Best 13" Hi-Hat Cymbals 2025

Top-rated 13" hi-hat cymbals 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

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

Istanbul Mehmet 13" Medium Hi-Hat Turk Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Istanbul Mehmet 13" Medium Hi-Hat Turk Series

R&B Medium Dynamics Studio Work
Key Feature:
• Excellent for medium dynamics
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
  • • Great balance of control and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability compared to 14"
  • • Less common size, fewer options

Istanbul Mehmet 13" Medium Hi-Hat Turk Series13" Medium Hi-HatTurk seriesDry and dark accentuated stick...

5.0/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Agop 13" Xist Dry Dark Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Istanbul Agop 13" Xist Dry Dark Hi-Hat

Studio Work Jazz Medium Dynamics
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
  • • Professional studio standard
  • • Excellent for medium dynamics
✗ CONS
  • • Can sound thin in some applications
  • • Less common size, fewer options

Istanbul Agop 13" Xist Dry Dark Hi-HatHi-HatSize: 13"Xist Dry Dark SeriesB20 BronzeHand-hammeredShort trashy...

4.4/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Paiste 2002 Classic 13" Sound Edge HH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Paiste 2002 Classic 13" Sound Edge HH

Medium Dynamics R&B Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great balance of control and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Professional studio standard
  • • Excellent for medium dynamics
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability compared to 14"
  • • Can sound thin in some applications

Paiste 2002 Classic 13" Sound Edge HH13" hi-hat sound edgeMedium brightfullbrilliant hi-hatExtremeresponsive...

5.0/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 13,7/14 K-Custom Session HiHat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Zildjian 13,7/14 K-Custom Session HiHat

Medium Dynamics Fusion Studio Work
Key Feature:
• Great balance of control and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Great balance of control and projection
  • • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy rock
  • • Limited availability compared to 14"

Zildjian 137/14 K-Custom Session Hi-Hat13.7" / 14" Session Hi-HatsUnique hi-hatsModelled on the personal...

4.5/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Ufip 13" Class Series Hi-Hat Medium - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Ufip 13" Class Series Hi-Hat Medium

Gospel Fusion Jazz
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
  • • Good stick definition and foot chick
  • • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability compared to 14"
  • • Can sound thin in some applications

Ufip 13" Class Series Hi-Hat MediumHi-hat cymbalSize: 13"Class seriesMediumThe UFIP Class Series always has...

4.7/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Zildjian 13" K-Series Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Zildjian 13" K-Series Hi-Hat

Studio Work Jazz Medium Dynamics
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
  • • Great balance of control and projection
  • • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
  • • May not cut through loud arrangements
  • • May lack power for heavy rock

Zildjian 13" K-Series Hi-HatHi-hatFrom the K SeriesRegular finishDeep and full "chick" toneQuick...

4.7/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 13" HHX Evolution Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sabian 13" HHX Evolution Hi-Hat

R&B Jazz Medium Dynamics
Key Feature:
• Excellent for medium dynamics
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
  • • Great balance of control and projection
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy rock
  • • Can sound thin in some applications

Sabian 13" HHX Evolution Hi-HatHi-HatSeries: HHXSize: 13"Evolution hi-hatBrilliant finishBright and clear...

4.5/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Mehmet 13" Light Hi-Hat Traditional - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Istanbul Mehmet 13" Light Hi-Hat Traditional

Medium Dynamics Gospel Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great balance of control and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Good stick definition and foot chick
  • • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy rock
  • • Less common size, fewer options

Istanbul Mehmet 13" Light Hi-Hat Traditional13" light hi-hatTraditional seriesRegular designDynamic spectrum...

4.6/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet 13" Hi-Hat Sultan Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Istanbul Mehmet 13" Hi-Hat Sultan Series

Jazz Studio Work R&B
Key Feature:
• Professional studio standard
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for medium dynamics
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability compared to 14"
  • • May not cut through loud arrangements

Istanbul Mehmet 13" Hi-Hat Sultan Series13" hi-hat cymbalSultan seriesSound: defineddarkvery warm and...

4.5/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Zildjian 13" S Series Mastersound HiHat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Zildjian 13" S Series Mastersound HiHat

Fusion Medium Dynamics R&B
Key Feature:
• Versatile across multiple genres
✓ PROS
  • • Professional studio standard
  • • Excellent for medium dynamics
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy rock
  • • Less common size, fewer options

Zildjian 13" S Series Mastersound Hi HatMastersound hi-hat cymbalSize: 13"S seriesMedium topHeavy...

4.5/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 13" K-Series/A Dyno Beat HH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Zildjian 13" K-Series/A Dyno Beat HH

R&B Jazz Studio Work
Key Feature:
• Versatile across multiple genres
✓ PROS
  • • Professional studio standard
  • • Good stick definition and foot chick
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability compared to 14"
  • • May not cut through loud arrangements

Zildjian 13" K-Series/A Dyno Beat HHCombined Hi-Hat CymbalsSize: 13"Traditional finishDyno Beat hi-hat...

4.6/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 13" Agop Signature Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Istanbul Agop 13" Agop Signature Hi-Hat

Studio Work Jazz Gospel
Key Feature:
• Versatile across multiple genres
✓ PROS
  • • Great balance of control and projection
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
✗ CONS
  • • May not cut through loud arrangements
  • • Can sound thin in some applications

Istanbul Agop 13" Agop Signature Hi-HatHi-HatSize: 13"Agop Signature SeriesB20 BronzeHand-hammeredDry stick...

4.5/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Agop 13" Mel Lewis Sign.1982 Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Istanbul Agop 13" Mel Lewis Sign.1982 Hi-Hat

Fusion Medium Dynamics R&B
Key Feature:
• Great balance of control and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Good stick definition and foot chick
  • • Excellent for medium dynamics
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability compared to 14"
  • • May not cut through loud arrangements

Istanbul Agop 13" Mel Lewis Sign.1982 Hi-Hat, Hi-Hat Cymbal, Size: 13", Mel Lewis Signature Model, Classic...

4.6/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Zildjian 13" Low Volume Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Zildjian 13" Low Volume Hi-Hat

R&B Gospel Fusion
Key Feature:
• Good stick definition and foot chick
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
  • • Great balance of control and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Can sound thin in some applications
  • • Less common size, fewer options

Zildjian 13" Low Volume Hi-HatLow volume hi-hat cymbalSize: 13"Compared to up to 80% quieter cymbalIdeal for...

4.7/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 13" Byzance Hi-Hat Medium - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Meinl 13" Byzance Hi-Hat Medium

Fusion R&B Medium Dynamics
Key Feature:
• Excellent for medium dynamics
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
  • • Professional studio standard
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability compared to 14"
  • • May lack power for heavy rock

Meinl 13" Byzance Hi-Hat MediumHi-hat cymbalSize 13"Traditional designMedium hi-hatSeries: ByzanceCymbals are...

5.0/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10

How to Choose the Best 13" Hi-Hat 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 13" hi-hat 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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