Is the Roland TD-02KV worth the extra $360.99?

If roland dual-ply mesh snare and compact v-drums footprint matter to your playing, yes. The delta buys you real upgrades, not just branding. If you don't need those specific features, the Alesis Turbo Mesh is the smarter buy.

Which is better for beginners?

Both are beginner-friendly, but the Alesis Turbo Mesh gets the edge for first-timers — it's easier on the wallet and comes with enough sounds and pads to learn on.

Can I connect either kit to a DAW?

Yes — both. The Alesis Turbo Mesh and Roland TD-02KV both offer USB-MIDI, so you can plug directly into any modern DAW without additional hardware.

Which has better pad feel?

Both kits use similar pad technology at this tier. If you want to dig deeper, look for dual-zone capability — it lets you cross-stick on the snare, which makes practice sessions feel more like playing an acoustic kit.