Best 14" Hi-Hat Cymbals Under $200 2025

Affordable 14" hi-hat cymbals under $200 - great value without compromising quality

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

Paiste PST5 14" Medium Hi-Hat '14 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Paiste PST5 14" Medium Hi-Hat '14

Universal Use Standard Setup Rock
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
  • • Wide selection of models available
  • • Industry standard for most applications
✗ CONS
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes
  • • Competition with other frequency ranges

Paiste PST5 14" Medium Hi-Hat 14"Medium Hi-Hat CymbalsSize: 14"From the new series PST5Material: CuSn8...

4.9/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 14" Practice HCS Hihat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Meinl 14" Practice HCS Hihat

Universal Use All Genres Jazz
Key Feature:
• Excellent balance of all characteristics
✓ PROS
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes

Meinl 14" Practice HCS HihatHi-Hat CymbalSize: 14"Material: MS63 brassExtra quiet - perfect for...

4.7/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 14" HCS Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Meinl 14" HCS Hi-Hat

Pop Jazz Rock
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 require careful tuning for optimal sound

Meinl 14" HCS Hi-HatHi-HatHCS SeriesSize: 14"From the beginners' cymbal seriesVery good value for...

4.6/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Millenium 14" B20 Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Millenium 14" B20 Hi-Hat

Pop Jazz All Genres
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
  • • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
  • • Wide selection of models available
✗ CONS
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection

Millenium 14" B20 Hi-Hat, Hi-Hat Cymbals, Size: 14", Material: B20, Clear and defined response with a good...

4.5/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 14" SBR Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sabian 14" SBR Hi-Hat

Universal Use Pop All Genres
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
  • • Wide selection of models available
✗ CONS
  • • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
  • • Competition with other frequency ranges

Sabian 14" SBR Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalsSize: 14"Medium top / medium bottomMaterial: brassNatural...

4.5/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste PST7 14" Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Paiste PST7 14" Hi-Hat

Standard Setup Jazz Rock
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ 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 PST7 14" Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalsSize: 14"PST7 seriesTraditional sound and lookMaterial: Bronze...

4.8/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Paiste PST7 14" Heavy Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Paiste PST7 14" Heavy Hi-Hat

Rock Universal Use Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Excellent balance of all characteristics
✓ PROS
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
  • • Industry standard for most applications
✗ CONS
  • • Competition with other frequency ranges
  • • May not excel in specific applications

Paiste PST7 14" Heavy Hi-HatHeavy Hi-Hat CymbalsSize: 14"PST7 seriesTraditional sound and lookMaterial:...

4.6/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 14" Aja Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Zultan 14" Aja Hi-Hat

Pop Standard Setup Universal Use
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✓ 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

Zultan 14" Aja Hi-Hat, Hi-Hat, Size: 14", Crisper, sharper sound through the use of high-quality bronze

5.0/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 14" Planet Z Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Zildjian 14" Planet Z Hi-Hat

Standard Setup Jazz Pop
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
  • • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
  • • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
  • • Competition with other frequency ranges

Zildjian 14" Planet Z Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalSize: 14"Planet Z SeriesMaterial: BrassStrength: Medium top / heavy...

4.6/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Baldman Percussion 10" Big Mini Junk Hats - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Baldman Percussion 10" Big Mini Junk Hats

Standard Setup Universal Use All Genres
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
  • • Industry standard for most applications
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
  • • May not excel in specific applications
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection

Baldman Percussion 10" Big Mini Junk HatsHi-Hat PercussionSize: 10"Top "cymbal" made of walnut with...

4.9/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Masterwork 14" Troy Traditional Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Masterwork 14" Troy Traditional Hi-Hat

All Genres Rock Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
  • • Wide selection of models available
✗ CONS
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes

Masterwork 14" Troy Traditional Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalSize: 14"Material: B25 bronzeFinish:...

4.7/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 14" PSTX Swiss Hats - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Paiste 14" PSTX Swiss Hats

Jazz Pop Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes
  • • May require careful tuning for optimal sound

Paiste 14" PSTX Swiss HatsHi-Hat CymbalsSize: 14"PSTX SeriesSatin surface finishCombination of two different...

5.0/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste PST5 14" Sound Edge Hi-Hat '14 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Paiste PST5 14" Sound Edge Hi-Hat '14

Universal Use Pop Rock
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
  • • Industry standard for most applications
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
  • • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection

Paiste PST5 14" Sound Edge Hi-Hat 14"Sound Edge Hi-Hat CymbalsSize: 14"From the new series...

4.8/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste PST7 14" Light Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Paiste PST7 14" Light Hi-Hat

Standard Setup Universal Use All Genres
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models available
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
  • • Wide selection of models available
✗ CONS
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection

Paiste PST7 14" Light Hi-HatLight Hi-Hat CymbalsSize: 14"PST7 seriesTraditional sound and lookMaterial:...

4.8/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste PST3 14" Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Paiste PST3 14" Hi-Hat

Rock Universal Use Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
  • • May not excel in specific applications
  • • Competition with other frequency ranges

Paiste PST3 14" Hi-HatHi-HatSize: 14"Paiste Sound Technology SeriesMedium brightclearfull sounding hi-hat...

4.7/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10

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.

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