Best 12" Splash Cymbals for Beginner 2026
Perfect 12" splash cymbals for beginner - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
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
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Agop 12" Xist Splash Brilliant
Creative Applications
Experimental
Special Effects
Key Feature:
• Distinctive visual and audio impact
✓ PROS
- • Unique sonic character and presence
- • Professional specialty applications
✗ CONS
- • Limited practical applications
- • Very expensive specialty cymbal
Istanbul Agop 12" Xist Splash BrilliantSplash CymbalSize: 12"Xist SeriesBrilliant finishMaterial: B20 bronze...
⭐
4.7/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 382846
$138
#3
⭐
4.4/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Schlagwerk 12" Cajon Splash
by
Schlagwerk
Experimental
Unique Setups
Creative Applications
Key Feature:
• Professional specialty applications
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive visual and audio impact
- • Maximum splash volume and projection
✗ CONS
- • Blurs line between splash and crash
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
Schlagwerk 12" Cajon SplashCajon Splash CymbalSize: 12"Material: B20 bronzeHandmade in TurkeyBrushed...
⭐
4.4/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 437228
$171
#4
⭐
4.6/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
10/10
Paiste 12" PSTX DJs 45 Ride
by
Paiste
Progressive
Special Effects
Creative Applications
Key Feature:
• Unique sonic character and presence
✓ PROS
- • Great for special effects and accents
- • Maximum splash volume and projection
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive specialty cymbal
- • Blurs line between splash and crash
Paiste 12" PSTX DJs 45 RideRide CymbalPSTX SeriesSize: 12"Inspired by Daru JonesMinimalist ride for...
⭐
4.6/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 407610
$86
#5
⭐
4.5/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 12" 900 Color Sound Splash RED
by
Paiste
Creative Applications
Unique Setups
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Unique sonic character and presence
✓ PROS
- • Professional specialty applications
- • Distinctive visual and audio impact
✗ CONS
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
Paiste 12" 900 Color Sound Splash REDSplash CymbalSize: 12"900 Color Sound SeriesMade of B8 (2002)...
⭐
4.5/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 531528
$94
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
9/10
Millenium 12" B20 Splash
by
Millenium
Experimental
Fusion
Progressive
Key Feature:
• Maximum splash volume and projection
✓ PROS
- • Great for special effects and accents
- • Unique sonic character and presence
✗ CONS
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
- • Limited practical applications
Millenium 12" B20 Splash, Splash, Size: 12", Material: B20 bronze, Fast responding splash with full energy
⭐
4.9/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 337914
$30
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 12" Byzance Extra Dry Splash
by
Meinl
Special Effects
Progressive
Unique Setups
Key Feature:
• Professional specialty applications
✓ PROS
- • Great for special effects and accents
- • Unique sonic character and presence
✗ CONS
- • Limited practical applications
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
Meinl 12" Byzance Extra Dry SplashSplashByzance seriesSize: 12"Natural finishMaterial: B20...
⭐
4.5/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 334224
$218
#8
⭐
4.8/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 12" 900 Series Splash
by
Paiste
Creative Applications
Experimental
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Professional specialty applications
✓ PROS
- • Unique sonic character and presence
- • Distinctive visual and audio impact
✗ CONS
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
Paiste 12" 900 Series SplashSplash CymbalSize: 12""900" SeriesMade of B8 (2002) bronzeShort sustain...
⭐
4.8/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 407490
$90
#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
⭐
4.4/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Meinl 12" Class. Cust. Dark Tr. Spl.
by
Meinl
Experimental
Fusion
Unique Setups
Key Feature:
• Great for special effects and accents
✓ PROS
- • Maximum splash volume and projection
- • Great for special effects and accents
✗ CONS
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
Meinl 12" Class. Cust. Dark Tr. Spl.Splash CymbalMeinl Classics Custom Series12" Dark Trash SplashModel:...
⭐
4.4/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 455923
$109
#11
⭐
4.6/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Zultan 12" F5 Splash
by
Zultan
Progressive
Experimental
Special Effects
Key Feature:
• Distinctive visual and audio impact
✓ PROS
- • Professional specialty applications
- • Maximum splash volume and projection
✗ CONS
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
- • Blurs line between splash and crash
Zultan 12" F5 SplashSplash cymbalSize: 12"F5 seriesAggressive splashFull sound with excellent dynamic...
⭐
4.6/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 496610
$105
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Ufip 12" FX Power Splash
by
Ufip
Fusion
Creative Applications
Unique Setups
Key Feature:
• Maximum splash volume and projection
✓ PROS
- • Great for special effects and accents
- • Distinctive visual and audio impact
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive specialty cymbal
- • Blurs line between splash and crash
Ufip 12" Bionic Series SplashSplash CymbalSize: 12"Material: B20 BronzePowerfulbright and warm with great...
⭐
4.7/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 424268
$175
#13
⭐
4.6/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 12" Pure Alloy Custom Splash
by
Meinl
Unique Setups
Special Effects
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Unique sonic character and presence
✓ PROS
- • Great for special effects and accents
- • Distinctive visual and audio impact
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive specialty cymbal
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
Meinl 12" Pure Alloy Custom SplashSplash CymbalSize: 12"Pure Alloy Custom SeriesWarmslightly washed-out tone...
⭐
4.6/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 557716
$186
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 12" Heritage Splash
by
Zultan
Unique Setups
Experimental
Creative Applications
Key Feature:
• Maximum splash volume and projection
✓ PROS
- • Unique sonic character and presence
- • Great for special effects and accents
✗ CONS
- • Limited practical applications
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
Zultan 12" Heritage SplashSplash CymbalHeritage SeriesSize: 12"100% Hand-crafted cymbal made according to old...
⭐
4.4/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 422432
$160
#15
⭐
4.9/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Zultan 12" Splash 25
by
Zultan
Unique Setups
Progressive
Special Effects
Key Feature:
• Unique sonic character and presence
✓ PROS
- • Great for special effects and accents
- • Maximum splash volume and projection
✗ CONS
- • Blurs line between splash and crash
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
Zultan 12" Splash 25Splash Cymbal25th anniversary seriesSize: 12"Material: B20 BronzeHigh-quality cymbal...
⭐
4.9/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 611983
$109
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.
