Best 14" Hi-Hat Cymbals Under $500 2026
Affordable 14" hi-hat cymbals under $500 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Medium Hi-Hat Traditional
Pop
Rock
Universal Use
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models available
✓ PROS
- • Industry standard for most applications
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
- • May not excel in specific applications
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Medium Hi-Hat Traditional14" Medium Hi-HatTraditional seriesRegular modelWide dynamic...
⭐
4.6/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 311923
$428
#2
⭐
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
#3
⭐
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
#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
⭐
4.8/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Black Sea 1623 Hi-Hat
Standard Setup
All Genres
Universal Use
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
- • Great for virtually any musical style
- • Wide selection of models available
✗ CONS
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Black Sea 1623 Hi-HatHi-HatBlack Sea 1623 SeriesBS-HH14Hand-hammeredB20 BronzeDarkdry...
⭐
4.8/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 468515
$457
#6
⭐
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
#7
⭐
4.8/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Hi-Hat MC Jazz Series
Jazz
Rock
Universal Use
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
- • Competition with other frequency ranges
Istanbul Mehmet 14" Hi-Hat MC Jazz SeriesHi Hat CymbalsDiameter: 14"MC Jazz Constantinople seriesA Hi Hat...
⭐
4.8/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 311473
$428
#8
⭐
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
#9
⭐
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
#10
⭐
4.4/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Meinl 14" Byzance Dark Hi-Hat
by
Meinl
Jazz
Pop
All Genres
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✓ 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
Meinl 14" Byzance Dark Hi-HatDark Hi-HatByzance seriesSize: 14"Dark (natural) finishVery controlleddry sound...
⭐
4.4/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 221802
$494
#11
⭐
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
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Paiste 2002 Classic 14" Heavy Hi-Hat
by
Paiste
Standard Setup
All Genres
Pop
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✓ PROS
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
Paiste 2002 Classic 14" Heavy Hi-Hat, 14" "Heavy" Hi-Hat Heavier than the...
⭐
4.5/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 136413
$483
#13
⭐
5.0/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl Pure Alloy 14" Medium Hi-Hat
by
Meinl
All Genres
Pop
Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models available
✓ PROS
- • Great for virtually any musical style
- • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
- • May not excel in specific applications
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
Meinl Pure Alloy 14" Medium Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalsMediumSize: 14"Pure Alloy SeriesFinish: TraditionalFully...
⭐
5.0/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 405803
$395
#14
⭐
4.6/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Zildjian 14" A-Series Quick Beat Hi-Hat
by
Zildjian
Jazz
Rock
Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
- • Great for virtually any musical style
- • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
- • May lack character of specialty sizes
- • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
Zildjian 14" A-Series Quick Beat Hi-HatQuick Beat Hi-Hat CymbalsDiameter: 14"Regular...
⭐
4.6/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 124219
$488
#15
⭐
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
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.
