The right electronic drums should be matched with the right drumsticks to create the perfect beat. Generally, you don’t get the sticks with a new electronic drum set since the sticks are generally not included. They will need to be purchased separately. Nowadays, there are already tons of drumsticks available on the market. Yet, not every drumstick available on the market is suitable for your needs. So, how do you find the best drumsticks for electronic drums?

Is it your intention to start practicing and playing right away after you have purchased a brand new electronic drum set? Perhaps you just need to replace the old drumsticks you’ve been using for years? It doesn’t matter what the reason is; we all know that using the right musical instruments can allow you to achieve the desired tones and master the instrument in a shorter period of time than without them. Having so many options on the market today, however, one must sift through them all to find the best drumsticks for electronic drums by putting in the time, effort, and patience necessary. Thus, we went to the trouble of searching and reviewing all the best drumsticks for electronic drums.

Criteria For Buying Best Drumsticks For Electronic Drums/ Buyer’s Guide:

In case you just bought your electronic drum kit, you’re likely searching for the right set of sticks to complete it. However, you’ve probably found that there are a lot of options to choose from—the length, diameter, taper, tip, material, and so forth. If you’re just starting out on your epic drumming journey, you’ll find that there is a wealth of information available to you. It can be challenging to pick through all of it. As a result, we’ve put together this blog to help explain the types of sticks you will need to play an electronic drum set.

Material:

It is likely that you will end up holding a set of sticks made of hickory since it is the most popular material for sticks. There are many other types of wood used for making sticks, and, aside from hickory trees, anyone can use any of these to play an electronic drum kit. Additionally, carbon-fiber sticks, as well as plastic sticks, are available on the market as well. They should not be used to play an electronic kit since they are pretty stiff and may cause damage to the electronics if played. As a matter of fact, one of the benefits of playing with an electronic kit is that wooden sticks will last longer than plastic or metal ones.

Diameter:

The sticks should be a comfortable fit in your hands, and they should fit snugly in the palms of your hands, regardless of whether you’re playing an acoustic instrument or an electronic one. Generally speaking, you should not pick a too thick or too thin stick, so a set of 5As makes the best starting point. The diameter of 5As is well below average and is usually considered the standard. But if they feel thicker, try out the 7A. The best way to find out what suits you best is to experiment with a few different thicknesses.

Length:

Length is another thing you need to experiment with. Generally, for electronic drums, 16 inches is considered the average size. On the whole, length variation affects the center of gravity and your balance.

Taper:

The ‘taper’ refers to the gradual change in thickness of a stick as it rises from the bottom end to the tip. Although it may not seem so, there is actual evidence that the taper of the stick has just as much effect on the balance of the stick as the length does. In addition to the taper, the amount of return of the stick from the skin is also affected by the taper (how much the stick bounces back from the skin). For best results, the taper should be medium for electronic kits.

Tip:

Various sizes and shapes are available at the tip of a stick for playing. You can immediately hear the impact of the drum stick tip shape and material when playing an acoustic kit. On an electronic kit, this has no effect whatsoever. Furthermore, when playing an electronic kit, you cannot tell if a thick or thin stick creates a different sound since most electronic kits simply trigger a sample when the skin hits them. Therefore, whatever tip or thickness you choose is not essential, but wooden tips tend to cause more wear on electronic drums fitted with mesh heads. A damaged tip is also a bad idea because this might tear the mesh head. On mesh-head drums, nylon-tipped drumsticks are a bit easier to use, although you could use wooden drumsticks as long as you don’t damage them.

Now that you know what to look for, let’s move on to the best drumsticks for electronic drums.

Top Picks:

Zildjian 5A Nylon DIP Drumsticks:

Lightweight, versatile, flexible, and coating can come in different colors. What’s not to like?

Vater 5A Nylon Tip Hickory Drum Sticks:

A well-balanced and responsive drumstick will do half of the work for you.

Vic Firth American Classic 5A Drum Sticks:

Best choice for beginners.

Best Drumsticks For Electronic Drums:

1. Zildjian 5A Nylon DIP Drumsticks:

Normal:

Black Color:

Bundle:

The first entry on this list of best drumsticks for electronic drums is the famous Zildjian 5A Nylon Dip drumsticks. Zildjian is known to be a reputable brand, and these nylon sticks are no different from than wooden ones on this list. Additionally, the black variation of these sticks is stunning, with golden letters. Your aesthetics will also be satisfied with this one.

Specs:

• Brand: Zildjian
• Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Dimensions: 16 x 0.56 x 0.56 inches
• Size/Diameter: 5A
• Material: Wood
• Tip: Nylon

Key Features:

• DIP coating for the comfortable gripping surface on the grip area
• Designed for all types of music
• Suitable for beginners and professionals

Pros:

• Versatile
• Flexible, capable of producing sound for any type of music
• Comfortable and tacky grip area due to DIP coating
• Lightweight
• Durable

Cons:

• DIP coating will only last for 10 to 12 one-hour music sessions, after which they could blister your hands. Same for sessions with sweaty hands.

2. Vater 5A Nylon Tip Hickory Drum Sticks (VH5AN):

Pair:

 

Bundle:

Sticks made by Vater are well known. Although other brands are also excellent, Vater is the go-to choice for many drummers.

VH5AN drumsticks are made of hickory with nylon tips and are standard 5A drumsticks. They are 16″ long and 0.57″ thick—excellent balance, but heavier at the tip. In addition to providing the stick with the right amount of precision, it helps it bounce very quickly from the pad. You can use these to play with players with a lighter touch, but you can also use them to play with heavy hitters.

There are no drawbacks to this model. Veter is an excellent brand. The sticks are durable and easy to handle. The feel is great when playing, and they are priced about the same as other professional brands. Overall, it is one of the best drumsticks for electronic drums.

Specs:

• Brand: Vater
• Weight: 4 ounces
• Dimensions: 15.7 x 1.7 x 1.6 inches
• Size/Diameter: 5A
• Material: Hickory Wood
• Tip: Nylon

Key Features:

• Length: 16″
• Diameter: 0.570″
• Heavier toward the tip for a good response doesn’t let you do all the work

Pros:

• Well balanced
• Fast attack
• Responsive
• Sturdy, durable

Cons:

• None so far

3. Vic Firth American Classic 5A Drum Sticks:

Classic Pair:

Nylon Tip:

Classic Bundle:

 

Black Color Bundle:

This design was the result of the idea of creating a drumstick that is specially designed for playing electronic drums but at the same time is able to behave on a standard acoustic drum set. Thus, we get our next entry from Vic Firth. This is another brand that deserves to be on the list of best drumsticks for electronic drums.

The tip of the STICK is one of the characteristics that make it unique. In fact, it is shaped like some vintage drumstick models that were found in the past. There is a broader area of contact with a drum pad with a wider stick, so in theory, electronic drum triggers should perform better under a wider stick than a regular stick.

Specs:

• Brand: Vic Firth
• Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Dimensions: 16 x 0.57 x 0.57 inches
• Size/Diameter: 5A
• Material: Hickory Wood
• Tip: Wood, Nylon (Also available)
• Series: American Classic
• Surface Coating: Lacquer

Key Features:

• Diameter : .565″ | 1.44cm
• Length : 16″ | 40.64cm
• Taper : Medium

Pros:

• Tear drop tip to produce rich cymbal sounds
• Well balanced
• Best for beginners

Cons:

• Not for heavy-handed use

4. Zildjian 7A Nylon Anti-Vibe Drumsticks:

Zildjian makes not only splendid cymbals but also excellent sticks. And the nest product for the list of best drumsticks for electronic drums is from this brand.

Anti-vibe series sticks were designed to reduce vibrations in the hand while using them. A few inches of rubber were attached to the backs of the drumsticks to accomplish this. The sticks are supposed to be more comfortable to play with, but the decision as to whether or not you prefer this design to the traditional sticks is yours.

Those who play a lot will benefit from an anti-vibe 7A. The drumsticks are 15.5″ long and 0.520″ thick, making them shorter, thinner, and lighter than most drumsticks on the market, making them an appealing choice for soft players while heavy hitters may be disappointed. You don’t have to worry because Zildjian makes the same series in 5A and 5B models, so most drummers can find the drum that suits them best.

Specs:

• Brand: Zildjian
• Weight: 3.98 ounces
• Dimensions: 15.5 x 15.5 x 1 inches
• Size/Diameter: 7A
• Material: Hickory Wood
• Tip: Nylon
• Surface Coating: Lacquer
• Tip Shape: Round

Key Features:

• Thinner than 5A
• Nylon tip
• Round trip

Pros:

• Suitable for any style of music
• Great articulation
• Well balanced
• Light in feel and touch

Cons:

• None so far

5. Zildjian Super 7A Maple Green And Orange DIP Drumsticks:

Green Dip:

Orange Dip:

We have already established that Zildjian sticks are superb. However, this particular model caught our eye not for its qualities but due to its color.

The beautiful green DIP is fantastic, and the orange is one is not that far behind. That is not to say that this pair is only worth its aesthetics and beauty because its features and qualities do qualify it to be one of the best drumsticks for electronic drums. After all, why limit yourself to quality when you can also have beauty.

Specs:

• Brand: Zildjian
• Weight: 0.704 ounces
• Dimensions: 16 x 1.25 x 0.63 inches
• Size/Diameter: 7A
• Material: MAple
• Tip: Maple
• Tip Shape: Round
• Taper: Medium

Key Features:

• Diameter : .525″ | 1.33cm
• Length : 16″ | 40.64cm
• DIP available in beautiful green and orange

Pros:

• Green and orange color DIPS are excellent, especially green
• Produces darker tones
• Provides softer feel
• Lightweight

Cons:

• Not great for those who are not used to DIP coated grips.

6. Ubblove Drumsticks 5A:

Ubblove is known for its colorful drumsticks that sound great on acoustic drums. But that does not mean that they did not have any success with sticks for electronic drum sets. And the 5A model is proof of that.

There is no doubt they are durable. They are also very lightweight. You can easily use them in your hands, and they are comfortable to hold in your hands. One thing you should keep in mind is that they are not very dense, so they will create a shallow level of sound.

But the best thing about these is that they come with an anti-slip grip; they also come in natural and different color variations. Overall, this is one of the best drumsticks for electronic drum sets for beginners.

Specs:

• Brand: Ubblove
• Weight: 8 ounces
• Dimensions: 16.14 x 0.59 x 0.98 inches
• Size/Diameter: 5A
• Material: Walnut Wood
• Tip: wood (walnut)

Key Features:

• Anti-slip handles
• Classic feel
• Suitable for kids

Pros:

• Resilient
• Responsive
• It comes in different colors
• Sturdy
• Made for rock bands and jazz music

Cons:

• Not suitable for cardio drumming

7. ProMark Classic Forward 5A Hickory Drumsticks:

Oval Tip:

Nylon Tip:

links available for bundles on these same links for both.

ProMark is one of the world’s most well-known manufacturers of drumsticks, mallets, and percussion accessories, having been around for over half a century. Since its introduction, its 5A has been one of the bestselling sticks for all types of music due to its highly well-balanced design and length. It also provides a brighter and more articulate sound with its oval tips, especially the nylon tip. In terms of drumsticks, hickory is the most commonly used wood due to its resilience, responsiveness, and durability.

It checks all the boxes for being one of the best drumsticks for electronic drums.

Specs:

• Brand: Promark
• Weight: 2.11/4 ounces (for different tips)
• Dimensions: 15.7 x 1.7 x 1.6 inches
• Size/Diameter: 5A
• Material: Hickory
• Tip: wood, Nylon
• Tip shape: oval

Key Features:

• Diameter: 0.551″ in
• Length: 16″ in
• Pitch perfected

Pros:

• Designed for all genres of music
• Responsive
• Classic feel
• Precisely cut

Cons:

• You will get mixed reviews on Amazon.

8. Donner Drum Sticks, 5A Drumsticks Classic Maple Wood:

When you want to use a drumstick on your electronic drum set, you want to be 100% sure that it won’t damage your set. Donner 5A drumsticks ensure that. Additionally, this is one of those environmentally friendly options with no toxins or odors, so this is indeed the best drumstick for electronic drums for climate-conscious people.

The wonders don’t end there. These sticks are durable, resilient, and made with utmost care that will translate to your playing.

Specs:

• Brand: Donner
• Weight: 12 ounces
• Dimensions: 16.34 x 1.38 x 1.97 inches
• Size/Diameter: 5A
• Material: Maple wood
• Tip: Wood
• Tip shape: Drop-shaped
• No-slip surface polish

Key Features:

• Environmental friendly, non-toxic option
• It comes in different colors
• 2 pairs in a carrying bag and a 30-day warranty

Pros:

• Comfortable for long playing sessions
• User-friendly design
• Suitable for all; from beginners to professionals
• lightweight

Cons:

• Very light and does not gives a professional feel.

9. LA Specials 5A Hickory Drumsticks:

Classic:

Nylon Tip:

Finally, we are ending the list of best drumsticks for electronic drum sets with another entry from Promark. Ad this is their famous LA Special Line. Made with the utmost care and precision, the LA Special 5A sticks are durable, comfortable, and easy to use. These come in both hickory and nylon tips, so you also get different options to choose from.

Specs:

• Brand: Promark LA Specials line
• Weight: 8 ounces
• Dimensions: 16 x 0.55 x 0.5 inches
• Size/Diameter: 5A
• Material: Hickory Wood
• Tip: Nylon, Wood (hickory)

Key Features:

• Made for both acoustic and electronic drums
• 16” in length with a 0.551” in diameter
• Suitable for studio recording and Live

Pros:

• Amazing response
• Excellent rebound
• Comfortable feel
• Resilient, durable

Cons:

• No playing like a caveman

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Do you need special drumsticks for electronic drums?

Ans: There are many different types of drumsticks, all of which can be used with electronic drums. There is a possibility. However, the wood tips on drumsticks may split or damage the electronic drumheads, especially those made out of mesh.

Q: Can you use wooden drumsticks on electric drums?

Ans: It’s likely that, at some point, you will find yourself with a set of hickory sticks in your hands since the vast majority of sticks are made from hickory. You can actually use any of these stick kinds, including hickory, to play an electronic drum kit. There are quite a few other kinds of wood used to make sticks, however, make sure that it is not very heavy and thick for the mesh heads.

Q: What is the difference between nylon and wood tip drumsticks?

Ans: Generally, nylon tips have a brighter sound than wood tips, and they tend to have more force and bounce to them. Additionally, nylon tips on drums and cymbals produce a harder or sharper attack, while wooden tips produce a softer, warmer tone. You can purchase drum sticks with nylon tips if you’re looking for the most affordable option.

Q: What drumsticks should I use for electronic drums?

Ans: The use of heavier drumsticks on electronic drums is not recommended. Electronic drums tend to be a bit more fragile in comparison with acoustic drums. Thus, try to find lightweight drumsticks, like the ones made of hickory wood or maple wood, with a sleek and long shape. These types of drumsticks work best for electronic drums.

Conclusion:

And there you have it, our list of best drumsticks for electronic drums. Drumsticks are accessories, so if you are not a teenager paying out of your meager paycheck, you can actually experiment with different types. Nevertheless, it is something that you are going to use on your drum sets, and electronic at that with mesh heads. When purchasing drumsticks, you should be cautious.

Related Posts:

1. Best Electronic Drum Set
2. Best Drum Set For Beginners