Best 16" China Cymbals Under $200 2025

Affordable 16" china cymbals under $200 - great value without compromising quality

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

Meinl 16" Classics Custom China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Meinl 16" Classics Custom China

Rock Metal Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
✓ PROS
  • • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
  • • Substantial visual and sonic presence
✗ CONS
  • • Large size requires significant setup space
  • • May be too much for many musical styles

Meinl 16" Classics Custom ChinaChina cymbalClassics Custom SeriesSize: 16"Brilliant finishExceptional smooth...

4.5/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Meinl 16" Class. Cust. Dark Tr. Ch. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Meinl 16" Class. Cust. Dark Tr. Ch.

Power Rock Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Excellent projection in large venues
✓ PROS
  • • Great for heavy rock and metal
  • • Excellent projection in large venues
✗ CONS
  • • Very loud and potentially overpowering
  • • May be too much for many musical styles

Meinl 16" Class. Cust. Dark Tr. Ch.Trash China CymbalSize: 16"Classics Custom SeriesCC16DATRCHExplosive and...

4.6/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 16" Z-Series China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Zultan 16" Z-Series China

Heavy Music Professional Rock
Key Feature:
• Substantial visual and sonic presence
✓ PROS
  • • Substantial visual and sonic presence
  • • Excellent projection in large venues
✗ CONS
  • • May be too much for many musical styles
  • • Large size requires significant setup space

Zultan 16" Z-Series ChinaChina CymbalSize: 16"Z SeriesHand-hammeredMaterial: B20 bronzeFullwarm sound with a...

4.8/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 16" 900 Color Sound China BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Paiste 16" 900 Color Sound China BK

Professional Large Venues Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Professional power and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Professional power and sustain
  • • Substantial visual and sonic presence
✗ CONS
  • • May be too much for many musical styles
  • • Can dominate mix if not balanced properly

Paiste 16" 900 Color Sound China BKChina CymbalSize: 16"900 ColorSound seriesMade from B8 (2002)...

4.9/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 16" Raw China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Zultan 16" Raw China

Heavy Music Power Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for heavy rock and metal
✓ PROS
  • • Professional power and sustain
  • • Substantial visual and sonic presence
✗ CONS
  • • Large size requires significant setup space
  • • Expensive investment

Zultan 16" Raw ChinaChina cymbalSize: 16"Raw series100% Hand-hammeredMaterial: B20 bronzeDarkwarm and full...

4.5/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 16" 900 Color Sound China PRP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Paiste 16" 900 Color Sound China PRP

Heavy Music Large Venues Power
Key Feature:
• Great for heavy rock and metal
✓ PROS
  • • Substantial visual and sonic presence
  • • Excellent projection in large venues
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive investment
  • • Large size requires significant setup space

Paiste 16" 900 Color Sound China PRPChina CymbalSize: 16"900 ColorSound seriesMade from B8 (2002)...

4.6/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 16" Rock Beat China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Zultan 16" Rock Beat China

Metal Professional Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Professional power and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Substantial visual and sonic presence
  • • Great for heavy rock and metal
✗ CONS
  • • Can dominate mix if not balanced properly
  • • Expensive investment

Zultan 16" Rock Beat ChinaChina cymbalSize: 16"Rock Beat seriesMade of B-20 BronzeShort and fast response...

4.4/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Zultan 16" China 25 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Zultan 16" China 25

Professional Power Rock
Key Feature:
• Professional power and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent projection in large venues
  • • Great for heavy rock and metal
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive investment
  • • Can dominate mix if not balanced properly

Zultan 16" China 25China Cymbal25th Anniversary seriesSize: 16"Material: B20 bronzeHigh-quality cymbal series...

4.5/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 16" Classics Custom Tr. China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Meinl 16" Classics Custom Tr. China

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
Sabian 16" SBR China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Sabian 16" SBR China

Professional Metal Power
Key Feature:
• Professional power and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent projection in large venues
  • • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
✗ CONS
  • • Large size requires significant setup space
  • • May be too much for many musical styles

Sabian 16" SBR China, China Cymbal, Size: 16", SBR Series, Material: Brass, Powerful effect cymbal for accents

4.7/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 16" 900 Series China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Paiste 16" 900 Series China

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
Paiste 16" 900 Color Sound China RED - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Paiste 16" 900 Color Sound China RED

Large Venues Heavy Music Professional
Key Feature:
• Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
✓ PROS
  • • Professional power and sustain
  • • Great for heavy rock and metal
✗ CONS
  • • May be too much for many musical styles
  • • Very loud and potentially overpowering

Paiste 16" 900 Color Sound China REDChina CymbalSize: 16"900 Colour Sound SeriesMade of B8 (2002)...

4.5/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Paiste 16" 900 Color Sound China BLUE - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Paiste 16" 900 Color Sound China BLUE

Professional Large Venues Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent projection in large venues
✓ PROS
  • • Professional power and sustain
  • • Excellent projection in large venues
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive investment
  • • Very loud and potentially overpowering

Paiste 16" 900 Color Sound China BLUEChina CymbalSize: 16"900 Colour Sound SeriesMade of B8 (2002)...

4.5/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 16" Classics Extreme China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Meinl 16" Classics Extreme China

Rock Professional Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Substantial visual and sonic presence
✓ PROS
  • • Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
  • • Great for heavy rock and metal
✗ CONS
  • • Can dominate mix if not balanced properly
  • • Large size requires significant setup space

Meinl 16" Classics Extreme ChinaChina CymbalSize: 16"Brilliant finishB12 bronzeLoud assertive and explosive...

4.9/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 16" PST8 Reflector China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Paiste 16" PST8 Reflector China

Professional Large Venues Metal
Key Feature:
• Large 16-inch size for maximum china impact
✓ PROS
  • • Great for heavy rock and metal
  • • Professional power and sustain
✗ CONS
  • • Large size requires significant setup space
  • • May be too much for many musical styles

Paiste 16" PST8 Reflector ChinaChina Cymbal16" Reflector ChinaPST8 seriesFlatfullsomewhat earthy sounding...

4.5/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10

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.

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