We all want to be good parents and to encourage the budding creativity of our children. Of course, if your child’s early passion is for the drums, there are certain sensitivities that we need to have in mind. With many instruments, the only thing that matters a lot when it comes to a child’s accessibility to drums is the size. But drums have a lot more going on these days with the technological and material advancements.
We are here to help you find a drum kit that’s beginner-friendly, child-friendly, and, perhaps most of all, parent-friendly. Keep reading to see the best junior drum kits to get your prodigy started on their road to stardom.
My Top Picks for the Best Drum Set for Kids in 2024
#1: Alesis Drums Turbo Mesh Kit (Best Value)
Our list gets started with the Alesis Drums Turbo Mesh Kit. This drum kit is completely electronic, and it is one of the best electronic drum sets. In fact, you can expect to see a lot of electronic drums on this list. We’ll dive into this more later, but electronic drum kits are great for learning and great for parents who don’t want to hear the loud, constant banging of their child’s drumming journey.
The Alesis Drums Turbo Mesh Kit comes with a fairly standard layout of a snare drum, three tom drums, a ride and crash hi-hat cymbals, and an electronic bass drum pedal. Plus, its mesh pads are known to resemble the feel of a real physical drumset while being nice and quiet. Offering the beginner drum sets, the quality of their hi-hat stand, snare stand, and floor tom is remarkable, as it is quite sturdy.
It’s everything any budding drummer will need to get used to the drumming instruments. At the same time, the kit sounds like the real adult drums. It has nothing extra that will be overwhelming for a new percussionist. But, as we said, that’s all pretty standard.
Here are the features that really set the Alesis Drums Turbo Mesh Kit apart from the crowd and helped it grab the top spot on our list of the best kids’ drum
Foldable design
Not everyone has space for a full drum set to just be sitting in the living room 24/7. Unfortunately, putting away a drum kit can be a pain, which means you’re either stuck wasting half of your available space or you have to go through the hassle of setting everything up whenever you want to practice.
Thankfully, the Alesis Drums Turbo Mesh Kit has an amazing design that lets it fold up so you can quickly and easily store it in the closet or in any other convenient location whenever it’s not in use.
This means your budding musician can keep this kit in their bedroom and be able to bang those drums in peace and privacy. This is one of the best drum kits on the market for anyone working with more limited space.
Educational Features
As this list is geared toward junior drummers, we’re assuming that most of our target audience doesn’t have a whole lot of experience with the instrument in question. Sure there are some prodigies out there, but we definitely want to keep this list as beginner-friendly as possible.
The Alesis Drums Turbo Mesh Kit comes with all of the features you’ll need to make sure that your child has a built-in teacher to go with their first-ever drum kit. Our top-ranked drum kit features 10 ready-to-play classic and modern drum kits, 30 play-along tracks, and 100 plus expertly curated sounds.
This beginner drum kit will help your kid play along with their favorite songs, keep rhythm with pre-made beats, and choose the exact tone they want from their electronic drum set.
Drawbacks
There’s a reason the Alesis Drums Turbo Mesh Kit earned the number-one spot on our list. This electronic drum kit includes all the basics, comes at a great price, and has some amazing extra features. But nothing is perfect, and we want you to have the full picture before you go out and buy your drum kit.
My biggest issue with the Alesis Drums Turbo Mesh Kit is that its setup doesn’t accurately reflect an acoustic drum set. It also doesn’t come with a drum throne, so you will need to buy one separately if you don’t already have one. However, most customers will probably find that’s a small price to pay, and this should definitely be the first set anyone looks at if they’re searching for a kids’ drum set.
#2: The Hey! Play! Toy Drum Set for Kids ( Your Child’s First Drum Set)
Parents should promote the little interests of their children no matter what age they are. If your child is too small to have a realistic drumming set but loves music and drumming is their dream, then go for this The Hey! Play! Toy Drum Set For Kids. This will ignite their passion for music and introduce them to the parts of this musical instrument.
Do you know what makes it a perfect first drumming kit? The Hey! Play! Toy Drum Set For Kids comes with a 7-piece set that includes everything your child needs to start drumming right away.
In fact, the company has made it so child-friendly that it is safe and playful. It is made from durable plastic, and this drum set is built to withstand enthusiastic play. Besides, the sound level is designed to be kid-friendly not too loud for young ears.
What else do you expect? Playing music will give your child the creativity and self-expression they have been seeking in their early years. This set lets your little one bring out their inner rockstar and explore the joy of making music.
The 7-piece acoustic drum kits
The Hey! Play! Toy Drum Set For Kids is not like your electronic kits found in the market. It offers so much for kids that it is perfect for parents to give their kids a comprehensive introduction to drumming. This complete 7-piece kit includes everything a budding musician needs: a bass drum with a dedicated foot pedal for realistic kicking action, five tom drums in various sizes to create a full drum set experience, a cymbal for adding crashing accents, two lightweight drumsticks for easy handling, and even a small stool for comfortable playing.
Above all, everything is made from durable plastic with bright chrome accents. This set is so durable that it can withstand your child’s hardcore playtime. If they throw it or step on the parts, they won’t break while remaining safe for young explorers.
Designed for Young Learners
The Hey! Play! Toy Drum Set prioritizes the needs of young drummers and is a perfect addition to your child’s little music room. The entire set is constructed from durable plastic, making it lightweight and safe for curious children.
The size of the drums and stool are specifically chosen to be appropriate for smaller children, and above all, every part ensures comfortable play for young musicians. At the same time, you don’t have to cover your ears or your child’s ears because the music produced is pleasant (if your child’s mood is good).
The best part is that the sound level is carefully calibrated to be kid-friendly, offering a delightful musical experience without being overwhelming for little ears. This focus on child-centric design elements makes The Hey! Play! Toy Drum Set For Kids is an excellent choice for introducing toddlers and young children to the exciting world of drumming.
Drawbacks
There are very few drawbacks of The Hey! Play! Toy Drum Set For Kids. Let’s discuss a few of them.
Firstly, the set prioritizes affordability and child safety. This translates to plastic construction, which might not deliver the rich sound quality or dynamic response experienced with professional drum sets. The sound level is specifically calibrated to be appropriate for young ears, which may feel underwhelming for adults seeking a more powerful drumming experience. So, it is not for big kids!
Secondly, the size and adjustability cater to younger players. The smaller drums and stools will give comfortable play for young children, but they might become restrictive as children grow and their musical aspirations evolve.
The set might not offer the same level of customization or features found in higher-end drum sets, potentially limiting the playing experience for more advanced drummers. Just consider it for young drummers, not adults!
#3: The ONE Electric Drum Set (Best For Kids And Grownups)
Although acoustic drums give the most authentic vibes, electric drums are all the hype these days. The One Electric Drum Set is said to be suitable for both adults and kids, but we would say it is best if you give it to a young adult. Electronic drums are good for kids as they are easy to use and come at an affordable price.
If you don’t want to go the acoustic route but still want to give your child a realistic drum kit, then The One Electric Drum Set has got you covered. This drumming experience comes with a full-size kit to help your young drummer enjoy their journey to becoming the next Neil Peart.
The full kit features a drum set with 333 sounds, 4 mesh drum pads, 2 switch pedals, headphones, sticks & drum app, support bluetooth/USB midi/aux out.
This electronic drum set is the best friend of young drummers but parents love it, too. Because it is both kids and parent-friendly. It mitigates a lot of the problems that occur with electronic drum kits these days. Besides the drums, it comes with its five-piece kit that is enough for your little ones to enjoy a good drumming experience.
The best part is that it has headphones that make the experience more pleasant for the residents, as it works without subjecting parents or others to the constant noise of acoustic drum shells.
Here are some tidbits about The One Electric Drum Set that you might want to know before making the purchase.
The drum pedal and shell pack
While the set might have limitations for professional drummers, there are some strengths that you can’t ignore. With built-in sounds, drum kits, and a learning app, it offers a good starting point for aspiring drummers. Its electronic nature makes it easier to store and transport compared to a full acoustic drum set.
The set includes two-foot drum pedals. However, the company mentions that they are “switch pedals,” which implies simpler mechanisms compared to high-end bass drum pedals. The downside is that there is no shell pack in an electronic drum set. Electronic drums use pads instead of physical drum shells. The pads trigger sounds electronically when struck.
Therefore, the strengths lie in its beginner-friendly features, compact design, and practice capabilities. While the drum pedals might be basic, the set lacks a traditional shell pack due to its electronic nature, which doesn’t give you the authentic feel of the hammer hitting the bass drum. But after all, it gives it a good shot with its practice pad that compensates for its fuller sound.
This will give the young drummers in your family a better feel compared to an acoustic set for home practice if they ever make that switch.
Realistic layout
The ONE Electric Drum Set features a layout that mimics a traditional acoustic drum set. This familiar arrangement might ease the transition for beginners who plan to switch to acoustic drums later.
Similar to other beginner-friendly electronic drum sets, this model boasts several features that aid learning and practice, such as Mesh Drumheads, a Built-In Metronome, Multiple Drum Sounds, Etc.
While this set offers a good starting point, it’s crucial to remember that the price reflects its features. For a more professional playing experience with superior sound quality and response, a higher-end electronic drum set might be necessary.
Drawbacks
While The ONE Electric Drum Set presents a beginner-friendly layout and features, some aspects require consideration. The sound quality may not be top-notch due to the price range, potentially affecting the overall playing experience.
But this isn’t it. The dynamic range might be limited, meaning the set might not fully capture the subtleties of drumming techniques. The included learning app might have limitations, potentially requiring further investment in resources for in-depth learning.
Finally, the pedals might be simpler than those found in higher-end kits. While these drawbacks might not be dealbreakers for absolute beginners, experienced drummers seeking a more refined playing experience might find them limiting.
#4: Alesis Drums Debut Kit (Best Low Cost)
Alesis makes our list once again, and the fourth drum set on our list is arguably the first true junior drum kit to make the cut. The reason we are saying that is that the Alesis Debut Kit comes in the smaller dimensions that are necessary for younger children.
Low price
This drum set for kids also comes at a super cheap price, which will make it a very appealing option for those parents worried about buying their child a drum set just for them to get bored of the hobby after a week or two.
Includes everything your child will need
Enjoying playing in your dreams already? The Alesis Debut Kit comes with three DW drums, a bass drum, a snare drum, and the three black sparkle cymbals key to any rock drum full kit: the ride cymbal, the crash cymbal, and the high hats.
Despite the low price of this junior drum kit, the Alesis Debut Kit also includes drumsticks and a drum throne. Since it’s electronic, you’ll never need a drum key, which means your child is really getting everything they’ll ever need to rock on right from the get-go.
This junior drum set even comes included with a pair of headphones, so you can enjoy some peace and quiet while your young musician drums away.
Drawbacks
The biggest drawback of this budget drum set is also the reason it’s so cheap in the first place: its size. The Alesis Debut Kit is the smallest kit on our list, which means this junior drum set won’t really be of much use to kids over 10 or some kids that are just too big for their age.
But if you have a younger and smaller child who’s really shown an interest in the drums, The Alesis Debut Kit is the perfect way to get them started. If they’re still practicing by the time they grow out of this drum set for kids, then they’ll have more than earned an upgrade to a bigger kit.
#5: Millenium MPS-850 E-Drum Set (Best for experts)
Not all kids are beginners. If you have a teenager who’s already drumming like a pro, it might be time to get them a family-friendly electronic drum set to match. If that’s the case, look no further than the Millenium MPS-850 E-Drum Set.
The most realistic bass drum
This drum set has just about everything you can ask for. It comes equipped with four tom drums, a bass drum, a high hat stand, and three additional cymbals. The electronic bass drum is even more realistic than that of the Roland TD-1DMK Dual-Mesh Kit Entry-Level V-Drums Set.
So many features
There’s no point in beating around the bush: The Millenium MPS-850 E-Drum Set is the real deal. If I were to list every feature of this electronic percussion set, I’d be here all day. But here’s a brief (non-comprehensive) list: 550 voices, 30 preset kits, 20 user kits, 100 songs, 2 user songs, a quick-record feature, and a metronome. This drum set has everything under the sun and then some.
The Millenium MPS-850 E-Drum Set features fan-favorite mesh drum heads, and it comes with a pair of drumsticks.
Drawbacks
There’s only one real drawback to this electronic drum set: it has nothing to do with performance. It’s the price. Of course, while the Millenium MPS-850 E-Drum Set is expensive, it’s pretty easy to see what you’re getting for your money. And it’s more than worth it. This kit is only for kids who have shown a real passion and talent for the drums, but if you have a child like that, they’ll love it, and the Millenium MPS-850 E-Drum Set is sure to bring your child’s drumming to the next level.
How I Determined the Best Drum Set for Kids
When assessing the best drum set for your kids, the main features I looked for were accessibility, reasonable size, price, and, of course, overall quality. The truth is that a lot of the time, a good drum set for kids is a good drum set for anyone. Keep reading to learn a little more about the criteria we used for our list.
What Should You Look for in a Drum Set for Kids?
While I mentioned size as a criterion, that mostly involved just checking that a given drum set is actually small enough for a child to play on it, so there’s not much detail to go into there. Our other criteria have a little more meat to dig into, though. Here’s our crash course on how to find the best drum set for your kids that money can buy.
Features
Especially since this list mostly includes electronic drum sets, we might as well get the advantages of that. We gave priority to drum sets with built-in rhythm tracks, metronomes, and different pre-set sounds that will help your child be an independent learner. There’s a lot to say about being beginner-friendly.
Build
A drum set without the proper drum heads isn’t much of a drum set at all. Kids need all of the essentials just like adults do, so we made sure that all of our products included at least three toms, a bass drum, a snare drum, a ride cymbal, a crash cymbal, and high hats. Anything more than that is definitely a bonus, but also something that might not be great for a beginner.
Price
Money makes the world go round. Drum sets are expensive, but you shouldn’t have to break the bank on your kid’s new junior drum set. We also considered value when evaluating a drum set’s price. If it was a little more expensive but came with more included, like a drum throne, drumsticks, or headphones, then we considered that a positive net gain. It’s more important to offer a good value than be the cheapest product outright,
Frequently Asked Questions
Not everyone knows what’s what when it comes to drum sets, for kids or otherwise. And that’s perfectly fine. That’s what we’re here for. We made sure to include this FAQ question so you can leave feeling like you have a well-formed understanding to back up your choice of which drum kit to buy. Keep reading to make sure all of your questions are answered.
What are the different pieces of my child’s drum set?
Bass drum
The bass drum is the big round drum at the base of the drum kit. It’s the only drum you don’t play with drumsticks, and instead, you strike this drum head by pushing down on the bass pedal. The bass drum is probably the most essential part of any drum kit. As the name suggests, it lets out a low and deep sound when it’s struck, and it’s a very consonant note that isn’t going to grate your ears.
Snare drum
The snare drum is probably second only to the ass drum in terms of utility and necessity. On an acoustic set, it’s the short wooden drum with a drum head made of either calfskin or plastic and on an electric set, it’ll usually be clearly isolated from the tom drums. The biggest difference between a snare drum and a tom drum is that a snare drum has – as the name suggests – snare wires inside, which create the sharp and higher-pitched sound of this drum that will give that necessary “oomph” to your playing.
High hat
The high hat is a pair of cymbals with a kick pedal that’s usually found on the left side of a drum kit. Formed by placing one upside-down cymbal below a right-side-up cymbal, the high hats can be played either by pressing down on the kick pedal or by using the drumsticks. Using the kick pedal to close the high hats will create a dull closing sound while using the drumsticks will create a much louder banging sound. Using the right combination of the drumsticks and the foot pedals with the high hats will really bring your drumming to life.
Ride cymbal
The ride cymbal is usually the right-most cymbal of a drum kit, and it’ll be used pretty sparingly. It’s very similar to the high hats, but it doesn’t have the option of closing with a foot pedal. It gives off a short, sharp, sound, and it’s key to keeping any rhythm going.
Crash cymbal
The last cymbal on our list will be used even more sparingly than the ride cymbal. The onomatopoeia-esque crash cymbal does exactly what you think it does. It delivers a loud “crash” sound that’s sure to grab the attention of any listener. Do you know that “bang” at the end of a classic rock drum roll? That’s done with the crash cymbal. This cymbal is the best friend of any rock or metal drummer.
Tom drums
As I hinted at earlier, a tom drum is just a snare drum without the snare wires. Most drum kits come with a high, middle, and low tom, with these names referring both to their physical location on the drum kit and the note they let out. The sound of a tom drum is a lot closer to that of a bass drum than of a snare drum, and the full spectrum of these drums will add a lot of variety to your drum playing. You can keep a simple rhythm with just a bass drum, a snare drum, and high hats, but the tom drums will allow you to add some variety to things.
At what age should my child begin playing drums?
The short answer is “whenever they show an interest!” I’ve met musicians who began playing their instrument of choice – whether it was the drums or something else – as young as five years old. With everything, there’s a slightly bigger risk with younger children that they won’t stick to the hobby, but you’ll have to know your child and use your judgment on that one. Besides, even if they eventually end up quitting, that doesn’t mean your child won’t get something out of the instrument. Just remember that age and size will definitely affect what kind of drum kit you’ll want to buy your child, especially when it comes to the size of the kit.
Should I buy a junior drum kit or a full-size drum kit?
For any child younger than 10 years old, you’ll usually want to look at a junior drum kit, which is naturally a lot smaller than a full-sized kit. Of course, if your child is eight or nine, you might decide that it’s worth it to get a full-sized drum kit that they’ll be able to use for longer, especially if they’re a little tall for their age and they can manage with the bigger kit right away.
Should I buy a three-piece set or a five-piece set?
How many pieces you want for your drum kit will mostly depend on what genre you want to play. A three-piece set is great for providing rhythm to rap, electronic, and hip-hop tracks, but it won’t have quite the variety you’d want for rock music. I will say that, even though electronic music is booming in popularity, most young drummers will probably be interested in rock music. Therefore, most of the time, a 5-piece kit will make the most sense for your child.
Should I buy an acoustic drum kit or an electronic drum kit?
This has come up a lot over the course of our article, but it’s definitely worth reiterating. Electronic drum kits are great for keeping the whole family (and the neighbors) happy. They’re more compact, much quieter, cheaper, and have some great features like sound effects that are fun for kids and built-in metronomes and beats that are great for beginners. As a general rule, if you live in an important building, then an acoustic drum set is a no-go unless you’re okay with having a lot of angry neighbors yelling at you. But if you have too much space and noise flexibility for it, then acoustic is probably the way to go. There’s just nothing like the real deal.
Tips For Improving The Sound Quality Of Your Child’s Drum Set
There’s one go-to trick that you’re going to have to try if you want to make your child’s drum set sound better. Put tape on the drums and cymbals.
It sounds weird, but if you’ve ever seen any serious drummer’s kit, you’ll probably have noticed this tape at least on the snare drum, if not on the other drum heads and cymbals.
The reason for this is that the tape reduces the volume and ringing of drums and cymbals. It also reduces low rumble in toms and harmonics from an overly “live” drum or cymbal. Sometimes, a simple DIY fix is all you need. The reduced volume from the tape might also make an acoustic kit a little more viable for some parents who were on the fence about giving their child such a loud instrument.
Verdict: Your Best Drum Set for Kids
We’re just about winding things down. Especially if you didn’t have a lot of prior knowledge, your head might be spinning from all of that drum information. That’s why we want to give you a quick recap before we send you on your way.
If you want the best value for money, pick the Alesis Drums Turbo Mesh Kit.
This really is the ideal beginner electronic drum kit. It has all the essential drum heads and cymbals, some amazing electronic features, solid mesh heads, and, best of all, it has a great price. There’s not really much more you can ask for than that. This should be the first product anyone looks at once their child asks for a drum set.
If you need an expanded drum kit, pick the Millenium MPS-850 E-Drum Set.
This is not for beginners. If you have a budding prodigy on your hands who you want to turn into the next Keith Moon, then get them this electronic drum set. The extra tom drum and cymbal will give your child the variety they need, the realistic bass pedal will help them stay used to acoustic sets, and all the included features will help your child practice like there’s a full band in the room with them. The Millenium MPS-850 E-Drum Set is the real deal.
If you want to keep the spending cheap, pick the Alesis Debut Kit Alesis Debut Kit.
The Alesis Debut Kit really sticks to its name. This is the child’s first drum kit. It has all of the basics and some nice electronic features, and it comes with a drum throne, drumsticks, and headphones. That’s really all there is to say. It’s a bit on the smaller side, so don’t buy this drum kit for your 12-year-old. But it’s incredibly cheap, so if you have a younger child showing an interest in the drums, the Alesis Debut Kit is exactly what you’re looking for.
Exactly which drum kit is best for you is going to depend on the age and size of your child, their musical tastes, your budget, and several other factors. We tried to give you as many options as possible, but there are other kits out there that might be more what you’re looking for. We hope our list helped you get your child started on the road to rock stardom!
