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Best 12" Splash Cymbals for Beginner 2025

Perfect 12" splash cymbals for beginner - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $50 Under $100 Under $200 Under $300
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Progressive For Experimental For Fusion For Special Effects For Creative Applications For Unique Setups
BRANDS: Zultan Meinl Paiste Sabian
Istanbul Mehmet 12" Splash Samatya Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Istanbul Mehmet 12" Splash Samatya Series

by Istanbul Mehmet
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Istanbul Agop 12" Xist ION Splash Brilliant - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Istanbul Agop 12" Xist ION Splash Brilliant

by Istanbul Agop
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zultan 12" Mellow Splash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Zultan 12" Mellow Splash

by Zultan
Special Effects Experimental Creative Applications
Key Feature:
• Great for special effects and accents
✓ PROS
  • • Professional specialty applications
  • • Unique sonic character and presence
✗ CONS
  • • Limited practical applications
  • • May be overwhelming in normal contexts

Zultan 12" Mellow SplashSplash CymbalSize: 12"Mellow SeriesMaterial: B20 bronze alloyReduces the cymbal...

⭐ 4.4/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 561613
$164
Buy at Thomann View Details
Schlagwerk 12" Cajon Splash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Meinl 12" Byzance Extra Dry Splash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Paiste 12" 900 Color Sound Splash BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Paiste 12" 900 Color Sound Splash BK

by Paiste
Special Effects Experimental Progressive
Key Feature:
• Unique sonic character and presence
✓ PROS
  • • Maximum splash volume and projection
  • • Unique sonic character and presence
✗ CONS
  • • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
  • • Very expensive specialty cymbal

Paiste 12" 900 Color Sound Splash BKSplash CymbalSize: 12"900 Colour Sound SeriesMade of B8 (2002)...

⭐ 4.9/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 407534
$94
Buy at Thomann View Details
Meinl 12" Pure Alloy Custom Splash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ufip 12" FX Power Splash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zultan 12" F5 Splash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Millenium 12" Still Series Splash Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Millenium 12" Still Series Splash Blue

by Millenium
Progressive Unique Setups 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
  • • Limited practical applications

Millenium 12" Still Series Splash BlueSplash CymbalSize: 12"Up to 80% quieter cymbal compared to a standard...

⭐ 5.0/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 552900
$32
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zultan 12" Dune Splash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Zultan 12" Dune Splash

by Zultan
Unique Setups Experimental Special Effects
Key Feature:
• Unique sonic character and presence
✓ PROS
  • • Maximum splash volume and projection
  • • Unique sonic character and presence
✗ CONS
  • • Limited practical applications
  • • Very expensive specialty cymbal

Zultan 12" Dune SplashSplash CymbalSize: 12"Dune seriesHand-hammeredPremium splash cymbal from traditional...

⭐ 4.6/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 450091
$120
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zultan 12" Q Splash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Zultan 12" Q Splash

by Zultan
Experimental Fusion Progressive
Key Feature:
• Maximum splash volume and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive visual and audio impact
  • • Maximum splash volume and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Limited practical applications
  • • Blurs line between splash and crash

Zultan 12" Q SplashSplash CymbalSize: 12"Q-SeriesMade of B-20 bronzeDark & deep with incredible dynamic...

⭐ 4.8/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 415090
$105
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zultan 12" Z-Series Splash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Istanbul Agop 12" Xist Splash Brilliant - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Istanbul Agop 12" Xist Splash Brilliant

by Istanbul Agop
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Paiste 12" PSTX DJs 45 Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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
Buy at Thomann View Details

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.

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