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Best 18" Crash Cymbals Under $200 2025

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

Last updated: October 22, 2025 • Next update: October 29, 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
Zultan 18" F5 Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Zultan 18" F5 Crash

by Zultan
Stadium Rock Heavy Rock Powerful Playing
Key Feature:
• Impressive visual and sonic impact
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and wash
  • • Rich, full-bodied crash sound
✗ CONS
  • • Physically demanding to play effectively
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces

Zultan 18" F5 CrashCrash CymbalSize: 18"F5 SeriesAggressive crash with powerful volume reservesFull sound...

⭐ 4.4/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 269750
$186
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zultan 18" Crash Dark Matter - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

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
Masterwork 18" Troy Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Masterwork 18" Troy Crash

by Masterwork
Heavy Rock Progressive Stadium Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich, full-bodied crash sound
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for large venue performance
  • • Maximum projection and volume
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
  • • Requires powerful amplification to balance

Masterwork 18" Troy CrashCrash CymbalSize: 18""Troy" SeriesBrilliant finishThe Troy Series is the...

⭐ 4.5/5 (47 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 296568
$186
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zultan 18" Impulz Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Zultan 18" Impulz Crash

by Zultan
Stadium Rock Heavy Rock Metal
Key Feature:
• Rich, full-bodied crash sound
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and wash
  • • Perfect for large venue performance
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive investment
  • • Physically demanding to play effectively

Zultan 18" Impulz CrashCrash CymbalSize: 18"Impulz SeriesMaterial: B20 BronzeBalanced crash cymbal with fast...

⭐ 4.7/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 530464
$131
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zultan 18" Q Thin Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Zultan 18" Q Thin Crash

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

Zultan 18" Q Thin CrashCrash CymbalDark & deepfull sounding crash cymbal with incredible dynamic rangeThe...

⭐ 4.8/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 537422
$186
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sabian 18" SBR Crash/Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sabian 18" SBR Crash/Ride

by Sabian
Heavy Rock Metal Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Perfect for large venue performance
✓ PROS
  • • Impressive visual and sonic impact
  • • Maximum projection and volume
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
  • • Expensive investment

Sabian 18" SBR Crash/RideCrash/Ride CymbalSize: 18"ThinMaterial: BrassNaturalLoudpowerful cymbal for...

⭐ 4.4/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 319642
$145
Buy at Thomann View Details
Paiste PST5 18" Crash / Ride '14 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Paiste PST5 18" Crash / Ride '14

by Paiste
Heavy Rock Large Venues Metal
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and wash
✓ PROS
  • • Maximum projection and volume
  • • Rich, full-bodied crash sound
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive investment
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces

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

⭐ 4.8/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 335974
$142
Buy at Thomann View Details
Paiste PST7 18" Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Paiste PST7 18" Crash

by Paiste
Metal Powerful Playing Progressive
Key Feature:
• Impressive visual and sonic impact
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, full-bodied crash sound
  • • Excellent sustain and wash
✗ CONS
  • • Physically demanding to play effectively
  • • Expensive investment

Paiste PST7 18" CrashCrash CymbalSize: 18"PST7 seriesTraditional sound and LookMaterial: CuSn8 BronzeSuitable...

⭐ 4.6/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 336017
$149
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 PST7 18" Heavy Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Paiste PST7 18" Heavy Crash

by Paiste
Stadium Rock Metal Heavy Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and wash
✓ PROS
  • • Maximum projection and volume
  • • Rich, full-bodied crash sound
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
  • • Expensive investment

Paiste PST7 18" Heavy CrashCrash CymbalSize: 18"PST7 seriesTraditional sound and LookMaterial: CuSn8...

⭐ 4.7/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 336021
$142
Buy at Thomann View Details
Millenium 18" Hermann Schick Signature - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

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
Masterwork 18" Troy Traditional Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Paiste 18" PSTX Swiss Flanger Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Paiste 18" PSTX Swiss Flanger Crash

by Paiste
Stadium Rock Progressive Powerful Playing
Key Feature:
• Impressive visual and sonic impact
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and wash
  • • Maximum projection and volume
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
  • • Expensive investment

Paiste 18" PSTX Swiss Flanger CrashCrash CymbalSize: 18"PSTX seriesSilk-matte finishFast explosive easy...

⭐ 4.9/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 615600
$164
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zildjian 18" I Family Crash medium-thin - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Paiste 18" 900 Series Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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

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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