Best 14" Hi-Hat Cymbals Under $300 2026
Affordable 14" hi-hat cymbals under $300 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Baldman Percussion 14" OG Junk Hats
Jazz
Rock
Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
Baldman Percussion 14" OG Junk HatsHi-Hat PercussionSize: 14"Top "cymbal" made of walnut with...
⭐
4.6/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 562133
$219
#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
⭐
5.0/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Paiste 14" 900 Series Heavy Hi-Hat
by
Paiste
All Genres
Jazz
Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
- • Industry standard for most applications
- • Wide selection of models available
✗ CONS
- • May not excel in specific applications
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
Paiste 14" 900 Series Heavy Hi-HatHeavy Hi-Hat CymbalsSize: 14"900 SeriesMade from B8 bronze (2002)Full sound...
⭐
5.0/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 407521
$259
#4
⭐
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
#5
⭐
4.7/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 14" Classics Custom Hi-Hat Po.
by
Meinl
Universal Use
Jazz
Rock
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models available
✓ PROS
- • Wide selection of models available
- • Industry standard for most applications
✗ CONS
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
Meinl 14" Classics Custom Hi-Hat Po.Hi-HatSize: 14"Classics Custom SeriesPowerful hi-hatBrilliant...
⭐
4.7/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 261666
$274
#6
⭐
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
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Paiste 2002 Classic 14" SE Bottom
by
Paiste
Pop
Rock
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models available
✓ PROS
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
- • Industry standard for most applications
✗ CONS
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
- • May not excel in specific applications
Paiste 2002 Classic 14" SE Bottom, 14" Hi-Hat Sound Edge, Waved bottom hi-hat cymbal
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 225419
$241
#8
⭐
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
#9
⭐
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
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 14" Q Hi-Hat
by
Zultan
All Genres
Jazz
Pop
Key Feature:
• Excellent balance of all characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Industry standard for most applications
- • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
Zultan 14" Q Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalsSize: 14""Q" SeriesMade of B20 bronzeExcellent All Round Hi-Hat...
⭐
4.7/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 268246
$241
#11
⭐
4.9/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Zultan 14" Raw Hi-Hat
by
Zultan
Rock
All Genres
Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Excellent balance of all characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
- • Wide selection of models available
✗ CONS
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
Zultan 14" Raw Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalsSize: 14"Raw SeriesMade from B20 bronzeA darkwarm and full sound100%...
⭐
4.9/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 383222
$218
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Zildjian 14" Low Volume Hi-Hat
by
Zildjian
Universal Use
Rock
Pop
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
- • Great for virtually any musical style
- • Wide selection of models available
✗ CONS
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
Zildjian 14" Low Volume Hi-HatLow Volume Hi-Hat CymbalSize: 14"Up to 80% quieter compared to other...
⭐
4.6/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 451932
$274
#13
⭐
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
#14
⭐
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
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Zultan 14" Z-Series Hi-Hat
by
Zultan
All Genres
Pop
Universal Use
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✓ PROS
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
- • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
Zultan 14" Z-Series Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalsMaterial: B20 bronzeHand-hammeredClearsparkling...
⭐
4.6/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 278632
$274
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.
