11 Best Quiet Drum Sets 2024; Get Silent Practice In With These Kits

Drums too loud? Scared of bugging your neighbors? Can’t stand listening to your wild child practice?

Whatever the situation, the if you've experienced the pain of a loud drumkit, you understand the situation well.

If this is a problem you’re looking to solve, it may be time to consider a quiet drum set.

In this guide, we’ll look at a number of solutions that allow for silent practice.

Alesis Command Mesh Kit | Electronic Drum Kit With Mesh Heads – Best Overall

To kick things off, we have an Alesis electronic drum kit, which is fitting, because they make a wide array of products for customers in need of a quiet drum kit.

The Alesis Command mesh kit (compare price Sweetwater, Amazon) comes with the five-piece kit, hi-hat and cymbals, pedals, rack, connection cables, power supply, drum key, and the Command module or brain.

The kit has been designed to give you a natural feel, and the Command drum module comes with 70 kits, 60 play along tracks, 600+ sounds, and custom sample loading via USB. You can also connect your MP3 player to the aux input, and it comes with USB and MIDI in/outs.

Buyers found the kit easy to put together and liked the sounds and MIDI functionality.

Though it appears some reviewers had issues with different components (never the same ones).

Item weight: 50.7 lbs.

Dimensions: 27.60 x 47.28 x 43.32 inches

Alesis Surge Mesh Kit | Eight-Piece Electronic Drum Kit With Mesh Heads – Top Alternative

The Alesis Surge mesh kit (compare price Sweetwater, Amazon) is a lot like the Command kit with reduced functionality. Of course, it’s more affordable too.

This bundle comes with the Surge drum module, which gives you access to 40 kits, 60 play along tracks and 385 sounds. And that would be the main difference between the Command and the Surge.

The drum sounds onboard are far from authentic, so if you’re looking for premium electronic drum kit sounds, you probably won’t find it here. But honestly, the kit doesn’t sound too bad to my ears.

Happy reviewers said they loved the quality of the kit and said it was great bang for buck.

Critical reviewers said the kit is better suited to beginners, and quite likely, that is the case.

Item weight: 50.9 lbs.

Dimensions: 27.6 x 47.28 x 43.32 inches

Alesis Drums Nitro Mesh Kit – Budget Option

Moving down the list, we have more Alesis products to cover. This time, of the Alesis Nitro (compare price Sweetwater, special edition red at Guitar Center, Amazon) variety.

And if you couldn’t already tell, this mostly has to do with the module or the brain of the unit. That’s the main thing that distinguishes it from other Alesis products on the list. The pads in this bundle also aren’t as fancy as pricier alternatives.

The Nitro drum module gives you access to 40 modern and classic kits, 60 play along tracks, and 350+ sounds. Aux input is also included, and you can find USB and MIDI connectivity, even at this level.

Overall, the Nitro is quite comparable to the Surge, with another difference being the snare pad size. On the Surge, you get a 10” snare pad, while on the Nitro, you get an 8” one.

Buyers liked the build quality and sounds, but it’s probably not for everyone. It largely depends on the level at which you play, as well as what you’re comfortable with.

Item weight: 29.5 lbs.

Dimensions: 24 x 38 x 43 inches

Donner DED-200 Electric Drum Set Electronic Kit

The Donner DED-200 certainly gives Alesis products in the same price range a run for their money and you’re about to discover why.

The drum module comes with 225 sounds and 30 demo songs. It also has an aux in for MP3 players, and even comes with headphones, drumsticks, and a drum throne. There aren’t too many bundles that give you everything you need off the bat, so that's a plus.

The sounds are reasonably good. Nothing over the top, but certainly workable for beginners.

The pads aren’t mesh, so that could have an impact on volume levels, but overall, still very controllable thanks to the fact that it’s electronic.

Reviewers said they liked the sounds and found the kit easy to use. They also liked the price.

Overall, the Donner works well as a practice kit (even for taller players), and it has some interesting sounds onboard. The module isn’t as good as the Alesis Nitro, though, and if you’re doing any kind of recording, you’re probably better off with the Nitro.

Item weight: Unknown

Dimensions: 32.28 x 28.15 x 13.78 inches

Alesis Drums Turbo Mesh Kit – Seven Piece Mesh Electric Drum Set

Having looked at several Alesis products already, you’re probably starting to get a sense of what’s on display here.

The Alesis Turbo mesh kit comes with the Turbo drum module, complete with 10 classic and modern drum kits, 30 play along tracks, and 100+ sounds.

Also included are aux in and USB connectivity, but no MIDI. This bundle, however, does come with a steel rack, connection cables, drumsticks, drum key, and a power supply, which is a little more than you might find with some of the other units mentioned here.

At this point, it might go without saying that this is a beginner-oriented budget kit, but just in case.

The main difference between the Turbo and Nitro is that the Turbo has 100+ sounds, while the Nitro has 385 sounds, and the Turbo has 30 play along tracks while the Nitro has 60.

Considering the price difference, which is relatively minor, it might be worth saving up for the Nitro, simply because of the added functionality, including the MIDI connectivity.

Buyers said they loved messing around with this kit and found it perfect for beginners. On that note, it probably won’t satisfy intermediate to pro level players in the slightest.

Item weight: 29 lbs.

Dimensions: 32 x 46 x 32 inches

Traps Drums A400 Portable Acoustic Drum Set

The Traps Drums A400 portable acoustic drum set (cymbals not included) is incredibly versatile, and most likely, for a specific kind of buyer.

This kit features a “shallow” five-piece setup (snare, three toms, and a kick), which automatically makes the kit a little quieter than a standard acoustic kit. That doesn’t mean these drums don’t project or resonate though (because they are meant to).

First and foremost, this is a great kit for frequent gigging and touring since it’s incredibly lightweight and portable. The drums are collapsible too, so if you need to fit them into tight spaces (such as under your bed), you can make that happen.

As well, they respond to a variety of playing styles. They can even be turned into an electronic kit with a drum brain and pads that attach to the drums.

So, the A400 sounds good for what it is, and is easy to take with you just about wherever you go. You could even pair the kit with low volume cymbals for an additional volume decrease. But depending on how you find the overall volume, you might still need to purchase mutes for the snare, toms, and kick.

Some users said they were able to get it quieter than an electronic kit with a combination of methods.

Many buyers said this kit delivered on its promise. Some weren’t crazy about its sound, which is understandable, because it’s not designed to sound like a full kit.

Item weight: 62 lbs.

Dimensions: 30 x 23 x 9 inches

Pyle PTED06 7 Pad

Now here’s something a little different. The Pyle PTED06 seven-pad clearly falls under the category of a practice pad. Yet, it’s also electronic.

You can certainly think of this as an electronic kit of sorts because it does fulfill on that criteria.

It comes with seven drum pads, as well as digital hi-hat and kick drum pedals. It comes with 55 preset and 10 custom preloaded drum kits, 300+ drum and cymbal sounds, digital control panel with LCD screen, USB connectivity, and can be AC or battery powered.

Another advantage of the Pyle tabletop drum set is that it’s highly portable if a tad clunky (you probably couldn’t fit it into your average duffle bag).

I find the onboard sounds are not half bad. They’re a little inauthentic sounding as you might expect, but not bad.

Many reviewers said the Pyle was a ton of fun to play with, and even said the action was good.

On the other hand, the pedals aren’t all that great, and this is basically like a toy. It’s a lot of fun to play with but may not appeal much to anyone who’s been playing for a long time.

Item weight: 7.45 lbs.

Dimensions: 16.5 x 22 x 5.5 inches

Alesis Compact Kit 4

We are basically down to the budget options now, and the Alesis Compact Kit 4 is like the Pyle PTED06, except that it has fewer pads (granted, there’s also a seven-pad equivalent).

This tablet top electronic practice pad kit is relatively small, so you’ll find that great if you’re looking for a compact solution, but not so great if you like a little more space between the pads.

Included are velocity sensitive drum pads, LCD screen and game function, built-in speaker, headphone output, 70 electronic and acoustic drum kit voices, 10 effect voices, and 50 play along songs. It can also be powered via AC adapter or batteries.

Buyers said this is a fun toy for kids, teens, and beginners. Some buyers had issues with it not working after a number of months though.

Item weight: 3.3 lbs.

Dimensions: 18.1 x 10.2 x 5.9 inches

PAXCESS Electronic Drum Set, Roll Up Drum Practice Pad

The PAXCESS electronic drum set is the most affordable practice pad solution on this list, and it also looks more like a toy (which it is).

Highly portable, the practice kit comes with two foot pedals, five timbres, eight demo songs, and three rhythms.

The tabletop toy is powered by batteries, and it supports headphones. It also comes with two built-in speakers and it even has USB connectivity.

Overall, happy buyers said this was a great toy for their kids. But some pointed out that it’s kind of cheaply made.

If you’re looking for something for your kids, the PAXCESS might be a fun solution, but otherwise it’s little more than a practice pad kit, if that.

Item weight: 2.4 lbs.

Dimensions: 16.73 x 5.91 x 2.56 inches

Worthwhile Alternative – Vic Firth Drum Mute Prepack

It’s entirely possible you’ve already got a drum kit and, surprise, it’s not all that quiet. The good news is there are still cost-effective ways of reducing the noise without having to soundproof your entire practice space.

It’s worth considering something along the lines of the Vic Firth drum mute prepack, as you can simply take the mutes and put them on your kit.

There are a couple of things you should know, though. Take note of the size of the mutes, as they won’t fit your snare, kick, or toms properly if they aren’t the right size.

In this case, the mutes are sized 12, 13, 14, 16, and 22 inches. The bundle also comes with two cymbal mutes and a hi-hat mute.

The other thing you need to know is that the mutes do not kill the noise. They do cut down on the noise somewhat, but mileage will still vary depending on how hard you’re hitting the drums.

This reflects the opinion of buyers as well, who said the mutes made their kits “more tolerable.”

They aren’t perfect, however, and some reviewers didn’t like how the mutes felt while playing with them, with others complaining about their smell.

Item weight: 4.75 lbs.

Dimensions: 3.2 x 22.4 x 22.5 inches

Drum Workshop Go Anywhere 5-Piece Set Practice Pad (DWCPPADTS5)

The Drum Workshop Go Anywhere five-piece set would obviously fall under the category of acoustic practice pads.

You would never be able to replace a drumkit with a practice kit like this, but for practicing, it will cut down on quite a bit of noise and go the extra mile for you.

Included are two 8” tom and cymbal pads, two 10” snare and floor tom pads, as well as one drum pad.

The bass drum pedal, however, is not included. So, if you don’t already have one you can use, you’ll want to pick one up.

The main advantage of a product like this is its portable nature. You could easily take this with you just about anywhere and keep up your drumming chops.

Some buyers said every drummer should have practice pads like these and enjoyed the build quality as well.

As I’ve already said, this kit should not be considered a replacement for a real kit and based on what else is available in the price range, I’d be somewhat conscious of that as well.

But overall, this is a solid choice for practice.

Item weight: 19.5 lbs.

Dimensions: 24 x 10 x 10 inches

Quiet Drum Sets – What Are My Options?

There are a few solutions available, each with their pros and cons. Here’s an overview of the types of products covered below:

• Electric drum kits. Electronic drum kits are generally the go-to when you're looking or a quieter alternative to acoustic kits.
• Acoustic drum kits. As you might expect, there are very few acoustic quiet drum solutions. But we do look at one solution that works for a variety of situations.
• Practice pads. Practice pads come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and setups. Some electric pads can even be used for performance, but generally practice pads are just that – pads for practicing.
• Drum mutes. We’ll also look briefly at drum mutes, which come in handy if you already have an acoustic kit you need to dampen.

What Should I Look For In A Quiet Drum Set?

So, you’ve got a few different types of products to choose from. And, while some could be used professionally, whether it’s for gigging or recording, other solutions merely act as practice devices and would not offer much more.

A quiet drum set isn’t 100% quiet by nature. It makes sense when you think about the fact that the motion of hitting a pad with a stick still produces a sound. But the right kit can cut down on volume significantly.

So, here are a few things to think about if you’re in the market for a quiet drum set.

What Do You Need?

Practice pads are limited and will never replace a full kit. With that in mind, they can be useful for practice, travel, and in some cases (as with the Pyle), even recording.

Electronic kits are generally better solutions, but they also tend to cost more, take up more space, and despite their price, aren’t always suited to professional use.

Acoustic kits are usually the least practical, though the Traps Drums A400 introduced here is portable and quieter than most acoustic kits out of the box.

Finally, you have mutes, which are good when you already have a kit you want to bring down a notch in volume.

How Portable Is It?

If volume is the issue, you’re probably not going to be as concerned with how portable the kit is. Still, it might be a lesser factor to think about depending on the room it’s going in and the space available to you.

How Much Are You Willing To Spend?

You can spend anywhere from about $70 to $750 on a quiet drum set (and a lot more if you’re looking for a premium electronic kit).

Determining your budget can always help with narrowing your choices, and we always like to remind our readers to spend responsibly. No need to spend money you don’t have! Save up or spend less.

Best Quiet Drum Sets Conclusion

Relieved to know there are plenty of options available? We sure hope so!

Take your time, look around, and figure out what’s going to work best for you based on sound, functionality, portability, and your budget.

We wish you happy shopping!