Best Drum Cymbals

Cymbals are really important when playing the drums! Without nice cymbals, you're not going to sound like the best drummer, and that's why, here at musicHQ, we found the best cymbals for you, all budgets, and for all genres.

Hope you find what you're looking for!

This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Learn more

Welcome To Our Cymbals Page!

#1

Sabian SBR

The Sabian SBR cymbal pack includes three cymbals:

  1. 16" crash cymbal

  2. 20" ride cymbal

  3. 14" hi-hat cymbals

Specifications:

  • Style: Focused

  • Sound: Bright

  • Metal: Brass

  • Finish: Natural

  • Pitch: High

These cymbals are designed to offer focused and bright tones, made from brass with a natural finish, and produce high-pitched sounds. They are suitable for beginners and provide excellent value and quality at an affordable price point.

Pros

Cons

  • Great for Beginners

  • Affordable

  • Durable

  • Suitable for various music styles

  • Not the best for Professional Use

  • Limited variety

  • Limited Tonal Range

(Best For beginners)

#2

Zildjian S Family

  • Sizes & Purpose: Set of cymbals including Hi-Hats, Crash, and Ride.

  • Sizes (in): 14" Hi-Hats, 16" Crash, 18" Crash, 20" Ride.

  • Construction:

    • Material: Made from B12 Bronze.

    • Hammering: Machine hammered.

    • Lathing: Fully lathed.

    • Cymbal Weight: Medium Thin.

    • Bell: Standard.

  • Other:

    • Finish: Brilliant.

    • Country of Origin: United States.

    • Added Value: Gig Bag And drumsticks 5A for the Amazon Offer.

  • MADE FROM B12 BRONZE: This cymbal pack features B12 alloy, offering a balanced frequency response, and is available in various models.

  • These cymbals are articulate and responsive, playable with sticks, brushes, and mallets.


Pros

Cons

  • Really Good Looking

  • Great Quality

  • Affordable

  • Durable

  • Great for a wide range of music styles

  • Great for beginners as well as advanced players

  • Certain rides have a high pitch buzz

#3

Sabian XSR Series Performance Set

Specifications:

  • Sizes & Purpose:

    • Quantity: 3 cymbals.

    • Type: Set including Hi-Hats, Crash, and Ride.

    • Sizes: 14" Hi-Hats, 16" Crash, 20" Ride.

  • Construction:

    • Material: Cast Alloy.

    • Hammering: Machine hammered.

    • Lathing: Fully lathed.

    • Bell: Standard.

  • Other:

    • Finish: Brilliant.

    • Country of Origin: Canada.

    • Added Value: No.

Pros

Cons

  • Affordable Professional Sound

  • Great Quality

  • Brilliant Finishes

  • Diversity Of Cymbals

  • Fast Response

  • Limited Cymbal Customization

  • Not recommended for advanced/professional Drummers

  • Limited Added Value

#4

Paiste Signature Classic Extended Set

Sizes and Purpose

  • Quantity: Set

  • Type: Hi-hats/crash/crash/crash/ride

  • Sizes (in): 14/16/18/20/22

Construction

  • Material: Cast alloy

  • Hammering: Hand

  • Lathing: Full

  • Cymbal weight: Medium

  • Bell: Standard

Other

  • Finish: Brilliant

  • Country of origin: Switzerland

  • Added value: Free crash

Pros

Cons

  • Great Built quality

  • Versatile Set

  • Good Looking

  • Durable

  • Quite Expensive

#5

MEINL Byzance Vintage Series Benny Greb Sand Cymbal Set

Benny Greb is one of the best drummers out there, really recognized and this is his signature cymbals pack. Those are the specs for them:

  • Brand: Meinl Cymbals

  • Model Name: Byzance Vintage Series

  • Color: MultiColored

  • Material: Bronze (B20 bronze alloy)

  • Item Dimensions: 23 x 23 x 4 inches

  • Cymbals Included:

    • 14" Byzance Sand Hi Hats

    • 18" Byzance Sand Thin Crash

    • 20" Byzance Sand Ride

    • FREE 16" Byzance Vintage Trash Crash

The Byzance Vintage Series cymbals are aged through sandblasting for warmth, dryness, and a unique appearance. Developed with drummer Benny Greb, they offer a modern-vintage sound. Hand-hammered by Meinl artisans, they provide a versatile, clear sound with a smooth, dry wash, suitable for various genres.

Pros

Cons

  • Unique Sound

  • Versatility

  • Really Good Quality

  • Aesthetic

  • Signature Series

  • Price a bit more than other cymbals

  • Availability (can't find it everywhere)

  • Heaviness (Some people find these cymbals too heavy)

Why are cymbals that important?

  • Accents and Emphasis: Cymbals are commonly used to emphasize or accentuate certain parts of the music. This might be the downbeat of a new bar, a particular rhythmic figure, or a dramatic moment in the song. A well-placed cymbal crash can make a significant difference in how these musical moments are perceived.

  • Keeping Time: Along with the hi-hat and ride cymbals, they help to keep time, providing a steady pulse or rhythm that other musicians can follow. This function is critical in virtually every genre of music.

  • Color and Texture: Cymbals, especially those that are used in a more continuous way (like ride or hi-hat cymbals), can add a certain color or texture to the sound of the music. This can be used to create or enhance a particular mood or atmosphere.

  • Dynamic Range: Cymbals can contribute to the dynamic range of a song. They can be played softly for subtle effects or struck forcefully for dramatic impact. This wide dynamic range allows the drummer to adjust the intensity of the music as needed.

  • Variety: With a variety of different types of cymbals available (crash, ride, hi-hat, splash, china, etc.), drummers can choose from a wide array of sounds to suit the needs of any given song. This variety allows for a lot of flexibility and creative expression.

  • Solo and Fill Material: During drum solos or fills, cymbals can provide distinctive, high-pitched sounds that stand out from the lower-pitched tom-toms and bass drum. This allows the drummer to create more complex and varied patterns during these sections of the music.

Cymbals are really important in the drum world, and this is why: