Best 21" Ride Cymbals 2026
Top-rated 21" ride cymbals 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.7/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet 21" Nostalgia 70's Ride
Expressive Playing
Jazz Fusion
Medium-Heavy Playing
Key Feature:
• Good projection for medium-large venues
✓ PROS
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
- • Excellent for expressive ride playing
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than standard sizes
- • Can mask other instruments if overplayed
Istanbul Mehmet 21" Nostalgia 70's RideRide cymbalSize: 21"Dark stick definitionVery reminiscent of the...
⭐
4.7/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 326295
$501
#2
⭐
4.5/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Istanbul Agop 21" Custom Series SE Jazz Ride
Jazz Fusion
Medium-Heavy Playing
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Excellent for expressive ride playing
✓ PROS
- • Professional sound quality
- • Great sustain and wash capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Heavier physical weight
- • Requires developed technique to control
Istanbul Agop 21" Custom Series SE Jazz RideRide CymbalSize: 21"Custom Series Special Edition JazzTraditional...
⭐
4.5/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 480233
$546
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Istanbul Agop 21" Agop Signature Ride
Expressive Playing
Jazz Fusion
Medium-Heavy Playing
Key Feature:
• Excellent for expressive ride playing
✓ PROS
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
- • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
- • Can mask other instruments if overplayed
- • May be overpowering in small venues
Istanbul Agop 21" Agop Signature RideRide CymbalHand.hammeredSize: 21"Material: B20 bronzeProduces a dry...
⭐
4.9/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 435654
$527
#4
⭐
4.5/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sabian 21" AAX Medium Ride
by
Sabian
Progressive
Medium-Heavy Playing
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Excellent for expressive ride playing
✓ PROS
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
- • Good projection for medium-large venues
✗ CONS
- • Heavier physical weight
- • Can mask other instruments if overplayed
Sabian 21" AAX Medium RideRide CymbalSize: 21"AAX SeriesStrength: MediumBrilliant finishMaterial: B20...
⭐
4.5/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 465195
$549
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Zildjian 21" A-Series Sweet Ride Brill.
by
Zildjian
Medium-Heavy Playing
Progressive
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Good projection for medium-large venues
✓ PROS
- • Professional sound quality
- • Good projection for medium-large venues
✗ CONS
- • May be overpowering in small venues
- • More expensive than standard sizes
Zildjian 21" A-Series Sweet Ride Brill.Sweet ride cymbalSize: 21"Brilliant finishBeautifully round sounding...
⭐
4.9/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 231671
$438
#6
⭐
4.4/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Mehmet 21" Legend Dark Ride
Rock
Progressive
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Great sustain and wash capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Professional sound quality
- • Good projection for medium-large venues
✗ CONS
- • Heavier physical weight
- • Can mask other instruments if overplayed
Istanbul Mehmet 21" Legend Dark Ride, 21" Ride Cymbal, LD-R21, Natural finish, Specially designed for jazz,...
⭐
4.4/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 311442
$457
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Paiste 21" Signature Dark Energy MK2
by
Paiste
Expressive Playing
Medium-Heavy Playing
Progressive
Key Feature:
• Great sustain and wash capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Professional sound quality
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
✗ CONS
- • Can mask other instruments if overplayed
- • More expensive than standard sizes
Paiste 21" Signature Dark Energy MK2Ride CymbalSignature Line Series21" Dark Energy Ride Mark IIFusion of...
⭐
4.9/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 169458
$747
#8
⭐
4.8/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 21" Byzance Serpents Ride
by
Meinl
Expressive Playing
Medium-Heavy Playing
Progressive
Key Feature:
• Professional sound quality
✓ PROS
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
- • Excellent for expressive ride playing
✗ CONS
- • Heavier physical weight
- • May be overpowering in small venues
Meinl 21" Byzance Serpents Ride21" Serpents RideBrilliant finishThe perfect blend of sound diversity and...
⭐
4.8/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 223471
$604
#9
⭐
4.9/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 21" Traditional Dark Ride
Progressive
Jazz Fusion
Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
✓ PROS
- • Great sustain and wash capabilities
- • Good projection for medium-large venues
✗ CONS
- • May be overpowering in small venues
- • Can mask other instruments if overplayed
Istanbul Agop 21" Traditional Dark Ride, Ride Cymbal, Size: 21", Traditional Dark Series, Warm stick attack...
⭐
4.9/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 523102
$501
#10
⭐
4.8/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Zildjian 21" A-Series Sweet Ride
by
Zildjian
Jazz Fusion
Progressive
Medium-Heavy Playing
Key Feature:
• Excellent for expressive ride playing
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for expressive ride playing
- • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
- • Heavier physical weight
- • May be overpowering in small venues
Zildjian 21" A-Series Sweet RideSweet ride cymbalSize: 21"Regular finishBeautifully round sounding ride...
⭐
4.8/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 141228
$435
#11
⭐
4.7/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sabian 21" HHX Evolution Ride
by
Sabian
Expressive Playing
Studio Recording
Medium-Heavy Playing
Key Feature:
• Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
✓ PROS
- • Professional sound quality
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
✗ CONS
- • May be overpowering in small venues
- • Heavier physical weight
Sabian 21" HHX Evolution RideRide CymbalSize: 21"Brilliant finishClearclean stick articulation combined with...
⭐
4.7/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 410885
$659
#12
⭐
4.9/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Agop 21" Traditional Medium Ride
Jazz Fusion
Medium-Heavy Playing
Rock
Key Feature:
• Professional sound quality
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for expressive ride playing
- • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
- • May be overpowering in small venues
- • Requires developed technique to control
Istanbul Agop 21" Traditional Medium RideRide CymbalSize: 21"Traditional Medium SeriesWide scope of...
⭐
4.9/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 558936
$483
#13
⭐
4.5/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Ufip 21" Blast Extra Dry Ride
by
Ufip
Studio Recording
Jazz Fusion
Progressive
Key Feature:
• Good projection for medium-large venues
✓ PROS
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
- • Good projection for medium-large venues
✗ CONS
- • May be overpowering in small venues
- • More expensive than standard sizes
Ufip 21" Blast Extra Dry RideRide CymbalSize: 21"Blast Extra Dry SeriesMaterial: B20 BronzeDouble...
⭐
4.5/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 485836
$461
#14
⭐
4.7/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Zultan 21" Aeon Light Ride
by
Zultan
Jazz Fusion
Medium-Heavy Playing
Progressive
Key Feature:
• Excellent for expressive ride playing
✓ PROS
- • Great sustain and wash capabilities
- • Good projection for medium-large venues
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than standard sizes
- • Requires developed technique to control
Zultan 21" Aeon Light RideLight Ride CymbalSize: 21"Material: B25 bronze alloy (75% copper25% tin)Hand...
⭐
4.7/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 540951
$318
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Agop 21" Xist Dark ION Ride
Medium-Heavy Playing
Expressive Playing
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Good projection for medium-large venues
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for expressive ride playing
- • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
- • May be overpowering in small venues
- • Can mask other instruments if overplayed
Istanbul Agop 21" Xist Dark ION RideRide CymbalSize: 21"Xist Dark ION SeriesMaterial: B20 bronzeProduces a...
⭐
4.5/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 432125
$373
How to Choose the Best 21" 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 21" 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.
