Best 12" Splash Cymbals for Special Effects 2026
Perfect 12" splash cymbals for special-effects - 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
⭐
4.8/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Zultan 12" Splash Dark Matter
by
Zultan
Special Effects
Creative Applications
Experimental
Key Feature:
• Distinctive visual and audio impact
✓ PROS
- • Unique sonic character and presence
- • Maximum splash volume and projection
✗ CONS
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
- • May be overwhelming in normal contexts
Zultan 12" Splash Dark MatterSplash cymbalSize: 12"Dark Matter LineHand hammeredDark splash cymbalMade of B20...
⭐
4.8/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 382732
$120
#3
⭐
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
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
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
#5
⭐
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
#6
⭐
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
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
10/10
Millenium 12" Still Series Splash Red
by
Millenium
Progressive
Experimental
Creative Applications
Key Feature:
• Great for special effects and accents
✓ PROS
- • Maximum splash volume and projection
- • Unique sonic character and presence
✗ CONS
- • Very expensive specialty cymbal
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
Millenium 12" Still Series Splash RedSplash CymbalSize: 12"Up to 80% quieter compared to a standard...
⭐
4.9/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 552898
$32
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 12" Raw Splash
by
Zultan
Progressive
Special Effects
Creative Applications
Key Feature:
• Maximum splash volume and projection
✓ PROS
- • Professional specialty applications
- • Distinctive visual and audio impact
✗ CONS
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
- • Blurs line between splash and crash
Zultan 12" Raw SplashSplash cymbalSize: 12"Raw SeriesMade of B20 bronzeDarkwarm and full sound100%...
⭐
4.7/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 383213
$98
#9
⭐
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
#10
⭐
4.4/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Millenium 12" Still Series Splash Reg.
by
Millenium
Progressive
Fusion
Experimental
Key Feature:
• Great for special effects and accents
✓ PROS
- • Great for special effects and accents
- • Professional specialty applications
✗ CONS
- • Requires exceptional musical taste
- • Blurs line between splash and crash
Millenium 12" Still Series Splash Reg.Splash CymbalSize: 12"Still SeriesFinish: RegularMaterial: NickelUp to...
⭐
4.4/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 600084
$32
#11
⭐
4.4/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
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
#12
⭐
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
#13
⭐
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
#14
⭐
4.6/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
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
#15
⭐
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
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.
