Best 14" Hi-Hat Cymbals for Intermediate 2026
Perfect 14" hi-hat cymbals for intermediate - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.8/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 14" 30th Anniversary Hi-Hat
Pop
Universal Use
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✓ PROS
- • Wide selection of models available
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
Istanbul Agop 14" 30th Anniversary Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalSize: 14"30th Anniversary ModelMaterial: B20...
⭐
4.8/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 569418
$659
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Agop 14" Traditional Dark Hi-Hat
Standard Setup
All Genres
Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent balance of all characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Great for virtually any musical style
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
Istanbul Agop 14" Traditional Dark Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalSize: 14"Traditional Dark SeriesB20 bronzeTraditional...
⭐
4.6/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 580584
$468
#3
⭐
4.4/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Agop 14" Traditional Medium Hi-Hat
Universal Use
Standard Setup
All Genres
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
Istanbul Agop 14" Traditional Medium Hi-HatMedium Hi-HatSize: 14"Traditional SeriesMaterial: B20...
⭐
4.4/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 607448
$472
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Meinl 14" Pure Alloy Custom Hi-Hat
by
Meinl
Universal Use
Jazz
Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models available
✓ PROS
- • Wide selection of models available
- • Industry standard for most applications
✗ CONS
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
Meinl 14" Pure Alloy Custom Hi-HatMedium Thin Hi-HatSize: 14"Pure Alloy Custom SeriesThin TopMedium Thin...
⭐
4.8/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 501501
$417
#5
⭐
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
#6
⭐
4.9/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 14" Stratus Hi-Hat
by
Sabian
Universal Use
Standard Setup
Pop
Key Feature:
• Excellent balance of all characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
Sabian 14" Stratus Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalSize: 14"Material: B-20 BronzeHigh impact hammeredTraditional...
⭐
4.9/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 577380
$516
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Hi-Hat IMC Natural
Pop
Standard Setup
Rock
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
- • Great for virtually any musical style
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Hi-Hat IMC NaturalHi-Hat CymbalsSize: 14"Material: B20 bronzeFinish: NaturalHigh-quality...
⭐
4.9/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 609356
$274
#8
⭐
4.6/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 14" Pure Alloy Soundwave Hats
by
Meinl
Jazz
All Genres
Rock
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
- • Wide selection of models available
✗ CONS
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
Meinl 14" Pure Alloy Soundwave HatsHi-HatSize: 14 "Pure Alloy SeriesFinish: TraditionalMechanical high-tech...
⭐
4.6/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 581525
$417
#9
⭐
4.6/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 14" 602 Heavy Hi Hat
by
Paiste
Jazz
Pop
Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models available
✓ PROS
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
- • Industry standard for most applications
✗ CONS
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
- • May not excel in specific applications
Paiste 14" 602 Heavy Hi Hat, Hi-Hat Cymbal, Size: 14", Strength: Heavy, Fast responding and assertive hi-hat...
⭐
4.6/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 483858
$659
#10
⭐
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
#11
⭐
5.0/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 14" 900 Colour Sound HH PRP
by
Paiste
Rock
Pop
All Genres
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✓ PROS
- • Wide selection of models available
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • May not excel in specific applications
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
Paiste 14" 900 Colour Sound HH PRPHi-Hat CymbalSize: 14"900 Colour Sound SeriesAlloy: CuSn8 bronzeFull sound...
⭐
5.0/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 588299
$274
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Agop 14" 30th Anniversary Med. HH
All Genres
Pop
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✓ PROS
- • Great for virtually any musical style
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • May not excel in specific applications
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
Istanbul Agop 14" 30th Anniversary Med. HHHi-Hat CymbalSize: 14"30th Anniversary modelMaterial: B20...
⭐
4.6/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 581314
$637
#13
⭐
5.0/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 14" Class. Cust. Dark Heavy HH
by
Meinl
Pop
Standard Setup
All Genres
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • May not excel in specific applications
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
Meinl 14" Class. Cust. Dark Heavy HHHi-Hat cymbalSize: 14"Classics Custom Dark SeriesStrength: HeavyFinish:...
⭐
5.0/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 510233
$263
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Zultan 14" Aeon Hi-Hat
by
Zultan
Universal Use
Jazz
Pop
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✓ PROS
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
Zultan 14" Aeon Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalSize: 14"Material: B25 bronze alloy (75% copper25%...
⭐
4.4/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 540992
$274
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 14" HHX Anthology Low Bell HH
by
Sabian
Universal Use
Jazz
All Genres
Key Feature:
• Excellent balance of all characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
Sabian 14" HHX Anthology Low Bell HHLow Bell Hi-Hat CymbalSize: 14"HHX Anthology SeriesDeveloped in...
⭐
4.6/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 540338
$853
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.
