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Best Electronic Drum Sets under $500 in 2024

For drummers, it’s difficult to recall when electronic drum sets first appeared because they were so gimmicky at the time that we’d rather forget about them. Because, when electronic drums were initially presented to the market, the vision greatly outstripped the technology, and what was first introduced was little more than a shadow of what we had hoped for. Things have, however, improved in recent years, and drummers can now rest confident that they can not only obtain a good quality electric drum set for a low price, but that they can also expect to get great electronic drum sets for a lower price than their acoustic counterparts.

Alesis Surge Mesh Kit

Alesis Drums Surge Mesh Kit - Electric Drum Set...
  • Natural feel, premium response; 8” mesh kick drum Tower with kick drum...
  • Express yourself: (3) 10” cymbals: Ride cymbal, hi-hat, Crash with choke
  • In-demand sound: Surge drum module with 40 kits, 60 play-along tracks and...

The Alesis Surge is the Best Electronic Drum Sets under $500. This is one of Alesis’ more advanced entry-level drum kits, featuring some good features that will appeal to a wide range of drummers.

There are 60 built-in play-along tracks and 385 sounds to pick from. These sounds are organised into 24 preset drum kits, each with its own label. There are modern acoustic kits, retro jazz and funk kits, EDM-style kits, and plenty of world percussion and SFX sounds to choose from. There’s also space for 16 of your own preset drum kit configurations, bringing the total number of drum kits to 40.

A solo bass drum tower with a mesh head is included with the Alesis Surge kit. These, like the mesh heads on the toms and snare drum, may be tensioned. All you need is a regular drum key, and you may customise each drum head to your liking.

The bass drum pad, the three tom pads, and the kick drum pad are all 8 inches in diameter. On the other hand, the snare is a more advanced version. This drum is 10-inches in diameter and has dual-zone triggering. Rim clicks or other sounds can be played with minimal effort using dual-zone triggering.The Alesis Surge mesh set comes with three cymbals. Ride, hi-hat, and crash are the three. The crash is chokable, which means you can rapidly muffle the sound by gripping the cymbal’s outer edge with your hand.

For the price of around $500, this is a fantastic equipment. It includes a couple of features that make it a good choice. The mesh bass drum pad allows for extra-quiet practise, while the bigger snare adds realism and allows for more triggering. When not in use, the entire equipment can be folded up into a compact space. Overall, this is a fantastic value package.

Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit

Alesis Nitro Kit | Electronic Drum Set with 8"...
  • Dynamic, comfortable pads for great feel and natural response
  • 8 inches high quality rubber drum pads (dual zone snare, three single zone...
  • Kick pad tower with bass drum pedal included

All things considered, the Alesis Nitro Kit electronic drum set is perhaps the finest value for money of any budget kit on the market today. This Alesis includes everything you might consider a must-have, as well as a few extra bells and whistles that take this baby over the top.

Alesis has always been regarded for producing high-quality electronic instruments at a reasonable price, and the Alesis Nitro is no exception. The set includes eight distinct drum sections as well as a lightweight and robust metal mounting rack. This is 8-piece collection that includes all of the standard elements you’d expect. It’s worth noting that the mounting rack is made of aluminium, which keeps everything safe. This Alesis also includes a Nitro electronic drum module with an incredibly user-friendly button structure, hundreds of sounds, and over 50 play-along tracks.

The snare drum is a standout part of the drum set. It has dual-zone technology, which means beginner drummers can get different sounds based on where you hit the drum. Separate triggering is included on both the rim and the drum head, greatly expanding your sound palette. It’s simple to assign an auxiliary percussion instrument, such as a cowbell or a wood block, to the rim, and it eliminates the need for additional pads.

We should also point out that this best electronic drum set includes not only a USB port, but also an old-school MIDI jack, allowing you to connect your old equipment if you still have it. This is one of the Best Electronic Drum Kits under $500.

Carlsbro CSD130 Electronic Drum Set with Realistic Kick Pedal

Carlsbro CSD130 Electronic Drum Set with Realistic...
  • Digitron display
  • 250 high-quality percussion voices
  • 20 preset drum kits

The Carlsbro CSD130 may be the right choice for you if you’re seeking for a low-cost electronic drum set. This drum kit costs roughly $300 and is a great deal in general. It’s a 5-piece drum set with three cymbal pads and a small footprint. The rack is pretty compact and folds up effortlessly. If you’re short on room, this makes it highly portable and easy to move around.

This drum kit has a true bass drum pedal and pad, which is a fantastic feature. This pedal does not have the conventional upright design. This pedal is slanted to strike the pad from below. This design is based on the assumption that it will reduce vibration and movement, resulting in a more comfortable and steady playing experience.

The Carlsbro drum module has 250 sounds, divided into 20 preset drum kits. There are also inputs and outputs for playing along with MP3 players and monitoring your performance. If you prefer to play with headphones, there is a separate output for that as well.

For such a low price, the Carlsbro CSD130 packs quite a punch. It may be used as a controller kit with any home recording setup thanks to its MIDI capabilities. There are 20 sing-along tunes and a recording feature included. This comes in handy for soundchecking at gigs. You can utilise the recorder to capture your playing and then move to the front of the room during playback to hear how you sound.

Carlsbro’s CSD130 electronic drum set is one of the best and cheapest starter electronic drum sets on the market at this price tag.

Roland TD-1K Entry-level Electronic V-Drum Set

Roland TD-1K Entry-level Electronic V-Drum Set
  • Advanced Supernatural sound engine based on the flagship TD-30
  • Sound quality and expressiveness equivalent to the top-of-the-line V-Drums
  • Simple, logical interface for easily swapping and customizing each drum and...

The TD-1K kit comes with 15 pre-programmed drum sets, allowing you to readily adapt to any genre you choose to jam in. Play heavy metal with your band, then switch to calm jazz at home with the click of a button. The pads and cymbals on this set are extremely sensitive, and the module’s teaching capabilities are designed to make practise enjoyable.

This set was also designed to be silent, so you can leave your roommates alone. You can jam all night without disturbing anyone thanks to the headphone jack and the beater-free kick drum. You’ll need a bass drum mic if you want to record your kick drum.

Roland is one of the most well-known manufacturers of electronic drums. Drum kits are available for all skill levels, from beginner to professional. Roland has designed an entry-level, lightweight drum kit for both beginners and expert drummers on a budget with the TD-1K. The compactness of this drum kit is one of the first things that comes to mind while looking at it. For this drum kit, Roland has definitely taken a beginner-friendly minimalist approach. Everything about it is designed to save space.

Each pad and cymbal is supported by a rack with a central cross design rather than the typical 4-post configuration. The module is placed in the middle of the rack for easy access, while the two free-floating foot pedals can be placed at the bottom. This kit is highly adaptable to either a right-handed or left-handed player.

The Roland TD-1K includes a fantastic tiny drum module. There are a total of 15 drum kit presets on this module. Roland has also included some helpful coaching elements for fine-tuning your technique and timing. Drummers on the run or those who don’t have a lot of area to work with would appreciate this drum kit. When you don’t need a full kit to play on, it’s perfect for carrying to and from rehearsal. It’s no wonder that the TD-1K is consistently one of the highest-rated and best-selling electronic drum sets.

Yamaha DTX402K Electronic Drum Kit

Yamaha DTX402K Customizable Electronic Drum Kit...
  • Stereo drum sounds sampled directly from acoustic drums and cymbals
  • Built-in interactive training modules to help improve rhythm and speed
  • Free iOS and Android apps "DTX402 Touch" and "Rec'n'Share" help users...

Yamaha is known for producing high-quality musical instruments. Electronic drums are often targeted at the mid- to high-end of the market. Having said that, they do sell several kits that are in the entry-level or beginner pricing bracket. The DTX402K is one such drum kit. The price of this electronic drum set is roughly $500.

So, what do you receive for your money? You get a typical 5-piece drum set with a module, rack, and pedals (5 drums, 3 cymbals). There is no bass drum tower or hi-hat stand because the pedals are free-floating. This can be advantageous in terms of noise reduction, as these pedals are typically rather quiet to use. However, they do emphasise heel-down play, which isn’t for everyone.

The pads are all made of rubber, there is no mesh here. The pads have a decent reaction and feel solid to play on. Although these rubber pads make a little more noise than mesh heads, they are still enjoyable to play on. With little vibration or movement, the entire package works perfectly. All of the drums and cymbals, as well as the module, are stored on the rack. The module includes 415 sounds as well as access to the DTX402 Touch app. There are a number of fascinating features in this programme, including timing workouts and access to play-along recordings. You can also compete to see who can read notation the most precisely and play in time.

The Yamaha DTX402K drum kit is a competent performer. It’s true that it’s lacking in some areas, such as bass drum towers and mesh drum heads. Apart than that, this kit is enjoyable to play with. The pad responsiveness is decent and shouldn’t be a problem for most people. The module and associated app are where the DTX402K shines. Yamaha has given a plethora of drumming activities to keep you busy and improve your skills.

Donner DED-200 Mesh Head 8 Piece Electronic Drum Kit

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Donner may not be a well-known company, but with the DED-200 electronic drum set, they’ve built a powerful and affordable drum kit. Mesh heads are used on the snare, three toms, and the bass drum in this 5-piece kit. To fit your preferences, each head can be separately tensioned. The mesh bass drum tower on the Donner DED-200 comes with a bass drum pedal.

The Donner module includes 225 sounds as well as 30 play-along tracks. You can also use the module to play along with any auxiliary sound devices. This is a low-cost electronic drum set that is proving to be popular.

While the pads are the kit’s crowning glory, the cymbals are also worth considering. The ride and crash are larger than most cymbal pads in a set under $500 — yet this kit is far less. It normally sells for less than $400 on the internet. Given that you receive a completely mesh drum set with a throne, sticks, and even a drum key, that’s a wonderful deal.

It may not have the same name recognition as Yamaha or Roland, but it certainly punches above its weight in terms of value.

Alesis Command Mesh Kit

Alesis Drums Command Mesh Kit - Electric Drum Set...
  • Feel The Difference Mesh Drums Make – All mesh electronic drum kit heads...
  • Premium Drumset Feel, Natural Response - 8” mesh kick drum tower with...
  • Pro Cymbal Performance - (3) 10” cymbals: hi-hat, ride cymbal w/ choke,...

It has a sturdy 4-post chrome rack as well as a larger overall dimension. The Alesis Command looks more like a classic acoustic drum kit than most other e-kits in this price range since they are smaller. And that’s what the audience is accustomed to.

The tom pads – 9′′, 9′′, and 11′′ – are also larger than usual (8′′ and 10′′) to provide you some leeway with your strokes. And on stage, when you’re both playing and performing, this can come in handy. In addition, one of the cymbal pads can be choked.

Finally, the sound module’s 70 digital drum kits and 600 sounds give you more than enough versatility to play events where you’ll have to cover a wide range of musical styles on stage.

Roland TD-27KV Electronic Drum Set

The Roland TD-27KV is one of the company’s most amazing offerings. A 14′′ digital snare pad, three 10′′ PDX tom pads, a 12′′ crash, 13′′ crash, an 18′′ digital ride, 12′′ hats, a KD-10 kick pad, and the TD-27 module are included in the TD-27KV electronic kit.

The drum set, which includes four cymbals and the drum module, is a five-piece electronic drum set with mesh heads. Right away, the pad shells have piqued my interest. They aren’t full shells like the Alesis Strike, but they are a step up over Roland’s standard PD pads.

The Roland TD-27KV is a significant improvement over the 25KV and a step in the right direction. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles, but it’s a great mid-range electronic drum set.

Alesis Forge Kit

Alesis Forge Kit | Eight-Piece Electronic Drum Set...
  • Dynamic, comfortable rubber pads for great feel and natural response
  • 11” dual-zone snare and three single-zone toms
  • Kick pad tower with bass drum pedal included

The Alesis Forge Kit is a terrific value electronic drum set for both seasoned and inexperienced drummers. The Forge Kit is priced in the same range as Alesis’ entry-level DM Lite and mid-range Crimson II kits.

The Forge Kit comes with a number of features that make it a worthwhile investment. The Forge Kit’s construction quality is superior than both the Alesis DM Lite and Alesis DM6 USB kits. This drum set comes with a lightweight and robust rack that makes it simple to set up and move. We have 600 sounds on board the Forge drum module, ranging from acoustic drum kits to electronic sets, percussion, and more. Each sound can be tweaked in a variety of ways by the user. You can adjust the pitch of drum and cymbal sounds and save them as custom presets.

This drum kit’s Forge drum module offers a wider selection of sounds and more possibilities than previous generations. The Forge Kit can be utilised for a variety of purposes, including practising, studio recording, and live performance.

For a kit in its pricing category, the Forge Kit provides exceptional value and craftsmanship. It offers a bass drum pad and the ability to import sound samples, both of which are features that its competitors lack. This kit is sure to be a hit with drummers of all skill levels.

Yamaha DD-65 Portable Digital Drum Kit with Foot Pedals and Drum Sticks

Yamaha DD-65 Portable Digital Drum Kit with Foot...
  • Yamaha DD65 Electronic Drum Pad Premium Package
  • 8 Touch-sensitive drum pads allow expressive playing
  • AUX in jack for connecting and playing along with an MP3 player

Yamaha DD-65 is a tabletop drum set for individuals who are looking for one. It contains eight touch-sensitive drum pads that allow you to play in a more expressive manner. It’s an electronic drum machine designed for drummers that gives you a professional and diverse drumming instrument.

Yamaha’s DD-65 kit is one of the better-looking low-profile affordable electric drum kits on the market. This set will be ideal for beginners or more seasoned players seeking for a portable set, with 8 drums spaced out over the beautiful chrome case. This set has a few features not commonly found in this price range, such as an AUX in jack for connecting an MP3 player, as well as the more common USB port. This kit also includes a number of pre-loaded sounds and tracks, as we’ve come to expect.

This set can run on batteries, providing you the option of being portable if you so wish. Finally, the control panel has a lot of options, including several pre-programmed automated features that are entertaining to play with.

Behringer XD8USB Digital Drum Set

Behringer XD8USB Electronic Drum Set
  • 5-piece Electronic Drum Set with Rubber Heads
  • HDS110USB Sound Module
  • 3 x Cymbals

Behringer is a brand that has gone a long way. There was a time when it was associated with low-cost goods. While its goods remain mostly economically priced, and it continues to completely cater to the demands of artists on tighter budgets, the brand has also demonstrated that high-quality equipment does not have to be costly.

The XD8USB is an excellent example of what this company has to offer. This is an 8-piece electronic kit with a lot of bang for your buck (three 12-inch cymbals, three 8-inch tom pads, a hi-hat control pedal, and a kick pedal and pad). The snare has a dual-zone pad for head and rim shot plays, and the pads are velocity sensitive.

This kit is ready to rock and roll right out of the box. It has 15 drum kit presets, five of which may be programmed by the user, and 123 sounds to choose from. You may also use it to trigger sounds from your virtual instrument for performance or recording by connecting it to your DAW. You can use the aux input to connect your iPod or mp3 player to the system for personal practise, allowing you to play along with your favourite tunes.

Alesis DM6 USB Kit

Alesis DM6 USB Kit | Eight-Piece Compact Beginner...
  • Realistic-feeling full electronic drumset, includes DM6 drum module "brain"...
  • Headphone and amplifier outputs to practice quietly or jam out live;...
  • Contains 108 top-notch drum, cymbal, and percussion sounds with aux input...

This Alesis DM6 delivers a more realistic feel to the usual acoustic set up, with four drums and three cymbals braced up by a robust frame, as well as two floor pedals. Unlike some of the other ‘table’ setups we’ve discussed, jamming in this set seems like you’re sitting in a full-fledged acoustic kit.

Alesis designed the rubber drum and cymbal surfaces to reduce vibration and feedback while also increasing the natural feel of the surface. The module in question has a variety of sounds, including percussion, cymbal, and a variety of drums. Edit your kit’s layout and save different pre-loaded configurations.

The strong rack that attaches the kit is perhaps the most notable aspect of this Alesis. The rack is built of heavy-duty metal, and it comes with clamps and mounts so you can customise your setup as you like.