9 Best Drum Machines of 2024

Whether you’re an experienced musician, songwriter or just a beginner, the best drum machine is one of the most important units to have in your gear arsenal.

Now is the perfect time to start looking for one because the falling prices of drum machines have made them almost as affordable as software plugins. 

If you want a perfect device for beat-making, I suggest Akai Pro MPC One+. It sits at the mid-range end of the spectrum of the best drum machines but never fails to put a huge, happy smile on my face when I’m making some cool beats.

Nonetheless, each device I reviewed here, from budget beat boxes to fully-fledged drum machines, functions as a standalone instrument, so you won’t need to hook them up to a laptop to begin creating beats. 

Here’s my full list of the best drum machine options together with a buyer’s guide to help you pick the right one. 

9 Best Drum Machines Reviews

1. Best Overall – Akai Pro MPC One+

Akai Pro MPC One+ offers the best value in music production these days due to its versatility. Even using the stock plugins can take you a long way. But for me, after using it for almost a month now, I have to say that it has completely changed how I perceive production in a very good way.

SPECS:

• Pads: 16 velocity/pressure-sensitive RGB backlit pads
• Knobs: 4 360° touch-sensitive Q-Link knobs, 1 data encoder 
• Buttons: 31 dedicated-function buttons
• Display: 7.0’’ LED-backlit touch display
• USB: USB Type-A port/USB Type-B port
• SD Card Slot: Yes

With added WiFi and Bluetooth and 16GB of onboard storage, the new MPC One+ energized my workflow by enhancing creative speed and efficiency. And of course, the red finish that separates it from other black and grey drum machines. 

The powerful multi-core processor, which is the same one featured in Akai’s flagship MPC X, is at the heart of MPC One+ too. However, One+ isn’t a scaled-down entry model, but a production unit that boasts the same DNA necessary for high-level music-making.

All in all, the MPC One+ has the same sound, functionality, and features of all the MPCs just with smaller pads and less connectivity. You get plugins, a case, an SD card, sound packs, drum kits, the MPC Bible, TRS cables, Drum kit preset maker software, and a cheap but sturdy stand. 

The Akai MPC One+ is the best bang for your buck when it comes to quality, playability and versatility.

2. Best Budget – Korg Volca Drum

Adding a Korg Volca Drum to my rhythm section has been an absolute joy. This super fun and creative percussion synthesizer creates a broader, more unique percussive palette than its predecessors. 

SPECS:

• Keyboard: 16 multi-touch trigger pads / Step keys
• Sounds: Digital
• Sequencer: Yes
• Connectivity: Sync I/O
• Analog outputs: 3.5mm stereo headphones jack
• MIDI I/O: MIDI In
• Built-in speaker: Yes

The thing that stood out for me about the Volca Drum is the in-depth multi-layer synth engine which uses a system of virtual analog oscillators, modulators, and resonators to create its percussive sounds. 

The core of the Korg Volca Drum’s character comes from its ‘Wave Guide’ resonator. I found it a bit unpredictable in the beginning, but I’m sure you will appreciate the interesting delay/repeat/echo effects you’ll arrive at with it.

Programming is very intuitive but there are a few settings that require a few additional steps to access with the edit/step button and then scrolling through by the select/parameter knob.

Sonically, I would compare it to Korg’s classic Electribes, but there’s enough fresh character here to make the Volca Drum feel like a new instrument in its own right. 

For the price, the Korg Volca Drum is the best budget drum machine capable of generating percussion sounds from almost realistic to otherworldly. 

3. Best Premium – Elektron Analog Rytm MKII

Elektron Analog Rytm MKII turned out perfect for me. I always use a digital/analog setup when producing music so I needed a drum machine with excellent sonic character and a reliable sequencer for making beats, as I wasn’t satisfied with the more affordable options I had tried before.

SPECS:

• Sounds: Analog and samples
• Send Effects: Delay/Reverb
• Master Effects: Analog stereo distortion/Analog stereo compressor
• Pads: 12 velocity/pressure-sensitive backlit pads
• Sequencer: Fully-featured step sequencer
• USB: Yes
• Display: 128 × 64 OLED screen

Elektron Analog Rytm MKII looks downright fantastic straight out of the box. The case, the buttons, and the knobs are sturdy and will stand up to abuse. But, what got to me even more was how it sounds.

At the heart of the Rytm MKII, you’ll find an excellent eight-voice analog/digital sound engine mated to the 13-track drum sequencer and corresponding drum pads which are velocity and pressure-sensitive and don’t stifle spontaneity. 

Analog sounds are amazingly tight and you get all the sonic characteristics you could possibly want, including sophisticated high-end, punchy midrange, and ample low-end presence.

As for those rumors that Elektron machines are complicated to use, I can honestly say that it took me only a few days to get a decent grip on the features. This machine arguably has one of the best user interfaces I have experienced. 

4. Best Lightweight – Roland Aira Compact T-8 Beat Machine

Roland Aira Compact T-8 Beat Machine is your perfect lightweight and compact drum machine that is fun, affordable, and easy to learn. 

SPECS:

• User Patterns: 64
• Sequencer: 6 rhythm instrument parts, 1 Bass part, 32 steps
• Effects: Delay, Reverb, Overdrive, Side Chain
• MIDI I/O: In/Out
• USB port: USB Type-C
• Power: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery

Roland Aira Compact T-8 is a six-track drum machine that includes sounds from the TR-808, TR-909, and TR-606. You also get a bass part based on the TB-303.

Features such as step loop and pattern shift enabled me to add variation to my beats. With its powerful onboard FX, advanced programming, and onboard MIDI, the Aira Compact T-8 met all my needs. 

Best of all, it comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that provides 4.5 hours of use, putting it among some of the best beat machines for your next project on the go.

5. Best for Live Performance – Roland TR-8s

With Roland TR-8s you’ll get the most out of your live performance once you understand how to mold its sonic resources with its sophisticated sound design features.

SPECS:

• User Patterns: 128
• Step Sequencer: 1 exclusive part for trigger out and 11 instrument parts 
• Effects: Yes
• SD Card: Yes
• MIDI: In/Out
• USB port: USB type B

One of the things I love so much about the Roland TR-8s drum machine is how customizable it is. I can load up my own custom samples and integrate them into the sequencer in a pinch.

Both user-uploaded and analog samples can then be fine-tuned and adjusted by the wide range of onboard parameters, including the Master FX and Delay and Master FX effects. 

However, the most appealing aspect of the TR-8s is how hands-on and tactile the user interface feels. I consider it to be the best drum machine for live performances by far. 

6. Best Classic Revamp – Arturia DrumBrute Impact

Arturia DrumBrute Impact left quite an impression when I was on the lookout for the best analog drum machine with a classic feel and sound. 

SPECS:

• Sound: True Analog 
• Pads: 8x Performance Pads, 16 x Sequence Buttons
• Sequencer: 64 steps per pattern, Song Mode for chaining patterns, Pattern Looper
• Effects: distortion
• MIDI I/O: In/Out
• USB: 1 x Type B

With Arturia DrumBrute Impact’s sequencer features, I was able to tweak my grooves and make them develop any way I wanted, not just for making 80s beats. 

I felt that the biggest change compared to the original DrumBrute’s sound engine was the introduction of a new Color mode, which let me quickly change the tonality of each sound by shift-pressing the pad underneath each channel. 

Nearly everything on this little beast is laid out for immediate access and control and the learning curve is not steep.

7. Best for Fun – Elektron Model: Samples

Elektron Model:Samples is an accessible and affordable sampler/groove box combo that features most of the Elektron superpowers and is designed to be picked up and played.

SPECS:

• Sequencer: up to 64 steps
• Effects: Delay and reverb send FX
• Memory: 64 MB sample memory
• Storage: 1GB
• USB: USB audio 2.0

This six-track groove box is arguably the most hands-on Elektron device yet, thanks to its one function per knob control panel. You can create sounds on the fly since most of the controls are tactile and intuitive. Plus, the pads are velocity-sensitive.

A full and proper sampling engine gives you the ability to take sounds and transform them beyond recognition.

With all its features, the Elektron is a great choice if you want a performance-focused sample machine that adds loads of fun to your beat making process.

8. Best 808 Emulation – Behringer RD-8 MKII

It wasn’t until I saw what Behringer RD-8 MKII did with the emulation of the original Roland TR-808 that I truly began paying attention to this brand. 

SPECS:

• Sound: Analog
• Number of sounds: 16
• Select buttons: 16 Voice select buttons 
• Sequencer: 64-Step
• MIDI: MIDI In, Out & Thru
• USB: Yes

Thanks to an all-analog circuitry that delivers responsive, period-correct audio, with the Behringer RD-8 MKII, I was able to explore a depth and breadth of timeless tones and take my recordings to the next level.

Its sound engine gives off a warm and robust character. Every element, including the kick, rim snares, and toms, sounds remarkably close to the original TR-808. I would say, most people would have a hard time finding the difference in a blind test. 

With all of that at such a price point, it’s a steal.

9. Best New Take – Polyend Play

The Polyend Play’s fresh approach to the groove box workflow works seamlessly. I admit that Polyend’s performance sampler is a bit of an oddity, but it’s certainly found a dedicated follower in me. 

SPECS:

• Sequencer: Up to 64 steps
• Effects: Reverb, Delay, Sound Enhancer, Limiter, and Saturator master
• Display: Split-screen display with 15 touch-capacitive knobs
• MIDI I/O: Yes
• USB: USB-C

The Polyend Play has a distinctive interface. The 16×8 multi-function grid that offers over 30,000 easily accessed track variations allowed me to develop my beats in some interesting ways. 

Plus, 15 touch-capacitive encoders make tweaks, sweeps, and sample editing easier.

On top of all that, there are both performance (tune, filter, overdrive, rearranger, space, and more) and master effects (reverb, delay, sound enhancer, limiter, and saturator) that’ll spice up your patterns in some really exciting ways.

Best Drum Machine Buyer’s Guide

Accessibility

Ease of use and affordability means that anyone, not just professionals can create amazing music without expensive gear, extensive training, or years of dedication. 

Moreover, their small size means that drum machines are great in terms of portability. Whether I’m in the studio or on the road, a drum machine will fit anywhere.

Type of Sound

Analog drum machines produce more natural and warmer tones than their digital counterparts. But where digital technology shines is in using samples and saving presets. 

If you’re not a seriously dedicated audiophile, don’t go for the high-end digital units as you might not hear much of a difference.

Versatility

Drum machines allow for a vast range of sound possibilities. Depending on your needs, they are perfect for different music genres from hip-hop to techno, rock, and more. 

Personally, I find the Akai Pro MPC One+ the most versatile because it allows access to Akai’s MPC software, plugins, sound packs, and drum kits so you can get creative in various music styles.

For producers, drum machines offer a way to craft beats, layer sounds, and experiment with rhythms without the need for multiple instruments.

With quality built-in sequences, drum machines can enhance your live performances, like the Roland TR-8s, allowing for real-time sound manipulation and beat adjustments.