Best 20" Crash Cymbals for Special Effects 2026
Perfect 20" crash cymbals for special-effects - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
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
#2
⭐
4.5/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet 20" John Robinson Crash
Progressive Rock
Art Music
Cinematic
Key Feature:
• Exceptional recording characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Impressive acoustic presence
- • Professional orchestral standard
✗ CONS
- • Very limited musical applications
- • Impractical for most drummers
Istanbul Mehmet 20" John Robinson CrashCrash CymbalJohn Robinson Signature seriesSize: 20"Material: B20...
⭐
4.5/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 610525
$439
#3
⭐
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
#4
⭐
4.5/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Agop 20" Traditional Dark Crash
Special Effects
Orchestral
Art Music
Key Feature:
• Exceptional recording characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Enormous sound with extended sustain
- • Professional orchestral standard
✗ CONS
- • Can overpower any musical context
- • Very limited musical applications
Istanbul Agop 20" Traditional Dark CrashCrash CymbalSize: 20"Traditional Dark SeriesMaterial: B-20...
⭐
4.5/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 580603
$461
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 20" Stratus Crash
by
Sabian
Special Effects
Progressive Rock
Cinematic
Key Feature:
• Enormous sound with extended sustain
✓ PROS
- • Unique musical applications
- • Enormous sound with extended sustain
✗ CONS
- • Impractical for most drummers
- • Very limited musical applications
Sabian 20" Stratus CrashCrash CymbalSize: 20"Material: B-20 BronzeHigh impact hammeredTraditional finishThin...
⭐
4.8/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 577408
$439
#6
⭐
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
#7
⭐
4.7/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 20" Xist Natural Crash
Art Music
Cinematic
Orchestral
Key Feature:
• Professional orchestral standard
✓ PROS
- • Enormous sound with extended sustain
- • Unique musical applications
✗ CONS
- • Can overpower any musical context
- • Very limited musical applications
Istanbul Agop 20" Crash Cymbal, Xist Series, Natural Finish, professional quality in B20 (80% Copper, 20"...
⭐
4.7/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 621980
$329
#8
⭐
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
#9
⭐
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
#10
⭐
4.9/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 20" Byzance Vint. Sand Thin C.
by
Meinl
Orchestral
Progressive Rock
Special Effects
Key Feature:
• Enormous sound with extended sustain
✓ PROS
- • Unique musical applications
- • Exceptional recording characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Very limited musical applications
- • Extremely expensive specialty cymbal
Meinl 20" Byzance Vint. Sand Thin C.Crash CymbalSize: 20"Byzance Vintage Sand SeriesBenny Greb Signature...
⭐
4.9/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 533365
$548
#11
⭐
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
#12
⭐
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
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet 20" Crash IMC Natural
Art Music
Progressive Rock
Special Effects
Key Feature:
• Professional orchestral standard
✓ PROS
- • Professional orchestral standard
- • Impressive acoustic presence
✗ CONS
- • Requires professional technique
- • Can overpower any musical context
Istanbul Mehmet 20" Crash IMC NaturalCrash CymbalSize: 20"Material: B20 bronzeFinish: NaturalHigh-quality...
⭐
4.8/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 609355
$281
#14
⭐
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
#15
⭐
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
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.
