10 Best Electronic Drum Kits 2023 | UK Audio Engineer Reviewed

When choosing an electronic drum kit for our number one spot there was one main quota to meet: it had to have enough quality to inspire people to keep on playing, as well as being relatively affordable for most. For this, there's no better candidate than the Alesis Surge Mesh Bundle. 

With this kit, you'll be off to the races straight away. The mesh pads are brilliant, and they're that little bit bigger which will make it more comfortable for beginners and more fun for experienced players. The triggers are dual-zone and provide realistic responses and all of this is mounted to a premium chrome rack. Trust us, there's just so much to love with this one. 

While websites label this as a mid-level electronic drum set, we respectfully disagree. You see, this is a very accomplished piece of kit that has responsive triggers, large pads and cymbals that provide an acoustic playing experience and an intuitive interface that will have you sifting through drum sets for hours. 

One thing that's certainly worth talking about is the sounds and kit features. In our spec table, we have put 'endless', as each drum and cymbal sound included is fully customisable. Therefore, it can be altered to give you full control over your desired crisp snare or shimmering ride. This level of detail is not normally reserved for mid-level kits, so have fun with it! 

If you're working on a tight budget and you need to squeeze the most out of every penny, then we would 100% recommend the Alesis Nitro Mesh Electronic Kit. After a few shots, you'll feel the quality of the mesh pads, particularly when it comes to those subtleties such as rim shots and cross sticks. 

It has a rich library of sounds, kits and 60 songs to play along with, and if that isn't enough, then the aux will allow you to sync up your jams to get the creative juices flowing. It's this quality module which makes the kit step ahead of its competitors, and at this price, it's perfect for those entering the drumming world or those looking for something affordable to practice on. 

Another entry-level option here, only this time it's from the masters over at Roland, and one you're less likely to grow out of anytime soon. The drum set comes with everything you'll need to get playing straight of out the box, from stool and sticks to all the bits you'll want to hit. 

The device not only has sounds and kit presets but also onboard coaching features that will help you improve your drumming no matter the level you're playing at now. Unless you're Benny Greb, in which case there's probably not much more we can do for you.

The standout feature with this set is the addition of a 60 W monitor speaker that you can use for practising when the house is empty. Either that or you can take it to play quieter shows where it's all a little more chilled out and relaxed. 

The set has fully mesh pads, which offer a convincing feel when playing. This is partly due to the dual-zone triggers that add refinement and distinction, not just to the sounds of the drums but also to the cymbals. On top of all this, there is a healthy selection of presets, sounds, input and output options.

Built with the idea of aiding your musical journey, this kit from Yamaha focuses on learning. The module of the kit comes with 10 presets as well as plenty of sounds, which together will help you get an ear for what you like. It'll also help to keep your timing tight thanks to the voice guidance function.  

The downside is that some of the sounds aren't of the best quality, which may be a stickler for more experienced drummers. That said, at this price, it would be hard to complain, and we think this device punches way above its modest price range. 

Roland is known in the game at making some of the best electronic kits around, and this is their mid-level masterpiece that runs with the rather appropriate tagline 'become a better drummer, faster'. While the brand do not list how many sounds there are, we know it will be as plentiful as the kit selection is. 

Another big draw here is the ability to use Bluetooth for your headphones which will give you that little more freedom when playing, as well as the SD card which will allow you to import your own samples. It's certainly a step up in price, but that does lead to a step up in quality too. 

For its modest price, this electronic drum kit is stacked full of features. It has extensive drum sound and pre kit options, plus a surprisingly generous 60 backing tracks for you to jam along to, as well as a metronome and teaching function. 

The kit can also link up to PCs or Macs to record your playing to any DAW you like. There are some setbacks, such as the tom pads being made from rubber, but all in all, if you're just beginning, or just wanting to get a little more practice in, this is a very affordable way of doing so.   

This offering from Yamaha is aimed squarely at those beginning to learn the drums. It has a solid and quiet frame as well as reasonably good rubber pads and cymbals. Our favourite part, though, is that the module is brimming with goods, with a whopping 287 expressive drum sounds that should help anyone fall in love with the instrument. 

Of course, there are some compromises, such as the aforementioned rubber pads and also the triggers are rather basic when picking up the nuances. Nonetheless, new players shouldn't find this too much of an inconvenience. 

We think it's fair to say that the Pearl e/MERGE has taken some impressive steps forward when it comes to getting an authentic response from an electronic drum kit. The bass stays true to the traditional acoustic design, while the cymbals, snares and toms feature the best natural-feeling pads around as well as astonishing triggers which respond to your touch and vibrations like no other electronic kit. 

In addition to the feel, the module offers a mammoth amount of sounds and preset kits that will keep even the most finicky drum sound enthusiast happy. The downside is that this beauty is going to cost you about as much as a new car.