“The one guide to rule them all”

Recently, just within a few years, many professional drummers have adapted to the technology utilized in the electronic drum and are now carving a niche in developing much interest in them. Usually,  the acoustic drum sets were everyone’s favorite, but considering the hardware and the new sound improvement in the electronic drums, the acoustic kits have been deserted by many who find the e-kits comfortable.  

For this reason, the electronic drums are gaining fame and are coming into limelight. Enthusiast alike are beginning to develop interest, beginners and intermediate players are edging close to having one to themselves. Likewise, professional drummers that rock shows with the acoustic counterpart are beginning to give it a second thought. There’s never a perfect drum kit, but there can always be a preferable choice for all sound producers.

Basically, because of the ability to practice and record without affecting neighbors, and the portability of the electronic drums, some have switched, and coupled with the high-performance rate of these kits, nobody wants to be an onlooker. Having control over the sounds you make is a good idea also. Nobody wants to be left out of the offers of the electronic drum. It is a fair idea to utilize technology first in making sounds because of the comfort one gets from it.

Nevertheless, you shouldn’t be tricked by some other brands who do not have what it takes to develop an electronic kit for comfort; some electronic drum users fall victim to low gears, this can happen to everyone who feels they can jump on any set and do wonders. For this cause, we have brought you the best professional electronic drum kits.

An electric drum kit is a combination of sample pads, designed to be set up in the same fashion as the acoustic drums are being arranged. Even the pads produce a few acoustic sounds. For an electric drum to create a sound, the pads have to be electrified else; you’re getting a dead sound from the rubber heads. The drum kits need to be connected to an amplifier, or a speaker to project sounds when you hit the pads. You can so much adjust the volume to be heard by you alone because most of these drums have low volume practice mode.

Additionally, these electric drums are smaller than acoustic drums. If you’re considering space, you can opt for an electronic drum; you can also program samples to each pad if you’re playing the music that requires MIDI samples.  There’s no need for you to tune an electric drum, and you can maintain them with little knowledge. All the drum samples have been synchronized to sound like the one you hear in drum recordings.

In case you prefer an acoustic sound, check the best acoustic drum sets.

Top 16 Best Electronic Drum Sets for every budget [Guide & Reviews] 

Electronic Drum Sets For Beginners Under $500

1. Alesis Drums Nitro Mesh Kit

This Nitro mesh kit is one electronic drum kit you need to make your drumming lessons improve. This model is what a beginner needs to become perfect, despite its low budget production, with its exceptional features,  it has to be one of the best models Alesis brand has rolled out. It is a complete set of 8 piece wonder kit and can last you till you become a pro drummer.  

As regards the hardware, one of the basic features that sells is the aluminum mounting rack for rigid support and to give you unforgettable playing experience. This model comes with a Nitro drum module with an exciting layout and also filled with various tones with more than a hundred choices to choose from, and more than 50 tracks for playing along. It also supports the importing of files from other devices, with the help of a USB port addition on the drum module.  

Inclusively, it supports an old school MIDI Jack that allows the old connection of old archaic devices you need to reconnect to the early days of technology.  A friendly reminder that it does not cost much to own this superb drum set.  

 

2. Roland TD-1K Electronic Drum Set Bundle

Roland has been a remarkable brand, notable for manufacturing electronic drum kits for young and old.  The inclusion of the TD-1K model should not come as a surprise. The manufacturing brand is one of the pioneers of e-drums technology, and for this reason, it is known as one of the best. They specialize in making quality models, and this model, in particular, is one for those who have a trimmed budget.

This model of Roland consists of 4 drums. Pads, two pedals, and three cymbals. The two pedals represent the hi-hat Tom and the bass drum in the acoustic drum version. With this, you have an edge of experience if you’re quite familiar with the acoustic drum. This design isn’t rampant because Roland is one exceptional brand.

Although this model is made for beginners, it’s performance will leave you wondering how much it indeed cost. All the components have passed a thorough quality check, and it is also a good idea if you’re making it a professional drum for yourself.  

Roland shared with us an amazing beginner’s guide to learning an electronic drum set.

3. BEHRINGER Black and Grey inch XD8USB

Behringer products are best known for quiet pad performance quality, and this model is not an exception in their series of electric drums for beginners and intermediate learners. It is not only meant for beginners, but its basic performance rate can help you rock your show. It is an eight-piece electronic drum kit with a dynamic drum module that comes with about 125 natural drums, cymbal, and percussion sounds and categorized into ten factory presets.  

Part of the dynamic drum module features a High Definition Sampling technology (HDS). A designed system that offers an acoustic drum feel. The snare pad also makes this drum head and rim sound, courtesy of its dual-zone operation.

Another interesting fact about the Behringer XD8USB is its ease of accessibility; it is easy to set up for quick play, even If you’re a novice at first,  you’ll have little knowledge on how to set it up.  The kit can be easily folded and kept back after practice. Aside from that,  the stands are trusted metals and can withstand stress.  Every beginner needs one electronic drum kit that is rugged, and this is one of the few options to run to.

The drum pads have a natural rubber feel, looking like leather, and this helps to reduce triggers.

4. Yamaha Electronic Drum Set DTX402K DTX402K

You really shouldn’t be surprised to find Yamaha on this list of budget-friendly electronic drum kits for beginners. One of the oldest brand that specializes in dishing out quality models of various musical instruments, a strong force to reckon with. This is a special edition made to help learners improve their lessons and become more technical. This model is a better upgrade of the Rhett DTX400 electronic drum.

It comes with great features that are preferable to the former model like a more quiet pad performance, pad placement, improved strength, and the cymbal pads made to have a smooth and natural feel. The drum module attached to this particular model is a significant reason why you don’t have to think twice before making a choice. It is the brain behind every sound improvement for this model.

It comes with up to 300 different drum and percussion sounds and ten customizable drum kits that defines your specific sound. Also, there are more than 120 piano sounds and nine types of reverb effects. Generally, all these sounds are embedded in the drum module with an initial focus for rock,  pop, and jazz drummers. You can make a recording on the drum module while you’re practicing and listen back to it for more improvement.

Everyone out there is probably familiar with Yamaha’s audio equipment; from studio speakers to digital keyboards and guitar amps. So, you cannot go wrong with any model by this world-famous brand. 

5. Pyle Pro 9 Piece Electronic Drums Set – Electric Drum Kit

If you’re a drum freak and you’re looking for a drum that offers convenience while practicing,  this drum is perfect for you. This 9 pieces electronic drum is impressive, going by the fact that it isn’t costly to own.  Every element of the Pyle Pro is terrific, and you don’t need external speakers to rehearse with. It comes with its built-in speakers that project your sound to some imaginable extent.

Pyle Pro 9 is a top choice for professional drummers that can’t afford to spend much on an electronic drum. It is suitable for road shows and easy to maintain. It is also versatile and can produce sounds that turn up the heat, just the way you want it. The acoustic version is a hell of an instrument; now the electronic counterpart doesn’t even disappoint a bit. It does not modify the sound of the strikes pads.  

You can record with the built-in MP3 recorder and easily practice with various sounds and rhythms. In a nutshell, you’re buying a studio, an electronic drum set, and a recorder for less than $500.

6. RockJam Mesh Head Kit, Eight-Piece Electronic Drum Kit

RockJam mesh head kit is an electronic drum that comes with high pad performance with lesser noise.  The eight-piece drum kit is one of the mesh head you’ll ever find. It has been a significant selling point for this brand for years. With its low budget structure, it does not make irritating noise or disturb the neighborhood. This is one of the best kits a beginner should get familiar with.

Three toms, one snare drum pad, the cymbals, and two pedals powered by a heavy-duty drum module make a perfect companion for years. All the pads attached to this kit are known to be highly sensitive and very responsive. Each beat does not go unnoticed on the mesh heads. Arguably, there’s never been a kit that sounds so real with beats.

With the drum module rated average, there’s still much you can do with the drums. Coming with more than 30 drum kit voices and various demo songs, bringing a platform for expressions across different genres.

7. Yamaha DTX430K Electronic Drum Set

A slight upgrade to the DTX402 edition mentioned above,  there’s always a reason to feature a Yamaha product on every review you come across. It was rolled out not more than six years ago and had been making waves, despite the production budget being minimal. It is often regarded as the DTX 2.0. Suitable for both beginners and intermediate drummers, before now, it has been tested as an improvement to the previous edition.  

Adding an extra drum pad to the never of existing pads on the 402 editions is one noticeable improvement, it possesses the same drum module feature as the DTX402 version UT with extra width on all pads to look big a little. It is even now compatible with Apple devices and operates with push buttons.  

The Yamaha DTX430K is probably the best electronic drum set for kids out there.

Its ease of access is next to none in the series. You can set up everything contained in the box with your bare hands with little knowledge of the drums. The connectivity to other devices isn’t complicated also,  but you’ll need to spend on a pair of drumsticks which is not included in the box. It does not have an LCD as well.

 

Electronic Drum Sets for Professionals

If you are wondering who makes the best electronic drum sets? Alesis, Roland, and Yamaha produce the most popular, reliable, and high-quality electronic drum kits for beginners and professionals. 

While you’re here,  we bring you the best professional electronic drums in recent times. Every product on this list is worth spending on. Automatically, they possess all the qualities you should be considering.  

8. Roland V-Compact Series Electronic Drum Kit TD-17KL-S

This Roland mid-level electronic kit is not your ordinary drum set. It has risen expectations of users, having passed the basic quality research. Years back,  a drum of this kind would require you to spend twice the value of the present purchase. The technology applied in making this drum will leave you wondering whether you’re playing an acoustic set. The sounds are traditional, and the effects are next to none in its category.

Although the series comes in different versions, this, in particular, is an advisable option. The drum pads made of quality mesh reduces irritable sounds, and the drum module speaks volume of the many features you’ll need to make a good sound. It is also embedded with connectivity for the import of records and sounds. It also comes with Bluetooth audio streaming. 

The hardware provides support to the drum pads and helps your playing posture.  With this version of the TD-17 series,  you can hook up another cymbal and double bass pedal if you want to,  but these would be purchased separately. 

9. Yamaha DTX532K Electronic Drum Set

With a reasonable price and quality sound improvement, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t cash on this Yamaha DTX532K set.  There’s always something to talk about when reviewed a Yamaha model. Some other electronic drum sets within the price range of this model come with the hi-hat stand and pedal and the three-zone cymbals that add up to its expressiveness.

The snare drum is sensitive and very quiet than the regular drum heads,  courtesy of the Silicon hell drum head. For beginners who love to jump on this, there’s a training feature on the drum module that you can rehearse on. With this,  you can keep tracks as you progress and learn every day. Even a professional can use this feature to perfect his touches on the pads.  As expected,  there are various traditional sound effects on its drum module.   

While you’re pondering on the wonders this drum set can do, the hardware is fantastic, sturdy, and quality enough to keep your pads firm. You don’t have to worry about long trips anymore. It is even easy to maintain and can prevent wearing.   

10. Alesis Command Mesh Kit-8-Piece Electronic Drum Kit 

Another mesh head drum pads from one of the notable electronic drum producers in recent times. This is an eight-piece drum with an excellent cost to value ratio. It is known for Comfort. Research has shown that every player who jumped on it love the drum pads positioning. If you don’t feel comfortable, the drum heads and kick pads can be turntable to give your perfect position. This is similar to the acoustic drum. 

The drum module offers many features. It can be likened to a step up for the Alesis Nitro module, and can be used to make any sound you can think of as a professional, regardless of the genre, you’re good at. It comes with more than 70 different kits. Producers find the various drum kits useful when recording. More importantly,  it has a  MIDI connectivity that enables you connects to a computer, PC, and other supported devices so that you can record into an external source.

There’s a sequencer in the drum module that allows you to play a demo and so that you can record your drum lines without a hitch. Studio engineers can utilize it,  professional drummers, and learners as well. Above all,  it is easy to set up and maintain.  

11. Roland Electronic Drum Set (TD-11K) 

One of for few electronic drums that can be considered compact, this does not come as a surprise because the parent brand has never disappointed in making world-class gears. The TD11K is designed for all and sundry, whether you’re a beginner or a professional drummer. There’s never a better choice than this for every drummer, but the price tag could be a turn off for beginners.  

Every dime you spend on it is worthy, if you’re building a career on the drums. Hence, the price shouldn’t be scary since you’re going to be using it for a long. There’s never a shoe this kit cannot rock. This model from Roland is of two variants, 11K and 11kv. The latter is a bigger replica of the former and has more features on the drum module with a slight hike in price.  

Nevertheless,  the TD-11K comes with a drum module that picks every beat received by the mesh drum heads and converts it into an excellent sound. You can switch to acoustic mode on the module; this effect resembles the acoustic sounds when playing the drums. You can connect it to devices for the import of sound and recording purposes. You do not want to hit your head on the stands to confirm it’s firmness. I trust.  

12. Alesis DM10 MKII Studio Kit 

A usual suspect expected to be present in this list. There’s more to your drumming experience if you make this premium nine-piece electronic drum kit yours. Every time you come across an Alesis, you should think of mesh drum heads. This model’s mesh is even dual-zone; there’s nothing to worry about while hitting the heads with comfort. The sounds are quite realistic almost like that of the acoustic partner, and the rebound is the best of all the previous versions of the brand’s electronic drum kit.

On the drum rack are adjustment knobs for each drum head, you can easily loosen and tighten these knobs to your preferred settings. This feature is useful for live settings. The full kit consists of 5 drum pads and four cymbals. There’s more to this DM10 model as the hardware is prepared for heavy-duty. The mounting stands are keen to hold firm through drum heads without a hitch.

The attached drum module has unthinkable features. You’d think you’re playing on an advanced version of the acoustic drum.  With different sounds to make your beats a hit, you don’t want any other option.  

13. Roland High-performance, V-Drum Set TD-25KV

Slightly advanced than the previous model, this has everything essential feature you could think of in an electronic drum kit. The expressiveness this TD25KV deliveries is incomparable. Additionally,  there’s this feature on the drum module that allows you to record your sessions and evaluate yourself as you progress.

The mesh head pads shouldn’t be a surprise any longer; you’re dealing with a Roland product. They are receptive to the drum sticks. As for the snare drum,  it provides this cool change in tone, depending on where you struck the pad. All of these features will amount to nothing if you can’t sit at the TD25KV with comfort and trust that the hardware Is solid. The drum rack is firm and can hold mote drums if you’re considering another pad.  

14. Roland V-Compact Series Electronic Drum Kit TD-17KVX-S

 Another suspect electronic drum that is nothing less than quality.  Every professional who chooses quality over quality should cash on this. You should not see a price as too costly for a professional drum like this. There a thing to the many Roland models on this list of professional drums.

The mesh drum heads do no disappoint. Usually, you would attach many occurrences of a brand to a promotion, but the features of these electronic drums have made it top.  Researches have shown that they last longer and are sturdy. This model is not your usual electronic drums. It is eve blessed with a drum module that can enhance your playing style with traditional beats and demo tracks for making hits and practicing more. It is also connectable to external devices for recording and import purposes. 

15. Yamaha DTX562K Electronic Drum Set

This product is a bit higher than the Yamaha above product. It can be called am upgrade in the class of mid-level electronic drum sets and is made for pro drummers. There’s a lot to this drum as the features cannot be explained in just a few paragraphs. Starting with the snare drum which has three sensor zones,  this means you can play side stick shots aside from the hits you make on the silicone head. It’s attached hi-hat can stand alone on its own.

All other drum heads are quite receptive and have this ultra-quiet feature. With this, you can practice midnight sessions without affecting your neighbors. You need to take good care of the kick pad; it can last a fortune if it is well taken care of.

Beginners and intermediate players can also find this kit helpful with the drum module featuring different modes for improvement. The many sounds it comes with can be useful for a producer and studio engineer.

16. Alesis DM10 MKII Pro Kit | Ten-Piece Electronic Drum Kit

This is the only electronic drum kit with a ten-piece drum on this list. As expected,  it is a premium edition with a dual-zone mesh technology applied to the drum heads. This means a lot as it is an ultra-quiet kit, the demon heads will be highly sensitive to any hit, and additionally, it won’t produce irritable sounds.  

All the drum heads are adjustable on the rack for your preferred playing style. You do not need special effects to make the sounds come out as a traditional drum. Every hit on the pads is a replica beat on the acoustic version. There’s never been a kit so real. 

It is ideal for any production and roadshows. As advanced as it is, you won’t find it hard to play whenever you want to. Included in the packaged box are four toms, one snare drum, one bass drum, and four cymbals(1 hi-hat, two crash, and one three-zone ride). All the drum heads have a filter feature that dampens noise. The attached drum module is superb in a nutshell,  adding to the drum beauty is an excellent rack that can hold many drums.

If you need help with connection and assembly, check out how to properly set up your electronic drum kit!

Buyers Guide

What is an Electronic Drum set?

Electronic drum kits are technological counterparts to the acoustic drums and are referred to as synthesizers that produce replica sounds of traditional drums with extra effects. They are generally made to be portable and compact with noise reduction systems, and every electronic drum set comes with a drum module that receives the signal of any hit on the attached drum pads to produce a sound. 

The drum pads have electronic sensors, and this is the brain behind the production of sounds when strikes with the drum sticks. The electronic drum and acoustic drums are played the same way. These pads are always included in a complete set of an electronic drum kit. A full set of the electronic kit contains the drum pads with mounted stands to hold them firm.  Electronic cymbals are also included in the package. 

Drum pads are round discs made of layered rubbers or mesh heads and contain one or more sensors. You can check some of the best drum practice pads in the market.

Why choose an electronic drum set?

If you still think there’s no reason for you to own an electric drum kit as a learner,  there are many answers to your questions. It is still not a bad idea if you’re in love with the acoustic drum, but things are changing, and technology is ruling the world,  even in the gear world.  You should own a cheap electric drum kit to begin a successful career.

First and foremost, you’ll need an electric drum kit if you want to have control over the output volume of the sounds you play. Some of the acoustic drum learners have been discouraged by neighbors on how they play loud while practicing at home. Here you have a drum that only you can listen to, provided you have your headphones on. With this, you can practice until you’re tired without disturbing anyone’s peace.

If you only need an electric drum for practice, there are very many brands you can venture on to suit this purpose. Some of these drums even come with a metronome. While you’re searching for the best electric drum as a beginner with a threshold price in your mind,  we have taken adequate time to help you do all your research, and we trust you’ll never go wrong with these few best options for beginners, even the prices are not harmful.

Whether you want to learn how to play the drums, or record drum sounds in your home studio, these beginners’ electronic drum kits will be perfect for you. Going by popular demand, we have had a handful of tests for the majority of these low budget brands that makes electronic drums. There’s virtually none that has been so perfect, but some have been considered the best of them all.  And as such, we’re going to looking into them. A low budget gear like this should not be seen substandard because expensive gears don’t make a perfect instrumentalist.  

The best electronic drums for beginners under $500 can serve you for a long time. While you’re rehearsing, you’re also going to be rocking shows with it. They are handy for constant practice and for beginners who need to catch up faster. Many drummers who have chosen electric drums over the acoustic ones don’t really know how much these kits faired during the days when they were invented.

When these electric drums first produced, they never brought a good impression to buyers; it wasn’t what most people expected, rather, it could be termed a shadow of what it was meant to be. Nowadays, there have been signs of huge improvement in these electric kits, and things have changed. You can not only get a price-friendly electronic drum kit with good qualities as a beginner; they have been made to sell cheap than the acoustic drums. This does not speak less of the acoustic counterpart.  

Here’s a list of what you’ve been steering on for long, no gainsaying, these brands are always top-notch and the models have shamed some expensive sub-standard.

Considerable factors before buying a professional or beginners drum set:

Before hitting the store for your professional electronic drum,  you should be guided by some rules, to avoid stories that touch. Every drummer should take note of the general factors before choosing that final drum kit. There’s always a virtue in patience, and this means that you are expected to take to examine the drums painstakingly before concluding.

While you’re shopping for an electronic drum that will match your style and improve your lessons,  you’ll need to be aware that not all drums in the store are perfect, especially when you cannot access the sounds. These are easy steps to follow to find the best kit for you.

• Expression:

While you’re trying out an electronic drum,  two significant things you should focus on are the tone and feel.  You’re not breaking any rule if you strike every part of the drum pads including the cymbals, both hard and soft. Pay attention to the beat you make to ensure the hardware can express the tone just the way you want it. Full and authentic is the least qualification for such a beat.  

• The rigidity of the Stands:

The quality of the drum stands can affect your playing position and can make or mar one’s experience on the drums. An electronic drum that does not support your playing position can affect posture, cause injury, and slow down tour learning progress. You should look out for one of the best gears in the store that is rugged enough to travel miles without bending or showing a sign of weakness.

• Pad Performance:

If you’re going to choose an electronic drum based on the pad performance, do not make a mistake of considering one with cheap production, else,  you’re going to keep your neighbors wondering what sound that is. As much as you can, avoid pads with layered rubber and invest on mesh heads.  Layered rubber pads have high decibels and won’t be comfortable for you in the long run.  

• Coach Functions:

The onboard tutorial functions that come with an electronic drum kit are one of the best ways to improve learning, and they are self understandable. These functions offer different modes to get your hits and loaded.

• Connectivity and Onboard Song:

Whenever you feel bored or need to take a short break in between your lessons, these add on features let you jam, seem to be necessary. Included in the sound module of most electric drums are backup songs and loops that help you vibe, and you can import songs from your mp3 player, provided they are WAV/MP3  files. It may not be necessarily used to kill boredom; you’ll surely need some beats to practice with, some other time.

Your ideal electronic drum kit should not just be focused on the sounds and structure alone. In this modern age,  your drum should connect easily with external digital and storage devices so that you can import sounds and record your sessions. A USB port, audio jacks are ideal for your new electronic drum.

If you own a home recording studio and looking to record drum sounds, then the models below will serve you well. Simply connect them to your Thunderbolt or USB audio interface and get your drums recorded straight into your computer and DAW. For more, you can check how to build a home recording studio at under $600. 

• Sound:

Usually,  every expensive drum kit shops prove it’s worth, and your preferred drum module should be able to make typical sounds and extraordinary effects to boost your record and practice.  All the average presets of a considerable drum should be able to produce a defined sound. You should be creative with the module you finally choose. Don’t let the drum dictate for you all the time.

• Preset Patterns:

Every ideal drum module should have patterns that you can practice with, before advancing to more technical effects. This is a significant advantage for learners, and semi-professionals, rudiments of the drum would seem easier whenever they are practicing with these preset patterns, and it builds a good foundation for everyone,  regardless of the genre you’re specializing on. Be it rock, and the likes.

• Natural Feel and Overall Sound:

There’s never a right electronic drum without a superb module. You don’t have an electronic drum if the attached drum module is not competent enough with some features. Your eventual drum module should sense every touch on the drum pads and transform them into beats either wacky of good. You should be able to tweak your drum module to your personalized settings if you want to be the best on the electronic drums.

Your drum module should also determine whether the cymbals are competent enough to make your sound productive. Certain sounds are hard to come by without a functional module. And for this reason, your eventual drum should sound almost like the acoustic set.

Conclusion

A good way to end this review is to choose from any of these best professional kits, but this guide is incomplete if you haven’t found a suitable drum for yourself amongst ten ideal sets. There’s no entry-level or manageable kit on this list; you can trust any of these drums to enhance your music and playing styles. They’ve all got similar features that appear in different and higher forms. 

You have little to worry about, even if you’re a badass at producing beats. Alas,  you’ve got the right tool for this. Usually,  acoustic drums do the most, but with the invention of these sets, there’s never a second option behind these when you’re considering professional electronic drums with high values and with a good value to cost ratio. 

Finally, every considerable factor you need to take note of has been tested on these drums. Their respective results have been okay with a user-friendly feel. Feel relaxed with one of these best professional electronic drum kits in your possession. Good luck.

If you desire to check more drum sounds check out the best drum machines under budget.