A regular pad would work fine. I was looking in to this as an option. I can't DIY at all, so I can't hard-mod it.
Can't say I know of any good ones in that price range. The reviews for those tend to be "I got this, and it didn't work/after a week it stopped working, had to get a replacement" and basically people kept getting replacements until they got a good one (one that actually worked the way it was supposed to long term). So if you really want to stick with that price range, just know that it might be kind of a crap shoot with some effort and delay involved.
I went with the D-Force on Amazon ($48) and had no issues with it. Had to map the buttons in StepMania but that was easy. Been working for 2 months with no issues! (I'm running on High Sierra, just FYI.) Only thing that kind of irks me is that the sensor for the back arrow is pretty back there on mine (have to press the back 1/3rd of the back arrow area), and there's no way to feel where the sensor is or shift it. I got the protection plan for $1.50 that's supposed to cover it for 4 years- but I can't speak to their customer service as I haven't used it yet.
Best of luck!
First, request a refund on Amazon if you haven't already.
Also, I have not had good luck with adapters for PS2 pads, so I don't recommend that route, although if you are lucky to find one that doesn't give dance pad support issues, then it's usually the cheapest option.
This is probably the best USB soft pad on the market: https://www.amazon.com/D-Force-Nonslip-USB-Dance-Pad/dp/B00HBUJ0N0/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=3RUMKXPNV80HK&keywords=dforce+dance+pad&qid=1666267478&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjEzIiwicXNhIjoiMS4xNyIsInFzcCI6IjAuOTIifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=dforce+dance+pa%2Caps%2C321&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc
They used to be cheaper, but they do sell out quickly, especially the deluxe ones. I'd recommend giving it a shot if you are not super experienced with the game, as the pad should last you quite a while.with moderate use, and the support team is good. Keep the box bc it has the support email on it.
I could sell ya for $20 bucks + shipping (shouldn't be much, it doesn't weigh all that much). It's never been used and has sat in a closet for 2 years now. Bought it for my ex-girlfriend awhile back and she never used it. Still has the creases from being new. I don't have the box anymore, unfortunately.
Hey! I actually have been using these D-Force pads from Amazon. (Links below) I have used the basic one for about a month now, and I want to say that it has been holding up very well. My little cousins have stomped on it, and I’ve been playing level 7-9 songs on it (Max 300, Healing Vision, etc). Getting AA scores. They’re durable enough.
However, the basic edition is finicky on harder songs. The up arrow gets stuck sometimes when quickly triple tapping it. Not sure why. The company was extremely nice and allowed me to exchange it for the deluxe version (paid the $40 difference), and let me keep the old basic pad too!
Currently I’m using two of the deluxe pads. They’re essentially the same as the basic, however come with hard foam padding so it’s more comfortable, accurate, and doesn’t slip around on carpet as much. I intend to write a full review of these soon.
Basic edition: (~$40)
D-Force Nonslip USB Dance Pad https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HBUJ0N0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.h7ODb6WFWZXM
Deluxe: (~$90)
D-Force Deluxe Dance + Pump USB Dance Pad https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H1B9B6A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ui7ODbD2N0ZBQ
Not sure if you're looking to run on Stepmania (PC/Mac) or another platform, as you didn't say. So going to assume you mean Stepmania since that's the sub reddit you're in :) Kind of a returning noobie myself, but I'll chime in anyways. From everything I've read (community reviews and discussions and Amazon reviews), the DDR/Konami brands are generally a bit of a gamble now, sadly. Getting one that will work (and keep working past a week or two) is kind of a crap shoot. So unless you feel up to some trial and error, and as well as effort to keep sending back possible lemon pads until you get a good one, maybe go with something else. For some, the cheaper price is worth the hassle.
Myself and others have had more luck with the D-Force pads, but they are not without their issues. Mainly sensors being smaller/farther apart, and you can't feel them in the pad to adjust them or anything. I got the $1.50 4 year protection plan on the D-Force I got on Amazon, and hoping their customer service holds up if/when the thing breaks. I'm a Mac user, and all I had to do to get it working was map the buttons in StepMania.
If you play on carpet, soft pads are likely to slide around, curl up a bit when playing, and more likely that sensors can shift or warp over time. There are youtube tutorials about how to modify/mount soft pads on some MDF board to prevent that (like this one), to make them last longer. My current place is hardwood so I don't have those issues, but just FYI for ya!