Best 20" Ride Cymbals for All Genres 2025

Perfect 20" ride cymbals for all-genres - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

Istanbul Agop 20" Traditional Original Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Istanbul Agop 20" Traditional Original Ride

Pop Rock Universal Applications
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile ride size
✓ PROS
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
  • • Industry standard for most drummers
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good technique for optimal sound
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection

Istanbul Agop 20" Traditional Original RideRide CymbalSize: 20"Traditional original seriesThinnest...

4.9/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Agop 20" Custom Series SE Jazz Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Istanbul Agop 20" Custom Series SE Jazz Ride

Universal Applications Rock Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most drummers
✓ PROS
  • • Wide selection of models and weights
  • • Industry standard for most drummers
✗ CONS
  • • Competition in frequency range with other cymbals
  • • Requires good technique for optimal sound

Istanbul Agop 20" Custom Series SE Jazz RideRide CymbalSize: 20"Custom Series - Special Edition...

4.9/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 20" 30th Anniversary Flat Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Istanbul Agop 20" 30th Anniversary Flat Ride

Standard Setup All Genres Universal Applications
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models and weights
✓ PROS
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
  • • Industry standard for most drummers
✗ CONS
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection
  • • May not excel in highly specific applications

Istanbul Agop 20" 30th Anniversary Flat RideFlat Ride CymbalSize: 20"30th Anniversary modelMaterial: B-20...

4.5/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 20" Byzance Big Apple Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Meinl 20" Byzance Big Apple Ride

Universal Applications Jazz Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models and weights
✓ PROS
  • • Industry standard for most drummers
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes

Meinl 20" Byzance Big Apple RideRide CymbalSize: 20"Byzance SeriesEspecially made for traditional jazz...

4.6/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Istanbul Agop 20" Xist Dry Dark Flat Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Istanbul Agop 20" Xist Dry Dark Flat Ride

Jazz All Genres Universal Applications
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
  • • Most popular and versatile ride size
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
  • • May not excel in highly specific applications
  • • Competition in frequency range with other cymbals

Istanbul Agop 20" Xist Dry Dark Flat RideDark ride cymbalSize: 20"Xist Dry Dark SeriesB20...

4.4/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 20" Traditional Jazz Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Istanbul Agop 20" Traditional Jazz Ride

Jazz All Genres Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes
  • • May not excel in highly specific applications

Istanbul Agop 20" Traditional Jazz RideRide CymbalSize: 20"Traditional finishMade from B20...

4.7/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 20" Stratus Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sabian 20" Stratus Ride

Universal Applications All Genres Rock
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models and weights
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
  • • Wide selection of models and weights
✗ CONS
  • • May not excel in highly specific applications
  • • Requires good technique for optimal sound

Sabian 20" Stratus RideRide CymbalSize: 20"Material: B-20 BronzeHigh impact hammeredTraditional finishWarm...

4.8/5 (17 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 20" Traditional Crash Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Istanbul Agop 20" Traditional Crash Ride

All Genres Universal Applications Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Excellent balance of all characteristics
✓ PROS
  • • Wide selection of models and weights
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection
  • • May not excel in highly specific applications

Istanbul Agop 20" Traditional Crash RideCrash/Ride CymbalSize: 20"Traditional SeriesMaterial: B20 bronzeHand...

4.6/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 20" 30th Anniversary Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Istanbul Agop 20" 30th Anniversary Ride

Universal Applications Pop Rock
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models and weights
✓ PROS
  • • Most popular and versatile ride size
  • • Industry standard for most drummers
✗ CONS
  • • Competition in frequency range with other cymbals
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes

Istanbul Agop 20" 30th Anniversary RideRide CymbalSize: 20"30th Anniversary ModelMaterial: B20...

4.6/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 20" Pure Alloy E.Hammered C-R - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Meinl 20" Pure Alloy E.Hammered C-R

Universal Applications Standard Setup Jazz
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models and weights
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
  • • Wide selection of models and weights
✗ CONS
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection

Meinl 20" Pure Alloy E.Hammered C-RRide CymbalSize: 20"Pure Alloy SeriesFinish: TraditionalStrong machine...

4.8/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet 20" Ride IMC Natural - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Istanbul Mehmet 20" Ride IMC Natural

Pop Universal Applications Jazz
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile ride size
✓ PROS
  • • Wide selection of models and weights
  • • Most popular and versatile ride size
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good technique for optimal sound
  • • May not excel in highly specific applications

Istanbul Mehmet 20" Ride IMC NaturalRide CymbalSize: 20"Material: B20 bronzeFinish: NaturalHigh-quality...

5.0/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet 20" Black Sea 1623 Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Istanbul Mehmet 20" Black Sea 1623 Ride

Jazz Rock All Genres
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most drummers
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
  • • Wide selection of models and weights
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good technique for optimal sound
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes

Istanbul Mehmet 20" Black Sea 1623 RideRide CymbalSeries: Black Sea 1623Size: 20"BS-R20Hand-hammeredMade from...

4.5/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Agop 20" Xist Power Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Istanbul Agop 20" Xist Power Ride

Jazz All Genres Pop
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile ride size
✓ PROS
  • • Wide selection of models and weights
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
  • • May not excel in highly specific applications
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes

Istanbul Agop 20" Xist Power RideRide CymbalSize: 20"Xist seriesPower modelBrilliant finishProfessional...

4.4/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 20" Aeon Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Zultan 20" Aeon Ride

Jazz All Genres Rock
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile ride size
✓ PROS
  • • Most popular and versatile ride size
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
  • • May not excel in highly specific applications
  • • Competition in frequency range with other cymbals

Zultan 20" Aeon RideRide CymbalSize: 20"Material: B25 bronze alloy (75% copper25% tin)Hand-hammeredCompletely...

4.7/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Paiste 20"900ColorSound HeavyRide PRP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Paiste 20"900ColorSound HeavyRide PRP

Pop All Genres Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models and weights
✓ PROS
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
  • • Wide selection of models and weights
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good technique for optimal sound
  • • Competition in frequency range with other cymbals

Paiste 20"900ColorSound HeavyRide PRPHeavy Ride CymbalSize: 20"900 Colour Sound SeriesMade of B8 (2002)...

4.9/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10

How to Choose the Best 20" 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 20" 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.

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