Looking for the best drumsticks for your electronic drum set?
Perfect, you're in the right place! In my latest expert drum guide you'll learn:
- What are Drumsticks For Electronic Drums? (are they different from normal drumsticks)
- What Drumsticks Are Right For You?
- What Are The Different Types Of Drumsticks?
- What Should You Look For In Drumsticks For Electronic Drums
- My Top 5 Picks (From My Personal Experience)
And much more!
Below is a quick list of my top products. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to choose and use drumsticks for electronic drums.
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
My Top Pick  | My Top Pick | Vic Firth American Classic 5A Nylon Tip
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| View on Amazon |
Best Budget  | Best Budget | Vic Firth 5A Nylon Nova Drumsticks
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| View on Amazon |
Best High-End  | Best High-End | Promark Classic 5A ActiveGrip Drumsticks
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| View on Amazon |
 | Zildjian 5A Nylon Black Dip Drumsticks
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| View on Amazon | |
 | AmazonBasics 5A Drumsticks
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| View on Amazon |
My Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated 3/29/2020
If you’re looking for a great feeling, affordably priced and durable pair of sticks for your electronic drum set then look no further than the Vic Firth American Classic series drumsticks.
All Vic Firth American Classic sticks are made of high-quality Hickory and pitch paired to ensure both sticks are the exact same weight and tone.
These are my go to sticks for any application and they are always consistent from pair to pair, feel great and last for ages… and I hit hard!
Top 5 Best Drumsticks For Electronic Drums
In a hurry? Check out my top 5 drumsticks below! Keep reading to learn more about these best drumsticks for your electronic drums.
What Are Drumsticks For Electronic Drums (are they different from regular drumsticks)?
Essentially, No!
Drumsticks that you use on electronic drum sets are the same as the ones you use on a normal acoustic drum kit.
However, there are some things that you may want to take into consideration when buying drumsticks for an electronic kit that may differ from an acoustic kit.
What Drumsticks Are Right For Me?
Drumsticks are like gloves. A drumstick that’s great for me might not work for you!
The right drumstick for you depends on your hand size, the music you play, how hard you hit and even the colour you like.
Over the years I’ve tried hundreds (yes, literally hundreds!) of different sticks looking for ‘the one’.
I’ve tried sticks ranging from heavy to light, small to big, maple, hickory, oak, nylon tip, wood tip…..you get the idea!
Due to this massive choice available to drummers, choosing the right drumsticks can seem like a daunting task.
Don’t fear!
In this essential guide, I will take you through everything you need to know about picking the right drumsticks for your musical adventures on electronic drums.
What Are The Different Types Of Drumsticks?
Before you can choose your ‘perfect pair’, you need to understand what can differ from drumstick to drumstick...
Drumstick Size
When searching for drumsticks you’ll notice that they’ll have a number and letter next to their name (for example 5A).
This letter and number combination tell you the weight (number) and diameter (letter) of the drumsticks.
There are 3 most common ‘series’ of weights
7-series
Generally used for lighter/quieter playing and people with smaller hands. A pair of 7A sticks will be smaller in diameter than 7B.
I tend to use 7A’s when I’m playing very small venues or quiet gigs. Also, a pair of 7A’s would be a great choice for kids!
5-series
The most common and ‘middle of the road’ series of sticks. Usually available in 5A and 5B (5B’s being thicker).
If you’re new to drumming I would start with a 5A pair of sticks...a great, generic all-purpose stick.
2-series
Tree trunks anyone?
2A and 2B drumsticks are for those who like to hit hard (rawk!), play heavy music or have incredibly large hands (not me).
Generally I wouldn’t advise using them on an electric kit as you may risk damaging the pads or adding excessive wear.
Drumstick Tip
There are two different types of drumstick tips, Wooden tips and Nylon tips. If you see an ‘N’ at the end of a drumstick name (e.g 5aN) they will have Nylon tips.
Drumstick tips are a topic of much debate in drumming circles about which is best. I always use wood tip sticks on acoustic drums as I prefer the sound…..
However, I would recommend using Nylon tips on electronic drum kits as they are more durable and tend to cause slightly less wear on the pads or mesh heads.
It doesn’t mean wooden tips are bad at all however, and shouldn’t be ruled out when making your choice.
Drumstick material
Most drumsticks are made of wood.
However, they can also be made of carbon fibre and metal...to be avoided!
In general, you can’t go wrong with a good solid pair of Hickory wood drumsticks. Hickory is the most popular wood for making drumsticks, it’s durable, malleable and a good density.
What Should I Look For In Drumsticks For Electronic Drums?
So now that we know more about what makes up drumsticks, we can explore the desired characteristics that suit playing on an electronic drum kit…
I would recommend a ‘middle of the road’ type stick in terms of weight and diameter.
A 5A sized pair of Hickory sticks will feel comfortable in the hands without being so bulky they’ll be hard to manoeuvre, or so big that they’ll excessively wear or damage your electronic drum heads.
Also to reduce excessive wear even further, whilst adding durability, I would recommend choosing a pair of sticks with a Nylon tip, but this not essential, wood tipped sticks are also still fine.
Great! So now we know what the ideal stick is for an electronic kit….let’s have a look at some of the options to find the best of the rest….
Read Also: What are the best strings for your acoustic guitar?
My Reviews Of The Best Drumsticks For Electronic Drums
They incorporate a black ‘dip’, which is essentially a rubberised coating to aid with grip...perfect for people with sweaty hands!
Pros
- Well made
- Durable
- Rubberised ‘dip’ coating for extra grip
Cons
- Higher price point
- ‘Dip’ coating not to everyone’s taste
Vic Firth 5A Nylon Nova Drumsticks
Pros
- Well made
- Affordable
- Durable
- Hickory
Cons
- Not much at this price point!
Vic Firth American Classic 5A Nylon Tip
If you want a stick that feels great to play, will last a long time and will feel exactly the same from stick to stick, then look no further than the American Classic series.
Pros
- Very well made
- Pitch paired
- Great feel
- Widely available
Cons
- Slightly higher price point
Promark Classic 5A ActiveGrip Drumsticks
And the proof is in some of the professional drummers that use them (Benny Greb, Simon Phillips and the late great Neil Peart, to name a few!).
These sticks are coated with Promark’s heat-activated ‘Activegrip’ technology, which makes the sticks more grippy the warmer they get….helping you keep those sticks in your hands during those extra sweaty jam sessions!
However this technology does come at a cost...
Pros
- Well made
- Experienced stick company
- Active-grip technology
- Cool look
Cons
- Expensive
- Active-grip feel may not suit everyone
They aren’t very durable and won’t be very consistent stick to stick.
If you could afford to stretch slightly more with your budget, I would recommend the Vic Firth Nova series as an alternative.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Lightweight - good for young children
Cons
- Not very durable
- Unfinished feel
- Poor consistency
Final Thoughts On The Best Drumsticks For Electronic Drums
So there you have it! Hopefully you’re now clued up on the right drumsticks for your electronic drum kit needs.
Whether you need some super cheap pairs to get you started, or you’re a pro looking to invest in a quality pair that’ll last you a long time... these options will be a great place to start!
