Korg Volca Beats
A capable drum machine (analog) for hands-on beat-making.
The Best Budget Drum Machines (UK 2026)
You don't need to spend a lot to make great beats. Budget drum machines - compact analog boxes, pocket operators and entry grooveboxes - deliver serious rhythm-making for modest money.
What to look for
- Real sound quality despite the low price.
- A usable sequencer and enough sounds.
- Portability on many budget models.
- A trusted brand (Korg, Behringer, Teenage Engineering).
Our top picks
#1
#2 
Behringer RHYTHM DESIGNER RD-6-SR
A capable drum machine (analog) for hands-on beat-making.
#3 
#4 
Behringer RD-78
A capable drum machine (analog) for hands-on beat-making.
#5 
#6 
Korg KR-11
A capable drum machine (portable) for hands-on beat-making.
Frequently asked questions
Are cheap drum machines any good?
Yes - budget machines like the Korg Volca Beats, Teenage Engineering Pocket Operators and Behringer's affordable RD models make genuinely great beats. You pay more for more sounds, sampling, bigger sequencers and build, but the core beat-making is excellent even at the budget end.
Bottom line
Our top pick is the Korg Volca Beats (our score 9.6/10) - A capable drum machine (analog) for hands-on beat-making..