Best Electronic Drum Set for Melophiles (2023 Reviews & Guide)
You still haven’t found the best electronic drum set to step up your game? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Our top 10 picks will help you choose the best e-kit to create your music. Let’s get started.
Top Electronic Drum Sets for 2022: A Brief Overview
WhyDoesEverythingSuck is reader-supported. We may receive a commission if you buy through links on this page. However, this doesn’t affect our opinions. Read our full Affiliate Disclosure. Roland VAD506 V-Drums Electronic Drum Set
Leading electronic drum set for 2022
- Intuitive editing tools
- Built-in USB audio interface
- Sample recording
- Coach functions
10
$4,999.99
Read Review Alesis Command X Mesh-Head Electronic Drum Set
Excellent budget-saving Alesis drum kit
- Record directly into a computer/phone
- Load personal .WAV samples
- Easy to use
- Very responsive pads
9.7
$899.00
Read Review Simmons SD350 Electronic Drum Kit with Mesh Pads
Ideal choice for first-time drummers
- Simple interface
- Comprehensive navigation
- Interactive Simmons Basic iOS App
- Easily portable
9.3
$199.99
Read Review Pearl e/MERGE e/HYBRID Electronic Drum Set
Outstanding electric drum set for any performance situation
- Large memory capacity of 16 GB
- Wave Trigger Technology
- Two configurations available
- Ambiance Fader for real-time control
9.9
$4,859.00
Read Review Alesis Nitro Mesh Electronic Drum Set
Fantastic electronic drum set under $500
- Ultra-quiet response
- Built-in metronome
- Drum module with plenty of options
9.4
$449.00
Read Review 2Box DrumIt Three Kit
Impressive kit for beginners and professionals
- Suitable for rehearsal, studio, and live stage applications
- High-quality sound
- Universal Trigger Interface
- 4 GB memory
9.2
$2,199.99
Read Review Roland TD-27KV-S V-Drums Kit
Perfect for pros
- Customizable sounds
- Great acoustic response simulation
- PureAcoustic Ambiance Technology
- Excellent connectivity and customization options
9.8
$2,999.99
Read Review Donner DED-300 Electronic Drum Set
Affordable e-kit for music enthusiasts
- 300 built-in sounds and 29 kits
- Easy to assemble and dismantle
- Spiral adjustment design of drum pads
- Supports double pedaling
9.5
$499.99
Read Review Yamaha DTX6K2 8-Piece Electronic Drum Kit
Versatile high-tech e-kit
- Superior headphone amplifier
- Kit modifier with intuitive control for unique sound creation
- Programmable metronome
- DTX-PRO module with a wide sound range
9.1
$1,599.00
Read Review Roland TD-07DMK V-Drums Electronic Drum Kit
Compact electronic drum set under $1000
- Compact size
- Powerful TD-07 sound module
- Onboard coach function with interactive tools
- Robust construction for exceptional stability
9.6
$799.99
Read ReviewOur Top-Ranking Electronic Drum Set Reviews
March to the beat of your own drum! Whether you’re a professional music player or only a beginner, you can find an e-kit that suits your needs. Ready?
Roland VAD506 V-Drums Electronic Drum Set
10
Leading electronic drum set for 2022
- Preset drum kits: Yes
- Training functions: Yes
- Import own samples: Yes
- USB output: Yes
The Roland electronic drum set combines the convenience of electronic drums with the presence of an acoustic setup, providing an excellent authentic playing feel.
The set comes with a snare, three tom pads, two crash and one ride cymbal, a hi-hat, and a kick pad.
If you switch to this kit from playing conventional acoustic drums, keep in mind you need to adjust the tuning, swap the head types, change out the kick beater, and more. Furthermore, all of these customizations allow you to create your signature drum kit that suits all your needs.
If you’re set on making your own music, you’ll be happy to know that the Roland electronic drum kit has an autosave option, which automatically saves your edits. Moreover, you can load your samples and mix them with the internal sounds.
The built-in USB audio interface opens the door for easier computer music production. The built-in Bluetooth wirelessly streams audio from your laptop or phone, allowing you to jam with headphones.
The kit is perfect both for aficionados, who will make use of its many functions and for beginners, who can improve their skills and learn new tracks with the coach functions.
Although some buyers might find the price a bit high, this kit is definitely worth the money.
Pros
- + Intuitive editing tools
- + Built-in USB audio interface
- + Sample recording
- + Coach functions
Cons
- − The price might be a bit high
Alesis Command X Mesh-Head Electronic Drum Set
9.7
Excellent budget-saving Alesis drum kit
- Preset drum kits: Yes
- Training functions: No
- Import own samples: Yes
- USB output: Yes
This is an incredible electric drum set for beginners and professionals, offering endless possibilities. The kit comes with a total of nine pads, including three tom pads, four cymbal pads, a snare pad, and a kick pad.
It also includes a Command Drum Module and contains more than 600 sounds and 60 tracks, and a USB memory stick input if you want to load your own .WAV samples.
One of the unique features is uploading directly to GarageBand and Dropbox, so you and your band can create music even if you’re not in the same room. Furthermore, it has a built-in metronome, a USB-MIDI, and a headphone output to make practicing easier.
It’s easy to set up and the sound is relatively quiet, making it perfect for beginners to get into it.
Although some buyers have pointed out that the quality of the bass drum pedal is basic, this isn’t a big deal since you can substitute it with a double pedal and make it even more versatile.
Pros
- + Record directly into a computer/phone
- + Load personal .WAV samples
- + Easy to use
- + Very responsive pads
Cons
- − Bass drum pedal of basic quality
Simmons SD350 Electronic Drum Kit with Mesh Pads
9.3
Ideal choice for first-time drummers
- Preset drum kits: Yes
- Training functions: Yes
- Import own samples: No
- USB output: Yes
This 5-piece Simmons electric drum set is perfect for recording and practice. With over a 170 custom drum samples and 10 preset drum kits, it offers an endless number of possibilities.
This 5-piece contains 10’’ hi hat-pads, a controller, mesh drums for snare and toms, a kick pedal, as well as pads and controllers.
If it’s your first time behind a drumset, you can download the Simmons Basic iOS App to get helpful teaching tools and interact with the set in an easy way, and its simple interface makes it an ideal kit if you want to play with your children too.
Another great thing about this drum kit is that it doesn’t take up a lot of room and isn’t too heavy, so it won’t be challenging to move it around the house and re-assemble it. It’s a fantastic space-saver that fits perfectly into any studio.
Some buyers have noticed that the built-in kit sounds aren’t very good, but this isn’t a big issue for most drummers since you can easily access other sounds using drum softwares or MIDI. Overall, this portable electronic drum kit is definitely a must-have.
Pros
- + Simple interface
- + Comprehensive navigation
- + Interactive Simmons Basic iOS App
- + Easily portable
Cons
- − Somewhat inferior built-in kit sounds
Pearl e/MERGE e/HYBRID Electronic Drum Set
9.9
Outstanding electric drum set for any performance situation
- Preset drum kits: Yes
- Training functions: No
- Import own samples: Yes
- USB output: Yes
You can’t go wrong with the Pearl electronic drum kit that offers an entirely unique e-drumming experience. It’s available in two configurations, e/Hybrid with an 18’’ acoustic bass drum pad with an EM-KCB kick pad, and e/Traditional featuring an electronic bass drum pad with stand.
Wave Trigger Technology processes your sounds and perfectly layers them with samples of actual Pearl acoustic drums, creating an authentic sound and experience unparalleled in the world of electronic drums.
This set has a huge memory capacity of 16 GB and 35 preset drum sets, as well as space for 50 extra user-built kits. One of the features you’ll like best is the Ambience Fader, which allows real-time control of the recorded room ambiance.
Users especially love the large size of the buttons since they make navigating through the kit banks easier. Although this is a top–rated electronic drum set that offers many features, first-time drummers may find it a bit challenging to use.
Pros
- + Large memory capacity of 16 GB
- + Wave Trigger Technology
- + Two configurations available
- + Ambiance Fader for real-time control
Cons
- − Challenging for beginners
Alesis Nitro Mesh Electronic Drum Set
9.4
Fantastic electronic drum set under $500
- Preset drum kits: Yes
- Training functions: No
- Import own samples: Yes
- USB output: Yes
If you want an affordable kit with many available features, this is the one. The Nitro comes with three 8’’ mesh toms, three 10’’ cymbals, 8’’ mesh snare drum, Alesis kick pedals and hi-hat pedals, an aluminum rack, and all necessary cables and power supplies for your convenience.
You’ll love the setup as it’s connected to a drum module with 60 built-in tracks, 40 kits that can all be adjusted to your needs, hundreds of percussion sounds along with a built-in metronome, an USB-MIDI connection, and a headphone jack when you don’t want to disturb the neighbors.
This set also comes with a performance recorder, allowing you to widen your potential for creating music. Many buyers are delighted with the stereo aux input since they can jam along to their preferred tracks on their MP3 or CD player.
Several users pointed out one potential drawback. Namely, the set may not be a good choice for professional drummers. This is a cheap electric drum set, but its quality is good for the price.
Pros
- + Ultra-quiet response
- + Built-in metronome
- + Drum module with plenty of options
Cons
- − Not for professional drummers
2Box DrumIt Three Kit
9.2
Impressive kit for beginners and professionals
- Preset drum kits: Yes
- Training functions: No
- Import own samples: No
- USB output: Yes
The 2Box DrumIt is a powerful kit which includes a 14’’ bass pad, three-zone cymbals, 10’’ tom pads, 12’’ snare pad, and a pair of 10’’ tom pads with a drum rack, all working together to deliver high-quality sounds.
Furthermore, this top–rated electronic drum set comes with an open sound drum system, which gives you the freedom to select the sounds you like to play and the heads you want to use, making it suitable for rehearsal, studio, and live stage applications.
Its DrumIt Three module has a Universal Trigger Interface that works with almost all kinds of pads. Moreover, the drum unit has a memory of 4GB and signature sounds by Simon Phillips, Marco Minnemann, and Randy Black.
However, it’s important to keep in mind the set doesn’t come with hardware, and you need to buy it separately.
Pros
- + Suitable for rehearsal, studio, and live stage applications
- + High-quality sound
- + Universal Trigger Interface
- + 4 GB memory
Cons
- − Need to buy hardware separately
Roland TD-27KV-S V-Drums Kit
9.8
Perfect for pros
- Preset drum kits: Yes
- Training functions: No
- Import own samples: Yes
- USB output: Yes
With a TD-27 sound engine and customizable drum and cymbal sounds, the TD-27KV offers you an immersive sound and response. With this kit you get three tom pads, four cymbal pads, a snare, and kick pad.
Ths e-drum set has a digital multi-sensored snare that works in harmony with the ride pads and the sound engine to create an authentic feel and an amazing response that will really allow you to hone and show off your skills.
Furthermore, PureAcoustic Ambiance Technology creates an enveloping sound field that can be deepened by adjusting the mic on each drum kit, along with parametric EQs, delays, reverbs, and compressors for your enjoyment.
Thanks to its connectivity options, the kit is suitable for both recording and live sessions with a stereo output and two direct outputs, a built-in USB interface that supports MIDI, and an I/O.
While the set has many pros, users reported the bass drum could benefit from a new design.
Pros
- + Customizable sounds
- + Great acoustic response simulation
- + PureAcoustic Ambiance Technology
- + Excellent connectivity and customization options
Cons
- − Light bass drum design
Donner DED-300 Electronic Drum Set
9.5
Affordable e-kit for music enthusiasts
- Preset drum kits: Yes
- Training functions: Yes
- Import own samples: Yes
- USB output: Yes
The Donner DED-300 is a beast set that comes with a kick and a hi-hat pedal, 7’’ kick drums, 8’’ tom-toms, a 10’’ snare and 12’’ Ride and Crash cymbals combined to make a high-quality drum kit for music lovers.
The kit comes with over 300 built-in sounds and 29 preset kits that allow you to cover any music style with a classic acoustic drum performance. Furthermore, the drum pad’s spiral adjustment makes installation and removal of drum pads easier, and the kit is easily foldable and portable.
This Donner electric drum set can be linked to a DAW software through USB MIDI or audio input interface, and supports connecting your phone or an MP3 so you can jam to your favorite songs.
While the kit does offer great quality for a low price, users have complained that Donner’s customer service isn’t too good, but if you have a minor problem you can always reach out to the community and see if you find your solution.
Pros
- + 300 built-in sounds and 29 kits
- + Easy to assemble and dismantle
- + Spiral adjustment design of drum pads
- + Supports double pedaling
Cons
- − Customer service isn’t very reliable
Yamaha DTX6K2 8-Piece Electronic Drum Kit
9.1
Versatile high-tech e-kit
- Preset drum kits: Yes
- Training functions: No
- Import own samples: Yes
- USB output: Yes
Drummers looking for functionality and quality will love this Yamaha electronic drum set. The kit features two crash and one ride cymbal, a 13’’ hi-hat, 7.5’’ bass drum pad, 8’’ snare pad, and three 7’’ tom pads. However, you’ll need to buy a kick-drum pad, throne, and drum sticks separately.
It features several high-tech improvements, such as the Kit Modifier that allows you to produce your own special sounds by adjusting Effects, Comp, and Ambiance, the three basic elements of drum sound creation.
This kit comes with a superior headphone amplifier for improved reproduction of all drum sounds. Apart from that, the set is also equipped with a metronome, which gives you the opportunity to set the volume of each click beat, change the click sound tone, etc.
While you’ll often hear that it’s an incredible kit, some users reported they had to tape some of the pads to avoid interference.
Pros
- + Superior headphone amplifier
- + Kit modifier with intuitive control for unique sound creation
- + Programmable metronome
- + DTX-PRO module with a wide sound range
Cons
- − Drum throne, kick-drum pedal, and drum sticks not included
Roland TD-07DMK V-Drums Electronic Drum Kit
9.6
Compact electronic drum set under $1000
- Preset drum kits: Yes
- Training functions: Yes
- Import own samples: Yes
- USB output: Yes
Even though the Roland TD-07DMK is compact, you’ll find it hides plenty of features that will allow you to express yourself through a variety of genres and playing styles. It’s the most affordable kit compact kit in their TD-07 series, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in quality.
It uses the same sound module as the kits higher up in the series, allowing you to choose from electronic or acoustic drums, as well as a range of other percussion instruments that were recorded in a professional studio for the best playing experience.
The set is perfect if you’re playing at home — it’s far quieter than most electronic drum sets as even the drum stand is designed to reduce noise and vibration transfer, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be compromising on playing feel.
While the set does come with 25 preset kits, 25 user kits, and 143 instruments, the real pleasure is diving into their huge library of sounds that allows you to shape your drum tones to perfection. Furthermore, you’ll get a sturdy set that won’t move while you test its many features.
The only drawback is the lack of bass drum pedal and throne, but you can always buy them separately.
Overall, this affordable compact electronic drum kit is a great choice if you prefer to play at home.
Pros
- + Compact size
- + Powerful TD-07 sound module
- + Onboard coach function with interactive tools
- + Robust construction for exceptional stability
Cons
- − Bass drum pedal and throne are sold separately
How to Pick the Best Electronic Drum Set
— Buyer’s Guide —
Whether you’re a pro or just starting to play drums, there are things to consider before making your purchase. In the following section, we’ll discuss the points you should take into account. Let’s get started.
Price
First and foremost, you should determine your budget. Will the cost of the electric drum set significantly affect your finances? How much are you willing to pay?
Although it’s a safe option for beginners, professional drummers might not be satisfied with some of the more affordable e-kits.
Space
There are great compact e-kits that fit perfectly into any space. If you want to change the location, you can simply move your set and easily reassemble it in another room. But bear in mind, reassembling certain sets may take a lot of time.
If you want to get a kit that’s too big for your space, save room by mounting some of the pads on the hardware.
So before you go shopping, make sure to measure the space you want to dedicate to your drums.
Level of skill
What type of drummer are you? In general, there are three types of players:
- A first-time drummer
- An advanced player
- A professional drummer
Take a look at the specs and the features of the set you want to get. You don’t have to buy a professional electronic drum set if you’re only jamming for fun. Also, you can choose a set that comes with a coach function and similar helpful features.
If you’re a pro, you’ll need high-quality equipment that offers many possibilities and options for recording and creating sounds.
Accessories and items
Many sets don’t include all the items you need to start playing right away. Every set comes with a sound module, but many lack essential add-ons. You should pay attention to whether your kit includes:
- a kick pedal
- a drum throne
- a hi-hat stand (optional)
- headphones
- sticks
These accessories may significantly increase the purchase price. If you already have them on an acoustic drum set at home, you can use them on your e-kit and save money. Also, if you want to get the best possible sound, invest in professional headphones.
There are great electronic drum sets with headphones on the market, and if you’re not satisfied, you can always get an extra pair of headphones, such as those found in recording studios.
If you often perform live, don’t forget you’ll need an amplifier, as well.
Level of loudness
If you play in an urban setting, you may attract unwanted attention and disturb your family and neighbors. It is common knowledge that acoustic drums tend to be very loud. Even top electronic drum kits can make noise from a hardware standpoint, but it’s not the same kind.
These drums often come with suitable pads. There are different types of pads concerning their construction. From soft to loud, below is a list of the four pad categories:
- Mesh-headed
- Closed-cell foam/silicone
- Rubber over steel
- Acoustic-headed with dampening inside
The first two types are considered the quietest, and you should choose the pads that feel best to you.
Sound quality
Although the sound quality is individual, it’s one of the most important aspects to consider when buying electric kits. Play the first ten kits on the set to perform a quick check. Usually, they give a decent portrayal of the sonic character.
Listen to how the sound changes as you play and pay attention to the sound of the cymbals since they consume most of the flash memory.
If you take your time and be patient, you’ll undoubtedly find the best electronic drum set for you.
Import of your own samples
Many modules of electronic drums can access and play-back custom sounds and are sample-based.
You can import your own sounds formatted for a particular module. A large number of modules have PC or Mac software, allowing you to import your own samples and create multi-layered kits.
Some modules let you import samples using a USB. To produce songs in modules of electronic drums, two technologies are used:
- Sampling (PCM)
- Sound modeling
The first format is most commonly used. In addition to that, keep in mind that each manufacturer handles loading and playing back user samples in a different way. If you want to dig deeper into this topic, read all electronic drum kit reviews to find out more about the details.
Equipment’s durability
You can test the durability of the desired e-kit by carefully inspecting its condition. When you walk into a store, try different kits and find out what isn’t working, is missing, is broken, or can easily damage.
You can get a clear picture of how long the kit will last based on your personal experience and use. Cheaper e-kits sometimes lack quality to reduce the costs.
If you want to enjoy a piece of high-quality equipment, you can get yourself a kit with a more robust design that will last for a long time.
Outputs
If you’re an advanced or a pro drummer, one of the most critical aspects you should pay attention to is the number of audio outputs. The drum module of a digital drum set usually has 2-10 outputs.
If you’re playing for fun, you don’t have to invest in a kit that has many outputs since the stereo outputs will be enough.
Onboard training tools and external apps
Many new e-kit modules include onboard coaching tools. You can find them in almost every module. If you want to get more playing tips and instructions, look for a kit that can connect to your smartphone.
It’s a helpful feature if you want to make your practice better. Many of these apps allow you to track progress and become a better player in no time.
FAQ
How much is a good electronic drum set?
E-kits of good quality for beginners are affordable and usually cost around $400-$600. Bear in mind that these kits often lack additional accessories, which cost around $200.
If you’re an advanced or a pro player, the kits that will satisfy your needs can cost a lot more, starting from $1000 up to $8000.
Are electronic drums worth it?
Depends on your needs. Electronic drums make less noise than acoustic ones. If your goal is to practice and improve your drumming, e-kits are the perfect choice for you.
Although they may not be suitable for practicing tone production, they’re good for practicing other essential drumming elements.
Which drum set is best for beginners?
If you’ve just started drumming and you’re looking to buy an e-kit, you don’t need to pay a lot of money. E-kits for beginners are usually affordable. Also, they’re easy to set up and play.
A kit we would suggest is Simmons SD350 because of its price and features. If you want to get a piece of equipment that fulfills all your needs as a first-time drummer, that’s the right choice for you.
Are electronic drums worth it?
Many professional drummers don’t prefer e-kits. In fact, some of them consider electronic drums as toys, even the most expensive ones. They aren’t sturdy enough for drumming at concerts.
Also, electrical drums have effects on the preset kits that use compression. That can create the illusion that you’re a much better drummer than you actually are.
The Bottom Line
All in all, there is an ideal set of electronic drums for every type of player, from beginner to a pro. We’ve gathered our favorites and given you the necessary information, it’s up to you to choose the best electronic drum set for yourself and start banging.
And don’t forget — practice makes perfect, and before you know it you’ll be sounding like your favorite drummer.
Emilija Todorovska
After teaching and translating German and English for ten years, Emilija decided to dedicate herself to her new passion—writing. She’s always up for new challenges and often tends to break out of established patterns since she believes creativity takes courage. Emilija is a foodie who loves to spend time in the mountains with her dog. She also enjoys reading Scandinavian crime fiction and learning about Norse mythology, as well as binge-watching shows on Netflix.