Best 22" Ride Cymbals for Hard Rock 2026
Perfect 22" ride cymbals for hard-rock - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
GENRES & STYLES:
For Rock
For Hard Rock
For Progressive
For Power Playing
For Large Venues
For Heavy Music
#1
⭐
4.8/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
Art. 581324
$527
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(13 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
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
Art. 569438
$769
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
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
Art. 531418
$494
#4
⭐
5.0/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Zildjian 22" Z Custom Ride brilliant
by
Zildjian
Power Playing
Heavy Music
Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich, full-bodied ride sound
✓ PROS
- • Great for large venue performance
- • Impressive visual and sonic impact
✗ CONS
- • May ring too much for intricate patterns
- • Expensive investment
Zildjian 22" Z Custom Ride brilliantRide CymbalZ Custom SeriesDiameter: 22"Problem-free projection with a...
⭐
5.0/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 589099
$494
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
Art. 544517
$545
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 22" Traditional Jazz Med. Ride
Progressive
Power Playing
Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and crash capability
✓ PROS
- • Impressive visual and sonic impact
- • Rich, full-bodied ride sound
✗ CONS
- • May ring too much for intricate patterns
- • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
Istanbul Agop 22" Traditional Jazz Med. RideRide CymbalSize: 22"Traditional SeriesMaterial: B20 bronzeHand...
⭐
4.8/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 581326
$494
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 22" Pure Alloy E.Hammered C-R
by
Meinl
Power Playing
Heavy Music
Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Rich, full-bodied ride sound
✓ PROS
- • Great for large venue performance
- • Rich, full-bodied ride sound
✗ CONS
- • Expensive investment
- • Physically demanding to play effectively
Meinl 22" Pure Alloy E.Hammered C-RRide CymbalSize: 22"Pure Alloy SeriesFinish: TraditionalStrong machine...
⭐
4.6/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 581433
$461
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 22" Stratus Ride
by
Sabian
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
Art. 577412
$505
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Meinl 22" Byzance Equilibrium Ride
by
Meinl
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
Art. 557702
$681
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
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
Art. 610526
$527
#11
⭐
4.7/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 22" Kerope Med. Thin High Ride
by
Zildjian
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
Art. 617668
$1,484
#12
⭐
4.4/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
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
Art. 581309
$824
#13
⭐
4.6/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 22" Masters Dark Ride
by
Paiste
Rock
Power Playing
Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and presence
✓ PROS
- • Excellent sustain and crash capability
- • Great for large venue performance
✗ CONS
- • May ring too much for intricate patterns
- • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
Paiste 22" Masters Dark RideRide CymbalSize: 22"Material: CuSn20 bronzeFine stick attackDeepwarm and balanced...
⭐
4.6/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 547741
$725
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Meinl 22" Byz. Sizzle Jazz Ch. Ride
by
Meinl
Power Playing
Large Venues
Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Powerful projection and presence
✓ PROS
- • Powerful projection and presence
- • Excellent sustain and crash capability
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
- • Requires strong cymbal stand
Meinl 22" Byz. Sizzle Jazz Ch. RideChina Ride CymbalByzance seriesSize: 22"Jazz model (brilliant)Cymbal with...
⭐
4.8/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 613803
$659
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 22" HHX MAX Ride
by
Sabian
Progressive
Heavy Music
Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Impressive visual and sonic impact
✓ PROS
- • Rich, full-bodied ride sound
- • Powerful projection and presence
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
- • Physically demanding to play effectively
Sabian 22" HHX MAX RideRide CymbalMike Portnoy (Dream Theater) Signature SeriesSize: 22"Material: b20...
⭐
4.6/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 611788
$725
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.
