9 Best Electronic Drum Sets 2024

The world of electronic drums moves incredibly fast with a raft of new releases landing over recent years. If you are in the market for the best electronic drum set right now, this article will be of huge help to pick the right one.

Electronic drums have come a long way since their early days. They sound way better and the designs are inspiring and sleek.

Benefits like silent practice, easy setup and transport, effortless recording, and diverse sound libraries have contributed to the popularity of e-drum kits.

If I had to pick the top kit right now I would choose the Roland TD-50K2 which is, simply put, one of the best electronic drum kits on the market. I had a chance to review the kit and was blown away by its digital modeling and editing functionality.

Now, without further ado, here are my top picks and the buying guide!

Best Electronic Drum Set Reviews

1. Best Overall – Roland TD-52

Roland TD-50K2 is the kit to beat if you want to push the absolute outer limits of what’s possible with e-drums.

SPECS

• Kit configuration: Drum sound module x 1/Snarex 1/Tom x 3/Hi-hat x 1/Crash x 2/Ride x 1/Kick x 1
• Drum stand: Yes
• Extra trigger input jack: 5 
• Setup guide: Yes
• Weight: 46 kg

Roland TD-50K2 is one of the crown jewels of the Roland brand, and it’s easy to see why. Since it has an XLR stereo output you can send it directly to the sound system which makes it great for live performances.

It is also great for recording since you can connect directly to your DAW via USB and capture up to 10 channels at once. Thanks to an SD card input I easily brought in any sounds I wanted.

I consider the TD-50 the most advanced module the company has created to date because it’s essentially a recording studio in itself. You can adjust the sound of every drum and add dozens of multi-effects like delay, saturation, flanger, and more.

Roland TD-50K2 is a future-proof investment. It’s by no means cheap, but it’s the most affordable kit with the superb VH-14D hi-hats included. The core components of the more expensive configurations such as the latest and best Roland module, are all here. 

This kit is good for pros and serious hobbyists alike, and you really can’t go wrong with Roland’s V-Drums.

2. Best Budget – Roland TD-02KV

Roland TD-02KV has to be one of the best compact, sub-$1000 electronic drum kits out there. What you get for your money is a solidly built set with great portability and some fantastic on-board sounds.  

SPECS

• Kit Configuration: 7 modules + stand
• Drum Kits: 16
• Sounds: 15 types
• Rhythm Type: 5
• Metronome: Tempo 20-260
• Coach Functions: 5 modes

Unlike most budget kits Roland TD-02KV comes with a dual-ply mesh snare pad which I found a real bonus. It allowed for much more nuanced playing and accurate flams and rolls. The bass drum and hi-hat controller pedals are neat and responsive and the sound quality is one of the best I’ve heard at this price point.

I love that many of their drum modules (they contain 16 drum kits, 5 coaching functions, and a metronome for practicing) feature COSM – composite object sound modeling technology for ultra-accurate sounds. 

Also, with a small, 2-line LED display the UI is uncluttered and intuitive.

All in all, the TD-02KV is a great practice set for small spaces but can also be used for live performances if you don’t mind a somewhat limited ability to customize.

This budget electronic drum set is very sturdy, you can set it up quickly and the pads feel amazing. Couple it with the right amp and headphones and you got yourself a sweet setup.

That being said, these kits will eventually run their course as you progress. So, it might be worth looking at some higher-end kits you can grow into.

3. Best Sounds – Alesis Strata Prime

Alesis Strata Prime may not have the most realistic hi-hat triggering, but if you want the best sounds currently in a drum module, don’t hesitate to get one. Of all the drum modules I’ve tested over the years, the Strata Prime has the best sounds right out of the box. 

SPECS

• Number of Drum Kits: 75
• Number of Instruments: 40+ GB of all new, multi-layered factory content
• MIDI I/O: USB MIDI, 5-pin In/ Out, Bluetooth MIDI
• Storage: 128GB internal drive, SD/SDHC, USB-A/USB-B
• Hardware: 4-post Steel Rack, 3x Cymbal Boom Arms, Snare Stand

The Strata Prime’s drum module seems to be where the biggest advancements have been made and the sounds are some of the best I’ve heard. Alesis has ported its BFD 3 library straight into the Strata Prime drum module, making it the nerve center of the kit, where everything is based around a 10.1” color touchscreen. 

Alesis Strata Prime sticks with shallow shells on all but the kick drum, thus bucking the trend of going for full depth in all the shells. Space-conscious e-drummers who still pack their kit up in bags will be pleased with this.

While testing the Alesis Strata Prime e-drums there were no significant issues that stuck out to me. Hi-hat calibration and setup were also overall easy.

Most importantly, the Strata Prime felt seamless when swapping back to my regular acoustic drum set. It’s the best electronic drum kit in the under $5,000 range, both in sound and playability, and it’s a pretty good drum set for a beginner.

4. Best for Live Performance – Pearl e/MERGE 

Pearl e/MERGE is one of the best e-drums for gigging in the growing list of stage-ready e-kits. 

SPECS

• Wave Trigger Technology.
• 16 GB e/MERGE Sound Module.
• PUREtouch Real-size pads and cymbals.
• Pearl Chrome Plated Icon e/Rack.

Pearl and Korg teamed up to create this high-end kit and it’s by all means impressive. The PureTouch electronic pad system makes the drums and cymbals feel closer to the real thing.

Also, I loved how the MDL-1 module’s ‘Wave Trigger Technology ’ developed by Korg takes audio from each strike of the drum and layers the acoustic samples on top for the same purpose of creating a muscular, gig-ready electronic kit.

The full-size bass drum, a white Pearl head, multi-ply wood hoops, claw hooks, heavy-duty rack, and rubber feet provide a serious stage presence.

5. Best for Practice: Alesis Turbo Mesh

Alesis Turbo Mesh is one of the best electric drums for quiet practice for somebody who just wants to have access to a drum set in their home or studio.

SPECS

• 120 sounds
• 10 ready-to-play classic and modern kits
• 30 built-in play-along tracks, 
• Built-in coach and metronome features
• USB/MIDI connection

As its name suggests, Alesis Turbo Mesh has quality mesh heads, and 30 included practice songs with training features. With ten preset kits, its sound library is not much but enough to get your feet busy. 

Everything besides your drum throne, sticks, and headphones is covered, including both pedals.

For the money, the build quality is pretty hard to beat, the all-mesh pads are a rare feature at this price and the compact footprint means it’s more convenient than ever to have an e-kit in your home. As for the assembly, it took me about 10 minutes to set it up.

6. Best Hybrid – ddrum Hybrid 5

With its amazing-looking matte black wood shells and red lugs, the ddrum Hybrid 5 is perfect for drummers who want to switch back and forth between electric and acoustic sets.

SPECS

• Pads: 5 x mesh drums with triggers
• Acoustic Triggers: 5 x ddrum Acoustic Pro Triggers
• Hybrid Acoustic/Electric: Yes
• Shells Included: 2 x Tom, Floor Tom, Bass drum, Snare

On top of the matte black look, ddrum Hybrid 5 sounds equally beautiful, even with a low-volume setup. 

However, to take full advantage of the triggering capability of this set, you’ll still need cymbals, stands, and a drum module, as this is only a shell pack. 

I used the ddrum DDTi trigger module paired with a laptop with the free MT Power Drum kit software which yielded an awesome-sounding acoustic/electronic playing experience.

If the Hybrid does it for you in terms of its distinctive sound, there’s nothing else like it on the market.

7. Best for Small Spaces – Yamaha DD-75

Despite Yamaha DD-75’s deceptively amateurish form, space-challenged learners might consider this high-quality budget electronic drum kit.

SPECS

• Tone Generator: AWM Stereo Sampling
• Maximum Polyphony: 32
• Drum Kit: 5 Presets + 10 Customs
• Metronome Sound: Metronome/Cowbell/Stick/Human Voice
• Tempo Range: 11-320
• Connectivity: DC IN/Headphones/Pedal Unit 1 & 2/MIDI I&O/AUX IN

With its drummer-friendly design, the Yamaha DD-75 is the perfect entry into professional digital drumming instruments.

As for the sound quality, it’s about what you would expect from a full-size mid-range electronic drum kit, just way more compact and a whole lot less trouble to transport and set up. 

A wide variety of percussion sounds from all over the world (I heard some for the first time), well over 500 stereo-sampled voices, digital stereo processing, and a bass boost system give the DD-75 an irresistible beat. 

Give the DD-75 a little time, and I must say, you’ll find it’s almost distractingly fun to play and fool around with. 

8. Best for Intermediate Drummers – Yamaha DTX452K

The Yamaha DTX452K is a great kit to learn on without compromising quality. Boasting a range of training features and app compatibility, it helps drummers build skills quickly through a fun, interactive experience.

SPECS

• Drum kits: 10
• Voices: Drum and percussion:287, Keyboard:128
• Tempo: 30 to 300 BPM 
• Beat: 1/4 to 9/4
• USB:  USB-type B

The DTX452K includes 10 kits, 10 songs, and 10 training functions which are a great way to evaluate and improve your drumming. 

The free DTX402 Touch and Rec’n’Share apps allow you to easily engage the module whether you’re editing kits or testing your skills and listening to your favorite music while recording high-quality audio and video.

The DTX452K offers enough features and such a high level of quality that intermediate and even more advanced drummers will find a lot to love about this fabulously priced electronic drum kit.

9. Best for New Drummers – Alesis Nitro Max 

Alesis Nitro Max is well suited to semi-quiet practice and entry-level playing. It takes training even further by offering a three-month free tryout of Drumeo online lessons. 

SPECS

• Sequencer: 60 built-in play-along tracks
• Drum Kits: 32 kits from BFD + 16 user kits
• Metronome: Yes
• Tempo: 30–280 BPM
• USB: USB Type-B port

Alesis Nitro Max has 32 preset kits, but there’s space for 16 additional kits that you can spec up yourself from the available BFD Player software. 

Alesis Nitro Max has a 10” snare, 8″ toms, 10” cymbals, 4 post aluminum stand, kick pedal tower, and a hi-hat controller, while the mesh heads are tunable for a customized playing experience.

It has a super cool setup and can use USB MIDI if you want to hook it up to your computer. I’d definitely recommend this kit to young drummers looking to learn and improve on a budget. 

Best Electronic Drum Set Buyer’s Guide

Intended Use

Certain electronic drum kits are made specifically for home practice, while others are made for studio use or live performance. 

Mesh heads and training features are huge bonuses for quiet practices, while the range and quality of sounds might take a back seat. For live performances, there are models like the Pearl e/MERGE that mimic the classic appearance of acoustic kits.

Drumming Skills Level 

Most experienced drummers are first going to look at the module of any given kit as it leaves you with more room for upgrades later down the road. 

Intermediate drummers will be looking for higher-quality kits that offer more in terms of sounds and features but may not opt for premium kits with overwhelming modules.

For example, an Alesis Nitro Mesh kit is a good electric option for a beginner drummer, but it’s not a satisfactory kit for more experienced players.