AudioFu

Best 16" Crash Cymbals Under $100 2025

Affordable 16" crash cymbals under $100 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: October 15, 2025 • Next update: October 22, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Rock For Hard Rock For Metal For Punk For Aggressive Playing For Live Performance
BRANDS: Meinl Paiste Zildjian Sabian Zultan Istanbul Mehmet Istanbul Agop Masterwork
Millenium 16" B20 Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Millenium 16" B20 Crash

by Millenium
Aggressive Playing Live Performance Metal
Key Feature:
• Powerful attack with good sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock crash size
  • • Great stage presence and projection
✗ CONS
  • • May be too loud for intimate settings
  • • May ring too long in some applications

Millenium 16" B20 Crash, Crash Cymbal, Size: 16", Material: B20, Crash cymbal with a clear and explosive...

⭐ 4.5/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 337927
$55
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zildjian 16" Planet Z Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Zildjian 16" Planet Z Crash

by Zildjian
Metal Punk Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Great stage presence and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for rock and heavier styles
  • • Cuts through dense mixes well
✗ CONS
  • • May ring too long in some applications
  • • Requires proper technique to control

  • Zildjian 16" Planet Z Crash
  • Crash Cymbal
  • Size: 16"
  • Planet Z Series
  • Material: Brass
  • Regular version
  • Made in USA

⭐ 4.7/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 480954
$83
Buy at Thomann View Details
Paiste PST3 16" Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Paiste PST3 16" Crash

by Paiste
Live Performance Metal Punk
Key Feature:
• Great stage presence and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Powerful attack with good sustain
  • • Great stage presence and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Requires proper technique to control
  • • More expensive than smaller sizes

Paiste PST3 16" CrashCrash CymbalSize: 16"Paiste Sound Technology SeriesFull-bodiedfocussed and piercing...

⭐ 4.7/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 179107
$65
Buy at Thomann View Details
Millenium 16" Still Series Crash Blue - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Millenium 16" Still Series Crash Blue

by Millenium
Live Performance Aggressive Playing Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Great stage presence and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock crash size
  • • Cuts through dense mixes well
✗ CONS
  • • May be too loud for intimate settings
  • • Can overpower in lighter musical contexts

Millenium 16" Still Series Crash BlueCrash CymbalSize: 16"Up to 80% quieter compared to a standard...

⭐ 4.5/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 552909
$54
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zultan 16" Aja Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Zultan 16" Aja Crash

by Zultan
Aggressive Playing Rock Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent for rock and heavier styles
✓ PROS
  • • Great stage presence and projection
  • • Powerful attack with good sustain
✗ CONS
  • • May be too loud for intimate settings
  • • Requires proper technique to control

Zultan 16" Aja Crash, Crash cymbal, Grootte: 16", Sounds loud and full-bodied, The sustain behaviour of the...

⭐ 4.8/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 273920
$76
Buy at Thomann View Details
Paiste 16" 101 Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Paiste 16" 101 Crash

by Paiste
Punk Aggressive Playing Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Powerful attack with good sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock crash size
  • • Excellent for rock and heavier styles
✗ CONS
  • • Requires proper technique to control
  • • May be too loud for intimate settings

Paiste 16" 101 Crash16" Crash101 seriesBrass materialExtremely well-balanced crash cymbalVersatile crash with...

⭐ 4.7/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
6/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 119356
$54
Buy at Thomann View Details
Meinl 16" HCS Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Meinl 16" HCS Crash

by Meinl
Rock Live Performance Aggressive Playing
Key Feature:
• Powerful attack with good sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Classic rock crash size
  • • Cuts through dense mixes well
✗ CONS
  • • Requires proper technique to control
  • • Can overpower in lighter musical contexts

Meinl 16" HCS CrashCrashHCS SeriesSize: 16"Beginner Cymbals SeriesCombines quality and valueMS63 mixtureSoft...

⭐ 4.8/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 111021
$72
Buy at Thomann View Details
Millenium 16" Still Series Crash regular - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Millenium 16" Still Series Crash regular

by Millenium
Punk Hard Rock Metal
Key Feature:
• Powerful attack with good sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for rock and heavier styles
  • • Great stage presence and projection
✗ CONS
  • • May ring too long in some applications
  • • More expensive than smaller sizes

Millenium 16" Still Series Crash regularCrash cymbalSize: 16"Still seriesUp to 80% quieter compared to a...

⭐ 4.6/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 430550
$65
Buy at Thomann View Details
Millenium 16" Still Series Crash Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Millenium 16" Still Series Crash Red

by Millenium
Metal Hard Rock Live Performance
Key Feature:
• Great stage presence and projection
✓ PROS
  • • Powerful attack with good sustain
  • • Great stage presence and projection
✗ CONS
  • • Requires proper technique to control
  • • More expensive than smaller sizes

Millenium 16" Still Series Crash RedCrash CymbalSize: 16"Up to 80% quieter compared to a standard cymbalIdeal...

⭐ 4.9/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 552907
$54
Buy at Thomann View Details
Meinl 16" HCS Trash Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Meinl 16" HCS Trash Crash

by Meinl
Metal Live Performance Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent for rock and heavier styles
✓ PROS
  • • Powerful attack with good sustain
  • • Cuts through dense mixes well
✗ CONS
  • • Can overpower in lighter musical contexts
  • • More expensive than smaller sizes

Meinl 16" HCS Trash CrashCrash CymbalHCS Series16" Trash CrashBeginner Cymbals SeriesCombines quality and...

⭐ 4.5/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 308378
$83
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 16" Crash 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" crash 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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