So you have thrown the stigma against electronic drums to the wayside and acquired for yourself a fine e-drum set. That is great. However, it is only half the battle.
Having a great set of electronic drums without an equally great amplifier is not enough.
Luckily, you have come to the right place if you are searching for a good electronic drum amp. And believe me: you will need one.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Amps For Electronic Drums
- OUR TOP PICK: Coolmusic 100W
- RUNNER-UP: ddrum DDA50
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Coolmusic DK-35 35watts
Table of Contents
Can Any Amp Be Used For Electronic Drums?
The quick answer: yes, technically, though it is not recommended.
The long answer: any amplifier can work with any electronic drum kit so long as both have the appropriate ports and chords. That being said, using any amp other than one specifically made for an electronic drum set makes for poorer sound quality and overall performance. Acoustic amps, for example, can definitely be used with electronic drums, but the sound output has been calibrated and optimized for… well, an acoustic instrument.
Using an amp that is not meant for electronic drums also means that you are effectively bypassing the drums’ own preamp. You will have less control over the sound.
How to Choose an Amp
Choosing the best amp for you can certainly be a daunting task by itself. With so many options and so many different factors to consider, you may feel more than a little overwhelmed. But it is all okay; you are not alone in this. We have here a short, concise list of things you should consider before you make your decision.
Affordability
You probably knew this one was coming, but that does not make it any less important. You need to know your budget before you go hunting for that perfect amp. After all, you do not want to set your heart on an amp only to later find out that it is way out of your price range.
But affordability does not only apply to how much money you are willing to spend. It also means that you should consider how much an amp costs in relation to other amps. This can also help you gauge whether or not forking up that extra twenty bucks will be worth it.
Quality
Here is the other most important thing. You will want an amp that is going to make you sound really good and not like a dying pigeon. Whether you want to perform on stage or in a studio somewhere, you are always going to want to make sure that your amp complements your sound.
Durability
Finally, you should consider how durable the amp is. You cannot be spending money every few months on a new amp. You need to make sure that the amp you choose is durable and sturdy, and that it will not blow up when you use it for too long.
Comparison Chart of the Best Amps For Electronic Drums
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Our Top Pick  |
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Best Budget Option  |
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Review of the Best Amps For Electronic Drums
So now that you know what you should be looking for, you can peruse the options we have selected. Below is a list of what we consider to be the best electronic drum amps at the beginning of 2020. You will also find that three of them are subtitled with an “award” that we have deemed appropriate.
Best Overall:
Coolmusic 100W
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Many buyers have cited the overall quality as what makes this a worthwhile device. The sound is mostly loud without being too harsh, as well as clear. Another feature that is spoken highly of is its Bluetooth capabilities. The amp works perfectly with most electronic drums, though others require an additional cable in order to be plugged in.
Why it Stands Out to Us
You already know that we consider this one to be the best amp for electronic drums overall. That is because we think that the potential quality of the sound coupled with a reasonable price (and a few other features) make this a versatile, easy-to-use amp -- and not just for electronic drums either. It is perfectly capable of supporting any instrument you can plug into it.
Who Will Use This Most
This amp can pretty much be used by anyone thanks to its versatility and numerous features. A lot of teenagers enjoy this one in particular, however, because of the Bluetooth functionality. We reckon that anyone just starting out -- or even someone a little bit more experienced -- will have a good time with this product.
Bottom Line
This is a solid device with a lot to offer to both newcomers and experienced players alike. Its ease-of-use and versatility prevent frustration, while the option of Bluetooth connectivity is a most welcome addition in this day and age when pretty much any electronic device has Bluetooth. It is a great product on its own, and it is the best one overall from our list.
Runner-up:
ddrum DDA50
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Many buyers have said that the sound output of this device, in particular, is what prevents it from being a truly great amp. The sound tends to falter at higher volumes, and also has trouble in delivering a good sound when a device other than one from ddrum is hooked up. The choice of having headphones plugged in, however, is a welcome addition to many.
Why it Stands Out to Us
So why did we give this one the award for runner-up? Well, quite simply, it is not as good as our first choice, the Coolmusic. The sound output is poorer and particularly struggles with instruments not purchased from ddrum. Still, this is still a versatile enough amp that you should be able to find some use out of it, even if it is just for practice.
Who Will Use This Most
This amp is best suited for use in practice, not so much performance. Any professional who just wants a small amp to keep in his or her garage as a backup would find this one useful. Because of its small size and usually decent sound-output, this amp would also be a good starter for amateurs or anyone else looking to get into electronic instrumentation.
Bottom Line
It may not be the loudest amp on the stage, but this is still a good device in its own right. If you are not planning on taking to the stage anytime soon, this may be the right amp for you. The MP3 output capabilities are also an excellent addition.
Best for the Money:
COOLMUSIC DK-35 35watts
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Unfortunately, more than a few buyers have complained about this device’s inability to handle higher volumes. Because of that, many report that this amp is far better suited for practice or small gigs. Anything bigger and louder would certainly cause the amp to fail. This is why it is more aimed towards beginners or those looking for a simple practice amp.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Although the sound quality is admittedly inferior to the previous devices we have mentioned, its price is what really stands out to us. It is an affordable amp, which unfortunately (in this case, at least) means the quality suffers. Still, we reckon anyone looking to practice their drumming would be able to get some good mileage out of this one.
Who Will Use This Most
The COOLMUSIC DK-35’s lack of potential sound output pretty much locks its use into one area. If you are going to be practicing or playing at a small gig, you would be able to use this device well. The low price also seems to aim this amp at newcomers or amateurs who have not quite found their footing yet or are not sure of what they want from their sound.
Bottom Line
The price is this amp’s saving grace. Of the option we have listed so far, this one is of the lowest quality, but the low price keeps it higher up on the list. You get what you pay for, and while that may not be what our favorite option offers, it is great for beginners.
4. KAT Percussion 50 Watt Amplifier
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Unlike the previous two devices, a lot of buyers have been quite happy with their KAT. This may simply be due to lower expectations from this product, but nonetheless, there have been very few complaints towards it. Also, most of these buyers use this solely for practice purposes; take what they say with a grain of salt.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We think this may be the best amp you can get your hands on for small rooms or practice purposes. A lot of the previous amps were not specifically made for this function, but the KAT is. Although its potential sound output is not very high, it excels at lower to mid-range frequencies.
Who Will Use This Most
It is probably a cliche by now to say that anyone looking for an amp to use for practice would find this device to be perfectly capable. It is a bit more expensive than some other devices, so it would only be worth investing in if you are absolutely serious about playing electronic drums.
Bottom Line
Its potential sound output may not be all that high but the KAT more than excels at what it is good at: capturing low to mid-range frequencies. The price is worth it if you want something good to practice with. Just do not expect it to be able to handle higher volumes.
5. Alesis Strike Amp 12
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Luckily, we are rounding off our list with an amp whose buyers all sing its praises. Consumers cite its volume and design as its two best features.
Why it Stands Out to Us
With 2000 watts of peak power, this is easily the most powerful device on our list. Its high volume capabilities, as well as its versatility, make this a great device for most people who want controllable power behind their electronic drums.
Who Will Use This Most
Finally, an amp we can recommend to people who are looking to do more than just practice. Similar to the first device on our list (Coolmusic 100W), this amp can be used both in practice and performance thanks to the high quality of its sound output. We can recommend this to anyone with an electronic drum set.
Bottom Line
This is a fine amp, and we would gladly recommend this to anyone with an electronic drum kit. It can be difficult to maneuver (it is bloody heavy) and is a little pricey, but you can rest assured that you would be paying for nothing but exceptional quality.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Now that you have seen our picks for the top amps for electronic amps, you can start considering a few other things before you make your purchase.
Budget
We are mentioning this again just to remind you. Be sure of what you are prepared to spend. That being said, do not expect a professional quality amp if you are only willing to pay for one better suited for practice.
Use
You should think about what this amp is going to be used for before you buy it. If you only need one for practice, there is no need to pay for an expensive, professional-quality amp. Conversely, if you want something a bit more professional, look at the amps with features better suited for that.
Style of Music
Yes, this is something you should consider. If you want to play something a bit more heavy metal, you do not want an amp that can barely handle softcore adult rock. Likewise, if you are playing something a bit slower and softer, there would be no need in getting an amp meant for thunderous resonation.
Conclusion
We have done our part and now the rest is up to you. Hopefully, you feel a bit more equipped now to make the right purchase. If not, give us some feedback on what we could have done to better prepare you.
Just kidding. Don’t do that. That was just a clever pun to end with!
