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.
Outstanding value - mesh heads, Bluetooth audio, and BFD sounds at a price most rubber-pad kits cannot match.
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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
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
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
How we choose: picks are ranked by our editorial DrumReviewer score, which weighs build, sound, feel, features, and value for the price. Kit contents and specs are listed in full on each product page so you can compare apples to apples.