slip-Prevention Rug
Black Widow Drum Web
4.4
Super compact, folds into its own pouch. Durable construction, velcro friendly. Effective grip prevents slipping, suitable for electronic kits. Fits well in tight spaces. Easy to transport and set up. Sturdy, no rips or tears.
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Black Widow Drum Web: Overview
This is the most unique drum rug on our list. The Black Widow Drum Web Anchoring Mat is truly different. This rug only covers the space for your throne and your kick pedals. It replaces conventional drum rugs and weighs less than 2 pounds.
Small footprint
The Black Widow Drum Web Anchoring Mat is perfect for touring since it leaves such a small footprint.
The rug includes a patented system with self-adhesive Velcro security strips. With this rug, you aren’t supposed to move, as your throne is anchored under the rug.
High quality material
The drum mat is made from a military-grade nylon material, making it very tough and easy to clean.
No more beer stains on your old drum rug.
The Black Widow drum web will work fine with acoustic drum kits, electronic drum sets, practice kits, and even percussion kits. It’s not the type of drum, rather the velcro system that makes it work.
Upon opening the box, you’ll see a nice case that holds your drum mat. It’s not very big in size and is very portable. The Black Widow drum rug does include velcro as well as marking strips that help you set up the same way at every gig.
The velcro strips will attach to the bottom of your bass drum pedals, hi-hat pedal, and any other accessory pedals you may use.
Do the drums really stay in place?
I was a little skeptical because I have used velcro on tons of applications and I know that it’s not always perfect.
Things move around and it doesn’t always hold the best. I wanted to make sure our kit didn’t move at all with this mat, so we had to be thorough in testing.
The first thing I found problematic was the heel side of the hi-hat pedal was slipping and rotating under my left foot. You can apply a fix for this using more velcro, but this seems to be a bit of a flaw from my standards.
The next thing, which could be considered a non-issue to some, was that the drum rug seemed to “flex” as I played.
For example, the bass drum would actually bounce forward a tiny bit and then bounce back to where it was.
I don’t think this is a big deal but sure makes me wonder if the drum mat itself will stretch over time, resulting in my markings to be all for nothing.
My conclusion — The Black Widow drum rug is a unique take. I personally will stick to a traditional rug, but do support the innovation.
Black Widow Drum Web
Super compact, folds into its own pouch. Durable construction, velcro friendly. Effective grip prevents slipping, suitable for electronic kits. Fits well in tight spaces. Easy to transport and set up. Sturdy, no rips or tears.
Non-Slip Gel Backing
ahead Drum Rug with Gel Back
4.8
80"x64" size. Gel back prevents slipping on various surfaces. Durable fabric withstands heavy use. Ideal for drum kits and percussion setups. Easy to clean. Lightweight for transport. Compatible with various drum brands.
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ahead Drum Rug with Gel Back: Overview
If you’re more into traditional-looking rugs for on stage, check out this one from Ahead Armor Cases.
Just like the Meinl and others, it features a rubber non-slip backing.
I was shocked when I saw this one. It must be brand new. A rug like this will be totally unique to any drummer you come across, so that may be a benefit you are looking for.
My conclusion — the size is a little short of other rugs, coming in around 5.3ft x 6.7ft, but its unique look may be worth thinking about!
ahead Drum Rug with Gel Back
80"x64" size. Gel back prevents slipping on various surfaces. Durable fabric withstands heavy use. Ideal for drum kits and percussion setups. Easy to clean. Lightweight for transport. Compatible with various drum brands.
Versatile & Lightweight Use
Invech 4 x 6 Ft Drum Rug (4'x6')
4.2
4'x6' drum rug. Multi-functional use: electronic drums, pianos, treadmills, yoga mats, play areas. Reduces vibration and noise, protects floors, prevents sweat damage. Anti-slip backing for stability. Lightweight and portable. Velcro for easy storage.
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Invech 4 x 6 Ft Drum Rug (4’x6′): Overview
If you are looking for the cheapest route, look no further. In fact, you could probably go to Walmart and spend $20 if you really want to go that way.
Here is a cheap black rug that does have a non-slip coating on the bottom. It measures in at 4'x6', so this rug is just big enough to fit a moderately sized drum kit.
It’s marketed for the kitchen, but no one will have to know that!
In a separate post, I’ve detailed a few great bass drum anchor options that keep your kick drum in place. I also talk about an awesome DIY way to make your own stopper that also provides a ‘spiked’ spot where your bass drum goes every night for every gig.
My conclusion —if you tend to leave your drum rug at gigs a lot, the budget rug is the way to go.
Invech 4 x 6 Ft Drum Rug (4’x6′)
4'x6' drum rug. Multi-functional use: electronic drums, pianos, treadmills, yoga mats, play areas. Reduces vibration and noise, protects floors, prevents sweat damage. Anti-slip backing for stability. Lightweight and portable. Velcro for easy storage.
Gear Guide
Now that you have taken a look at all the major benefits of each drum rug, we can look at some things you should always look for when buying a drum rug.
When buying a drum rug, one thing to consider is the overall look and design of the rug. When you are on stage, do you want to be flashy, or do you want to have a minimalist and clean look to your drums?
Most drummers I see on the road today have a standard black rug with their hardware positions marked with green or pink spike tape. I am the outlier in this situation as I love my Persian-styled rug.
All drum rugs are not created equal. You must take into account the ruggedness and durability of the rug you choose to purchase. Some rugs will be thinner and more delicate, while others will stand up to anything.
Most of the drum rugs made by big drum companies will be more durable than the budget black rug you can find at Walmart.
Be mindful of your bass drum and hi hat spurs
The legs of your bass drum have what are known as telescoping spurs. These spurs act as anchors by using a very sharp point, depending on how you set them. Hi-hats also have spurs underneath the metal plate.
You can vary the position of these spurs to the point where they are not even utilized. In this scenario, the rubber stoppers will be the only thing keeping your bass drum in place.
In most situations, using bass drum spurs is fine. However, if you have a delicate, hardwood floor underneath your drum carpet, be mindful that the spurs on your bass drum and hi-hat can potentially damage the surface.
The best solution I have found to this issue is to stop by your local hardware store and pick up a roll of rubber flooring runners. Simply cut the section you need and place it underneath your drum rug.
Not only will it provide protection to your flooring, but it will also act as a non-slip material, so your drum carpet won’t move around.
How Large Should Your Drum Rug Be?
The last thing to consider when buying a drum rug is the size and footprint you will take up on stage. I have been in many club situations opening up for big national acts and they don’t leave us much space to set up. Since all their gear is already on stage, we have to make due with what we have.
My rug has oftentimes been too large to set up properly and, as a result, some of my hardware doesn’t always fit on the rug. This leads to lopsided hardware balancing on a half-folded up rug, microphone cables, and anything else that may be on stage at the time. This may be the case for the Black Widow drum rug.
That being said, the drum rug size should be as large as your kit needs to be. If you’re the headliner, you should have no problem with space on stage at most venues. Take care of your drum rug and be sure not to leave it at the last venue you played at. You probably won’t get it back.
How to Mark Your Drum Rug for Gigs
Most touring drummers I have seen in my career take the time to mark their hardware positions. There are many benefits to doing this.
Save time when setting up at a gig
Perform every night to your exact setup
Ability to have someone set up your drums for you
More time to soundcheck before the gig
Have you ever gotten to a gig and had to take extra time to find all the positions of your drum hardware? Worry no more, as there are many ways to alleviate this issue.
Use spike tape to mark positions on your drum rug!
While your kit is set up in your practice space, go around with some spike tape and mark all the positions of your various hardware.
I strongly suggest using spike tape, as using duct tape or electrical tape either is too permanent or will fall off in transit.
You will most likely have to order this online, as most retailers will not carry it.
While your kit is set up in your practice space, go around with some spike tape and mark all the positions of your various hardware.
I strongly suggest using spike tape, as using duct tape or electrical tape either is too permanent or will fall off in transit.
You will most likely have to order this online, as most retailers will not carry it.
Spike tape is made from what is known as gaffer tape, a cotton-based pressure-sensitive tape with a strong adhesive.
You’ll find that all touring professionals keep rolls with them on tour.
In addition to marking your drums, you can use spike tape for marking stage positions when you have to “spike” your gear for an opening act.
Use drum rug markers
There is also a company called Protection Racket that makes drum rug markers.
You can mark your rug in minutes with no weight added to the rug. These look great compared to duct tape or gaff.
top pick
Ultimate Drum Stability Solution
KickBlock Drum Rug and Anchor (6'6" x 5'6")
5.0
Includes a 78" x 66" drum rug and a bass drum anchor. Designed to hold double bass drums securely. Compact for easy storage and transport. Made in the USA from high-quality materials. Compatible with KickBlock and PedalBlock systems.
Great article. It would be great if you could add a paragraph about modern technologies like Augmented Reality that enable you to see a rug in your room. That helps in choosing a rug size.
Super helpful. A nice overview not just of products but of features so you can go out and hack a great rug that also suits your style. Off to do some shopping!
Hi Sala. Making your own drums can be expensive. A 5.5×14 8 ply raw snare drum shell is about $70 on the website below. What confuses me is that this is a comment on our drum rug article. It leads me to believe that this is just comment spam, as you didn’t read the article. Have a good day.
4 comments
Giedrius
Great article. It would be great if you could add a paragraph about modern technologies like Augmented Reality that enable you to see a rug in your room. That helps in choosing a rug size.
Meline
Super helpful. A nice overview not just of products but of features so you can go out and hack a great rug that also suits your style. Off to do some shopping!
Sala Muzik
All drums possess unique sound. The idea of making own drum is interesting. But would you please mention the cost required?? Thanks in advance!!
Nick Cesarz
Hi Sala. Making your own drums can be expensive. A 5.5×14 8 ply raw snare drum shell is about $70 on the website below. What confuses me is that this is a comment on our drum rug article. It leads me to believe that this is just comment spam, as you didn’t read the article. Have a good day.
https://www.drumfactorydirect.com