Best 16" Crash Cymbals Under $500 2025

Affordable 16" crash cymbals under $500 - 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

Istanbul Mehmet 16" Tony Williams Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Istanbul Mehmet 16" Tony Williams Crash

by Istanbul Mehmet

Aggressive Playing Hard Rock Live Performance

Key Feature:

• Classic rock crash size

✓ PROS

• Cuts through dense mixes well
• Excellent for rock and heavier styles

✗ CONS

• More expensive than smaller sizes
• May ring too long in some applications

Istanbul Mehmet 16" Tony Williams CrashCrash cymbalTony Williams signature modelSize: 16"Material: B20...

⭐ 4.4/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 491198

$468

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sabian 16" HHX Complex Aero Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Sabian 16" HHX Complex Aero Crash

by Sabian

Metal Aggressive Playing Live Performance

Key Feature:

• Powerful attack with good sustain

✓ PROS

• Classic rock crash size
• Powerful attack with good sustain

✗ CONS

• More expensive than smaller sizes
• Can overpower in lighter musical contexts

Sabian 16" HHX Complex Aero CrashCrash CymbalSize: 16"Material: B20 BronzeCombination of HH and HHX...

⭐ 4.5/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 563130

$472

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sabian 18" AAX Rocktagon - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Sabian 18" AAX Rocktagon

by Sabian

Hard Rock Aggressive Playing Punk

Key Feature:

• Cuts through dense mixes well

✓ PROS

• Classic rock crash size
• Great stage presence and projection

✗ CONS

• More expensive than smaller sizes
• May be too loud for intimate settings

Sabian 18" AAX RocktagonCrash CymbalSize: 18"2023 Vault Drop SeriesLimited editionMaterial: B-20...

⭐ 4.9/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 569454

$457

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sabian 16" HHX HHXtrem Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (17 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Sabian 16" HHX HHXtrem Crash

by Sabian

Hard Rock Metal Rock

Key Feature:

• Powerful attack with good sustain

✓ PROS

• Classic rock crash size
• Powerful attack with good sustain

✗ CONS

• More expensive than smaller sizes
• Can overpower in lighter musical contexts

Sabian 16" HHX HHXtrem CrashHHXtrem Crash CymbalSize: 16"HHX seriesBrilliant finishAn attractive crash with a...

⭐ 4.6/5 (17 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 188152

$457

Buy at Thomann View Details

Zildjian 16" A-Custom Fast Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Zildjian 16" A-Custom Fast Crash

by Zildjian

Hard Rock Rock Punk

Key Feature:

• Great stage presence and projection

✓ PROS

• Excellent for rock and heavier styles
• Classic rock crash size

✗ CONS

• May be too loud for intimate settings
• Can overpower in lighter musical contexts

Zildjian 16" A-Custom Fast CrashCrash CymbalSize: 16"A-Custom Fast CrashBrilliant finishBrightopenpowerful...

⭐ 4.9/5 (48 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 155978

$351

Buy at Thomann View Details

Meinl 16" Byzance Thin Crash Brill. - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Meinl 16" Byzance Thin Crash Brill.

by Meinl

Live Performance Punk Aggressive Playing

Key Feature:

• Great stage presence and projection

✓ PROS

• Great stage presence and projection
• Excellent for rock and heavier styles

✗ CONS

• May ring too long in some applications
• More expensive than smaller sizes

Meinl 16" Byzance Thin Crash Brill.Thin Crash CymbalByzance SeriesSize: 16"Brilliant finishVery deep...

⭐ 4.5/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 221551

$373

Buy at Thomann View Details

Zildjian 16" A-Custom EFX - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Zildjian 16" A-Custom EFX

by Zildjian

Hard Rock Punk Metal

Key Feature:

• Great stage presence and projection

✓ PROS

• Powerful attack with good sustain
• Excellent for rock and heavier styles

✗ CONS

• More expensive than smaller sizes
• May ring too long in some applications

Zildjian 16" A-Custom EFXEFX CymbalA-Custom SeriesSize: 16"Brilliant finishThis special effects crash cymbal...

⭐ 4.9/5 (35 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 248162

$351

Buy at Thomann View Details

Meinl 16" Byzance Extra Dry T. Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Meinl 16" Byzance Extra Dry T. Crash

by Meinl

Aggressive Playing Hard Rock Rock

Key Feature:

• Excellent for rock and heavier styles

✓ PROS

• Excellent for rock and heavier styles
• Cuts through dense mixes well

✗ CONS

• May ring too long in some applications
• May be too loud for intimate settings

Meinl 16" Byzance Extra Dry T. CrashThin Crash CymbalByzance SeriesSize: 16"Extra Dry Thin CrashExtra dry...

⭐ 4.8/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 221818

$384

Buy at Thomann View Details

Paiste 16" 602 Mod. Essentials Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Paiste 16" 602 Mod. Essentials Crash

by Paiste

Hard Rock Punk Aggressive Playing

Key Feature:

• Great stage presence and projection

✓ PROS

• Powerful attack with good sustain
• Classic rock crash size

✗ CONS

• May be too loud for intimate settings
• Can overpower in lighter musical contexts

Paiste 16" 602 Mod. Essentials Crash16" Crash CymbalModern Essentials SeriesRegular modelCuSn20 bronze...

⭐ 4.9/5 (15 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 312893

$438

Buy at Thomann View Details

Paiste 16" Signature Fast Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.8/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Paiste 16" Signature Fast Crash

by Paiste

Punk Live Performance Rock

Key Feature:

• Great stage presence and projection

✓ PROS

• Powerful attack with good sustain
• Excellent for rock and heavier styles

✗ CONS

• More expensive than smaller sizes
• Requires proper technique to control

Paiste 16" Signature Fast Crash, 16" Fast CrashThe Fast Crash from the Signature line offers a warm, rich and...

⭐ 4.8/5 (30 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 133488

$384

Buy at Thomann View Details

Paiste 16" Signature Dark Energy MK1 - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.8/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Paiste 16" Signature Dark Energy MK1

by Paiste

Metal Live Performance Punk

Key Feature:

• Cuts through dense mixes well

✓ PROS

• Powerful attack with good sustain
• Classic rock crash size

✗ CONS

• May ring too long in some applications
• Requires proper technique to control

Paiste 16" Signature Dark Energy MK1Crash CymbalsSize: 16"Signature Line SeriesDark Energy CrashDark bodyFull...

⭐ 4.8/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 169450

$438

Buy at Thomann View Details

Sabian 16" AAX AAXplosion Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.8/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Sabian 16" AAX AAXplosion Crash

by Sabian

Metal Hard Rock Live Performance

Key Feature:

• Excellent for rock and heavier styles

✓ PROS

• Classic rock crash size
• Great stage presence and projection

✗ CONS

• May be too loud for intimate settings
• More expensive than smaller sizes

Sabian 16" AAX AAXplosion CrashCrash CymbalAAX SeriesSize: 16"AAXplosion CrashBrilliant...

⭐ 4.8/5 (39 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 157267

$384

Buy at Thomann View Details

Zildjian 16" K Custom Special Dry Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.7/5 (23 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Zildjian 16" K Custom Special Dry Crash

by Zildjian

Aggressive Playing Live Performance Metal

Key Feature:

• Great stage presence and projection

✓ PROS

• Cuts through dense mixes well
• Powerful attack with good sustain

✗ CONS

• May be too loud for intimate settings
• More expensive than smaller sizes

Zildjian 16" K Custom Special Dry CrashCrash CymbalSize: 16"K Custom Special Dry SeriesNatural...

⭐ 4.7/5 (23 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 407205

$373

Buy at Thomann View Details

Meinl 16" Byzance Dark Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.5/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Meinl 16" Byzance Dark Crash

by Meinl

Metal Aggressive Playing Rock

Key Feature:

• Cuts through dense mixes well

✓ PROS

• Powerful attack with good sustain
• Cuts through dense mixes well

✗ CONS

• May be too loud for intimate settings
• More expensive than smaller sizes

Meinl 16" Byzance Dark CrashDark Crash CymbalByzance seriesSize: 16"Dark (natural) designExtremely dry and...

⭐ 4.5/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 221805

$384

Buy at Thomann View Details

Meinl 16" Byzance Vintage Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 5.0/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Meinl 16" Byzance Vintage Crash

by Meinl

Aggressive Playing Rock Hard Rock

Key Feature:

• Cuts through dense mixes well

✓ PROS

• Excellent for rock and heavier styles
• Powerful attack with good sustain

✗ CONS

• More expensive than smaller sizes
• May ring too long in some applications

Meinl 16" Byzance Vintage CrashCrash Cymbals16" Byzance seriesVintage crashSandblasted surfaceLarge hammered...

⭐ 5.0/5 (44 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 308283

$373

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.

Best 16" Crash Cymbals Under $500 2025

Istanbul Mehmet 16" Tony Williams Crash

Sabian 16" HHX Complex Aero Crash

Sabian 18" AAX Rocktagon

Sabian 16" HHX HHXtrem Crash

Zildjian 16" A-Custom Fast Crash

Meinl 16" Byzance Thin Crash Brill.

Zildjian 16" A-Custom EFX

Meinl 16" Byzance Extra Dry T. Crash

Paiste 16" 602 Mod. Essentials Crash

Paiste 16" Signature Fast Crash

Paiste 16" Signature Dark Energy MK1

Sabian 16" AAX AAXplosion Crash

Zildjian 16" K Custom Special Dry Crash

Meinl 16" Byzance Dark Crash

Meinl 16" Byzance Vintage Crash

How to Choose the Best 16" Crash Cymbals

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying 16" crash cymbals?

How much should I spend on 16" crash cymbals?

Are expensive 16" crash cymbals worth the investment?

What are the best brands for 16" crash cymbals?

Should I buy 16" crash cymbals online or in-store?

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