Best 21" Ride Cymbals for Studio Recording 2026
Perfect 21" ride cymbals for studio-recording - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
4.5/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 21" HHX Groove Ride Tradition.
by
Sabian
Expressive Playing
Studio Recording
Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent for expressive ride playing
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for expressive ride playing
- • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
- • Heavier physical weight
- • More expensive than standard sizes
Sabian 21" HHX Groove Ride Tradition.Ride cymbalSize: 21"Traditional versionB20 bronzeHand-hammeredExcellent...
⭐
4.5/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 510850
$659
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Zildjian 21" K Series Crash Ride
by
Zildjian
Medium-Heavy Playing
Studio Recording
Jazz Fusion
Key Feature:
• Good projection for medium-large venues
✓ PROS
- • Great sustain and wash capabilities
- • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
- • Requires developed technique to control
- • Heavier physical weight
Zildjian 21" K Series Crash RideCrash Ride CymbalSize: 21"K seriesBrilliant finishMaterial: B-20 alloyFast...
⭐
4.6/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 344341
$527
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 21" HH Vintage Ride
by
Sabian
Jazz Fusion
Studio Recording
Medium-Heavy Playing
Key Feature:
• Professional sound quality
✓ PROS
- • Professional sound quality
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
✗ CONS
- • Can mask other instruments if overplayed
- • Requires developed technique to control
Sabian 21" HH Vintage RideRide CymbalSize: 21"HH Vintage seriesHand-hammeredMaterial: B20 bronzeThe size of...
⭐
4.7/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 618847
$735
#4
⭐
4.7/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 21" Byzance Thomas Lang Ride
by
Meinl
Expressive Playing
Medium-Heavy Playing
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for expressive ride playing
- • Great sustain and wash capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Can mask other instruments if overplayed
- • May be overpowering in small venues
Meinl 21" Byzance Thomas Lang RideRide CymbalByzance SeriesBrilliant finishThomas Lang Signature ModelSize:...
⭐
4.7/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 606868
$611
#5
⭐
4.5/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 21" Masters Medium Ride
by
Paiste
Medium-Heavy Playing
Expressive Playing
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Good projection for medium-large venues
✓ PROS
- • Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
- • Great sustain and wash capabilities
✗ CONS
- • May be overpowering in small venues
- • More expensive than standard sizes
Paiste 21" Medium MastersMedium Ride CymbalSize: 21"Twenty Masters Collection SeriesSatisfyingopenrich in...
⭐
4.5/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 319740
$637
#6
⭐
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
#7
⭐
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
#8
⭐
4.6/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Zildjian 21" K-Series Projection Ride
by
Zildjian
Studio Recording
Expressive Playing
Jazz Fusion
Key Feature:
• Rich, complex overtones and harmonics
✓ PROS
- • Professional sound quality
- • Good projection for medium-large venues
✗ CONS
- • More expensive than standard sizes
- • Heavier physical weight
Zildjian 21" K-Series Projection RideRide CymbalSize: 21"K SeriesDual traditional brilliant finishWeight:...
⭐
4.6/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 613515
$604
#9
⭐
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
#10
⭐
5.0/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 21" Byzance Foundry Reserve FR
by
Meinl
Medium-Heavy Playing
Expressive Playing
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Great sustain and wash capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Excellent for expressive ride playing
- • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
- • Heavier physical weight
- • More expensive than standard sizes
Meinl 21" Byzance Foundry Reserve FRFlat RideSize: 21"Byzance Foundry Reserve SeriesMaterial: B20...
⭐
5.0/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 581833
$659
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 21" Byzance Transition Ride
by
Meinl
Rock
Jazz Fusion
Studio Recording
Key Feature:
• Good projection for medium-large venues
✓ PROS
- • Professional sound quality
- • Excellent for expressive ride playing
✗ CONS
- • Requires developed technique to control
- • Can mask other instruments if overplayed
Meinl 21" Byzance Transition RideRide CymbalSize: 21"Signature Ride Mike JohnstonExtra dry...
⭐
4.8/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 329761
$626
#12
⭐
4.7/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 21" Byzance Vintage C Squared
by
Meinl
Rock
Progressive
Medium-Heavy Playing
Key Feature:
• Great sustain and wash capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Great sustain and wash capabilities
- • Excellent for expressive ride playing
✗ CONS
- • Can mask other instruments if overplayed
- • Heavier physical weight
Meinl 21" Byzance Vintage C SquaredRide CymbalSize: 21"Chris Coleman Signature RideByzance Vintage SeriesB20...
⭐
4.7/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 505973
$615
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 21" Byzance Polyphonic Ride
by
Meinl
Jazz Fusion
Medium-Heavy Playing
Rock
Key Feature:
• Good projection for medium-large venues
✓ PROS
- • Great sustain and wash capabilities
- • Professional sound quality
✗ CONS
- • Requires developed technique to control
- • May be overpowering in small venues
Meinl 21" Byzance Polyphonic RideRide CymbalSize: 21"Byzance SeriesTraditional design with an untreated...
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 428666
$593
#14
⭐
4.6/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Zultan 21" Q Ride
by
Zultan
Expressive Playing
Rock
Medium-Heavy Playing
Key Feature:
• Great sustain and wash capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Great sustain and wash capabilities
- • Excellent for expressive ride playing
✗ CONS
- • Can mask other instruments if overplayed
- • Requires developed technique to control
Zultan 21" Q RideRide CymbalSize: 21"Q SeriesGreat bell soundMore powerfuldefined and loud stick attack with...
⭐
4.6/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 415086
$263
#15
⭐
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
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.
