For beginners who practice for long stretches, a Pork Pie throne is worth considering — they're built with extra-thick padding and a seat shape designed to cut down on pressure points, and they're built to hold up over time. But they cost more than a basic beginner stool, so whether it's worth it depends on how long you sit and how much your current seat already bothers you.
What Makes a Pork Pie Throne Different
Pork Pie is known in the drum world for making thrones that are heavily padded, comfortable, durable, and stylish, and they come in several shapes and sizes, including a popular round model.
The Pork Pie Round Drum Throne specifically uses ultra heavy duty, high density foam, and the seat is shaped to reduce pressure points — the spots where a thin, flat stool digs into your legs or tailbone during a long session. The round seat measures 14 inches across, and height is adjusted with a spindle rather than a lever or hydraulic pump. A spindle just means you twist the seat to raise or lower it, similar to a bar stool.
Who This Is For
If you're a few months in and starting to notice discomfort after 30–45 minutes behind the kit, a padded throne like this is a reasonable upgrade. It's also worth it if you already know you'll be practicing regularly for the long haul.
If you're brand new and still figuring out whether drumming is something you'll stick with, you don't need to spend on a premium throne yet. A basic stool works fine at first — see our best drum thrones for beginners guide for cheaper options that still support good posture.
What Actually Matters When Choosing a Throne
A few things make a real difference in comfort and durability:
- Padding density — thin foam compresses fast and stops helping as quickly; high density foam (like Pork Pie uses) tends to hold its shape longer.
- Seat shape — round seats spread weight evenly; saddle-shaped seats can feel better for some people's hips but take getting used to.
- Height adjustment — a spindle is simple and reliable but slower to adjust mid-session than a hydraulic lever.
- Price tier — thrones at this comfort level tend to sit above entry-level stools. As a reference point, other thrones on the market range from around $120 for a basic rounded-seat model up to $255 for a padded throne with a foot ring, so a well-built option like Pork Pie's typically lands somewhere in that middle-to-upper range rather than budget territory.
Is It Actually More Comfortable? What Other Drummers Say
On drum forums, Pork Pie round thrones are often mentioned as a top pick for comfort compared to other brands — one commonly cited reason is the combination of thick padding and the pressure-reducing seat shape. If you're comparing options, the Ludwig Atlas throne (roughly 15 inches, very thick padding) also gets mentioned as an underrated alternative for long sitting sessions, so it's worth cross-shopping if Pork Pie isn't available near you.
Add-On: The Pork Pie Backrest (PPBR)
If lower back fatigue is your main complaint, Pork Pie also sells a separate backrest accessory (the PPBR) that attaches to a throne. It has a padded 3 x 12 in bar that's contoured to support your lower back during longer sessions. This is a separate purchase from the throne itself, so factor that into your budget if back support is the main thing you're solving for.
Trade-offs / When to Skip It
- Cost. You're paying for padding quality and durability, not just a seat. If you're not yet sitting for long sessions, that extra cost may not pay off yet.
- Bulk. A heavily padded round seat is bigger and heavier than a thin beginner stool, which matters if you're packing gear in and out of an apartment or gig.
- Spindle adjustment. If you like quickly changing throne height between songs or practice segments, a hydraulic lever throne may suit you better than a spindle.
If none of that matters to you yet, start with an affordable option from our best drum thrones for beginners picks and upgrade later once you know your practice habits.
Bottom Line
Pork Pie thrones earn their reputation through padding and seat design that can reduce pressure points on long sits, and the round model's 14-inch high-density foam seat backs that up. They're worth it once you're logging real practice time and want your gear to match that commitment — not something you need to chase on day one.