Best 20" Ride Cymbals Under $500 2025

Affordable 20" ride cymbals under $500 - great value without compromising quality

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

Istanbul Mehmet 20" Sizzle Flat Ride Tradition - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Istanbul Mehmet 20" Sizzle Flat Ride Tradition

Jazz Pop Universal Applications
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
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection

Istanbul Mehmet 20" Sizzle Flat Ride Tradition20" Sizzle Flat Ride CymbalRegular modelFantastically clear...

5.0/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Mehmet 20" Ride Origin Dark Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Istanbul Mehmet 20" Ride Origin Dark Series

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

Istanbul Mehmet 20" Ride Origin Dark Series20" Ride CymbalOrigin Dark seriesNatural finishA relatively small...

4.8/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Agop 20" Traditional Original Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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" Traditional Crash Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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 Mehmet 20" Medium Ride Traditional - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Istanbul Mehmet 20" Medium Ride Traditional

All Genres Pop Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile ride size
✓ PROS
  • • Most popular and versatile ride size
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good technique for optimal sound
  • • Competition in frequency range with other cymbals

Istanbul Mehmet 20" Medium Ride TraditionalMedium Ride CymbalSize: 20"RM20Traditional SeriesRegular...

4.8/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet 20" Jazz Ride Turk Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Istanbul Mehmet 20" Jazz Ride Turk Series

Universal Applications Pop Jazz
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most drummers
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good technique for optimal sound
  • • Competition in frequency range with other cymbals

Istanbul Mehmet 20" Jazz Ride Turk SeriesJazz Ride CymbalSize: 20"Turk Jazz Rides are lighter and have a...

4.7/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Mehmet 20" Legend Dark Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Istanbul Mehmet 20" Legend Dark Ride

Pop Universal Applications Jazz
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
  • • Industry standard for most drummers
  • • Wide selection of models and weights
✗ CONS
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection
  • • Competition in frequency range with other cymbals

Istanbul Mehmet 20" Legend Dark Ride, 20" Ride Cymbal, LD-R20, Natural finish, Specially designed for jazz,...

4.4/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Agop 20" Agop Signature Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Istanbul Agop 20" Agop Signature Ride

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

Istanbul Agop 20" Agop Signature RideRide CymbalHand-hammeredSize: 20"Material: B20 bronzeDry stick attack...

4.7/5 (10 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 20" A-Custom Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Zildjian 20" A-Custom Ride

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

Zildjian 20" A-Custom Ride, Ride CymbalThe cymbal has an extremely clean stick definition and sound...

4.8/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Paiste 2002 Classic 20" Power Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Paiste 2002 Classic 20" Power Ride

Jazz All Genres Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile ride size
✓ PROS
  • • Most popular and versatile ride size
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes
  • • Requires good technique for optimal sound

Paiste 2002 Classic 20" Power Ride20" Power RideFullclearenergetic rideHigh sound rangeLoud with a still...

4.8/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Agop 20" Traditional Dark Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Istanbul Agop 20" Traditional Dark Ride

All Genres Pop Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent balance of all characteristics
✓ PROS
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
  • • Most popular and versatile ride size
✗ CONS
  • • Competition in frequency range with other cymbals
  • • Requires good technique for optimal sound

Istanbul Agop 20" Traditional Dark Ride, Ride Cymbal, Size: 20", Traditional dark series, Warm stick attack...

4.4/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet 20" Medium Ride Turk Series - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Istanbul Mehmet 20" Medium Ride Turk Series

Jazz All Genres Pop
Key Feature:
• Great for virtually any musical style
✓ PROS
  • • Most popular and versatile ride size
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
  • • May not excel in highly specific applications
  • • Requires good technique for optimal sound

Istanbul Mehmet 20" Medium Ride Turk Series20" Medium Ride CymbalTurk Seriesearthy soundIdeal for quick stick...

4.4/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Meinl 20" Pure Alloy E.Hammered Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Meinl 20" Pure Alloy E.Hammered Ride

Pop All Genres Standard Setup
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile ride size
✓ PROS
  • • Industry standard for most drummers
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good technique for optimal sound
  • • May lack character of specialty sizes

Meinl 20" Pure Alloy E.Hammered RideRide CymbalSize: 20"Pure Alloy SeriesFinish: TraditionalThickness:...

4.5/5 (53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Paiste 20" Rude Power Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Paiste 20" Rude Power Ride

Standard Setup Universal Applications Jazz
Key Feature:
• Industry standard for most drummers
✓ PROS
  • • Great for virtually any musical style
  • • Excellent balance of all characteristics
✗ CONS
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection
  • • Competition in frequency range with other cymbals

Paiste 20" Rude Power RidePower Ride CymbalSize: 20"Extra heavyroughfullenergetic ride cymbalLargeexpressive...

4.7/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Mehmet 20" Black Sea 1623 Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

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

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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