It isn’t uncommon to want your own acoustic drums, but they can be pretty impractical, depending on certain living conditions. In addition, they’re known for the noise they make. Still, with how music technology has progressed over time, electronic drum sets have been a top choice for many musicians.
From practice sessions to live performances, the technology that goes into the electronic kits can provide every sound you need and more. In this article, I will review the best electronic drum sets under $500.
1. Alesis Nitro Mesh Electronic Drum Set (Best Overall)
The Alesis Nitro Mesh is perfect for new drummers—it's affordable and fun to play.
Features & Specifications:
- 5 drum pads and 3 cymbal pads
- 385 total sounds
- 40 drum kits included
- Nitro drum module
Why Should You Buy?
Whether you’re a seasoned drummer or just looking to get started, the Alesis Nitro Mesh electronic drum set has a lot to offer.
It’s built with a full set of turntable mesh drumheads, in addition to 40 included drum kits and 385 drum and cymbal sounds that are customizable. You can practice with the help of 60 different backing tracks, and it even offers an aux input for your mobile device.
You’ll also benefit from virtual instrument compatibility features and a dual-zone snare pad with separate head and rim zones. With the Alesis Nitro drum module, you can utilize a variety of drum kits, from classic acoustics to more exotic percussion rigs.
The drum pads are very expressive, with a natural transition between standard strokes and rim shots. If you need a little more customization, you can opt for the expansion pack, which lets you add another tom and cymbal pad to the kit.
The kit also features a hi-hat cymbal controller pedal and a reactive ride pad. Every aspect of the drum kit is highly responsive to touch. You can also rest assured that you’ll have the equipment and accessories you need to start immediately.
The kit comes with a 4-post aluminum frame, pad mounts, a bass drum pedal, and more. In addition, you’ll find small accessories: cable wraps, a drum key, and a starter pair of drum sticks.
This comprehensive all-in-one set can easily be considered one of the best e-drums under $500. It’s probably the best choice for kids overall, aide from the Turbo Mesh.
2. Roland V-Drums TD-1K Electronic Drum Set (Best Sound)
The TD-1K is a superb option for first-time drummers. Roland has set the bar high bringing similar sound quality and expressiveness from the top-of-the-line V-drums.
Features and Specifications:
- 4 drum pads and 3 cymbal pads
- 15 drum kits
- Onboard coach function
- Stellar authentic sounds
Why Should You Buy?
Above all, Roland is a brand you can trust as they’re considered a leader when it comes to electronic drum kits.
The TD-1K is an excellent choice for new drummers as it’s small, lightweight, and responsive for a natural feel. It’s a great fit for small spaces and isn’t too difficult to get started once you have it set up.
The sounds included in this kit are crafted to help shape your drummer’s ear, and it’s an overall entry-level kit that’s hard to pass up.
It has everything you need to explore different playing styles and genres of music, but it lacks a kick tower which gives it less of a realistic playing experience.
With 15 expressive drum kits, the drum set supports essential acoustic drum sounds and techniques, a cymbal choke, and advanced hi-hat playability.
Beginner drummers will also enjoy the onboard coach function, metronome, and recorder, which will help players stay on track.
It’s also compatible with various music software such as DT-1 Drum Tutor, V-Drums Friends Jams series, and more.
3. Behringer XD80USB Electronic Drum Set
5-piece Electronic Drum Set with Rubber Heads, 3 x Cymbals, and HDS240USB Sound Module
Features and Specifications:
- 5 drum pads and 3 cymbal pads
- 10 preset drum kits (5 programmable)
- 175 sounds
- Dual-zone pads
Why Should You Buy?
Offering a quick and easy setup and storage, this electronic drum set comes with a rack, hardware, and an excellent-sounding HSD240USB drum module. The dual-zone pads make for exceptional precision, and the kit comes with 12″ cymbals, a hi-hat trigger pedal, and a pedal, pad, and stand for your kick drum.
You’ll be able to explore various play styles and genres of music due to the 15 different drum sets that boast a total of 175 sounds for you to choose from.
The kit provides users with digital and analog connectivity, and it’s known for its real-feel response so that you can practice authentic drumming techniques with unwavering quality.
For an electronic drum kit under $500, you’re getting a pretty good deal considering what it offers and how it can act as a great transition to an acoustic drum set.
Every sound is velocity sensitive, and you can easily record your drum patterns into your DAW for any of your playback or production needs.
The external MIDI sound modules and virtual instruments offer a diverse sound that simply can’t be achieved with an acoustic kit.
4. Yamaha DTX402K Electronic Drum Set
5-piece Electronic Drum Set with Rubber Pads, 3 x Cymbals, and DTX402 Sound Module
Features and Specifications:
- 4 drum pads and 3 cymbal pads
- 10 presets (user editable)
- Over 400 instruments
- Customizable kits with iOS/Android app
Why Should You Buy?
Although this electronic drum set may lack a kick tower, it still has numerous features you can utilize to improve your skills while fueling your creativity.
Built with immersive stereo drum samples and responsive rubber pads, it’s an excellent choice for practice while focusing on your performance capabilities.
With 10 training and challenge modes, you can take a different approach with each session thanks to the DTX402 Touch app, which is available for iOS and Android.
Users get the benefit of 415 percussion sounds that provide an endless variety of combinations to work on genre styles such as pop, EDM, metal, and more.
As you work through the provided training, you’ll learn how to build chops, check your timing, learn drum notation, and improve your stroke speed.
The kit is built with chokeable cymbals, nine types of onboard reverb, and the Rec’n’Share app that allows you to post drum covers directly to YouTube.
It’s an electronic drumset that’s perfect for those looking for a learning curve with a simple and intuitive design.
5. Alesis Turbo Mesh Electronic Drum Set (Budget Pick)
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.
Features and Specifications:
- 4 drum pads and 3 cymbal pads
- 10 presets, 5 general MIDI
- 120 sounds
- Tuneable mesh drum heads
Why Should You Buy?
For starters, if you’re shopping on a budget, this is one of the best electronic drum sets for under $500. Its features offer a complete set, including tuneable mesh heads, integrated practice tools, and a responsive virtual instrument controller.
If you only have access to a small space, this drum set should fit the bill. The mesh pads and cymbals can be plugged into the included module, or you can hook them up with your favorite DAW for recording sessions.
Although the kit is lightweight, it’s quite sturdy with a steel rack stand and pad mounts, and it’s beyond easy to set up. Its design is foldable, and even though it doesn’t come with a kick tower, you’ll still be able to experience immersive sessions that represent an acoustic sound.
Whether you’re looking to focus on jazz, hip-hop, or metal, the sounds included in this kit are built for a wide range of play styles. In addition, the metronome, drum coach, and 40 free lessons from Melodics make for a decent learning experience as you progress.
There are also 30 play-along tracks included so you can get a full-fledged experience. You can control virtual instruments on your computer via USB or MIDI.
6. Yamaha DD-75 Portable Digital Drums (Best For Young Kids)
Yamaha is a trusted brand when it comes to drums and percussion. The DD-75 is the best portable tabletop drum kit available.
Features and Specifications:
- 8 touch-sensitive pads
- 570 drum voices
- 30 phrase voices
- 2 foot pedals included
Why Should You Buy?
If you’re limited on space and require a simple setup, this set of portable digital drums is a fan favorite for many people looking to get started with percussion.
Moreover, it’s an excellent choice for young kids due to its size and ease of use. Yamaha is widely known for its wide range of products and their quality, which shines through here with a variety of features users can benefit from.
High-def drum sounds and the DTX-Multi12 electronic percussion pad are all you need to put in some practice and explore your creativity with music.
Featuring two drum pedals and eight touch-sensitive pads, users won’t have to go through too much of a learning curve to get started.
It’s very lightweight, and its size makes it easy to transport. Whether you want to play out loud or lock in for a private session, you can use headphones or let the sounds play through the built-in speakers.
Better yet, you’ll find a 4-track recorder for playback, and it can even operate on batteries for a more portable, untethered experience.
It may not represent the size and shape of an acoustic drum set, but it has plenty of sounds and features that allow users to express their interest in percussion.
7. Donner DED-300 Electronic Drum Set
Features and Specifications:
- 5 drum pads and 3 cymbals
- 329 sounds
- 25 different kits
- High-density bass drum
Why Should You Buy?
This drum kit provides a decent blend of features for beginners and experienced players alike. It boasts DSP technology for recording while providing a classic acoustic drum sound.
You can play with 25 classic preset kits that deliver a total of 329 sounds for an immense amount of variation. It has the ability to produce any genre of music, and they come built with an upgraded double layer full mesh drum pad.
It’s also relatively easy to install or remove the drum pad due to its spiral adjustment design that provides consistent pad tension adjustment.
This electronic drum set also supports double pedaling as it comes with a 7″ mesh kick drum that offers an authentic feel while eliminating the physical percussive sound of acoustic sets.
You won’t have any issue storing this drum set as it’s portable, foldable, and it’s more than suitable for live performances, providing an all-in-one approach to practicing and performance.
For an electronic drum kit under $500, you’re getting a substantial amount of features and usability for any of your drumming needs.
With its customizable design and ability to reflect an acoustic set, it’s an excellent option for anyone looking for something that’s efficient yet thorough.
8. Donner DED-70 Electronic Drum Set (Cheapest Full-Size Kit on Amazon)
Features and Specifications:
- 4 drum pads and 3 cymbals
- 68 sounds
- 12 kits
- Continuous hi-hat control pedal
Why Should You Buy?
Donner’s DED-70 is an electronic drum set that’s great for kids and teenagers. It provides many introductory features that offer enough variety to spark interest in percussion.
It features 12 different drum kits and 68 different sounds that come with an authentic tone. Users can also utilize the 10 demo songs included, which aid the learning experience for young minds.
The 6.5″ snare drum mesh pad delivers a wide striking range so players won’t feel restricted, and the full striking zone will improve overall skill. You can leave this drum set at home with two power supply methods or take it outdoors for portable playability and transport.
Its height and angle are easily adjustable, making it suitable for different age groups, and it allows kids to express their interest in drumming without disturbing the family.
The equipment is also quite durable, so no matter how hard they hit their pads, it’ll withstand years of repeated use. The kit includes accessories such as headphones, a drum throne, and a pair of drum sticks, but the power bank isn’t included.
Considering the price, this electronic drum set is a steal from multiple angles.
9. Alesis Drums Debut Kit
Features and Specifications:
- 4 drum pads and 3 cymbals
- 10 drum kits
- 120 sounds
- 60 Melodics drum lessons
Why Should You Buy?
This is another electronic drumset that’s geared toward children, and it has all the features they need to find a passion for drumming.
With 6″ mesh electric drum kit heads and 10″ cymbals, they’ll be able to learn techniques and patterns that’ll easily transition into an acoustic set. It also features a sturdy metal rack, drum module, sticks, drum throne, headphones, and all the cabling a user needs.
What makes it a great choice for kids is the fact that it’s very educational. Featuring 30 play-along tracks, a drum coach, and plenty of exercises to work on their skills, kids will be able to spend hours improving their skills.
Boasting 10 different drum kits and over 100 different sounds to play with, kids can customize their experience while exploring a vast range of genres.
For e-drums under $500, this is a top choice for parents looking to introduce their children to percussion, and the drum set provides connectivity options that aren’t complicated by any means.
It can be hooked up to any drum amplifier using the stereo ¼” outputs, and kids can get as loud as they want by plugging in a pair of headphones.
10. KAT Percussion KT-150
All-mesh Electronic Drum Set with 5 drum pads, 3 Cymbal Pads, and Kick Pedal
Features and Specifications:
- 5 drum pads and 3 cymbals
- 15 preset kits
- 160 sounds
- Windows and macOS compatible
Why Should You Buy?
If you’re looking for versatility and power, this electronic drum set offers more than enough. It may be a little over the $500 price point, but its collection of 160 sounds and a diverse selection of 15 preset kits makes the cost entirely worth it.
You can approach this kit like any acoustic setup due to its all mesh heads that are not only durable but highly sensitive at every point of contact.
Every piece has reliable construction, so it stays in place no matter how aggressive you play. It has various effects, such as tuning, snare buzz, and more.
You can easily switch between acoustic and electronic play styles; every hit comes with crisp and clear audio representing the real thing.
The drum set is also compatible with Windows and macOS, and customizing sounds is a breeze allowing plenty of extended use with the included preset combinations.
In Conclusion
It’s evident that electronic drum sets have come a long way, and they only get better as technology improves over time.
No matter your age, or preferences in play style, this list contains a little something for everyone interested in percussion.
Of course, many e-drums can get a little higher in price range, but each one described in this article offers features built for the long term while remaining cost efficient. This list of the best electronic drum sets under $500 is all you need between practice and performance. If this list missed the mark and you’re looking for more options, be sure to read my overall roundup of the best electronic drum sets available. I’ve also written about electronic kit options under $1000.
