Denis Loncaric
In this article, I will cover the topic of the best electronic drums for beginners and professionals, what they offer and what you need to know before buying.
If you are in the apartment and need a quiet electric kit, I got you covered!
Also, if you are a professional drummer, get ready for an upgrade with one of the best electronic drum sets of today. Then, get ready to make your decision after we’re done.
What is the best electronic drum set to buy in 2023?
Editor’s pick – Roland TD-50KV Electronic Drum Kit. Yes, it is a very expensive drum kit, but it is perfectly designed to resemble so much of an acoustic kit that it is difficult to see the difference. The sound, the look, and of course, the 16” snare drum just leave you speechless at your first strike.
Best Electronic Drums for Beginners
- 100% mesh fabric
- Throne and headphones included
- 448 Sounds, 70 Songs
- Drum coach option
- All mesh-heads
- Adjustable tension
- Mesh pads
- 40 ready-to-play drum kits
- 350+sounds, 60 play-along tracks
Best Electronic Drums for Professional Drummers
- Birch shells with a natural wood finish
- 70 preset kits and 200 user kits
- 733 drum and percussion sounds
- Play your own WAV samples
- Prismatic Sound Modeling
- Digital snare with a high-resolution multi-sensor system
- Full-size wood shells and double-braced chrome stands
- Prismatic Sound Modeling
- High-resolution, multi-sensor triggering
Performance
The volume is just perfect, not too loud but not too quiet as well. Somebody would say that it is quieter than it should be, but you can fix that easily with your amplifier. They are also suitable for apartment accommodations.
The set has over 250 preloaded songs and patterns for song selection, but they can be difficult if you are a total beginner. So I would say that this set is more for the advanced entry-level drummer.
They are very playable and have many useful features like module click for recording yourself. These options are perfect for practice. Also, you will receive 448 sounds and 70 songs to jam along to. The sound is totally fine and more than decent for entry to intermediate drummers.
Built quality
For this price, $379 as of this moment (August 2023), according to Amazon, you get a lot of features with 100% mesh fabric. That’s a big plus! Its premium mesh construction makes the LyxJam 8-Piece a very durable and dynamic drumset. This will allow you to jam out for many years to come.
The frame is solid. You will also receive plenty of joint connectors for tightening things up. The quality level is better than most of the sets you can find at this price point, so you cannot expect much of anything else.
Who it’s for
It’s a great setup if you’re a beginner but also an advanced beginner. It is also perfect for kids, or even if you just need electronic drums for practicing, LyxJam 8-Piece is for you.
If you are a beginner and found this kit a bit small for you, you can make a few updates. You can add some extensions to the four posts to adjust the heights. As for the kids, the height will be just right.
Performance
The Turbo drum module doesn’t contain a lot of sounds. It has only 10 kits and 120 overall sounds, but they do use the same Alesis articulation technology as higher-end kits, so they have a lot of body and character.
The 10 drum sets provided span from garage rock to jazz and world percussion. They’re fantastic for practice, but I doubt they’ll cut it in a live setting.
They don’t sound the best but rather target dull. However, this should not be a problem for your beginner practice sessions.
The kits include various styles, including hip-hop, rock, jazz, metal, and percussion. The module is also designed for practice, with an integrated drum coach that issues rhythmic workouts and 30 play-along songs.
Alesis includes three wonderful learning aids with the module for young drummers:
- A metronome
- A drum coach
- 40 free Melodics lessons
The metronome has time signatures and tempos ranging from 30-280 BPM. And also the metronome for practicing and improving your timing.
Built quality
The hardware frame is made of lightweight steel and readily folds for storage. The kit is simple to put together and takes up little space in a room.
The build quality is hard to top for the money. The all-mesh pads are a lifesaver at this price point, and the compact size makes having an e-kit in your house easier than ever.
Who it’s for
Alesis Turbo Mesh Kit is a great budget option for beginners looking to start their drumming experience for the first time.
Performance
The sounds available are more than decent at this price point. But again, you can expect the same quality with some higher-end e-kits. Another plus is that you can adjust them a bit if you want.
The training features are excellent and diverse. Therefore, you can still use this kit as you progress since it has excellent features. The supplied snare drum has a dual-zone pad, so you will receive a distinct sound from the mesh pad and the outside rim. Unfortunately, the tom drums are only single-zoned.
The sounds that this e-kit has are not the best. In fact, they sound rather poor to me. However, it is a wonderful entry-level kit that fills a requirement for many new drummers or those in need of trustworthy drum equipment to practice quietly with.
You will get over 350 sounds and 60 play-along tracks to jam along to, and that will be more than enough for a rookie player.
Built quality
These drums have brand-new mesh snare and tom pads. And, unlike its previous predecessors, Nitro Kit has a sturdier revised bass drum, hi-hat pedal, and brushed-steel pedal boards for a classy look and touch.
The all-black design is stunning. The build quality is also not bad. One would expect the kit to be composed of low-grade materials, yet Alesis has done an excellent job of keeping quality reasonable.
Who it’s for
For entry-level drummers and those drummers that never drummed before. Also, this e-kit is an excellent choice if you are on a budget and you want to try out if the drums are the right instrument for you.
Performance
The playability and performance of this kit are just incredible. All included cymbals perfectly complement the pads. Even though you might think the kit is smaller due to its dimension, it is not. It is perfectly compact.
It also doesn’t sound small due to the high-end samples provided by the DTX-PROX module. It has 70 preset kits and 200 user kits with 733 drum and percussion sounds. These are matched by various electronic-type kits that are there primarily to highlight the many effects available in the DTX-PROX.
Many users claimed that this set has the aesthetics and authority of an acoustic kit featuring large shells. However, the most loved feature is the pads that feature natural birch wood shells available in two finishes along with their unique TCS Silicone heads.
Built quality
The built quality is indisputable. I mean, it is Yamaha, after all. Its birch wooden shells are not only stunning in look but are very sturdy and able to withstand hard drumming.
Another great thing that Yamaha users have stated is its appearance. Although rare, it can be very tempting, especially for the drummers who opt to play electric drums on the stage. These drums sound like acoustic kits, but they look like ones too!
Who it’s for
These fantastic electronic drums are designed for professional players. But they are also great for pro drummers that need the most professional sounds and advanced features as well.
Performance
The module itself has 50 kit presets that employ Roland’s brand-new Prismatic Sound Modelling engine, with the potential for an additional 50 customized user kits.
The bigger diameters of the 14″ snare pad and 18″ ride have improved the drum’s playability. The new digital technology provides various dynamics and a more familiar acoustic sense.
This drum kit includes the well-regarded TD-50 drum module. This module is the same as the one included with the TD-50K. The ultra-sensitive drum pads, on the other hand, are where the module really shines. The TD-50’s multi-zone triggering on both drums and cymbals allows it to select the best and most appropriate sound sample for every playing style.
Having a larger selection of sounds available makes it not only exciting but also great for practicing and live performance. You will receive preloaded 70 premium kits and 900 instrument sounds which is an incredible number! Professional players can experiment as much as they want!
Built quality
Drummers love the Roland TD-50KV bass drum since it is very solidly made, and there is almost no movement when drumming. The drums are very sturdy.
However, there is a slight downside here. As with most e-drums, the feel is a lot bouncier than the acoustic drums. But that is expected on almost every e-drum kit.
Who it’s for
This is the kind of drum set that will appeal to professional drummers, especially the ones who are often on tour. But they are suitable for recording in the studio as well. If you need a kit that can shift from full-on rock to electronic music instantly, this is the kit for you.
Performance
The TD-50X drum module has just under 500 studio-quality sounds, including 70 new kit presets that replicate acoustic drums recorded in a professional studio.
You can modify your drum sounds to your own preference and replicate different reverberation. This is all thanks to the Prismatic sound modeling engine and PureAcoustic Ambience feature.
The TD-50X module also enables fast and comprehensive customization of drum sounds. On top of the already outstanding variety, you can import your own sounds.
Built quality
With its full-sized wood shells and conventional mounts, the VAD706 will make you feel like you’re playing on a high-end acoustic kit. The gloss lacquer finish and thin maple ply simulate an acoustic kit, making it look as wonderful as it sounds.
The overall build quality is excellent. You can see that the manufacturers were paying attention to every design element. Even the tiniest parts are designed to be durable and withstand years of drumming.
Also, the VAD706 hardware performs incredibly. Every component feels firmly made and tailored for precision performance, from the digital snare and ride cymbal to the top-of-the-linecymbals.
Who it’s for
The Roland V-Drums Acoustic set is perfect for professional drummers. It is especially for those drummers who seek e-drums that perfectly replicate the acoustic drum set in both look and sound.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to buy an electronic drum set?
When you are shopping for your electronic drum set, it is best to buy it when there’s a sale. I advise you to track popular websites such as Thoman, Sweetwater, and Amazon, especially in the winter months like November, December, and January. They often have discounts at that period of time. Also, Black Friday is a good time for buying e-drums as well.
How much does a decent electric drum set cost?
An electric drum set for beginners can be found for a very budget-friendly price, as seen in the examples above. That can be anywhere from $300 to $1000. More decent e-kits for intermediate drummers are from $1000 to $2000. And for those professional drummers who seek flawless sound and set are electronic drum kits over $2000.
Check out my full guide on electronic drum set cost.
Do electric drums sound real?
As e-kit manufacturers keep beating themselves in their own games, electronic drum sets have become extremely similar to real acoustic drum kits. But, there are still differences that professional drummers can notice. That is “the feel.”
Conclusion
E-drums are ideal for apartments and homes with kids, offering a quieter alternative to acoustic drums. Yet, they’re not always silent; some can rival traditional drums in volume.
When shopping, prioritize modules, pad zones, and feel. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, there are e-drum sets tailored for you. Once bought, they’re easy to set up and use. Note, playing e-drums differs from acoustic ones, but you can easily record your sessions on a smartphone.
My name is Denis. I am a drummer, percussionist, music enthusiast, and blogger. Drums have been my passion for 15 years now. My idea is to write about the things I like and I am interested in. I want to share my drum passion with fellow musicians who walk, talk, and breathe drums.
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