There are plenty of reasons why you might want to choose an electronic drum kit. For one thing, they're much quieter than an acoustic kit and will allow you to practice at home without disturbing others. For another, many are engineered to replicate the same feel as an acoustic kit, with mesh heads that emulate the same drumstick bounce back that a regular kit provides.

With electric kits to suit all budgets, there's something for everyone, whether you're a beginner or an expert.

Here are the best electronic drum kits available now.

If you’re looking for a premium electric drum kit, they don’t come much better than this. This 10-piece kit is comprised of six pads and four cymbals; which include a dual-zone snare, dual-zone toms, an eight-inch kick drum, a 12-inch hi-hat, and two 14-inch crashes. And the DM10 MKII Pro module features 700 drum kit and acoustic drum kit sounds.

The DM10 module’s library of 700 sounds is made from 80 different drum kits, giving you a massive sound bank to explore. You can even use the module to expand on the factory content, as it has additional space for you to record your own user-loaded samples to play around with. Its sequencer has 100 preset patterns to play along to, and USB input allows you to load WAV and MP3 samples to jam with as well.

With mesh-woven drumheads, this kit feels responsive to play, and these can be fully adjusted to give you the tightness you need, depending on what you’re playing. The whole kit can stand a beating too, and you can confidently bash it around as hard as you would an acoustic set. A top-flight electric drum kit for those that can afford it, and for any aspiring professionals.

Key Features
  • 10-piece kit
  • Library of 700 sounds
  • 80 different drum kits
  • 100 preset patterns
  • Mesh woven drum heads
Specifications
  • Brand: Alesis
  • Color: Black
  • Material: Chrome
  • Weight: 65 pounds
  • Dimensions: 14.04 x 50.04 x 50.04 inches
Pros
  • Huge library of sounds
  • 80 different drum kit set ups to choose from
  • Full-size kit that can take a beating
Cons
  • Expensive
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Alesis Drums DM10 MKII Pro Kit

There’s plenty to be impressed with in this Roland electric drum kit, even though it’s a slightly smaller kit. It boasts realistic acoustic sounds and is purpose designed to be quieter than many electric kits. Its mesh head pads offer a responsive feel, and authentic drumstick resistance to make your playing feel as natural and intuitive as it would on an acoustic kit.

The TD-07's module is a veritable box of delights too, featuring 25 preset kits, 25 user kits, and 143 instruments sampled for you to mix it up with. Switch out your tom sound, and change up that cymbal from light to heavy crash—the TD-07KV is ideal for editing and customizing your drum sounds. Add in drum tuning, damping, and ambient sounds and you have a virtual editing suite at your command here.

Onboard Bluetooth allows you to play along to your favorite tracks on your smartphone or tablet, and a USB connection to music software makes it nice and simple to upload your drum tracks to your computer. This package also includes 40 free drum lessons via the Melodics app as a bonus. This is a great electric kit that’s one kick pedal away from perfection.

Key Features
  • 8-piece kit
  • 25 preset kits
  • 25 user kits
  • 143 instrument sounds
  • 40 free drum lessons from Melodics
  • 30 multi-effects
Specifications
  • Brand: Roland
  • Color: Black
  • Weight: 29 pounds
  • Dimensions: 48.43 x 43.31 x 47.24 inches
Pros
  • Quieter than other electric kits
  • Plenty of options for customization
  • Captures the feel of an acoustic kit
Cons
  • Doesn't include kick pedal
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Roland TD-07KV Electronic V-Drums Kit

If you’re shopping for an electric drum kit but are somewhat restrained by a budget, the Alesis Turbo Mesh kit could be the way to go. Despite having one or two things missing compared to some other electric kits (most notably, the absence of a kick drum), this seven-piece kit is still meaty enough to scratch that drummer’s itch.

The Turbo drum kit module included here is pre-loaded with 10 ready-to-play classic and modern drum kits, which gives you a decent amount of choice to play about with. In addition, it features 30 different play-along tracks, plus over 100 different audio samples for you to explore. It has a metronome and a drum coach to help you tighten up those timings and hone your skills.

This is probably not a kit to go hell for leather with, as you might on an acoustic set. But rather one to fine-tune your playing with. Mesh heads provide a nice responsive touch while keeping external noise to a minimum. And there are also 60 drum lessons with Melodics included here, when you register your kit with Alesis online. This kit is ideal for beginners, or for anyone looking for a decent home practice kit that won’t break the bank.

Key Features
  • 7-piece kit
  • 10 drum kits
  • 30 play-along tracks
  • 100 audio samples
  • 60 drum lessons with Melodics
Specifications
  • Brand: Alesis
  • Color: Black
  • Material: Steel
  • Weight: 29 pounds
  • Dimensions: 32 x 46 x 32 inches
Pros
  • Would suit beginner
  • Value for money
  • Reasonable amount of customization options
Cons
  • No kick drum
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Alesis Drums Turbo Mesh Kit

This mid-price electric kit from Donner feels a bit more complete than some of the other lower-priced kits, in terms of its composition. It’s an eight-piece kit that does include a hammer kick drum and pedal, and you even get a drummer’s throne included as well.

The Donner DED-400 module features (not surprisingly) 400 different sounds, which are made up of 25 different drum kits. These cover pretty much every style of music you can think of and should give you plenty of options, whatever you’re in the mood for playing. This kit can be linked to DAW software through USB MIDI or audio output interface and is therefore suitable for home recording and editing.

You’ll get 40 free Melodics drum teaching courses included with this kit—ranging from the basics to more advanced levels, which is great for learning how to create your own arrangements. Three sets of coaching functions will also provide useful feedback, based on your drum strokes; to help you iron out the creases as your playing improves. The Donner DED-400 is a solid mid-price choice of electric kit for home use.

Key Features
  • 8-piece kit
  • 400 different sounds
  • 25 different drum kits
  • 40 Melodics drum teaching courses
Specifications
  • Brand: Donner
  • Color: Black
  • Material: Steel
  • Weight: 53.9 pounds
  • Dimensions: 35 x 20 x 12 inches
Pros
  • Drum stool included
  • Kit is expandable
  • Steel structure allows for greater adjustability
Cons
  • Drum heads are a little small
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Donner DED-400 Electric Drum Set

The Yamaha DTX402K kit is aimed more towards beginners and novices, with features designed to coach you through the basics and build up confidence. Including 10 drum kits, 10 sample songs, and 10 training functions, there are noticeably fewer options to choose from. However, the 287 or so percussive sounds here are still ample for a beginner to learn the ropes with.

With this library of drum sounds, you can still customize every kit that you want to set up and tweak each piece until you get the sound that you want. The free DTX 402 Touch App provides further customization and training functions to push you further, and the DTX module can be connected to your laptop or computer via USB to enable you to record and create with your chosen audio software.

This electric drum kit also comes with three months of Melodics lessons included, as a sweetener. Ideal for prospective percussionists, the Yamaha DTX402K is a great electric kit for beginner to intermediate-level drummers and has enough features to keep things interesting as their playing progresses.

Key Features
  • 7-piece kit
  • 287 drum and percussion sounds
  • 10 kits
  • 10 songs
  • 10 training functions
  • 3 months of Melodics lessons
Specifications
  • Brand: Yamaha
  • Color: Black
  • Weight: 52 pounds
  • Dimensions: 39 x 30 x 14 inches
Pros
  • Ideal for beginners
  • Great support for coaching you through the basics
  • Easy to connect to laptop or computer
  • Silent kick pedal
Cons
  • Fewer customization options compared to some other electric kits
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Yamaha DTX402K Customizable Electronic Drum Kit

This eight-piece electric kit from LyxPro has real mesh fabric skins for a responsive feel, that emulates the bounce back of an acoustic drum. It includes a snare and three toms, a hi-hat, a 12-inch ride, and crash cymbals. Also included are a six-inch kick pad and hi-hat controller. Not only that, but they’ve also thrown in a pair of drumsticks for you too.

This kit includes 448 built-in sounds which feature 70 play-along tracks, multiple kit setups, and different patterns for your pleasure. There’s space to record up to 15 tracks of your own for playback, and advanced programming and trigger options give you plenty more depth to explore.

It boasts an ultra-sensitive response that’s comparable to an acoustic kit and allows for rim shots, chokes, and all manner of accenting that you’d get from a non-electric drum kit. There are also connection ports for USB, headphones, and external speakers, to allow you to play and create to your preference. Versatile with an authentic feel, this LyxJam kit is a good budget-priced option that’s well worth considering.

Key Features
  • 8-piece kit
  • 448 built-in sounds
  • 70 play-along tracks
  • Recordable space for 15 tracks
  • Metronome
  • Mesh heads
Specifications
  • Brand: LyxJam
  • Color: Black
  • Weight: 46.3 pounds
  • Dimensions: 35 x 34 x 12 inches
Pros
  • Drumsticks included
  • Plenty of built-in sound options
  • Plays like an acoustic kit
Cons
  • Frame not as robust as other models
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LyxJam 8-Piece Electronic Drum Kit

This eight-piece electric kit from Carlsbro features a realistic kick pedal and is easy to assemble in just a few minutes. It features 250 distinct drum and percussion sounds and has 20 preset kits for you to choose from, as well as 10 user-assignable kits for you to tweak at will.

There are 20 play-along demo songs included all with mutable drum parts for you to practice with, and easy recording and playback features for you to listen back to your work. Aux input allows you to jam to your favorite tracks via MP3 (or CD, if you’re old school enough to own some!), and it has a USB port for connection to a laptop or computer.

A dual-zone snare allows for independent rim and drum sounds, and both the crash and ride cymbals provide for manual chokes to prevent ringing and enable tighter playing. The bass drum trigger also delivers tight control that feels authentic and satisfying. With balanced rebounds from sensitive pads, the Carlsbro CSD130 does a good job of capturing the feel of an acoustic kit and has enough onboard functionality to let you run free through its library of sounds.

Key Features
  • 8-piece kit
  • 250 drum sounds
  • 20 preset kits
  • 10 user-assignable kits
  • Record and playback features
  • Metronome
Specifications
  • Brand: Carlsbro
  • Color: Black
  • Material: Rubber
  • Weight: 28.6 pounds
  • Dimensions: 30.75 x 16.5 x 20 inches
Pros
  • Affordable option
  • Folds away for convenient storage
  • Plenty of options to customize
Cons
  • Cannot save custom volume settings when you power off
Buy This Product
Carlsbro CSD130 Electronic Drum Set

FAQ

Q: Are Electronic Drum Kits Worth It For Beginners?

Many decent electronic drum kits include a headphone jack so beginners can hone in on what they are doing without being distracted.

There's also a great range of affordable drum kits for beginners to start with, loaded with different presets, play-along songs, and more.

Q: Do Electronic Drums Sound Good?

Surprisingly, electronic drum kits can sound just as good as the real thing.

While you may not get the same level of satisfaction from drumming on an electronic kit, they are less prone to breakages and work well for beginners.