Last Updated on October 15, 2021 by Danny
While it does not produce any sound, a drum throne is critical for any excellent drumming session. Anyone who has ever played while sitting on a lousy drum seat would know just how torturous it can be. Your posture will be badly affected! Not only does this make your drumming sessions horrible, but it can even have long-term health effects!
Choosing the right drum throne seat lets you sit comfortably and play for long hours without worrying about your aching back or your cramping legs. To help you, your back, and your legs out, we have compiled the list of the best drum thrones (or drum stools) you can buy for comfortable drumming sessions.
If you are unsure what to buy, there is a buyer’s guide at the end to help you out.
See the Best Drum Throne Reviews – 2021
1. DW CP9120AL 9000 Series Heavy Duty Air-lift Throne with Tractor Seat
- most comfortable drum throne
- Stable
- Durable
- 5-year warranty
- Optional backrest(needs to be purchased separately)
- Expensive
The 9000 series Drum workshop drum throne is one of the most popular choices for hardware among professionals. This seat from them lives up to the standards of the series and has an incredible build quality, and is exceptionally comfortable. It features a dual foam tractor-style seat with padding that is soft enough to be comfortable and stiff enough to provide support.
Professional users love this product and praise its support tremendously. The whole design of this heavy duty throne allows it to be very stable and highly durable; you will not be replacing this seat for many years. DW also sells a backrest that you can attach to this seat separately.
It comes with a five-year warranty, but the warranty does not cover the soft bits. The hydraulic height adjustment is one the smoothest mechanism there is.
Overall, if you are a professional with money to spend, this is the great drum throne for you. Its heavy duty construction combined with optimal comfort makes it irresistible.
2. Gibraltar 9608MB Bike Seat Style Large Cordura Drum Throne with Backrest
- Included backrest (can be removed)
- Extremely stable
- Suitable for tall drummers
- Comfortable and practical throne to sit on
- Not very portable
- Height adjustment is a little time consuming
The Gibraltar 9608MB is one of the few models in the market that comes with a backrest built-in. If you need a backrest, you should consider this as it is one of the best drum thrones with a backrest. It gives you great spinal and lumbar support. While it is expensive, its features and build quality is worth it.
This saddle-style seat comes with a good amount of foaming, making sitting on it very comfortable. It is height adjustable from 20″ to 28″, making it an excellent option for taller drummers. You can also adjust the height of the backrest. The tripod base is quite sturdy and has legs with rubber feet.
This drum seat is best for drummers who do not move around a lot. The overall design combined with the backrest makes the 9608MB quite big and heavy. Lugging it around would be a headache.
3. PDP By DW Drum Throne (ST102DT720
- Stable
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
- Cheap
- Does swivel
- Height adjustment is a little hard
This PDP drum throne is a more affordable option. While it isn’t as great as the 9000 drum thrones, it is still quite sturdy and stable.
The drum seat has a good amount of padding, making it quite comfortable. It has double-braced legs, which make it durable, and rubber feet that prevent slipping. This throne is also relatively light, making it great for someone who travels around a lot.
However, the lower price does come with its issues. While it is height adjustable, the process of changing height is a little too long. The seat also does not swivel. While beginners might not find this to be necessary, they might get annoyed a few years down the line when they need a swiveling seat but don’t have it. The 700 series has both round and tractor-shaped seats, with the round ones being cheaper.
This is a good drum throne for beginners with a limited budget but who want a good product. If you can deal with the adjustment issues and non-swilling, this is a great deal.
4. Gibraltar 6608 Heavy Drum Throne for maximum comfort
- Great value for money
- Adjustable between 18″-24″
- Cheap
- It might be uncomfortable for very long sessions
- It can be unstable if the orientation of the legs is wrong
While the DW CP9120AL is one of the best drum thrones; most people will not be able to afford it. For people who want an excellent drum throne without spending a fortune, the 6608 from Gibraltar is a perfect option.
The 6608 Gibraltar drum throne has several things going for it. For starters, it is cheap, making it ideal for beginners who do not want to invest too much money. Then there is the seat shape, most cheap drum thrones are round, but it is a motorcycle seat!
It is height adjustable, from 18″-24″. It is pretty durable, thanks to its rigid construction. The seat is comfortable enough for most users, provided that your practice sessions do not last for many hours.
The 6608 is an excellent choice for beginners and intermediate drummers who want a great bang for their buck.
5. Tama 1st Chair Ergo-Rider Drum Throne with Backrest
- Unique round seat design
- Does not slip
- Comes with backrest
- The backrest is height and angle adjustable
- Amazing build quality
- Slightly heavy
- Costly
Tama 1st Chair is one of the most ergonomic drum thrones in the market. The round seat is a hybrid design between a round and a saddle drum seat that gives you the best of them both. It looks great and is exceptionally comfortable; Tama has been quite liberal in the cushioning department.
It has a hydraulic height adjustment mechanism that allows you to quickly adjust the height while also having a two-piece locking mechanism to make sure your seat does not wobble or lower in height over time. The three legs combined with the large rubber feet make sure that there is no slippage.
The backrest is plush and lovely to lean on. Not only can you adjust the height of the backrest, but you can also even change its angle! This is great for people with back problems due to bad posture.
Overall, this is an excellent high-quality drum throne. While it is a little heavy, you will be highly comfortable and sore-free playing on it, no matter how many hours.
6. Pearl Drum Throne (D930
- Lightweight and portable
- Adequate cushioning
- Minimal wobble
- Cushioning is not enough for long sessions
This is one of the cheapest drum thrones from major drumming brands. That said, It is an excellent option for its price range.
The round drum throne has adequate cushioning with memory foam that makes it great for short and medium-length sessions. However, it isn’t very thick and can become a little uncomfortable when sat on for long sessions.
It features three legs that make it portable without compromising stability too much. The height adjustment is easy, and it stays locked for the most part. However, if you are pretty big, the height can reduce over time.
That said, this drum throne is an excellent option for touring and gigging drummers. Its triple-legged design and lightweight make it extremely easy to transport. While the stability is not the best in the world, it is miles better than other compact drum thrones. The cushioning will also be more than enough for most gig sessions.
7. BOLT Motorcycle Style Nitro Drum Throne
- Nitrogen shock absorbers
- Good cushioning
- It can easily accommodate heavy drummers
- Simple adjustment system
- Slightly heavy
The Bolt Nitro Airlift would be a solid drum throne choice for most users. It features an extensive height range, from 18″ all the way to 24″. If you are a little big, you do not have to worry about this ergonomic drum throne as it can withstand up to 550 lbs.
The motorcycle seat has a medium amount of cushioning, making it quite comfortable. It is also great at reducing leg fatigue. It features a pneumatic height adjustment system that allows you to adjust the height without any tools quickly.
This also features a nitrogen gas shock absorber and a free-spinning seat to reduce back pain and spinal strain. The build quality is pretty good; this stool should last you quite a while. The only issue is that it is slightly heavy.
The Bolt Nitro shares many features with the ROC-N-SOC Nitro throne but is somewhat cheaper. That said, it is an excellent drum throne and is especially great for more prominent players.
8. Donner Adjustable Padded Motorcycle Style Seat Drum Throne
- Large and comfortable seat
- Great adjustment and locking mechanism
- Durable and stable
- Suitable for large drummers
- Does not swivel
- Heavy
This is an excellent drum throne for big drummers. It has a nice wide motorcycle seat that will be perfect for people of various weights. The foam is nice and thick, making it comfortable.
The double braced legs and very sturdy, so they will be able to deal with high-stress levels for long periods of time. The anti-slip rubber feet ensure that the throne does not move even if you are excessively leaning forward.
The height changing mechanism is excellent; you can change it quickly and without any tools. The locking mechanism is very tight and prevents the seat from lowering over time.
Overall, this is an excellent option for large drummers. It has an oversized seat, a lot of cushioning, an excellent build quality, and a tight locking mechanism. The only issue is that it does not swivel and is quite heavy.
9. FITUEYES Bike Seat Large Drum Throne
- It comes with a backrest
- Unique design
- Stable
- It has a good amount of padding
- Bad welds
- Known to break
The Fitueyes is one of the more uniquely designed drum chairs. This throne features three legs that have a horizontal bar in the bottom to make it very stable.
The seat is height adjustable and has a lot of padding. It quickly folds down and is relatively easy to assemble and disassemble. The backrest also has a good amount of cushioning and is adjustable.
The primary issue with this throne, however, is that its build quality is pretty bad. Many users have complained about this throne breaking after just a few days or weeks of use. While the manufacturer claims that the chair can support up to 300 lbs, we highly doubt that.
This is a cheap drum throne for people with backaches. That said, you will be risking falling off the seat.
10. Ludwig Atlas Classic Round Throne
- Colorful
- Easy height adjustment
- Good cushioning
- Stable
- Expensive
- It might not work with all drum sets
The Ludwig Atlas is one of the most visually striking drum thrones. It features the classic blue/green color combination of the original Atlas Hardware sticker. The Ludwig logo is also in block letters and catches the eye. If you want a cool-looking drum throne, this is the one to get. However, this color combination does not work well with all drum sets.
Coming to functionality, the round seat has a thick and dense foam that helps reduce stress on your back and legs. If you are someone who has exceptionally long gigs or practice sessions, you will appreciate this. The height adjustment is pretty quick and easy with Ludwig’s locking spindle mechanism. If the round shape isn’t your thing, there is even a saddle-shaped variant.
The throne is highly sturdy; the triple-legged base makes sure you do not move even when playing intensely. The construction is what you would expect from Ludwig and should last you years.
Anyone who wants a colorful drum throne that is durable and provides excellent support for the back and legs should look into the Atlas Classic.
How to Choose a Drum Throne – Buying Guide
While a drum throne might look simple, there are many decisions that you need to make. While they might not seem very important, each discussed aspect is crucial for finding a comfortable drum throne. There is not one drum throne that suits everyone; there is the best drum throne specifically for you.
Round, Square, and Saddle (Motorcycle) Seats drum throne
There are numerous seat shapes. Round, square, and saddle are just the most popular ones. There is no theoretical method to determine which shape is best for you. You should visit your local music/drum store and test out all the different seat types. Do not sit just for a few seconds and make an assessment; spend a considerable amount of time judging each shape. See how comfortable you are, whether your thighs or back feel comfortable, and if you get sore or stiff.
We will give you some tips to start. Round seats offer the most mobility and are usually smaller. On the other hand, a Motorcycle seat is designed to reduce leg fatigue and are great for long sessions. While round seats have been there forever, motorcycle seats have only started becoming popular in the last decade or so.
Single Braced Vs. Double Braced drummer stool
A single braced drum throne will be light. If you are someone who goes on tours or does many gigs, you will appreciate the lightweight of a single braced drum throne. Single braced stools also tend to be cheaper! However, these thrones can bend or deform when you apply too much stress.
On the other hand, a drum throne double braced legs are exceptionally durable. If you tend to lean forward a lot (which can put a lot of stress on the stool) or are a little heavy, then a double-braced throne will be ideal. It takes an enormous amount of pressure to bend or deform; therefore, they should last very long. However, they are heavier, and you give up some portability.
The base of the Drum Throne – a Four or Three-Legged Base
Choosing between a four-legged or three-legged base comes down to your needs. If you travel around a lot with your drum set, you will need a lighter throne, and the three-legged base would be perfect for that.
However, if your drum stool is only going to remain in your practice room and will be rarely moved, a four-legged base would be ideal for you. While heavier than a three-legged stool, it gives much higher stability. It will wobble less, and you will be less likely to fall off it too.
Drum Stool height adjustment
Each drummer is different; they have different heights and different preferred seating positions. Therefore, height adjustability is an essential feature of any drum throne! Only then will you be able to sit with maximum comfort.
If your drum throne has a fixed height, you will be adjusting to that rather than it adjusting to you. Not only will it be uncomfortable, but it can also be unhealthy in the long run.
Comfortable Seat
You are going to be sitting on your drum throne for hours and hours. Having a comfortable sheet is thereby critical. While you want the seat to be soft to be more comfortable, ensure that it isn’t too soft as you will not get any support. A middle ground between comfort and support would be best.
Look for Good Drum Throne Brands
Always buy thrones from reputable brands. While you might find a much cheaper drum throne online boasting the same features as more expensive models, we suggest that you avoid such deals. These cheap thrones tend to have the lowest build quality and will not be as comfortable as ones from reputable brands. They might bend or collapse after a few intense sessions. When that happens, you will have a tough time getting good customer service from these no-name brands.
What About Drum throne with Backrests?
A backrest will provide you with lumbar and back support. However, it is still very much a personal preference. If you are someone who moves around a lot while drumming, a backrest will be a nuisance for you.
However, if you are a somewhat still drummer, a backrest will help you maintain a good posture.
Choose as per your height
Your height is a crucial deciding factor when it comes to selecting a drum throne. Your seating position depends a lot on how tall you are. Just because a drum throne is comfortable for someone shorter than you, it does not mean it will be comfortable for you. Either test the thrones yourself or get reviews from people who are as tall as you are.
Portability
For gigging and touring drummers, portable drum thrones are a boon. You will be traveling a lot, and lugging a heavy drum throne is annoying at best. For the most portable drum throne, you should buy one that is single-braced and triple-legged. While you do give up some stability and durability, they are so much easier to transport.
FAQ’s about Drum Throne
Why is a drum throne important?
A drum throne is essential because they provide you with a comfortable place to sit. Without a drum throne, you will be uncomfortable, and you will not be able to move your legs, making it harder to play freely. Without a drum throne, playing drums will be more of a hassle than a fun experience.
How high should my drum throne be?
The height of your drum throne comes down to your height. Sit on a drum throne and slowly adjust the height until you are comfortable. Pay close attention to your posture and how your legs feel to find the perfect height for you.
Can you use a chair as a drum throne?
Can you? Yes, you can use a home or office chair as a drum throne.
But, should you? No! While a chair might be ok for you to sit and do your daily work, it is not suitable for drumming. You will quickly become uncomfortable, and your posture will be out of whack.
What makes a good drum throne?
While many drum thrones offer quirky and unique features, they are not what makes a drum throne suitable. The comfort and stability of a drum throne are its two most essential aspects, and you should always prioritize those over other features.
How to find the perfect drum throne/stool/seat height for drummers?
To find the ideal height, keep your feet on the pedals. Then raise your knees to the maximum you can without taking your feet off the pedals. This height should be close to what’s ideal, give or take a few inches.
Should drum thrones swivel?
Whether you should get a swiveling drum throne is entirely up to you. If you like to move about freely, then a swiveling chair would be ideal for you. If you want rigidity and a more fixed position, then the non-swiveling kind would suit you better. Make sure that you check the product description for any mention of swiveling seats before you buy.
Conclusion
So these are our top 10 best drum throne reviews.
Drum thrones are something you should not cheap out on. While you might be saving $50 today, you will be paying with aching legs and back pain. The best drum should be paired with the best drum throne to have the best drumming session.
If you want high-end drum thrones, the Drum Workshop’s 9000 series would be ideal for you. They never move, never break down, and are incredibly comfortable. No wonder they are popular among professionals.
If you are looking for budget drum thrones, the Pearl drum throne would be great. It has a good amount of cushioning, is relatively stable, and is exceptionally light. It is also an excellent choice for gigging drummers as it is very portable!
Each of the thrones listed has its perks and drawbacks. Be sure to read the buyer’s guide to understand what would suit you best. Always buy a quality drum throne; your back and legs will thank you for years for it.