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  • The best electronic drum kits and pads in the world

The best electronic drum kits and pads in the world

By The MusicRadar team 2017-11-01T15:27:32.304ZDrums 

Outstanding kits and pads for all budgets

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The best electronic drum kits and pads in the world today
Outstanding pads and sets for all budgets

The best electronic drum kits and pads in the world today

This is our regularly updated gallery of the best electronic drum kits and pads on the planet - sets for all budgets offering the very best in sounds, features, design and ergonomics in their price range.

All the sets here are hand-picked from the reviews pages of Rhythm magazine following a gruelling test process. So, have a browse and be sure to click through to read the full review for an in-depth look at each kit.

Page 1 of 18
Page 1 of 18
Roland TD-25KV
£2145

Roland TD-25KV

MusicRadar's verdict:

The TD-25 represents the highest quality, and quickest self-contained option in its class.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Roland TD-25KV review

Page 2 of 18
Page 2 of 18
Alesis Samplepad Pro
£220

Alesis Samplepad Pro

MusicRadar’s verdict:

The SamplePad Pro is well priced and it keeps your sampling and triggering options open.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Alesis Samplepad Pro review

BUY: Alesis Samplepad currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 3 of 18
Page 3 of 18
Aquarian InHEAD Kick And Snare Pack
£169

Aquarian InHEAD Kick And Snare Pack

MusicRadar’s verdict:

Aquarian's ground breaking inHEAD blurs the line between acoustic and electronic drums. Like all heads, it will eventually wear out but individual inHEADS can be purchased separately in a variety of sizes.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Aquarian InHEAD Kick And Snare Pack review

BUY: Aquarian InHEAD Kick And Snare Pack currently available from:
US: Full Compass

Page 4 of 18
Page 4 of 18
Gear4Music WHD DD516-Pro
£599

Gear4Music WHD DD516-Pro

MusicRadar's verdict:

Overall this set-up represents terrific value that simply wills you to play and urges you to have fun.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gear4Music WHD DD516-Pro review

BUY: Gear4Music WHD DD516-Pro currently available from:
UK: Gear4Music

Page 5 of 18
Page 5 of 18
Roland SPD-SX Sample Pad
£585

Roland SPD-SX Sample Pad

MusicRadar’s verdict:

This is a must-have product which could make me run out of adjectives describing it - suffice to say the SPD-SX is as stunning as it is formidable!

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Roland SPD-SX Sample Pad review

BUY: Roland SPD-SX Sample Pad currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 6 of 18
Page 6 of 18
Alesis DM10 X
£899

Alesis DM10 X

MusicRadar's verdict:

Overall the module and pads cope well with our manic and frenzied test performance, taking each strike in its stride without skipping a single beat. There is plenty that impresses with this electronic kit.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Alesis DM10 X review

BUY: Alesis DM10 X currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 7 of 18
Page 7 of 18
Yamaha DTX522 Kit
£966

Yamaha DTX522 Kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

The DTX502 and its accompanying kit offers so much as a practice tool at home and maybe even for gigging too.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha DTX522 Kit review

BUY: Yamaha DTX522 Kit currently available from:
UK: DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 8 of 18
Page 8 of 18
Yamaha DTX562 Kit
£1,526

Yamaha DTX562 Kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

While the lower-end DTX kits offer a great deal for your wallet, it is worth shelling out the extra for the enhanced response and feel of these TCS pads.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Yamaha DTX562 Kit review

BUY: Yamaha DTX562 Kitreview currently available from:
UK: Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 9 of 18
Page 9 of 18
Roland RT-30 Triggers
£45

Roland RT-30 Triggers

MusicRadar's verdict:

Reliably transforming an acoustic set into a fully fledged hybrid has now become a cost-effective reality - the best of both worlds just got better.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Roland RT-30 Triggers review

Page 10 of 18
Page 10 of 18
2Box DrumIt Five
£1,799

2Box DrumIt Five

MusicRadar's verdict:

The DrumIt Five is really good, and a very interesting addition to the marketplace. Different in character to offerings from the big boys, it's rewarding from the box, and will allow creative players scope to design sounds that are unique to their kit. A few OS updates from now and 2Box will be a force to be reckoned with...

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: 2Box DrumIt Five review

BUY: 2Box DrumIt Five currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music
US: Full Compass

Page 11 of 18
Page 11 of 18
Drum-Tec Diabolo Rock Kit
£2,116

Drum-Tec Diabolo Rock Kit

MusicRadar’s verdict:

The Diabolo is an excellent e-kit alternative which perfectly partners the TD-9 drum module.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Drum-Tec Diabolo Rock Kit review

Page 12 of 18
Page 12 of 18
Pearl E-Pro Live drum kit
£2,725

Pearl E-Pro Live drum kit

MusicRadar's verdict:

This is evolution, not revolution. By using an existing module, but offering the opportunity to add your choice of (excellent) sounds from other developers, and by coming up with a real-looking and nice-feeling kit, Pearl may not have provided us with a game-changer, but the e-Pro is a great addition to the market. Those who have baulked at space-age pads until now should take particular note…

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Pearl E-Pro Live drum kit review

BUY: Pearl E-Pro Live drum kit currently available from:
UK: Thomann
US: Full Compass

Page 13 of 18
Page 13 of 18
Gear4Music DD400
£199

Gear4Music DD400

MusicRadar's verdict:

It isn't all drums and roses but this kit will give any beginner a firm foothold into the world of drumming and it's great for practice too.

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Gear4Music DD400 review

Page 14 of 18
Page 14 of 18
Roland TD-1KV
£555

Roland TD-1KV

MusicRadar's verdict:

The TD-1's flexible pedal positioning, upgradeability and solid construction mean that, unlike other budget set-ups, you're unlikely to damage or outgrow this kit in a hurry.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Roland TD-1KV review

Page 15 of 18
Page 15 of 18
Percussion Plus PP600E
£499

Percussion Plus PP600E

MusicRadar's verdict:

While there are some good features with the PP600E, there are other kits around which offer much more for your money.

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Percussion Plus PP600E review

Page 16 of 18
Page 16 of 18
Stagg Electronic Beat EB-10
£43

Stagg Electronic Beat EB-10

MusicRadar's verdict:

The EBT-10 is good for a pre-gig warm up and comes with some useable practice routines. However, lacking dynamics and no sound from most stick strikes, the EBT-10 loses brownie points.

3 out of 5

FULL REVIEW: Stagg Electronic Beat EB-10 review

Page 17 of 18
Page 17 of 18
Roland Handsonic HPD-20
£880/$1049

Roland Handsonic HPD-20

MusicRadar's verdict:

The flexibility on offer in the HPD-20 means that no matter whether you're a DJ, percussionist or drummer, you can use it in a way that works for you.

4 out of 5

FULL REVIEW:Roland Handsonic HPD-20

BUY: Roland Handsonic HPD-20 currently available from:
UK: Andertons Music | Thomann | Gear4Music | DV247
US: Sweetwater | Full Compass

Page 18 of 18
Page 18 of 18
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