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Best 18" Crash Cymbals Under $200 2025

Affordable 18" crash cymbals under $200 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: November 12, 2025 • Next update: November 19, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Heavy Rock For Metal For Progressive For Stadium Rock For Powerful Playing For Large Venues
BRANDS: Meinl Paiste Zildjian Sabian Zultan Istanbul Mehmet Istanbul Agop Masterwork Millenium
Masterwork 18" Troy Traditional Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Masterwork 18" Troy Traditional Crash

by Masterwork
Progressive Stadium Rock Powerful Playing
Key Feature:
• Perfect for large venue performance
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, full-bodied crash sound
  • • Impressive visual and sonic impact
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
  • • May ring too long for fast passages

Masterwork 18" Troy Traditional CrashCrash CymbalSize: 18"Material: B 25 BronzeFinish:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 611373
$169
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zildjian 18" S Series Medium Thin Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Zildjian 18" S Series Medium Thin Crash

by Zildjian
Large Venues Powerful Playing Progressive
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and wash
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, full-bodied crash sound
  • • Excellent sustain and wash
✗ CONS
  • • Requires powerful amplification to balance
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces

Zildjian 18" S Series Medium Thin CrashMedium Thin Crash CymbalSize: 18"S SeriesMaterial: B12 bronze alloy...

⭐ 5.0/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 380563
$197
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zultan 18" Rock Beat Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Zultan 18" Rock Beat Crash

by Zultan
Powerful Playing Progressive Heavy Rock
Key Feature:
• Perfect for large venue performance
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for large venue performance
  • • Rich, full-bodied crash sound
✗ CONS
  • • Physically demanding to play effectively
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces

Zultan 18" Rock Beat CrashCrash CymbalRockbeat SeriesSize: 18"Made of B-20 bronzeFullvoluminous toneBalanced...

⭐ 4.7/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 268218
$197
Buy at Thomann View Details
Paiste 18" PST8 Reflector Rock Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Paiste 18" PST8 Reflector Rock Crash

by Paiste
Powerful Playing Large Venues Metal
Key Feature:
• Maximum projection and volume
✓ PROS
  • • Maximum projection and volume
  • • Impressive visual and sonic impact
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive investment
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces

Paiste 18" PST8 Reflector Rock Crash18" CrashPST8 SeriesEnergeticpowerfulstrong crash with great sound width...

⭐ 4.5/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 278823
$175
Buy at Thomann View Details
Paiste 18" PST8 Reflector Med. Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Paiste 18" PST8 Reflector Med. Crash

by Paiste
Metal Large Venues Powerful Playing
Key Feature:
• Maximum projection and volume
✓ PROS
  • • Maximum projection and volume
  • • Impressive visual and sonic impact
✗ CONS
  • • Physically demanding to play effectively
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces

Paiste 18" PST8 Reflector Med. CrashCrash CymbalSize: 18"PST8 SeriesA widevoluminous crash basinA pleasant...

⭐ 4.9/5 (56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 278819
$175
Buy at Thomann View Details
Paiste 18" PSTX Swiss Thin Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Paiste 18" PSTX Swiss Thin Crash

by Paiste
Progressive Heavy Rock Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Impressive visual and sonic impact
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and wash
  • • Perfect for large venue performance
✗ CONS
  • • May ring too long for fast passages
  • • Requires powerful amplification to balance

Paiste 18" PSTX Swiss Thin CrashCrash CymbalSize: 18"PSTX seriesSatin finishFastexplosive response with lots...

⭐ 5.0/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 358716
$164
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zultan 18" Dark Matter Holey Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Zultan 18" Dark Matter Holey Crash

by Zultan
Heavy Rock Progressive Metal
Key Feature:
• Impressive visual and sonic impact
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for large venue performance
  • • Rich, full-bodied crash sound
✗ CONS
  • • Requires powerful amplification to balance
  • • Physically demanding to play effectively

Zultan 18" Dark Matter Holey CrashCrash CymbalSize: 18"Hand-hammeredB20 BronzePerforated effect crash with...

⭐ 4.5/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 474868
$186
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zildjian 18" I Family Crash medium-thin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Zildjian 18" I Family Crash medium-thin

by Zildjian
Heavy Rock Powerful Playing Progressive
Key Feature:
• Rich, full-bodied crash sound
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, full-bodied crash sound
  • • Excellent sustain and wash
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive investment
  • • Requires powerful amplification to balance

Zildjian 18" I Family Crash medium-thinCrash CymbalSize: 18"I Family SeriesMaterial: B8 Bronze@Thickness:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 480891
$182
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zildjian 18" S Series Thin Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Zildjian 18" S Series Thin Crash

by Zildjian
Metal Progressive Powerful Playing
Key Feature:
• Perfect for large venue performance
✓ PROS
  • • Maximum projection and volume
  • • Rich, full-bodied crash sound
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive investment
  • • Requires powerful amplification to balance

Zildjian 18" S Series Thin CrashThin Crash CymbalSize: 18"S SeriesMaterial: B12 bronze alloy (88% copper12%...

⭐ 4.5/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 380557
$197
Buy at Thomann View Details
Paiste PST5 18" Rock Crash '14 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Paiste PST5 18" Rock Crash '14

by Paiste
Metal Powerful Playing Progressive
Key Feature:
• Maximum projection and volume
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for large venue performance
  • • Excellent sustain and wash
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive investment
  • • May ring too long for fast passages

Paiste PST5 18" Rock Crash '14Rock Crash CymbalSize: 18"From the new series PST5Material: CuSn8 Bronze...

⭐ 4.7/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 335972
$142
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zultan 18" Raw Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Zultan 18" Raw Crash

by Zultan
Progressive Heavy Rock Stadium Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and wash
✓ PROS
  • • Impressive visual and sonic impact
  • • Excellent sustain and wash
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
  • • May ring too long for fast passages

Zultan 18" Raw CrashCrash CymbalSize: 18"Raw SeriesMade of B20 bronzeDarkwarm and full sound100%...

⭐ 4.4/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 383209
$197
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zultan 18" Crash Dark Matter - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Zultan 18" Crash Dark Matter

by Zultan
Heavy Rock Progressive Stadium Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich, full-bodied crash sound
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for large venue performance
  • • Rich, full-bodied crash sound
✗ CONS
  • • Physically demanding to play effectively
  • • May ring too long for fast passages

Zultan 18" Crash Dark MatterCrash CymbalSize: 18"Dark Matter LineDark crash cymbal100% Hand hammeredDarkwarm...

⭐ 4.6/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 326509
$186
Buy at Thomann View Details
Paiste 18" 900 Series Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Paiste 18" 900 Series Crash

by Paiste
Progressive Heavy Rock Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Impressive visual and sonic impact
✓ PROS
  • • Impressive visual and sonic impact
  • • Excellent sustain and wash
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive investment
  • • Requires powerful amplification to balance

Paiste 18" 900 Series CrashCrash CymbalSize: 18""900" SeriesMade of B8 (2002) bronzeFull sound with...

⭐ 4.5/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 407496
$197
Buy at Thomann View Details
Paiste PST5 18" Medium Crash '14 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Paiste PST5 18" Medium Crash '14

by Paiste
Metal Powerful Playing Heavy Rock
Key Feature:
• Perfect for large venue performance
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, full-bodied crash sound
  • • Perfect for large venue performance
✗ CONS
  • • Requires powerful amplification to balance
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces

Paiste PST5 18" Medium Crash '14Medium Crash CymbalSize: 18"From the new series PST5Material: CuSn8...

⭐ 4.8/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 335971
$142
Buy at Thomann View Details
Millenium 18" Hermann Schick Signature - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Millenium 18" Hermann Schick Signature

by Millenium
Metal Heavy Rock Powerful Playing
Key Feature:
• Impressive visual and sonic impact
✓ PROS
  • • Impressive visual and sonic impact
  • • Perfect for large venue performance
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive investment
  • • May ring too long for fast passages

Millenium 18" Hermann Schick Signature18" Signature Crash/Ride CymbalHermann Schick - Allgäu6In close...

⭐ 4.6/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 206130
$197
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 18" 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 18" 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.

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