Please note, if you click and make a purchase through links on our site, we may receive a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Which is Better?

Head-to-head, the Alesis Nitro Max is a superior electronic drum with larger pads, Bluetooth connectivity, and more sounds & kits to play around with, bringing excellent value to the table. That being said, the AED-400 is still a good option to consider, especially if budget is your main issue.

Alesis Nitro Max Kit vs AODSK AED-400 (2025) Head to Head

Alesis Nitro Max

The Alesis Nitro Max and AODSK AED-400 are two entry-level, budget-friendly e-drum kits that differ in several ways. Which one is better than the other solely depends on a player's preference, needs, and budget.

Key Differences

The Nitro Max has a kick tower as opposed to the trigger pedal on the AED-400, offering a more realistic kick-playing experience.

The Nitro Max has larger cymbal pads with a choke feature for better playability.

The Nitro Max also has larger tom pads and a larger, dual-zone snare pad, making it a more well-rounded and better-sounding kit.

In terms of versatility, the Nitro Max leads again with more sounds & kits and Bluetooth connectivity.

The Nitro Max also allows for onboard recording of internal sounds and has 2 additional pad/cymbal inputs for expanding the kit.

The Alesis Nitro Max is equipped with the Nitro Max Drum Module, while the AODSK AED-400 uses the AED-400.

Kick Type
Tower
Trigger Pedal
Snare Pad Size
10-inch
6.5-inch
Number of Sounds
440
150
Drum Module Name
Nitro Max Drum Module
AED-400
Bluetooth Connection
Yes
No

Key Features in Common

Both kits have an all-mesh design.

Both kits have a 1/8"-inch AUX input.

Both have a MIDI-over-USB connection.

Lastly, both have a metronome function for practice.

MIDI Connectivity
MIDI-over-USB
MIDI-over-USB

Check out the Alesis Nitro Max in action.

And here's a video of the AODSK AED-400.

Price Comparison Between The Alesis Nitro Max and AODSK AED-400

Use the below to get up-to-date prices for both the Alesis Nitro Max and AODSK AED-400

Alesis Nitro Max
We have included a head-to-head comparison of the specs and features on both the Alesis Nitro Max and AODSK AED-400.

Hi-Hat

Hi-Hat Size (Inches)
10-inch
8-inch
Hi-Hat Type
Electronic hi-hat pedal
Electronic hi-hat pedal

Cymbal Pads

Ride Cymbal Pad Size (Inches)
10-inch
8-inch
Ride Cymbal Zones
Single-Trigger
Single-Trigger
Number of Crash Cymbal Pads
1
1
Crash Cymbal Sizes
10"
8"
Crash cymbal choke
Yes
No

Toms

Tom pad sizes
8", 8", 8"
6.5"
Number of Tom Pads
3
3
Tom Pad Material
Mesh
Rubber
Tom Zones
Single-Zone
Single-Zone

Drum Module

Number of Sounds
440
150
Drum Module Name
Nitro Max Drum Module
AED-400
Additional Features
60 built-in play-along tracks, performance recorder
-
Display
Backlid LED
-
Bluetooth Connection
Yes
No
Metronome
Yes
Yes
On-Board Recording (of internal sounds)
Yes
No
Additional Pad/Cymbal Inputs
2
0
Audio Outputs
2 Main Outputs (Left and Right), 1/8" inch mini-headphone output
1 Output
Audio Input (Auxiliary Input)
1/8" inch
1/8" inch
Effects and Sound Editing Capabilities
Average
Low
MIDI Connectivity
MIDI-over-USB
MIDI-over-USB
Number of Kits
48
15

Snare

Snare Mount Type
Mounted to Rack
Mounted to Rack
Snare Pad Size
10-inch
6.5-inch
Snare Pad Material
Mesh
Mesh
Snare Zones
Dual-Zone
Single-Zone

Kick

Kick Type
Tower
Trigger Pedal
Kick Pad Material
Rubber
-
Kick Pad Size
5-inch
-

Verdict

Alesis Nitro Max

Overall, the Alesis Nitro Max is a superior kit with larger pads, Bluetooth connectivity, and more sound & kits in the arsenal. That being said, the AODSK AED-400 is still a solid entry-level kit to consider, especially if you're on a low budget but still want a decent e-drum kit.

Matt Taylor

Matt Taylor

I'm Matt Taylor, a guitarist with a genuine love for music. I've had the pleasure of playing in a few bands and collaborating with some amazing artists along the way. As a music journalist, my goal is to share my passion and learnings with you while keeping my finger on the pulse of emerging trends and talents.