Best 17" Crash Cymbals Under $500 2026
Affordable 17" crash cymbals under $500 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
4.5/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 17" HHX HHXtrem Crash trad.
by
Sabian
Fusion
Progressive
Power Playing
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
- • Excellent sustain and projection
- • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
- • Requires strong technique to control
- • Can mask other instruments if overused
Sabian 17" HHX HHXtrem Crash trad.Crash CymbalSize: 17"HHX seriesTraditional versionDarkexplosive crash sound...
⭐
4.5/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 519740
$494
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 17" Signature Fast Crash
by
Paiste
Metal
Progressive
Complex Music
Key Feature:
• Versatile across heavier genres
✓ PROS
- • Excellent sustain and projection
- • Versatile across heavier genres
✗ CONS
- • Expensive compared to standard sizes
- • Requires strong technique to control
Paiste 17" Line Fast Crash Cymbal, 17" Fast CrashThe Fast Crash from the Signature Line offers a warm, full...
⭐
4.6/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 133499
$428
#3
⭐
4.4/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 17" Z Custom Crash
by
Zildjian
Fusion
Progressive
Rock
Key Feature:
• Versatile across heavier genres
✓ PROS
- • Excellent sustain and projection
- • Great for expressive playing
✗ CONS
- • Expensive compared to standard sizes
- • Can mask other instruments if overused
Zildjian 17" Z Custom CrashCrash CymbalDiameter: 17"Developed for heavy hittersBright sound with explosive...
⭐
4.4/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 588917
$413
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Meinl 17" Byzance Jazz Extra Thin Cr
by
Meinl
Complex Music
Power Playing
Metal
Key Feature:
• Professional sound quality
✓ PROS
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
- • Excellent sustain and projection
✗ CONS
- • Can mask other instruments if overused
- • Expensive compared to standard sizes
Meinl 17" Byzance Jazz Extra Thin Cr17" Jazz Extra Thin CrashJazz model (brilliant)The response is fast and...
⭐
4.8/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 223542
$406
#5
⭐
4.7/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 17" K Custom Special Dry Trash
by
Zildjian
Metal
Fusion
Power Playing
Key Feature:
• Professional sound quality
✓ PROS
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
- • Excellent sustain and projection
✗ CONS
- • Can mask other instruments if overused
- • Expensive compared to standard sizes
Zildjian 17" K Custom Special Dry TrashTrash Crash CymbalSize: 17"K Custom Special Dry SeriesNatural...
⭐
4.7/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 407209
$438
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 17" HHX Legacy Crash
by
Sabian
Metal
Fusion
Power Playing
Key Feature:
• Versatile across heavier genres
✓ PROS
- • Excellent sustain and projection
- • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
- • May be overpowering in small venues
- • Expensive compared to standard sizes
Sabian 17" HHX Legacy CrashHHX Legacy CrashDave Weckl signature seriesSize: 17"The cymbal is thick and dark...
⭐
4.5/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 193278
$488
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Zildjian 17" K-Custom Dark Crash
by
Zildjian
Complex Music
Metal
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
- • Versatile across heavier genres
- • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
- • Requires strong technique to control
- • Expensive compared to standard sizes
Zildjian 17" K-Custom Dark CrashDark CrashSize: 17"K Custom seriesRegular finishUnique crash with drytrashy...
⭐
4.9/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 135866
$438
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 17" Signature Mellow Crash
by
Paiste
Power Playing
Metal
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Versatile across heavier genres
✓ PROS
- • Professional sound quality
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
✗ CONS
- • Heavy weight for extended playing
- • Requires strong technique to control
Paiste 17" Signature Mellow Crash, Paiste Signature Line, 17” Mellow CrashThe PAISTE Signature Cymbals are the...
⭐
4.5/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 136399
$417
#9
⭐
4.7/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 17" HHX HHXtrem Crash
by
Sabian
Progressive
Fusion
Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
- • Versatile across heavier genres
- • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
- • Requires strong technique to control
- • May be overpowering in small venues
Sabian 17" HHX HHXtrem CrashHHXtrem Crash CymbalSize: 17"HHX seriesBrilliant finishAn attractive Crash with a...
⭐
4.7/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 188151
$494
#10
⭐
5.0/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Paiste 17" Masters Dark Crash
by
Paiste
Metal
Progressive
Complex Music
Key Feature:
• Versatile across heavier genres
✓ PROS
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
- • Versatile across heavier genres
✗ CONS
- • Can mask other instruments if overused
- • Expensive compared to standard sizes
Paiste 17" Masters Dark CrashDark crash cymbalSize: 17"Masters SeriesDarksmoky cymbal soundSoft playing...
⭐
5.0/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 382001
$438
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 17" A-Custom Projection Crash
by
Zildjian
Progressive
Fusion
Metal
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and projection
✓ PROS
- • Versatile across heavier genres
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
✗ CONS
- • Can mask other instruments if overused
- • Expensive compared to standard sizes
Zildjian 17" A-Custom Projection Crash, 17" Projection Crash, A Custom series, Brillant finish, More power...
⭐
4.5/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 188716
$373
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 17" Byzance Medium Thin Crash
by
Meinl
Fusion
Progressive
Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
- • Professional sound quality
- • Great for expressive playing
✗ CONS
- • Can mask other instruments if overused
- • May be overpowering in small venues
Meinl 17" Byzance Medium Thin CrashMedium Thin Crash CymbalSize: 17"Traditional finishByzance SeriesHandmade...
⭐
4.5/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 167213
$406
#13
⭐
4.9/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Zildjian 17" K Sweet Crash
by
Zildjian
Progressive
Fusion
Power Playing
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and projection
✓ PROS
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
- • Versatile across heavier genres
✗ CONS
- • Can mask other instruments if overused
- • Requires strong technique to control
Zildjian 17" K Sweet CrashCrash CymbalSize: 17"K-seriesDark and fast responding cymbal"Random...
⭐
4.9/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 430940
$428
#14
⭐
5.0/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Zildjian 17" K-Series Dark Crash Thin
by
Zildjian
Power Playing
Complex Music
Progressive
Key Feature:
• Great for expressive playing
✓ PROS
- • Great for expressive playing
- • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
- • Expensive compared to standard sizes
- • Requires strong technique to control
Zildjian 17" K-Series Dark Crash ThinDark Thin Crash CymbalK seriesSize: 17"Traditional finishDarkwarm and...
⭐
5.0/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 100723
$428
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 17" HHX Evolution Effect Crash
by
Sabian
Complex Music
Power Playing
Progressive
Key Feature:
• Versatile across heavier genres
✓ PROS
- • Professional sound quality
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
✗ CONS
- • Heavy weight for extended playing
- • May be overpowering in small venues
Sabian 17" HHX Evolution Effect CrashEvolutionary Effect Crash CymbalSize: 17"HHX seriesBrilliant...
⭐
4.7/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 188213
$472
How to Choose the Best 17" 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 17" 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.
