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Best 18" Crash Cymbals Under $800 2025

Affordable 18" crash cymbals under $800 - 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
Istanbul Mehmet 18" Tony Williams Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Istanbul Mehmet 18" Tony Williams Crash

by Istanbul Mehmet
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Paiste 18" 602 Mod. Essentials Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Paiste 18" 602 Mod. Essentials Crash

by Paiste
Progressive Large Venues Stadium Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich, full-bodied crash sound
✓ PROS
  • • Impressive visual and sonic impact
  • • Rich, full-bodied crash sound
✗ CONS
  • • Requires powerful amplification to balance
  • • Expensive investment

Paiste 18" 602 Mod. Essentials Crash18" Crash CymbalFrom the Modern Essentials SeriesRegular finishCuSn20...

⭐ 4.6/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 312894
$548
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zildjian 18" K' Constantinople Susp. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sabian 18" HHX Evolution O-Zone Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Paiste 18" Thin Crash 602 Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sabian 18" HHX Complex Thin Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sabian 18" HHX HHXtrem Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sabian 18" HHX HHXtrem Crash

by Sabian
Stadium Rock Heavy Rock Powerful Playing
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and wash
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, full-bodied crash sound
  • • Excellent sustain and wash
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
  • • Expensive investment

Sabian 18" HHX HHXtrem CrashCrash Cymbal"HHX" seriesSize: 18"HHXtrem crashNatural modelAn...

⭐ 4.5/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 173362
$527
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sabian 18" HHX Anthology High Bell - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Sabian 18" HHX Anthology High Bell

by Sabian
Metal Large Venues Powerful Playing
Key Feature:
• Perfect for large venue performance
✓ PROS
  • • Impressive visual and sonic impact
  • • Perfect for large venue performance
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
  • • May ring too long for fast passages

Sabian 18" HHX Anthology High BellHigh Bell Crash/Ride CymbalSize: 18"HHX Anthology SeriesDeveloped in...

⭐ 4.9/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 540367
$582
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sabian 18" HHX Legacy Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Paiste 18" Paperthin Crash 602 Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sabian 18" HHX Anthology Low Bell - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Sabian 18" HHX Anthology Low Bell

by Sabian
Stadium Rock Large Venues Progressive
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and wash
✓ PROS
  • • Perfect for large venue performance
  • • Maximum projection and volume
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
  • • Requires powerful amplification to balance

Sabian 18" HHX Anthology Low BellLow Bell Crash/Ride CymbalSize: 18"HHX Anthology SeriesJojo Mayer Signature...

⭐ 4.4/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 540361
$582
Buy at Thomann View Details
Sabian 18" HHX Plosion Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Paiste 18" Signature Dark Energy MK1 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Paiste 18" Traditional Thin Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zildjian 18" K Constantinople Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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
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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