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BEST CYMBALS ON A BUDGET
Then read on.
Our Picks
"Based on Sound and Price"
Quick Answers
These were our pick for the best on a budget, mostly to the overall sound quality and low price, but also because, as of this writing, you get a free cymbal thrown in! 8/10
Zildjian Planet Z:
Zildjian Planet Z series are well known for being a quality budget cymbal and are a solid choice. 7/10
Sabian B8X:
A slight step up from the SBR series. The Ride and Hats are a lot better but the Crashes still sound a little cheap. 7/10
Wuhan Western Series: Known more
for their raw and trashy China Cymbals, these were the surprise of the bunch and definitely worth a look. 6.5/10
How We Judged Them
- Sound Quality
- Price
- Durability
- Customer Reviews
Overview
Unlike drum heads that can be tuned to sound decent, cymbals often leave you with a hit-or-miss scenario.
Every new acoustic drum kit typically includes low-quality cymbals or none at all, leaving you with no choice but to invest in something decent.
But how do you choose the right budget cymbal pack when everyone’s taste is subjective?
Thankfully, we have delved deep into the world of the best cymbals on a budget and mainly focusing on cymbal packs.
In this article, I’ll simplify the complexities and guide you towards the best budget cymbal packs available today.
All drummers have different preferences, making the search for beginner cymbals a hard one.
But one question probably needs to be answered first….
Are you all in on playing the drums and are you going to commit to playing them long term?
If you’re just starting and unsure about your drumming commitment, opting for a cost-effective cymbal pack is best.
Affordable doesn’t mean poor quality either as there are plenty or good options that deliver great sound.
“These are AMAZING and bright. High Hats are crisp, the crash sounds great and the ride has good dynamics on both the bell and the cymbal toward the edge.
Are these the “best cymbals ever”? Probably not. But they are REALLY nice, especially for a drummer starting out.”.Walter. (Sabain SBR ) Amazon Review
Our Top Pick For Best Cymbals on a Budget
Meinl HCS Cymbal Pack
Meinl is comparatively new in the scene of cymbal manufacturers compared to the older gate keepers in Zildjian, Paiste and Sabian. But the young dog is making quite the name for itself and has emerged as a prominent player in the drumming industry.Their quality and sound are attracting some of the wolds best drummers to make the switch.
Their HCS cymbals have become a favourite with beginners looking for quality but not break the bank, and this is understandable because this pack offers excellent value for your investment.
What’s included?
Included in the standard package are a crash cymbal, a ride cymbal, hi-hats, and a splash cymbal….what?! Yep a free splash.
The inclusion of a splash cymbal is particularly awesome, as pre-packaged cymbal sets rarely offer this, providing an extra dimension of sonic diversity.
It’s also worth mentioning that other cymbal packs can also offer a free cymbal, so always look for promo deals.
Durabile
These Meinl cymbals have a reputation on being very durable, thanks to their unique construction, unfortunately this does take away slightly from the tones.
Durability is crucial for beginner drummers who are still working out how to play or hit cymbals properly and constantly replacing cymbals is not fun.
While these cymbals may not have extreme dynamic range in terms of sound, as mentioned they’re strong and affordable. The hi-hats in this set are the stand out as they sound really good for the price and exceed expectations.
Overall
These Meinl cymbals represent a sound investment for the budget-conscious drummer. Beginners will find them enjoyable and reliable for an extended period before considering an upgrade.
Our Rating
"Based on Sound and Price"
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Zildjian Planet Z Cymbal Pack
Zildjian is arguably the best known cymbal company and have been for many many years.
This is testament to their dedication to bringing the best new technologies and the best sound quality possible to each of their cymbal series.
We’ve all grown up watching and listening to our favourite drummers playing them and therefore they must be doing something right.
The Zildjian Planet Z Series is the starting point for a lot of beginners from this trusted cymbal brand. With such a high standard and a reputation for quality, these should be really good right? Well lets see….
What’s included?
In the standard Zildjian Planet Z Series you get the standard 14′ Hi Hats, 16″ Crash and 20″ Ride (no extra cymbal from this writing but remember always look for deals).
Frankly Zildjian kinda don’t need to do freebies, they have the majority of the market share and can afford not to.
The Planet Z cymbal range boasts an extensive lineup, featuring a 10-inch splash, 16-inch crash, 18-inch crash ride, 20-inch ride, 13-inch and 14-inch hi-hats, and an 18-inch China cymbal.
To cater to a variety of preferences, the series offers a range of configurations available within three distinct cymbal packs.
Sound Quality
The Planet Z series is made from brass, resulting in cymbals that are said to be ‘bright and cutting’ with a ‘controlled and focused sound’.
They provide a vibrant and sharp attack, ensuring a commanding presence on stage, and offer precise responsiveness suitable for studio recordings.
These cymbals aren’t only a budget-friendly option; they stand as a reliable choice for musicians across all budget ranges.
Regardless of your musical genre, Planet Z cymbals offer a convenient and economical means to complement your drum kit.
The 20-inch Planet Z ride delivers clear stick definition and well-defined foundational tones, while the 16-inch crash produces a distinct punch, perfect for accentuating downbeats.
Meanwhile, the 14-inch Planet Z hi-hats offer a clean and sharp attack, ensuring they remain prominent within any mix.
Overall
You cant really fault Zildjian with these beginner Planet Z pack, they are well made and uphold the usual high quality standards.
The only thing we think brings them down is their lack of character and individuality, simply said they are a bit…. meh, with not a lot of wow factors.
In saying this, they are a solid choice for a budget minded buyer.
Our Rating
"Based on Sound and Price"
Want to know our pick for a budget drum kit?
See our in-depth review of the Tama Superstar Hyperdrive.
Sabian B8X
Sabian could be seen as Zildjian’s nearest rival and they throw their hat into the ring with their own exciting and cost-effective choice for novice drummers.Sabian’s beginner range is actually the SBR range But we felt they didn’t quite stack up for this review but we will review them separately.
So lets go with with the B8X cymbals, which replace the older standard B8 and B8 Pro lines.
The B8X cymbals are well-known for their loud, vibrant and explosive tones, making them really dynamic for beginners. This combined with a great reputation for being durable, make them a solid choice.
What’s included?
Like the Meinl set, the package includes two crash cymbals, sized at 16″ and 18″. A set of 14″ Hi Hats and a 20″ ride are also included.
We’ve seen other configurations, but this seems to be the current best deal available and it’s not too shabby.
Sound Quality Lets start with the crashes: the crash cymbals are loud and have a burst of energy upon striking, making them particularly well-suited for louder musical styles.
This obviously doesn’t work as well in all styles and they can tend to have a tone only really suited to heavier material, so this can be a drawback.
The Hi Hats stand up pretty good overall, producing a clean, bright wash and offering a sweet stick response in both open and closed positions.
Finally we have the Ride Cymbal which stands out for its lovely tone, featuring a clean ping from the bell.
I know drummers who still prefer this ride over other more respected Sabian series ride cymbals.
It somehow avoids the common issue of crappy overtones that happen a lot with budget ride cymbals.
Overall
While not really recommended for drummers in quieter genres, those aiming to rock and roll will find the Sabian B8X cymbals a nice overall choice.
These were my choice as a beginner and I’ll admit ill still pull out the ride and hats on occasion (not so much the crashes).
Once again, overall, Sabian offers an affordable and respectable option for new drummers.
Our Rating
"Based on Sound and Price"
“A bit darker sound (or maybe just a lower tone) than I expected, especially from the 16″ Trash Crash and 10″ Splash. The main cymbals are exactly what you would expect though, with nice stick definition, shimmer, and wash but without a ton of overtones”.
David.
(Meinl Classics Custom Cymbal Pack) Amazon Review
Wuhan Western Series
Some may find the addition of Wuhan to this list a surprise.
This would be mainly due to the fact Wuhan is a company known for its distinctive trashy-sounding china cymbals and gongs and not for crashes, hats or ride cymbals.
They are continuing to develop a reputation for quality in these other areas and when you get your hands on these cymbals, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by their remarkable sound quality.
Put simply, they actually sound really bloody good!
What’s included?
This Wuhan Cymbal Package includes the Western Style 14 Hi Hats, 16 Crash, 20 Ride and a cymbal bag. As always check what deals are on at the moment and if you see a deal that includes a china cymbal…….BUY IT!!
That is of course if you want your china to actually sound like a china and not a ugly sounding crash, I mean who does that right? Just buy a crappy crash if that the sound you want…………Annnyway I digress.
Sound Quality
The 16″ crash from Wuhan boasts a sound that defies its price point.
It oozes quality but if you delve into what makes it sound good it delivers a lower-frequency trashy tone that adapts well to various musical contexts. Now to be honest, some drummers may have mixed feelings about its trashy quality but it certainly doesn’t sound “cheap”.
The hi-hats provide an awesome sizzle when played semi-closed, a somewhat expected trashy vibe as well and close, intricate stick patterns sound fantastic.
Even in the open position, they hold their own in terms of sound quality.
The ride cymbal is equally impressive. Its bell produces a clear, lower pitch, and the cymbal’s overall responsiveness is nice.
The downside to the cymbal, and also this pack is the tones when crashing out the ride, this may not sit with some drummers.
So we’d recommend sticking close to the bell and getting another crash.
Overall
Wuhan cymbals give you quality with a price that won’t empty your wallet and considering the price, this set is surprisingly excellent for both beginners and intermediate players.
Also note that a lot of the pros love these too (especially the china cymbals).
Wuhan cymbals are made of high-quality cast B20 alloy and are handcrafted in China according to two-thousand-year-old traditional methods, and it’s important to note that variation from cymbal to cymbal is well known with Wuhan due to these methods, but that’s no necessarily a bad thing.
They are well worth a look and you never know, you might come across your perfect, ideal sounding cymbal.
Our Rating
"Based on Sound and Price"
Did We Miss Something?
If there is something we have forgotten to mention, please contact us so we can continue to help and serve the wider drumming community.
Honourable Mentions
- Paiste PST Series
- Zildjian I Family Standard Set
- Sabian SBR
- Arborea Cymbal Pack
Summary
Keep in mind tho that the above choices are only for the budget minded buyer or someone who is unsure about committing to amazing world of drumming.
If money is less of an issue or if you are ready to join the community of the coolest human beings on the planet (maybe I’m a little biased), then you should look into perhaps the models from each brand that are above the ones mentioned here.
Also remember the sounds you like, dark or bright, bright attack or a a more washed out tone, the combinations and options are vast.
Think about the drummers or albums you like, what are they using? It’s a great place to start as well.
Happy drumming!
Q & A
A. Absolutely! But this depends on your definition of “good”.
Cymbals come in a wide variety of sounds and styles so you need to determine what you want to hear and therefore what you think sounds good. In saying that, there is a quality to quality cymbals, budget or not, that is hard to miss.
This is usually down to what the cymbals are made from. These days even the lower end series of bigger brand cymbals are made well.
Q. Do budget cymbals crack easier?
A. Unfortunatey they have been known to generally break quicker.
The old saying applies, “you get what you pay for”.
There are many instances of course that a cheaper cymbal lasts longer but as a general rule the more you spend the more life you should get out of it.
Q. Is it worth spending a little more for better quality cymbals?
A. Yes it is. Unless there is a particular sound you are after and it can only be found in a budget cymbal, you should always try spend a little more.
Q. Is it ok to buy second hand cymbals?
A. This is a tricky one. I would say yes, BUT as long as they are obviously in good condition but I’d also look at who has been using them and whether they’ve been hit properly. Also look at how old they are. There are some bargains out there on second hand websites, music stores and private sales, but buyer beware there are no warranties.
