Best 20" Crash Cymbals Under $500 2026
Affordable 20" crash cymbals under $500 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Mehmet 20" Black Bell Crash
Progressive Rock
Recording
Art Music
Key Feature:
• Unique musical applications
✓ PROS
- • Enormous sound with extended sustain
- • Exceptional recording characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Very limited musical applications
- • Extremely expensive specialty cymbal
Istanbul Mehmet 20" Black Bell Crash, Crash, Size: 20", Traditional finish, Material: B20 bronze alloy,...
⭐
4.6/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 416446
$413
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Mehmet 20" Dark Crash Traditional
Special Effects
Art Music
Recording
Key Feature:
• Enormous sound with extended sustain
✓ PROS
- • Enormous sound with extended sustain
- • Exceptional recording characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Impractical for most drummers
- • Extremely expensive specialty cymbal
Istanbul Mehmet 20" Dark Crash Traditional20" Dark Crash CymbalRegular finishTraditional seriesFast-response...
⭐
4.9/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 311567
$406
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Mehmet 20" Legend Dry Crash-Ride
Cinematic
Progressive Rock
Art Music
Key Feature:
• Exceptional recording characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Enormous sound with extended sustain
- • Exceptional recording characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Extremely expensive specialty cymbal
- • Can overpower any musical context
Istanbul Mehmet 20" Legend Dry Crash-RideCrash-Ride CymbalSize: 20"Legend Dry SeriesB20...
⭐
4.9/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 463267
$428
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Zildjian 20" A-Series Medium Thin Crash
by
Zildjian
Orchestral
Special Effects
Progressive Rock
Key Feature:
• Exceptional recording characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Professional orchestral standard
- • Exceptional recording characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Very limited musical applications
- • Impractical for most drummers
Zildjian 20" A-Series Medium Thin CrashCrash CymbalSize: 20"Medium thinA seriesB20...
⭐
4.8/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 313964
$417
#5
⭐
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
#6
⭐
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
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Agop 20" Xist Power Crash
Art Music
Special Effects
Cinematic
Key Feature:
• Impressive acoustic presence
✓ PROS
- • Unique musical applications
- • Enormous sound with extended sustain
✗ CONS
- • Can overpower any musical context
- • Requires professional technique
Istanbul Agop 20" Crash CymbalXist Seriespower versionBrilliant Finishprofessional quality in B20 (80% Copper20%...
⭐
4.6/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 621971
$329
#8
⭐
5.0/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 20" AAX Medium Crash
by
Sabian
Art Music
Special Effects
Recording
Key Feature:
• Enormous sound with extended sustain
✓ PROS
- • Unique musical applications
- • Professional orchestral standard
✗ CONS
- • Requires professional technique
- • Impractical for most drummers
Sabian 20" AAX Medium CrashCrash cymbalSize: 20"AAX SeriesStrength: MediumBrilliant finishMaterial: B20...
⭐
5.0/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 465081
$488
#9
⭐
4.9/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Zildjian 20" A-Series Thin Crash
by
Zildjian
Progressive Rock
Orchestral
Art Music
Key Feature:
• Professional orchestral standard
✓ PROS
- • Professional orchestral standard
- • Enormous sound with extended sustain
✗ CONS
- • Requires professional technique
- • Can overpower any musical context
Zildjian 20" A-Series Thin CrashCrash CymbalSize: 20"A SeriesThin versionB20 alloyBrilliant finishFast...
⭐
4.9/5
(56 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 313962
$413
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 20" Xist ION Crash Brilliant
Orchestral
Art Music
Cinematic
Key Feature:
• Exceptional recording characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Enormous sound with extended sustain
- • Impressive acoustic presence
✗ CONS
- • Impractical for most drummers
- • Requires professional technique
Istanbul Agop 20" Xist ION Crash BrilliantCrash CymbalsSize: 20"Xist ION seriesBrilliant finishMaterial: B20...
⭐
4.5/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 382948
$340
#11
⭐
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
#12
⭐
4.8/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Zildjian 20" K Custom Special Dry Crash
by
Zildjian
Recording
Special Effects
Art Music
Key Feature:
• Enormous sound with extended sustain
✓ PROS
- • Impressive acoustic presence
- • Professional orchestral standard
✗ CONS
- • Impractical for most drummers
- • Very limited musical applications
Zildjian 20" K Custom Special Dry CrashCrash CymbalSize: 20"K Custom Special Dry SeriesNatural...
⭐
4.8/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 407235
$488
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Paiste 2002 Classic 20" Power Crash
by
Paiste
Orchestral
Art Music
Special Effects
Key Feature:
• Impressive acoustic presence
✓ PROS
- • Exceptional recording characteristics
- • Unique musical applications
✗ CONS
- • Impractical for most drummers
- • Extremely expensive specialty cymbal
Paiste 2002 Classic 20" Power CrashCrash Cymbal2002 Classic seriesSize: 20"Power CrashVolume: medium to very...
⭐
4.7/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 169266
$395
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 20" A-Custom EFX
by
Zildjian
Cinematic
Progressive Rock
Orchestral
Key Feature:
• Unique musical applications
✓ PROS
- • Professional orchestral standard
- • Enormous sound with extended sustain
✗ CONS
- • Extremely expensive specialty cymbal
- • Impractical for most drummers
Zildjian 20" A-Custom EFXEFX CymbalA-Custom SeriesSize: 20"Brilliant finishThis special effect crash cymbal...
⭐
4.4/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 248164
$494
#15
⭐
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
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.
