Best Electronic Drum Sets Under $1000
Electronic drum kits have come a long way since their inception. As a result, many pro and amateur drummers use them. Even those that aren’t traditional drummers, like home producers and beatmakers, buy them for production and education.
Regardless of your musical background, modern e-drums with outstanding features are affordable. Whether you are a novice or simply looking for another kit, here are the best electronic drum sets under $1000.
Everything we recommend
Roland TD-07KV BEST OVERALL
Double-bass compatible
Loaded with 25 preset kits and Bluetooth compatibility
Simmons Titan 70 RUNNER UP
Lots of toms and cymbals
Bluetooth compatible along with extra features via the Simmons app
Alesis Nitro MAX BUDGET PICK
Very affordable
90 days free to Drumeo Edge, the best online drum lesson resource
Roland TD-07KV
| Tech Specs | |
|---|---|
| Configuration | 8″ PDX-8 Mesh Snare, 3 x 6″ PDX-6A Mesh Toms, KD-10 Kick Pad, 10″ CY-5 Hi-hat, 2 x 12″ CY-8 Cymbal Pads, TD-07 Module |
| Sounds/Kits | 25 Presets, 25 User |
| Connections | 1 x DB-25, 1 x 1/8″ (mix in), 1 x 1/8″ (output/headphones), USB/Bluetooth |
| Included Hardware | 4-post rack stand, hi-hat control pedal |
Roland V-Drums are known for their fantastic playability and how expressive they sound. The goal with e-drums is to feel and sound as natural as possible, and here Roland hits the snare on the head!
The TD-07KV is one of the more affordable V-drum models with the standard 5-piece, two cymbals, and a hi-hat. It feels like playing a real kit, except it has the added Bluetooth and MIDI out technology.
Naturally, I prefer acoustic drums most of the time. The lack of the stand-mounted hi-hat is a little disappointing, but Roland makes up for it with sounds and Bluetooth compatibility. The pads feel awesome to play and the kit even supports double bass drum pedals for anyone wanting to play metal music.
The included KT-10 kick pedal is much quieter than most rubber-style electronic kick pads—keep that in mind if you’re playing in an apartment.
Simmons Titan 70
| Tech Specs | |
|---|---|
| Configuration | 4 x tom pads, 4 x cymbal pads, 10″ snare pad, 7″ kick pad, Titan 70 module |
| Sounds/Kits | 75 drum kits, 314 sampled sounds |
| Connections | 1 x 1/8″ (mix in), 1 x 1/8″ (output/headphones), Bluetooth audio and MIDI, USB audio and MIDI |
| Included Hardware | 4-post rack stand, hi-hat control pedal, kick drum pedal |
The Simmons Titan 70 gives Roland a run for their money. The new flagship electronic drum set is not only massive, but packed with features and incredible sounds. The kit features 314 professional recorded samples, a large LCD screen, MIDI connectivity, Bluetooth, and six large drum pads.
One of its standout features is the detachable, padded tablet shelf, that makes it easy to follow-along with YouTube videos or Drumeo lessons with your phone or iPad. The kit feels realistic, and for it being under $1,000, it’s one of the best options for drummers wanting an e-kit on a budget.
Another standout feature is the triple-zone ride cymbal. No matter where you strike—the bell, edge, bow—you’ll hear a different sound, making it more realistic than any kit on this list.
KAT Percussion KT-300
| Tech Specs | |
|---|---|
| Configuration | 10″ Dual Zone Snare, 3 x8″ Dual Zone Tom, 9″ Pad on Kick Tower, 12″ Single Zone hi-hat, 2 x 12″ Dual Zone Crash with Choke, 14″ Three Zone Ride |
| Sounds/Kits | 30 Factory kits, 18 User kits, 270 unique sounds |
| Connections | Multi-pin Snake, 2 x 1/4″ TRS (master out), 1 x 1/8″ (headphones), 1 x USB Type B (MIDI) |
| Included Hardware | 4-post rack stand, hi-hat control pedal, bass drum pedal |
While KAT is not as popular as Roland, they have been making electronic drum gear since 1985. This KT-300 features a larger hi-hat, cymbal, and tom size than the Roland for those who want more playing space.
It was built for both the stage and studio and, like many e-drums, has a module that can emulate sounds or send MIDI through USB to control other samples.
The KT-300 is easy and quick to setup—taking less than an hour to get everything mounted and connected. It does feel smaller when playing, but you have to make sacrifices when buying e-drums in this price range.
Having the ability to attach the kick tower to the drum rack would take this drum to next level. A lot of times, kick towers tend to slide forward, even when the spurs are setup properly.
Yamaha DTX6K-X
| Tech Specs | |
|---|---|
| Configuration | 1 x 8″ XP80 Snare, 3 x 7″ TP70 Tom, 5″ KP65 Kick, 1 x 10″ HH65/PCY95 Hi-hat, 1 x 10″ PCY95 Crash, 1 x 13″ PCY135 Ride, DTX-PRO |
| Sounds/Kits | 40 preset kits, 200 user kits, 712 total voices |
| Connections | Trigger inputs: 11 x 1/4″ (up to 14 pads) Analog inputs: 1 x 1/8″ (stereo) Analog outputs: 2 x 1/4″ TRS (master out) Headphones: 1 x 1/4″ (stereo) MIDI I/O: USB (1 x Type B, 1 x Type A) Storage: USB Flash Drive, WAV (up to 90 minutes per file) |
| Included Hardware | 4-post rack stand, hi-hat control pedal, bass drum pedal |
Yamaha is a known and trusted brand of nearly every instrument, and they also make electronic drum sets for under $1000. The kit is great for social media drummers and is by far the most expandable kit on the list thanks to it’s 11 trigger inputs, allowing a monster kit size of up to 14 pads in total.
The TCS snare drum pad is the highlight of the DTX6K-X. It’s quiet, feels incredible to play, and has incredible durability. The snare pad has three separate zones allowing for maximum expression. You can play normal hits, rimshots, and even cross-sticks.
The triggering is superb on this pad, in particular, and though the rest of the kit features rubber pads, the snare pad may be the one part of the instrument that beats out the rest of the kits on the list. The three-zone chokable ride cymbal is another highlight worth mentioning. There are distinct edge, bell, and bow zones, making this ride cymbal close to Roland’s flagship digital ride cymbal.
The kit, like a lot on this list, has a more compact feel. It used the famous DTX-PRO module with 40 preset kits and 200 user kit slots, along with onboard training functions. This module also gives you control over your sound with effects like ambiance and compression.
The DTX-PRO can be connected to your phone for recording and control via Yamaha’s proprietary Rec’N’Share app. I’ve used it with the EAD10, and while it can be a little wonky, it does make it easy to make quick social media videos without having to worry about using a computer for audio recording and syncing audio to video.
Not everyone has a good experience with the kit however. One user at Sweetwater notes that they had significant cross-talk issues between the toms and the cymbals. While I didn’t experience this, you would be able to solve this issue by using separate cymbal stands instead of mounting them on the rack.
ddrum Hybrid
| Tech Specs | |
|---|---|
| Configuration | Drums: 5 x mesh drums with triggers Triggers: 5 x ddrum Acoustic Pro Triggers |
| Shells Included | 7″ x 10″ Tom, 8″ x 12″ Tom, 14″ x 16″ Floor Tom, 18″ x 22″ Bass drum, 6″ x 14″ Snare |
The ddrum Hybrid 5-piece electric acoustic kit is the best of both worlds. It has the space for acoustic sound but the triggers to manipulate samples. For drummers who want to switch back and forth between electric and acoustic, this kit might be a winner.
The shells are made of birch, and they mix with the sample layer to create great sounds—the best of both worlds! However, this mixture may be more suited for your playing if you are a reluctant drummer regarding the full e-drum experience. The kit comes outfitted with mesh drum heads, so it will be quieter. If you want the full hybrid experience, you’ll need to swap the heads out.
This is only a shell pack, so you’ll still need cymbals, stands, and a drum module to take full advantage of the triggering capability of this kit. A used ddrum DDTi trigger module paired with a laptop with the free MT Power Drum kit software will yield an awesome-sounding acoustic/electronic playing experience, provided you already have cymbals and a laptop.
Outside of my review, most users who have bought the kit seem to have a great experience playing it—one notable example is an apartment drummer who uses the kit with Remo SilentStroke drum heads with Zildjian L80 low-volume cymbals to deal with a shared wall living situation.
Alesis Command Mesh SE
| Tech Specs | |
|---|---|
| Configuration | 3 x 8″ Dual-zone Mesh Toms, 1 x 10″ Dual-zone Mesh Snare, 10″ Mesh Kick Pad Tower, 1 x 10″ Hi-hat, 1 x 10″ Crash with Choke, 1 x 10″ Ride with Choke, Command Drum Module |
| Kits/Sounds | 54 preset kits, 20 user kits, 671 drum voices |
| Connections | Trigger inputs: 1 x 1/4″ TRS (tom 4), 1 x 1/4″ TRS (crash 2), 1 x DB-25 (cable snake) Analog inputs: 1 x 1/8″ (aux in) Analog outputs: 2 x 1/4″ TRS (main out) Headphones: 1 x 1/8″ (stereo) MIDI I/O: USB 1 x Type B, 1 x Type A (WAV samples, MP3 tracks) |
| Included Hardware | Kick pedal, 4-post Chrome Rack, Hi-hat pedal, Cable Snake |
Alesis is a more budget-friendly option for some drummers. Like other e-drum kits, it has the standard 5-piece kit with two cymbals, a hi-hat, and a drum module. The module is packed with drum kits and practice features which can all be connected to your phone. Just like most e-kits these days, you can tune the mesh heads to get a response you like. Alesis’s mesh heads are fantastic-feeling and, while they’re not quite as robust as Roland’s, I think they hold up quite well over time.
The same cannot be said about their trigger wiring. There are users who have complained of snare and kick pads failing over time. Another user notes that Alesis uses a very thin gauge wire for the trigger sensors.
While I am evaluating these drum sets, I simply do not have a time machine to gauge the lifetime durability of any given drum set. And sometimes I only have a month or two to test them. So keep that in mind and be sure to read other reviews on these kits.
The Command Mesh SE is priced similarly to the Titan 70. If we compare the two, it’s night and day. The Titan 70 has far more features, including Bluetooth—which lets you jam to your favorite songs wirelessly with your phone or tablet. While the Command Mesh SE has more sound voices than the Titan 70, the sounds themselves are subpar. I’m rating this kit lower, but if you can find one used, it’s still a great option for under $1,000.
Donner DED-500
| Tech Specs | |
|---|---|
| Configuration | 10″ dual-zone snare and tom pads, 8″ mesh bass drum kick tower, 2 x 12″ crash/ride, 12″ hi-hat, |
| Kits/Sounds | 72 preset drum kits, 948 sounds |
| Connections | Trigger inputs: Additional crash and tom inputs Analog inputs: 1 x 1/8″ (aux in) Analog outputs: 2 x 1/4″ (L/mono, R) Headphones: 1 x 1/8″ MIDI I/O: USB Type B |
| Included Hardware | Chrome drum rack, bass drum pedal |
Donner is another large instrument maker that has entered the electronic drum kit market, and their DED-500 is reasonably priced. I’ve reviewed several of their e-kits, and they range from outright terrible to surprising (the Donner BackBeat was quite impressive).
As with some of the other quality kits, they also have mesh heads, a USB-MIDI audio output, and Bluetooth functionality. And they also have a large frame for players that want the extra space. The kit includes 40 free drum lessons from Melodics, which is a nice bonus.
Yamaha DTX452K
| Tech Specs | |
|---|---|
| Configuration | 1 x 8″ Snare Pad, 2 x 8″ Rack Tom Pads, 1 x 8″ Floor Tom Pad, Kick Pad, 1 x 10″ Hi-hat Pad, 2 x 10″ Cymbal Pads, DTX 402 Module |
| Kits/Sounds | 10 editable preset kits, 287 drum/percussion voices, 128 keyboard voices, 10 songs |
| Connections | Trigger inputs: 8 x 1/4″ (drum/cymbal), 1 x 1/4″ (hi-hat control) Analog inputs: 1 x 1/8″ (aux in) Headphones: 1 x 1/4″ (stereo) MIDI I/O: USB 1 x Type B Software: DTX 402 Touch App (iOS/Android), Rec’n Share App (iOS) |
| Included Hardware | 9-channel Snake Cable, FP6110A Kick Pedal, 4-post Rack Stand, Hi-hat control pedal |
This Yamaha will be friendlier on the budget, and if you notice, it has a little different look. The cymbals are still made of rubber but so are the drum pads. These are never as good as mesh heads, in my opinion.
The kit includes Yamaha’s FP6110A kick pedal, which is surprisingly good despite being so inexpensive. You will be able to use this pedal for other drumming applications. Most budget kick pedals included with e-kits, especially from Alesis and Simmons, are not going to be high quality, and I even recommend upgrading right away.
The DTX 402 module doesn’t have as many samples as the PRO. So if you are not worried about tunable heads or too many samples, this model will save you money. However, for around $100, you can pick up a kit with mesh drum heads that’s far quieter, like the Titan 70 or the Command Mesh.
Roland V-Drums TD-07DMK
| Tech Specs | |
|---|---|
| Configuration | 1 x 8″ PDX-8 Mesh Snare, 3 x 6.5″ PDX-6A Mesh Toms, 1 x KD-2 Trigger Pad, 10″ CY-5 Hi-hat, 2 x 10″ CY-5 Crash/Ride with Choke support, TD-07 Module |
| Kits/Sounds | 25 preset kits, 25 user kits, 143 sounds |
| Connections | Trigger inputs: 1 x DB-25 (kick, snare, tom1/2/3, hi-hat, crash 1/2, ride, hi-hat control) Analog inputs: 1 x 1/8″ (mix in) Analog outputs: 1 x 1/8″ (output/headphones) MIDI I/O: USB/Bluetooth |
| Included Hardware | MDS-COMPACT Stand, Hi-hat control pedal |
Here we have another newer V-Drum kit by Roland, and this one’s about $200 cheaper than the TD-07KV. The main differences being smaller cymbals and a smaller kick drum pad. Both kits feature the same TD-07 drum module, so both have the exact same sounds.
The cymbals on this kit are 10″, instead of 12″ on the TD-07KV. The kick pad is mounted to the rack, so you won’t have the freedom to move it around, unfortunately. It does, however, support double bass drum pedals, despite being so small.
A model like the TD-07DMK gives us the Roland sound and technology, with just a little less fine-tuning ability. In some cases, the streamlined features are more suitable for those who want something simple.
As I mentioned, users like the kit, but hate the location of the kick drum pad mounted to the drum rack. Others, however, love the fact you can edit the kits, which was not an option on the prior TD-1DMK.
Alesis Surge Mesh Special Edition
| Tech Specs | |
|---|---|
| Configuration | 3 x 8″ Dual-zone Mesh Toms, 1 x 10″ Dual-zone Mesh Snare, 8″ Mesh Kick Pad Tower, 1 x 10″ Hi-hat, 1 x 10″ Crash with Choke, 1 x 10″ Ride with Choke, Surge Drum Module |
| Kits/Sounds | 24 preset kits, 16 user kits, 385 sounds |
| Connections | Trigger inputs: 1 x 1/4″ TRS (tom 4), 1 x 1/4″ TRS (crash 2), 1 x DB-25 (cable snake) Analog inputs: 1 x 1/8″ (mix in) Analog outputs: 2 x 1/4″ TRS (main out) Headphones: 1 x 1/8″ MIDI I/O: USB Type B |
| Included Hardware | Kick pedal, 4-post Chrome Rack, Hi-hat pedal, Cable Snake |
Here we have a more intermediate model by Alesis for those looking for a lower budget set. The cymbals are a little smaller than other 5-piece kits at 10”, but like the Command, it also has mesh heads. It uses the Surge Drum Module, which allows for a USB-MIDI and DAW connection. It has a decent number of excellent e-drum features for the price.
The mesh heads, like most of the other kits, feature tension rods, allowing you to adjust the responsiveness of the rebound. The drum module, while useable, does not have the greatest sounds in the world. It’s perfect for practice, but don’t expect million dollar studio recorded sounds to enter your headphones when playing.
The Surge Mesh SE is a bit outdated now. It’s still an excellent kit under $1,000, but I’d say, if you’re thinking about this drum set, find one used. There’s better options out there new, like the TD-07KV and the Titan 70.
Outside of my review, a lot of users generally have good thoughts about the Surge Mesh SE—one noting how they are now able to practice in their apartment after hours.
KAT Percussion KT-150
| Tech Specs | |
|---|---|
| Configuration | 1 x 9″ Snare, 3 x 9″ Toms, 1 x 10″ Kick, 1 x 10″ Crash, 1 x 10″ Ride, 1 x 10″ Hi-hat, KT-150 drum module |
| Kits/Sounds | 15 preset kits, 160 sounds |
| Connections | Trigger inputs: 1 x 1/4″ (cymbal trigger) Analog inputs: 1 x 1/8″ (aux in) Analog outputs: 2 x 1/4″ (L/mono, R) Headphones: 1 x 1/8″ MIDI I/O: USB Type B |
| Included Hardware | Drum Rack, Kick Pedal, Hi-hat Pedal |
At the sub $600 mark, we have the KAT Percussion KT-150. It’s another excellent electronic drum on a budget. Here the cymbals are also on the small side, but it does have mesh heads. The drum module is nothing special, with 160 samples and 15 presets, but it is suitable for those just looking to play with no frills. Also, as the tech grows, the basic e-drum kits are getting more affordable!
It’s rather interesting, also, that the KT-150 looks an awful lot like the NUX DM-210 (the drum module looks identical outside of the logo). It’s possible that KAT Percussion worked with NUX since they no longer have the same manufacturer that made the original KT line.
Comparing all the kits we’ve listed
| Brand | Model | Price | Heads | Pieces | Presets | Sounds | Import | Bluetooth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roland | TD-07KV | $999 | Mesh | 7 | 25 | 143 | No | Yes |
| Simmons | Titan 70 | $799 | Mesh | 10 | 75 | 314 | No | Yes |
| KAT | KT-300 | $999 | Mesh | 9 | 30 | 270 | No | No |
| Yamaha | DTX6K-X | $999 | TCS snare, rubber pads | 8 | 40 | 712 | Yes | No |
| ddrum | Hybrid | $869 | Mesh | 5 | – | – | No | No |
| Alesis | Command Mesh | $799 | Mesh | 9 | 54 | 671 | Yes | No |
| Donner | DED-500 | $799 | Mesh | 8 | 72 | 948 | No | Yes |
| Yamaha | DTX452K | $699 | Rubber | 8 | 10 | 287 | No | No |
| Roland | TD-07DMK | $799 | Mesh | 8 | 25 | 143 | No | Yes |
| Alesis | Surge Mesh SE | $599 | Mesh | 8 | 24 | 385 | No | No |
There’s two kits that stand out the most to us under $1,000: the Roland TD-07KV and the Simmons Titan 70. On one hand, Roland’s trusted brand is a reassuring choice, as they’re known for long-lasting, quality components and their acclaimed “V-Drums” sound. On the other hand, Simmons is back in the game, offering a massive drum kit with incredible sounds and features.
While neither has sample import functionality, the ability to connect via Bluetooth is a must, and both kits offer a great value near the upper threshold of $1,000.
Roland TD-07KV vs Simmons Titan 70
| Roland TD-07KV | Simmons Titan 70 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999 | $799 |
| Presets | 25 | 75 |
| Sounds | 143 | 314 |
| No. of Pieces | 7 | 10 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Sample Import | No | No |
Choosing between the two is difficult, but as we always say, try to find a location to go and test-play instruments before making a big purchase decision. If you have questions about any product we list on our website, be sure to reach out via the contact page.
Hi Nick. Thanks for your useful reviews on best edrums under US$500 and under US$1000.
As a retired electronics engineer and drummer of 60 odd years. I feel the need for a third party to research the quality issues of the pads, triggers and sensors. I have exclusively used acoustic kits but regularly (like now) investigated buying an electronic kit. As a electronic hardware and microprocessor software engineer I know the trend for the controllers to add functionality and improved performance at an exponential rate. Basically they will continue to be a deceasing cost as a percentage of kit price. That is the GOOD news for ekit buyers over the next decade i.e. better sound, better range, more realistic percussion sounds for the same cost or even less cost to the kit manufacturers.
Whilst this good news for manaufacturers is ultimately good news for end buyers, the extent of HOW much of the decreasing cost for controllers will determine the sell price for the overall kit.
The difference I expect will be as a result of the much slower quality issue with the sensing components providing an adequate and consistent signal quality from the pads i.e. both the (electro-mechanical) sensor and the pad (mechanical).
Your review underlines that for many models, the sensing is either:
i) non ideal (i.e. less than desired)
ii) inconsistent (across pad strike zones)
iii) subject to mechanical cross talk (mounting design)
iv) lack of dynamic range (especially for jazz and other nuanced striking) for snare, hi hat & ride
The above results in rather inconsistent reviews even across the same model but different style drummers. With respect reviewers (including yourself) can only address this dog’s breakfast of pad performance and quality by suggesting prospective buyers.
Reliance on warranty to protect us buyers from disappointing performance issues is not the right solution.
The right solution is for any lack of performance or quality be properly collected, collated and a key performance indicator (KPI) made public. This will then put a dollar cost on the current inadequacies and through competition will:
1. drive improvement and innovation on pad sensing peformance and consistency
2. make for real comparision between different models and manufacturers
3. ensure edrums continue to close the gap on acoustic for performnce & quality not just price.
0
I have toontrack superior 2.0 but i much appreciate and recommend https://hertzinstruments.com. Samples pack are umbelieved real and clean! you will find a 14-day version there. in fact it is not expensive at all!
0