10 Best Electric Drum Sets in the Philippines 2025 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Sound Engineer

When purchasing an electric drum set, the first thing you should consider is your budget. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced drummer, this will dictate the specs you would be looking for in an electronic drum kit. Pad material, hardware, drum module specifications, and the number of drum heads and cymbals are some factors that dictate price.

Lower-end electric drums usually just have stereo outputs. However, if you're looking to produce quality recordings, mid-to-high-end models have multiple output options such as a USB and MIDI out. These allow you to input your recording on a computer and mix your samples via a digital audio workstation (DAW). Having this ability to mix and produce your tracks will cost more.

While it is true that rubber pads are cheaper and have a similar rebound to a practice pad, their tension cannot be adjusted. Mesh drum heads are more costly, but they provide the closest feel to an acoustic drum head. Their tension or rebound can be adjusted, just like in a tuned drum set. Both pads are significantly more silent than an acoustic kit, but between the two, mesh heads are more preferred.

The more piezos or sensors a pad has, the better and more sensitive it will be. These sensors are responsible for the "responsiveness" of the drum head. Some pads give you a dynamic sound range; they can differentiate soft, medium, and loud hits and give you the appropriate sound output. Others, usually the cheaper ones, give you one or only a couple of sounds no matter how you hit the pad.

The reason why mesh heads are unanimously preferred is that they allow for better responsiveness. They can pick up the intricacies and nuances in your playing. It is also best to look for dual-zone or higher drum pads; this means that the head and the rim have sensors allowing you to do rimshots so you can add more "flavor" to your playing.

Most e-cymbals give you the look and shape of a real copper alloy cymbal. Recent innovations have allowed electronic cymbals to swing like the real ones. The same goes with drum pads; also look for dual-zone or higher for crash cymbals.

For the ride cymbal, the best ones are those that give you different sounds when you hit the bell, bow, or edge, so look for triple-zone cymbals for this one. Also, opt for cymbals with a choke trigger to add more depth to your crash and ride hits.

The best electronic hi-hats are those with a mechanical pedal. Compared to a cheaper foot trigger, it gives you the same feeling when choking, splashing, and pedaling a real hi-hat. Mechanical electronic hi-hats might be hard to find, so your next best option is to choose a continuous-type pedal that lets you play with an open, half-open, and fully open sound.

The drum module is the brain of the drumkit. It allows you to tune the drums, change the sound of each pad via samples, and select from an instrument list of pre-set drum sounds from jazz, heavy metal, and hip-hop tuned kits. Other modules even have pre-programmed songs you can jam or practice to. 

Top-tier modules allow you to download a library of programming options for your snare, kick, toms, and cymbals. The module makes your drumming versatile and limitless, allowing for better artistic and creative expression. It is highly advisable to see how many sound options the “brain” provides you with.

Look for pre-set patterns that offer great learning tools and pick one that gives you the closest natural feel and sound, influenced by sensitivity and velocity. Additionally, if you plan on adding to your kit for progressive metal drumming, opt for those that allow for kit expansion, such as extra input connectors.

The bass or kick part of a kit comes in two designs. It can be a simple pedal with a trigger inside it, or it can be a kick tower pad that allows you to attach a bass drum pedal to it. As with the other drum heads, it's best to choose mesh heads if you can.

To get the best feel and to be able to learn the proper bass drum techniques, go for a kick pad that allows you to use a bass drum pedal. Hitting the bass drum is more than just stomping your feet on the pedal. Like playing with your hands, you should also practice dynamics with your feet. Just compare drum tracks between jazz and rock musicians, and you'll know what we mean.

Also, bigger kick pads are the best choice. The wider strike area lets you fit a double-bass pedal onto it; it can accommodate two bass pedal heads. Whether you plan on being able to play Van Halen's Hot for Teacher or not, being able to play double-bass will increase your drumming arsenal, especially if you aim to be a session drummer.