Best Electronic Drum Sets

Ultimate Buying Guide

Introduction:

Are you looking for the best electronic drum set for your budget?

No matter if you’re buying your first set, switching from an acoustic drum set or just adding a new kit to your collection, It’s always important to do in-depth research before making a definitive choice.

I’ve made this buying guide in an effort to show you the best options available on the market that belong in different price brackets.

Quick Rundown:

These are my Top Picks
for the Best E-drums:

22nd March 2024
Image
Product
Features
  • First-class electronic operation
  • Convertible acoustic/electronic drum kit
  • Top and bottom mesh heads
  • All-wood construction
  • Prismatic Sound Modeling
  • Roland Digital Pads
  • Mesh, dual zone drum pads
  • Expressive 3-zone cymbal design
  • Generation 2 TD-27 Sound Module
  • PureAcoustic Ambience Technology
  • TD-27 Module w/ Over 700 Sounds
  • State-of-the-Art Digital Pads
  • Remarkably Responsive
  • Comfortable Acoustic Kit Feel
  • Expressive modelled drum sounds
  • Built-in coaching functions
  • Second Generation TD-17 Sound Module
  • Enhanced Roland Cloud support
  • Built for Stage or Studio
  • Loaded with premium sounds
  • Big Pads for Maximum Playability
  • Enhanced USB and MIDI Connectivity
  • Compact and Functional
  • TD-02K e-drum brain
  • Next Generation Mesh Performance
  • Premium Eight Piece Configuration

Table of Contents

Now that you’ve had a glance at our top picks, let’s dig into the detailed reviews. This buying guide is rather long, so make use if the table of content to see the best contenders under a particular price.

FEATURED ON

The 15 Best Electronic Drum Sets

No, this is not a mistake, my first pick is the a DW Collector Drum Set… electrified.

The DW DWE 5-Piece Electronic Drum Kit represents a significant leap in drumming technology. As a hybrid kit, it combines the authenticity of acoustic drums with the versatility of electronic percussion, making it a groundbreaking addition to DW’s esteemed lineup.

INNOVATIVE DESIGN

This kit’s design sets a new standard in electronic drumming. Its ability to switch between electronic and acoustic modes caters to the needs of modern drummers who value versatility. 

The craftsmanship reflects DW’s commitment to quality, ensuring that each component, from the frame to the heads, is built to last.

SOUNDS

With an extensive DW sound library, the kit offers an array of high-quality drum and cymbal sounds. This diverse sound palette allows drummers to explore various genres and styles.

The DW App provides intuitive controls for sound customization, making it a dream for both live performances and studio recordings.

HEADS

The mesh heads are a standout feature. They offer a realistic feel, closely resembling the rebound of traditional drum skins.

Paired with advanced wireless triggers, the kit ensures accurate and immediate response to every strike, enhancing the playing experience with no latency. 

PORTABILITY

For gigging drummers, the kit’s portability is a major advantage. Its compact design makes it easy to transport and set up. 

Thanks to it’s wireless triggers there’s no need to deal with wires, a plus for musicians who frequently play at different venues.

MODULE

The DW DWE kit features a compact hub, seamlessly connecting to a computer. Through DW’s software, drummers can precisely calibrate the set, accessing the extensive DW drum sounds library. 

This feature offers unparalleled customization, allowing for fine-tuning to match any style or preference, significantly enhancing the user experience and creative possibilities.

DUAL MODE VERSATILITY:

The kit’s dual-mode functionality is not just innovative; it’s a collector’s dream.

The ability to switch from an electronic to an acoustic setup extends its appeal beyond the average electronic kit. It’s an investment for drummers who appreciate the convergence of traditional and modern drumming.

CONCLUSION

The DW DWE 5-Piece Electronic Drum Kit stands as a testament to DW’s innovation in drumming technology. It blurs the lines between digital and acoustic, providing a comprehensive drumming experience. 

Whether you’re a professional drummer or an enthusiastic beginner, this kit offers something for everyone, making it a standout choice in the electronic drum market.

For more about the DW DWe check out the full review here.

Build Quality
98%
Performance
99%
Price to Value Ratio
94%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • Impressive performance
  • Sounds as close to an acoustic set as it is possible
  • Versatile and flexible in any way imaginable
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • Comes at a steep price

The Roland VAD706 is the latest iteration of the Roland VAD series of electronic drums. These e drum kits just keep improving year after year, and the VAD706 is the most high-quality electronic kit that Roland has put out to date.

QUALITY

The whole playing experience revolved around this kit is the fact that you feel and appear like you’re playing an acoustic drum set, but everything is electronic. Roland nails that quality with the VAD706, as it’s the most resemblant to an acoustic kit that an electronic kit can arguably get.

This kit is incredibly high-quality, and it’s arguably the best electronic drum set in the world at the moment.

SOUNDS

All the sounds come from the Roland TD-50X drum module. So, you get the same Prismatic Sound Modeling engine that Roland kits are so well-known for. You also get a serious amount of control over all the sounds that are produced.

You can sit and tweak the sounds so that you get the exact sound that you’re looking for from the drums

HEADS

The design of this drum kit has tuneable mesh heads placed on top of full-sized acoustic drum shells. The heads are at the top of Roland’s product list, but you get the added response from having a full shell underneath them.

This makes the heads on the drum kit feel incredibly great to play on. They’re responsive and full, especially if you adjust their tension to your preferences.

PORTABILITY

This drum kit has the exact same build as an acoustic kit. So, the mobility would be the same as it would be for a 5-piece acoustic drum set. You’d have the added weight of the drum module and a set of cables to go with that.

The great thing about the drum kit is that the drums are mounted on standard acoustic hardware. So, you can just place the hardware in a bag like you would with an acoustic set.

MODULE

The Roland TD-50X is the best drum module that Roland has on offer. It gives you extremely high-quality sounds, a large range of editing tools, and plenty of onboard options for play-alongs and practicing.

You could spend all week looking through everything that the module has to offer. It takes a bit of time to learn how to use. However, you’ll feel like you have a serious amount of control once you know how to use it.

FEATURES

The biggest feature of this kit is the fact that it looks exactly like an acoustic drum kit. While some brands have tried to achieve this before, Roland has come the closest in terms of resemblance with the VAD706.

You can play with this kit at a gig and most people wouldn’t realize that you’re playing electronic drums. This gives you the benefit of electronics with the visual appearance of acoustics.

CONCLUSION

The Roland VAD706 is the top electronic drum kit in the world at the moment. You can even choose different finishes for the acoustic shells that it comes with. That’s never been an option with electronic drum kits before.

The drum kit comes with a great bass drum size making it a great choice if you are looking for a double bass electronic drum set.

If you’re looking for an acoustic kit with all the benefits of an electronic one, this is the kit for you.

Build Quality
98%
Performance
98%
Price to Value Ratio
92%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • The dual-layer mesh heads
  • High versatility
  • Organic feeling
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • Expensive

The TD-50KV2 is the flagship model in Roland’s V-Drums lineup. When it comes to pure electronic drums that have no hybrid attributes, this drum kit is one of the best on the market. It has all the latest technology built into it to make it sound and look fantastic.

QUALITY

Everything about the TD-50KV2 screams high-quality. One of the best things about it is that the rack that holds it together is made of metal. Most other electronic drum kits come with plastic racks, making this drum kit feel a lot sturdier than you’re most likely accustomed to.

The build quality is exquisite. You can play as hard as you want to and no drums will move an inch. The cymbal pads are a bit thinner than other e-kit cymbal pads, but that makes them feel more resemblant to acoustic cymbals which is great.

SOUNDS

Roland uses a thing called the Prismatic Sound Modeling Engine. This engine creates drum sounds from scratch instead of sampling them. The fact that the sounds have been created means that there are way more editing options than there would be if they were sampled.

All the drums sound amazing on the module, but the real value in this drum kit is the pure number of options you have when altering sounds. The possibilities are endless.

HEADS

Every pad has tuneable mesh heads. These heads feel incredibly authentic, and you can tune them tighter or looser to get the tension that you’re accustomed to when you play an acoustic kit.

The cymbal pads are also fantastic. They’re quite large and very responsive. The best cymbal pad is arguably the ride cymbal, followed closely by the hi-hats.

PORTABILITY

Since the kit is modeled after a standard acoustic drum kit, it’s not as mobile as most other electronic drum kits. This is due to the fact that it’s a fair bit bigger than a kit with thin pads and cymbals. The wooden shells make the kit heavier to move around.

The metal rack also adds a good amount of weight to it. So, the sturdiness of the drum kit comes at the price of being less mobile than other electronic drum kits.

MODULE

The TD-50X module is arguably the best feature of the whole drum set. It has everything you could possibly want from an electronic drum kit, with more to add on top of that. There are 70 preset drum kits and 900 usable sounds.

There are also several buttons and knobs on the interface that allow you to do all kinds of editing with the drum kit. A whole article could be written about just this module, so you’ll need to check it out yourself.

THE KIT FEATURES:

One of the top features of this electronic kit is the PureAcoustic feature. It allows you to tweak the drum sound to sound like you’re recording in a room. You can individually adjust each virtual mic to affect how the overall sound comes out. This means that you can move the virtual overhead mics to be further away or closer to the kit. That’s an awesome feature!

We recently made a full review of this beast right here.

CONCLUSION

 Based on our firsthand experience, if you want the best possible V-Drums set, you should aim to get the Roland TD-50KV2. It’s quite expensive, so be prepared to invest a large sum of money into it. It’s well worth the cost, though.

It sounds great, looks amazing, and will last you a seriously long time thanks to all the modern technology that has been put into it.

For more about the Roland TD 50KV2 check out customer reviews.

Build Quality
98%
Performance
99%
Price to Value Ratio
94%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • Impressive performance
  • Sounds as close to an acoustic set as it is possible
  • Versatile and flexible in any way imaginable
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • Comes at a steep price

The Yamaha DTX10K-MRW is one of Yamaha’s latest top-quality electronic drum sets. Yamaha jumped on the bandwagon of having acoustic shells under the electronic pads. This kit combines that visual aesthetic with the powerful features of the DTX-PROX drum module.

QUALITY

This kit is top-quality as it’s Yamaha’s flagship electronic drum set. All the features it has are the best features that Yamaha has to offer, making the kit highly sought after by drummers who want the best electronic drum kit possible.

SOUNDS

The sample sounds are recorded from Yamaha’s top-quality acoustic sets, and the pads and cymbals are responsive enough to make it feel very close to playing and hearing those sets through this electronic drum kit.

All the pads are highly expressive and react incredibly well to dynamic playing, making the kit sound as musical as an acoustic set would.

The cymbal pads all have 3 trigger zones, allowing you to choke them and play the bells. When playing the kit, you’ll quickly realize how good everything sounds.

HEADS

One of the most unique things about this kit is that you have a choice of which heads to use. You can either buy the kit with mesh pads or you can buy it with the classic Yamaha silicone pads. Many drummers didn’t like Yamaha electronic drum kits in the past as they didn’t have mesh pads. That problem has been solved here if you’re one of those drummers.

Whichever pad you choose, both of them feel fantastic to play on. You can lay into them as hard as you want and feel confident while doing it. You can also play very softly to get subtle dynamics out of the kit.

PORTABILITY

While the kit isn’t that mobile, it’s a lot lighter than many of the other hybrid kits from Alesis and Roland. The drum shells are easier to move around. The rack is a different story, though.

The rack is fairly large and built to hold everything securely, so it’s a lot heavier to move than the acoustic shells are. It wouldn’t be ideal to move this kit around constantly, but it wouldn’t be the hardest thing in the world to do either.

MODULE

The DTX-PROX is a great drum module. It looks a bit robotic at first glance, but you’ll find that it’s laid out very well and is quite easy to learn to use. It gives you a fair amount of control over all the sounds of the kit.

 
THE KIT FEATURES:

DTX-PROX drum module
3 large cymbal pads
1 hi-hat pad
5 electronic drum pads that are connected to acoustic shells
Sturdy rack that holds everything together

The great thing about this kit is that it’s a lot more affordable than Roland’s flagship TD-50KV2. It’s still quite expensive, though. So, you’ll be spending a lot of money to buy it, but not as much as you would on the top-quality Roland kit. That will sell a lot of drummers on it as it offers several competing features that are just as good.

For more about the Yamaha DTX10K check our guide.

Build Quality
98%
Performance
92%
Price to Value Ratio
90%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • Amazing engineering
  • High versatility
  • Organic Tone
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • Some users report minor sound issues

The Roland VAD507 is arguably Roland’s most popular kit with an acoustic shell design. It has many of the brand’s top features, and it’s not as pricey as the flagship VAD706. 

If you’re a working drummer who needs an excellent kit for performing, recording, or practicing, this may be a good option for you. Let’s check out all the available features. 

QUALITY 

The build quality of this drum set is great. You get large drum shells and highly responsive pads. This leads to a fairly realistic playing experience compared to what you get from an acoustic drum set, and that’s the main goal that Roland tried to achieve when creating this set. 

You can feel in the module, drums, and hardware that this is a high-tier drum set. It’s undoubtedly one that will last decades, thanks to the famous Roland build quality. 

SOUNDS 

All the sounds on the kit come from the Roland TD-27 drum module. Roland refers to this as the brand’s “mid-range” module, but it’s funnily one of the best drum modules on the market. 

The sound quality you get is fantastic, with the Prismatic Sound Modeling Engine and PureAcoustic Ambience Technology ensuring that you have a lot of control over what you’re hearing. 

If you’re not a fan of a certain preset drum kit, you can easily go into the module and tweak a few things to make it sound more compelling to your taste. 

HEADS 

The digital pads are one of the biggest draws for this drum set. While all the drums have mesh heads, the snare drum is a digital snare. This means that it has dozens of sensors all around the head to make it react more like an acoustic snare drum than a typical snare with a few triggers. 

The ride and hi-hat pads are also digital, so you get a similar level of performance. You’d be amazed at how realistic these pads feel, and they’re definitely the best heads and pads on the market when compared to any other electronic drum sets.

PORTABILITY 

This drum kit is just as big as most standard 5-piece acoustic drum sets. So, you don’t get as much mobility as you get from traditional Roland V-Drums. When you add the module and cables into the mix, the kit becomes arguably more challenging to travel around with compared to a normal acoustic set. 

However, it’s not the biggest deal, as most drummers are quite accustomed to moving traditional drums around. 

MODULE 

We briefly touched on the TD-27 module earlier, but we need to state again how good it is. It falls just short of the quality of the Roland TD-50, but it’s an amazing module that offers world-class performance. 

FEATURES 

Next to the digital pads, full-sized shells, and high-quality Roland technology, you also get three additional inputs to add more parts. 

Another feature to highlight is that the cymbal pads are thinner than you’d think, and it makes them feel better to play. 

CONCLUSION

The line between this kit and the VAD706 is quite small in terms of quality. If you’re happy with the TD-27 drum module, this option may be the better pick for you. It’s an incredible drum set! 
There’s also a more affordable option the VAD306 if the price is to steep for you. 

Build Quality
98%
Performance
99%
Price to Value Ratio
94%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • Acoustic drum kit visuals
  • Powerful TD-27 Gen 2
  • Extremely accurate and sensitive drum pads
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • Every version of the kit is fairly expensive

Following the well-known tradition of TD series, the TD-27KV-S Electronic Drum continues to deliver A quality under a brand that has been leading the industry for quite some time.

It is an excellent choice for professional drummers who values quality. Furthermore, the price to value ratio is outstanding.

Most importantly, the kit offers an opportunity to access the kind of quality and drum experience you can expect from its bigger brother the flagship TD-50 series.

QUALITY

The TD-27KV-S drum set is one of the most advance e-drums on today’s market. Delivering fantastic sounds, beating many similar products in the market. Its hardy mesh heads make the kit feel super comfortable, which helps the transition from acoustic to electric kit.  

The cleverly designed cymbals produce customized tone variations. The knobs on the module and reverb technology complement the cymbals to find the exact sound you are looking for.

The bass drum pad has a cloth-like material on its surface, which feels very natural. The pads are accommodative to single or twin pedals. 

A steady rack holds together all the components to withstand high-frequency drumming. 

SOUNDS

Expect a moment of explosive performance when using the TD-27KV-S drum set. It features a collection of attributes that guarantee a melodic experience.

With the three PDX-100 Tom Pads, KD-10 Bass drum Pad, two Crash Cymbal Pads, VH10 Hi-Hat pad, and the Digital Ride Cymbal Pad, you have very versatile set combined with 700 sounds. The possibilities are endless. 

If you intend to launch a top-notch studio, then this drum set won’t disappoint.

It uses reverb sampling tech for quality recording. With its onboard sampler, it is easy to fine-tune vocals around an array of discrete sounds. 

HEADS

The Roland TD-27KV-S head features a sturdy mesh top that tunes resonance to an ideal sound spectrum. Cleverly arranged floor toms, snare pad, bass drum pad, and mounted toms enable easy access by the player.

It comprises a nine-piece kit enhanced with V-pad technology that offers a more natural feel when playing. You can customize the pads to achieve the best acoustic and realistic sound outputs.

The snare pad has a three-ply composite that produces sharp staccato sound blends. The toms work well with a two-ply composition.

PORTABILITY

At only 103 pounds, it is lightweight and made for portability.

The rack that holds all components is collapsible, making it easy to move the drum set. Assembling it back in place is a quick job. 

MODULE

This drum set comes with an easy-to-use module that integrates seamlessly to the drum system. It picks accurate sounds when the drummer hits the toms, snare pad, bass drum pad, or the cymbals.

Additionally, it connects to Bluetooth. This feature allows you to stream audio from your favorite devices directly to the module.

Embedded on the module are direct editing knobs that are a convenient modification of sound. With the knobs, you can play around with the level, instrumental, tuning, and muffling functionalities.

The level knob allows you to change the volume of each pad individually. Its tuning knob helps you to dial up the pitch you want.

Furthermore, the module has three trigger inputs, auxiliaries and two direct outputs that are great for live mixes and performances. You can control the master, phones, and backing happens from a central point.

The module includes a USB port to connect to a computer. The metronome makes it an excellent practicing tool.

If you are looking for a 9-piece drum kit, then this is a suitable selection for you.

Build Quality
96%
Performance
99%
Price to Value Ratio
96%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • A+ Quality
  • 700 sounds
  • Cool heads
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • None

The Alesis Strike Pro Special Edition is the best electronic drum kit that Alesis has to offer. It’s a huge drum set that many drummers consider getting over a good Roland or Yamaha option, as it’s a lot more affordable. 

QUALITY

The general quality of this electronic drum kit is quite impressive. The pads feel good to play, the hardware is really rigid, and the drum module is solid. 

The only big talking point on the bad end of things would be the hi-hat pad. Most people who own an Alesis Strike tend to complain a bit, so it may be something that puts you off. 

With that said, this is a huge kit with over ten pieces, so only having one piece be a bit wonky shouldn’t be enough to stop you from loving it. 

SOUNDS

The sounds that you get from the module aren’t as clear, responsive, or pristine as the ones that come on Roland and Yamaha modules. However, they’re still pretty good! 

Some of the kits are a bit weaker than other electronic drum sets, but there are several preset kits on the module that sound really good. 

We also love the unique kits that have funky sounds that get triggered by different drums. They allow you to get a one-man-band sort of thing going. 

HEADS

All the drums on the set have responsive mesh drum heads. They feel solid to play, reacting very well to different ways of getting played. 

Another thing we appreciate about this kit is that the drums have similar sizes to an acoustic kit. Most electronic drum kits have the same sizes across all the toms, but this kit has the rack tom being small, and then the toms get a bit larger as you go down the set. 

PORTABILITY

Unfortunately, this kit isn’t very mobile. It’s actually one of the largest electronic drum sets available, having more drum and cymbal pads than most others. 

So, you need to have quite a big bag or set of bags to store and transport it. It then takes quite a while to set up after that. 

If you’re looking for a kit that’s easy to transport, this definitely isn’t the one. If you just want it to live in one place for long, it will do that very reliably. 

MODULE

The Alesis Strike Module is really impressive. Our favorite aspect of it is that you get a personal volume slider for every drum and cymbal. This allows you to do in-depth mixing to suit your environment and your playing style. 

There are also 136 preset drum sets, which is the most out of all the drum modules on this list. Along with that, you get over 1800 sounds to create your own drum kits with. That’s crazy!

FEATURES 

Apart from all the sample sounds and individual sliders, this drum kit doesn’t boast too many features compared to the competitor ones. 

It’s relatively simple in how it performs, and you get a few sound editing tools to boost the performance even further. 

Just don’t expect as many high-end features as you’ll get on a premium Roland or Yamaha drum set. 

CONCLUSION
If you love Roland’s VAD kits but find them too expensive, the Alesis Strike Pro is a good alternative choice. This kit feels great to play, the module sounds are decent, and it looks just as good as an acoustic drum set. 

 

Build Quality
92%
Performance
95%
Price to Value Ratio
95%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • Quality heads
  • Great feel when playing
  • 136 Preset Drum Sets
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • None

Here we have a Flagship model from Roland – the brand-new TD-17KVX Gen2 drum kit. It sets the standards for sound and playability of electronic drum kits. While it is visually similar to the KV-S model, it goes one step further and brings the ultimate playing experience to the player who can afford it. The nearly flawless reviews only confirm that you’re getting what it says on the packaging. Let’s take a closer look.

QUALITY

Whether you are going to use this kit in the studio or live, you will have a sturdy tool that will endure all kinds of styles and playing techniques. Playing along with music or backing tracks has never been easier, due to the great connectivity settings that you get with the module. This includes standard stereo in and Bluetooth. If you are a drum teacher, you can integrate the coach mode into your teaching routine. You probably won’t have a lot to learn from it as far as drumming goes, but you might get a better feeling for what your students want and need to learn, which is a great way to improve as a teacher.

SOUNDS

Let’s take a look at the numbers first. 300 different instruments – 50 preset drum kits – room for a total of 100 presets. Versatility is certainly not a problem with the TD 17 KVX Gen2. What about the tonal qualities? The kit is somewhat tuned to modern pop sounds by default, but if that is not your cup of tea, you can quickly and easily edit almost every parameter of the sounds. This includes ambiance, bass, treble, and of course volume.

HEADS

As the description by Roland states, the pads and pedals used in the TD-17 series are engineered to take a beating. You can assign individual sounds to the rim and head separately. Playability and expressiveness are guaranteed because of that. 

PORTABILITY

Considering how complex the design of this model is, mobility is not one of its strengths. The many different parts are heavy, large and there are many hardware components that need to be transported and properly set-up. Don’t expect this to be your main travel kit, unless you have a roadie.

MODULE

The preset sounds that the module provides are easily customizable, from muffling to up or down tuning, getting the sound you desire is easy, intuitive and flexible. The TD-17 is phenomenal and you can look up hundreds of videos demonstrating its variety of sounds. In short, the sounds are based on the legendary TD-50. You can import and record over SD, record audio and trigger virtual instruments and stream songs and MIDI over Bluetooth.

 
THE KIT FEATURES:

The TD-17 includes a variety of expressive modeled drum sounds inherited from the flagship TD-50
Highly realistic 14′′ Roland PD-140DS snare pad
High-quality parts: Snare: PDX-12 x 1; Tom: PDX-8 x 3; Hi-hat: VH-10 x 1; Crash: CY-12C x 2; Ride: CY-13R x 1; Kick Drum: KD-10 x 1; Drum stand: MDS-4KVX x 1
Incredible versatility and customization options

 

All in all, this is the perfect blend of high-end drumming at a steep but realistic price. If you are still not convinced, take out your headphones and listen to the demos.

For more about the Roland TD17KV Gen2 check out customer reviews.  

Build Quality
93%
Performance
96%
Price to Value Ratio
96%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • Versatile and professional module
  • Comfortable and responsive feel
  • Sturdy and stable
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • Comes bundled with a somewhat high price tag

The Yamaha DTX6K3-X is one of Yamaha’s “intermediate” drum set options. We think it’s a good option for drummers of all levels, though. Here are all the features that explain why. 

QUALITY 

The overall sound and performance quality you get from this kit is amazing. The only downside is that the drum pads are quite small, making the kit feel a bit less comfortable to play compared to ones with larger pads. 

The smaller pads help you work on accuracy, though, as you need to be very mindful of where you strike around the kit. 

SOUNDS 

Most of the sounds come straight from sampled Yamaha acoustic drum sets. The Yamaha brand has an amazing range of high-end acoustic drum sets, and you can find many of those on the module as preset kits.

This includes sets like the Oak Custom, Recording Custom, and Live Custom. You can then edit the sounds even further to tweak the drums to get them to sound even better. 

HEADS 

The drumheads on this kit are made from silicone, which is a specialty of Yamaha electronic drum kits. These TCS heads are a big drawcard for a lot of drummers, as they offer something slightly different from the mesh drum heads that you get with other e drum kits. 

The playing response is varied. It’s not better or worse. It just gives you playability that you may prefer if you’re not a fan of mesh heads. 

PORTABILITY 

While the smaller pads are a downside for playability, they’re a huge upside for drummers that need a portable kit. 

This kit can very easily be positioned in tight spaces, as all the drum and cymbal pads are relatively small. It also means that the kit is lighter to carry around. 

MODULE 

The DTX-PRO drum module is the best component of the entire drum set. Yamaha doesn’t offer many drum modules with their kits, but this DTX-PRO module is a really good one. 

It has a huge number of sound editing tools, and you can connect it to Yamaha’s app to get even more customization options. 

It also provides preset drum sounds that are a lot better than many of the other ones you get from modules in this price range. 

FEATURES 

On the module, you get a total of 40 preset drum kit sounds. You then get 200 slots to create your own drum kits, giving you plenty of room to work with.

The sound editing tools include knobs that let you control ambiance, compression, and effects. 

All the cymbals have three trigger zones, and they can be choked. That’s another feature that you won’t find in other electronic drum sets for this price. 

CONCLUSION 

We’d say that this Yamaha drum kit is an incredibly solid option. There isn’t much bad to say about it other than the pads being a bit small. 

We’d argue that it has better value for the money compared to competing Roland kits, especially since it comes with a hi-hat stand included. That’s something that you’ll never see Roland including with their drums. 

Build Quality
92%
Performance
96%
Price to Value Ratio
96%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • Sounds Sampled from Yamaha’s acoustic drum sets
  • Great Module
  • Hi-Hat Stand included
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • The pads are a bit small

As we mentioned before, we believe all Roland products are high quality. In this case, they’ve designed a compact kit with rubber pads, a mesh head for the snare pad and a smaller module.

This makes it a more affordable option, while still maintaining some pro features found in its bigger brothers.

QUALITY

Roland is one of the few rare brands who doesn’t cut corners, even when they are fully expected to. The TD-17KV V-Compact Series features the qualities of a professional kit. The hardware is solid, offering plenty of support to the whole kit, even if you go hard at it. All of the mounts feel like they are stronger than necessary, which means that you definitely don’t have to worry about heads and pads moving around.

SOUNDS

If there is one word we could use to describe the voices and pre-sets this kit delivers, it would be ‘versatile’. Roland wanted to offer a good quality of sampling, but also some range when it comes to what you can get from this kit. This type of solution does require some compromises, but Roland seems to have handled them quite nicely.

HEADS

Here’s what is really great about Roland – they could have included just about any kind of pads on this kit, yet they chose to go with V-Pads all around. This technically means that you are getting hardware components which can be found on their flagship model, at a much lower price.

PORTABILITY

Even though it wasn’t really intended to be highly mobile, the way Roland has designed the rack on this kit allows for some portability. You probably wouldn’t want to move this thing around too often, but in case you have to do it, you won’t run into much resistance. Realistically, it doesn’t take long to break TD-17KL-S V-Compact Series down.

MODULE

Roland’s TD-17 module is fairly powerful for what it is. Compared to something like the TD-30, you will find that it lacks quite a few features. However, the TD-17 was designed to be a training tool as well. They have included a great COACH feature that will help in your practice times.

 
THE KIT FEATURES:

SuperNATURAL sound engine that features all new Behavior Modeling
Extensive sound library brings a wide range of samples suitable for all kinds of musical genres
Packed with high-quality backing tracks, ideal for practice
Quick Record/Quick Play practice features, along with unique COACH mode that is suitable for both new and experienced players
Sizable LCD screen and easy to use interface for fast navigation
USB function for connectivity, data and music streaming
Compact MDS-4V rack allows for fast setup
Comes with a mesh-head V-Pad snare (PDX-8)

 

Don’t let the smaller size fool you. This kit is capable of producing some amazing sounds. The bass drum is solid and feels great.We also appreciate a more affordable product from Roland. The downside? We would love mesh heads for the entire drum set.

  For more about the Roland TD17KV Gen2 check out customer reviews. 

Build Quality
94%
Performance
92%
Price to Value Ratio
100%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • Amazingly strong and versatile for this size
  • Top value for money, affordable price
  • Good build quality
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • A bit of mesh heads wouldn’t hurt

While KAT Percussion is a far less popular brand, their KT-300 drum kit is worth checking out. It’s an intermediate set that offers plenty of good features to keep drummers happy. 

QUALITY 

The overall quality of the KT-300 is decent. It feels good to play, the module has plenty of features, and it looks just as good as any other electronic drum set. 

However, the big drawback for many drummers is reliability. We’ve heard a few people say that the kit works brilliantly for about two years and then starts to have functionality issues. So, keep that in mind and try to take the best care you can when owning it.

SOUNDS 

We really didn’t expect the sounds to be amazing, considering that KAT Percussion is a smaller and lower-quality brand than the others. However, we were actually quite impressed by many of the preset drum kits on the module. 

They sounded balanced in the way they were mixed, and we loved how responsive they were to dynamic playing. That also comes from the heads, of course. 

HEADS 

The kit is equipped with reliable mesh heads from Remo. These feel fantastic, and we didn’t really feel too much of a difference between these and mesh heads from Roland. 

This makes the heads the best part of the kit. The cymbal pads don’t feel as good. They’re made from a hard rubber that stops them from feeling fluid. However, most rubber cymbal pads feel like this. 

PORTABILITY 

This drum kit is extremely mobile. It has the classic frame of an electronic drum kit with small pads and cymbals, so they’re easy to pack up and move around. 

Compared to many of Roland’s V-Drums kits, you get the same level of mobility. It just isn’t as mobile as a few beginner drum kits, as those are a lot smaller. 

MODULE 

The module is decent, but it doesn’t have as many sounds or features as other modules in this price range. 

The few sound editing features and play along tracks you get are great, though. 

FEATURES
The last feature to mention that we haven’t yet is that all the drum and cymbal pads are dual-zone. This means that you can play the surface and rims of the drums. You can also play the bow and edges of the cymbals to get different sounds. 

 

CONCLUSION 

We’d argue that this drum kit would be a lot more worth it if it were a bit cheaper. While the drum pads feel great, the lower reliability of the parts may stop many drummers from picking it over a Roland, Alesis, or Yamaha kit. 

You’ll love it if you do get it, though. Just make sure to constantly keep good care of it.

Build Quality
90%
Performance
92%
Price to Value Ratio
98%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • Drum pads feel great
  • Good Mobility
  • Remo Heads
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • Price Point

The Simmons Titan 70 was designed to offer players an exceptional drumming experience without the price tag of high-end models like the higher models of this roundup. The Titan 70 has a lot to shout about, let’s get into it.

QUALITY

The Titan 70 has its roots deep in budget-friendly terrain, but don’t be fooled it doesn’t skimp on quality. While it may not boast an all-metal rack like some pricier models, the heavy-duty plastic rack it comes with is sturdy enough to withstand intense drumming sessions.

The drum pads are made from a resilient rubberized material that deliver decent bounce and rebound. They might not have the full luxurious feel of mesh heads but they hold their own for this price bracket. Bottom line, this kit is sturdy enough for what it’s designed for bringing drumming into the household without breaking the bank.

SOUNDS

The Simmons Drum Module comes with a collection of 300+ sounds, which may not rival the Prismatic Sound Modeling Engine in Roland’s flagship model but does offer a satisfying sonic palette for the beginner to intermediate drummer. The module contains multiple preset kits and while it may lack the depth of customization compared to high-end models, it gives you more than enough to start jamming right out of the box.

HEADS

The rubberized drum pads offer a solid, consistent surface for practice and performance. While they won’t give you the feel of an acoustic drum head they do a reasonable job of emulating the bounce and resistance you’d expect from a real drum. It’s worth mentioning that the cymbal pads are sufficiently responsive and offer a pretty decent playing experience for their price point.

PORTABILITY

The Titan 70 shines when it comes to mobility. Its lightweight frame makes it easier to move around than its heavier, more expensive counterparts. The rack, while not as robust as an all-metal construction, is easier to disassemble and transport. If you’re short on space or need a kit that can easily move from point A to point B, this is where the Titan 70 excels.

MODULE

While it’s not the TD-50X, the module on the Titan 70 offers the essentials: a variety of drum kits, some play-along tracks and basic recording features. Its user interface is also more streamlined making it easier for beginners to navigate. It may not be a control center for sound wizardry but it brings a decent amount of tech to the table for aspiring drummers.

FEATURES
One standout feature of the Titan 70 is its USB/MIDI connectivity, allowing you to integrate it with your DAW or drum software. This is a big plus for drummers who want to explore digital music production. Although it doesn’t offer an immersive room simulation like some high-end models, the range of sounds and easy connectivity make it a versatile kit for its price.

CONCLUSION

The Simmons Titan 70 offers a reliable, budget-friendly entry into the world of electronic drumming. With its respectable sound module, decent build quality and focus on mobility. Serving as an excellent starting point for beginners or a reasonable practice kit for more advanced drummers on a budget.

So if you’re looking for a kit that offers a solid bang for the buck, the Titan 70 deserves your attention. But, as with any purchase, it’s best to try before you buy to ensure it meets your specific needs.

Build Quality
88%
Performance
90%
Price to Value Ratio
97%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • Affordable
  • Great Mobility
  • Sturdy
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • No Mesh heads

Over the years Alesis has proven to be full of surprises. This brand has started to dominate the value for the money segment of the market. The Alesis Command Mesh Kit is among the latest additions to their spectrum.

Alesis went ahead and put together a great set of Mylar heads, stacked on a well-known rack. All of this is connected to a module that packs one mean punch. Let’s take a closer look at this setup.

QUALITY

The hardware that comes with the Command Mesh kit is anything but basic. They have used thick pipes for the rack, making the kit feel like it is anchored to the ground. Command Mesh kit demonstrates precision craftsmanship and proper fitting of the elements. Mounts are sturdy and everything fits nicely. In terms of quality, this thing is right up there.

SOUNDS

What really puts Command Mesh kit on the map, is its library of sounds. We are looking at 1047 of 16-bit samples that haven’t been treated with any kind of compression. That is 100 presets, which you can overwrite if you want to. With that said, the quality of the samples is fairly decent. The Command Mesh won’t replace an acoustic set anytime soon, but it is fairly capable.

HEADS

Alesis discontinued the DM10 variant with mesh head drum pads, offering a Mylar solution instead. The feedback from this type of pad comes across as fairly natural. The stick reacts well to the surface, which you will notice straight away. The pads offer great sensitivity, while cymbals are not too far behind. However, cymbal choking doesn’t work too well.

PORTABILITY

Being a full sized kit, the Command Mesh is not something you could call portable. The rack is a heavy duty design that takes time to put together and break down. Adjusting every pad and cymbal also takes some finesse. In other words, as long as you don’t have to move it too often, the Command Mesh is pretty decent.

MODULE

The Command module packs a lot of heat in a price range where compromises are more or less the standard. Truthfully,  this thing is very responsive. It can handle complex patterns fairly well, while it also allows for a lot of on-site editing. Compared to other Alesis models, the Command’s nature makes it great for live performance and recording. 

 
THE KIT FEATURES:

High-definition drum module with 12 trigger inputs and mixer
RealHead 10″ snare and 4 – 8″ toms; dual-zone drum pads with real mylar heads
DMPad cymbals: hi-hat, 2 crashes, and triple-zone ride
Compact, black aluminum StageRack
Premium sound library of uncompressed samples from real drums and cymbals
Dynamic Articulation changes sound’s timbre along with dynamics for realism

Overall, the Command Mesh kit is a great solution in a price range where you don’t really see too much diversity. Those Mylar heads give it a very natural vibe, which is what most acoustic drummers are looking for. While it is not a perfect kit by any means, it is one of the better models you can get in it’s price range.

If you want to know more about alesis drum sets check this guide.   Or see the full guide for the Alesis command Mesh kit here.

Build Quality
93%
Performance
96%
Price to Value Ratio
96%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • Realistic Mylar pads
  • Great feedback
  • Solid rack
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • Limited cymbals

The Roland TD-02KV is a high-end beginner drum kit designed to give newer drummers a great playing experience. 

QUALITY 

While this is a beginner kit, it still has amazing playability and good quality. It feels great to play, the sounds are good, and the responsiveness of the pads is really good. 

The only bad part is that you get a trigger pedal for the bass drum instead of a regular kick pedal and pad. It works well, but it doesn’t give you the same feeling as playing a real acoustic bass drum. 

SOUNDS 

The sounds come from the Roland TD-02K drum module. They’re not as good as the ones from higher-end Roland kits, but they’re still better than the sounds that come from competing kits from Alesis and KAT Percussion. 

There are 16 preset drum kits, and most of them sound very high in quality. You also get excellent response from the pads, making those sounds react well to the way you play the kit. 

HEADS 

You get one mesh pad to use as a snare drum on this kit. The rest of the tom pads are rubber. They’re a bit bouncier than mesh pads, stopping them from giving you authentic response. However, they still feel good to play. 

The cymbal pads are only half-covered with rubber playing surfaces, but they’re quite responsive too. 

Overall, the heads don’t feel as good as a kit with a full set of mesh pads, but they’re decent for beginner drummers. 

PORTABILITY 

Mobility is one of the main features of this drum set. You can easily fold it up and move it around, making it ideal for drummers keeping the kit in their bedrooms. If you don’t have space, you can fold it up when you’re not playing and move it to the side. 

It’s also really light, making the whole process even easier. 

MODULE 

The TD-02 is one of Roland’s most basic modules. Other than a few preset drum kits, a metronome feature, and coaching functions, it doesn’t offer much. 

However, that’s perfect for new drummers that won’t actually use a whole range of features. 

FEATURES 

Another cool thing about this kit is that you can use Bluetooth headphones to connect to it. There’s an adapter slot that allows it. 

You may get a slight audio delay, but it’s not enough to ruin the playing experience. 

CONCLUSION 

We highly recommend this kit for beginner drummers. It provides an excellent starting platform to learn, and it has reliable Roland quality, meaning it will last years without having any problems. 

The only drawback is the high price. 

Build Quality
92%
Performance
90%
Price to Value Ratio
90%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • Great for beginners
  • Roland quality
  • Super compact
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • Price point

15. Alesis Nitro Kit (BONUS)

If you’re an absolute beginner and want to enter the drumming world at a super affordable price, this kit may be the solution you’re looking for. It’s nice to see Alesis has included some of their more advanced technology in this starter kit.

QUALITY

When you are dealing with beginner entry level kits such as the Nitro, quality is an important factor. Fortunately for us, Alesis has created a kit that can take a beating and keep on going. The rack is very sturdy for this segment of the market, providing excellent support to all of the components.

SOUNDS

The Alesis Nitro brings you 40 drum kit presets in total. On top of that, you get 11 MIDI kits and 385 various instruments that include SFX and all kinds of percussion sounds. The quality of the sounds is decent and about as good as you would hope for them to be in this price range.

HEADS

The pads that the Alesis folks ship with the Nitro can be described as basic but reliable. We are looking at a set of rubber heads which aren’t all that sensitive, but their core performance is on point. The same can be said about the cymbals. This is the type of kit that you can learn how to play on without having to worry about damaging the hardware.

PORTABILITY

The Alesis Nitro isn’t a very portable kit. It features a full sized rack that takes some time to assemble and break down again. If you are looking for something to gig with on a tight budget, the Nitro will work. Just keep in mind that moving it takes some time and effort.

MODULE

The Nitro module is a basic but effective solution in the entry-level segment of the market. Its core performance is rock solid, meaning that it will keep up with you no matter what. On top of that, it comes with a decent sequencer and a built-in metronome, which is great for those who want to solidify their timing.

 
THE KIT FEATURES:

Pads that offer authentic feedback and playing sensation
8-inch high-quality drum pads
Quality kick drum pad with kick pedal included
10-inch cymbals, including ride cymbal, hi-hat and crash with choke
Solid aluminum rack for high stability and support
Super inexpensive set that delivers volume sensibility and rimshots on all bodies making the feel and dynamics really a plus for this budget.

It doesn’t have the best drum module and the sounds aren’t the greatest. But if you’re starting out, this kit will meet your needs.

For more about the Alesis Nitro Kit check out customer reviews.   

Our check the comparison with the Alesis Surge here

Build Quality
70%
Performance
74%
Price to Value Ratio
80%
PROS: THINGS WE LIKED
  • Very cheap
  • Great value for the money
  • Strong, booming rimshots
CONS: THINGS WE DIDN'T LIKE
  • Beginner kit and that’s it
Best Electronic Drum Sets

What Makes a Good Electronic Drum Set?

There are several things you need to consider, with these aspects being determined by your budget.
Generally speaking, you need to pay attention to these 4 key points:

SOUNDS:

You’re going to need to look for a manufacturer that has done the proper job of recording different types of drums in real situations. Typically you will find sounds for different playing styles, but the quality of this samples is what matters the most.

QUALITY:

Quality generally improves as the cost of kits increases. However, we have included the best brands in this list, no matter how much you are willing to pay.

HEADS:

There are two types of heads and we cover the difference between them in the guide section. But essentially, try to pick a kit with mesh drum heads. These types of heads have a more natural feel when playing. If you come from an acoustic drum, set you will be grateful for them.

MODULE:

This is the brain behind the machine. You will find better and more complex modules when you are looking at high-end e-drums. They are harder to understand, and aimed at more experienced musicians.

My Experience Buying Electronic Drum Sets 

As a skilled drummer, I’ve had the pleasure of purchasing quite a few electronic drum sets over the years. The journey, loaded with the highs of discovering new technology and the lows of occasional disappointments, has been a valuable lesson in understanding the dynamic world of digital percussion.

My initial incursion into the world of electronic drum sets was rather overwhelming. The market was filled with countless brands, each promising the best sounds, innovative features and a seamless transition from acoustic to electronic drum kits.

The first set I purchased was the Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit. It was a budget-friendly choice and seemed perfect for a beginner. The promise of the next-generation mesh performance and a premium eight-piece configuration seemed irresistible. Once set up in my home studio, it indeed served as an excellent entry point into the electronic world, proving that high quality doesn’t always have to carry a hefty price tag.

As I progressed in my drumming career, I started exploring more advanced drum sets. Constantly on the hunt for the best balance between quality, innovation and affordability. The Roland TD-27KV was a notable upgrade for me. The over 700 sounds it offered was a game-changer, feeding my insatiable curiosity to experiment with diverse tones and rhythms. Its state-of-the-art digital pads provided a significant improvement over the previous kits I’ve played and added another dimension to my playing, allowing me to push my boundaries even further.

However, it was the Roland TD-50KV2 that truly blew me away. My investment into this flagship model in Roland’s V-Drums lineup was a significant one both financially and emotionally. The kit’s quality was palpable from the robust metal rack to the tunable mesh drum heads that offered a more realistic approach like an acoustic kit.

Purchasing electronic drum sets is more than just acquiring a new instrument, it’s about expanding your musical horizons and embracing the technology. This redifines your approach to drumming.

Despite a few hiccups and the occasional disappointment, my journey into the world of electronic drum sets has been undeniably exciting and rewarding. The key to a satisfactory purchase, I’ve learned, lies in thorough research, understanding your own needs as a drummer, and above all, not being afraid to invest in the promise of innovation.

Headphones Vs Speakers:
Amplifying your Electronic Drum Set

Best Headphones for Electronic Drums

When it comes to enjoying the sounds of your electronic drum set, you essentially have two options: headphones or speakers. Each has its own pros and cons, and the choice often comes down to your personal preferences, the environment in which you’ll be playing, and the specific demands of your drumming practice.

Headphones: A Deep Dive Into Personal Soundscapes

Headphones offer a direct, intimate audio experience, providing a deep, immersive soundscape that’s exclusive to the drummer. Here are a few points to consider:

  1. Sound Quality: Good-quality headphones can deliver crystal-clear, high-fidelity audio directly to your ears. You’ll hear every drum hit and cymbal crash in vivid detail, which can be a real difference when practicing complex drum patterns or working on your technique.
  2. Noise Control: Headphones are great for practicing in noise-sensitive environments. You can play to your heart’s content without disturbing others, making them a great choice for late-night practice sessions or for playing in an apartment setting.
  3. Portability: Headphones are compact and portable, allowing you to practice virtually anywhere without worrying about lugging around heavy speakers.

However, prolonged use of headphones can sometimes lead to ear fatigue, and it’s worth noting that they don’t offer the same ‘feel’ as playing with speakers, particularly in terms of physical vibrations and spatial sound distribution.

Speakers: Amplifying Your Beats in the Open Air

Speakers, on the other hand, allow your electronic drum sounds to fill a room, creating a more authentic, acoustic-like drumming experience. Some points to consider include:

  1. Sound Dispersion: Speakers project your drum sounds into the space around you, giving you a sense of the ‘live’ sound and the spatial distribution of your kit. This can be very beneficial for performance practice or when playing along with other musicians.
  2. Feel of the Sound: With speakers, you’ll feel the thump of the bass drum and the crash of the cymbals reverberating through the room, which can provide a more realistic playing experience.
  3. Volume Control: Speakers give you the ability to control the volume and fill a room with sound, which can be advantageous for performances or group jam sessions.

However, speakers can be noisy for others around you and are less portable than headphones. They may also require additional equipment, such as an amplifier, and the sound quality can be affected by the acoustics of the room you’re in.

In the end, many drummers opt to have both headphones and speakers available for their electronic drum set. This gives them the flexibility to practice silently with headphones or amplify their sound with speakers when the situation allows. It’s all about matching the right tool to your specific needs at any given moment.

Switching From Acoustic to Electronic Drum Sets:

Best Electronic drum Sets - From Acoustic to Electronic

If you are switching from an acoustic drum set or incorporating a new electronic drum kit, you need to know that the feel and response from traditional drums will change greatly. 

One of the most noticeable changes is the stick response. Both the rebound and the attack characteristics differ a lot from the acoustic options. Although the are electronic drum kits that use mesh heads that let you control tension, keep in mind that you’ll need to make some changes to your drumming technique, especially if you’re planning to buy a kit with rubber head pads. 

These are other areas you need to consider: 

Sound Presence: A Different Auditory Experience


A crucial aspect to consider in your transition is the change in sound presence. Acoustic drums have a raw, organic quality with a physical presence that fills the room. The sound of each drum, cymbal, or hi-hat is distinct and resonates differently, based on factors such as size, material, and tuning. This ‘live’ sound, along with the feel of the air moving as you strike the drums, contributes significantly to the overall playing experience.

On the other hand, electronic drum kits produce a more processed sound that is consistently clean and can be shaped infinitely through the module. 

However, this digital sound lacks the natural resonance and room-filling quality of acoustic drums. It’s a much more controlled sound that relies on amplification systems like headphones or speakers, which can make it feel less ‘present’ or tangible. 

This switch can initially feel strange, especially if you are used to the raw energy of an acoustic kit.

However, electronic drum kits bring with them the advantage of variety and customization. You can access hundreds, even thousands of different drum sounds and effects, allowing you to explore sonic territories that would be impossible on an acoustic kit. Over time, as you adjust to the sound and feel of electronic drums, you might come to appreciate this flexibility and the new dimensions it adds to your music.

Latency: A Speed Bump on the Digital Highway


Another difference can be latency. Nowadays MIDI is super fast and capable of processing several notes at a time, but you may still encounter a small lag between the stroke and the final sound. 

This shouldn’t be an issue and you’ll get used to it in no time, decreasing this perception. The last thing to notice is the distant sound. If you have experience with acoustic kits you will know that the sound is produced instantly from every drum body. 

When you go digital, the sound comes from the speakers placed around the room. One common solution is to use a couple of monitors that will give a similar feeling when playing.

Pad Feel: A New Touch and Sensation


The pad feel it’s a game-changer. You know, there’s something unique about the feel of an acoustic drum. It’s this tactile experience that contributes to the joy of drumming.

But when you shift to electronic drums you’re stepping into a different world. Whether you’re dealing with rubber pads or mesh heads, the sensation is not quite the same. 

Rubber pads can feel hard and less forgiving, especially when you’re used to the responsiveness of an acoustic set. They tend to have a stiffer feel and offer less rebound, which could mean adjusting your playing technique.

On the other hand, mesh head drum pads (which are seen on higher-end electronic kits) can come closer to replicating the feel of an acoustic drum heads. The tension on these mesh heads can even be adjusted to suit your preference giving a semblance of the “real” drumming experience.

This transition to a different pad feel can be a bit of a curveball initially. But don’t worry, with a bit of patience and plenty of playing, you’ll get accustomed to it.

Dynamic Response: A Dance of Touch and Sound


So, we’ve touched on pad feel, but what about the dynamic response? 

If you’ve played acoustic drums for a while you know that playing a drum isn’t just about hitting, it’s about expressing. 

You play softly and you get a gentle whisper of a sound, play a powerful rimshot and the drum roars back. The instrument responds directly to your touch creating a dynamic range that mirrors your emotions.

But what happens when you go electronic? 

Well, it can be a mixed bag. Some entry-level electronic drum sets might not offer the most sensitive dynamic response. 

You could find yourself laying into a cymbal for a crash and getting a weak tinkle instead. Or perhaps you’re trying to play a delicate ghost note on the snare, and it sounds louder than you’d expect.

Now, this isn’t to say that electronic drums can’t be expressive. On the contrary, the best electronic drum kits out there are finely tuned machines that respond well to variations in your playing dynamics. 

You’ll find that the higher-end models have advanced trigger technology that can accurately capture every subtle nuance of your playing, from the lightest touch to the most forceful whack.

Striking Techniques: Hitting the Sweet Spot


There’s an art to striking an acoustic drum. Angle, intensity, drumstick type. These are the variables that modify your sound. You can drum on the edge of the snare for a more resonant tone or hit it in the middle for a direct and sharp sound. 

With cymbals, a swipe across the edge produces a rich wash, while a hit on the dome gives you a clear piercing ping. These techniques add depth and character to your drumming.

Switch over to electronic drums and it’s a whole new ball game. While your striking technique fundamentally remains the same you might have to adjust it to accommodate the different materials and sizes of the electronic pads. 

For instance, the uniform surface of a rubber pad may not offer the same tonal variations as an acoustic drumhead.However, many modern electronic kits, especially high-end ones, feature multi-zone pads. 

These can respond differently depending on where they’re hit, somewhat akin to an acoustic drum. For example, a snare drum pad might have separate triggers for the head and the rim giving you the option for rimshots.

That said, it’s worth mentioning that powerful techniques like rimshots or cymbal chokes may require additional practice to execute correctly on an electronic kit. And remember that excessive force is unnecessary and potentially damaging. Electronic drums are more about precision than power.

In essence, transitioning to electronic drums doesn’t mean you need to relearn your striking techniques. Rather you’re evolving them to suit a new instrument. 

Benefits of Going Digital:

Roland Vad103 Review

There’s an undeniable charm to acoustic drums, the natural feel, the dynamic range, the physicality of it. But let’s take a minute to appreciate the perks of joining the digital drumming experience:

Volume Control: 

This is important. Living in a small apartment or sharing walls with less-than-thrilled neighbours can make acoustic drumming a challenge. But with electronic drums, you’re the master of volume. 

Plug in your headphones and play to your heart’s content without disturbing a soul. Plus, the ability to adjust the volume of individual elements of the kit can aid in creating a balanced sound.

Space-Saving: 

Full-sized acoustic drum kits can take up a considerable amount of space. Electronic drum kits tend to have a smaller footprint, making them an excellent choice for tight spaces. Not to mention, they’re easier to move around.

Sound Variety: 

This is where electronic kits really shine. With the press of a button, your snare can go from tight and dry to big and reverberant. 

Want to switch from a vintage jazz kit to a heavy metal setup? No problem. 

The ability to experiment with different sounds can expand your creative horizons enormously.

Practice Tools: 

Many electronic drum kits come loaded with metronomes, built-in tracks, recording capabilities and more. Making them an excellent tool for practice. They can even connect to your computer or mobile device, opening up a world of learning and recording software.

Durability: 

Electronic drums are pretty robust. You don’t have to worry about changing skins or the environmental conditions affecting your drums. They’re built to last and require minimal maintenance compared to an acoustic set.

Easy Recording: 

Want to lay down some tracks? With an electronic kit, you’re already halfway there. Connect your drum kit to a computer and you can record without needing loads of mics and a soundproof room.

FAQ:

Which electronic drum kit is best?

The answer to this question is fairly subjective. There are multiple brands that produce electronic drum kits, and each brand sells kits of different tiers. The top-tier kits from each brand can comfortably compete with each other.

Some people will like one brand while others will prefer what another brand offers with their electronic drum kit.

With that being said, there are a few electronic drum kits on the market that are well-known for being the best options that you can get. Out of Alesis, Roland, and Yamaha, each big e-kit brand has one of these kits.

The two top kits from Roland are the TD-50KV2 and the VAD706. Both kits are excellent in their own right. The top kit from Yamaha is the DTX10 Series. It can comfortably compete with the TD-50KVX, but it doesn’t offer as many of the hybrid qualities as the VAD706.

The top kit from Alesis is the Strike Pro. It offers many of the same qualities as the top kits from other brands, but it’s a lot cheaper.  Naturally, it doesn’t have sounds or features that are as high-quality. However, it’s still an amazing kit for anyone looking to have a giant electronic set.

If you don’t have the budget for it, you shouldn’t keep your sights on the top kits. Instead, you can easily find cheaper kits that still have pro-level features to them.

Do professional drummers use electronic drums?

Electronic drums used to be purely be used as practice tools. They would be the go-to option for practicing at night time or when you couldn’t make much of a noise. However, technology has come a far way since then, and drummers have started using electronics for gigging more and more.

The most common thing you’ll see professional drummers doing is using hybrid setups. This is when they mix electronic drums and acoustic drums together to make a versatile setup. They’ll primarily play on the acoustic drums while hitting the electronic pads every now and then to get sounds that are only possible with electronics.

Some professional drummers also only use electronic drum kits. With electronic kits coming closer and closer to sounding like acoustic kits, the benefits of using an electronic set have become more attractive over time.

You also get drummers who primarily play in electronic music settings, so using an electronic kit is the clear better option. A good example of this is Michael Schack. He’s a DJ and drummer who plays drums at festivals and clubs. He plays drums and DJs at the same time. All of this is made possible thanks to electronic drum sets.

How much is a good electronic drum set?

Electronic drum sets can be put into different categories. These categories can be sorted by features, hardware, and costs. If you’re purely looking at cost, you can estimate how much a good electronic kit will cost based on all the available kits on the market and their qualities.

However, you should also look at the demographic that the kit is targeted at. That will also help determine how much you should spend.

For example, an Alesis Nitro Mesh kit is a good option for a beginner drummer. It costs well under $500 and it has everything a beginner will need to start learning to play the drums. It’s a fantastic kit, but only for beginners. It’s not a good kit for more experienced players.

Intermediate and advanced drummers will be looking for higher-quality kits that offer more in terms of sounds and features. Taking all of that into account, here are some general pricing numbers that you can expect:

A good electronic kit for beginners will cost between $300 and $800.

A good electronic kit for intermediate drummers will cost between $800 and $1500.

A good electronic kit for advanced and pro players will cost between $1500 and $3000.

Luxury electronic drum kits will cost between $3000 and $10 000.

Follow this guide for more on Electronic Drum Sets cost. 

Where to order electronic drum sets?

You can order electronic kits to be shipped to your doorstep from most online music stores. However, we’ve found the best music store to be Sweetwater. Not much can compete with the services they provide.

Sweetwater stocks an incredibly large range of electronic kits, so there’s a serious number of options to choose from. You can find all the latest models from all the major brands there.

What Brand of Electric Drums is the Best? 

There are several manufactures that produce electronic drum kits, among the best brands you can find Roland, Yamaha, Alesis, ATV and now Pearl. 

Are Electronic Drum Sets any good? 

If you consider the first electronic drum kits back in the day the experience of playing was to strange and far different than the feel of an acoustic drum.

Things evolved and know you can find super advance electronic drum sets that mimic the acoustic feeling flawlessly. Making them solid instruments that any pro drummer could use.

Which is better Roland or Yamaha electronic drums?

Both companies are great producing electronic drum sets. That being said Roland has some top of the line products like the TD 50    that in my opinion are above some Yamaha products. 

Is it OK to learn drums on an electronic kit?

Absolutely, you can learn drums just fine with an electronic drum set the theory and practice is the same as if you would use an acoustic set. 

What is the best electronic drum set for beginners?

If you are beginner you should probably aim at a entry set. Take a look at the Nitro Kit from Alesis. 

What is the best Roland drum module?

The TD-50X Module is the best in my opinion. It brings the kit the most realism.

Things To Consider:

Best Electronic Drum Set

CHOOSING BASED ON YOUR INTENDED USE

What most new drummers don’t understand about electronic drum sets, is that they are very purpose specific. For example, certain kits are made specifically for home practice. While others are made for studio use or live performance. Figuring out what you plan to use your kit for can help you narrow down a lot of options. Not to mention that doing this will tell you exactly which price range of kits you need to be looking at.

DEFINING A BUDGET

Now that you have figured out what you plan on using your electronic drum kit for, you should define a budget for it. This is where things get tricky. Some kits come with everything you need to play them. Others not so much. When setting a budget for an electronic drum kit, you should take into consideration all of the accessories you need to get in order to make the kit complete.

FINDING THE RIGHT MODULE

An electronic drum kit module is the brain of the entire device. That is why most experienced drummers are going to look at the module of any given kit before they move on to other things. And that is why you should to. Getting a better module leaves you with more room for upgrades later down the road. With that being said, making this decision should be based on how long you plan on keeping that specific kit and when you will be able to get a better one.

Rubber vs Mesh heads
 

RUBBER HEAD OR MESH HEADS PADS:

There have been many improvements since the first electronic drum set.

At first, the sensation of playing electric drums seemed as if you were trying to play drums on a desk. In turn, this meant that the feedback was completely different compared to a real acoustic set.

Nowadays the feeling and response have been improved with the use of rubber or mesh heads. The main difference between these two is that rubber heads are similar to a traditional practice pad.

Mesh heads tend to respond to a more acoustic feeling with a little more rebound, making them more friendly to play.

AMPLIFICATION AND MONITORING THE ELECTRONIC DRUM SET:

You should keep in mind that a e drum kit needs to be connected with an audio cable to an amplification system, especially when playing with other musicians.

It’s also important to have good monitor speakers so you can hear exactly what you are playing.

You can find some self-contained systems specially designed for electronic drums.

How to Record Your Electronic Drums:

One of the best things about having an electronic drum set is the fact that it’s very easy to record with them. There are two main types of recording, both having benefits to them.

The first would be playback recording. This is a feature that most electronic drum kits have that everyone should heavily utilize. To do a playback recording, you simply press a button on the drum module and then play the drums after you’ve pressed it.

Press the button again once you’re finished, and then everything you’ve just played will be played back to you through the monitors that are connected to the module. This feature will allow you to hear exactly what you sound like from an objective point of view.

It’s a fantastic way of hearing what you need to work on. This is why all drummers should use the feature. Just take note that this feature isn’t how you record drums to use in songs and videos. That’s a whole different ball game.

To get a recording that you can use for different things, you need to make use of the MIDI capabilities of the drum module. To do this, you need to connect the module to a computer via a USB cable.

Once the module is connected to the computer, you need to run the input through a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). A DAW will allow you to control what happens with the input that is coming through to the computer. This is where you can make a recording. Without a DAW, you won’t be able to record the drums.

Some popular DAWs are GarageBand and ProTools. Depending on which DAW you have, you’ll be able to manipulate the sounds and inputs that are coming from the electronic drum module.

The cool thing about recording electronic drums is that you have more control over what happens with the MIDI input. You don’t need to worry about mic placements or proper EQing as it’s normally already done for you through the drum module.

If you don’t like the sounds of your electronic kit, you can simply change them by downloading a VST with some better sounds. This is why the recording features are some of the best features of e-kits. The possibilities are virtually endless.

We’ve done a full article on this which you can find here. Once you’ve read through that, you’ll know exactly how to record your electronic drums for various settings.

How to Connect Your Electronic Drums to a Computer:

All electronic drum kits have a USB port that you can find somewhere on the module. To plug your kit into a computer, you need to connect a MIDI to USB cable from that port to the computer.

Typically, an electronic kit will come with this cable along with all the other components needed to make everything work. However, you can easily buy a USB to MIDI cable if the kit you have doesn’t come with one. They’re very affordable.

Again, you’re going to need a DAW on your computer for it to recognize the electronic drum module that’s been connected to it. If you don’t have a DAW booted up on your computer, you’re not going to see any signal being recognized.

Some older electronic kits will require you to install some drivers to be able to be recognized, but most e-kits will be picked up instantly.

Something that most people don’t think about until they actually run into the problem is the issue of cable length. If you want to connect your e-drums to your computer, you’re going to need them to be placed fairly close to each other. If they’re not close, the USB cable won’t be long enough to be connected to both. You could also solve this issue by buying a cable that is longer than the one that comes with the electronic drums.

The article that we mentioned above also explains further in detail how to connect electronic drums to a computer. You should check that out to find out all the small details of connecting your electronic drums.

Interestingly enough, you can also connect electronic drums to a smartphone! It mostly works the same as connecting them to a computer. However, there are a few extra steps that we highlight in that article. So, go give it a read.

Conclusion

Well, there you have it. The best electronic drum set reviews for every budget bracket.

Of course, features will change at different price points, but any of the choices above are really good. This goes both for entry level users and professionals alike.

If you are not sure which route to go, we have some excellent guides about intermediate sets and the best drum set brands for acoustic drumming.

Be sure to check what customers are saying about the products and feel free to leave us a comment with any question you might have.

By the way, don’t forget to check our drum lessons section. Getting an electronic drum set is the first step. Now you need improve your skills to make it as a great drummer.

We want to hear from you. What is your dream electronic drum set?

Brett Clur has been playing drums for over 20 years. He is passionate about advanced concepts and uses his years of experience to teach his students about them. While he is a full-time drum teacher, he is also working on growing a YouTube channel where shares his insights. You can see him playing there, or on Instagram where he posts daily videos.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

9 Tips
to Get Faster

Subscribe to our ninja mailing list and get a Free E-book!