Top 10 Best Electronic Drum Sets – Buying Guide & Reviews

There are many reasons why people buy an electronic drum set. Professional drummers use it to practice or train at home. Others who just want to play drums on their spare time can also benefit from an electronic drum set. Furthermore, parents who want to hone their kids’ drumming skills will also need to purchase this set. Whatever your reasons are, it’s important that you invest only in the best electronic drum set.

You’ll find that there are plenty of electronic drum sets that you can buy these days, from the simple kits to the modern ones that come with innovative features. Each product offers a different level of experience to the user.

If this is the first time that you are buying an electronic drum set, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the number of choices available to you. Sure, you can always refer to the drum set reviews as your guide, but you must also spend some time to get to know each of them so as not to waste your time and money.

Remember, drum sets don’t come cheap so make sure you are buying something for long-term investment. With that in mind, we have prepared a comprehensive guide to buying electronic drum sets, as well as tips on how to choose the best one. At the end of this guide, we will give you a list of the best electronic drum sets on the market today.

How Electronic Drums Work?

At first glance, most of the electronic drums look pretty similar to acoustic drums. But these two drums are different and they function differently. Unlike the acoustic drums that come with a pretty basic and simple mechanism, electronic drums come with several parts and features.

These drums have trigger pads, cables, sensor pads, LCD screens, drum modules etc. All these features help the drum to function more efficiently.

Here’s what you need to know about some of its most important components:

Trigger Pads

Of all an electronic drum’s components, it is the trigger pad that has a pretty tricky mechanism. These pads have sensors in the kick-drum, snares, cymbals, hi-hats, and toms.

Whenever you touch any of the sensors, the trigger pads will be triggered and will begin to sense the vibrations resulting from your hit. Regardless of how soft or hard you will hit these pads, they will produce a sound based on the intensity of the hit’s vibration.

Sensor Pads

Electronic drums work just like an acoustic drum, except for some features that will let you hammer the drum away without making any noise. It is the sensor pads that replace the drums in the electronic drum kits, which come with built-in sensors and are responsible for sending a signal as you start playing and hitting them with your sticks.

Drum Module

The brain or drum module refers to that signal that you end up producing whenever you hit the censored pad and it goes all the way into the heads and cables.

This component is present in all types of electronic drums and is responsible for controlling everything that you’re going to do on your drum, although its main role is to produce sounds each time you hit the pads. Once the signal gets into the module, a sound will be produced, depending on the pad that you hit.

Some of the most advanced electronic drums are equipped with trigger pads that allow you to produce different sounds with only a single pad. Depending on the sensor that you have chosen to hit, whether it is the back, front, or the side, the drum module will produce a different reaction.

Types of Electronic Drums

When buying electronic drums, you’ll come across different types of them. It’s important that you understand what each of these types of drums is so you can decide which of them you should buy.

Table Drums

Table drums are installed in a flat surface with support just like a table, thus the name. These types of electronic drums have a fair number of strike zones, usually 4 of them. This type of drum is ideal for beginners although you cannot really expect a lot from it.

Some of the table drums don’t come with pedals and most of them don’t have any MIDI jacks. Therefore, it’s not possible to connect them to a computer. Parents who are thinking of buying their little ones a drum to hone their skills may want to consider getting this type of drum.

Drum Pads

Drum pads are another type of electronic drums that are to be installed in a flat surface, although unlike the table drums, these varieties come with more striking zones, usually 7 of them.

The unit provides flexibility to the user and it has more elements that can be possibly programmed compared to the table drums. Furthermore, some of these instruments have a MIDI jack that allows you to connect them to your computer.

Complete Drums

This is almost similar to the acoustic drums and works almost the same way. You’ll sit on a stool and hit the pads with your sticks. This is an entry-level drum that mimics all the elements of a basic drum set.

Remember that the higher the drum’s range, the more elements it has. It’s also possible to add pads on some other models. If you have a full set of drums, you will be able to do a lot of things. You can record, connect in your computer and import new kids just in case you don’t like the one that you already have.

Features to Look for When Buying an Electronic Drum Set

Acoustic Volume

The acoustic volume defines the crispness and satisfying sound that the drums produce, which is why most musicians would still prefer to use an acoustic drum. Sometimes, the volume that a particular drum produces is just not right. Because most of the electronic drum sets have mesh or rubber pads, they cannot produce the same sound as that of the traditional acoustic drums.

Rubber vs. Mesh Pads

Another important thing to think of is whether you will go for rubber or mesh pads. This is a very important factor since the type of pads has a significant effect on the overall output of the sound.

While mesh pads are considered more responsive and could replicate the acoustic drums more closely than rubber, they also come with a price. They are definitely more expensive than rubber but they are significantly better in terms of sound quality. But if you’re on a budget and you just need a sturdy surface to practice on, the rubber pads should be fine.

Drum Set Components

As stated above, the electronic drums come with different components and this is something to think of when buying one. Typically, they come with the standard five-piece components consisting of the hi-hat, snare, kick, crash, and tom.

The bigger ones may also come with the ride cymbal and extra tom. Sometimes, they also include a headphone, microphone, seat etc. The higher-end models may come with more components but could cost you more than $2,000.

Price

Sometimes, the type of electronic drum set to buy will all boil down to how much you would be willing to spend or how much you can afford for a set. Of course, the extra add-ons and features could affect the overall cost as well.

Brand

Most people patronize brands that they are already familiar with, such as Yamaha, which is the leading maker of high-quality musical instruments. But there are other brands that are worth checking out as well.

Depending on your level of expertise and the purpose of getting an electronic drum set, you’ll find several different brands that specialize in producing different types of electronic drums. If you don’t really care about the brand, you can opt for the newer brands, for as long as you have everything you need in an electronic drum set.

Appearance

Some people might be concerned about the overall look of their drums. If you’re one of them, then the appearance will be an important factor for you to consider. But remember that not all stylish drum sets have great quality. So don’t be easily deceived by the outer looks. Do your research well and choose a drum set that’s not only good-looking but of excellent quality too!

Best Electronic Drum Set Reviews

When you look for the best electronic drum set online, you will surely be presented with many choices. To help you make the right decision, we’ve prepared a list of the top-rated electronic drum sets in the market today, along with their pros and cons.

1) Alesis Command Mesh Kit-8-Piece Electronic Drum Kit

The Alesis Command Mesh Kit is definitely a great choice when it comes to the best electronic drum kit. It has all the features that you need at a very reasonable price.

From the hi-hat pedal clamps to the kick pad and drum racks, this set has everything that an entry-level drummer would need to step up to the higher level. On this set, the cymbals and drums are positioned conveniently, as well as the snare drum.

The electronic drum’s heads are tunable just like the typical acoustic drumheads, allowing for a real deal experience when playing drums. Both the tom and snare pads are dual zone, which offers a real-life experience.

Customers also love that the drum module of this electronic drum is packed with features, allowing users to control the type of sound they want to produce, control the playing sensitivity etc. Furthermore, the drum module of this kit also includes a sequencer, allowing the drummer to play along with the demo tracks and record drum lines as well.

Indeed, this electronic drum kit packs a punch given its reasonable price. It’s truly a great option for music producers, studio engineers, as well as professional drummers and beginners.

Pros:

Allows you to practice on more than 600+ built-in sounds
Equipped with built-in sequencers that can be used for connecting and controlling the MIDI
Includes multiple features
Offers a natural feel with premium results

Cons:

Some customers complained that the kick pad doesn’t really work as good

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2) ROLAND Electronic Drum Set TD-30KV

This electronic drum set by Roland is known for its quality, just like the other models made by the same brand. In fact, if you’ve come across some of the electronic drum set reviews written for this product, you’ll find that many customers believe that this product is the greatest electronic set ever.

The Roland TD-30 drum set is packed with great features, which include producing more than 1,000 sounds. Its extensibility is another thing that you’ll love about this drum set, allowing you to add more into the kit at a later time. The set includes extremely sensitive mesh pads as well as an exceptional bass drum pad.

When you get this electronic drum kit, you’ll also get an advanced hi-hat, which imitates the sound of the natural acoustic drum set. The drum’s cabling system is internal in the kit, which allows for a professional and good-looking setup at the stage.

The TD-30’s drum module results in an excellent sounding effect, even without the help of any professional sound engineer. Furthermore, the drum set offers a new range of sound possibilities that wouldn’t be possible without any acoustic alternatives. Indeed, this electronic drum kit is highly recommended!

Pros:

Fully responsive mesh head that offers realistic rebound
Produces more than 1,600 drum, percussion, and cymbal sounds that are very realistic
The drum set looks good
The drum’s rack is pretty solid

Cons:

Some customers say they have encountered issues when correctly registering the hi-hat opening and closing sounds

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3) Alesis Drums Nitro Mesh Kit

One of the most impressive drum kits on this list is the Alesis Drums Nitro Mesh Kit. And despite having all the great features, this product is on the cheap side. Costing around $400, this is no doubt the best electronic drum set under 1000.

In fact, it’s highly recommended to those who are looking for the best budget electronic drum kit. It’s pretty rare for budget electronic drum sets to come with mesh heads for tom and snare pods, which is why this product really stood out!

Unlike the Yamaha or Roland brands that are popular in this field, the Alesis brand is not that known. But this model of a drum set is truly a great choice. For one, it’s set up in the same way as an acoustic drum kit, which is what most drummers would prefer, professional or not.

Furthermore, this design allows the user to easily transition the motion of playing drums. This alone is great for beginner drummers, which is why this model is a great start.

This drum kit makes use of an actual kick pad and pedal that retains similar motion of playing an actual drum set. Most of the starter kits simply come with a simple push bass pedal and don’t even come with any beater. This method feels less natural and is not really the best way to learn. Overall, it’s easy to conclude that this product is the best electronic drum kit for beginners.

Pros:

Extremely comfortable and dynamic to use
Equipped with 8-inch high-quality drum pads made of rubber
Includes a kick pad tower plus bass drum pedal
The four-post aluminum rack is super solid

Cons:

The quality of the cymbal pad is low

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4) Yamaha DTX562K Electronic Drum Set

If you take the time to read drum set reviews, Yamaha is the brand that will most likely stand out, especially this DTX562K model. This popular set is truly amazing and is a great choice in the mid-level range. It’s somewhat comparable to the Roland TD-11KVS. If you’re not aware, “V” is important for the Roland models since this is the version that has all mesh heads.

The biggest advantage of this model is that it comes equipped with a standalone hi-hat stand, allowing for a more natural experience. This drum set also boasts more sounds and those who prefer Yamaha more than Roland will surely appreciate this model.

Its silicone snare heads are equipped with three sensor zones, which is a truly cool feature since it allows you to play side stick shots on top of the rim shots and regular stroke.

You’ll love that the silicone drum pads of this drum kit are absolutely excellent. However, you cannot say the same thing for the kick pad. The quality of the materials is not as good. In conclusion, if you need the best electronic drum set for the money then this would be a good choice.

Pros:

Good price given the excellent quality of the product
A top-of-the-line model that produces great sound quality
Design is sturdy and easy to operate

Cons:

The drum kit doesn’t come with the kick pedal
The jack for the headphone is not in a good location

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5) KAT Percussion Drum Set KT4-US

The KAT KT4-US is equipped with very sensitive dual-zone drum pads allowing for a more authentic and vigorous tracking. With this product, the drum’s double pedal kick tower that comes with an 8-inch non-slip bass, as well as the Mylar head, will further enhance your drumming experience.

Basically, you’ll get a good range of expression with this drum, allowing for a great sound quality that comes close to acoustic drums. However, instead of the standard horizontal mounting, this drum set has vertical mounting, which doesn’t offer the most comfortable experience for the user.

To those who are still practicing around with jams, you’d appreciate the fact that the cymbals and pads of this drum set are very quiet. Since you’ll be using earphones when practicing, you’ll not have to worry about disturbing other people as you practice.

The KAT KT4-US includes a standard 780 sounds, including those coming from drums, cymbals, EFX, DJ, percussion sounds etc. Plus, this kit comes with the 18 Hi-Hat combos. So for those who want to experiment with different genres than your own, this is the best electronic drum set to buy.

Pros:

Sensitive dual-zone drum pads
Great sound quality
780 sounds and 18 Hi-Hat combos

Cons:

Comes with vertical mounting instead of the standard horizontal mounting

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6) Roland Entry-Level Electronic V-Drum Set

Another great entry-level model from Roland is this TD-1KV V-Drum Compact Electronic Drum set. This kit is expandable, quiet, and durable. Furthermore, it’s fully equipped with great learning and coaching features, making it the best electronic drum set for beginners.

But compared to the Alesis Nitro Kit, the TD-1KV is a bit more expensive. This is pretty understandable since the product is made by Roland, a brand known for producing high-quality drum sets. Also, the kit’s snare drum is a mesh head and this is an obvious advantage. The entire set is very easy to set up and won’t take up a lot of space.

The kit’s kick drum is “beater-less” and this means it will not produce a lot of noise yet it’s still able to retain the authentic feel of the bass drum pedal. You still can purchase a separate kick pad or pedal for later use if you want to improve your drumming experience.

It comes with software that allows you to record your drum while it plays music through a USB connection. Furthermore, it’s easy to set up and won’t take up a lot of space. Indeed, this device would be a great choice and is definitely the best beginner drum set to invest in.

The Roland TD-1KV V Electronic Drum set is a great choice for an entry-level drum set. Its excellent quality will get you off to a great start in the drumming world.

Pros:

Can play along with tracks while recording audio performances
Easy to customize
Excellent call-up kit that includes immediate start-playing functionality
High-end feel with great playability

Cons:

No drawbacks

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7) Pyle Electronic Roll Up MIDI Drum Kit

If you consider yourself a true-blue drum fanatic, then this electronic drum kit is perfect for you. The Pyle Electronic Drum set includes a high-quality built-in speaker that allows for a more convenient way to practice your skills. Furthermore, this kit will help you refine and create your movements.

If you are in need of the best electronic drum set under 500, this kit should be on top of your list. Despite it being affordable, it’s capable of producing great quality sounds. Furthermore, the drum produces a very natural response, which allows for a more authentic drumming experience.

The Pyle Electronic Drum set can also record sounds, as it’s equipped with a built-in MP3 recorder. With this feature, you will be able to experiment with playing different rhythms, sounds, and so much more! Overall, this electronic drum set offers an authentic feel, great experience, natural response and above all, easy portability, which means you can virtually practice anywhere you want to.

Pros:

Allows you to record sounds easily
Includes a built-in MP3 recorder
Offers natural feel and great responsiveness
Very versatile and user-friendly

Cons:

The drums pads are a bit small
Some users have complained that there’s often a slight delay with the pedals

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8) Gammon 5-Piece Junior Starter Drum Kit

For parents who are looking for an electronic drum set that can help to hone the skills of their little ones, the Gammon Junior Starter drum kit is definitely worth checking out.

The drum’s metallic blue color is perfectly tailored for the kids. They will surely have a blast while polishing their skills with this electronic drum set.

The Gammon Junior Starter drum kit has everything your little ones would need to get them started with playing drums at an early age. With this set, you’ll get a pile of cymbals and drums. It looks exactly like an actual drum set, but a little smaller.

The set also includes two tom drums and one snare drum. There’s also a snare stand, which is really impressive because most of the drum sets don’t really include stands. You’ll also get a hi-hat cymbal with this kit, as well as other cymbals.

Your kids will surely have a great time with this electronic drum set because it comes with a throne for them to sit on. There is also a pedal designed for the bass drum, as well as a drum button for tuning in the drum, as well as a set of drumsticks.

When you purchase this kit, you’ll also receive a user manual that includes detailed instructions on how you can set up the drums for your kids to use in only a few minutes!

Pros:

Perfect for kids aged 3 to 12 years
Easy to set up
Includes several accessories and components

Cons:

Extremely noisy for adults

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9) RockJam Portable MIDI Electronic Drum Kit

The RockJam RJ760MD is another great choice of a drum kit for the kids. Perfect for kids aged 3 to 7 years old, the drum set is not entirely a complete kit so it doesn’t really come with all the drums you would probably expect.

However, this kit is already enough for a small child to practice. It’s a great way to get them started with playing drums without getting overwhelmed.

The set includes a 10-inch snare drum, 16-inch bass drum, as well as a 10-inch basin. The stand that comes with this kit is truly great, unlike the others that don’t come with the necessary hardware to help drummers get started immediately.

It also includes a drum throne where your child can sit on. The RockJam RJ760MD drummer kit is available in different colors, such as black, red, and blue and you can easily assemble the set in only a few minutes.

Offering several hours of entertainment for the kids, this electronic drum set is definitely a great investment for parents who want to encourage their kids to pursue their love for music.

Regardless of how old your child is, they will surely have a great time practicing their skills with this instrument. While the adults might not appreciate the sound it produces, it will eventually feel like music to your ears!

Pros:

Comes in three different colors suitable to kids
Includes stool, foot pedals, and drumsticks
Height is easily adjustable
Perfect drums for kids and beginners

Cons:

Not compatible with all the components that come in full drum kits

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10) Best Choice Products 3-Piece Kids Beginner Drum Set

With this electronic drum set for kids, you will have three attractive colors to choose from. The Best Choice 3-Piece Kids Beginner Drum Set is made entirely from wood and features chrome-plated hardware giving the drums a premium touch.

Your little ones will surely have a blast practicing in this stylish drum set. The design and style are truly attractive and can complement the natural color of your home.

The Best Choice 3-Piece Kids Beginner Drum Set includes one bass drum, two tom drums, one cymbal, and two drumsticks. There’s also a cushioned stool so your little ones can enjoy playing their musical instrument with utmost comfort.

As parents, you’ll appreciate the fact that this drum set is ASTM-certified, which means that it’s safe for kids of all ages to play with. What’s more, you won’t be spending a lot of time to assemble and set up this set since it’s very user-friendly. Of course, there’s also a user manual that can serve as your guide.

The drums are pretty compact so the entire set will not really take up a lot of space in your child’s room or anywhere you choose to install it. Beginners who are living in a tiny apartment will appreciate this drum set a lot.

Pros:

User-friendly and durable
Made from all-wood composition and features a nice chrome-plated hardware that looks very stylish
ASTM-certified
Compact drums and easy to install

Cons:

The quality of the cymbals is not that good

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Conclusion

When looking for the best electronic drum set to buy, it’s important that you consider several factors, including your level of skills.

For beginners, we would highly recommend the Roland Entry-Level Electronic V-Drum Set. It has everything that a beginner would need in order to practice his or her skills.

Manufactured by Roland, a brand known for producing high-quality musical instruments, this drum set is definitely worth buying. It’s loaded with features that can help to make your drum learning experience fun and easy.