You’ve done the practice, learned the techniques, and the skills, now, you want to add a bit of flash! There’s no better way to do it than to add light-up drumsticks into the mix. These drumsticks are great to bring out for concerts or even just for fun with home practice.
There are a bunch of different types of light-up drumsticks available today. Light-up drumsticks are also a great cheap gift for drummers. If you’re unsure of what to buy, these will surely impress!
My top recommended light-up drumsticks are the Rockstix 2 Pro. These are high-quality, motion-activated drumsticks with color-fading effects.
My second recommended light-up drumsticks are the Trophy FX12BL Firestix. These are affordable, good-quality, and popular light-up drumsticks.
The Best 7 Light Up Drumsticks (2023)
Let’s compare these in more detail.
1. Rockstix 2 Pro
They are made out of hard plastic so they are quite durable. They can be used on all types of drum sets, including both electronic and acoustic models.
The battery usage is low on these because Rockstix uses LED technology. The batteries come with the sticks, but you can also buy replacement ones when needed (size LR44 or AG13).
2. Trophy FX12BL Firestix
Among the most popular light-up drumsticks are the Trophy FX12BL Firestix. They use the same type of batteries as the previous model and are also made of hard plastic.
If you’re buying it as a gift, the box does not look as cool as the Rockstix, but the actual sticks themselves still look great!
Whether you’re looking for cool, light-up drumsticks or just buying a drummer friend a gift, these would make an excellent addition due to the modest price tag.
If you don’t want color-changing drumsticks, then you can opt for a single-color one such as the Rockstix 2 HD Blue. These usually come a little cheaper. Note: the video below shows the RED version. These sticks are available to buy in multiple individual colors.
They are very similar in construction to the Rockstix 2 Pro. They also come with batteries of the same type. They are quite durable and come with a moderate price tag.
If color-changing drumsticks are a bit too much for you, these one-color, LED sticks are ideal for a durable, popular, and cool option.
The Light Stix are durable, color-changing, light-up drumsticks that are suitable for electronic and acoustic drums. They’re motion-activated and extremely durable, made from strong polycarbonate material.
There is also a one-color model if you’re not fond of the constant color change model. These are battery-powered and work with any angle or striking intensity.
The batteries are replaceable so you can charge them up again with three LR44/AG13 style batteries. A great and extremely durable pair of sticks for anyone.
5. Light-up LED Drumsticks
The Light-up LED Drumsticks are a bit higher-priced than others on this list but are still great performance, color-changing drumsticks with 7 different, ultra-bright LED lights.
These drumsticks are also fairly durable, made from polycarbonate material, and come in the size of 5B. If you want to find out more about optimal drumstick size (for you), you can check out How To Choose a Drumstick Size.
Lastly, these light-up drumsticks are battery-powered and use LR44/AG13 batteries so you can change them when the previous ones run out.
6. Vhffoso LED Drumsticks
The Vhffoso LED Drumsticks are rechargeable sticks with a built-in USB cable-charging lithium battery. These are quite unique and can spice up your drumming performance.
The sticks include 15 different color effects and are quite sturdy. The battery life is around 8 hours which is more than enough to last an entire performance. They also come with a waterproof carrying case for safe storage.
The Vhffoso LED Drumsticks have a 10-second reset timer if not struck which is a cool little addition and can make a great gift for a fellow drummer.
7. Hami LED Drumsticks
The Hami LED Drumsticks are USB-charged light-up drumsticks with a great design. They are made from polymer materials and feature an environmental-friendly, odorless, and durable construction.
These sticks change 15 different colors while playing and can last up to 8 hours when fully charged. When they’re plugged in, the “red” color indicates charging status while the “green” color indicates fully charged.
They are quite similar to the previous model on the list and also feature a 10-second reset timer which extinguished the light. These sticks also come with a waterproof carrying case.
The pros and cons of Light-up Drumsticks
Light-up drumsticks are a fantastic and fun option to bring to your performances. They can add a bit of style to your visual playing, which can be great for drummers that are frustrated always being stuck in the background!
However, regular drumsticks should still be your primary sticks for practicing as these are more natural to play with. Though if you are going to play with light-up drumsticks on stage, then be sure to practice with them beforehand also. They are not that different, but an even slight change in the feel of a drumstick might take a few minutes to get used to.
The light-up drumsticks mentioned above are well made but if you are a very hard-hitting drummer then you might need to go a little lighter with these.
If you don’t have a good set of drumsticks already for your primary playing, I’d recommend that you get a good set, such as Vic Firths. They are a bit more expensive than budget sticks, but they are really worth the difference.
What batteries do I need for LED Drumsticks?
Usually, like the above options mentioned, light-up drumsticks use LR44 or AG13-type batteries. There are one-color models (Fluorescent drumsticks) that do not require batteries because they are simply coated with a fluorescent material.
Can I practice with Light-up Drumsticks?
You can practice playing drums with LED drumsticks, but I would recommend that you also have a set of wooden sticks to practice with.
Conclusion
Light-up drumsticks are both cheap and fun. Although I don’t recommend using them as your primary pair, they can be epic additions to your live performance, particularly when you are playing in the dark!
If you are searching for a gift for a drummer, then these are a great choice. Otherwise, be sure to check out our article on the 35+ best gifts for drummers.
My top recommended choice are the Rockstix 2 Pro drumsticks, which are high-quality, motion-activated drumsticks with color-fading effects.
My second recommended choice are the Trophy FX12BL Firestix drumsticks, which are affordable, good-quality, and popular light-up drumsticks.
