The 7 Best Electronic Drum Sets for All Budgets

Alesis Nitro Max: Overview

In October of 2023, Alesis unveiled the highly anticipated successor to the best-selling Nitro Mesh—the Nitro MAX. The kit has a larger 10″ snare drum and a far better-sounding drum module.

Appearance-wise, it looks similar to the Nitro Mesh, with an upgrade to the shell color and white mesh heads instead of black. The red wood grain finish with the all-black hardware design looks striking in person.

Performance

The kit has 440 individual drum sounds, and 32 kit presets—many of which were developed with legendary drum sample maker BFD. They’re some of the best sounds I’ve heard on a sub-$400 e-kit.

Alesis also included 16 user kits for deeper customization of your favorite sounds. Additionally, the free BFD Player pairs nicely with the Nitro MAX when connected to a computer via USB.

Sizes on the kit include a 10″ dual-zone snare drum, three 8″ single-zone tom pads, a 6″ kick drum tower, a 10″ choke crash cymbal, a 10″ ride cymbal, 10″ hi-hat pad, the Nitro MAX module, and a four-post rack.

The 6″ kick tower worked well with my DW9000 double-kick pedal, though it did seem like the beaters were right up the edge of the pad. Some double pedals may run into an issue when connecting to the tower—your mileage may vary.

Bluetooth compatibility is another standout highlight of the Nitro MAX, and during my tests, it worked flawlessly. The kit makes it easy to jam to your favorite tunes or follow along with YouTube videos. Many high-end kits still lack this function, so it’s a welcome upgrade for the Nitro lineup. The Nitro MAX also has a tablet holder perfect for reading music or watching lessons while playing.

Alesis offers a 30-day trial of the learning software Melodics and a 90-day trial of Drumeo, further cementing this kit as the best option for beginners. Intermediate and advanced drummers in challenging shared living spaces may also benefit from the Nitro MAX, as it’s one of the most affordable options available.

Build Quality & Design

Sizes on the kit include a 10″ dual-zone snare drum, three 8″ single-zone tom pads, a 6″ kick drum tower, a 10″ choke crash cymbal, a 10″ ride cymbal, 10″ hi-hat pad, the Nitro MAX module, and a four-post rack.

The 6″ kick tower worked well with my DW9000 double-kick pedal, though it did seem like the beaters were right up the edge of the pad. Some double pedals may run into an issue when connecting to the tower—your mileage may vary.

Verdict

I tested the kit for a solid week after recording my initial impressions review video. Based on my 20+ years of drumming experience, the Nitro MAX gives a reliable playing experience for younger beginning drummers. The biggest upgrades for this one? I’d love to see larger cymbal pads, 10″ pads across the board, and a larger kick tower pad if they ever make a Nitro MAX Special Edition.

Simmons Titan 70: Overview

Simmons’ latest release to the Titan family is appealing if you like big drum sets. With 11 pieces, the Titan 70 is Simmons’ flagship electronic drum set featuring a new 12″ triple-zone ride cymbal, quiet mesh drum heads, a drum module with sounds recorded at a legendary recording studio, and a big kick tower.

The Titan 70’s configuration includes a 10″ dual-zone snare, four 8″ dual-zone tom pads, a 7″ kick drum tower, a 10″ hi-hat, two 10″ chokable crash cymbal pads, a 12″ triple-zone ride cymbal pad, Titan 70 sound module, a hi-hat pedal, a kick drum pedal, and the drum rack.

Since the snare drum has no opening on the bottom of the shell, the drum tends to be louder than other e-kit designs, so keep that in mind if you’re apartment drumming.

The kit features beautiful blue shells, grey rubber rims, and white mesh drum heads. The shells are thin, similar to the Nitro MAX, but they look great when set up. The module comes with 314 sounds and 75 preset kits.

The module seems to be an upgrade of the Titan 50 and includes Bluetooth audio for streaming songs for playing along. The top of the drum module sports a device holder, which can easily accommodate your iPhone or iPad with no issue.

Simmons also released a companion app that extends the drum module’s functionality. It gives quick access to kit changes and mix volumes, a standout feature for the Titan 70.

Verdict

Alesis Strata Prime: Overview

The Strata Prime is Alesis’s newest flagship electronic drum set. It’s not an upgrade of the previous Strike Pro SE, either. The kit was built from the ground up with many new features typically reserved for more expensive e-drums. Some big highlights include incredible sounds, a large 10.1″ touchscreen drum module, and new triggering tech.

Performance

The mesh drum heads feel excellent when playing, and overall, it’s the most realistic electronic drum set in the under $5,000 range, both in playability and sound.

As with the Strike Pro SE, the Strata Prime’s hi-hat is weak, but I commend Alesis for improving their previous design. It’s hard to compete against the realism of Roland’s VH-14D digital hi-hat. But it’s a close second and well worth the value.

Build Quality & Design

The kit’s finish resembles that of the Nitro MAX, and despite being a flagship model, the shells on the toms and snare drum aren’t as deep as you’d expect. Still, the kit doesn’t feel small to play and works nicely if you’re transitioning back and forth from an acoustic drum set ergonomically.

The Strata Prime’s configuration includes a 20″ real-sized kick drum, a dual-zone 14″ snare, 8″, 10″ 12″, and 14″ dual-zone toms, two triple-zone 16″ crash cymbals, an 18″ triple-zone ride, and the Prime drum module.

Verdict

The sounds of the Prime drum module are some of the best I’ve heard, and extra expansions will be released soon. While testing, issues didn’t stick out to me as they do when I play a lot of e-kits—I was just enjoying playing the drums. The Strata Prime feels seamless when swapping back to your regular acoustic drum set.

Roland TD-27KV2: Overview

The Roland TD-27KV2 is one of the most impressive entries from the e-kit giant, and it has arguably the best electronic hi-hat system available. It’s the second-generation kit in the TD-27 line and shows no signs of losing popularity within the drum community.

The TD-27KV2 is a mid-to-high-level electronic kit featuring 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 TD-27 module.

And it’s not just the hi-hat that’s impressive. The ride cymbal and the snare drum use a digital connection, allowing for more detailed triggering with Roland’s advanced sensors. Cross sticks, rim shots, and regular hits are easily detected with no issue, and the ride cymbal can even be muted with your fingertips. Time will tell if Roland will include this digital tech in a future e-kit on all drums and cymbals.

The sound quality output from the TD-27 brain is decent, but Roland’s most recent drum modules fail to compare to the newer sounds from Alesis and Yamaha.

Verdict

Yamaha DTX10K-X: Overview

A big highlight from NAMM last year was checking out Yamaha’s DTX10 series electronic drum sets. Matt Rudin from Yamaha Drums gave me a rundown on all their current kits, and the DTX10 series stuck out.

The kit includes a 12″ snare drum, two 10″ mounted toms, a 12″ floor tom, a 12″ kick drum pad, a 13″ hi-hat, 13″ crash, 15″ crash, 17″ ride, and the sound module.

At the heart of the DTX10K-X is the premium DTX PROX module. This little powerhouse offers drummers superior kit customization opportunities. Though it looks a little ugly and outdated, the module has decent sounds and is remarkably easy to use.

Performance

The sounds on the DTX PROX module sound over-processed to my ears, but there are plenty of awesome preset kits (like Trash 2 and Black Vinyl). One thing the Yamaha DTX PROX module does exceptionally well is cymbal chokes. They have just the right amount of sustain and decay, making them sound very realistic.

Yamaha has equipped the DTX10K-X with Textured Cellular Silicon drum heads. These heads deliver a snappy response and a realistic playing feel, mimicking the sensation of playing on an acoustic drum kit. They feel fantastic to play and are far quieter than mesh drum heads.

Overall, the cymbals and drum pads have accurate stick response, and the kit felt incredible to play during my time at the booth.

Build Quality & Design

Yamaha’s included hardware is also worth mentioning since they make the best stands, in my opinion. The snare stand (SS662) is adjustable, single-braced, and lightweight. 

The hi-hat stand (HS740A) from the 700 Series is medium-weight, chain-linked, and has rotating legs. The DTX10K-X also comes with three medium boom cymbal arms (CH755).

I’m happy that the included ball mounts/clamps (CL940MB) have stayed the same over the years and still perform flawlessly. The rock-solid HexRack II drum rack system is fantastic and supports the DTX10K-X with no wobble.

Verdict

EFNOTE 5X: Overview

The EFNOTE 5X is by no means affordable. Compared to all the other high-end e-kits with real drum shells, the 5X is the most budget-friendly for this look. I tested the EFNOTE 5X in 2022, and while it’s not their newest flagship kit, it deserves a spot on this list.

The drum module has natural-sounding kit presets, and though some lack punch, it is easy to find a kit for almost any style. The bop-sized e-kit comes with 6-ply wood drum shells with a 12×5″ snare, 10″x7″ rack Tom, 12×12″ floor tom, and 13×13″ secondary floor tom.

The cymbals are a warm grey color and trigger excellently. The 5X cymbal configuration includes two 16″ triple-zone crashes, an 18″ triple-zone ride, 14″ hi-hats, and an 8″ splash. The crash and ride cymbals feature 360-degree sensing, so worrying about where you hit is no issue.

The side rim on the snare drum is a bit of an odd design choice, but it is practical and works well with rim clicks or cross sticks. All EFNOTE modules feature Bluetooth, so you can connect your device and play your favorite songs wirelessly.

Verdict

DW DWe 5-piece Drum Kit Bundle: Overview

DW, a renowned drum manufacturer with over 50 years of experience, has produced a high-quality electronic drum set with the DWe despite it being their first official release. The kit features real DW Collector Series drums, 9-play maple shells, top-quality hardware, and various finishes. It also includes a wireless trigger system and metal electronic cymbals.

What sets the DWe apart is its ability to convert from electronic to acoustic, offering versatility for different playing scenarios. The drum shells are designed for improved tone and sustain. The wireless trigger system supports up to 30 inputs, allowing for kit expansion.

While the cymbal design may appear unimpressive, it offers an authentic playing experience with three-zone triggering. The triggers inside the drums use innovative technology for a realistic dynamic range.

Despite minor concerns, the DWe impresses with its sound quality and customization options. However, the DWe’s high price may limit its accessibility to many drummers.

I recently tried out the new Drum Workshop DWe electronic drum kit at PASIC 2023. I was blown away by the sound, feel, playability, quality, and the fact that it’s a wireless electronic drum set. 

It comes with a hefty price tag, but it’s by far the most realistic and best-looking electronic drum set I’ve ever played. It requires the use of a laptop running software instead of a traditional drum module, which is a significant downside.

Verdict