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In this article, we will discuss some of the best electronic drum sets available in 2024. Electric drum kits are popular among drummers for lots of reasons. They provide a low-noise solution to practicing the drums and also they’re also equipped with tons of different sounds which give the player endless hours of fun to play around with.
Below is a list of our top 10 electronic drum sets and detailed explanations as to why we’ve picked them. We think you’ll find this one of the best, if not the best, electronic drum set reviews out there. Read on.
Here are the best electronic drum sets 2024:
- Yamaha DTX402K
- Alesis Nitro Mesh
- Roland TD-27KV
- Roland Acoustic Design VAD506
- Alesis Strike Pro
- Roland TD-1K
- Roland TD-50K
- Roland TD-1DMK
- Yamaha DTX562K
- Roland TD-17K-L
1. Yamaha DTX402K
This is a lightweight, eight-piece set of e-drums. There are four tom pads, two foot pedals and three cymbal pads. Both the hi-hat and bass drum pedal are free floating, so there are no physical pads here. The Yamaha DTX402K is an updated version of the previous Yamaha DTX400K.
This drum kit comes with a module that contains 10 drum kits, 415 sample sounds and 10 practice functions. Practice functions include a chops builder, a time checker and a speed trainer. The time check function will work on your timing and accuracy when playing grooves.
If you play too slow the lights on the module will indicate this to you. It’s a clever way of training drummers to play on the beat. Plus you get a simple but fun mode which monitors your speed on the kit, much like the popular Drumometer device.
There are also 10 play-along songs built-in to the DTX402 module. These songs can be customized by changing the tempo or even removing the drums. More features are provided by Yamaha by way of their smartphone and tablet apps.
Image credit: Yamaha Check Price on Sweetwater |
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Yamaha’s DTX402K is a decent beginner-friendly electronic drum kit for the money. The module is also compatible with DAWs and it has plenty of input and output options too. The practice functions are fun to play around on.
2. Alesis Nitro Mesh
The best budget electronic drum kit
The Alesis Nitro Mesh kit is an excellent entry-level electronic drum set. It is billed as an 8-piece drum kit which equates to five drums and three cymbals. The make-up of the drums is similar to the aforementioned TD-27KV by Roland in that Alesis have provided mesh for all drum pads except the bass drum. As is to be expected, there is a substantial difference in build and response from these drums. For a drum kit which is under $500, that still represents good value.
All four mesh pads are 8 inches in diameter. These heads have the benefit of being tunable, or tensionable. This is great whenever you need to replace a head or even when it comes to customizing individual drum feels. The bass drum pad consists of a rubber-type trigger surface and it can accommodate either single or double pedal setups. Alesis have included a kick pedal in the deal.
The Alesis Nitro drum module has 385 instrument sounds for you to get stuck into. In total there are 40 different drum kit banks with 60 play-along tracks for you to jam to. Styles include rock kits, studio kits, electronic kits, percussion kits and a couple of experimental sounding drum kits with unusual percussion sounds. You can also customize a selection of drum sounds in order to create your own kits. Within the 40 drum kits there are 15 empty preset banks for you to create and save your own combinations.
Play-along songs contained within the module can be used to improve your chops on the instrument. All songs can be sped up or down in tempo which makes for hours of practice material. Also included is a standard metronome and some coaching tools. These coaching tools can be used by drummers of all experience levels.
Image credit: Alesis Check Price on Sweetwater |
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The Nitro Mesh kit is not just cheap but it’s also expandable which means you can purchase and connect another two drum or cymbal pads to the module for more musical options. Overall this kit represents great bang for your buck considering it’s well under $500 to purchase.
3. Roland TD-27KV
The best value electronic drum set for the money
Roland are well known in the drumming industry for producing quality electronic drum kits. Their TD-27KV is one of their best-selling e-drum kits. This drum set is aimed at professional drummers and live performers. It’s a great deal more expensive than a lot of mid-range kits, but still a lot less than their flagship TD-50K drum series. With that said, it also features many new additions which previously were only available with the TD-50K series.
This is a nine-piece kit with five drums and four cymbals. So that’s a bass drum, snare, three toms, two crash cymbals, a ride cymbal and a hi-hat. The TD-27KV is a mesh drum kit for the most part. The four pads, 3 toms and snare, are equipped with realistic mesh heads which offer a more natural response than rubber pads. They’re also tensionable, so that you can adjust the stick response to your liking. Each tom pad is 10 inches in diameter while the cymbals are 18, 13, 12 and with a 12-inch hi-hat.
Unfortunately when it comes to the kick drum, there is no mesh head here. The bass drum tower that comes with the TD-27KV is equipped with a 5-inch rubber-type pad. It is relatively quiet to play on but lacks the realism and comfort of a mesh pad tower.
The real star of the show with this electronic kit is the snare drum. This snare is Roland’s PD-140DS, an ultra-realistic, chrome-plated drum with a 14-inch mesh head. This drum usually ships with the flagship TD-50 series of kits. It has advanced technology which makes it sensitive to alternate drum techniques such as rim clicks and even brush playing. You can produce realistic and believable rimshots by playing on the head and rim at the same time. The sensitivity on this drum is unparalleled with anything else in the electronic drum world. The level of triggering provides for a very realistic and enjoyable playing experience.
The hi-hat on the TD-27KV is a VH-10 which features a 12-inch pad. This kit comes with a Yamaha hi-hat stand that fits on any standard hi-hat stand. In this bundle the hi-hat stand is not included. The hi-hat pad uses sensors to detect what position the hi-hat is in, so that you can play and hear a different and totally natural response from the triggers. Fans of real hi-hat playing will love the VH-10. It is a huge improvement on the lower-budget hi-hats that come with cheaper Roland drum sets.
Image credit: Roland Check Price on Sweetwater |
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The TD-27KV is a reliable and popular option for drummers seeking to go electronic. The module is packed with effects and microphone simulators and there is full USB MIDI connectivity. You can gig with this kit easily as it comes with 55 preset drum kit sound banks with space for 45 user kits.
In total there are 728 sample sounds on the TD-27 drum module. It’s no surprise that this is widely becoming one of the most top-rated electronic drum sets around.
4. Roland Acoustic Design VAD506
The most realistic electronic drum set
The latest addition to Roland’s V-Drum series is their Acousitc Design selection. These electronic drums feature state of the art triggering, sampling and also have a new and improved look. On first impressions it the VAD506 looks like a regular acoustic drum set, complete with deep shell drums.
This new advancement is a step on from Roland’s TD-50 series, which also offered shells across the kit. However, the difference between the look of the TD-50 series and the Acoustic Design series is remarkable. Gone is the traditional rack which was used to hold components. Instead we have a 20-inch bass drum with spurs, a floor tom with adjustable legs, separate cymbal stands for ride, crash and the hi-hat.
Now, it should be said that this particular bundle does not ship with a bass drum pedal, a hi-hat stand or a snare stand. If you’re an acoustic drummer making the move to electronic, you can use some of your existing setup without any complications.
This kit is available in a midnight sparkle finish with chrome hardware, which is a stunning look. When it comes to the sizes, we have a 14-inch snare, 10, 12 and 14-inch toms, along with the 20-inch bass drum. Cymbal-wise we have a 12-inch hi-hat, 14 and 16-inch crash cymbals, and an 18-inch ride cymbal.
The module is a TD-27 which is one of Roland’s latest offerings. It has 728 built-in sounds and 55 preset drum kits. It’s packed with effects and even has an overhead mic simulator, so you can tweak the ambiance in your sound.
Image credit: Roland Check Price on Sweetwater |
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The Roland VAD506 is a great kit to play on, whether you’re performing live or recording in the studio. It feels great for all styles of music from jazz to metal, whatever your preference – it’s up to you. The increased shell sizes definitely make for a more enjoyable and immersive playing experience.
Price-wise it’s in the same ballpark as the TD-50 series and not a million miles from the Yamaha DTX760HWK’s retail price. If you value the feel of a real acoustic kit, then this might be for you, although do remember that you’ll be supplying some of your own hardware.
5. Alesis Strike Pro
The best electronic drum kit under $2000
The Alesis Strike Pro is billed as an eleven-piece drum kit and looks like a top-end drum set. This means there is no less than six drum pads and five cymbals in total. That’s enough for most lovers of big kits. The Strike series is Alesis’ flagship series and offers great value.
Each drum shell is made from multi-ply wood which adds to the realistic look. The drums themselves are also finished with cool sleek designs by Alesis. The attention to detail here really enhances the overall look of the Strike Pro drum kit.
When it comes to drum sizes, Alesis have gone the extra mile too. The snare is 14 inches, which is the same size as most standard snare drums, and also the snare that comes with the Roland TD-50K. This snare is a dual-zone drum which rests upon a real stand like an acoustic setup.
When looking at the toms on the Strike Pro you’ll notice that, unlike most electronic drum sets, these drums differ in sizes. As well as making the set look more realistic, this also increases the playability of the Strike Pro. There is a natural difference in stick response from an 8-inch head in contrast to a larger head. Tom sizes here range from 8 inches to 12.
When it comes to cymbals, the Strike Pro has one hi-hat, a ride and two crashes. All cymbals are multi-zoned. As with most professional standard electronic drum sets, the hi-hat has been designed to fit any regular hi-hat stand.
Image credit: Alesis Check Price on Sweetwater |
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The Alesis Strike Performance module contains 1600 sounds and 100 different drum kits which is not bad for a just under $2000 price point. Alesis are renowned for not being the most expensive electronic drums.
On top of the many features, there is also a handy SD card slot on the module which allows for importing and exporting your own samples and performances (Alesis have included an 8 GB SD card too). This module is compatible with PC or Mac and most DAWs. This module is extremely versatile and tops off what is a great product by Alesis.
6. Roland TD-1K
The best portable electronic drum set
For the drummer on the move, or if you need a compact electronic drum kit, you may want to look at the compact Roland TD-1K. This electronic drum set is specifically designed to be ultra-lightweight and it’s quite portable too. The TD-1K consists of a rack that is extremely light and is Roland’s smallest to date. When you first see the TD-1K fully setup, it certainly looks pretty minimalistic. The rack has no unnecessary reinforcements or extras. It’s a real ‘bare-bones’ kind of look.
Both the hi-hat and the bass drum pedal on the TD-1K are free-floating controller pedals which connect to the TD-1 drum module. Free-floating pedals favor a heel-down technique and are not compatible with many advanced bass drum techniques. For most beginners, this is not an issue and the pedals serve perfectly fine in order to aid coordination development.
On the accompanying Roland drum module there are 15 drum kits in total. Just like many other popular drum modules, there are also some coach functions included too. You can alter the sounds of each pad and there are a few effects included to change the room sound of the kit. Also on the module there is an input for any auxiliary devices such as iPhones or MP3 players, so you can jam along to your favorite songs with ease.
Image credit: Roland Check Price on Sweetwater |
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If you’re in the market for an electronic drum set that can be carried to and from practice in one go, then the TD-1K hits all the right notes. It’s an ideal beginner kit for a child or anyone with a shortage of space. If you like the features of the TD-1K but want a more substantial kit, then check out the Roland TD-1DMK. As far as the TD-1K goes, it’s an inexpensive electric drum set and it would suit anyone on a budget or a beginner drummer just fine.
7. Roland TD-50K
The TD-50K is a high-end kit which has many features that make it look and feel just like a regular acoustic drum set. The snare drum is mounted on a stand. The mesh bass drum is a whopping 14 inches in diameter. When it comes to the finish of these drums, Roland have made it, so that you can customize the color and design of your chosen wrap for these drums. It is astonishing to see the level of craft and detail on this drum set.
On the front panel of the TD-50 module there are many individual faders which allow you to instantly control the volume level of any drum pad or cymbal. Also on the interface are controls for changing between drum kit sounds and altering the sound options such as FX and EQ.
Image credit: Roland Check Price on Sweetwater |
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This nine-piece drum kit features five drum pads and four cymbals. The 14-inch snare and larger tom and bass drum pads make playing the TD-50K a pleasure. It may be perhaps well out of many drummers’ price range but will certainly find buyers among elite professionals and possibly drum schools.
8. Roland TD-1DMK
The TD-1DMK is a nine-piece kit and is, as the title suggests, one of Roland’s entry-level drum sets and retails well under $1000. Included in the deal is one snare, a bass drum, three toms, a hi-hat, crash and a ride cymbal. Impressively, for an entry-level drum set, the TD-1DMK has mesh heads for the snare and all three toms. The hi-hat is a free-standing pedal (no hi-hat stand) and the bass drum is a rubber pad, which will fit either a single or double pedal.
The TD-1 module contains 15 drum kits along with 15 songs and 10 coaching functions. The sounds are adequate and should suit most beginners for practicing. Although four of these drums are mesh heads, the playing area is quite small. Also, the rims on this drum kit are not playable. This feature is only available on the more expensive line of Roland drums.
Image credit: Roland Check Price on Sweetwater |
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Each component of the TD-1DMK sits upon a lightweight drum rack. While positioning of toms and cymbals is quite limited, you should be able to set this kit up for all age groups. When it comes to portability, the TD-1DMK is not far behind the Roland TD-1K.
9. Yamaha DTX562K
The best electronic drum kit under $1500
The Yamaha DTX562K has five drums and three cymbals. The bass drum is a rubber-type pad which can be used with single and double pedals. The hi-hat consists of two parts and sits on a regular hi-hat stand, so that it can be played just like a real hi-hat setup.
The DTX502 drum module has a lot of useful features for drummers of all playing abilities. In total there are over 691 sounds on board the module. Navigating the DTX502 module is quite straightforward. This is done largely by using the round dial on the face of the module. On the back there are several inputs and outputs which you can use for audio or hooking up to a computer. Also included is a headphone output for silent practicing.
Image credit: Yamaha Check Price on Sweetwater |
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The DTX562K is a decent mid-tier electronic drum set and retails well under $2000. The sounds on board are largely made up of Yamaha’s own acoustic series of drums, which sound great. All in all this is a good electronic drum kit for the money.
10. Roland TD-17K-L
The TD-17K-L is an entry to mid-level electronic drum set which is currently priced around the $1000 mark. This kit has some good and bad features. On the good side, the module included has inherited some of the sample sounds from Roland’s flagship TD-50 module. On the negative side, this kit still falls down on certain playability factors such as rubber pads and the lack of a real hi-hat stand.
Image credit: Roland Check Price on Sweetwater |
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This is a good kit for home practice and it contains some useful coaching functions on board the module. It works well as a MIDI controller for modern DAWs too.
Conclusion
We hope that you have found this article useful as you search through the best electronic drum sets. As you can see, there are kits for all users, from professionals to beginners. The price range will vary from under $500 to over $5000, depending on the quality that you require.
It’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of all electric drum kits out there. Some kits will be tailor-made for beginners and in particular, children. Cheaper, smaller e-drums are often easier to setup for smaller players such as kids. Keep this in mind before you make the purchase. There’s no point in buying a big, bulky drum set for a small and slight, 6 year old. The chances are that they’ll struggle to reach and play the pads comfortably.
Intermediate drummers will no doubt be looking for value but also be aware as to the connectivity of the drum module itself. Many modules have USB connectivity which allows for use with home recording setups. You can quite often use your digital drum set as a controller along with your DAW (Logic, ProTools, Cubase etc.).
This allows you to increase the range of sounds at your disposal from the inbuilt module ones to extra external sources, such as VST instruments (EZDrummer, Superior Drummer, BFD etc.). It’s also a great way to record drums and all you’ll need is a USB cable. Once you connect and arm the drum set in your DAW, then you can capture drum takes as MIDI and alter and edit them in greater detail.
This list of the top 10 e-drum kits has been carefully researched to highlight the best electronic drum sets for the money. Size up your budget and remember that it’s worth bearing in mind that you may be in a position to upgrade sometime in the future.