Best 12" Splash Cymbals 2026
Top-rated 12" splash cymbals 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: February 4, 2026 • Next update: February 11, 2026
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Mehmet 12" Splash Traditional Series
Creative Applications
Special Effects
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Maximum splash volume and projection
✓ PROS
- • Unique sonic character and presence
- • Maximum splash volume and projection
✗ CONS
- • Limited practical applications
- • Blurs line between splash and crash
Istanbul Mehmet 12" Splash Traditional Series12" SplashTraditional seriesRegular finishDark warm soundFast...
⭐
4.6/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 311524
$182
#2
⭐
5.0/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Zildjian 12" A-Custom Splash
by
Zildjian
Fusion
Unique Setups
Creative Applications
Key Feature:
• Unique sonic character and presence
✓ PROS
- • Great for special effects and accents
- • Maximum splash volume and projection
✗ CONS
- • Limited practical applications
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
Zildjian 12" A-Custom SplashSplashSize: 12"A-Custom seriesBrillant finishFast attackRoundshort sustainVery...
⭐
5.0/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 121052
$230
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet 12" Splash Samatya Series
Progressive
Creative Applications
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Great for special effects and accents
✓ PROS
- • Unique sonic character and presence
- • Professional specialty applications
✗ CONS
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
- • Very expensive specialty cymbal
Istanbul Mehmet 12" Splash Samatya Series12" SplashSamatya seriesBrillant finishModernfast responding...
⭐
4.9/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 312217
$182
#4
⭐
4.9/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 12" AAX Splash
by
Sabian
Unique Setups
Experimental
Special Effects
Key Feature:
• Professional specialty applications
✓ PROS
- • Professional specialty applications
- • Distinctive visual and audio impact
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive specialty cymbal
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
Sabian 12" AAX SplashSplashSize: 12"AAX seriesBrillant finishTransparent soundExtrem fastvery bright...
⭐
4.9/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 100892
$270
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 12" AAX O-Zone Splash
by
Sabian
Unique Setups
Special Effects
Experimental
Key Feature:
• Professional specialty applications
✓ PROS
- • Professional specialty applications
- • Distinctive visual and audio impact
✗ CONS
- • Blurs line between splash and crash
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
Sabian 12" AAX O-Zone SplashSplash EffektSize: 12"AAX O-zone seriesMulti-hole O-zone designB20 bronze...
⭐
4.8/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 113229
$285
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Zildjian 12" K-Series Splash
by
Zildjian
Unique Setups
Special Effects
Creative Applications
Key Feature:
• Professional specialty applications
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive visual and audio impact
- • Great for special effects and accents
✗ CONS
- • Blurs line between splash and crash
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
Zildjian 12" K-Series SplashSplashZildjian K seriesBrillant finishSize: 12”SplashPlayed amongst others by...
⭐
4.5/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 158828
$241
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 12" Pure Alloy Splash
by
Meinl
Unique Setups
Experimental
Special Effects
Key Feature:
• Unique sonic character and presence
✓ PROS
- • Great for special effects and accents
- • Professional specialty applications
✗ CONS
- • Blurs line between splash and crash
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
Meinl 12" Pure Alloy SplashSplash CymbalSize: 12"Pure Alloy SeriesFinish: TraditionalMechanical high-tech...
⭐
4.5/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 581440
$164
#8
⭐
4.6/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 12" HHX Splash
by
Sabian
Fusion
Unique Setups
Special Effects
Key Feature:
• Maximum splash volume and projection
✓ PROS
- • Maximum splash volume and projection
- • Great for special effects and accents
✗ CONS
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
- • Very expensive specialty cymbal
Sabian 12" HHX SplashSplashHHX SeriesHand-hammeredSize: 12”Fastwaspypiercing splashPunchy attackkurzesschnell...
⭐
4.6/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 158686
$292
#9
⭐
4.9/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 12" Xist ION Splash Brilliant
Unique Setups
Special Effects
Experimental
Key Feature:
• Maximum splash volume and projection
✓ PROS
- • Professional specialty applications
- • Distinctive visual and audio impact
✗ CONS
- • Limited practical applications
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
Istanbul Agop 12" Xist ION Splash BrilliantSplash CymbalSize: 12"Xist ION seriesBrilliant finishMaterial: B20...
⭐
4.9/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 382939
$146
#10
⭐
5.0/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Masterwork 12" Custom Splash
by
Masterwork
Unique Setups
Progressive
Experimental
Key Feature:
• Unique sonic character and presence
✓ PROS
- • Maximum splash volume and projection
- • Great for special effects and accents
✗ CONS
- • Blurs line between splash and crash
- • Very expensive specialty cymbal
Masterwork 12" Custom Splash, Splash CymbalA considerable frequency range and a warm basic character with...
⭐
5.0/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 111579
$109
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Mehmet 12" Splash Turk Series
Unique Setups
Special Effects
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Unique sonic character and presence
✓ PROS
- • Unique sonic character and presence
- • Maximum splash volume and projection
✗ CONS
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
- • Limited practical applications
Istanbul Mehmet 12" Splash Turk SeriesSplash CymbalSize: 12"Turk SeriesDry and voluminous soundThe Turk...
⭐
4.8/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 311535
$182
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Meinl 12" Classics Cust. Dark Splash
by
Meinl
Experimental
Creative Applications
Progressive
Key Feature:
• Great for special effects and accents
✓ PROS
- • Professional specialty applications
- • Distinctive visual and audio impact
✗ CONS
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
Meinl 12" Classics Cust. Dark SplashSplash CymbalSize: 12"Classics Custom SeriesModel: NaturalB12...
⭐
4.5/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 455919
$103
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Ufip 12" FX Traditional Spl. Medium
by
Ufip
Progressive
Creative Applications
Unique Setups
Key Feature:
• Unique sonic character and presence
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive visual and audio impact
- • Maximum splash volume and projection
✗ CONS
- • Limited practical applications
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
Ufip 12" Class Series Splash MediumSplash CymbalSize: 12"Medium splashThe UFIP Class series always has...
⭐
4.9/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 201864
$182
#14
⭐
4.5/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 12" Z-Series Splash
by
Zultan
Progressive
Fusion
Experimental
Key Feature:
• Professional specialty applications
✓ PROS
- • Professional specialty applications
- • Unique sonic character and presence
✗ CONS
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
- • Very expensive specialty cymbal
Zultan 12" Z-Series SplashSplash CymbalSize: 12"Z SeriesHand-hammeredMaterial: B20 bronzeFullwarm sound with...
⭐
4.5/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 595617
$105
#15
⭐
4.4/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 12" Signature Splash
by
Paiste
Progressive
Creative Applications
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Professional specialty applications
✓ PROS
- • Maximum splash volume and projection
- • Great for special effects and accents
✗ CONS
- • Limited practical applications
- • Blurs line between splash and crash
Paiste 12" Signature Splash, Splash CymbalThe Splash of the Signature line provides an explosive, warm and very...
⭐
4.4/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 100877
$263
How to Choose the Best 12" Splash Cymbals
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced 12" splash cymbals typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
