Best 18" China Cymbals Under $300 2025

Affordable 18" china cymbals under $300 - great value without compromising quality

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

Zultan 18" Rock Beat Trash China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Zultan 18" Rock Beat Trash China

Metal Extreme Stadium
Key Feature:
• Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
✓ PROS
  • • Maximum sustain and character
  • • Professional touring quality
✗ CONS
  • • May be too extreme for most applications
  • • Very heavy and difficult to transport

Zultan 18" Rock Beat Trash ChinaTrash China CymbalSize: 18"Rock Beat seriesMaterial: B20 BronzeFullvoluminous...

5.0/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Meinl 18" Class. Cust. Dark Heavy CH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Meinl 18" Class. Cust. Dark Heavy CH

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
Zultan 18" Z-Series China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Zultan 18" Z-Series China

Professional Power Extreme
Key Feature:
• Concert hall and stadium projection
✓ PROS
  • • Ultimate china cymbal experience
  • • Professional touring quality
✗ CONS
  • • Requires professional setup and handling
  • • Very heavy and difficult to transport

Zultan 18" Z-Series ChinaChina CymbalSize: 18"Z SeriesHand-hammeredMaterial: B20 bronzeFullwarm sound with a...

4.5/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 18" Classics Cust. Dual China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Meinl 18" Classics Cust. Dual China

Large Concert Professional Metal
Key Feature:
• Ultimate china cymbal experience
✓ PROS
  • • Professional touring quality
  • • Maximum sustain and character
✗ CONS
  • • May be too extreme for most applications
  • • Requires professional setup and handling

Meinl 18" Classics Cust. Dual ChinaChina cymbalSize: 18"Material: B-12 bronzeFinish: Dark / brilliantWarm...

4.4/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 18" Low Volume China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Zildjian 18" Low Volume China

Metal Power Large Concert
Key Feature:
• Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
✓ PROS
  • • Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
  • • Concert hall and stadium projection
✗ CONS
  • • May be too extreme for most applications
  • • Very heavy and difficult to transport

Zildjian 18" Low Volume ChinaLow Volume China CymbalSize: 18"Compared to up to 80% quieter cymbalIdeal for...

4.5/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Masterwork 18" Custom China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Masterwork 18" Custom China

Power Metal Extreme
Key Feature:
• Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
✓ PROS
  • • Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
  • • Maximum sustain and character
✗ CONS
  • • Potential hearing damage without protection
  • • Requires professional setup and handling

Masterwork 18" Custom China, 18" ChinaThe all-round cymbal in the range. A remarkable sound spectrum and a...

5.0/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Zildjian 18" S Series Dark China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Zildjian 18" S Series Dark China

Power Professional Metal
Key Feature:
• Professional touring quality
✓ PROS
  • • Maximum sustain and character
  • • Professional touring quality
✗ CONS
  • • Extremely expensive professional tool
  • • Requires professional setup and handling

Zildjian 18" S Series Dark ChinaChina CymbalSize: 18"S Series DarkMaterial: B12 bronze alloy (88% copper12%...

5.0/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 18" Classics Custom Tr. China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Meinl 18" Classics Custom Tr. China

Metal Stadium Extreme
Key Feature:
• Professional touring quality
✓ PROS
  • • Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
  • • Concert hall and stadium projection
✗ CONS
  • • Potential hearing damage without protection
  • • May be too extreme for most applications

Meinl 18" Classics Custom Tr. ChinaChina Cymbal18" Classics Custom seriesTrash ChinaBrillant surface...

4.8/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Zultan 18" China Dark Matter - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Zultan 18" China Dark Matter

Professional Metal Stadium
Key Feature:
• Maximum sustain and character
✓ PROS
  • • Maximum sustain and character
  • • Ultimate china cymbal experience
✗ CONS
  • • Very heavy and difficult to transport
  • • Extremely expensive professional tool

Zultan 18" China Dark MatterChina CymbalSize: 18"Dark Matter LineDark China cymbal100%...

4.9/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Zultan 18" Dune China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Zultan 18" Dune China

Stadium Power Professional
Key Feature:
• Maximum sustain and character
✓ PROS
  • • Concert hall and stadium projection
  • • Professional touring quality
✗ CONS
  • • Requires professional setup and handling
  • • Very heavy and difficult to transport

Zultan 18" Dune ChinaChina CymbalSize: 18"Dune seriesHand-hammeredPremium China cymbal from traditional...

5.0/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 18" 900 Color Sound China BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Paiste 18" 900 Color Sound China BK

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
Meinl 18" Classics Extreme China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Meinl 18" Classics Extreme China

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
Meinl 18" Classics Custom Dark China - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Meinl 18" Classics Custom Dark China

Stadium Extreme Metal
Key Feature:
• Ultimate china cymbal experience
✓ PROS
  • • Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
  • • Professional touring quality
✗ CONS
  • • Extremely expensive professional tool
  • • Requires professional setup and handling

Meinl 18" Classics Custom Dark ChinaChina CymbalSize: 18"Classics Custom Dark SeriesFinish: NaturalB12...

4.4/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 18" China 25 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Zultan 18" China 25

Stadium Large Concert Extreme
Key Feature:
• Maximum sustain and character
✓ PROS
  • • Maximum sustain and character
  • • Concert hall and stadium projection
✗ CONS
  • • Requires professional setup and handling
  • • Potential hearing damage without protection

Zultan 18" China 25China Cymbal25th anniversary seriesSize: 18"Material: B20 BronzeHigh-quality cymbal series...

4.8/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 18" Rock Beat China Holey - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Zultan 18" Rock Beat China Holey

Stadium Metal Professional
Key Feature:
• Ultimate china cymbal experience
✓ PROS
  • • Maximum sustain and character
  • • Concert hall and stadium projection
✗ CONS
  • • Potential hearing damage without protection
  • • May be too extreme for most applications

Zultan 18" Rock Beat China HoleyChinaThe sound holes in this China cymbal lend it a shortquick response with...

4.9/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10

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.

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