Best 14" Hi-Hat Cymbals Under $300 2026
Affordable 14" hi-hat cymbals under $300 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: February 11, 2026 • Next update: February 18, 2026
#1
⭐
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
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 14" S Series Medium Hi-Hat
by
Zildjian
Universal Use
All Genres
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
- • Great for virtually any musical style
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • May not excel in specific applications
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
Zildjian 14" S Series Medium Hi-HatMedium Hi-Hat CymbalsDiameter: 14 "S SeriesMedium TopHeavy BottomMaterial:...
⭐
4.9/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 380623
$285
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Masterwork 14" Resonant Hi-Hat
by
Masterwork
Jazz
Universal Use
All Genres
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models available
✓ PROS
- • Industry standard for most applications
- • Wide selection of models available
✗ CONS
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
- • May not excel in specific applications
Masterwork 14" Resonant Hi-Hat, 14" Hi-HatCymbals from the Resonant Series are polished by hand, which gives...
⭐
4.9/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 111689
$263
#4
⭐
4.7/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Zultan 14" Dune Hi-Hat
by
Zultan
Pop
Standard Setup
All Genres
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models available
✓ PROS
- • Great for virtually any musical style
- • Industry standard for most applications
✗ CONS
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
Zultan 14" Dune Hi-HatHi-hat cymbalSize: 14"Dune SeriesHand-hammeredPremium hi-hat cymbal from traditional...
⭐
4.7/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 450115
$274
#5
⭐
4.4/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 14" 900 Color SE Hi-Hat BK
by
Paiste
Jazz
All Genres
Pop
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
- • Industry standard for most applications
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
Paiste 14" 900 Color SE Hi-Hat BKSound Edge Hi-Hat CymbalsSize: 14"900 Color Sound SeriesWaved bottom...
⭐
4.4/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 407553
$252
#6
⭐
4.4/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 14" Caz Hi-Hat
by
Zultan
All Genres
Pop
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ 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
Zultan 14" Caz Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalsSize: 14"Material: B20 BronzeHand-hammeredDeepermore voluminousclear...
⭐
4.4/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 278657
$252
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste Classic 14" Sound Edge HH Top
by
Paiste
Standard Setup
Universal Use
All Genres
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
Paiste Classic 14" Sound Edge Hi-Hat, Upper Hi-Hat Cymbal, Diameter: 14", 2002 Classic series, SoundEdge
⭐
4.5/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 183950
$241
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Zildjian 14" I Family Hi-Hat
by
Zildjian
Universal Use
Jazz
Pop
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✓ 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
Zildjian 14" I Family Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalSize: 14"I Family SeriesMaterial: B8 BronzeStrength: Medium-thin top...
⭐
4.5/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 480903
$215
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 14" Classics Custom Hi-Hat Me.
by
Meinl
All Genres
Pop
Universal Use
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
- • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
Meinl 14" Classics Custom Hi-Hat Me.Hi-HatDiameter: 14"Classics Custom seriesMedium hi-hatBrilliant...
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 261665
$274
#10
⭐
4.6/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 14" Rock Beat Hi-Hat Medium
by
Zultan
Jazz
Universal Use
All Genres
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models available
✓ PROS
- • Industry standard for most applications
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
Zultan 14" Rock Beat Hi-Hat MediumHi-Hat CymbalsSize: 14"Rock Beat seriesMediumThe closed hi-hat pedal...
⭐
4.6/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 269727
$241
#11
⭐
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
#12
⭐
4.8/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 14" 900 Color Sound Hi-Hat RD
by
Paiste
Jazz
Universal Use
Rock
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models available
✓ PROS
- • Industry standard for most applications
- • Wide selection of models available
✗ CONS
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
Paiste 14" 900 Color Sound Hi-Hat RDHi-Hat CymbalSize: 14"900 Color Sound seriesMade of B8 (2002) bronzeFull...
⭐
4.8/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 541444
$263
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 14" 900 Color Sound Hi-Hat BK
by
Paiste
Rock
Standard Setup
Pop
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
- • Wide selection of models available
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
- • May not excel in specific applications
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
Paiste 14" 900 Color Sound Hi-Hat BKHi-Hat CymbalsSize: 14"900 Color Sound SeriesMade from B8 bronze...
⭐
4.9/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 407552
$263
#14
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Zultan 14" Hi-Hat CS Series
by
Zultan
All Genres
Standard Setup
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✓ PROS
- • Great for virtually any musical style
- • Industry standard for most applications
✗ CONS
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
Zultan 14" Hi-Hat CS SeriesHi-Hat CymbalsSize: 14"Premium hi-hat cymbals from Turkish manufactureCS...
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 281105
$263
#15
⭐
4.9/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Masterwork 14" Custom Rock Hi-Hat
by
Masterwork
Jazz
Standard Setup
Rock
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models available
✓ PROS
- • Industry standard for most applications
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
- • May not excel in specific applications
Masterwork 14" Custom Rock Hi-Hat, 14" Rock Hi-Hat RockA considerable frequency range and a warm fundamental...
⭐
4.9/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 111564
$244
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.
