Best 20" Crash Cymbals Under $800 2026

Affordable 20" crash cymbals under $800 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

Paiste 20" 602 Medium Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Paiste 20" 602 Medium Crash

Special Effects Progressive Rock Art Music
Key Feature:
• Professional orchestral standard
✓ PROS
  • • Professional orchestral standard
  • • Enormous sound with extended sustain
✗ CONS
  • • Impractical for most drummers
  • • Extremely expensive specialty cymbal

Paiste 20" 602 Medium CrashCrash cymbalSize: 20"Strength: MediumSilvery transparent response with wide...

5.0/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 20" AAX AAXplosion Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sabian 20" AAX AAXplosion Crash

Progressive Rock Recording Orchestral
Key Feature:
• Enormous sound with extended sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Unique musical applications
  • • Professional orchestral standard
✗ CONS
  • • Very limited musical applications
  • • Impractical for most drummers

Sabian 20" AAX AAXplosion Crash20" Crash CymbalAAXplosionBrilliant finishClearwell-defined cymbal soundLarge...

4.5/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 20" Byzance Jazz Thin Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Meinl 20" Byzance Jazz Thin Crash

Special Effects Art Music Orchestral
Key Feature:
• Unique musical applications
✓ PROS
  • • Exceptional recording characteristics
  • • Professional orchestral standard
✗ CONS
  • • Very limited musical applications
  • • Requires professional technique

Meinl 20" Byzance Jazz Thin CrashCrash CymbalSize: 20"Byzance seriesJazz versionFastexplosive response with...

4.4/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 20" Masters Extra Thin Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Paiste 20" Masters Extra Thin Crash

Progressive Rock Cinematic Orchestral
Key Feature:
• Exceptional recording characteristics
✓ PROS
  • • Enormous sound with extended sustain
  • • Professional orchestral standard
✗ CONS
  • • Very limited musical applications
  • • Can overpower any musical context

Paiste 20" Masters Extra Thin CrashCrash CymbalSize: 20"Masters seriesWarmgentle crash sound that fits...

4.4/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 20" Byzance Foundry Reserve CR - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Meinl 20" Byzance Foundry Reserve CR

Orchestral Progressive Rock Cinematic
Key Feature:
• Unique musical applications
✓ PROS
  • • Exceptional recording characteristics
  • • Enormous sound with extended sustain
✗ CONS
  • • Extremely expensive specialty cymbal
  • • Very limited musical applications

Meinl 20" Byzance Foundry Reserve CRCrash CymbalSize: 20"Byzance Foundry Reserve SeriesMaterial: B20...

4.6/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Paiste 20" Signature Full Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Paiste 20" Signature Full Crash

Orchestral Special Effects Progressive Rock
Key Feature:
• Professional orchestral standard
✓ PROS
  • • Exceptional recording characteristics
  • • Enormous sound with extended sustain
✗ CONS
  • • Extremely expensive specialty cymbal
  • • Very limited musical applications

Paiste 20" Signature Full CrashFull Crash CymbalSize: 20"Signature Line SeriesBrightfullwarm sound...

5.0/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Meinl 20" Byzance Jazz M. Thin Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Meinl 20" Byzance Jazz M. Thin Crash

Cinematic Recording Progressive Rock
Key Feature:
• Professional orchestral standard
✓ PROS
  • • Professional orchestral standard
  • • Exceptional recording characteristics
✗ CONS
  • • Extremely expensive specialty cymbal
  • • Very limited musical applications

Meinl 20" Byzance Jazz M. Thin CrashJazz Medium Thin Crash TankByzance seriesSize: 20"Jazz (brilliant)...

4.7/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Paiste 20" Signature Fast Med. Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Paiste 20" Signature Fast Med. Crash

Progressive Rock Cinematic Recording
Key Feature:
• Exceptional recording characteristics
✓ PROS
  • • Professional orchestral standard
  • • Enormous sound with extended sustain
✗ CONS
  • • Very limited musical applications
  • • Extremely expensive specialty cymbal

Paiste 20" Signature Fast Med. CrashCrash CymbalSignature LineSize: 20"Medium brightsilverywarmfull and...

4.7/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 20" HHX Complex Thin Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sabian 20" HHX Complex Thin Crash

Special Effects Recording Progressive Rock
Key Feature:
• Unique musical applications
✓ PROS
  • • Professional orchestral standard
  • • Unique musical applications
✗ CONS
  • • Can overpower any musical context
  • • Extremely expensive specialty cymbal

Sabian 20" HHX Complex Thin CrashThin Crash CymbalSize: 20"HHX Complex SeriesMaterial: B20 BronzeCombination...

4.7/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 20" Byzance Dual Trash Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Meinl 20" Byzance Dual Trash Crash

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
Meinl 20" Byzance Extra Thin Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Meinl 20" Byzance Extra Thin Crash

Art Music Orchestral Special Effects
Key Feature:
• Enormous sound with extended sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Enormous sound with extended sustain
  • • Exceptional recording characteristics
✗ CONS
  • • Extremely expensive specialty cymbal
  • • Impractical for most drummers

Meinl 20" Byzance Extra Thin CrashCrash CymbalByzance series20 "Extra thin hammered crashTraditional...

4.7/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 20" 602 Paperthin Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Paiste 20" 602 Paperthin Crash

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
Meinl 20" Byzance Heavy H. Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Meinl 20" Byzance Heavy H. Crash

Orchestral Art Music Recording
Key Feature:
• Exceptional recording characteristics
✓ PROS
  • • Professional orchestral standard
  • • Enormous sound with extended sustain
✗ CONS
  • • Can overpower any musical context
  • • Very limited musical applications

Meinl 20" Byzance Heavy H. CrashCrash CymbalSize: 20"Byzance Heavy Hammered SeriesFinish: BrilliantMaterial:...

4.7/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 20" Byzance Vintage Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Meinl 20" Byzance Vintage Crash

Art Music Orchestral Cinematic
Key Feature:
• Professional orchestral standard
✓ PROS
  • • Impressive acoustic presence
  • • Exceptional recording characteristics
✗ CONS
  • • Requires professional technique
  • • Extremely expensive specialty cymbal

Meinl 20" Byzance Vintage Crash, Vintage Crash, Sandblasted surface, Large beaten surface on a thin material...

4.9/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 20" K-Custom Dark Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Zildjian 20" K-Custom Dark Crash

Orchestral Progressive Rock Art Music
Key Feature:
• Unique musical applications
✓ PROS
  • • Professional orchestral standard
  • • Unique musical applications
✗ CONS
  • • Impractical for most drummers
  • • Can overpower any musical context

Zildjian 20" K-Custom Dark CrashCrash CymbalSize: 20"K-Custom seriesRegular versionUnique crash cymbal with...

4.4/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10

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.

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