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Best 14" Crash Cymbals for Beginner 2025

Perfect 14" crash cymbals for beginner - easy to play and learn on

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

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Jazz For Fusion For Pop For Light Rock For Studio Recording For Practice
BRANDS: Paiste Zultan Istanbul Mehmet Masterwork Zildjian Meinl
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Crash Samatya Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Istanbul Mehmet 14" Crash Samatya Series

by Istanbul Mehmet
Pop Jazz Practice
Key Feature:
• Balanced attack and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced attack and sustain
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy music
  • • Can sound thin in some applications

Istanbul Mehmet 14" Crash Samatya SeriesCrash CymbalSize: 14"Brilliant finishModernfast responding...

⭐ 4.6/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 480780
$208
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sabian 14" HHX Thin Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sabian 14" HHX Thin Crash

by Sabian
Jazz Fusion Pop
Key Feature:
• Classic jazz crash size
✓ PROS
  • • Classic jazz crash size
  • • Controlled volume level
✗ CONS
  • • Can sound thin in some applications
  • • May lack power for heavy music

Sabian 14" HHX Thin CrashThin Crash CymbalSize: 14"HHX SeriesB20 BronzeFinish: TraditionalThin cymbal with...

⭐ 4.7/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 476134
$380
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zildjian 14" A-Custom EFX - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Zildjian 14" A-Custom EFX

by Zildjian
Studio Recording Light Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for recording applications
✓ PROS
  • • Controlled volume level
  • • Great for recording applications
✗ CONS
  • • Not ideal for power playing
  • • May require mic reinforcement live

Zildjian 14" A-Custom EFX14" EFX CymbalA Custom seriesBrilliant finishThis special effects crash stands out...

⭐ 5.0/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 248163
$285
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zultan 14" Aeon FX Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Zultan 14" Aeon FX Crash

by Zultan
Studio Recording Fusion Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for recording applications
✓ PROS
  • • Controlled volume level
  • • Great for recording applications
✗ CONS
  • • May require mic reinforcement live
  • • Not ideal for power playing

Zultan 14" Aeon FX CrashFX Crash CymbalSize: 14"Material: B25 bronze alloy (75% copper / 25%...

⭐ 4.4/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 540995
$208
Buy at Thomann View Details
Meinl 14" Byzance Thin Crash Brill. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Meinl 14" Byzance Thin Crash Brill.

by Meinl
Fusion Studio Recording Light Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for recording applications
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced attack and sustain
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy music
  • • Not ideal for power playing

Meinl 14" Byzance Thin Crash Brill.Thin Crash CymbalByzance Series14" Thin CrashBrilliant finishVery low...

⭐ 4.6/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 221548
$252
Buy at Thomann View Details
Schlagwerk 14" Cajon Crash-Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Schlagwerk 14" Cajon Crash-Ride

by Schlagwerk
Jazz Light Rock Pop
Key Feature:
• Balanced attack and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Controlled volume level
  • • Classic jazz crash size
✗ CONS
  • • Limited projection in loud bands
  • • May require mic reinforcement live

Schlagwerk 14" Cajon Crash-RideCajon Crash-Ride CymbalSize: 14"Material: B20 bronzeHandmade in TurkeyBrushed...

⭐ 4.6/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 437225
$197
Buy at Thomann View Details
Masterwork 14" Troy Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Masterwork 14" Troy Crash

by Masterwork
Pop Fusion Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for recording applications
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced attack and sustain
  • • Classic jazz crash size
✗ CONS
  • • Not ideal for power playing
  • • Limited projection in loud bands

Masterwork 14" Troy CrashCrash CymbalSize: 14"Troy SeriesB25 alloyHand-hammeredBrilliant finishThe Troy...

⭐ 4.7/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 485722
$131
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zildjian 14" I Family Crash medium-thin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Zildjian 14" I Family Crash medium-thin

by Zildjian
Jazz Light Rock Practice
Key Feature:
• Controlled volume level
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
  • • Classic jazz crash size
✗ CONS
  • • May require mic reinforcement live
  • • Limited projection in loud bands

Zildjian 14" I Family Crash medium-thinCrash CymbalSize: 14"I Family SeriesMaterial: B8 BronzeThickness:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 480883
$109
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sabian 14" AAX AAXplosion Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sabian 14" AAX AAXplosion Crash

by Sabian
Studio Recording Light Rock Pop
Key Feature:
• Balanced attack and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Classic jazz crash size
  • • Balanced attack and sustain
✗ CONS
  • • May require mic reinforcement live
  • • Can sound thin in some applications

Sabian 14" AAX AAXplosion Crash14" AAXplosion CrashBrilliant finishClearcleandefined cymbal soundLarge...

⭐ 4.4/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 254896
$318
Buy at Thomann View Details
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Thin Crash Traditional - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Istanbul Mehmet 14" Thin Crash Traditional

by Istanbul Mehmet
Practice Light Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Balanced attack and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Classic jazz crash size
  • • Controlled volume level
✗ CONS
  • • Not ideal for power playing
  • • May lack power for heavy music

Istanbul Mehmet 14" Thin Crash Traditional14" Thin Crash Cymbal"Traditional" seriesRegular...

⭐ 4.7/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 311612
$207
Buy at Thomann View Details
Meinl 14" Classics Custom Med. Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Meinl 14" Classics Custom Med. Crash

by Meinl
Pop Studio Recording Jazz
Key Feature:
• Balanced attack and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Controlled volume level
  • • Balanced attack and sustain
✗ CONS
  • • May require mic reinforcement live
  • • Can sound thin in some applications

Meinl 14" Classics Custom Med. CrashCrash14" Classics Custom seriesMedium crashBrillant surface finishIn all...

⭐ 4.6/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 261668
$136
Buy at Thomann View Details
Masterwork 14" Troy Traditional Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Masterwork 14" Troy Traditional Crash

by Masterwork
Light Rock Studio Recording Practice
Key Feature:
• Classic jazz crash size
✓ PROS
  • • Balanced attack and sustain
  • • Great for recording applications
✗ CONS
  • • Not ideal for power playing
  • • May require mic reinforcement live

Masterwork 14" Troy Traditional CrashCrash CymbalSize: 14"Material: B25 bronzeFinish:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 611371
$122
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zultan 14" Aja Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Zultan 14" Aja Crash

by Zultan
Light Rock Studio Recording Fusion
Key Feature:
• Controlled volume level
✓ PROS
  • • Classic jazz crash size
  • • Controlled volume level
✗ CONS
  • • Limited projection in loud bands
  • • Not ideal for power playing

Zultan 14" Aja Crash, Crash, Size: 14", Aja crash cymbals produce a loud and fat sound, The decay of the...

⭐ 4.8/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 273919
$65
Buy at Thomann View Details
Meinl 14" Class. Cust. Dark Tr. Cr. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Meinl 14" Class. Cust. Dark Tr. Cr.

by Meinl
Pop Jazz Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Classic jazz crash size
✓ PROS
  • • Versatile across multiple genres
  • • Great for recording applications
✗ CONS
  • • May lack power for heavy music
  • • May require mic reinforcement live

Meinl 14" Class. Cust. Dark Tr. Cr.Dark Trash Crash CymbalSize: 14"CC14DATRCFinish: NaturalMaterial: B12...

⭐ 4.5/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 455924
$142
Buy at Thomann View Details
Istanbul Mehmet 14" X-Ray 6 Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Istanbul Mehmet 14" X-Ray 6 Crash

by Istanbul Mehmet
Jazz Light Rock Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Balanced attack and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Classic jazz crash size
  • • Balanced attack and sustain
✗ CONS
  • • Not ideal for power playing
  • • Can sound thin in some applications

Istanbul Mehmet 14" X-Ray 6 CrashCrash CymbalSize: 14"X-Ray 6 seriesB20 BronzeBrilliant finishWith 6...

⭐ 4.5/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 411609
$208
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 14" Crash 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 14" crash 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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