Best Paiste 18" China Cymbals 2026
Premium Paiste 18" china cymbals - legendary tone and craftsmanship
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 18" Signature Thin China
by
Paiste
Large Concert
Power
Stadium
Key Feature:
• Concert hall and stadium projection
✓ PROS
- • Professional touring quality
- • Ultimate china cymbal experience
✗ CONS
- • Extremely expensive professional tool
- • May be too extreme for most applications
Paiste 18" Signature Thin China, Paiste Signature Line, 18" Thin ChinaOn the way to an optimal cymbal sound,...
⭐
4.6/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 121508
$488
#2
⭐
4.4/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 18" Rude Wild China
by
Paiste
Metal
Power
Extreme
Key Feature:
• Concert hall and stadium projection
✓ PROS
- • Concert hall and stadium projection
- • Professional touring quality
✗ CONS
- • Potential hearing damage without protection
- • Extremely expensive professional tool
Paiste 18" Rude Wild ChinaChina CymbalSize: 18"Darkfull-bodiedearthy sounding ChinaGreat sonic rangeHeavy...
⭐
4.4/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 295086
$351
#3
⭐
4.5/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 18" Rude Novo China
by
Paiste
Stadium
Large Concert
Professional
Key Feature:
• Maximum sustain and character
✓ PROS
- • Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
- • Maximum sustain and character
✗ CONS
- • Extremely expensive professional tool
- • Very heavy and difficult to transport
Paiste 18" Rude Novo China18" Novo ChinaSound: Brightmetallicfullvery powerfulextremely loudExotic China-type...
⭐
4.5/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 233409
$351
#4
⭐
4.7/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 2002 Classic 18" China
by
Paiste
Large Concert
Stadium
Professional
Key Feature:
• Professional touring quality
✓ PROS
- • Maximum sustain and character
- • Ultimate china cymbal experience
✗ CONS
- • Potential hearing damage without protection
- • Extremely expensive professional tool
Paiste 2002 Classic 18" China, 18" ChinaAn exotic, powerful cymbal with a traditionally shaped bell. The...
⭐
4.7/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 121507
$351
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Paiste 18" 900 Series China
by
Paiste
Metal
Large Concert
Extreme
Key Feature:
• Maximum sustain and character
✓ PROS
- • Professional touring quality
- • Concert hall and stadium projection
✗ CONS
- • May be too extreme for most applications
- • Very heavy and difficult to transport
Paiste 18" 900 Series ChinaChina CymbalSize: 18""900" SeriesMade of B8 (2002) bronzeExplosive crash...
⭐
4.8/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 407527
$197
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 2002 Classic 18" Novo China
by
Paiste
Large Concert
Professional
Metal
Key Feature:
• Ultimate china cymbal experience
✓ PROS
- • Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
- • Professional touring quality
✗ CONS
- • Potential hearing damage without protection
- • Requires professional setup and handling
Paiste 2002 Classic 18" Novo China, 18" Novo ChinaAn exotic, powerful cymbal with a traditionally shaped...
⭐
4.8/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 100745
$351
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 18" Rude China
by
Paiste
Professional
Power
Large Concert
Key Feature:
• Professional touring quality
✓ PROS
- • Concert hall and stadium projection
- • Professional touring quality
✗ CONS
- • May be too extreme for most applications
- • Potential hearing damage without protection
Paiste 18" Rude ChinaChina CymbalSize: 18"Darkfull-bodiedearthy sounding ChinaGreat sonic rangeHeavy grunge...
⭐
4.6/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 191494
$351
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 18" 900 Color Sound China BK
by
Paiste
Professional
Stadium
Large Concert
Key Feature:
• Professional touring quality
✓ PROS
- • Maximum sustain and character
- • Ultimate china cymbal experience
✗ CONS
- • Requires professional setup and handling
- • Very heavy and difficult to transport
Paiste 18" 900 Color Sound China BKChina CymbalSize: 18"900 Colour Sound seriesMade of B8 (2002)...
⭐
4.7/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 407562
$208
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Paiste PST7 18" China
by
Paiste
Large Concert
Metal
Stadium
Key Feature:
• Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
✓ PROS
- • Maximum sustain and character
- • Concert hall and stadium projection
✗ CONS
- • Very heavy and difficult to transport
- • May be too extreme for most applications
Paiste PST7 18" ChinaChinaSize: 18"PST7 SeriesTraditional sound and lookMaterial: CuSn8 BronzePowerful China...
⭐
4.8/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 336035
$149
#10
⭐
4.4/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 18" PST8 Reflector Rock China
by
Paiste
Power
Large Concert
Extreme
Key Feature:
• Professional touring quality
✓ PROS
- • Ultimate china cymbal experience
- • Concert hall and stadium projection
✗ CONS
- • May be too extreme for most applications
- • Requires professional setup and handling
Paiste 18" PST8 Reflector Rock ChinaChina CymbalReflector Rock ChinaSize: 18"PST8 seriesFlatfullearthy...
⭐
4.4/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 278866
$175
#11
⭐
4.6/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Paiste PST5 18" China '14
by
Paiste
Metal
Professional
Stadium
Key Feature:
• Maximum sustain and character
✓ PROS
- • Maximum sustain and character
- • Ultimate china cymbal experience
✗ CONS
- • May be too extreme for most applications
- • Potential hearing damage without protection
Paiste PST5 18" China '14ChinaSize: 18"From the new PST5 seriesMaterial: CuSn8 bronze (also known as...
⭐
4.6/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 335978
$142
#12
⭐
4.9/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Paiste PST3 18" China
by
Paiste
Power
Professional
Stadium
Key Feature:
• Maximum sustain and character
✓ PROS
- • Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
- • Professional touring quality
✗ CONS
- • Extremely expensive professional tool
- • Requires professional setup and handling
Paiste PST3 18" ChinaChina CymbalPaiste Sound Technology 3 seriesMade from a highly musical brass/copper...
⭐
4.9/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 179111
$91
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.
