Best 22" Ride Cymbals for Intermediate 2026

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

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

Istanbul Mehmet 22" Original Ride Traditional - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Sabian 22" HHX MAX Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Sabian 22" HHX MAX Ride

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
Istanbul Agop 22" 30th Anniversary Med. Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

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 Mehmet 22" John Robinson Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

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
#5

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
Meinl 22" Byzance Dark B.Apple Trad. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Meinl 22" Byzance Dark B.Apple Trad.

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
Istanbul Agop 22" Traditional Crash Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

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
Paiste 22" Masters Dark Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Paiste 22" Masters Dark Ride

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
Istanbul Agop 22" Xist Power Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
Sabian 22" HHX Complex Big Cup Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Sabian 22" HHX Complex Big Cup Ride

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
Zildjian 22" Z Custom Ride brilliant - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Zildjian 22" Z Custom Ride brilliant

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
Zultan 22" Aeon Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Zultan 22" Aeon Ride

Large Venues Progressive Rock
Key Feature:
• Excellent sustain and crash capability
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent sustain and crash capability
  • • Powerful projection and presence
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive investment
  • • Physically demanding to play effectively

Zultan 22" Aeon RideRide CymbalSize: 22"Material: B25 bronze alloy (75% copper / 25%...

4.8/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Meinl 22" Byzance Extra Ham. Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Meinl 22" Byzance Extra Ham. Ride

Hard Rock Progressive Large Venues
Key Feature:
• Impressive visual and sonic impact
✓ PROS
  • • Impressive visual and sonic impact
  • • Excellent sustain and crash capability
✗ CONS
  • • Can be overwhelming in small spaces
  • • Requires strong cymbal stand

Meinl 22" Byzance Extra Ham. RideRide CymbalByzance SeriesTraditional modelSize: 22"Material: B20 bronze...

4.6/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet 22" Ride IMC Natural - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Istanbul Mehmet 22" Ride IMC Natural

Hard Rock Rock Progressive
Key Feature:
• Impressive visual and sonic impact
✓ PROS
  • • Great for large venue performance
  • • Powerful projection and presence
✗ CONS
  • • Requires strong cymbal stand
  • • Physically demanding to play effectively

Istanbul Mehmet 22" Ride IMC NaturalRide CymbalSize: 22"Material: B20 bronzeFinish: NaturalHigh-quality...

4.8/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 22" Byz. Sizzle Jazz Ch. Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Meinl 22" Byz. Sizzle Jazz Ch. Ride

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

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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