Best 14" Hi-Hat Cymbals 2026
Top-rated 14" hi-hat cymbals 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: February 11, 2026 • Next update: February 18, 2026
#1
⭐
4.9/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Agop 14" Traditional Jazz Hi-Hat
Jazz
Standard Setup
Rock
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
Istanbul Agop 14" Traditional Jazz Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalSize: 14"Traditional Jazz versionB20...
⭐
4.9/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 513500
$468
#2
⭐
4.8/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 14" Agop Signature Hi-Hat
Jazz
All Genres
Rock
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✓ PROS
- • Industry standard for most applications
- • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
Istanbul Agop 14" Agop Signature Hi-HatHi-HatHand-hammeredSize: 14"Material: B20 bronzeDry stick stop with...
⭐
4.8/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 435663
$527
#3
⭐
4.6/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Zildjian 14" A-Series Quick Beat Hi-Hat
by
Zildjian
Jazz
Rock
Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
- • Great for virtually any musical style
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
Zildjian 14" A-Series Quick Beat Hi-HatQuick Beat Hi-Hat CymbalsDiameter: 14"Regular...
⭐
4.6/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 124219
$488
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Zildjian 14" K-Series Hi-Hat
by
Zildjian
All Genres
Standard Setup
Pop
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
- • Industry standard for most applications
- • Wide selection of models available
✗ CONS
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
Zildjian 14" K-Series Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalsK Zildjian SeriesTraditional finishSize: 14"Hi-Hat consisting of...
⭐
4.8/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 158854
$545
#5
⭐
4.6/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Black Bell Hi-Hat
Standard Setup
Rock
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
- • Wide selection of models available
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Black Bell Hi-Hat, Hi-Hat, Size: 14", Traditional finish, Material: B20 bronze alloy,...
⭐
4.6/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 416435
$428
#6
⭐
4.6/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 14" Rude Hi-Hat
by
Paiste
Standard Setup
Jazz
Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
- • Wide selection of models available
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • May not excel in specific applications
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
Paiste 14" Rude Hi-Hat, Hi-Hat CymbalsIn response to extreme developments such as punk and heavy metal in the late...
⭐
4.6/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 134803
$483
#7
⭐
5.0/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl Pure Alloy 14" Medium Hi-Hat
by
Meinl
All Genres
Pop
Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models available
✓ PROS
- • Great for virtually any musical style
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • May not excel in specific applications
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
Meinl Pure Alloy 14" Medium Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalsMediumSize: 14"Pure Alloy SeriesFinish: TraditionalFully...
⭐
5.0/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 405803
$395
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 14" HHX Complex Medium Hi-Hat
by
Sabian
Pop
Universal Use
All Genres
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models available
✓ PROS
- • Wide selection of models available
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
- • May not excel in specific applications
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
Sabian 14" HHX Complex Medium Hi-HatMedium Hi-Hat CymbalSize: 14"HHX Complex SeriesMaterial: B20...
⭐
4.9/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 476118
$754
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Zildjian 14" K Custom Special Dry Hats
by
Zildjian
All Genres
Jazz
Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
- • Great for virtually any musical style
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
Zildjian 14" K Custom Special Dry HatsHi-hat cymbalSize: 14"Natural finishDarkfunky sound with a short...
⭐
4.5/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 407268
$681
#10
⭐
4.8/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 14" AAX X-Plosion Hi-Hat
by
Sabian
Standard Setup
Pop
Universal Use
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
- • Great for virtually any musical style
- • Industry standard for most applications
✗ CONS
- • May not excel in specific applications
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
Sabian 14" AAX X-Plosion Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalsDiameter: 14 "BrilliantMedium-Heavy Top Cymbals and Heavy Bottom...
⭐
4.8/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 309729
$633
#11
⭐
4.6/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 14" XSR Monarch Hi-Hat
by
Sabian
Rock
Standard Setup
All Genres
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✓ PROS
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
Sabian 14" XSR Monarch Hi-HatHi-HatSize: 14"B20 bronzeCrispcontrolled and at the same time full of soundThin...
⭐
4.6/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 445368
$428
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Zildjian 14" K-Custom Dark Hi-Hat
by
Zildjian
Jazz
All Genres
Universal Use
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
- • Great for virtually any musical style
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
Zildjian 14" K-Custom Dark Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalsDiameter: 14"K-Custom darkRegular modelWarmmedium-tone soung...
⭐
4.6/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 147385
$681
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 14 1/8" K-Series Fat Hats
by
Zildjian
Pop
Standard Setup
Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent balance of all characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
- • May not excel in specific applications
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
Zildjian 14 1/8" K-Series Fat HatsHi-Hat CymbalSize: 14 1/8"K-SeriesTraditional FinishHi-Hat cymbal based on...
⭐
4.7/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 569400
$659
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 14" Signature SE Hi-Hat
by
Paiste
Jazz
All Genres
Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent balance of all characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
- • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
- • May not excel in specific applications
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
Paiste 14" Signature SE Hi-HatSoundEdge Hi-Hat CymbalsDiameter: 14"Signature lineBrightfullwarm and powerful...
⭐
4.4/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 100790
$637
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Hi-Hat Samatya Series
Rock
All Genres
Universal Use
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
- • May not excel in specific applications
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Hi-Hat Samatya Series14" Hi-Hat CymbalsSamatya SeriesBrilliant finishA...
⭐
4.5/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 312220
$428
How to Choose the Best 14" 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 14" 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.
