Best 20" Ride Cymbals Under $300 2026

Affordable 20" ride cymbals under $300 - great value without compromising quality

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

Sabian 20" B8X Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sabian 20" B8X Ride

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

Sabian 20" B8X RideRideSize: 20"Thickness: mediumB8X SeriesAlloy: B8 bronzeNatural finishHammered...

4.7/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Masterwork 20" Custom Medium Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Masterwork 20" Custom Medium Ride

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

Masterwork 20" Custom Medium Ride, 20" Medium RideThe all-rounder cymbal in the range.A considerable...

4.9/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Zultan 20" Heritage Flat Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Zultan 20" Heritage Flat Ride

Universal Applications Jazz Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Excellent balance of all characteristics
✓ 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

Zultan 20" Heritage Flat RideFlat Ride CymbalSize: 20"Heritage Series100% Handmade cymbal according to old...

5.0/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Masterwork 20" Custom Rock Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Masterwork 20" Custom Rock Ride

Pop All Genres Jazz
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models and weights
✓ PROS
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
  • • Most popular and versatile ride size
✗ CONS
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection
  • • Competition in frequency range with other cymbals

Masterwork 20" Custom Rock Ride, 20" Rock RideThe all-rounder cymbal in the range.A considerable frequency...

4.9/5 (34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 20" 900 Series Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Paiste 20" 900 Series Ride

Pop Rock All Genres
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
  • • Competition in frequency range with other cymbals

Paiste 20" 900 Series RideRide CymbalSize: 20""900" SeriesMade of B8 (2002) bronzeFull-bodied sound...

4.8/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 20" Z-Series Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Zultan 20" Z-Series Ride

Jazz Rock All Genres
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models and weights
✓ PROS
  • • Most popular and versatile ride size
  • • Industry standard for most drummers
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good technique for optimal sound
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes

Zultan 20" Z-Series RideRideMaterial: B20 BronzeHand hammeredDarkearthy sound with an extremely wide tonal...

4.8/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Zildjian 20" S Series Medium Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Zildjian 20" S Series Medium Ride

All Genres Rock Jazz
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models and weights
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
  • • Industry standard for most drummers
✗ CONS
  • • May not excel in highly specific applications
  • • Competition in frequency range with other cymbals

Zildjian 20" S Series Medium RideMedium Ride CymbalSize: 20"S SeriesMedium heavyMaterial: B12 Bronze alloy...

4.9/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Zultan 20" Aeon Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

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
Zildjian 20" I Family Ride Medium - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Zildjian 20" I Family Ride Medium

All Genres Universal Applications Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent balance of all characteristics
✓ PROS
  • • Most popular and versatile ride size
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
  • • May not excel in highly specific applications
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes

Zildjian 20" I Family Ride MediumRide CymbalSize: 20"Series: I FamilyMaterial: B8 bronzeStrength:...

4.6/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Zultan 20" Ride CS Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Zultan 20" Ride CS Series

Universal Applications Jazz Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
  • • Wide selection of models and weights
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good technique for optimal sound
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection

Zultan 20" Ride CS SeriesRide CymbalSize: 20"Premium ride cymbal from Turkish manufactureCS SeriesMade of B25...

4.8/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Masterwork 20" Troy Traditional Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Masterwork 20" Troy Traditional Ride

Jazz Pop All Genres
Key Feature:
• Wide selection of models and weights
✓ PROS
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
  • • Industry standard for most drummers
✗ CONS
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes
  • • May not excel in highly specific applications

Masterwork 20" Troy Traditional RideRide CymbalSize: 20"Material: B25 bronzeFinish:...

4.6/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Mehmet 20" Ride IMC Natural - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

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
Meinl 20" Classics Custom Pow. Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Meinl 20" Classics Custom Pow. Ride

Pop Rock Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Excellent balance of all characteristics
✓ PROS
  • • Most popular and versatile ride size
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
  • • May not excel in highly specific applications
  • • Requires good technique for optimal sound

Meinl 20" Classics Custom Pow. RideRide CymbalSize: 20"Classics Custom SeriesPowerful ride cymbalBrillant...

4.5/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Paiste 20" 900 Series Heavy Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Paiste 20" 900 Series Heavy Ride

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

Paiste 20" 900 Series Heavy RideHeavy Ride CymbalSize: 20""900" SeriesMade of B8 (2002)...

4.5/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 20" Aeon Light Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Zultan 20" Aeon Light Ride

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

Zultan 20" Aeon Light RideLight Ride CymbalSize: 20"Material: B25 bronze alloy (75% copper25%...

4.7/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10

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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