When looking for an electronic drum kit for beginners, it can be difficult to determine which drum kit suits you best. After all, there are different models with different specifications in different price ranges.
For less than 500 euros, you can already get a high-quality electronic drum kit that you will enjoy for a long time. In this blog, I have listed 5 models that are a good choice for beginning drummers.
I have personally tested all these kits, so please keep in mind that this is my opinion and the best choice ultimately depends on what is important to you (price, sound quality, size, build quality, etc.)
▸ Read more about how I test drum kits
Top 5 Electronic Drums for Beginners
– Mesh heads
– Big 10″ snare
– Expandable with extra tom and cymbal
– Integrated Bluetooth
– Extra quiet pedals
– Mesh head snare
– Integrated Bluetooth
– Updated bass drum, suitable for double bass
– Space-saving
– Includes crutch, canes, and headphones
Why Electronic Drumming?
There are three main reasons why drummers typically choose an electronic drum kit:
Electronic drums are space-saving
One advantage of an electronic drum kit is that e-drum kits generally take up less space than an acoustic kit. This can be useful for drummers who have a smaller living space or bedroom.
Useful features
Electronic drums have a module that often features functions such as a built-in metronome, recording function, training programs, etc. You can also often put together your own kits.
No noise pollution
But the biggest advantage (and probably one of the main reasons why you want to buy an electronic drum kit) is, of course, the limited noise pollution. With an electronic drum kit, you generally do not bother the neighbors, whereas with an acoustic drum kit you do.
🔍 Want to compare drum sets yourself? Use the handy E-drum Comparator and discover which drum kit suits you best.
And now for the list! 😁
Millenium MPS-450
Millenium MPS-450 E-Drum Set
What appealed to me:
- Very sturdy and stable electronic drum kit
- Large 10" snare pad
- Mesh heads feel realistic.
- Expandable with extra tom and crash pad
- Sounds sound realistic
What I liked less:
- Drum module is relatively simple
- No Bluetooth
- Included poles are very light in weight
First of all the Millenium MPS-450. Upon unpacking this drum kit, I immediately noticed that the kit's frame is very sturdy and the pads also feel robust. In terms of setup, the kit is comparable to the Alesis Nitro Max (see below); however, the module of the MPS-450 has a slightly simpler design.
The Millenium MPS-450 also features a real kick pedal , a 10″ snare , and can be expanded with an Expansion Pack , giving you an extra crash and tom.
There are a number of elements that distinguish the MPS-450, namely the price (cheaper) and the lack of Bluetooth. I find the MPS-450 much better than the Alesis Nitro Max because this kit feels much sturdier and remains more stable while playing.
You can read my review of the Millenium MPS-450 here .
Alesis Nitro Max
Alesis Nitro Max Kit
What appealed to me:
- Built-in Bluetooth
- Redesigned 10″ snare pad
- Built-in holder for smartphone/tablets
- Professional drum sounds from BFD
What I liked less:
- The rack can wobble slightly, mainly at the snare ( you can read a solution for this here ).
- The sound of the kick pad is relatively loud
Second on the list is the Alesis Nitro Max, an electronic drum kit that has recently gained a lot of popularity worldwide due to the affordability of the kit and the features you get in return: a real kick pedal, Bluetooth, mesh heads, and a 10″ snare pad. The kit can also be expanded with an Expansion Pack .
Alesis is an American brand of electronic drums and percussion instruments known for its high quality and affordable prices. The brand offers a wide range of drum kits, pads, and accessories for both beginners and advanced players.
This Alesis Niro Max has a sturdy frame and is equipped with mesh heads . Mesh heads are quieter and offer a more realistic playing feel. The tension of the pads is also adjustable, just like on acoustic drum kits. This allows you to customize the drum kit to your own preferences.
The Nitro Max has 32 built-in drum kits and over 440 realistic sounds. I found the sounds of the Alesis Nitro Max to be quite realistic.
Also read my Alesis Nitro Max Review .
Roland TD-02KV
Roland TD-02KV V-Drums Kit
What appealed to me:
- Compact electronic drum kit with stable and sturdy rack
- High quality sounds
- The mesh head snare feels like the real thing
- Silent pedals
What I liked less:
- It is not possible to create your own kits
- Connecting double bass is not possible
- More expensive than other models
Roland is a well-known brand in electronic drums and that is not without reason: they are known to deliver musical instruments of very high quality. The material is sturdy, can withstand a knock and does not fall apart quickly.
When I first played this kit I immediately noticed; these sounds are much better (and more realistic) than budget models.
For the Roland TD-02KV isn't that different; this kit with mesh head snare is designed for the drummer who is really looking for quality. When you own a Roland kit, you just know that this is the best of the best (but more expensive compared to competitors).
The Roland TD-02KV module is user-friendly and simple without complicated functions. The basics are possible: turn on the metronome, adjust the volume and easily switch between different kits. Composing your own kits is not possible with this kit, but with the Boss BT Dual Adapter the TD-02KV does have Bluetooth.
Also read the Roland TD-02KV Review .
Millenium MPS-350
Millenium MPS-350 E-Drum Set
What appealed to me:
- Very suitable for beginners
- Stable steel rack
- Stands firmly on the ground thanks to an extra horizontal bar
- Integrated Bluetooth
What I liked less:
- Volume of crash and ride cannot be adjusted independently of each other
- It is not possible to create your own kits
At the time of writing, the Millenium MPS-350 is Millenium's newest electronic drum kit. This drum kit is an intermediate size between the MPS-150 and the MPS-450, with the rack being the same as the rack of the MPS-450.
The MPS-350 is a sturdy and stable kit and is perfect if you are looking for a high-quality drum kit but don't want to pay too much. A plus point of this kit is the availability of Bluetooth, so that you (just like with the Alesis Nitro Max) can play along with your music without using an extra cable.
Additionally, the kit features full mesh heads and an extra stable bass drum. The kit also produces much less noise for the surroundings than other kits in this price range.
Check out my review: Millenium MPS-350 Review
Millenium HD-120 E-Drum Set
Millenium HD-120 E-Drum Set
What appealed to me:
- Lightweight and compact electronic drum kit, great as a first drum kit
- Includes stick holder
- Sturdy rack (can withstand a knock)
- Good value for money
What I liked less:
- Rubber pads (no mesh heads)
- You cannot expand the kit with additional pads
- Included sticks are of low quality (but good for kids)
Is it important to you not to spend too much money on an electronic drum kit, perhaps because you are unsure if you will like it? That makes sense. In that case, the Millenium HD-120 is recommended, which is particularly attractive due to its price.
Millenium (Thomann's house brand) can keep its prices low because Thomann owns the brand itself and therefore does not have to source its products elsewhere. That is why you generally pay less, but this does not come at the expense of quality.
The Millenium HD-120 features 12 built-in drum kits in various musical styles. The pads are velocity-sensitive, providing a realistic playing feel. The drum kit also has a built-in metronome, and of course, you can connect it to headphones or an amplifier.
The kit takes up little space (only 100 x 60 cm), so it is ideal for a small room or apartment. The kit is also very suitable for children.
Want to know more about the Millenium HD-120? You can read about it in this review .
Conclusion
Due to the many features and possibilities, there is no single best electronic drum kit for beginners. However, the Alesis Nitro Max and Millenium MPS-450 are at the top of my list because they are both affordable and sturdy kits with a real kick pedal. Considering the price and stability, the MPS-450 is the ultimate winner for me.
Do you find features slightly less important, but primarily want realistic sounds and a sturdy kit? Then the Roland TD-02KV is the best choice. Would you prefer to spend as little money as possible? Then I recommend the Millenium HD-120 . A mid-range version of that is the Millenium MPS-350 .
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