Best 18" Crash Cymbals Under $800 2026
Affordable 18" crash cymbals under $800 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
4.5/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Zildjian 18" K' Constantinople Susp.
by
Zildjian
Heavy Rock
Powerful Playing
Progressive
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and wash
✓ PROS
- • Maximum projection and volume
- • Perfect for large venue performance
✗ CONS
- • Physically demanding to play effectively
- • Requires powerful amplification to balance
Zildjian 18" K' Constantinople Susp.Orchestra Crash CymbalSize: 18"Thin-medium thin with flat profile...
⭐
4.5/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 237601
$626
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 18" Thin Crash 602 Series
by
Paiste
Progressive
Powerful Playing
Heavy Rock
Key Feature:
• Impressive visual and sonic impact
✓ PROS
- • Rich, full-bodied crash sound
- • Maximum projection and volume
✗ CONS
- • May ring too long for fast passages
- • Requires powerful amplification to balance
Paiste 18" Thin Crash 602 SeriesThin CrashSize: 18"602 SeriesSilverybreathytransparent response with a wide...
⭐
4.7/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 264066
$548
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 18" Traditional Thin Crash
by
Paiste
Large Venues
Metal
Progressive
Key Feature:
• Perfect for large venue performance
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for large venue performance
- • Excellent sustain and wash
✗ CONS
- • Expensive investment
- • Physically demanding to play effectively
Paiste 18" Traditional Thin Crash, 18" Thin CrashPaiste TraditionalsPaiste undertook a remarkable historical...
⭐
4.8/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 100669
$548
#4
⭐
4.4/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Zildjian 18" K Constantinople Crash
by
Zildjian
Heavy Rock
Metal
Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Rich, full-bodied crash sound
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for large venue performance
- • Maximum projection and volume
✗ CONS
- • Expensive investment
- • May ring too long for fast passages
Zildjian 18" K Constantinople Crash18" Crash CymbalSize: 18"K Constantinople SeriesTraditional finishA...
⭐
4.4/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 213116
$604
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 18" FRX Crash
by
Sabian
Heavy Rock
Progressive
Powerful Playing
Key Feature:
• Impressive visual and sonic impact
✓ PROS
- • Excellent sustain and wash
- • Impressive visual and sonic impact
✗ CONS
- • Expensive investment
- • Physically demanding to play effectively
Sabian 18" FRX CrashCrash CymbalSize: 18"FRX seriesFrequency Reduced CymbalsB20 bronzeSpecial cymbals with...
⭐
4.8/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 430607
$582
#6
⭐
4.4/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 18" HHX Complex Aero Crash
by
Sabian
Large Venues
Heavy Rock
Stadium Rock
Key Feature:
• Perfect for large venue performance
✓ PROS
- • Excellent sustain and wash
- • Maximum projection and volume
✗ CONS
- • Physically demanding to play effectively
- • May ring too long for fast passages
Sabian 18" HHX Complex Aero CrashCrash CymbalSize: 18"Material: B20 BronzeCombination of HH and HHX...
⭐
4.4/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 563134
$549
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 18" HHX Complex Thin Crash
by
Sabian
Heavy Rock
Stadium Rock
Powerful Playing
Key Feature:
• Rich, full-bodied crash sound
✓ PROS
- • Rich, full-bodied crash sound
- • Impressive visual and sonic impact
✗ CONS
- • Requires powerful amplification to balance
- • Expensive investment
Sabian 18" HHX Complex Thin CrashThin Crash CymbalSize: 18"HHX Complex SeriesMaterial: B20 BronzeCombination...
⭐
4.6/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 476037
$538
#8
⭐
4.6/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 18" HHX Plosion Crash
by
Sabian
Powerful Playing
Metal
Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Maximum projection and volume
✓ PROS
- • Impressive visual and sonic impact
- • Rich, full-bodied crash sound
✗ CONS
- • Physically demanding to play effectively
- • Requires powerful amplification to balance
Sabian 18" HHX Plosion Crash18" Crash CymbalHHXplosion seriesBrilliant finishDeveloped by Dave...
⭐
4.6/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 172609
$538
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Mehmet 18" Tony Williams Crash
Heavy Rock
Large Venues
Powerful Playing
Key Feature:
• Perfect for large venue performance
✓ PROS
- • Rich, full-bodied crash sound
- • Impressive visual and sonic impact
✗ CONS
- • Requires powerful amplification to balance
- • Expensive investment
Istanbul Mehmet 18" Tony Williams CrashCrash CymbalSize: 18"Tony Williams tribute modelB20 bronzeHand...
⭐
4.8/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 410417
$537
#10
⭐
4.6/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sabian 18" Artisan Thin Crash
by
Sabian
Large Venues
Stadium Rock
Metal
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and wash
✓ PROS
- • Maximum projection and volume
- • Excellent sustain and wash
✗ CONS
- • Expensive investment
- • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
Sabian 18" Artisan Thin CrashThin Crash CymbalSize: 18"Artisan seriesNatural finishB20 bronzeHand hammered...
⭐
4.6/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 441072
$732
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 18" HHX Evolution O-Zone Crash
by
Sabian
Heavy Rock
Large Venues
Stadium Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and wash
✓ PROS
- • Impressive visual and sonic impact
- • Rich, full-bodied crash sound
✗ CONS
- • Physically demanding to play effectively
- • May ring too long for fast passages
Sabian 18" HHX Evolution O-Zone Crash18" Crash CymbalHHX Evolution O-Zone seriesBrilliant finishWith punched...
⭐
4.8/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 165361
$549
#12
⭐
4.5/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 18" HHX Legacy Crash
by
Sabian
Powerful Playing
Progressive
Metal
Key Feature:
• Perfect for large venue performance
✓ PROS
- • Impressive visual and sonic impact
- • Excellent sustain and wash
✗ CONS
- • Physically demanding to play effectively
- • Requires powerful amplification to balance
Sabian 18" HHX Legacy Crash18" HHX Legacy CrashDave Weckl Signature SeriesThe cymbal is fat yet dark in the...
⭐
4.5/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 193280
$538
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Sabian 18" HHX Evolution Crash
by
Sabian
Stadium Rock
Progressive
Metal
Key Feature:
• Impressive visual and sonic impact
✓ PROS
- • Excellent sustain and wash
- • Rich, full-bodied crash sound
✗ CONS
- • Requires powerful amplification to balance
- • Physically demanding to play effectively
Sabian 18" HHX Evolution CrashCrash CymbalsSeries HHX EvolutionSize 18"Brilliant finishWarmexplosive...
⭐
4.7/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 165362
$538
#14
⭐
4.6/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 18" Signature Dark Energy MK1
by
Paiste
Metal
Powerful Playing
Stadium Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and wash
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for large venue performance
- • Excellent sustain and wash
✗ CONS
- • May ring too long for fast passages
- • Physically demanding to play effectively
Paiste 18" Signature Dark Energy MK1Dark Energy SplashMark ISize: 18"Dark bodyFull frequency...
⭐
4.6/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 169452
$548
#15
⭐
4.8/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 18" Paperthin Crash 602 Series
by
Paiste
Metal
Progressive
Stadium Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and wash
✓ PROS
- • Excellent sustain and wash
- • Impressive visual and sonic impact
✗ CONS
- • Requires powerful amplification to balance
- • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
Paiste 18" Paperthin Crash 602 SeriesCrash Cymbal18" Paperthin CrashSilveryairytransparent response with wide...
⭐
4.8/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 496966
$527
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.
