Best 20" Crash Cymbals for Recording 2026
Professional 20" crash cymbals for recording use - perfect sound and reliability
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
5.0/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Meinl 20" Pure Alloy Custom Thin Cr.
by
Meinl
Special Effects
Cinematic
Art Music
Key Feature:
• Professional orchestral standard
✓ PROS
- • Exceptional recording characteristics
- • Impressive acoustic presence
✗ CONS
- • Very limited musical applications
- • Extremely expensive specialty cymbal
Meinl 20" Pure Alloy Custom Thin Cr.Crash CymbalSize: 20"Extra thin HammeredWarmslightly washed-out tone with...
⭐
5.0/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 558060
$395
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Zildjian 20" K-Series Paper Thin Crash
by
Zildjian
Orchestral
Art Music
Special Effects
Key Feature:
• Unique musical applications
✓ PROS
- • Enormous sound with extended sustain
- • Professional orchestral standard
✗ CONS
- • Extremely expensive specialty cymbal
- • Impractical for most drummers
Zildjian 20" K-Series Paper Thin CrashCrash CymbalSize: 20"K-SeriesExplosivedark crash cymbal from the...
⭐
4.9/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 572219
$538
#3
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 20" AAX Heavy Crash
by
Sabian
Cinematic
Orchestral
Art Music
Key Feature:
• Professional orchestral standard
✓ PROS
- • Professional orchestral standard
- • Impressive acoustic presence
✗ CONS
- • Very limited musical applications
- • Requires professional technique
Sabian 20" AAX Heavy CrashCrash CymbalSize: 20"Strength: HeavyMaterial: B20 bronzeFinish: BrilliantSlightly...
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 489483
$494
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 20" Traditional Thin Crash
Progressive Rock
Special Effects
Art Music
Key Feature:
• Exceptional recording characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Enormous sound with extended sustain
- • Unique musical applications
✗ CONS
- • Extremely expensive specialty cymbal
- • Impractical for most drummers
Istanbul Agop 20" Traditional Thin CrashCrash CymbalSize: 20"Traditional seriesB20...
⭐
4.8/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 523099
$450
#5
⭐
4.6/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 20" Thin Crash 602 Series
by
Paiste
Art Music
Cinematic
Special Effects
Key Feature:
• Impressive acoustic presence
✓ PROS
- • Enormous sound with extended sustain
- • Professional orchestral standard
✗ CONS
- • Requires professional technique
- • Impractical for most drummers
Paiste 20" Thin Crash 602 SeriesCrash CymbalSize: 20"602 SeriesThickness: ThinSilvery breathing transparent...
⭐
4.6/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 529398
$659
#6
⭐
4.7/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Paiste 20" 602 Paperthin Crash
by
Paiste
Orchestral
Art Music
Cinematic
Key Feature:
• Impressive acoustic presence
✓ PROS
- • Unique musical applications
- • Enormous sound with extended sustain
✗ CONS
- • Impractical for most drummers
- • Can overpower any musical context
Paiste 20" 602 Paperthin CrashCrash CymbalSize: 20"Thickness: PaperthinSilvery transparent response with wide...
⭐
4.7/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 483849
$681
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 20" HHX Complex Aero Crash
by
Sabian
Recording
Cinematic
Progressive Rock
Key Feature:
• Enormous sound with extended sustain
✓ PROS
- • Impressive acoustic presence
- • Professional orchestral standard
✗ CONS
- • Extremely expensive specialty cymbal
- • Can overpower any musical context
Sabian 20" HHX Complex Aero CrashCrash CymbalSize: 20"Material: B20 BronzeCombination of HH and HHX...
⭐
4.5/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 563135
$626
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 20" Byzance Dual Trash Crash
by
Meinl
Progressive Rock
Art Music
Recording
Key Feature:
• Unique musical applications
✓ PROS
- • Exceptional recording characteristics
- • Enormous sound with extended sustain
✗ CONS
- • Requires professional technique
- • Extremely expensive specialty cymbal
Meinl 20" Byzance Dual Trash CrashDual Trash CymbalSize: 20"Material: B20 BronzeHand-hammeredExtra Dry...
⭐
4.9/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 483034
$549
#9
⭐
4.6/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 20" Pure Alloy Thin Crash
by
Meinl
Progressive Rock
Art Music
Orchestral
Key Feature:
• Impressive acoustic presence
✓ PROS
- • Impressive acoustic presence
- • Enormous sound with extended sustain
✗ CONS
- • Can overpower any musical context
- • Requires professional technique
Meinl 20" Pure Alloy Thin CrashCrash CymbalSize: 20"Pure Alloy SeriesFinish: TraditionalMechanical high-tech...
⭐
4.6/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 581830
$366
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 20" Pure Alloy E.Hammered Cr.
by
Meinl
Special Effects
Recording
Art Music
Key Feature:
• Unique musical applications
✓ PROS
- • Professional orchestral standard
- • Unique musical applications
✗ CONS
- • Requires professional technique
- • Can overpower any musical context
Meinl 20" Pure Alloy E.Hammered Cr., Crash Cymbal, Size: 20", Pure Alloy Series, Finish: Traditional,...
⭐
4.7/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 581406
$406
#11
⭐
5.0/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 20" Pure Alloy Custom MH Crash
by
Meinl
Art Music
Special Effects
Orchestral
Key Feature:
• Enormous sound with extended sustain
✓ PROS
- • Impressive acoustic presence
- • Professional orchestral standard
✗ CONS
- • Impractical for most drummers
- • Can overpower any musical context
Meinl 20" Pure Alloy Custom MH CrashCrash CymbalSize: 20"Medium HeavyWarmslightly washed-out tone with short...
⭐
5.0/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 558057
$395
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 20" Z-Series Crash
by
Zultan
Recording
Progressive Rock
Special Effects
Key Feature:
• Exceptional recording characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Unique musical applications
- • Enormous sound with extended sustain
✗ CONS
- • Very limited musical applications
- • Requires professional technique
Zultan 20" Z-Series CrashCrash CymbalSize: 20"Z SeriesHand-hammeredMaterial: B20 bronzeFullwarm sound with a...
⭐
4.7/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 595629
$263
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Zildjian 20" Z Custom Crash
by
Zildjian
Recording
Cinematic
Art Music
Key Feature:
• Impressive acoustic presence
✓ PROS
- • Exceptional recording characteristics
- • Professional orchestral standard
✗ CONS
- • Requires professional technique
- • Impractical for most drummers
Zildjian 20" Z Custom CrashCrash CymbalDiameter: 20"Developed for heavy hittersBright sound with explosive...
⭐
4.8/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 589092
$494
#14
⭐
4.5/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Mehmet 20" Thin Crash Traditional
Recording
Progressive Rock
Cinematic
Key Feature:
• Unique musical applications
✓ PROS
- • Exceptional recording characteristics
- • Professional orchestral standard
✗ CONS
- • Requires professional technique
- • Extremely expensive specialty cymbal
Istanbul Mehmet 20" Thin Crash TraditionalCrash CymbalSize: 20"Traditional seriesFast responding crash with...
⭐
4.5/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 542704
$413
#15
⭐
4.8/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Agop 20" Cindy Blackman OM Crash
Progressive Rock
Cinematic
Art Music
Key Feature:
• Impressive acoustic presence
✓ PROS
- • Enormous sound with extended sustain
- • Unique musical applications
✗ CONS
- • Can overpower any musical context
- • Requires professional technique
Istanbul Agop 20" Cindy Blackman OM CrashCrash CymbalCindy Blackman Santana ModelSize: 20"Dark dry soundFast...
⭐
4.8/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 557689
$494
How to Choose the Best 20" 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 20" 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.
