If you’re in the market for the best Alesis electronic drum set, you know that there are dozens of models to choose from. You could spend hours comparing different models and features before settling on one—or you can trust a professional percussionist who has extensively tested each option.
Let’s look at some of the best Alesis electronic drum kits available today, so you can make an informed decision that meets your needs as a drummer! I’ll walk through the pros and cons of each model, highlighting essential features such as sound quality and playability.
Best Alesis Electronic Drum Sets at a Glance
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1) Alesis Strike Pro Special Edition
While it does have its quirks, the Strike Pro SE is a fantastic option for professional drummers looking for an alternative to Roland's high-end kits.
Undoubtedly, the Strike Pro SE is the flagship model from Alesis—it’s on a similar level to Roland’s TD- 50KV2 or VAD706 (but at a fraction of the price). Back in 2019, I owned the original Strike Pro kit (you can read my review here).
The Alesis Strike Pro Special Edition is designed to replicate the familiar feel of an acoustic drum set, allowing for nuanced performances with sensitive mesh heads and rubber pads.
Its vast sound library features 136 complete drum kits and over 1,800 multi-sampled sounds, allowing users to create custom samples.
The wood shells and tunable mesh heads respond like acoustic drums but with low noise, while “hammered” cymbals have a controlled bounce and good stick response. Fusion drum sizes provide a comfortable transition from acoustic to electronic kits, and dual-zoned toms, snare, and cymbals alongside a 3-zoned ride yield dynamic performances.
The Strike Pro Module offers an easy way to edit drum sounds with its 4.3″ color LCD screen, while mixer faders give you complete control over your headphones or speakers.
With eight direct outputs for studio-level editing, the Strike Software Editor for importing new sounds into the module, and an onboard sampler for capturing organic sounds directly from the kit itself, this e-drum kit holds its own with some of the industry’s best.
In Use
The drum module is limited. Compared to Roland’s TD-50, it’s night and day. But, at a fraction of the cost, Alesis does give Roland a run for their money. The kit feels great to play on. The snare and toms are big shells and feel like an acoustic kit.
Although the hi-hat triggering may not be as realistic as Roland (especially compared to the newer VH-14D), the playing experience is still great. Originally on the Strike Pro (before the SE model), the hi-hat triggering was terrible but has since been corrected as it is much better.
Read my review of the original, similar Alesis Strike Pro here.
2) Alesis DM10 MK10
The DM10 is a perfect option for veteran drummers looking to try electronic drums. The kit includes 54 preset kits and 671 instrument sounds.
The Alesis DM10 MKII Pro is the complete digital drumming experience. Featuring full-sized shells with mesh heads, this kit provides an unprecedented level of realism and playability.
Its tightly woven black mesh pads offer the best drumming experience yet, with an adjustable response to accommodate any playing style. In contrast, its quiet mesh heads provide easy practice in any space.
This set includes a fully-loaded drum module with 50 preset kits (30 user kits), and 700+ drum sounds for endless exploration. Plus, an onboard sequencer with 100 preset patterns, built-in recording capabilities, and an auxiliary input jack for jamming along to music makes this kit unbeatable for performance and practice.
And with a double bass pedal-ready kick pad and features like the triple-zone ride cymbal (which can be used as two separate zones), this kit offers an expansive range of sonic possibilities.
Read my full review of the DM10 MKII here.
3) Alesis Command Mesh Special Edition
The Alesis Command Mesh SE is a perfect option for intermediate drummers who may already have an acoustic drum set and need to practice quietly.
The Alesis Command Special Edition Mesh electronic drum set is the perfect choice for aspiring drummers of any age.
Featuring superior factory kits and sound expansion capabilities, this is an electronic drum set you can grow into as your playing develops. Plus, a complete set of tunable mesh heads make it a pleasure to play and allow you to adjust those sounds precisely to your liking.
With 74 total kits and 671 drum/percussion sounds, plus helpful practice features like onboard recording with 5 internal track slots (and 99 via thumb drive) and 60 built-in play-along practice tracks, this kit offers endless possibilities for both performance and practice.
The included kick pedal, hi-hat pedal, rugged black powder-coated drum rack, 1/8 inch aux input for phones or music players, power supply, connection cables, and mounting hardware make this set complete for years of enjoyment.
4) Alesis Surge SE
Excellent intermediate electronic drum set with all-mesh drum heads, dual-zone technology, 10" snare, 8" toms, and 8" kick.
The Alesis Surge Special Edition Mesh electronic drum set provides a complete package for aspiring and experienced drummers.
Featuring unheard-of practice and performance features, the Alesis Surge Mesh Kit has a complete set of tunable mesh heads with dynamic response and a natural feel like classic acoustic drums.
It also includes 24 kits and 385 drum/percussion sounds, making it as versatile as any professional kit. In addition, helpful practice features like the onboard metronome help you build chops and learn grooves, plus 60 built-in play-along practice tracks make this kit ideal for performance and practice.
Additionally, dual-zone pads for playing two different sounds from the same pad let you get creative with sound design. The included kick pedal, hi-hat pedal, rugged black powder-coated drum rack, 1/8 inch aux input for phones or music players, power supply, connection cables, and mounting hardware make this set perfect for the starting drummer.
Read my full review of the Surge Mesh here.
5) Alesis Nitro Mesh
The Alesis Nitro Mesh is perfect for new drummers—it's affordable and fun to play.
- Mesh drum heads
- Affordable price
- Perfect for a beginner drummer
- Pads are small and compact
- Rack is a bit wobbly
The Alesis Nitro drum set is the perfect choice for beginner drummers, offering an easy and affordable entry into the world of digital drums. Read my full review on the Nitro here.
This 5-piece kit includes a module, pads, hardware, and accessories to get you playing right away. Featuring tunable mesh heads that deliver a custom playing experience and 40 preset drum kits with 385 drum, cymbal, and percussion sounds, plus USB/MIDI for multitracking and triggering virtual instruments.
You also get an 8″ dual-trigger snare with expressive head and rim zones and 8″ single-zone tom pads that play fast and naturally. The stable kick tower comes with 10″ crash cymbal with choke, 10″ ride, 10″ hi-hat with a foot controller so you can control every hit.
Play along with 60 backing tracks or your mobile device using the included 4-post aluminum rack stand. The compact size makes it easy to store away when not in use – everything you need for hours of fun!
Accessories include cables, power supply, drum key, and drumsticks – making this an incredibly affordable option for new players looking to explore music production or live performance.
Read my full review of the Alesis Nitro Mesh here.
6) Alesis Turbo Mesh
The Alesis Turbo Mesh Kit is a complete electronic drum set with mesh heads, MIDI over USB, and integrated practice tools making it perfect for the first-time young player.
The Alesis Turbo Mesh is the perfect choice for young drummers and one of the best electronic drum kits under $500. Equipped with expressive pads, tunable mesh heads, and folding steel stand, this 5-piece kit offers 10 preset kits; 120 drum, cymbal, and percussion sounds. In addition, the aux input on the drum module makes it perfect for practicing or recording with apps like Spotify.
It also includes integrated practice tools like the metronome, drum coach, and Melodics with 40 free lessons making it easy to develop your timing, groove, and stamina.
Additionally, MIDI over USB allows you to trigger virtual instruments in a DAW. Jam along to 30 backing tracks or even music on your own laptop/mobile device! Accessories included are cables, power supply, drum key, and drumsticks – all allowing for an incredible playing experience that is both fun and convenient!
Read my full review of the Alesis Turbo Mesh here.
Conclusion
After thoroughly evaluating the pros and cons of different drum sets from Alesis, the Strike Pro SE is by far the best electronic drum set for experienced and touring musicians.
For younger beginners, I suggest the impressive Alesis Nitro Mesh kit; it may cost less but still offers a generous array of features for its price tag.
Hopefully, this post has given you a great starting point as you search for your perfect drum kit. Whatever your choice, I wish you all the success in finding your creative voice through music! If you didn’t find an Alesis kit that piqued your interest, don’t miss my roundup of the best electronic drum sets.
To help other visitors of this blog, let me know your favorite electronic drum kit down below in the comments, whether it be Alesis or something else. Good luck with buying your dream drum set!
