Best 18" Ride Cymbals 2026
Top-rated 18" ride cymbals 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: January 7, 2026 • Next update: January 14, 2026
#1
⭐
4.7/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Mehmet 18" Medium Ride Turk Series
Jazz
Light Rock
Intimate Settings
Key Feature:
• Good for intricate ride patterns
✓ PROS
- • Great stick definition and clarity
- • Easy to control dynamics
✗ CONS
- • May get lost in heavy musical contexts
- • Limited volume for large venues
Istanbul Mehmet 18" Medium Ride Turk Series18" Medium Ride CymbalTurk Seriesearthy soundIdeal for quick stick...
⭐
4.7/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 311605
$314
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Mehmet 18" Flat Ride Sizzle Turk S.
Jazz
Controlled Dynamics
Intimate Settings
Key Feature:
• Compact ride with controlled projection
✓ PROS
- • Easy to control dynamics
- • Good for intricate ride patterns
✗ CONS
- • Less bell presence than bigger sizes
- • Limited volume for large venues
Istanbul Mehmet 18" Flat Ride Sizzle Turk S.Flat Ride Sizzle CymbalSize: 18"Turk SeriesRegular versionWith...
⭐
4.7/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 514429
$314
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Zildjian 18" A-Series Uptown Ride
by
Zildjian
Jazz
Intimate Settings
Controlled Dynamics
Key Feature:
• Great stick definition and clarity
✓ PROS
- • Easy to control dynamics
- • Great stick definition and clarity
✗ CONS
- • May get lost in heavy musical contexts
- • May lack fullness of larger rides
Zildjian 18" A-Series Uptown Ride, Ride Cymbal, Size: 18", A-Series, Nice round-sounding Ride cymbal for all...
⭐
4.9/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 430949
$362
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Mehmet 18" Ping Ride Traditional
Controlled Dynamics
Jazz
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Good for intricate ride patterns
✓ PROS
- • Great stick definition and clarity
- • Good for intricate ride patterns
✗ CONS
- • Less bell presence than bigger sizes
- • Shorter sustain than standard rides
Istanbul Mehmet 18" Ping Ride Traditional18" Ping Ride CymbalTraditional SeriesRegular modelClear stick...
⭐
4.8/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 311865
$307
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet 18" Sizzle Flat Ride Tradition
Controlled Dynamics
Fusion
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Compact ride with controlled projection
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for smaller venues and recording
- • Easy to control dynamics
✗ CONS
- • May get lost in heavy musical contexts
- • Less bell presence than bigger sizes
Istanbul Mehmet 18" Sizzle Flat Ride Tradition18" Sizzle Flat Ride CymbalRegular modelFantastically clear...
⭐
4.8/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 311695
$314
#6
⭐
5.0/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 18" Byzance Benny Greb Ride
by
Meinl
Fusion
Light Rock
Controlled Dynamics
Key Feature:
• Compact ride with controlled projection
✓ PROS
- • Good for intricate ride patterns
- • Great stick definition and clarity
✗ CONS
- • May get lost in heavy musical contexts
- • Less bell presence than bigger sizes
Meinl 18" Byzance Benny Greb RideRide CymbalByzance SeriesBrilliant finishBenny Greb Signature ModelSize:...
⭐
5.0/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 606870
$472
#7
⭐
5.0/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet 18" Jazz Ride Turk Series
Light Rock
Controlled Dynamics
Intimate Settings
Key Feature:
• Perfect for smaller venues and recording
✓ PROS
- • Easy to control dynamics
- • Good for intricate ride patterns
✗ CONS
- • Limited volume for large venues
- • May lack fullness of larger rides
Istanbul Mehmet 18" Jazz Ride Turk Series18" Jazz Ride CymbalTurk Jazz Rides are lighter and have a lower...
⭐
5.0/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 311585
$314
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Zildjian 18" I Family Crash Ride
by
Zildjian
Intimate Settings
Fusion
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Compact ride with controlled projection
✓ PROS
- • Great stick definition and clarity
- • Compact ride with controlled projection
✗ CONS
- • Less bell presence than bigger sizes
- • Limited volume for large venues
Zildjian 18" I Family Crash RideCrash-Ride CymbalSize: 18"I Family SeriesMaterial: B8 BronzeThickness:...
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 480896
$186
#9
⭐
4.6/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Mehmet 18" Jazz Ride Siz. Turk Series
Fusion
Jazz
Controlled Dynamics
Key Feature:
• Easy to control dynamics
✓ PROS
- • Great stick definition and clarity
- • Easy to control dynamics
✗ CONS
- • Limited volume for large venues
- • May get lost in heavy musical contexts
Istanbul Mehmet 18" Jazz Ride Siz. Turk Series18" Jazz Ride Cymbal with RivetsTurk Jazz Rides are lighter and...
⭐
4.6/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 311608
$314
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 18" B8X Crash Ride
by
Sabian
Jazz
Light Rock
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Great stick definition and clarity
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for smaller venues and recording
- • Good for intricate ride patterns
✗ CONS
- • Shorter sustain than standard rides
- • May lack fullness of larger rides
Sabian 18" B8X Crash RideCrash/Ride CymbalSize: 18"Thickness: MediumB8X SeriesAlloy: B8 bronzeNatural...
⭐
4.7/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 363278
$219
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Zultan 18" Mellow Ride
by
Zultan
Jazz
Studio Recording
Controlled Dynamics
Key Feature:
• Easy to control dynamics
✓ PROS
- • Great stick definition and clarity
- • Good for intricate ride patterns
✗ CONS
- • May lack fullness of larger rides
- • May get lost in heavy musical contexts
Zultan 18" Mellow RideRide CymbalSize: 18"100% authentic feel and realsitc rebound feelingMaterial: B20...
⭐
4.8/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 561631
$296
#12
⭐
4.8/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Paiste 18" 2002 Giga Bell Ride
by
Paiste
Fusion
Light Rock
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Compact ride with controlled projection
✓ PROS
- • Easy to control dynamics
- • Perfect for smaller venues and recording
✗ CONS
- • Limited volume for large venues
- • May lack fullness of larger rides
Paiste 18" 2002 Giga Bell RideGiga Bell RideSize: 18"2002 Series"Psychotopus" model developed in...
⭐
4.8/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 480699
$351
#13
⭐
4.5/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 18" Extreme Metal Big Bell Ri.
by
Meinl
Light Rock
Jazz
Fusion
Key Feature:
• Easy to control dynamics
✓ PROS
- • Great stick definition and clarity
- • Easy to control dynamics
✗ CONS
- • Shorter sustain than standard rides
- • Less bell presence than bigger sizes
Meinl 18" Extreme Metal Big Bell Ri.Big Bell Ride CymbalSize: 18"Classics Custom Extreme Metal...
⭐
4.5/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 428641
$230
#14
⭐
4.7/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 18" F5 Mega Bell Ride
by
Zultan
Studio Recording
Jazz
Light Rock
Key Feature:
• Easy to control dynamics
✓ PROS
- • Great stick definition and clarity
- • Perfect for smaller venues and recording
✗ CONS
- • Limited volume for large venues
- • May get lost in heavy musical contexts
Zultan 18" F5 Mega Bell RideRide CymbalSize: 18"F5 Series: stands for extremely clearly definedcompact stock...
⭐
4.7/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 571370
$218
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Paiste PST3 18" Crash / Ride
by
Paiste
Controlled Dynamics
Jazz
Intimate Settings
Key Feature:
• Great stick definition and clarity
✓ PROS
- • Great stick definition and clarity
- • Easy to control dynamics
✗ CONS
- • Limited volume for large venues
- • May lack fullness of larger rides
Paiste PST3 18" Crash / Ride Cymbal18" Crash/Ride CymbalSize: 18"Paiste Sound Technology...
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Art. 179115
$85
How to Choose the Best 18" Ride 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" ride 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.
