Best 14" Hi-Hat Cymbals Under $800 2025

Affordable 14" hi-hat cymbals under $800 - great value without compromising quality

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

Istanbul Agop 14" Agop Signature Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Istanbul Agop 14" Agop Signature Hi-Hat

Jazz All Genres Rock
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✓ PROS
  • • Industry standard for most applications
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
  • • Competition with other frequency ranges
  • • May require careful tuning for optimal sound

Istanbul Agop 14" Agop Signature Hi-HatHi-HatHand-hammeredSize: 14"Material: B20 bronzeDry stick stop with...

4.8/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 14" Masters Dark Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Paiste 14" Masters Dark Hi-Hat

Universal Use Jazz All Genres
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✓ PROS
  • • Industry standard for most applications
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
  • • May not excel in specific applications
  • • May require careful tuning for optimal sound

Paiste 14" Masters Dark Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalsMaster SeriesSize: 14"A softclosed sound with a smoky...

4.7/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 14" Signature Dark Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Paiste 14" Signature Dark Hi-Hat

Jazz Universal Use All Genres
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
  • • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes

Paiste 14" Signature Dark Hi-Hat, 14" Dark Crisp Hi-HatOn the way to the optimum cymbal sound for the...

5.0/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Istanbul Agop 14" 30th Anniversary Med. HH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Istanbul Agop 14" 30th Anniversary Med. HH

All Genres Pop Jazz
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✓ 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

Istanbul Agop 14" 30th Anniversary Med. HHHi-Hat CymbalSize: 14"30th Anniversary modelMaterial: B20...

4.6/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 14" 602 Mod. Essentials Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Paiste 14" 602 Mod. Essentials Hi-Hat

Universal Use Standard Setup Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
  • • Industry standard for most applications
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection
  • • May not excel in specific applications

Paiste 14" 602 Mod. Essentials Hi-Hat14" Hi-Hat CymbalsModern Essentials seriesRegular finishCuSn20 bronze...

4.9/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Meinl 14" Byzance Foundry Reserve HH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Meinl 14" Byzance Foundry Reserve HH

Rock Pop All Genres
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✓ PROS
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
  • • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
✗ CONS
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection
  • • May require careful tuning for optimal sound

Meinl 14" Byzance Foundry Reserve HHHi-Hat CymbalSize: 14"Byzance Foundry Reserve SeriesB20 BronzeTraditional...

5.0/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 14" A-Series New Beat Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Zildjian 14" A-Series New Beat Hi-Hat

Pop All Genres Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models available
✓ PROS
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection
  • • May require careful tuning for optimal sound

Zildjian 14" A-Series New Beat Hi-HatHi-HatSize: 14"New Beat hi-hatRegular / Traditional finishVery solid...

4.7/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 14" 602 Sound Edge Hi Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Paiste 14" 602 Sound Edge Hi Hat

Universal Use Jazz Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent balance of all characteristics
✓ PROS
  • • Most popular and versatile hi-hat size
  • • Industry standard for most applications
✗ CONS
  • • May require careful tuning for optimal sound
  • • Competition with other frequency ranges

Paiste 14" 602 Sound Edge Hi HatHi-HatPaiste 602 series14" Sound Edge Hi-HatFast respondingassertive and...

4.5/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Zildjian 14" K-Series Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Zildjian 14" K-Series Hi-Hat

All Genres Standard Setup Pop
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most applications
✓ PROS
  • • Industry standard for most applications
  • • Wide selection of models available
✗ CONS
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection

Zildjian 14" K-Series Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalsK Zildjian SeriesTraditional finishSize: 14"Hi-Hat consisting of...

4.8/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 14" Signature Dark Energy MK1 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Paiste 14" Signature Dark Energy MK1

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

Paiste 14" Signature Dark Energy MK114" Dark Energy Hi-Hat Mark ISignature Line SeriesFullenergeticand with a...

4.6/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Sabian 14" AAX X-Plosion Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Sabian 14" AAX X-Plosion Hi-Hat

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

Sabian 14" AAX X-Plosion Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalsDiameter: 14 "BrilliantMedium-Heavy Top Cymbals and Heavy Bottom...

4.8/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 14" Byzance Hi-Hat Medium - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Meinl 14" Byzance Hi-Hat Medium

Jazz Universal Use All Genres
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
  • • Industry standard for most applications
✗ CONS
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection

Meinl 14" Byzance Hi-Hat MediumHi-HatMeinl Classics series14" Hi-Hat MediumTraditional finishByzance cymbals...

4.7/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 14" Stratus Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Sabian 14" Stratus Hi-Hat

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

Sabian 14" Stratus Hi-HatHi-Hat CymbalSize: 14"Material: B-20 BronzeHigh impact hammeredTraditional...

4.9/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 14" Paragon Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sabian 14" Paragon Hi-Hat

Rock Jazz All Genres
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models available
✓ PROS
  • • Industry standard for most applications
  • • Wide selection of models available
✗ CONS
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes

Sabian 14" Paragon Hi-Hat14" Hi-hat CymbalsNatural finishNeil Peart signature cymbalParagon SeriesMade by...

4.7/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 14" Z Custom brilliant Hi-Hat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Zildjian 14" Z Custom brilliant Hi-Hat

Jazz Pop Universal Use
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models available
✓ PROS
  • • Industry standard for most applications
  • • Wide selection of models available
✗ CONS
  • • May not excel in specific applications
  • • May require careful tuning for optimal sound

Zildjian 14" Z Custom brilliant Hi-HatHi-HatDiameter: 14"Brightpowerful and rich hi-hat soundBrilliant finish...

4.9/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10

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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