The Complete Roland Electric Drum Kits Comparison

Roland electric drum kits are some of the world’s best electronic drum kits, providing players of all levels with the ultimate options whether they’re just learning how to play, in need of professional performance or utilising them for studio work. In addition, they’re also extremely expressive, offering hyper-realistic drum sounds whilst allowing for silent practice at anytime, anywhere.

The reason why everyone from beginners to professional musicians keep on coming back to Roland Drums and the Roland V Drums range is simply down to the fact these electric drum kits are world class options able to provide learners with the tools they need to hone their skills, live musicians an extremely expressive option for stage and studio, and professional drummers a reliable, hard wearing and versatile kit that opens up a world of different percussion sounds and possibilities.

Put simply; when you decide to play one of these kits, you’re joining an array of world class musicians who rely on these each and every day.

There is a selection of different Roland electric drums available today, so choosing the best option for your musical needs might be a little tricky. If in doubt, feel free to call our drum specialists on 0151 448 2089 – we’re happy to help you find the perfect option to suit your bespoke requirements as each Roland Drum kit is ideal for a wide range of users including beginners, drum instructors, live performers as well as studio and session musicians. However, we’ve rounded up all the different Roland electric drum kits available so you can see which type might be best for you, starting out with beginner kits all the way to the professional level Roland V-Drums series with the likes of the coveted TD-30K and TD-50KV. Enjoy our complete Roland Electric Drum Kits Comparison and let us know which one is your favourite!

The Roland TD-1K Electronic Drum Kit is one of they most sought-after Roland electric drum kits available thanks to its budget friendly price tag and superb quality sound. You have 15 expressive drum kits spanning a variety of different music genres and styles within the TD-1K module as well as an AUX-in jack so you can jam along to your favourite songs via your MP3 player. The module also includes a handy a headphone in, so you can practice in silence and enjoy playing without disturbing anyone. The beater-less kick pedal ensures your practice sessions are as quiet as possible and the high-quality rubber pads are comfortable to play. A fantastic option for beginners from the Roland drums range.

The Roland TD-1DMK V-Drums Electronic Drum Kit is a fantastic quality Roland electric drum kit that suits beginners as well as intermediate players and even performing musicians in need of a high-quality option for rehearsal and recording. It’s actually geared at learners and those who used to play drums and want to take it back up again as it’s got 15 inbuilt songs and 10 Coach functions built-in top the module to encourage a positive learning experience. This is still very much in the affordable bracket, but offers up some higher quality aspects that intermediate and pro players will find useful, too.

This great sounding kit features 15 hyper realistic preset drum kits professionally sampled by the team at Roland drums as well as mesh pads offering up improved playability, sound quality as well as responsiveness. The dual zone pads are also a great addition - hit it softly and the drum pad will respond the same way an acoustic kit will!

The professionally recorded backing songs are ideal for practice at home and jamming out ideas whilst the mesh pads are comfortable to play and won't disturb your neighbours or family around the home. There's also a double bass drum compatible pad for those who like to add some extra percussion to their kick - unfortunately the bass drum pedals are not included, but the hi hat pedal is, so you don't have too much extra to purchase.

The Roland TD-1KPX2 V-Drums Portable Electronic Drum Kit is an extremely portable electric drum kit (the clue's in the name) that actually folds away quickly and easily, making it a great option for those with limited space and travelling musicians alike.

This Roland drum kit comes with the TD-1 drum sound module which is packed to the brim with a wide range of acoustic and electric drum samples that span an array of different styles and genres as well as a large selection of percussion and sound effects.

You also get 3 x CY5 cymbal pads as well as an 8” PDX-8 snare pad and 3 x 6.5” PDX-6 mesh-head V-Pad toms that feature mesh playing surfaces for extra comfort and great response when playing.

It’s worth noting that you don’t get a kick drum beater with this kit, but fear not as any kick drum pedal will work with this electric drum kit.

The Roland TD-07KV V-Drums Electronic Drum Kit is perfect for the travelling musician and the intermediate drummer who wants to be able to play a wide range of styles.

This is one of the most compact and probably the best affordable electronic drum kits available on the market today. This provides drummers with a comfortable, realistic playing experience as each of the drums, including the PDX-8 snare and 3 x tom drum pads feature Roland’s legendary double-ply, tension-adjustable mesh drumheads. You also have a CY-5 hi-hat, 2 x CY-8 cymbal pads and a KD-10 kick drum as well as four post type rack stand.

The TD-07 module features 25 preset kits, 25 user kits, and 143 instruments as well as a host of effects and coaching functions. The integrated metronome can be manipulated to suit a wide range of tempos and the built in Bluetooth technology is great for streaming backing tracks and jamming along.

If you're just starting out on drums, or a pro-level gigging musician in need of a smaller electronic drum kit, this is perfect as you .

Roland have announced the TD17 V Drum kits as a replacement series for their highly regarded TD-11 sets. There are 3 different kits from the TD17 range, this kit and the two below – all of which have upgraded features, which we will get to in a second. This Roland TD-17K-L Electronic Drum kit includes the TD-17 module that is packed with 50 premium quality drum kits all expertly recorded by the engineers at Roland. In addition, you have a full suite of learning features via the extremely useful Coach Mode which helps you hone your skills and learn new techniques. You can even import your own sounds into the module and trigger them to any assigned pad!

The experienced drummers out there will enjoy the fact you get an 8-inch double-mesh snare as well as comfortably sized pads that feel great when you’re hammering away. In this package you get 3 x PD-8A toms, a Hi-Hat plus hi-hat control pedal, a crash, a ride as well as a kick with beater pad that responds just like an acoustic drum kit would.

The next upgrade is the Roland TD-17KV Electronic Drum Kit. The major difference between the TD-17K-L and this TD-17KV is the fact you get mesh toms and a larger 12-inch snare which is tension adjustable. This is ideal if you want to take this electronic drum kit to gigs and a perfect option for acoustic drummers who want to transition to an electronic kit, but still retain the feel and response of an acoustic kit.

All options in the TD-17 range, excluding the TD-17K-L, allow you to connect your mobile device to the TD-17 module via Bluetooth so you can play along to your favourite songs or backing tracks. You can even record your performance via the module and play it back afterwards!

Two larger CY-12C Crash cymbals (one extra than the previous model), a larger CY-13R ride cymbal and a floating hi-hat with pedal and larger VH-10 hi-hat cymbal are included here with the Roland TD-17KVX V-Drums Electronic Drum Kit, providing players with more space to work with and a more realistic response overall.

Again, you have the impressive TD-17 module at your disposal that features expressive and dynamic sound inherited from prismatic sound modelling technology of the flagship TD-50. Again, there’s the onboard playback functions. The snare itself can detect open and closed rimshots for added realism and technique and all cymbals can be choked too. A great option for those who want a pro level kit but have a limited budget.

We’re now into the realms of professional kit for professional drummers and the Roland TD-27K V-Drums Electronic Drum Kit will certainly provide the pros out there with impressive sound and playability capable of rocking the stage. You have the fantastic TD-27 module with advanced Prismatic Sound Modeling derived from the flagship TD-50 so you have the playability and expressiveness akin to the likes of the top of the range V drums - a great addition.

With this particular kit, you get PDX-100 10″ mesh-head snare pad that supports positional sensing as well as rim shot/cross stick playing. You also get 3 x PDX-8 8-inch mesh-head pads for rack toms and floor tom as well as 2 x CY-12C 12-inch crash cymbals with natural swinging motion, edge/bow sensors, and choke control - just like real cymbals!

You also get 1 x CY-13R 13-inch ride cymbal with natural swinging motion and edge/bow/bell triggering and a highly responsive VH-10 V-Hi-Hat with natural motion and smooth open/closed detection. Finally, the KD-10 Kick Pad supports expressive foot control and pedal techniques so you can make the transition from acoustic drums and vice versa without any fuss.

The TD-27 module also allows you to tweak all parameters of your drum sound including muffling and tuning – ideal for tone snobs out there!

The Roland V-Drums Acoustic Design VAD306 Electric Drum Kit is one of three options from the new Roland VAD series. You also have the Roland V-Drums Acoustic Design VAD503 Electronic Drum Kit and the Roland V-Drums Acoustic Design VAD506 Electronic Drum Kit which are discussed further down below.

You'd be forgiven thinking these are hybrid drums, but they're not - they're a product of construction wizardry coupling wooden shells with electronic functionality! 

The Roland V-Drums Acoustic Design VAD306 Electronic Drum Kit, in particular, is a great option for those who want the look and feel of an acoustic kit but need the functionality of an electronic kit that won't take up too much room.

This version from the Roland VAD range features shallow-depth shells and TD-17 module. You also have a 12" PDA120LS-BK Snare
, 2 x 10" PDA100L-BK Rack Toms, 12" PDA120L-BK Floor Tom, 18" KD-180L-BK Kick Drum, 12" VH-10 V-Hi-Hat, 2 x 12" CY-12C Crashes and 13" CY-13R Ride.

The kit features Roland's legendary multi-ply, tension-adjustable mesh heads which gives you a truly acoustic playing feel, whilst the kick physically moves the air inside the shell, providing the real feel of an acoustic kick.

All shells are also made of wood which further enhances the look and feel of an acoustic whilst easily adjustable stands are double-braced so you can hit them as hard as you would an acoustic.

Finally, you also have the TD-17 module which features a range of modern and vintage kits at your fingertips.

The Roland TD-27KV V-Drums electronic drum kit is the gateway into the professional realm of electronic drums. This kit is a premium level electric drum kit that will easily slot into any professional set up, but at a price that won't break the bank.

The key features that drummers will appreciate are the all-new Roland TD-27 module and the large diameter mesh pads and large diameter cymbals.

The cool thing about the TD-27 module is the fact that it's derived from the flagship Roland TD-50 module, taking certain sounds and functionality and adding that coveted Prismatic Sound Modelling which brings every hit to life.

New PureAcoustic Ambience Technology also allows you to really immerse yourself in the sound of your kit and even change mic position on the newly developed overhead mic simulator - it's like being in a room with an acoustic kit!

You also have a new 14" Digital Snare and 18" Digital Ride Cymbal which are exclusive to this kit. Both have multiple sensors boasting lightning-fast processing so you can play them just like an acoustic model. You can enjoy ghost notes, rim shots, cross-stick - everything an acoustic can do!

If you want to make the move to a pro-level kit but can't quite stretch your budget - this is the way forward!

Next up we have the Roland V-Drums Acoustic Design VAD503 Hybrid Drum Kit.

This is also from the new Roland VAD range of drums that features A Four-piece kit full-size wooden shells, 14" PD-140DS Digital Snare and 18" CY-18DR Digital Ride Cymbal, and topped off with the TD-27 module.

This is essentially the midway point between all three VAD drums, offering the same multi-ply, tension-adjustable mesh heads, but with an updated module so you can enjoy a huge range of drums, percussion and cymbal sound that have been expertly sampled in some of the worlds most respected studios.

A huge benefit of this kit is the fact that when you strike it, you get more than a triggered sample, but the response and decay that an acoustic drum has, without annoying the neighbours!

You can also make edits to your sound, utilise multi-effects and onboard mixing capabilities and more - a great studio and stage option.

The Roland TD-50K Electronic Drum Kit is the latest offering from the team at Roland Drums, and replaces the TD30 as the new flagship electronic drum kit. This extremely versatile electric drum kit is built around the all new TD-50 sound module that packs in over 400 extremely detailed kits and percussion instruments whilst giving you the power to customise each sound, add up to 30 effects and even layer your own WAVs for triggering. Due to the kit utilising the coveted Prismatic Sound Modelling technology, you get the most accurate sound ever offered by the team at Roland – this kit has all the resonance, expression and dynamic ability of an acoustic kit, but with far greater control and more features than you could ever hope to use.

The Roland TD-50K comes with the all new PD-140DS snare drum and CY-18DR Ride – both of which are the new flagship snare and ride cymbals from the brand. The 14-inch PD-140DS digital snare features a hi-resolution multi-sensor system that offers unparalleled dynamics and response which includes highly accurate positional detection – this is quite possibly the best electronic snare ever made! You also get the VH-11 V-Hi-Hat, CY-12C crash, CY-13R crash/ride, CY-18DR ride as well as KD-120BK kick and three PDX-100 V-Pads for toms and the MDS-50K drum stand. It’s worth noting that the kick pedal, snare stand, hi-hat stand, and drum throne are not included, but you do get exceptional value for money considering the response and accuracy that each drum offers.

The final option from the Roland VAD drums series is the Roland V-Drums Acoustic Design VAD506 Hybrid Drum Kit. This is a professional level electronic drum kit for those who prefer the look and feel of an acoustic, but need to be able to perform and practice with the functionality of an electric kit.

With the Roland V-Drums Acoustic Design VAD506 Hybrid Drum Kit, you have a 14" PD-140DS Digital Snare, 18" CY-18DR Digital Ride Cymbal, 10" PDA100-MS Rack Tom, 12" PDA120-MS Rack Tom, 14" PDA140F-MS Floor Tom, 20" KD-200-MS Kick Drum, 12" VH-10 V-Hi-Hat, 14" CY-14C-T Crash, 16" CY-16R-T Crash/Ride.

Essentially the key difference between this model and the previous two is the fact you have an extra crash cymbal and extra tom, making it a great performance machine for those who need a lot from their drum kit.

Again, you have the TD-27 module and the mesh heads, you just have more options. Check out our video demo and review below!

Last but by no means least, we have the ultimate Roland V-Drum kit – the Roland TD-50KV V-Drums Pro Electronic Drum Kit. Crafted by the engineers at Roland drums to provide drummers with a larger canvas with which to sculpt their beats, the TD-50KV features an array of deeper, larger drums, as well as the option to customise the look of your kit. You still get the amazing TD-50 sound module with highly responsive kits and sounds built in as well as the PD-140DS snare, and CY-18DR Ride, but there are a few key differences between the Roland TD-50K and the Roland TD-50KV electronic drum kit. First of all, with this kit you get the VH-13 V-Hi-Hat, which offers superior open/close dynamics and a more “acoustic” feel due to the hi-hat having both a top and bottom cymbal. You also get 1 x PD-108-BC rack tom pad and 2 x PD-128-BC floor tom pads which are deeper and wider than the TD-50K. In addition, you can also change the shell wraps on these toms and customise the look depending on your preference, however we think the chrome/silver wraps look amazing, especially when coupled with the chrome clamps and chrome MDS-50KV stand.

The cool thing about the larger 14" KD-140-BC kick is that you can even add the optional Roland KD-A22 Kick Converter Pad - ideal if you prefer the look and feel of a traditional kick drum – a great innovation by the team at Roland drums. However, should you just want to keep it simple, the 14" KD-140-BC kick is still amazing, offering superior response and accuracy, effectively recreating the feel and dynamic response of an acoustic kick perfectly. Finally, you also get the larger CY-14C crash, and CY-15R crash/ride that each offer chokable response and are a little heavier for a more realistic feel when playing. Overall, we think the TD-50KV V-Drums is the ultimate option for professional performance and studio work. Watch our video below and see how you can even upload your own sounds and triggers via the TD-50 module to effectively recreate entire songs!

Last but not least, we have the ultimate professional electronic drum kit that Roland has to offer – in this line, there is simply no better option. The Roland TD-50KVX V-Drums Kit features an all new KD-220 bass drum which features Roland’s innovative air-damper mechanics. This new feature works alongside the 22-inch acoustic shell to ‘move air’ and provide the same resistance as an acoustic kick would when the beater hits the drum. This means you get the same response and dynamics of an acoustic kit with the reliability and triggering capabilities of an electronic kit. This kit, when coupled with the TD-50 module is unstoppable!

Shop a full range of Roland Drums and Roland Electric Drum Kits over at PMT online today or call us on 0151 448 2089 to speak to one of our drum experts about your needs. Alternatively, call in to any of our specialist House Of Drums stores to chat to us – our on hand expert drum team is happy to help you find the right kit.

Updated 2020-11-27