Electric drum sets are becoming more and more popular these days. But at the same time, they are becoming more and more expensive.
Low-cost electric drum sets are for beginners looking for an affordable way to get into the world of drumming, and they can cost a few hundred dollars. If you plan to buy a professional electronic drum set that will serve you for years, prepare to spend at least a few thousand dollars.
However, there are more budget-friendly options, such as used drum sets that will cost a few hundred, depending on the brand and lifetime. Read on and find out how much are electric drum sets.
How much are electric drum sets for kids
If you’re looking for a great way to get your child interested in drumming, an electronic drum set is a perfect solution.
Electric drum sets for kids come at different prices, depending on the type of kit you want. There are cheap toy-like kits that are easily portable and can cost around 20$ to 100$. These kits are great for toddlers and younger kids who just want to have some fun.
However, suppose your child is a bit older and interested in drums. In that case, you might want something closer to the real electronic drum kit, suitable for kids.
There are some intermediate versions for kids that you can buy for around 150$, but they don’t resemble the structure of a real drum kit. Another option is buying some of the entry-level electronic kits in size for a younger player, and they cost around 300$.
These will be more expensive, but they will resemble the real drums, and the child will have a good foundation in drumming. If your child is just starting out, we recommend a cheaper set. If they stick with it for long enough to want something better, you can always upgrade later.
What to expect
Electronic drum sets have many features that make them great fun, even for kids who don’t yet know how to play music.
- Some electronic drum sets have pre-programmed rhythms and songs built into them so that a child can press buttons and make music.
- Some more advanced models even allow you to record, which can provide hours of entertainment as your child experiments with making their own music.
Pros
Electronic drum kits for children are usually not pricey. They are a fun way to get your child interested in drums without disturbing the neighbours.
Cons
Cheap and toy-like electronic drum sets for kids will not provide the real feel of drums. If you want your kid to have proper electronic drums, it will be more pricey and take up a larger space in the house.
How much are electric drum sets for beginners
Electric drum sets for beginners are usually more affordable than intermediate or advanced ones.
The cheapest entry-level sets are around 200$, and the price grows with the quality and features they offer. In the price range of 300$ to 500$, you will find some really good beginner sets, such as Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit, which comes with all the important features and hardware you need.
What to expect
Beginner sets are usually 5-piece and have the basic features such as:
- play-along tracks
- preset kits
- all necessary hardware such as pedals
Pros
Beginner sets are cheap and have all you need to start drumming.
Cons
They usually have limited sound libraries and lack some features, and they are not as durable as more advanced and expensive models.
How much are used electronic drum sets
If you don’t want to spend too much money on an electronic drum set, a second-hand kit is an option.
Used drums are frequently in good condition and can be found for a fraction of the price of new drums.
Their price varies regarding the model and how long they’ve been used. Used electronic drums in good condition can be found for 50-70% of the price of new.
Used electronic drum kits cost from a hundred to a few thousand dollars. For example, Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit, which can cost more than 300$ when it’s new, can be found for 100$ second-hand.
What to expect
Of course, you cannot expect the same quality and durability with used electronic drum kits as with the new ones.
The older pads could be worn out and not very responsive. So if you’re looking to buy an old kit, consider replacing the pads if you notice the lack of response.
Pros
Used electronic drum sets are way cheaper, and they provide the same set of features as their new versions.
Cons
Second-hand electronic drums could have less responsive pads and other damage which comes with the long use.
How much are professional electronic drums
The cost of a professional electronic drum kit is higher than the standard models.
Lower-end will cost between $1000 and $2000. While plenty of professional electronic drum kits is available for less than $2000, you’re going to get better sound and more features for your money if you’re willing to spend more.
Some models above 2000$, such as Yamaha DTX8K-M, are designed to emulate the feel and response of an acoustic drum kit.
You can expect to pay up to $5000 or so for a top-of-the-line electronic drum kit with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from an electric set.
What to expect
With professional kits, you can expect a high-end set of features and authentic and responsive sound.
They will give you all you need for professional drumming. The technology behind electronic drums has come a long way in recent years, and high-end kits are now being used by some of the world’s best drummers.
Pros
Professional electronic drum kits very closely resemble the acoustic ones by sound and sometimes even by appearance.
Cons
The only downside of professional electric drums could be that they are more expensive to buy and maintain.
Why are electronic drums so expensive?
Electronic drums are complex devices. To design and build they require a lot of:
- engineering
- research
- development
That’s the reason why they are so expensive.
In the last ten years, the price of electronic kits has been rising exponentially, and nowadays, it reached its peak point.
If you look at the statistics, the retail sales value of electronic drums in the USA was 49.2 million dollars. By 2020 it grew to 74 million dollars.
The reason for it could be the global price increase, so the materials and production costs became more expensive and therefore the drums too.
It’s also possible that the high cost of electronic drums is due to market demand and consumer willingness to pay a greater price.
Is an electronic drum set worth it?
If your drum practice needs to be at low volume or you want to have drums at home, record drum tracks easily then YES electronic drum set is worth the money.
On the other hand, I would not purchase a high-end electronic drum set ($2000 and more) and expect to get the sound quality of an acoustic drum in that range.
So if you ask me, any electronic kit below $1200 or so is worth the money.
I made the Best Electronic Drum Kits Guide so you can check some of my recommended drum sets.
Electronic kits offer a lot of value, provided you know what you’re looking for and choose the right kit for your needs.
- First, they are extremely quiet compared to acoustic drums. This means that you can practice at any time of day or night, and your neighbors will never know.
- Second, electronic kits come with a built-in sound module with dozens of preloaded drum presets and songs. This makes them a great choice for beginners who don’t have a ton of money to spend on learning the drums.
Electric drum sets can run you quite a bill, but they are very worth it. With a little bit of research, you can find many deals on electric drums that will be perfect for you.
Conclusion
There is no simple answer to the question of how much are electric drum sets. It all depends on what you want from your instrument.
If you want a decent electronic drum set, be ready to put aside at least 500$ for an entry-level set.
For a professional one, you will need around 2000$ if you want a high-end instrument. If you cannot spend a lot of money, try searching for a good second hand drum set instead. They cost 50-70% of the price of the new set, but keep in mind they could not be as responsive.
Electronic drums are so expensive because of the supply and demand and the cost of manufacturing and maintaining them.
Creating an electronic kit is a lot more complex and pricey than the acoustic one. Electronic drums might be pricey, but they are worth it.
They are quieter, take up less space and have a number of other advantages compared to the acoustic set.
Buying a drum set really comes down to what works best for your particular situation and budget. Consider all the factors before buying the electronic drum set, so you get the money’s worth.
