Best electronic drums under $500

If you are starting out or buying for a smaller space, these are the electronic kits we rate most highly under $500. Every pick here uses mesh heads for a quieter, more natural feel than rubber pads, and all prices are street prices.

Ranked by DrumReviewer score. We may earn a commission on links to retailers - see our affiliate disclosure.

Top pick

Alesis Nitro Max

Exceptional value â€” mesh heads, Bluetooth, and BFD Player at under $500 is hard to beat.

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Alesis Nitro Max

$3999.3DR

Best-selling budget mesh kit with Bluetooth and BFD Player.

Standout Mesh heads on snare and all toms

Trade-off Smaller pads than mid-tier kits (8-inch snare, smaller toms)

Best for New drummers

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Alesis Nitro Pro Kit

$3298.8DR

A genuinely capable budget kit - BFD sounds and Bluetooth at an entry-level price.

Standout BFD-derived sounds punch well above the price

Trade-off 10-inch snare and 8-inch toms are small

Best for First-time drummers

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Alesis Turbo Mesh Kit

$1598.4DR

The lowest-cost way into mesh-head drumming - a no-frills first kit.

Standout Mesh snare and toms at the entry price

Trade-off Only 10 preset kits

Best for Absolute first-timers

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How we choose: picks are ranked by our editorial DrumReviewer score, which weighs build, sound, feel, features, and value for the price. Full specs are listed on each product page so you can compare apples to apples.