When it comes to compact drum kits for small spaces, you have a few solid options. Electronic drum kits are indeed very practical for apartments due to their ability to be used with headphones, drastically reducing noise levels. Brands like Roland and Yamaha have highly regarded electronic kits that provide a realistic feel with mesh heads, making practice enjoyable without disturbing neighbors.
For compact acoustic kits, you might want to look into options like the Sonor AQ2 Safari or the Tama Club-JAM, both of which are designed with smaller bass drums and toms while still offering a decent sound. While these may not be as quiet as electronic kits, using drum mutes or pads can help reduce volume.
In terms of practice feel, many drummers appreciate the tactile feedback of an acoustic set, but high-quality electronic kits are quite good these days. I'd suggest trying out both types if you can to see which aligns better with your playing style and preferences.
To further reduce noise, using a rug underneath your kit can absorb some sound, and placing pads on cymbals and drumheads is effective. If you're leaning electronic, look for a kit with a good headphone output and maybe even Bluetooth connectivity for easy music playback during practice.
Have you had a chance to try out an electronic kit before, and if so, how did you find the experience compared to acoustic?