Top 7 Best Electronic Drum Kits Under $500
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Getting into electronic drum kits used to be a very expensive sport when these instruments first appeared on the market. These days the things are very much different. You can get a rather capable kit for not a lot of money.
In this guide we will show you our top picks for the top 7 best electronic drum kits under $500. Despite being pretty affordable, some of these are among the best electronic drum kits on the market.After we go over our picks, we'll discuss what makes this category so attractive and what features you can expect to find.
Top 7 Best Electronic Drum Kits Under $500
| Image | Electronic Drums / Rating | Summary | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
+ -  | Yamaha DTX402K Total of 4.82/5 | A strong contender which offers really good hardware and good software suite. | |
+ -  | Roland TD-1K Total of 4.74/5 | A compact set that offers probably the best samples in this segment. | |
+ -  | Alesis Surge Mesh Kit Total of 4.62/5 | A more traditional kit that features great hardware as well as software. | |
+ -  | Yamaha DTX400K Total of 4.58/5 | A rather awesome model that offers good bang for the buck value. | |
+ -  | KAT Percussion KT2 Total of 4.62/5 | Aesthetically impressive setup that brings good hardware as well as software suite. | |
+ -  | BEHRINGER XD8USB Total of 4.60/5 | A very affordable setup that brings all the features you could need. | |
+ -  | Alesis DM6 Electronic Drum Kit Total of 4.45/5 | A great budget options for beginners which includes a selection of accessories. |
Yamaha DTX402K
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Yamaha's kits are considered to be among the best on the market no matter the segment. Their DTX series 402K makes a great case for Yamaha in the under $500 segment. These come with a newer DTX402K module which features an extensive library and awesome Android or iOS app.
These apps are designed to help you both control the module and navigate its libraries. Speaking of which, you are getting over 400 percussion sounds, 10 different kits and a whole array of learning features. The rack is pretty solid on this one as well.
The pads are very responsive, offer good feedback and feel fairly natural. Same goes for the cymbals. Last but not least, this model features wireless pedals.
Roland TD-1K
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Roland's TD-1K has reached a somewhat legendary status by now. It's not a traditional electronic drum kit, but it does offer a great setup at a reasonable price. What makes it so attractive are its excellent pads and its V-Drums pedigree which brings you a taste of Roland's flagship models.
The rack is a pretty interesting design that makes this kit both unusual and very stable. On top of that, it gives the whole set a very small footprint. TD-1K module shares Roland's flagship Supernatural sound engines, the same one you get in TD-30.
The main difference between the two is the amount of features and samples available. The kit features four awesome DPX series pads and three VH cymbals.
Alesis Surge Mesh Kit
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Alesis Surge mesh kit represents their attempt to catch up to the few huge brands in the industry. Needless to say, it has achieved that goal. Surge offers a few things you don't see that often in this segment of the market.
For starters it comes with a very sturdy rack. It's a full sized, fully adjustable setup that simply inspires confidence. Then you have the kick pad with a mechanical kick pedal. Feeling the linkage under your feet is something that you simply can't reproduce well.
The pads are also awesome and feature Alesis' premium mesh technology. Overall, the interface alone is awesome. Surge drum module offers a great library of sounds and kits. It's a really great setup.
Yamaha DTX400K
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Yamaha's DTX400K belongs to the same family of kits as the model we have talked about just now, but is ultimately a different setup. This one is more affordable and features a different module.
You still get all of the same hardware which includes a robust, compact rack, a set of great pads and cymbals and wireless pedals. The module that comes with this kit packs a number of awesome libraries which include high quality samples as well as customizable kits.
One of the best thing about the DTX400K are its 10 drum training exercises which will help you develop your timing and overall skill. This module also features great apps for Android and iOS. Overall, it's a great choice.
KAT Percussion KT2
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KAT Percussion’s KT2 is definitely something different compared to the most kits on our list. It looks amazing in its white and light gray finish. It has a very clean aesthetic that many will find attractive.
Looks aside, this unit brings a very robust rack to the table as well as a great set of pads. You’re looking at dual zone pads all over and a silent pedal for the hi-hat. The only real downside to this kit is the lack of a kick drum pedal.
You get the kick pad but not the pedal. The module features a very extensive library that comes with 45 drum kits and a great selection of samples. At this price, it’s a steal.
BEHRINGER XD8USB
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If you are working with a limited budget and need a good bang for the buck option, chances are that BEHRINGER’s XD8USB is the model you’re looking for. It features everything you’d need and then some. It’s a standard 5 pad kit that comes with three cymbals.
The entire rig is mounted to a decent rack which offers good customization and pad positioning options. This kit comes with a mechanical kick pedal linked to a great kick pad. The HDS110USB module nails that line between budget and performance.
It features great sounding kits which we can thank BEHRINGER’s High Definition Sampling for. The interface is very easy to use and features USB connectivity. It’s a functional and rather flexible kit.
Alesis DM6 Electronic Drum Kit
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The affordable segment is currently packed with awesome models. One such kit comes from Alesis and goes under the name of DM6. This kit is a perfect choice for those who are on a budget but want to get everything they need at once.
This package brings you 4 pads, three cymbals, two silent pedals and the DM6 module. On top of that you also get a throne, a set of stick sand a pair of headphones. The kit itself is decent.
It lacks finesse in some areas but it is ultimately a very good choice for beginners. Especially when you consider the 108 sounds library that comes with the DM6 module and USB-MIDI output which makes it rather functional.
What To Expect From A $500 Electronic Drum Kit?
Kits which are available in this price range are still considered entry level by many. That doesn't mean that they are bad. The real affordable segment lies somewhere below $300. However, you won't find too many features on these like you would on the $1000 electronic drum kits.
So what do these have to offer? Well that will mostly depend on the brand you go with. Some have dedicated modules designed specifically for this particular price range while others resort to other solutions.
The key is to find a kit that best fits your needs. If this is going to be your first kit, we strongly suggest that you look into the beginner electronic drum kits. There isn't generally much difference between beginner models and what we are looking at here.
In most cases those two categories intersect quite a bit. However, dedicated beginner models come with a bunch of software designed to help you learn how to play faster. With all that said, lets take a look at some defining features you will find on $500 electronic drum sets.
Simple Racks
Racks are the core of any drum kit but also a component that is often overlooked. There are generally two things a good rack needs to do. For one it needs to offer enough support and rigidity to hold everything together without anything moving.
Secondly, it needs to allow for some adjustment. Each person is slightly different in their own way so what is comfortable for you may not be comfortable for someone else. Most racks in this price range will satisfy both of these criteria. However, you aren't looking at over engineered racks that are borderline indestructible.
Those higher end solutions are reserved for more expensive rigs. What matters the most is that these will get the job done just fine.
Pads and Cymbals Design
One of the defining features of the more affordable electronic drum kits are their pads and cymbals. You are mostly going to run into very basic designs but there are exceptions.
Mesh pads are slowly making their way into lower priced models, which is pretty amazing. With that said, cymbals are still going to be single or dual zone in nature.
Additionally both will have decent response to velocity, which is what matters the most. One thing to keep in mind is that you won't get that realistic stick feedback in most cases. Unfortunately, that will take a larger investment.
Modules and Software
Last but not least lets touch upon modules and software that comers with these kits. In most cases you will deal with either modules designed specifically for beginners or modules which are a result of brands stripping down their flagship units to meet the given criteria.
In both cases you are getting a fairly good deal. What you're looking for in a good module is a good interface, a good library of presets and decent samples. All of those features are going to vary depending on the brand you go with.
Since this is a price range where most are looking for ways to make their product as cheap as possible, don't be surprised if you run into compromises here and there. Truth be told, most of the models on our list are packed with great modules which will get the job done and then some.
Conclusion
This particular segment of the market isn't the most exciting one in terms of features and hardware, but it's very competitive. That means that there are plenty of options out there and awesome models for you to choose from.
The ones we've chosen for this list have made the cut thanks to their sound, hardware and overall performance. No matter which of these you go with, you won't be disappointed. As always, we strongly suggest that you get the best your money can buy as that is one rule of thumb that works flawlessly in the world of musical instruments.
