The 7 Best Drum Rugs and Mats (2024)

Drum rugs shouldn’t be an afterthought. They are vital to make sure that you keep your drum set in place while protecting the floor below. Once you start feeling your bass drum creeping during a performance, it all goes down the drain. Drum rugs solve that!

Drum rugs are not merely for decor purposes. Their main function is to provide stability to the drum kit, particularly to the bass drums. They are built with non-skid/slip material that ensures that your kit stays in one place during the performance while protecting the floor and keeping your hardware from getting grubby.

My top recommended drum rug/mat is the On-Stage DrumFire Non-Slip Drum Mat. A light mat with a reasonable price attached, extremely popular, and good quality.

My second recommended drum rug/mat is the Meinl Cymbals MDR-BK Drum Rug. A highly effective drum rug that is well worth the price.

The 7 Best Drum Rugs and Mats (2024)

1. On-Stage DrumFire Non-Slip Drum Mat
Top Pick - Popular, affordable, non-slip, and relatively light (Comes in 6x4 or 4x4 sizes).
2. Meinl Cymbals MDR-BK Drum Rug, Black
The Drum Rug by Meinl promises to put an end to creeping drum kits on the stage.
3. Roland TDM-10 - Medium Size
The heavy-duty drum rug by Roland provides support, protection, and shock absorption.
4. Tama Logo Drum Rug
Non-slip, rubber, rugged drum rag from a well-known manufacturer.
5. Drum N Base Vintage Persian Style Stage Rug
Aesthetic, slip-proof vintage-style stage rug with a waterproof design.
6. Road Runner Drum Rug Grey
Claiming to last you for years, the drum rug won't let your drum kit budge even an inch!
7. Vic Firth Deluxe Drum Set Rug (VICRUG1)
High-quality drum rug by the well-respected and well-known Vic Firth to end slippery problems.

Let’s compare these in more detail.

1. On-Stage DrumFire Non-Slip Drum Mat

Top Pick
Popular, affordable, non-slip, and relatively light (Comes in 6x4 or 4x4 sizes).
View Price at SweetwaterView Price at Amazon

The On-Stage DrumFire Non-Slip Drum Mat provides a firm grip and does not budge easily. It is made from a non-slip PVC material. It is a great way to protect floors from scratches and marks, especially if you have wooden or vinyl flooring.

Another great point is that it is travel-friendly. The drum rug is lightweight, portable, and boasts two Velcro straps that allow you to roll up the mat and secure it. It is available in two different sizes.

If you want your drums to fit more comfortably, it’s worth considering getting the 6×4 one. It’s better to get a drum mat that’s slightly too big, than slightly too small!

2. Meinl Cymbals MDR-BK Drum Rug, Black

Quality Meinl Drum Rug
The Drum Rug by Meinl promises to put an end to creeping drum kits on the stage.
View Price at SweetwaterView Price at Amazon

Meinl is a big name for drummers. The Germany-based company is known worldwide for its percussion instruments. I had high hopes that their MDR-BK drum rug would live up to the name and sure enough, it did not disappoint.

First, let’s talk about appearance. The rug comes in a rich black color with small red details on the corners. From studio to stage, the velvety black color looks quite glam and blends well in every setting.

The rug is made from a thick fabric that is tightly woven. The non-slip bottom offers a great grip that you may have to struggle a bit to move the bass drum pedals. When it comes to size, it provides a good surface area.

The rug is large enough to hold all your equipment including a bass drum kit. The Meinl mat is lightweight and comes with a zipper bag so you can fold it up and carry it around easily.

3. Roland TDM-10 - Medium Size

Medium-sized Roland drum rug
The heavy-duty drum rug by Roland provides support, protection, and shock absorption.
View Price at AmazonView Price at Guitar Center

The TDM-10 drum mat is by Roland Corporation, a Japanese company that manufactures electronic musical instruments, music accessories, electronic equipment, and software. The company operates in several countries including the UK, USA, and Canada. The first thing that caught my eye was the word ‘heavy-duty’.

The mat does what a drum mat should do. It protects your floors from undue scratches, and it provides a firm grip so that your drumming equipment doesn’t move all over the place. In addition to this, the TDM 10 drum rug also reduces impact noise and vibrations. It also helps in shock absorption.

The rug is constructed with three layers of high-quality, non-flammable materials; nylon filament, felt, and soft urethane resin. There is a Velcro tape on the drum mat that makes it easy to fold and carry the rug.

4. Tama Logo Drum Rug

Simple, rugged
Non-slip, rubber, rugged drum rag from a well-known manufacturer.
View Price at SweetwaterView Price at Amazon

The TAMA Logo Drum Rug has a simplistic design with the TAMA Logo in the middle and a rugged design that prevents kit creep. It measures 66.1″ x 52.3″ so it can fit small-to-medium-sized drum kits.

Its non-slip design paired with the tightly woven top layer makes for a secure drum rug that resists damage from stand spikes which is ultimately what you need. The red/white border design is also a nice touch that goes really well with the overall pitch-black design.

All in all, it’s a classic drum rag for small/medium-sized drum kits that will not get damaged easily due to its design. Also, the price tag is modest for a quality drum rag by the juggernaut of a company – TAMA.

5. Drum N Base Vintage Persian Style Stage Rug

Stylish
Aesthetic, slip-proof vintage-style stage rug with a waterproof design.
View Price at SweetwaterView Price at Amazon

The Drum N Base Vintage Persian Style Stage Rug is quite possibly one of my favorite drum rug entries. This stage rug is very stylish, giving your room and performance a touch of class while also being quality-made and useful.

Made for continuous use and with longevity in mind, this rug has a slip-proof surface with rubber backing for keeping your gear firmly in one spot. No pesky slips to worry about. Best of all, it’s made to reduce friction and vibrations.

To preserve its aesthetic, it also has a waterproof design so cleaning it with soap and some water is very easy. Bottom line, this is a great choice with a very affordable price tag.

6. Road Runner Drum Rug Grey

Quality drum rug, long-lasting
Claiming to last you for years, the drum rug won't let your drum kit budge even an inch!
View Price at AmazonView Price at Guitar Center

The dark gray drum mat by Road Runner promises unbudging support for years to come. Keep the mat under the equipment during all sorts of drumming sessions. From rehearsals and fun sessions to performances and studio recordings, the mat prevents the drum kit from moving.

There is a large chock on the front part of the mat that is made to keep the bass drum in one place even when you are banging the drums in utter rage. Moreover, it is designed to minimize noise and safeguard the floor.

It is produced with non-skid rubber-trim edging with heavily weighted corners to avoid curling and bending of the edges. The surface area of the mat is large enough to hold all the equipment easily. While the price is a bit steep, the rug surely does its job fine. It firmly stays in one place and protects the floor.

7. Vic Firth Deluxe Drum Set Rug (VICRUG1)

Well-known brand, Quality rug
High-quality drum rug by the well-respected and well-known Vic Firth to end slippery problems.
View Price at SweetwaterView Price at Amazon

We all know that Vic First produces quality products and in this case, it is no different when it comes to drum rugs. The VICRUG1 Deluxe Drum Rug is an excellent choice if you want quality and a good non-slip rug to end your troubles.

Granted, the price is a little steep but considering the quality, the value for money is very good on this product. It accommodates all single-pedal drum sets and provides an ease of playing and smoothness like no other.

Definitely can’t go wrong with this choice. There is a reason why Vic Firth has been a staple and has been around for quite a while!

How Big Should the Drum Mat Be?

Drum sets vary so much in length, that it’s best to measure your drum set to be sure. Try to get a drum rug that’s slightly bigger than your drum set.

You may have to be a bit more careful with your placement of stands to get everything fitting on the mat. For that reason, it’s better to get a slightly bigger mat than a smaller one. Therefore, if you’re opting for the On-stage mat, the 6×4 would likely be better for most drum sets compared to the 4×4 one.

How To Keep Your Bass Drum From Sliding

Get a drum mat that’s large enough for your drum set. If your bass drum is moving forward too much, make sure to adjust the drum spurs forward so that they can stop it from moving. Make sure not to damage the flooring below, particularly if your drum spur has sharp spikes!

How Heavy Should a Drum Mat Be?

If you’re planning to move around a lot, then weight should be an important consideration. You’re not going to want to transport a large roll of carpet around with you to every gig. Compare the weight of each and consider the extra effort of lugging it around regularly!

Summary

Drum rugs/mats are a great way to keep the drums from moving around during a recording session or wherever vibrations are a problem. When choosing a drum rug, you should consider aspects such as weight and size to suit your needs.

My top recommended option is the On-Stage DrumFire Non-Slip Drum Mat which is the most popular choice and offers good quality and light material suitable for many.

My second recommended option is the Meinl Cymbals MDR-BK Drum Rug. A quality Meinl drum rug and long-lasting. A little pricey but worth it!

Mike O'Connor
Mike O'Connor

I've been playing drums for over 18 years. I work as both a session drummer and a drum teacher, and I love to share my knowledge and tips on this site. You can also find me on the Electronic Drum Advisor YouTube channel.

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