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It’s no secret that kids, in general, like to hit things. Drums provide the perfect outlet for their emotions and frustrations as the brain develops. But who wants to listen to a noisy drum set all day? I wouldn’t either, even though I am a drummer.
I’m not sure how my parents put up with me, but I wish they had gotten an electronic drum set for me when I was a kid.
Electronic drum sets are perfect for kids — they quiet, provide a fun experience, and are even good for the brain. Whether they’re a toy in your child’s eyes or spark an aspiration for music performance, don’t be afraid of letting your child start playing the drums.
Today we’ll take a deep dive into the world of electric drum sets for kids—noting all the features and advantages of each.
Top 3 Best Electronic Drum Kits for Kids: Gear Guide
| Image | Product | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best for ages 12+  | Alesis Nitro MAX
| 3.8 | SweetwaterGuitar Center |
Best for 10 years and younger  | Alesis Turbo Mesh
| 3.5 | inMusicBrandsGuitar Center |
Best sound quality  | Roland V-Drums TD-02KV
| 3.5 | SweetwaterGuitar Center |
The table above shows some of my favorite picks, but if you want more information, be sure to keep reading to get more information on each kit.
1) 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.
At the most affordable end of the spectrum is the Turbo Mesh from Alesis. It’s a smaller electronic kit but has plenty of features a new child drummer desires.
Aside from the apparent hitting areas, the kit features three cymbal pads, four drum pads, two pedals, and a drum module to change the sounds.
The steel stand is robust. While assembly is a little tricky, this is common among all electronic drum kits. The rack does fold up for secure storage in the closet.
The Turbo Mesh has ten kits with 120 sounds, including drum sounds from genres like rock, metal, jazz, and hip-hop.
For young ones who want to play along to their favorite music, there is an auxiliary on the unit, allowing you to plug in an MP3 player, laptop, tablet, or phone.
2) Donner DED-80
The DED-80 is an electronic drum set for beginners and kids with quiet mesh drum heads and everything needed to get playing the drums
Recently, Donner Music sent out a compact e-kit for me to test out. The DED-80 is perfect for young students aged 5-13 in my opinion. It features four drum pads, three cymbals, a compact hardware frame, mesh drum heads, 180 sounds, two foot pedals, a drum stool, headphones, and sticks. It’s got everything your child needs to get started on the drums.
There are built-in songs to play-along to, as well as an auxiliary input for using MP3 players or other devices with the unit.
If you’re worried about the setup process, this kit is by far the easiest electronic drum set I’ve ever put together. It’s super lightweight, as well, so you can fold it up quickly and put it away in the closet.
One of the biggest challenges of young drummers, is actually knowing if they will stick with the instrument. At a price point of under $300, it’s not as much of a risky gamble to buy your kid and e-kit without worrying if it will be a waste. Worst case scenario, they play it like a toy and grow out of it. But hopefully, they will stick with the drums and become the next John Bonham.
You can watch my video review of the DED-80 here.
3) Pyle Pro Electronic Tabletop Drum Set
Pyle Pro's Tabletop drum set is perfect for young drummers who want to try hitting things before fully committing to a larger electronic drum set.
The Pyle Pro Electronic Tabletop Drum Set is the perfect way for young kids to learn to hit things without fully committing to a real kit. This innovative and compact drum set features 10 pre-loaded drum kit presets, all of which can be played with the included sticks.
The set also includes a built-in metronome, so you can keep time while you play. Plus, there’s a Record/Playback function that lets you record your own drum tracks and play them back later.
I usually don’t recommend tabletop drum kits, but for this case, I think they’re appropriate. Tabletop drum sets give kids an introduction to the drums without spending a fortune. The Pyle Pro Electronic Tabletop Drum Set has seven pads complete with 300+ drum/cymbal sounds. It’s portable, too.
While it includes an AC adapter, you can power the unit with six C batteries — your child will have fun all around the house.
4) Yamaha DD-75 Tabletop Digital Drum Set
Yamaha is a trusted brand when it comes to drums and percussion. The DD-75 is the best portable tabletop drum kit available.
The Yamaha DD-75 is a portable digital drum set that is perfect for young and new drummers. It comes with eight pads, ported speakers, two foot pedals, and MIDI connectivity. Yahama’s instrument quality is far superior to the Pyle Pro, so keep that in mind. You’ll spend a bit more, but it may be worth it.
It has a wide range of sounds and functions that makes it perfect for practicing and performing. The eight pads are velocity-sensitive and have a great response. The ported speakers provide great sound quality. The two footpedals give you the ability to create a variety of sounds. The MIDI connectivity allows you to connect to a computer or other MIDI devices.
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
Who says drums have to be loud and obnoxious? The Alesis Nitro Mesh is the perfect way to get started with playing the drums, without all the noise. This eight-piece electronic drum set has a premium feel and natural dynamics, making it perfect for beginners or young kids just starting out. Plus, the dual-zone mesh snare drum provides an ultra-quiet response, perfect for those late night practice sessions.
With 40 different preset kits and 60 play-along tracks, you’ll never get bored with this drum set. And the backlit LCD screen makes it easy to keep track of progress. Plus, the USB MIDI connection allows your child to use this drum set with a computer or mobile device for even more possibilities.
You can watch my video review of the Alesis Nitro Mesh here.
6) Alesis Surge Mesh
Excellent intermediate electronic drum set with all-mesh drum heads, dual-zone technology, 10" snare, 8" toms, and 8" kick.
One of my favorite mid-level electronic drum kits for kids is the Alesis Surge Mesh. I’ve written about it before, and you can read my full review here. All drum pads included are dual-zone, giving you two sounds per drum — a vital feature for a more realistic experience.
The Surge Mesh packs 385 unique drum sounds into the drum module along with 40 preset kids and 60 play-along songs. The Surge Mesh is the best of both worlds — it’s moderately affordable and has many features a more expensive electronic drum set would typically include.
7) LyxJam 7-Piece Electronic Drum Set
Similar to the Alesis Turbo Mesh, the LyxJam 7-Piece features 50 play-along songs, 209 preloaded sounds, and a built-in metronome.
Looking for a great electronic drum set that won’t break the bank? Look no further than the LyxJam 7-Piece Electronic Drum Kit! This affordable set features mesh drum heads for a realistic feel, 209 preloaded sounds, 50 play-along songs, and recording capability.
Plus, the built-in metronome and LED display make it easy to keep track of your progress. And with advanced rubber cymbals, this set is perfect for those who want a great first experience playing the drums.
8) Carlsbro CSD130 Electronic Drum Kit
Carlsboro's CSD130 electronic drum kit is an interesting design, to say the least. It comes with 20 preset kits and 250 percussion samples.
Carlsbro’s CSD130 has an interesting look to it. The set supports itself with three legpoles, which I assume cuts down on shipping and manufacturing cost. Like most on the list, the CSD130 has four pads, three cymbals, two pedals, and a funky-looking drum module in the middle.
One tremendous advantage of the Carlsbro kit is the realistic kick pedal. Having a kick pedal as such allows for a much more robust playing experience, akin to playing a real acoustic bass drum.
Aside from that, there is nothing special about the kit. I think it is a great choice, and picking between this one and the Turbo Mesh is a tough decision. The kick pedal is a huge advantage.
Oh, and it’s affordable in comparison! Carlsbro also sells one without the realistic kick pedal, but I decided not to mention it here.
9) Avatar Electronic Drum Set for Kids
The HXW SD61-4 is a great value introductory drum kit perfect for kids including 251 sounds, 25 preset kits, and 15 play-along songs. Aux input and USB included.
Avatar (also known as HXW) is a relatively new brand to the electronic drum kit market. While the cost of this kit is a little bit more, you get a few more features reserved for more expensive drums. The snare drum is dual-zone, giving you two different sounds on the pad zone and the rim.
Avatar’s e kit features a real kick tower, something we haven’t seen yet. This piece acts like a bass drum would, emulating the feel.
You can watch my video review of a similar HXW kit here.
10) Roland TD-1DMK
Roland is the top dog when it comes to engineering and designing electronic drum sets. The TD-1DMK is top-of-line when it comes to e-drums for kids.
Roland used to make a kit for kids called the TD-1K. Unfortunately, I can’t find it for sale anymore. It was far more affordable than the TD-1DMK. However, if your child is serious, an electronic drum set from Roland may be the right solution. Roland makes top-of-the-line electronic instruments.
For starters, the pads included are of a much higher quality. They feel nicer to play on, as well. Roland’s TD-1DMK includes 15 preset drum kits along with an onboard coaching function for new players.
11) Behringer XD8
The XD8 is a great choice for drummers for all skill levels.
The Behringer XD8USB Electronic Drum Set is a great choice for drummers of all skill levels. The set includes a sound module, five drum pads, three cymbals, and a complete rack. The sound module has 123 sounds and 10 factory preset drum kits.
The pads are dual-zone, meaning they can be used for both drums and cymbals. The set also includes a USB connectivity for easy connection to a computer or other devices. The aux input allows you to connect an external audio source, such as an MP3 player.
The metronome is a great feature for keeping time while practicing. The Behringer XD8USB is a great choice for anyone looking for an affordable and complete electronic drum set.
Wrapping Up
Out of all the e-kits available for kids, I believe the Alesis Surge Mesh is the best option. It’s a little pricier but does have a lot more features, and your child can grow into the set.
I hope this list helps you make a decision. If you think real drums may be better, do miss my guide on the best drum sets for kids.
Thanks for reading.
Featured Image Copyright: crazymouse / 123RF Stock Photo
