Best 22" Ride Cymbals for Hard Rock 2026
Perfect 22" ride cymbals for hard-rock - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
GENRES & STYLES:
For Rock
For Hard Rock
For Progressive
For Power Playing
For Large Venues
For Heavy Music
#1
⭐
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
#2
⭐
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
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Sabian 22" HHX Complex Big Cup Ride
by
Sabian
Power Playing
Rock
Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for large venue performance
✓ PROS
- • Rich, full-bodied ride sound
- • Impressive visual and sonic impact
✗ CONS
- • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
- • May ring too much for intricate patterns
Sabian 22" HHX Complex Big Cup RideRide CymbalSize: 22"Material: B20 bronzeCombination of HH and HHX...
⭐
4.8/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 618657
$747
#4
⭐
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
#5
⭐
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
#6
⭐
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
#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
⭐
4.7/5
(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
#10
⭐
5.0/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Meinl 22" Pure Alloy Thin Ride
by
Meinl
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
Art. 581536
$417
#11
⭐
5.0/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Paiste 22" Masters Dark Flatride
by
Paiste
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
Art. 547563
$725
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 22" HH Sessions Ride
by
Sabian
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
Art. 569453
$824
#13
⭐
4.5/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 22" Byzance Dark B.Apple Trad.
by
Meinl
Progressive
Hard Rock
Power Playing
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and crash capability
✓ PROS
- • Rich, full-bodied ride sound
- • Excellent sustain and crash capability
✗ CONS
- • Physically demanding to play effectively
- • Requires strong cymbal stand
Meinl 22" Byzance Dark B.Apple Trad.Meinl Byzance Series 22" Big Apple Tradition Ride CymbalSize:...
⭐
4.5/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 527545
$681
#14
⭐
4.5/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
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
Art. 621976
$406
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan 22" Aeon Light Ride
by
Zultan
Rock
Hard Rock
Heavy Music
Key Feature:
• Impressive visual and sonic impact
✓ PROS
- • Excellent sustain and crash capability
- • Impressive visual and sonic impact
✗ CONS
- • Physically demanding to play effectively
- • May ring too much for intricate patterns
Zultan 22" Aeon Light RideLight Ride CymbalSize: 22"Material: B25 bronze alloy (75% copper / 25%...
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 540949
$347
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.
