Looking for the best kick pedals for electronic drums?
Perfect, you're in the right place!
In this insider's guide, you'll learn:
- What Are Kick Pedals For Electronic Drums (Are They Different From Regular Kick Pedals)?
- What Are The Different Types Of Kick Drum Pedals Available?
- What Should You Consider When Buying A Kick Pedal For Your Electronic Drum Kit?
- And much more!
Below is a quick list of all my top products. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to choose and use a kick drum pedal for an electronic drum set.
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
My Top Pick  | My Top Pick | Tama Iron Cobra 600 Series Single Pedal
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| View on Amazon |
Best Budget  | Best Budget | Tama HP30 Stage Master Single Pedal
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| View on Amazon |
 | DW 2000 Single Bass Drum Pedal
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| View on Amazon | |
 | Foraineam Single Pedal
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| View on Amazon | |
 | Pearl P3000D Eliminator Demon Drive Single Pedal
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| View on Amazon |
So, you’re looking for a new kick drum pedal for your electronic drum set.
Maybe you’ve bought an electronic kit and the supplied pedal is a bit rubbish (very common) or you haven’t got one at all and don’t know where to start?
Don’t worry!
In this essential guide, I will take you through everything you need to know to get the best bass drum pedal for your electronic drum, whatever your budget!
My Overall #1 Pick
Updated 3/30/2020
Tama is an institution when it comes to drums, drum hardware and kick drum pedals.
With the Tama Iron Cobra 600 series pedal, you’re getting a sturdy, incredibly well-made pedal with great feel and response, a double chain drive, loads of adjustability, and all at a price that won’t break the bank.
This is what makes this pedal My #1 Rated Pick!
Top 5 Best Kick Pedals For Electronic Drums
In a hurry? Check out my top 5 kick pedals below! Keep reading to learn more about these best kick pedals for your electronic drums.
What Are Kick Pedals For Electronic Drums (Are They Different From Regular Kick Pedals)?
Firstly, a kick drum pedal (also called bass drum pedal) that’s used on an electronic drum kit is exactly the same as one that can be used on an acoustic drum kit.
As electronic drum kits are designed to emulate everything about an acoustic drum kit, the pedals are designed to work with both…. which is especially great if you have both types of kit! (saves buying two pedals).
However, there will be some features that make some pedals better suited than others for use on an electronic drum kit, which we’ll dive into below.
Throughout this review, I’ll give you the insider knowledge to find the perfect pedal for your e-drum adventures!
What Are The Different Types Of Kick Drum Pedals Available?
Similar to drumsticks, finding the perfect kick drum pedal is a bit like finding the perfect pair of jeans...everyone is different and it takes trying a few on to know what you like.
I have used so many different pedals in my drumming life I can’t even count! I’ve had the best of the best, all the way down to your bargain-basement bodge job….and everything in between!
Through this journey of pedal ‘enlightenment’, I have worked out some consistent things that I really like and very much dislike about different pedals at different price ranges.
Let’s discuss some of the main differences in pedal features and design that will help you pick the right pedal for your electronic drum kit…
Single Vs Double
In essence, there are two types of bass drum pedals, single pedals and double pedals.
A single pedal is the most common type of pedal. It has one footboard that attaches to the rim of the bass drum (or bass drum pad) and allows you to play the bass drum with only one foot. (i.e. it has only one beater striking the head/pad at any given time).
A double pedal, however, has a second ‘slave’ pedal that attaches to a second beater via a drive shaft. This allows you to play the bass drum with both feet with two separate pedals at the same time….making for some very interesting bass drum patterns! (if you practice that is).
Double pedals can be a little trickier to set up as one of the pedals will be competing for space with the hi-hat pedal….making getting everything just where you want it a bit of a challenge.
Choosing the right pedal for you depends mostly on the music you intend to play, your playing style and your current drumming ability.
Double bass drum pedals are most commonly associated with Metal music, as this genre often incorporates lots of fast double bass drum patterns and grooves…
Here’s Thomas Lang with a great close up view of a double kick pedal in action:
Often these grooves require a much higher level of ability and co-ordination, therefore if you’re just getting into drumming I would suggest getting used to a single pedal first!
As single pedals are the most common, I will mostly be focusing on them for the purpose of this review….however, most single pedals have a double pedal version, so the reviews can often apply for both.
Drive Time
All bass drum pedals have a link that connects the footboard to the bass drum beater, allowing the energy from your foot to move the beater and strike the drumhead or pad.
This link is called a pedal ‘drive’
The type of drive will affect the overall feel and response of the pedal, as well as its durability.
In general, there are three main types of pedal drives:
- Chain Drive
- Belt Drive
- Direct Drive
1) Chain Drive
A chain drive is the most common type of drive. It’s essentially a small length of bicycle chain connecting the footboard to the beater.
Cheaper pedals will usually have one length of chain, whereas slightly more expensive pedals will reinforce with a second chain alongside to add durability and stability.
Chain drive pedals are my weapon of choice, I love the dependable and solid response I get from a dual-chain link….and they require very little maintenance or repair (bonus!).
2) Belt Drive
A belt drive is where the chain link is replaced by a solid material ‘belt’. Some drummers feel that this gives their pedals a lighter ‘feel’ and a quicker response.
In the past, belt drives have suffered from being less durable and more likely to wear out or snap than their chain counterparts. However, modern manufacturing methods have drastically improved this issue...
Personally I’ve never really got on with belt-driven pedals. Often it feels as though the pedal will suddenly accelerate at the end of the stroke as the belt tightens, which makes my kick drum accuracy suffer. Each to their own!
3) Direct Drive
Finally, a direct drive pedal uses a solid metal bridge between the footboard and beater. This allows there to be no flexing, stretching or ‘lag’ that may occur with a chain or belt.
Direct drive pedals are prized by many drummers for their immediate response and accuracy. However direct drive pedals are often much higher in price than chain or belt-driven pedals.
Personally I’ve tried many direct-drive pedals which have been incredible (and they should be for the cost!), there’s a general feeling of effortlessness and ‘air’ to the stroke….
However, for me, this leads to a slight sense of disconnection between me and the pedal. It feels like things are just too smooth, light and ‘immediate’…. I find I’m craving that reassuring ‘weight of foot’ so to speak!
Here’s a great video roundup of the different drive types with examples:
Beaters
Every kick pedal has a beater that is used to strike the drumhead or pad.
These come in many different shapes, sizes, weights and materials and different companies all have their own take on what a beater should look like!
To keep things simple, they are broadly separated into two camps: felt and rubber.
Some beaters have both (i.e one side is felt, the other rubber) allowing you to decide on which is best for you by just spinning the beater around.
As a general rule, you’ll want to use rubber on any electronic pads, especially a mesh kick pad!
Felt will wear through a mesh kick pad much quicker than rubber and you’ll find yourself shelling out for new mesh heads way more often.
I also find that using rubber (or rubber side) of a beater gives greater sensitivity on electronic drums….due to the ‘hardness’ of the strike making the e-drum sensors more accurate.
Read Also: What are the best strings for your acoustic guitar?
What Should You Consider When Buying A Kick Pedal For Your Electronic Drum Kit?
The main thing to consider when buying a kick pedal for your electric kit is budget…
Your budget will be the main determining factor in what kind of pedal you can get, however more expensive doesn’t always mean better.
In general, my favorite pedals are the ones that sit right in the ‘mid-range’ price-wise.
My #1 Top Pick is a great example.
Purchase a good solid mid-range pedal with a double chain drive, from a well-renowned manufacturer, and you can’t go far wrong!
All of the pedals in this price point will have ample ways to adjust the playing feel to suit your playing style too. (Most noticeably is being able to adjust the spring tension and beater angle, which can have an immediate effect on how the pedal plays.)
That being said if you are on a tight budget there are options that will work great and allow you to get up and playing quickly with minimal fuss….until you’re ready to upgrade!
My Reviews Of The Best Kick Pedals For Electronic Drums
Aimed at the entry-level market I don’t think you could find a better offering at this price anywhere else.
That’s what makes this pedal my ‘Best Budget’ choice!
Pros
- Affordable
- Reliable
- Made by a well-renowned manufacturer
Cons
- Single chain drive
DW 2000 Single Bass Drum Pedal
Similar to Tama, DW have an excellent reputation for quality in everything they make.
I personally own an old DW 4000 double pedal that I bought when I was 14 (some *cough* few years ago) that has taken a beating and is still going strong!
This pedal is a notch up from the more budget-friendly single-chain drive pedals out there.
Most noticeable is the inclusion of a solid metal base plate, instead of the thin bars common with cheaper pedals.
This gives greater stability when playing and makes the pedal more durable overall.
A great option for drummers looking to upgrade from an entry-level pedal...
Pros
- Well made
- Reliable
- Adjustable
- Made by a well-renowned manufacturer
Cons
- Single chain drive
- Slightly pricier than similar offerings
Tama Iron Cobra 600 Series Single Pedal
For the price you can’t go wrong, making this pedal ‘My #1 Pick!’
Pros
- Great features for the price
- Dual-chain drive
- Solid manufacture
- Reliable
Cons
- Not much at this price point!
Foraineam Single Bass Drum Pedal
If you’re looking for an incredibly wallet-friendly option for a kick pedal then look no further.
This pedal is ideal for people on an extremely low budget that want something that will function as pedal and do the job until they can upgrade to something more substantial.
It works, but don’t expect any frills at this price range!
Personally I would splash out slightly more cash for the Tama HP30, it’ll serve you better in the long run...
Pros
- Very Affordable
Cons
- Cheap construction
- Unstable
- Some issues with quality control reported
Pearl is another well-renowned manufacturer of bass drum pedals and drum hardware (as well as great drums!).
The Demon Drive range of pedals are their flagship pedals, aimed to be the best of the rest.
This pedal is an excellent example of quality craftsmanship, great playability with top-notch design and components.
However, be prepared to re-mortgage your house to pay for the privilege. It includes a built-in drum key holder which is a nice touch.
Pros
- Incredibly well made
- High-quality components
- Direct drive
- Very adjustable
Cons
- Expensive
- Direct drive not to everyone’s taste
Extra Pick: PDP DW 400 Series Double Pedal
For all those Metalheads out there, here’s a great budget-friendly option 'PDP By DW 400 Series Double Pedal' to get those blast beats going!
Made by PDP, which is owned by DW, it has many features of higher-end double kick drum pedals for a much lower price….a great place to start if you want to get into the world of double bass!
Final Thoughts On Kick Drum Pedals For Electronic Drums
So there you have it!
A comprehensive list of some of the best pedal options to suit any budget.
Whether you need that starter pedal to get you up and running or are looking for something more robust to see you through many years of playing… I’ve got you covered!
Remember pricier doesn’t always mean better! If you stick to some of the advice in this article you can’t go too far wrong.
Check out similar alternatives by Yamaha, Mapex and Sonor…. they all make fantastic pedals for varying budgets.
