Best 14" Hi-Hat Cymbals Under $500 2026
Affordable 14" hi-hat cymbals under $500 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.5/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Hi-Hat Legend Dark Series
Universal Use
Pop
All Genres
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
- • Wide selection of models available
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Hi-Hat Legend Dark Series, Hi-Hat, Size: 14", Dry, defined sound with clear stick attack
⭐
4.5/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 311716
$428
#2
⭐
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
#3
⭐
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
#4
⭐
5.0/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Medium Hi-Hat Turk Series
Standard Setup
Jazz
Rock
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
- • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Medium Hi-Hat Turk Series14" Medium Hi-HatTurk SeriesDry and dark accented stick soundThe...
⭐
5.0/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 311542
$428
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Nostalgia Hi-Hat
Universal Use
Rock
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
- • May not excel in specific applications
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Nostalgia Hi-Hat, 14" Nostalgia Hi-Hat, A deep and dark sound character, Full and musical...
⭐
4.9/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 311478
$472
#6
⭐
4.6/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 14" A-Series Mastersound HiHat
by
Zildjian
Universal Use
Jazz
Rock
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
- • Industry standard for most applications
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
- • May not excel in specific applications
Zildjian 14" A-Series Mastersound HiHat, Hi-Hat Cymbal Set, Diameter: 14", Regular finish, Medium top and...
⭐
4.6/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 164746
$494
#7
⭐
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
#8
⭐
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
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Mehmet 14" 61st Vintage Hi-Hat
All Genres
Pop
Rock
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
- • Wide selection of models available
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
Istanbul Mehmet 14" 61st Vintage Hi-Hat, 14" Hi-Hat Cymbal, With a dark, warm vintage sound, Based on the...
⭐
4.8/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 311879
$461
#10
⭐
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
#11
⭐
4.6/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Sabian 14" XSR Hi-Hat
by
Sabian
Rock
Standard Setup
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✓ PROS
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
Sabian 14" XSR Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalsDiameter: 14"XSR seriesMaterial: B20 bronzeBrilliant finishBright...
⭐
4.6/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 383170
$417
#12
⭐
4.9/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Ufip 14" Class Series Hi-Hat Medium
by
Ufip
Universal Use
Rock
Pop
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
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
Ufip 14" Class Series Hi-Hat Medium14" Hi-hatClass SeriesMediumThe UFIP Class Series always has a bit more to...
⭐
4.9/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 201875
$395
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 14" Xist Hi-Hat Brilliant
Standard Setup
Universal Use
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Excellent balance of all characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Industry standard for most applications
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
- • May not excel in specific applications
Istanbul Agop 14" Xist Hi-Hat BrilliantHi-Hat CymbalsDiameter: 14"Agop Xist seriesBrilliant finishMaterial:...
⭐
4.7/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 265125
$329
#14
⭐
4.5/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Zildjian 14" S Series Mastersound HiHat
by
Zildjian
Rock
Jazz
All Genres
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
- • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
Zildjian 14" S Series Mastersound HiHatMastersound Hi-Hat CymbalsDiameter: 14"S SeriesMedium TopHeavy...
⭐
4.5/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 380626
$307
#15
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Legend Hi-Hat
All Genres
Standard Setup
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
- • Great for virtually any musical style
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
- • May not excel in specific applications
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Legend Hi-Hat, 14" Hi-Hat Cymbals, ML-HH14, Natural finish, Specially designed for Jazz...
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 311453
$438
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.
