Best 22" Ride Cymbals for Beginner 2026

Perfect 22" ride cymbals for beginner - easy to play and learn on

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

Istanbul Agop 22" 30th Anniversary Med. Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Istanbul Agop 22" 30th Anniversary Med. Ride

Heavy Music Large Venues Progressive
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and crash capability
✓ PROS
  • • Powerful projection and presence
  • • Great for large venue performance
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
  • • Requires strong cymbal stand

Istanbul Agop 22" 30th Anniversary Med. RideMedium Ride CymbalSize: 22"30th Anniversary ModelMaterial: B20...

4.4/5 (43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 22" 30th Anniversary Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Istanbul Agop 22" 30th Anniversary Ride

Large Venues Power Playing Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Impressive visual and sonic impact
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and crash capability
  • • Rich, full-bodied ride sound
✗ CONS
  • • May ring too much for intricate patterns
  • • Requires strong cymbal stand

Istanbul Agop 22" 30th Anniversary RideRide CymbalSize: 22"30th Anniversary ModelMaterial: B20...

4.7/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Mehmet 22" Original Ride Traditional - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Istanbul Mehmet 22" Original Ride Traditional

Progressive Hard Rock Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Great for large venue performance
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and crash capability
  • • Great for large venue performance
✗ CONS
  • • Physically demanding to play effectively
  • • Requires strong cymbal stand

Istanbul Mehmet 22" Original Ride Traditional SeriesRide cymbalROR22Size 22"Regular versionVery expressive...

4.8/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Agop 22" Xist Power Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Istanbul Agop 22" Xist Power Ride

Hard Rock Rock Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Rich, full-bodied ride sound
✓ PROS
  • • Impressive visual and sonic impact
  • • Rich, full-bodied ride sound
✗ CONS
  • • May ring too much for intricate patterns
  • • Requires strong cymbal stand

Istanbul Agop 22" Ride CymbalXist Seriespower versionBrilliant Finishprofessional quality in B20 (80% Copper20%...

4.5/5 (21 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Agop 22" Traditional Crash Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Istanbul Agop 22" Traditional Crash Ride

Progressive Hard Rock Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Great for large venue performance
✓ PROS
  • • Powerful projection and presence
  • • Rich, full-bodied ride sound
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive investment
  • • Physically demanding to play effectively

Istanbul Agop 22" Traditional Crash RideCrash/Ride CymbalSize: 22"Traditional SeriesMaterial: B20 bronzeHand...

4.8/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sabian 22" HHX BFM World Ride Cymbal - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Sabian 22" HHX BFM World Ride Cymbal

Power Playing Hard Rock Progressive
Key Feature:
• Rich, full-bodied ride sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great for large venue performance
  • • Excellent sustain and crash capability
✗ CONS
  • • Requires strong cymbal stand
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces

Sabian 22" HHX BFM World Ride CymbalRide CymbalSize: 22"HHX BFM World RideDeveloped with Brian...

4.6/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Meinl 22" Byzance Equilibrium Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Meinl 22" Byzance Equilibrium Ride

Progressive Power Playing Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and presence
✓ PROS
  • • Powerful projection and presence
  • • Excellent sustain and crash capability
✗ CONS
  • • Requires strong cymbal stand
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces

Meinl 22" Byzance Equilibrium RideRide CymbalMatt Garstka (Equilibrium) signature modelSize: 22"Byzance...

4.5/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Paiste 22" Masters Dark Flatride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Paiste 22" Masters Dark Flatride

Progressive Heavy Music Power Playing
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and presence
✓ PROS
  • • Powerful projection and presence
  • • Great for large venue performance
✗ CONS
  • • Physically demanding to play effectively
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces

Paiste 22" Masters Dark FlatrideRide cymbalMasters Collection SeriesSize: 22"Material: CuSn20 bronzeDarkeasy...

5.0/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Sabian 22" HH Sessions Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Sabian 22" HH Sessions Ride

Progressive Heavy Music Rock
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and presence
✓ PROS
  • • Great for large venue performance
  • • Rich, full-bodied ride sound
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
  • • Physically demanding to play effectively

Sabian 22" HH Sessions RideRide CymbalSize: 22"Todd Sucherman Signature ModelHH SeriesMaterial: B20...

4.6/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Mehmet 22" John Robinson Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Istanbul Mehmet 22" John Robinson Ride

Progressive Power Playing Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Impressive visual and sonic impact
✓ PROS
  • • Impressive visual and sonic impact
  • • Powerful projection and presence
✗ CONS
  • • Physically demanding to play effectively
  • • May ring too much for intricate patterns

Istanbul Mehmet 22" John Robinson RideRide CymbalJohn Robinson Signature SeriesSize: 22"Medium weight and...

4.7/5 (12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 22" Pure Alloy Thin Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Meinl 22" Pure Alloy Thin Ride

Large Venues Power Playing Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for large venue performance
✓ PROS
  • • Impressive visual and sonic impact
  • • Excellent sustain and crash capability
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
  • • May ring too much for intricate patterns

Meinl 22" Pure Alloy Thin RideRide CymbalSize: 22"Pure Alloy SeriesFinish: TraditionalMechanical high-tech...

5.0/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Agop 22" Traditional Medium Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Istanbul Agop 22" Traditional Medium Ride

Power Playing Hard Rock Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and presence
✓ PROS
  • • Impressive visual and sonic impact
  • • Excellent sustain and crash capability
✗ CONS
  • • Physically demanding to play effectively
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces

Istanbul Agop 22" Traditional Medium RideRide CymbalTraditional Medium seriesSize: 22"Wide range of...

4.9/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Meinl 22" Classics Custom Dual Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Meinl 22" Classics Custom Dual Ride

Rock Power Playing Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and presence
✓ PROS
  • • Impressive visual and sonic impact
  • • Excellent sustain and crash capability
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive investment
  • • Requires strong cymbal stand

Meinl 22" Classics Custom Dual RideRide CymbalSize: 22"Material: B-12 BronzeFinish: Dark / BrilliantWarm...

4.4/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 22" Stratus Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sabian 22" Stratus Ride

Power Playing Hard Rock Rock
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and presence
✓ PROS
  • • Impressive visual and sonic impact
  • • Great for large venue performance
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
  • • Physically demanding to play effectively

Sabian 22" Stratus RideRide CymbalSize: 22"Material: B-20 BronzeHigh impact hammeredTraditional finishWarm...

4.9/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 22" Kerope Med. Thin High Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Zildjian 22" Kerope Med. Thin High Ride

Progressive Heavy Music Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and presence
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and crash capability
  • • Rich, full-bodied ride sound
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive investment
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces

Zildjian 22" Kerope Med. Thin High RideRide CymbalSize: 22"Kerope seriesTraditional finishWeight: Medium...

4.7/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10

How to Choose the Best 22" 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 22" 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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