Drums are one of the most exciting instruments to start playing — and one of the trickiest to buy for the first time. Acoustic or electronic? How many pieces? What brands should you trust? And how do you handle the noise? Here's a plain-English guide to help you make the right call.
Acoustic vs electronic drum kits
This is the first decision most beginners face, and the right answer depends heavily on your living situation.
Acoustic drum kits produce real, resonant sound. They feel incredible to play and develop proper technique naturally. The downside is volume — an acoustic kit is loud enough to cause neighbour complaints and can't be meaningfully quieted without significant investment in mesh heads and low-volume cymbals.
Electronic drum kits use rubber or mesh pads that trigger digital sounds through a module. You play with headphones or low-volume speakers, making them far more neighbour-friendly. Modern electronic kits have come a long way in feel and responsiveness — especially the mesh-head kits — and they're a genuinely practical choice for anyone in an apartment or suburban home.
If you have space, a tolerant street, and ideally a room you can treat for sound: go acoustic. If you're in an apartment, townhouse, or have close neighbours: go electronic.
What's included in a drum kit?
A standard beginner drum kit (acoustic) typically includes:
- Bass drum with pedal - Snare drum with stand - 1–2 rack toms - 1 floor tom - Hi-hat with stand - Crash cymbal with stand - Ride cymbal with stand - Drum stool (sometimes — check before buying)
Cymbals are sometimes sold separately from the shell pack (the drums themselves). Make sure you know what's included before you buy.
Electronic kits include pads for each drum and cymbal, a sound module (the brain), and a rack to hold everything together. A kick pedal and drum throne (stool) may or may not be included.
What size kit does a beginner need?
For most beginners, a standard 5-piece kit is the right starting point — one bass drum, one snare, two rack toms, and one floor tom, plus hi-hats, crash, and ride. It covers everything you need to learn the fundamentals without overwhelming you.
For children, a junior kit with smaller shells and a lower height range is worth considering for comfort and correct posture.
How much should you spend?
A reliable beginner acoustic drum kit in Australia typically starts around $500–$800 for a shell pack, with cymbals adding another $200–$400. Budget starter packs that include everything in one box exist from around $600–$900, and these can be a practical way to get up and running quickly.
For electronic kits, entry-level mesh-head kits start around $700–$1,000 and go up significantly from there. The extra investment is usually worth it for the feel and playability.
Brands worth considering for beginners: Pearl, Mapex, Tama, Yamaha, and Roland for electronic kits.
Don't forget the accessories
New drummers often underestimate what else they need:
- Drum sticks (a pair of 5A sticks is the standard starting point) - A drum throne (stool) if it's not included - A practice pad for quiet practice - Earplugs or hearing protection — drums are loud and hearing damage is cumulative - A drum rug to keep the kit from sliding on hard floors
Come and try before you buy
At Mooloolaba Music Centre we stock acoustic and electronic drum kits across a range of budgets, from starter packs to serious setups. Our team can walk you through the options, let you sit behind the kit, and help you find the right fit.
Visit us at Shop 5, 2 Kensington Drive, Minyama QLD, open 7 days — or browse our drum range online at mooloolabamusic.com.au.