Best Meinl 18" China Cymbals 2026
Premium Meinl 18" china cymbals - legendary tone and craftsmanship
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.7/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Meinl 18" Byzance Heavy H. China
by
Meinl
Stadium
Professional
Large Concert
Key Feature:
• Maximum sustain and character
✓ PROS
- • Concert hall and stadium projection
- • Professional touring quality
✗ CONS
- • Potential hearing damage without protection
- • Extremely expensive professional tool
Meinl 18" Byzance Heavy H. ChinaChina CymbalSize: 18"Byzance Heavy Hammered seriesFinish: BrilliantMaterial:...
⭐
4.7/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 406219
$438
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Meinl 18" Byzance Dark Trash China
by
Meinl
Large Concert
Professional
Metal
Key Feature:
• Concert hall and stadium projection
✓ PROS
- • Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
- • Concert hall and stadium projection
✗ CONS
- • Potential hearing damage without protection
- • Very heavy and difficult to transport
Meinl 18" Byzance Dark Trash ChinaDark Trash ChinaSize: 18"Byzance SeriesDark (Natural) modelExtremely...
⭐
4.7/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 557699
$428
#3
⭐
4.5/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 18" Byzance China Brilliant
by
Meinl
Extreme
Power
Large Concert
Key Feature:
• Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
✓ PROS
- • Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
- • Ultimate china cymbal experience
✗ CONS
- • Extremely expensive professional tool
- • Very heavy and difficult to transport
Meinl 18" Byzance China BrilliantChina CymbalByzance SeriesSize: 18"Brilliant finishAggressiveexotic sound...
⭐
4.5/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 221562
$438
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 18" Byzance Dual China
by
Meinl
Professional
Power
Extreme
Key Feature:
• Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
✓ PROS
- • Professional touring quality
- • Ultimate china cymbal experience
✗ CONS
- • Very heavy and difficult to transport
- • Extremely expensive professional tool
Meinl 18" Byzance Dual ChinaDual China cymbalSize: 18"Material: B20 bronzeHand-hammeredExtra Dry (natural)...
⭐
4.8/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 483037
$428
#5
⭐
4.5/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 18" Byzance Extra Dry China
by
Meinl
Large Concert
Extreme
Professional
Key Feature:
• Professional touring quality
✓ PROS
- • Maximum sustain and character
- • Concert hall and stadium projection
✗ CONS
- • Requires professional setup and handling
- • Potential hearing damage without protection
Meinl 18" Byzance Extra Dry China18" Extra Dry China CymbalByzance SeriesAlloy: B20 bronzeFinish: Extra...
⭐
4.5/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 248418
$450
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 18" Byzance China
by
Meinl
Professional
Extreme
Power
Key Feature:
• Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
✓ PROS
- • Concert hall and stadium projection
- • Professional touring quality
✗ CONS
- • Potential hearing damage without protection
- • May be too extreme for most applications
Meinl 18" Byzance ChinaChina cymbalSize: 18"Byzance SeriesTraditional designImmediate and direct response...
⭐
4.8/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 167214
$428
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Meinl 18" Class. Cust. Dark Heavy CH
by
Meinl
Professional
Metal
Stadium
Key Feature:
• Professional touring quality
✓ PROS
- • Maximum sustain and character
- • Ultimate china cymbal experience
✗ CONS
- • Extremely expensive professional tool
- • Requires professional setup and handling
Meinl 18" Class. Cust. Dark Heavy CHChina cymbalSize: 18"Classics Custom Dark SeriesThickness: HeavyFinish:...
⭐
4.6/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 510228
$218
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 18" Byzance Trash China Trad.
by
Meinl
Professional
Metal
Large Concert
Key Feature:
• Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
✓ PROS
- • Concert hall and stadium projection
- • Ultimate china cymbal experience
✗ CONS
- • Potential hearing damage without protection
- • May be too extreme for most applications
Meinl 18" Byzance Trash China Trad.Trash China CymbalSize: 18"Byzance SeriesTraditional modelMaterial: B-20...
⭐
4.7/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 557697
$438
#9
⭐
4.9/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 18" Classics Extreme China
by
Meinl
Metal
Professional
Extreme
Key Feature:
• Ultimate china cymbal experience
✓ PROS
- • Ultimate china cymbal experience
- • Professional touring quality
✗ CONS
- • Extremely expensive professional tool
- • Potential hearing damage without protection
Meinl 18" Classics Extreme ChinaChina CymbalSize: 18"Brilliant finishMaterial: B-12 BronzeLoud assertive and...
⭐
4.9/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 278487
$208
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl Pure Alloy 18" China
by
Meinl
Extreme
Metal
Professional
Key Feature:
• Concert hall and stadium projection
✓ PROS
- • Professional touring quality
- • Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
✗ CONS
- • May be too extreme for most applications
- • Very heavy and difficult to transport
Meinl Pure Alloy 18" ChinaChina CymbalSize: 18"Pure Alloy seriesFinish: TraditionalHigh-tech...
⭐
4.7/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 428619
$314
#11
⭐
4.6/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 18" Byzance Tr.China Brilliant
by
Meinl
Stadium
Professional
Extreme
Key Feature:
• Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
✓ PROS
- • Professional touring quality
- • Maximum sustain and character
✗ CONS
- • May be too extreme for most applications
- • Requires professional setup and handling
Meinl 18" Byzance Tr.China BrilliantTrash China CymbalSize: 18"Byzance SeriesBrilliant finishMaterial: B20...
⭐
4.6/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 557698
$438
#12
⭐
4.8/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Meinl 18" Byzance Dual Trash China
by
Meinl
Stadium
Large Concert
Metal
Key Feature:
• Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
✓ PROS
- • Professional touring quality
- • Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
✗ CONS
- • May be too extreme for most applications
- • Extremely expensive professional tool
Meinl 18" Byzance Dual Trash ChinaDual Trash ChinaSize: 18"Extra Dry (natural) and Brilliant finishWith 6...
⭐
4.8/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 533366
$438
#13
⭐
4.5/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 18" Pure Alloy Cust. Trash Ch.
by
Meinl
Metal
Professional
Stadium
Key Feature:
• Professional touring quality
✓ PROS
- • Maximum sustain and character
- • Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
✗ CONS
- • May be too extreme for most applications
- • Very heavy and difficult to transport
Meinl 18" Pure Alloy Cust. Trash Ch., Trash China Cymbal, Size: 18", Bright and trashy sound, Finish: Smoke...
⭐
4.5/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 558052
$340
#14
⭐
4.7/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 18" Pure Alloy Extra Ham.China
by
Meinl
Stadium
Professional
Metal
Key Feature:
• Maximum sustain and character
✓ PROS
- • Professional touring quality
- • Concert hall and stadium projection
✗ CONS
- • Requires professional setup and handling
- • Extremely expensive professional tool
Meinl 18" Pure Alloy Extra Ham.ChinaChina CymbalSize: 18"Pure Alloy SeriesPure alloyTraditional finishExtra...
⭐
4.7/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 606875
$329
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Meinl 18" Classics Custom China
by
Meinl
Stadium
Large Concert
Extreme
Key Feature:
• Ultimate china cymbal experience
✓ PROS
- • Maximum sustain and character
- • Ultimate china cymbal experience
✗ CONS
- • Requires professional setup and handling
- • May be too extreme for most applications
Meinl 18" Classics Custom ChinaChinaSize: 18"Classics Custom seriesBrillant surface finishExceptionally...
⭐
4.5/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 261664
$219
How to Choose the Best 18" 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 18" 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.
