Best 18" China Cymbals Under $500 2026
Affordable 18" china cymbals under $500 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
5.0/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet 18" China Samatya Series
Stadium
Professional
Extreme
Key Feature:
• Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
✓ PROS
- • Concert hall and stadium projection
- • Ultimate china cymbal experience
✗ CONS
- • May be too extreme for most applications
- • Requires professional setup and handling
Istanbul Mehmet 18" China Samatya SeriesChina CymbalSamatya seriesSize: 18"Brilliant finishModern cymbal with...
⭐
5.0/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 312223
$351
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 18" Stratus China
by
Sabian
Power
Extreme
Stadium
Key Feature:
• Professional touring quality
✓ PROS
- • Ultimate china cymbal experience
- • Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
✗ CONS
- • May be too extreme for most applications
- • Requires professional setup and handling
Sabian 18" Stratus ChinaChina CymbalSize: 18"Material: B-20 BronzeHigh impact hammeredTraditional...
⭐
4.7/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 577413
$384
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 18" Z Custom China brilliant
by
Zildjian
Metal
Professional
Stadium
Key Feature:
• Maximum sustain and character
✓ PROS
- • Ultimate china cymbal experience
- • Professional touring quality
✗ CONS
- • Very heavy and difficult to transport
- • Potential hearing damage without protection
Zildjian 18" Z Custom China brilliantChina CymbalSize: 18"Quick response with loud and explosive cutPerfect...
⭐
4.8/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 589123
$439
#4
⭐
4.5/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 18" Xist ION China Brilliant
Large Concert
Power
Extreme
Key Feature:
• Maximum sustain and character
✓ PROS
- • Maximum sustain and character
- • Professional touring quality
✗ CONS
- • May be too extreme for most applications
- • Potential hearing damage without protection
Istanbul Agop 18" Xist ION China BrilliantChina CymbalSize: 18"Xist ION seriesBrilliant finishMaterial: B20...
⭐
4.5/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 382946
$306
#5
⭐
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
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Zildjian 18" A-Series China Boy Low
by
Zildjian
Metal
Extreme
Professional
Key Feature:
• Ultimate china cymbal experience
✓ PROS
- • Maximum sustain and character
- • Concert hall and stadium projection
✗ CONS
- • May be too extreme for most applications
- • Extremely expensive professional tool
Zildjian 18" A-Series China Boy LowChina CymbalSize: 18"China Boy LowRegular modelStrongdeep...
⭐
4.8/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 171090
$366
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Zildjian 18" K Custom Special Dry China
by
Zildjian
Large Concert
Metal
Power
Key Feature:
• Maximum sustain and character
✓ PROS
- • Concert hall and stadium projection
- • Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
✗ CONS
- • Requires professional setup and handling
- • Very heavy and difficult to transport
Zildjian 18" K Custom Special Dry ChinaTrash China CymbalSize: 18"K Custom SpecialNatural finishDarkdry sound...
⭐
4.9/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 407294
$472
#8
⭐
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
#9
⭐
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
#10
⭐
5.0/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Ufip 18" FX Power China
by
Ufip
Large Concert
Power
Extreme
Key Feature:
• Concert hall and stadium projection
✓ PROS
- • Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
- • Ultimate china cymbal experience
✗ CONS
- • Potential hearing damage without protection
- • Extremely expensive professional tool
Ufip 18" FX Power ChinaChinaSize: 18"Material: B20 BronzeBright and trashy with great dynamicsVery suitable...
⭐
5.0/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 424299
$340
#11
⭐
4.7/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Zultan 18" Heritage China
by
Zultan
Extreme
Power
Large Concert
Key Feature:
• Concert hall and stadium projection
✓ PROS
- • Professional touring quality
- • Concert hall and stadium projection
✗ CONS
- • Extremely expensive professional tool
- • May be too extreme for most applications
Zultan 18" Heritage ChinaChina CymbalHeritage SeriesSize: 18"100% Hand-crafted cymbal according to old...
⭐
4.7/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 422427
$307
#12
⭐
5.0/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 18" Traditional China
Stadium
Professional
Large Concert
Key Feature:
• Professional touring quality
✓ PROS
- • Maximum sustain and character
- • Massive 18-inch size for ultimate china impact
✗ CONS
- • Potential hearing damage without protection
- • Extremely expensive professional tool
Istanbul Agop 18" Taditional ChinaChina CymbalSize: 18"Traditional SeriesB20 AlloyTurnedRich and warm...
⭐
5.0/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 579371
$395
#13
⭐
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
#14
⭐
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
#15
⭐
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
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.
