9 Best Drum Thrones for Back Problems: Comfy Chairs to Prevent Aches and Pains

Tama is a brand with a huge reputation in the world of drum products. Their drum, thrones are exceptional, and the Tama Ergo-Rider Quartet with Backrest is brilliant for drummers who suffer with back issues.

It has a 7-inch range in terms of adjustability, from 19 to 26 inches.

This is an unusual seat as it is somewhere between a saddle and a round seat design, the brand describes this as a hybrid design. The saddle design is for stability while the roundness gives a little more flexibility and allows any drummer to move around comfortably. This also has swiveling capabilities so you can have a lot of flexibility in your seat.

The rocklock design and the large rubber feet are designed to keep the throne in place, with no wobbling and plenty of support, which can really help with drummers’ back support.

The backrest is hugely beneficial for drummers and gives lumbar support. This backrest is adjustable and can even be folded for easy transportation of your drums, great for the touring musician!

Four legs further add to the stability of what is undoubtedly one of the contenders for best drum throne for a bad back.

What are our favorite features?

• Exceptionally sturdy and rocklock technology prevents it from wobbling under your weight
• Loads of support for your body and your back
• Comfortable and flexible, you can swivel and move around freely with the unique hybrid design
• Backrest is totally adjustable

What could be better?

• Expensive. You pay a premium for this clever design and all the features

Another design which is quite unique. The split motorcycle design of this, the Ahead Spinal G Drum Throne SPGBBR4, is designed to be comfortable but also to keep the user very sturdy in their seat while drumming, even if you are a really active drummer.

To be specific, the split seat is designed for free movement of the coccyx.

The four-legs give a huge amount of stability and a sturdy base. The height range of 18-24 inches is good, though it doesn’t go as high as some other drum thrones.

As well as the clever design, there is a memory foam coating for comfort on your backside while you are playing.

This drum throne has a really clever design, but one of the basics which we find really helps with back problems is the large backrest, this can provide a lot of lumbar support and the option to remove the backrest if you wish.

A 1-year warranty backs up this product, which is sturdy and well made. The drum chair is a little expensive, but this is worth it if it can stop you having to get treatment for back issues.

Why are we impressed?

• Specific design for free coccyx movement and keeping your back comfortable
• Wonderfully flexible and swivels to your needs
• A lot of back support comes from the backrest which you can remove if you wish

What negatives must you be aware of?

• A little bit on the expensive side compared to many other options
• Doesn’t go as high up as some of the other choices

Drummers have enough equipment to carry around when going to practices and gigs, and having a lightweight drum throne can help a huge amount. In spite of being lightweight, it is still suitable for large players, too.

This is a really solidly constructed model, with plenty of support even though it is light and has three legs, whereas many of the other options have four.

High-density foam cushions give a very comfortable design for your backside. The motorcycle design of seat spins and locks into position perfectly for drummers of all styles.

It is decent for large drummers, and can support weights of up to around 270 pounds even though it is a lighter design.

The backrest is high and gives a lot of support, you’ll feel almost like you’re in an executive office chair.

The rubber feet help this design to stay in place, and you’ll feel sturdy and protected while playing. The swiveling technology gives that extra bit of flexibility, too.

What makes it stand out?

• Lightweight yet still very well made
• Allows you to swivel and can support drummers who are large in size
• Very easy to break down and reconstruct when you are taking to gigs
• Very comfortable on your backside

Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?

• Another leg could make this more of a sturdy and stable option

The DW 9000 is a very interesting and unique design.

The tractor seat design is good, and whether you want this style of chair depends largely on personal preference. What is guaranteed is the fact that the dual foam makes this extremely comfortable.

The height adjustment is pretty generous, with around 7 inches of give up and down, up to 27 inches. It is very easy to adjust with a hydraulic height adjustment, and this works in a similar way to many office chairs.

Though there is a backrest available for this model, it is sold separately. This means that for this extra bit of back support you may have to pay a little extra.

While this is an excellent drum throne, and is certainly suitable for those who have back problems, you should definitely invest in the backrest to get the most out of it.

Some users have claimed the upholstery doesn’t tend to stay in place over the years, and you might experience some issues with this, but this is true of most drum thrones as they tend to take a beating!

In terms of capacity, though it is not specified, large drummers weighing 250lb and more have got a lot out of this drum throne and found it can give them plenty of support.

What stands out?

• Easy to adjust the height of this drum throne to suit your needs
• Tractor design gives plenty of stability, as does the four legged design
• Dual foam design adds an extra layer of comfort

What cons did we manage to find?

• Doesn’t come with the backrest, if you want a backrest then you need to buy it separately
• Upholstery is not as high quality as some other options on the market

Gibraltar is a popular brand name when it comes to drum accessories. Their Gibraltar 9608MB is an excellent, incredibly sturdy and highly adjustable drum throne and has some good features for drummers who may experience issues with back pain and discomfort, too. We’ve named it the best drum chair for large drummers.

This weighs a little more than most of the other options on the market, which helps to give it that extra durability. The Gibraltar 9608MB is built on the heaviest and sturdiest drum stool base the brand makes.

The height range of 20-28 inches is good for taller drummers and it’s easy to adjust with a swivel motion which then locks in place for security.

The motorcycle shape gives room for your thighs and is pretty comfortable, too.

In terms of capacity, we’ve heard drummers who are almost 300 lb saying that this stool is perfect for them. It swivels, too, for that extra bit of movement.

All-in-all, this sturdy throne is great for pretty much every type of drummer.

What are its best features?

• Big capacity, a very sturdy drum throne even for big drummers
• Adjustable and can go up to 28 inches high
• Swivels for freedom of movement
• Backrest gives a little extra support

What could be improved?

• Not quite as much cushioning as some other drum thrones on the market
• The backrest doesn’t feel as secure as the rest, especially if you like to lean back a lot while drumming

Roc-n-Soc is a brand which really does specialize in thrones for drummers, and makes some excellent options. Not least of all, their Nitro throne. This is a brilliantly designed piece of equipment and we recommend it for almost any drummer, but it is very best for drummers who move around a lot while they are playing.

It does have an optional backrest, however, this needs to be bought separately. The bicycle seat design gives a lot of cushioning and the brand claims this has been designed to help to prevent leg fatigue.

The throne is adjustable between 18 and 24 inches so you can suit your own needs. Also, the base is very sturdy so it is suitable for a lot of different users of different sizes. It is double-braced even though it only has 3 legs.

The seat moves really freely and has a nitrogen gas shock absorption system. This gives a bounce, almost like a suspension. This is designed to keep you comfy while moving and is better for your back, as your spine doesn’t have to adjust.

The welds and components come guaranteed. The quality of this drum throne is noticeable when you buy it.

What do we love it for?

• Relatively lightweight but still very sturdy
• Has a shock absorption system which makes it feel much more flexible and stops some of the strain on the back

What were we disappointed with?

• There is a backrest, but this needs to be bought separately if you plan to install on the Roc-n-Soc

Gibraltar is a brand name which appears multiple times on the list, and they have a huge range of drum thrones, including this affordable option. It is not quite in the sub $100 range, but it has some good features justifying its mid-range price.

Not least of all, the adjustability. The height range of this drum throne is among the best on the market. It can easily be moved from 21 inches to 30 inches and anywhere in between. The seat can be set to a spinning motion or you can lock it in place.

The cushioning is undeniably one of the strongest points of this excellent drum throne. Five inches of cushions means this is really comfortable on your backside even when playing for long periods of time. If you’re the drummer in a prog-rock band, fear no more!

Unfortunately, there’s no option for a backrest. This is the case with a lot of the budget drum thrones for back problems. This is a really solid throne, which is well-built, something we’ve come to expect from the Gibraltar brand. If you aren’t too fussed about a backrest then it might be worth thinking about this as a top option for your drumming.

What stands out?

• Cheaper than a lot of the other options on the markets
• Five inches of cushioning for comfort over long periods
• Can swivel or be locked into position depending on what you need

What cons did we manage to find?

• No option for a backrest to be attached
• Not as wide as some others, so larger users may not find it as comfortable

Another Gibraltar option. The heavy drum throne has some brilliant yet very simple features. It is a good all-rounder and one of the contenders for the best drum throne under $100.

We would describe the Gibraltar 6608 Heavy Drum Throne as ‘no-frills’. It doesn’t offer many specific features which are amazing for helping with your back, but it covers all the basics. Instead of being the best drum throne for a bad back, it can help you ensure a bad back never becomes a problem.

It is a sturdy model in spite of its very light weight, this weighs in at under 10lbs. Because of this, it is an amazing choice for taking out on tour and makes it easy to get to and from practices without lugging around extra heavy equipment.

The motorcycle style seat is comfortable and comes with plenty of cushioning. It’s adjustable from 18 to 24 inches which is plenty of height for most, though if you are a big and tall drummer you may want something a little heavier with more adjustability.

Why are we impressed?

• Easy to transport and very light
• In spite of its light weight, it is still pretty sturdy
• Comfortable motorcycle style seat with cushioning, more than good enough for most
• Double braced to help it lock securely in place and stay secure while you drum

What negatives must you be aware of?

• Not really suitable for the biggest drummers, can’t support huge weights
• No specific features such as a backrest for bad backs

This drum throne is a great option for those who need a saddle design and want a highly adjustable drum seat with a hydraulic lift. Most of the options on the market with hydraulics are more expensive, so the Chachazo Hydraulic Drum Throne can offer brilliant value for money.

The height range of 20-27 inches is good for medium-sized and taller drummers. It also has double-braced legs which help to give that extra level of stability when you are playing.

Unfortunately, it does have some downsides in spite of the fact that this is comfy and adjustable. If you are a big player who weighs more than 250 lbs, you should probably look for something a little bigger, with a higher capacity.

A padded backrest is a very nice addition, and the throne also swivels to allow you to move around with ease while playing.

The padding on the backrest is similar to that on the actual drum seat itself, which is also very comfortable. For lightweight drummers of all different heights, this could be a good option.

Why is it special?

• Hydraulic and easy to adjust
• Comes with a padded backrest
• Comfortable for long periods of playing

What are the flaws?

• The workmanship could be a little better, though this is a decent option, it isn’t up there with the elite products
• If you weigh a lot, it might be worth getting a more sturdy option