Best 16" China Cymbals 2026
Top-rated 16" china cymbals 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: January 28, 2026 • Next update: February 4, 2026
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 16" Byzance China Traditional
by
Meinl
Metal
Power
Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
✓ PROS
- • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
- • Excellent projection in large venues
✗ CONS
- • Very loud and potentially overpowering
- • May be too much for many musical styles
Meinl 16" Byzance China TraditionalChina CymbalSeries ByzanceSize 16"ChinaByzance cymbals are made in...
⭐
4.6/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 168709
$373
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Agop 16" Xist ION China Brilliant
Power
Rock
Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Great for heavy rock and metal
✓ PROS
- • Excellent projection in large venues
- • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
✗ CONS
- • Large size requires significant setup space
- • Expensive investment
Istanbul Agop 16" Xist ION China BrilliantChina CymbalSize: 16"Xist ION seriesBrilliant finishMaterial: B20...
⭐
4.6/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 382943
$252
#3
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Agop 16" Traditional China
Metal
Rock
Power
Key Feature:
• Great for heavy rock and metal
✓ PROS
- • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
- • Excellent projection in large venues
✗ CONS
- • May be too much for many musical styles
- • Very loud and potentially overpowering
Istanbul Agop 16" Taditional ChinaChina CymbalSize: 16"Traditional SeriesB20 AlloyTurnedRich and warm...
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 579368
$296
#4
⭐
4.4/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Zultan 16" Mellow China
by
Zultan
Heavy Music
Professional
Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent projection in large venues
✓ PROS
- • Great for heavy rock and metal
- • Excellent projection in large venues
✗ CONS
- • May be too much for many musical styles
- • Can dominate mix if not balanced properly
Zultan 16" Mellow ChinaChina CymbalSize: 16"Mellow SeriesMaterial: B20 bronze alloyReduces the cymbal volume...
⭐
4.4/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 561617
$274
#5
⭐
4.4/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 16" Rude Wild China
by
Paiste
Rock
Professional
Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Excellent projection in large venues
✓ PROS
- • Great for heavy rock and metal
- • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
✗ CONS
- • Expensive investment
- • Very loud and potentially overpowering
Paiste 16" Rude Wild ChinaChina CymbalSize: 16"Darkfullearthy sounding ChinaWide sound rangeHeavy basic...
⭐
4.4/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 295087
$296
#6
⭐
4.4/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 16" Byzance China Brilliant
by
Meinl
Professional
Large Venues
Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Professional power and sustain
✓ PROS
- • Excellent projection in large venues
- • Great for heavy rock and metal
✗ CONS
- • Expensive investment
- • May be too much for many musical styles
Meinl 16" Byzance China Brilliant16" China CymbalByzance seriesBrilliant finishAggressiveexotic sound with...
⭐
4.4/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 225661
$373
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 16" Classics Custom Tr. China
by
Meinl
Large Venues
Rock
Professional
Key Feature:
• Great for heavy rock and metal
✓ PROS
- • Substantial visual and sonic presence
- • Excellent projection in large venues
✗ CONS
- • Large size requires significant setup space
- • Can dominate mix if not balanced properly
Meinl 16" Classics Custom Tr. ChinaChinaSize: 16"Classics custom seriesTrash ChinaBrillant surface...
⭐
4.5/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 308471
$197
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet 16" China Samatya Series
Power
Professional
Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Great for heavy rock and metal
✓ PROS
- • Excellent projection in large venues
- • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
✗ CONS
- • Large size requires significant setup space
- • Can dominate mix if not balanced properly
Istanbul Mehmet 16" China Samatya Series16" ChinaSamatya seriesBrilliant finishModernresponsive cymbalIdeal...
⭐
4.7/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 312221
$303
#9
⭐
4.6/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Zultan 16" Rock Beat Trash China
by
Zultan
Professional
Large Venues
Metal
Key Feature:
• Excellent projection in large venues
✓ PROS
- • Excellent projection in large venues
- • Great for heavy rock and metal
✗ CONS
- • Can dominate mix if not balanced properly
- • Large size requires significant setup space
Zultan 16" Rock Beat Trash ChinaTrash China cymbalSize: 16"Rock Beat seriesMaterial: B20 bronzeFullvoluminous...
⭐
4.6/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 407803
$263
#10
⭐
4.6/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 16" AAX China
by
Sabian
Metal
Rock
Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Professional power and sustain
✓ PROS
- • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
- • Great for heavy rock and metal
✗ CONS
- • Expensive investment
- • Large size requires significant setup space
Sabian 16" AAX ChinaChina CymbalAAX SeriesSize: 16"Brilliant finishRipping attack with a largeround tone yet...
⭐
4.6/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 131357
$384
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 16" 900 Series China
by
Paiste
Heavy Music
Professional
Rock
Key Feature:
• Professional power and sustain
✓ PROS
- • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
- • Excellent projection in large venues
✗ CONS
- • May be too much for many musical styles
- • Can dominate mix if not balanced properly
Paiste 16" 900 Series ChinaChina CymbalSize: 16"900 seriesMade from B8 (2002) bronzeExplosive crash sound for...
⭐
4.5/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 407526
$164
#12
⭐
4.8/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Zildjian 16" I Family China
by
Zildjian
Professional
Metal
Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
✓ PROS
- • Great for heavy rock and metal
- • Substantial visual and sonic presence
✗ CONS
- • Can dominate mix if not balanced properly
- • Expensive investment
Zildjian 16" I Family ChinaChina CymbalSize: 16"I Family SeriesMaterial: B8 BronzeTraditional versionThin...
⭐
4.8/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 480908
$142
#13
⭐
4.6/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 16" Byzance Dual China
by
Meinl
Heavy Music
Large Venues
Metal
Key Feature:
• Excellent projection in large venues
✓ PROS
- • Great for heavy rock and metal
- • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
✗ CONS
- • Large size requires significant setup space
- • Expensive investment
Meinl 16" Byzance Dual ChinaDual China CymbalSize: 16"Material: B20 BronzeHand-hammeredExtra Dry (natural)...
⭐
4.6/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 483036
$384
#14
⭐
4.5/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 16" Signature Thin China
by
Paiste
Heavy Music
Power
Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Great for heavy rock and metal
✓ PROS
- • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
- • Great for heavy rock and metal
✗ CONS
- • Large size requires significant setup space
- • Expensive investment
Paiste 16" Signature Thin China, 16" Thin ChinaOn its quest to develop the optimal cymbal sound, a special...
⭐
4.5/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 128126
$366
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 16" Xist China Brilliant
Heavy Music
Power
Metal
Key Feature:
• Excellent projection in large venues
✓ PROS
- • Excellent projection in large venues
- • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
✗ CONS
- • Very loud and potentially overpowering
- • Large size requires significant setup space
Istanbul Agop 16" Xist China BrilliantChina CymbalSize: 16"Xist SeriesBrilliant finishProfessional quality in...
⭐
4.6/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 505872
$252
How to Choose the Best 16" China 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 16" china 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.
