10 Fun Yet Practical Gift for Drummer Reviews – Help your favorite drummer keep the groove in 2024

A metronome might not sound like the most exciting gift, but if you think that you’ve never used a Dr. Beat from Boss. This is by far the most advanced metronome you can get, and its programmability and range of beat options makes it perfect for drummers. It’s also one of the loudest metronomes that you can get, loud enough to use on a marching band field and certainly loud enough to hear over a drum kit kit.

The DB-90 is advanced even compared to other Dr. Beat models, with features that musicians of all experience levels will find incredibly helpful. It has four different sounds for the metronome, including a human voice count-off. You can program it to produce pretty much any time signature and subdivision combination, which is great if the drummer is working on music with time or tempo changes.

Maybe its most impressive feature, though, is the Rhythm Coach. It has four different modes for working on specific areas of technique, like accuracy, endurance, and speed. Drummers can either use the on-board microphone for acoustic drums, or plug a V-drum set straight into the trigger input and track their progress that way.

It’s true: the Dr. Beat does cost a lot more than other metronomes. It’s also significantly larger, has a more complex interface, and requires more power than the simple pocket metronomes you might be used to. In all honesty, though, this is an acceptable tradeoff for most players, since it comes with features that simply don’t exist on other metronome styles. No matter how complex the player’s rhythms, the Dr. Beat can handle them, making it a great gift for pros as well as beginners.

Features:

• Dimensions: 5” X 6.5” X 1.5”
• Inputs: MIDI in, 2 stereo jacks (for headphones), ¼” direct in for guitars and drum machines
• Power: 9V battery or AC adapter
• Tempo: 30-250 BPM

If you’re shopping for a professional drummer, you’re probably thinking they already have things like stick bags and drum pedals that they like to use. In that case, you might want to get them something that’s a bit higher-end and designed more for on-stage use, like these sound isolating earbuds from Shure.

Most headphones with technology this advanced are over-ear models. These are functional, but they can also be frustrating to use during playing, making the player feel constricted and muffling sounds they actually want to be able to hear. With the SE215, drummers get a compact in-ear headphone that still uses advanced sonic technology—far more advanced than any other earbuds that you’ll find. They’re wireless, too, so a drummer who moves around a lot doesn’t have to worry about the cord getting in their way.

These earphones will protect the drummer’s hearing, too, along with letting them hear anything that comes through on your monitor. They provide up to 37 decibels of noise isolation, an impressive amount considering the size of the earbuds. In terms of the sound, it’s as good as you’d expect from any other set of high-end headphones, with an impressively deep bass for the size.

Really, the most impressive thing about these headphones is how comfortable they are. Rather than take the “one size fits all” approach you’ll see in most earbuds, every pair comes with a Fit Kit that has three different sizes of sleeves to choose from. The nozzle angle has also been re-designed over previous Shure models so that it fits more comfortably inside the ear canal.

These aren’t your standard cheap, disposable earbuds—both in terms of price and performance. You can get a great deal on them by buying from Amazon, but they still don’t come cheap. They do, thankfully, come with a zippered carrying case so they don’t end up getting lost and are designed to last for a good long while. These earphones are an investment, but any pro drummer you buy them for will definitely appreciate the purchase.

Features:

• Electronics: Single dynamic MicroDriver
• Noise isolation: up to 37 dB
• Connection: Gold-plated MMCX connector with 360° rotation and lock-snap mechanism
• Color options: Clear, white, blue, black

Every drummer uses an assortment of sticks and mallets, regardless of what style or specific instruments they play. A high-quality stick bag can make a great gift for a drummer, not only making it easier to transport sticks to gigs safely but also helping to keep all those sticks better organized both on the road and at home.

This deluxe stick bag from Promark is made from a waterproof nylon material guaranteed to protect drum sticks from the elements. It’s designed to withstand all kinds of rigors without wear, rips, or damage. It’s certainly far more road-worthy than a basic stick bag, and with more aesthetic appeal to boot. Rounding out the design are the attractive synthetic leather accents, metal tom mounts, and two carrying options (a handle on the top and a strap on the side).

Along with the main stick area, this bag also has all the pockets the drummer will need for their gear. The main pocket on the front has a zipper closure and is plenty large enough for tools, metronomes, and other necessary supplies. There is also an interior pocket with a zip closure, along with a smaller leather pocket that’s great for holding a wallet or phone during gigs.

Having all of these pockets doesn’t just help a drummer stay organized during their gigs. It also keeps metal tools like drum keys separated from the sticks during transportation. This is especially important for extending the life of sticks with a classic wood tip, which are more likely to be affected by nicks and dings.

This is one of those great gift options that’s both stylish and practical. The sleek design will be appealing to drummers of all stripes, while the combination of storage options for the sticks and gear give it far more versatility than the standard stick bag. The little extra features add up to make a big difference. You’ll be guaranteed to make any drummer happy when they open up the Promark Transport Deluxe.

Features:

• Length: 18”
• Width: 7.5”
• Material: Ballistic nylon and synthetic leather
• Pockets: 4

If you’re buying the gift for a beginning drummer, a practice pad can be a great choice—and if it’s a kid, their parents will probably be as grateful as the player. Most players will already have a basic one-surface practice pad, but you can help them take their technique to the next level with the Drumeo P4.

Most practice pads only use one surface, or at most use a different surface on each side of the pad. This is fine for working on the basics, but it doesn’t give players the chance to hone their techniques on different kinds of drums, something that’s especially key for drum set players.

The P4, on the other hand, uses four tiered, color-coded surfaces, ranging from a softer, quieter rubber that simulates a floor tom to a hard, Kevlar-like surface that feels more like a ride cymbal. These different surfaces don’t only act like different drums, they can also be used to hone specific areas of a player’s technique. The softer floor tom surface, for example, is great for building hand and wrist strength, while the ride cymbal pad can help work on speed. This can give a new dimension to even practicing basic rudiments, letting players get more out of their practice sessions.

The only downside of this pad that we can see is that it’s not especially portable. The multiple surface heights make it a bit bulkier than simpler models—it’s not the kind of practice pad a student can toss into their backpack on the way to school. It’s an ideal pad for at home practice, though, especially since it has the super-quiet floor tom section.

One last great thing about practice pads: they’re built to take hard hits without showing too much wear. You can have the Drumeo P4 shipped straight to the recipient and don’t have to worry it’ll show up damaged. This is a gift that a drummer can use for years, no matter what changes in their gear or playing style.

Features:

• Diameter: 12”
• Weight: 3.85 pounds
• Snare pad: Gum rubber
• Hi-tom pad: Neoprene
• Floor tom pad: Soft, quiet rubber
• Ride cymbal pad: Kevlar-like hard rubber

Buying actual gear as a gift for a drummer can be tricky. The style, size, and material of the drums and cymbals is often a very personal choice, and most players will want to try them out before they buy to make sure they complement the other pieces of their kit. Hardware can be a better way to go. The choice for these pieces is usually more practically-motivated than sonically-motivated, and they also tend to be more versatile, working with a variety of different equipment brands, types, and sizes, so you don’t need to know exactly what kind of gear the recipient has for them to be able to use it.

A drum pedal, like the Pearl Demonator linked to here, can make an excellent gift for a drummer who’s moving up to the intermediate level and wants to upgrade their bass drum capabilities. It’s a single-chain driven pedal with a Demon-style powershifter and an interchangeable cam—terms that will probably make a lot more sense to the drummer you’re giving it to than they do to you. All you need to know is that it has smooth, quick action that makes it easy to keep up with even fast-paced beats.

The tension on this pedal is adjustable, as is the angle of the beater. This is great if you’re giving it as a gift since it means the player can tweak the pedal to suit their style, making it a more versatile choice—especially if you’re not a drummer yourself and not sure of the technical terminology. The beater is also double-sided, which gives the pedal more tonal options for different playing styles and approaches.

Maybe the best part about this pedal is how easy it is to use—both when you’re talking about setting it up with the kit, and in terms of its smooth motion. This makes it a great gift for drummers of all experience levels, letting them quickly step up their bass drum game.

Features:

• Drive system: single chain
• Cam: Perfect Circle, with removable Eliminator Eccentric cam
• Beater: Dual surface with core control

A full drum kit is a pretty big investment, especially when you start getting into more professional-level equipment. While many drums come with basic carrying cases, others don’t—and even the ones that do are rarely the best design for protecting the drums against damage.

That’s where a set of quality drum cases can come into play, like this set from Gearlux. It’s a five bag set, with a size for every drum in a typical kit. All of these bags are made with the same basic design, with a secure and high-quality zipper closure and thick foam padding all around that keeps the drums safe during transport. The bags are also labeled on the outside so it’s easy to see at a glance which one is which.

The only warning we’d give about this set is that they’re pretty snug and won’t be able to accommodate drums larger than the sizes listed. If you don’t know exactly what sizes the drums in the player’s kit are, you’ll need to find out this information before you buy the cases to make sure they’ll be able to use them. On the other hand, this keeps the drums from sliding around inside the case, which can help keep them from getting damaged. As long as the size is right, the snug fit is a good thing.

The quality level is high on these drum bags. The stitching is secure throughout and they’re not likely to rip, tear, or break, even after heavy use. The sewn-in handles are a nice touch, and are equally secure in terms of the stitching, making it a lot easier to load and unload your equipment. While $100 might seem a bit steep for a carrying case, it’s a fantastic value when you consider how many different cases you get all at once.

Features:

• Total bags: 5
• Bag sizes: 12” (tom), 13” (tom), 14” (snare), 16” (floor tom), 22” (bass drum)
• Materials: Heavy-duty nylon with 10mm foam

All of the gear drummers have to deal with makes a lot of things harder for them than it is for other musicians. Figuring out where to put music when they need it is one of these unexpectedly tricky things, especially for drum kit players, who have to position the music stand around multiple stands and cymbals.

Now that digital sheet music is an option, pole-mounted stand like this one from ChargerCity can be an excellent solution to this problem. It attaches directly to a cymbal or microphone stand and is fully-adjustable, bending and tilting to the perfect angle to both play and read in comfort. It’ll hold any device with a screen between 7 and 12 inches, including pretty much any tablet and many phones, as well. Both the stand itself and the clamps on both ends are sturdy and stay in place once they’re adjusted. It will work on tablets that are in cases, too, although it can be trickier to negotiate it into the holder if the case is especially thick.

As if that’s not enough, having a tablet directly on the drum kit is useful for more than just reading music. It’s an easy way to use tuner and metronome apps, and perfect for home recording sessions, putting mic and level controls in a digital mixer right at the player’s fingertips. It can be made even more convenient by getting a pedal for hands-free tablet control, so the player can turn pages in the music without losing their groove.

This would make a great gift for players in all genres and at all experience levels, but it’s especially ideal for gigging musicians. Jazz players who do a lot of jam sessions will appreciate it, too, since it’s easy to find digital fake books to load up on the tablet. Another versatile and affordable choice that a drummer will really appreciate and get tons of use out of.

Features:

• Build material: Aluminum alloy
• Arm length: 6”-10”
• Mount: C-Clamp (fits flat and curved surfaces)

Here’s another gift that’s just as much for the people who live with the drummer as it is for the person who actually plays. It’s a revolutionary drum mute system for any fusion-sized kit that lets the player use their actual drums for at-home practice without making all the noise you’d expect from a drum kit.

There are several components in this mute kit, sized to fit the various drums on your kit. This includes options for toms between 10” and 14”, a 14” snare mute, three different cymbal mutes, and a bass drum mute that can be adjusted to fit any size head from 18” to 26”. This array of different pieces should be plenty for at least basic practice on any kit configuration.

Figuring out how to put these mutes onto a drum kit can be tricky at first. They’re probably a better choice for a drummer who’s at least an older teen, with some experience on the instrument, than they are for a beginner, who’ll have just as much luck honing their technique on a practice pad. They’d be easier to use if they were one size fits all, but even as-is an experienced player shouldn’t have any difficulty fitting them onto the drums.

Putting these mutes on a drum will change the output, and not simply in regards to the volume level; drums with these mutes on them will also have a muffled sound. What won’t change, though, is the feel of the drum. It will still have a realistic strike and rebound so the drummer can work on all elements of their technique and have it feel completely natural.

This kit is convenient if the player is muting an entire drum set, since it gives you all the pieces you’re likely to need, but Evans also sells individual mutes individually. No one’s likely to need more drum head mutes than come with this kit, but if the player has odd-sized drums or a plethora of cymbals, being able to expand the set piece by piece will be helpful.

Features:

• Drum head mutes: 10”, 12”, 14”X2 (snare and tom)
• Cymbal mutes: SO-CYM mute, 14” hi-hat mute, 20” ride mute
• Kick drum mute size: adjustable (18”-26”)
• Material: durable synthetic

A lot of the gift suggestions listed here are very practical in nature. If you’re looking for something that’s more fun and frivolous, these light-up sticks from RockStix are a delight to both use and watch, especially for younger players. They’re durable, exciting, and not too expensive—the perfect combination when you’re buying a gift for a drummer.

These sticks do exactly what you’d expect looking at the name: a motion-activated sensor inside the stick makes them light up whenever they strike a drum. The option linked to here has two pairs of sticks: one that lights up blue, and one that changes between 13 different colors with each strike of the drum, putting an entire rainbow at the drummer’s fingertips.

You could say that these sticks are the perfect gift for a young drummer, not just because of how fun they are to use but also because of their build. They’re made out of plastic instead of wood—and not just any plastic, either. The Lexan used in their construction is the same material that’s utilized in riot shields, so you know they’re not going to break just from hitting a drum.

The colors themselves are produced by LED bulbs. While this does mean the sticks need batteries to light up, LED bulbs use up so little power that players may never even need to swap out the battery. If they do, it’s very easy to do so.

Sonically, this material is not the ideal choice. For many professionals, the flashy appearance doesn’t make up for the sound of a true wooden stick against their drum-heads. It really depends on the type of drum and style of performance. For marching bands and V-drum players, for example, where the stick will have less of an impact on the sound quality, the plastic sticks might even be preferable to wood sticks because of their durability.

What’s the bottom line? If you’re looking for a gift for a drummer friend that’s more on the fanciful side of things, you’ll definitely get a reaction when you give them these RockStix—whether they’re a 10 year-old beginner or a 40 year-old professional.

Features:

• Stick material: Lexan plastic
• Tip material: Polycarbonate
• Power: LR44 batteries

If you have an aspiring drummer on your hands—but aren’t quite ready to invest in a full kit for them—this roll-up electronic drum pad makes an excellent gift. It can also be useful for older drummers as a more sophisticated practice pad, letting players work on their around the kit movement at home as well as their striking technique.

There are seven different drum areas on this pad, simulating the basic drums and cymbals that are in a standard kit. They don’t just produce one sound option for each pad, either. There are an array of different sound simulations, including some that sound very close to an analog drum kit. The pad can be plugged into a speaker for out-loud play, or plugged directly into a pair of headphones for completely silent practice.

The MIDI jack makes this a versatile pad, as well. It can connect to a computer for use with MIDI recording and mixing programs, and can even be hooked into a game system if drummers want to use it with Rock Band or other music-themed games. It’s a great tool for DJs, composers, and recording techs, too, since it lets players plug it into any DAW and record straight from the pad.

Along with the pad itself, two foot pedals are also included, which can be used to simulate the kick drum or hi-hat pedal. It can be powered by any micro-USB adapter, though it doesn’t come with one—one of the only shortfallings we could find with this particular gift option.

If the player were looking for an electronic drum set that’s equipped for on-stage, professional performance, this isn’t necessarily it. If what they want is something that’s fun to play around with at family functions, or just something to use for at home practice, this roll-up drum pad is a convenient and affordable way to get it.