A few decades ago, the only way to play drums was with an acoustic set. Thanks to technology and high-quality sampling equipment, manufacturers can deliver electronic drum sets at affordable prices with incredibly realistic sound.
In this post, I will present to you the best budget electronic drums that will deliver professional sound at an affordable price. In these reviews, you’ll find affordable portable pad sets and pole rack-mounted sets.
First, I’ll present the best budget electronic drum set that delivers the most value for your money. Then the reviews will continue from the lowest to highest priced drum sets. And the best thing is that all of these drum sets are under $500.
The best budget electronic drums are:
- Alesis Drums Nitro Mesh Kit
- PAXCESS Electronic Drum Set
- Pyle Pro Electronic Drum kit
- Alesis Compact Kit 7
- Yamaha DD75AD
- Roland Entry-level Electronic V-Drum Set
- Yamaha Electronic Drum Set, DTX402K
- Alesis Surge Mesh Kit
Let’s expand on each one of these units to find out what makes them the best budget option.
Alesis Drums Nitro Mesh Kit
Since its foundation in 1984, Alesis produces some of the best audio equipment and musical instruments available in the market. True to its name and legacy, the company has introduced a budget drum option of its successful and acclaimed mesh head technology, the Nitro Mesh Kit.
What makes mesh technology so unique? Mesh heads provide drummers with a natural feel and ultra-quiet response. Remember, drum heads in acoustic drums need to be carefully tensioned and tuned to achieve the right sound and dynamics when playing.
Alesis tried to achieve the same dynamic response with the mesh technology and succeeded. That’s why the majority of professional drummers, when playing with electronic drum kits they always prefer mesh heads because they feel like the real thing. Plus, the dynamics mimic traditional drums.
Features
One of the main features of the Nitro Mesh Drum Kit is the natural response they deliver. Their dynamic response is just like what you’ll get with their acoustic counterpart.
The kit is configured with eight premium pieces. One 8” snare pad, three 8” tom pads, three 10” cymbals: hi-hat, crash with choke, and ride. To mount the set, it comes with 4-post solid rack made from aluminum.
The electronic module comes with 385 different drum sounds that you can program for each mesh pad and 40 already programmed classic and modern kits.
There are 60 pre-recorded, play-along tracks for you to practice. Plus, store rhythm sequences with the built-in sequencer. The module also features a built-in metronome for practicing and a performance recorder.
Don’t want to play the pre-recorded songs? No problem, connect your phone, iPad, or MP3 player to the aux input and play your favorite songs.
For connecting the drum kit to virtual instruments and recording software, you have a USB and MIDI connections.
For listening while playing, it can be connected to an amplifier or audio mixer using the stereo line output. There is also a headphone connection for private, quiet practice.
Demo of The Alesis Nitro Mesh
What’s In The Box.
This is a complete kit that has everything you need to start playing right away. In the box you’ll get:
- One nitro drum module
- Eight premium drum pieces: one 8″ dual-zone mesh snare pad, three 8” tom pads, three 10” cymbals: hi-hat, crash with choke, and ride cymbal.
- Kick pad tower, kick pedal, hi-hat pedal.
- 4-post aluminum rack.
- All cables needed to connect the pads to the module, wrap strips for cable management.
- Drum key, drum sticks, power supply, user guide, assembly guide, safety & warranty manual
The Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit is the best budget electronic drums in the market. The reason is that for the price, you are getting a good quality drum set with many features. The sound quality is so natural that if you don’t see it while it’s being played, you might think it is an acoustic set.
Advantages
- The mesh drum heads can be tensioned just as you would an acoustic set making them more responsive and delivering realistic playing.
- Extensive percussion library.
- USB connection to use with music production software.
- It offers sixteen empty slots to program your drum kit with the voices you want.
Disadvantages
- Mesh drum heads wear with time, so they need to be changed. The good news is that they last a long time, way more than regular drum heads, but still need to be replaced when they don’t tension anymore.
- You would need to buy an amplifier because it comes without one. But still, you can use it straight out the box with your headphones.
- The kit doesn’t include the drum throne. It’s sold separately.
PAXCESS Electronic Drum Set
The PAXCESS roll-up electronic drum set can’t be considered a professional drum kit. Yet it’s an excellent option for kids and beginners who want to learn or practice without breaking the bank. Kids age 3+ who like drumming but are small to play an acoustic set will enjoy playing this one. Kids and adults alike would enjoy the portability this electronic drum set offers.
Features
The main feature of the PAXCESS drum set is its portability. The pads can be folded, making it perfect for taking it anywhere you want. Plus, the unit has a rechargeable battery that lasts between 6-8 hours, depending on the volume.
It comes with built-in speakers, so there is no need to purchase an amplifier, and they are pretty loud for their size.
Another great feature of this unit is that there is a “special” button that allows you to change the position of the hi-hat pedal and snare drum, that way it can accommodate left or right-handed people.
The pad is configured with 1 snare, 3 toms , 1 crash, 1 ride, and 1 hi-hat. It comes with 2-foot pedals, one is for the hi-hat the other is for the bass drum.
This drum set comes with 8 pre-recorded demo rhythms and 5 drums presets.
It can be connected to the computer through a USB connection and is MIDI capable.
What’s in The Box
The package includes the
- Roll Up Drum
- A pair of Drum Sticks
- USB Cable for charging
- 3.5mm Audio Cable to connect your phone or iPad
- User Manual
Note: this drum kit doesn’t include a wall charger, you will have to either purchase one separately or use any 5V phone charger that’s USB capable.
Advantages
- It’s portable and battery-powered. The battery can last up to 8 hours depending on the volume.
- A special button allows you to switch snare and hi-hat from left to right and vice versa, making it easier to accommodate left and right-handed people.
- The PAXCESS drums is very affordable, making it ideal for kids and beginners.
Disadvantages
- The sound is not as natural as other electronic drum sets.
- It doesn’t include a battery charger.
- Very limited drum sounds.
- The pads are not as accurate as other electronic drums, but for a kid or beginner, it’s a cheap way to get started.
Pyle Pro PTED06 Electronic Drum kit
The Pyle Pro drum kit is another entry-level set, it’s not a professional drum kit but is a step up from the PAXCESS kit. It has better build quality, and overall the sound it produces is more accurate.
Features
This electronic drum kit is configured with 7 pads for the snare, Hi tom. Mid tom, Low tom, hi-hat, crash, and ride. Also included are 2 pedal controllers for the hi-hat and bass drum
The Pyle portable tabletop drum set comes with 55 preset and 10 custom preloaded drum kits. It’s also packed with more than 300 drums, and cymbal sounds so that you can mix and match sounds to your likings.
For practicing and getting better, it also has a trainer and a learning mode for beginners
Everything is controlled by the digital control panel, which allows you to make any changes quickly. It can also record and edit what you play.
Thanks to its USB connection, it is possible to connect the tabletop drum to a Windows or Mac, and it should work fine with your favorite recording software.
It includes stereo speakers, that way you don’t need to purchase anything extra to start playing right away. If a quiet practice is what you want, connect your headphones for silent practice.
If you have a track you want to practice, use the included Aux In connector to plug in your phone or iPad (AUX cable not included)
This portable tabletop drum set is powered with the included AC adaptor. Still, if you want to use it without the adapter, it can be optionally powered by 6 type “C” batteries.
What’s In The Box
This system comes with everything you need to start playing right away. This is what you will find inside the box:
- Tabletop digital sound module
- Two-foot pedals one for the hi-hat, and one for the bass drum
- A pair of drum sticks
- Wall power adapter
Advantages
- Sound accuracy is better because it sounds more natural than cheaper electronic drum sets.
- Power adapter included.
- Better response on the pads.
- Sturdy design and build.
- You can set the volume for each pad individually.
Disadvantages
- It doesn’t have a rechargeable battery, it still uses size “C” batteries.
- The quality of the pedals is not the best.
- There could be some latency in the response of the pads.
Alesis Compact Kit 7
The Alesis Compact Kit 7 is a tabletop electronic drum set that offers a step up from the previously reviewed sets. What makes this one different is the quality and speed of the response of the 7 pads and the realistic sound it delivers.
Marketed by Alesis as a beginner set, it can deliver sounds very similar to more expensive units.
Features
The Compact Kit 7 is configured with 7 velocity-sensitive drum pads, which provides the drummer with a more realistic feel and sound. What this means is that the transducer is designed for high-speed response. So if you as a drummer that plays very fast, there will be no latency or delay between the time you hit the pad with the stick and the moment the sound comes out of the speaker.
The control module offers 265 percussion sounds with 45 preset drum kits. You can program 5 drum kits from the library of sounds and recall them quickly from memory any time you want to play.
Another great feature is the self-recording capability. That way, you can use your recording as a track and play on top of it in live performance.
No tabletop drum set is complete without a metronome. This unit comes with a metronome to help you become a better drummer that plays on tempo.
The pads are so sensitive that they can be used to play with your hands instead of sticks, capturing every subtle nuance of your performance. This feature is essential if you are playing Latin percussion sounds such as bongo, conga, etc.
Connect to your Windows PC, or Mac computer with the included USB-MIDI output for use with DAWs and plug-ins, that way you can expand the sound potential.
It can be used as a battery-powered unit with 6 “C” batteries (not included)
The unit has built-in speakers so that you can play anywhere anytime.
Another neat feature is the LEDs that light up each time a pad is struck, which gives you visual feedback of what you are playing.
What’s in the Box
The content of the package is the following
- CompactKit 7
- One pair of drumsticks
- Power supply
- User guide
- Safety and warranty manual
Advantages
- Large percussion and drums sound library with 265 sounds.
- Sensitive pads allow you to use the unit for had played percussion
- Headphone connection for private, silent practice.
- USB-MIDI connectivity, allows you to use the Compact Kit 7 as a MIDI controller to expand your sound potential.
Disadvantages
- Pedals used for hi-hat and bass drum could be of better quality.
- No included rechargeable batteries.
Yamaha DD75AD Tabletop Drum Set
The Yamaha DD75AD is a tabletop drum set designed for professional drummers who want a portable unit for practice or live play. It’s configured with 8 touch-sensitive pads that allow for expressive drumming.
Features
The 8 touch-sensitive drum pads are designed to simulate the nuances only possible in a real acoustic drum set. Plus, adjust the sensitivity of each pad individually to achieve the results you want. That way, the performance can be more realistic.
If playing hand percussion such as bongo, congas, etc. there is a hand percussion mode that makes the pads touch-sensitive to deliver better results.
The sound library is configured with 570 voices, assignable to any pad or pedal, giving you an unlimited potential to mix sounds until you get your perfect setup. But if you prefer preset programmed sets, it comes with 75 programmed drum kits.
To learn and play along, you get 105 built-in songs. If you want to use your phone or iPad to play your favorite song, there is an AUX IN jack to do so.
It comes with 2-foot pedals, one for hi-hat and another for the bass drum. The cool thing is that both pedals are not limited to use them only for hi-hat or kick drum; they can be assigned to whatever percussion sound you want in the main control module.
The unit is compact and portable enough that allows you to take it anywhere you want easily. Plus, it is battery capable by using 6 size “C” batteries. If the batteries are alkaline, it will give you about 10 hours at medium volume.
Play anywhere with the built-in stereo speakers with bass that provides excellent quality audio. But if the volume is not enough for your gig, use the OUTPUT jack to connect it to the main PA system.
You can record your songs in memory. It has a capacity for five songs. For this and all the features mentioned above, it can be said this is another example of the best budget electronic drums because it gives a lot of value for your money.
Demo of The Yamaha DD75AD
What’s in the Box
This electronic drum set comes bundled with everything you need to start playing. The box comes with the following items:
- One Yamaha DD75AD is a tabletop drum set.
- Two-foot pedals.
- A pair of drumsticks.
- The power adapter.
- Manual
Advantages
- Large voice library that includes percussion sounds from around the world.
- Hand touch-sensitive pads that are individually controllable and programmable.
- Built-in metronome
Disadvantages
- Still uses battery size “C” to power the unit if no power adapter is used.
- No USB port for computer connectivity, it only has MIDI IN/OUT.
Roland TD-1K Entry-Level Electronic V-Drum Set
Roland has been producing electronic drums for las 30 years. In the process, they have perfected the process, which means that their electronic drums can be considered the best in the market.
The TD-1K is no exception; this drum set offers superior sound with an authentic feel, plus it is designed to last.
Features
Starting with the overall design the TD-1K from Roland is built with excellent quality materials, and the height and position of the pads can be adjusted to your needs. It can be configured to be used by a kid or an adult, and the adjustment shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.
The ergonomically designed stylish looking drum set is a space saver and can fit even in the smallest spaces, and it blends well with any decor.
This drum set uses Roland’s proprietary flagship sound engine, the TD-30. Acclaimed by musicians around the world as one of the best.
It comes with 15 expressive drum kits, with which you can play any musical style.
The TD-1K is marketed as a beginner drum kit; therefore, it comes with an onboard coaching function, metronome, and recorder. The Roland V-Drums training software that comes pre-installed in the control module helps you learn the basic drumming skills if you are a beginner and what to teach yourself to play drums.
For more advanced users, the drum set supports all the essential acoustic playing techniques to make you sound professional. Some of the supported techniques are the cymbal choke, and subtle hi-hat nuances produced by your footwork on the pedal.
Another great feature of this best budget electronic drums is the USB connectivity. With it, you can connect to your Windows PC or Mac to communicate with your favorite music production software to either record or create music.
Straightforward operation with the module control makes it easy to start playing in no time.
As you become a better drummer, this drum set can also grow with you. You could add more items to your set from available options.
A must with any electronic drum kit is silent practice. This one comes with a standard headphone jack so that you can connect and practice without bothering anyone.
Enjoy playing to your favorite songs with the MIX IN jack that allows you to connect your phone, iPad, or MP3 player with the standard stereo miniature jack.
It comes with two beater-less pedals of high-quality. One is for the kick drum and another for the hi-hat. You can program each one on the control module.
Demo of The Roland TD-1K
What’s in The Box
- One percussion sound module TD-1
- A snare
- Three toms
- One crash cymbal
- One ride cymbal
- Hi-hat
- Kick pedal
- Hi-hat pedal
- Ac adapter
Advantages
- High-quality responsive pads that can be upgradable.
- Roland’s flagship sound engine, the same kind used in more expensive sets.
- Easy to use intuitive control module.
- The V-Drums trainer that helps you practice and become a better drummer.
- A USB connection to integrate with your favorite music software.
- Acoustic playing techniques to make your sound realistic.
Disadvantages
- There is a very limited sound library that limits you to use only the preprogrammed sound sets.
- It comes with no amplifier. You have to buy one separately; still, you can use your headphones while you buy the amp.
- It doesn’t work with ROCKBAND for Play Station 4
- Drummers throne is NOT INCLUDED
Yamaha DTX402K Electronic Drum Set
Since 1887, Yamaha has been producing musical instruments with a legacy rooted in excellence. Many professional musicians around the world use Yamaha instruments to perform.
This brand not only makes professional grade musical instruments but also budget ones with a track record of high quality. Therefore the Yamaha DTX402K is one of the best budget electronic drums you can buy for under $500.
Features
The secret for an excellent sounding electronic drum set is creating authentic sounds that replicate the real acoustic vibrations. In this area, Yamaha has years of experience.
That’s why the sound engine of the DTX402K offers you 415 drum and percussion sounds, and 10 built-in drum kits with other sound effects to empower you to find your right sound.
Each pad can be programmed with the voice of your choice allowing you to set up the sets you need for your performance.
A respected, high-quality sound engine will not be complete if it doesn’t support expressive playing. Yamaha uses its successful DTX expressive range in its sound engine, which translates to a more realistic dynamic sound that emulates an acoustic set.
As a beginner, you need to practice to become better, as the saying goes: practice makes perfect. To practice, ten built-in training functions will help you evaluate the advancement of your skills.
With the DTX402K, you have the option of download the free Touch app to customize your training options quickly. It provides new, more challenging practice functions with many different genres to expand your knowledge and skills.
The set also works with the Rec’n’Share app so that you can practice your favorite songs, record them, and easily share them on different social media platforms.
This excellent electronic drum set also has USB connectivity so that you can easily connect to your Windows PC or Mac. That way, it can be integrated with your favorite DAW software (Digital Audio Workstation) for recording or music production software.
For silent practice connect your headphones, plus use the AUX IN jack to connect any audio source such as your phone, iPad or MP3 player.
The design is simple yet durable, using a rack design made from steel it looks professional, and it’s a space saver. That way, you can place it in your bedroom, living room, or studio area. Its black color blends well in any area where you place it.
The assembly is quick and easy, just follow the steps in the included manual and start drumming within minutes.
Demo of The Yamaha DTX402K
What’s in The Box
- One Yamaha DTX Drums module
- A snare
- Three toms
- One crash cymbal
- One ride cymbal
- Hi-hat
- Bass drum kick pedal
- Hi-hat pedal
- Connection cables
- Ac adapter
Advantages
- High-quality materials, rack it’s made from lightweight steel.
- Easy to install and setup.
- Extensive percussion sounds library for any genre of music.
- USB connectivity for voice and MIDI.
- Uses Yamaha’s DTX sound engine to deliver realistic, expressive sound.
Disadvantages
- No drummers throne included, you need to purchase it separately.
- It doesn’t include drumsticks; you need to buy them separately.
- No sound amplifier included, but you can still use it with your headphones to start until you get the amp.
Alesis Surge Mesh Kit
The Alesis Surge Mesh Kit can be considered one of the best budget electronic drums. It is an 8-piece drum kit similar to its sibling the Nitro Mesh but with few advantages.
It’s a kit that includes all the features needed so that you can play like a pro. It is compact, and thanks to the mesh heads, it will deliver a dynamic response that will feel like you are playing an acoustic set. Let’s take a closer look at this fantastic drum set that is priced just under $500.
Features
The tunable, all mesh drum heads, are very quiet when practicing. Yet they deliver the feel and response that you can only get with regular acoustic drum heads. Use your headphones and practice without bothering anyone.
A great feature that the Alesis Surge provides is dual-zone technology. It means that you can play two different sounds on each drum.
Basically, it has two sensitive sensors in each drum; that way, you can assign two sounds, expanding the drum set’s capability. Plus, the mesh drum heads are very sensitive and react according to the way you play.
The Snare drum in this set is 10” in diameter giving more space and making it more realistic. The 3 included toms are 8” in diameter. The cymbals, namely crash and ride and hi-hat are 10” in diameter, and both cymbals are with choke.
Everything is mounted in the included chrome posts. The four rack posts are made of good quality metal and are very easy to set up and adjust.
The surge drum module delivers 385 drums, and percussion sounds, 24 factory preset kits, and 16 user-programmable presets that you can populate with sounds from the extensive included library.
For practicing, the module comes with 60 play-along tracks. But if you prefer, connect your phone, iPad, or MP3 to the AUX IN to play along.
Other great features include the sequencer, metronome, and recorder.
Connecting the drum kit to a computer is a breeze with a USB cable. It is compatible with Windows and Mac. That way, it can be interfaced with your favorite DAW or music production software. If you still use MIDI, it is also available on the module.
Demo of The Alesis Surge Mesh
What’s in The Box
- Surge Drum Module
- 10″ Dual-Zone Mesh Snare Pad
- Three 8″ Dual-Zone Mesh Tom Pads
- 8″ Mesh Kick Pad Tower
- 10″ Hi-Hat Cymbal
- 10″ Crash Cymbal with Choke
- 10″ Ride Cymbal with Choke
- Kick Pedal
- Hi-Hat Pedal
- Premium 4-post chrome rack
- Cable Snake
- Velcro Cable Wraps
- Drum Key
- Drum Sticks
- Power Supply
- Surge Module User Guide
- Surge Mesh Kit Assembly Guide
- Safety & Warranty Manual
Advantages
- Dual-zone drum pads allow you to assign two sounds per drum.
- Very responsive drums.
- The drum module has a large sound library.
- Play along with built-in songs or from your phone, iPad, or MP3 player.
- USB and MIDI connectivity.
- Price is just under $500
Disadvantages
- No drummers throne included, must purchase separately
- It comes with no amplifier, but it can be used with headphones until you buy one.
Conclusion
I this article, I have presented the best budget electronic drums available in the market. All of these models are under $500. The portable tabletop units are designed for kids or beginners who want to get started drumming. The rack-mounted models reviewed in this article are for more advanced drummers.
I hope that this article helps your decision making easier. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave it in the comments section or use the contact us form. I will respond within 3 business days. Thank you for reading my blog.