Bass drum practice pads offer a quiet and compact option to practice your drumming footwork, however, they’re not all created equal. There is a range of different options, including foldable bass drum practice pads that are very compact, pads for double pedals, and much more heavyweight options.
My top recommended bass drum practice pad is the Evans RealFeel. This is a great, foldable, and affordable practice pad for single and double bass pedals.
My second recommended bass drum practice pad is the Gibraltar Bass Drum Practice Pad. This is an affordable, 10-inch, tower practice pad with durable construction.
The 5 Best Bass Drum Practice Pads (2023)
Let’s compare these in more detail.
1. Evans RealFeel
The Evans RealFeel folding bass pedal practice pad ticks all the boxes as it works with both single and double bass drum pedals, it can be folded down for easy storage and transport and is relatively quiet to play on.
Pros
- Affordable
- Foldable design with good rebound
- Quiet delivery for practice
- Suitable for single and double bass drum pedals
Cons
- Not much!
This bass drum practice pad has a natural gum finish with a fabric finish over it. This gives you a natural acoustic drum rebound to feel when playing and offers good durability. This item is also foldable, making it great for taking on the road or keeping it at home if you don’t have enough space.
It can also accommodate double pedals if you need that in your repertoire. Another great thing about it is the price. Even though it gives you great build quality, you will not have to pay tons of money for it. It’s a great buy whether you’re a beginner or a pro looking for extra practice outside of your kit time.
2. Gibraltar Bass Drum Practice Pad
The Gibraltar Bass Drum Practice Pad is a tower practice pad with a 10” rubber playing surface. The surface is quite thick, so it will give you both a very quiet performance and a realistic feel for rebounding. It’s not foldable, but it can accommodate both single and double-pedal systems.
Pros
- Great value for money
- Durable construction
- Rubber pad for quiet sessions
Cons
- It’s a little bit bulky
This is an affordable option, which makes it a perfect buy for those on a budget. It also has three spurs on the bottom which will help you attach it to carpeted surfaces when playing.
Despite being a budget-friendly choice, this is still a durable practice pad that will last. Not only that but it’s also a quiet practice pad that will not disturb anyone during your practice sessions. All in all, it’s a great buy.
3. Pearl BD10 Bass Practice Pad
The Pearl BD10 Bass Practice Pad is a standard tower practice pad, but a very good quality one. It is foldable, so you can pack it up or take it with you on the road without it taking up too much space. It can fit double pedals for practice and it has a nice, big-hitting pad that muffles the sound well.
Pros
- Very realistic response
- Exceptionally durable and stable frame
- Great for quiet practice sessions
Cons
- A bit pricey
- Needs tightening from time to time
- Does not fold completely
After some time, it can be a bit rattling, but all you need to do is tighten the bolts on it and it will be as good as new. The feel is very realistic and gives you a great way to practice playing an acoustic kick drum.
The Pearl BD10 is great for quiet practice sessions and is a battle-tested practice pad that has superb longevity. Granted, the price tag is a bit steeper than most, however, it is still worth it.
4. Meinl Percussion MDPP Dynamic Pedal Pad
The Meinl Percussion MDPP practice pad is foldable, very lightweight, and easy to keep, as everything breaks apart and sets back up easily. You can set it up any way you like and adjust it from all angles through a very clever set of simple bolts.
Pros
- Affordable
- Realistic response
- Lightweight design
- Great adjustability
Cons
- A bit loose in terms of movement
- Could benefit from a support frame
The main feature of this pedal pad is its volume. You can play it very quietly if you wish, without having to compromise your practice in the process. It works with both single and double bass drum pedals.
Due to the lack of a good support frame, the practice pad is susceptible to movement when playing but nothing too drastic. For the given price, it is still a good and value-for-money purchase.
5. DW Steve Smith Bass Drum Practice Pad
Hailing from a renowned manufacturer is the DW Steve Smith Bass Drum Practice Pad. This is a highly durable, heavy-duty practice pad that is built to last. The great thing about this pad is its adjustable height, making it suitable for all pedals.
Pros
- Heavy-duty construction
- Great adjustability
- Foldable design
Cons
- Impact surface is a bit too firm
- Not the most “quiet” pad
This sturdy practice pad is foldable, making it great for carrying around wherever you go. Granted, the impact surface is a bit too firm and results in a slightly ‘louder’ sound than most pads on this list, however, the durability of this pad all but makes up for it.
If you’re looking for longevity when it comes to practice pads, this is the one to go for. The price is a bit higher than most on this list but at least you know you’re getting a battle-tested product.
What Should You Look Out for When Buying a Bass Drum Practice Pad?
The most important thing for most drummers when choosing a bass drum practice pad is its noise level. These pads are used at home or on the move where you can’t have drums, so if you don’t want to upset your housemates or neighbors, you should try to get the one with the lowest noise level available.
You should also look out for the rebound and overall feel that the pad provides. Practicing on a pad that has too much rebound might not translate very well when playing on a real acoustic drum.
The pad should also be sturdy and adjustable. Compactness is also an important consideration for many drummers, as you might need to store it somewhere or take it on the road. Foldable drum pads are a very useful option in this case.
Why Use a Bass Drum Practice Pad?
Bass drum practice pads offer a quiet and compact option to practice your drum footwork.
Many drummers don’t have the luxury of having a drum set at their disposal daily for practice. And yet, everyday practice is the key to getting better as a musician.
With practice drum pads, you can practice in the peace and quiet of your home every day without the fuss from the people living around you. You can also take it on the road with you much more easily than you would the whole bass drum if need be.
Do Bass Drum Practice Pads Work With Double Bass Drum Pedals?
Many of the pads will have room to fit double bass drum pedals, but not all of them. Please check before buying if your pad fits double pedals.
Are Bass Drum Practice Pads Silent?
No, though they are pretty quiet. Most bass drum practice pads still cause vibrations and sounds that can be heard in other rooms. So, even though they are much quieter than playing an actual kick drum, they are still not completely quiet but are OK for house use in most cases.
Verdict
Bass drum practice pads are great accessories to have in your home for everyday practice or as a backup version for practice when you’re on the road. There are a lot of bass drum practice pads being produced, which fortunately means that you don’t need to splash out too much to get one.
My top pick is the Evans RealFeel, a great, foldable practice pad for single and double bass pedals with an affordable price tag.
My budget pick is the Gibraltar Bass Drum Practice Pad, an affordable, 10-inch, tower practice pad with a durable design.
