The TD516 is the better-equipped kit for drummers who will use its digital snare, hi-hat and ride, larger playing surfaces and extra outputs. The TD316 is the better-value choice for home practice and recording on a smaller budget. It already offers multichannel USB audio, so you do not need to move up to the TD516 simply to record separate tracks.
Roland TD316 vs Roland TD516 (2026) Head to Head
The Roland TD316 and TD516 are current V-Drums kits for practice, recording and performance. Their V31 and V51 modules share Roland's latest sound-engine platform, but the TD516 adds larger pads, a digital snare, digital hi-hat and digital ride. The price difference mainly buys a more advanced playing setup and additional connections.
Key Differences
The TD516 includes a 14-inch PD-140DS digital snare, 14-inch VH-14D digital hi-hat and 18-inch CY-18DR digital ride. The TD316 has a 12-inch PD-12P analogue snare, 12-inch VH-10 hi-hat and 14-inch CY-14R-T ride. The digital pads add more detailed sensing of playing position and touch; they are the main reason to consider the more expensive kit.
The TD516 has two 10-inch toms and a 12-inch tom, compared with two 8-inch toms and a 10-inch tom on the TD316. Its crashes are 12 and 14 inches, while both TD316 crashes are 12 inches.
The TD516 uses a KD-12 kick tower with a 12-inch housing and a 7.5-inch playing area. The TD316's KD-10 has a 5-inch playing area. Housing size and beater target size should not be treated as the same measurement.
The V51 has three digital-pad inputs and two direct audio outputs in addition to the main stereo outputs. The V31 has one digital-pad input and main stereo outputs. The TD516 already uses all three digital inputs for its supplied snare, hi-hat and ride.
The Roland TD316 is equipped with the V31, while the Roland TD516 uses the V51.
Key Features in Common
Both kits have mesh snare and tom pads, two chokeable crashes, a triple-zone ride and a stand-mounted hi-hat. Both modules provide Bluetooth audio and MIDI, SD-card sample import, coaching tools and Roland Cloud expansion support.
Both modules have 200 total kit slots, including more than 70 factory presets; this does not mean 200 factory kits. Each supports multichannel USB audio and MIDI. In vendor mode, the V31 sends up to 30 audio channels to a computer and the V51 sends up to 32; generic mode is stereo on both.
Setup and expansion: The TD316's smaller rack and pads suit a more compact setup. If you plan to add digital pads later, remember that the V31 supports one digital pad at a time. The TD516 supplies the complete digital trio with the V51; buying the cheaper kit and adding all three pads will not produce the same configuration.
Price and required extras: Our US Sweetwater check on 6 October 2026 showed $1,999.99 for the standard TD316 and $3,799.99 for the standard TD516, a difference of $1,800. Neither standard kit includes a kick pedal, snare stand, hi-hat stand or throne. Add those and your monitoring equipment when budgeting; retailer bundles may include different hardware.
Price Comparison Between The Roland TD316 and Roland TD516
Use the below to get up-to-date prices for both the Roland TD316 and Roland TD516
Hi-Hat
Cymbal Pads
Toms
Drum Module
Snare
Kick
Verdict
Choose the TD316 if you want modern Roland sounds, useful practice tools and direct multitrack recording at a lower price. Choose the TD516 if the digital pads, larger surfaces and additional outputs are important enough to justify the extra $1,800. The upgrade is easiest to justify for a drummer who will use those playing and routing features regularly.
For a similarly priced alternative to the TD316, see our TD316 vs Strata Core comparison.
Matt Taylor