AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best 22" Ride Cymbals Under $800 2026
The top pick is A. Zildjian 22" '60s Stamp Ride Cymbal ($646). Meinl 22" Byzance Dark Big Apple Ride gives you the most for the money at $133. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 133 models across 9 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 8, 2026
Top 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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A. Zildjian 22" '60s Stamp Ride Cymbal
22" K-Series Ride · Zildjian
46 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Size22"
This is a 22 inch Zildjian K-Series ride with a traditional finish. Drummers like Elvin Jones and Zak Starkey have played cymbals in this line, so you are getting a name with a long track record. It suits you if you want a classic-looking 22 inch ride from a respected brand.
Pros
- Part of Zildjian's K-Series line of ride cymbals
- Traditional finish gives it a classic look
- Played by well-known drummers including Dave Buckner, Elvin Jones, Billy Martin, Greg Morrow and Zak Starkey
83AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$646 now$646€579 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Meinl 22" Byzance Dark Big Apple Ride
22" Byzance Dark B.Apple Trad. · Meinl
23 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Size22"
This is a 22-inch Meinl Byzance ride cymbal made from hand-hammered B20 bronze. Its small bell, steep profile and non-turned top give you stick definition, while the turned-down underside opens up the crashes. It suits you if you want a ride that focuses on stick work and has a dark, traditional feel.
Pros
- Hand-hammered B20 bronze construction gives this ride a crafted feel
- Small bell with a steep profile gives clear stick definition
- Non-turned top keeps the ride surface focused for stick work
79AudioFu
Index↓ 1.6%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$713 · Aug 17$702 now$702€629 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Paiste 22" Signature Full Ride Cymbal
22" Signature Full Ride · Paiste
27 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Size22"
If you want one ride that does a lot, this Paiste 22" Signature could be a good pick for you. It has a round, warm base with a silvery top, and it opens up nicely when you play it freely. It is an all-purpose ride with big tone and wide range, so it suits you if you play many kinds of music and want one cymbal to cover most of it.
Pros
- Signature line from Paiste, a well-known cymbal maker
- Round, warm fundamental tone with silvery clarity on top
- Beautiful free response that sustains and opens up
Cons
- Medium loud volume may not suit very loud or heavy playing
79AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$736 now$736€659 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Size22"
This Meinl 22-inch ride is part of the HCS Series and is made from an MS63 blend. You get a clear cymbal top and a defined stick stop, so your ride pattern has a clear feel. It suits you if you want a 22-inch ride with a warm sound and a stick stop you can count on.
Pros
- Made from MS63 blend, a bronze alloy used across Meinl's HCS line
- HCS Series cymbal with a 22-inch diameter
- Clear cymbal top (bell) gives a clean, focused top layer
78AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$133 now$133€119 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Paiste 22" Color Sound 900 Series Ride Cymbal
22" 900 Series Ride · Paiste
26 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Size22"
This is a 22 inch ride from Paiste's 900 Series, made of B8 bronze with a dark finish that shows off the hammer marks. You get a full-bodied sound with a warm tone and a defined ping. It suits you if you want one ride cymbal that works across a variety of music styles.
Pros
- Made of B8 bronze, a common cymbal alloy
- Full-bodied sound with a defined ping
- Highly versatile across a variety of music styles
78AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$312 now$312€279 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Paiste 22" Color Sound 900 Series Ride Cymbal
22" 900 Color Sound Ride BK · Paiste
26 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Size22"
You get a 22-inch black ride from Paiste's 900 Colour Sound series, made of B8 bronze. It is described as having a full, strong, warm tone with a defined ping. It suits you if you want one ride cymbal that can work across many different styles of music.
Pros
- Made of B8 bronze, a well-known cymbal alloy
- Defined ping sound helps the stick stand out
- Universally applicable, suited to a wide range of music styles
78AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$333 now$333€298 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Meinl 22" Byzance Dark Big Apple Ride
22" Byzance Big Apple Ride · Meinl
23 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Size22"
This is a 22 inch ride made especially for traditional jazz drumming. Its small bell and large curve give it an open, pearly sound, with clear stick definition and sound that rings out. If you play jazz and want a ride with a deep basic tone and nice overtones, you should take a close look at this one.
Pros
- Handmade in Turkey, then finished and revised by Meinl
- Large cymbal curvature paired with a small bell
- Open, pearly sound with clear stick definition and open decay
78AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$669 now$669€599 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Meinl 22" Byzance Dark Big Apple Ride
22" Byzance Dark Ride · Meinl
23 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Size22"
You get a 22 inch ride cymbal made of B20 bronze and hand hammered. It has a dark, deep sound with a very clear ping on top. It suits you if you want a deep ride sound that still gives a clear ping.
Pros
- Hand hammered construction gives each cymbal a hand-shaped, individual feel
- Made from B20 bronze, a traditional cymbal alloy
- Dark, deep sound character with a very clear ping
Cons
- Its dark, deep character may not suit ride patterns that need a bright, cutting sound
78AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$713 now$713€639 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Meinl 22" Byzance Dark Big Apple Ride
22" Byzance Dark B.Apple Flat · Meinl
23 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Size22"
This is a 22 inch flat ride made from B20 Bronze and hand hammered. You get a dynamic, light feel with an earthy character and clear stick definition, so your stick strokes stand out. It suits you if you want a ride that is light and focused and does not need a bell sound.
Pros
- Made from B20 Bronze, a common alloy for cymbals
- Hand hammered for a dynamic, light flat ride feel
- Earthy character with clear stick definition on each stroke
78AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$725 now$725€649 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Meinl 22" Pure Alloy Custom Medium Thin Ride Cymbal
22" Pure Alloy Custom Ride · Meinl
17 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Size22"
This is a 22 inch ride cymbal made in Germany with a smoke bronze finish. It has a warm, slightly washed out tone with short sustain, so the notes fade quickly. Its wide dynamic range lets you play soft or loud, so it suits you if you want a ride that responds to a range of playing.
Pros
- Made in Germany, the cymbal is built in a country known for careful craftsmanship
- Pure Alloy construction means the cymbal is made from one bronze alloy throughout
- Smoke bronze finish gives the cymbal a darker look
Cons
- Its warm, slightly washed out tone with short sustain may not suit every style
77AudioFu
Index↓ 3.4%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$496 · Aug 17$479 now$479€429 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 133 22" ride cymbals
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
Zildjian 22" K Custom High Definition Ride Cymbal22" K-Custom High Definition · Zildjian77Stable$668€598$668€598Check ↗
- 12
Sabian 22" HHX Complex Medium Ride Cymbal22" HHX Complex Medium Ride · Sabian77Stable$736€659$736€659Check ↗
- 13
Meinl 22" Byzance Foundry Reserve Light Ride Cymbal22" Byzance Foundry Reserve R · Meinl · 2 finishes77Stable$780€699$780€699Check ↗
- 14
Sabian 22" Stratus Ride Cymbal22" Stratus Ride · Sabian76Stable$512€459$512€459Check ↗
- 15
Zildjian 22" K Custom Dark Ride Cymbal22" A-Custom Ride · Zildjian76Stable$556€498$556€498Check ↗
- 16
Sabian 22" Stratus Ride Cymbal22" Stratus Dry Ride · Sabian76Stable$568€509$568€509Check ↗
- 17
Zildjian 22" K Series Light Ride Cymbal22" K-Series Light Ride · Zildjian76Stable$646€579$646€579Check ↗
- 18
Zildjian 22" K Custom Dark Ride Cymbal22" K-Custom Dark Ride · Zildjian76Stable$668€598$668€598Check ↗
- 19
Zildjian 22" K Constantinople Medium Thin Low Ride Cymbal22" K Constantinople Low Ride · Zildjian76Stable$780€699$780€699Check ↗
- 20
Meinl 22" Classics Custom Dark Ride Cymbal22" Classics Custom Dark Ride · Meinl75Stable$312€279$312€279Check ↗
- 21
Meinl 22" Classics Custom Dark Ride Cymbal22" Classics Custom Pow. Ride · Meinl75Stable$329€295$329€295Check ↗
- 22
Meinl 22" Pure Alloy Custom Medium Thin Ride Cymbal22" Pure Alloy Thin Ride · Meinl75Stable$434€389$434€389Check ↗
- 23
Zildjian 22" K Constantinople Medium Thin Low Ride Cymbal22" A-Series Medium Ride · Zildjian75↑ 2.2%$524€469$524€469Check ↗
- 24
Paiste 22" Signature Reflector Nicko McBrain "Powerslave" Bell Ride…22" Signature Blue Bell Ride · Paiste75↓ 3.3%$646€579$646€579Check ↗
- 25
Istanbul Agop 22" Signature Ride Cymbal22" Agop Signature Ride · Istanbul Agop75Stable$687€615$687€615Check ↗
- 26
Meinl 22" Byzance Dual Crash/RideMeinl75Stable$691€619$691€619Check ↗
- 27
Meinl 22" Byzance Dual Crash/Ride22" Byzance Sand Crash/Ride · Meinl75Stable$713€639$713€639Check ↗
- 28
Paiste 22" Masters Series Swish Cymbal22" Masters Swish Cymbal · Paiste74Stable$702€629$702€629Check ↗
- 29
Paiste 22" Signature Reflector Nicko McBrain "Powerslave" Bell Ride…22" Reflector "The Powerslave" · Paiste74↓ 1.5%$725€649$725€649Check ↗
- 30
Paiste 22" Masters Dark Crash / Ride Cymbal22" Masters Dark Crash/Ride · Paiste74Stable$725€649$725€649Check ↗
- 31
Paiste 22" Masters Dark Crash / Ride Cymbal22" Masters Dark Ride · Paiste74Stable$736€659$736€659Check ↗
- 32
Meinl 22" Pure Alloy Extra Hammered Ride Cymbal22" Pure Alloy E.Hammered C-R · Meinl73Stable$496€444$496€444Check ↗
- 33
Meinl 22" Pure Alloy Extra Hammered Ride Cymbal22" Pure Alloy E.Hammered Ride · Meinl73Stable$501€449$501€449Check ↗
- 34
Istanbul Agop 22" Traditional Series Dark Ride Cymbal22" Traditional Dark Ride · Istanbul Agop73Stable$573€513$573€513Check ↗
- 35
Meinl 22" Byzance Extra Dry Medium Ride22" Byzance Medium Ride · Meinl73Stable$646€579$646€579Check ↗
- 36
Meinl 22" Byzance Extra Dry Medium Ride22" Byzance Extra Dry Th. Ride · Meinl73Stable$702€629$702€629Check ↗
- 37
Meinl 22" Byzance Extra Dry Medium Ride22" Byzance Extra Ham. Ride · Meinl73Stable$709€635$709€635Check ↗
- 38
Paiste 22" Color Sound 900 Series Heavy Ride Cymbal22" 900 Color Heavy Ride BK · Paiste72↓ 3.6%$300€269$300€269Check ↗
- 39
Meinl 22" Classics Custom Dual Ride Cymbal22" Classics Custom Dual Ride · Meinl72Stable$367€329$367€329Check ↗
- 40
Paiste 22" 2002 Black Big Beat CymbalPaiste72Stable$479€429$479€429Check ↗
- 41
Meinl 22" Byzance Traditional Polyphonic Ride22" Byzance Polyphonic Ride · Meinl72↓ 8.0%$646€579$646€579Check ↗
- 42
Zildjian 22" K Series Dark Medium Ride Cymbal22" K-Series Dark Medium Ride · Zildjian72↑ 3.5%$658€589$658€589Check ↗
- 43
Zildjian 22" K Constantinople Medium Thin High Ride Cymbal22" K Constantinople High Ride · Zildjian72↓ 1.4%$769€689$769€689Check ↗
- 44
Istanbul Agop 22" Traditional Series Crash/Ride Cymbal22" Traditional Crash Ride · Istanbul Agop71Stable$591€529$591€529Check ↗
- 45
Istanbul Agop 22" Cindy Blackman OM Signature Ride Cymbal22" Cindy Blackman OM Ride · Istanbul Agop71↓ 2.6%$669€599$669€599Check ↗
- 46
Meinl 22" Byzance Jazz Monophonic Ride Cymbal22" Byzance Jazz Monophonic R. · Meinl71Stable$669€599$669€599Check ↗
- 47
Istanbul Agop 22" Signature Mel Lewis Ride22" Mel Lewis Signature Ride · Istanbul Agop71Stable$691€619$691€619Check ↗
- 48
Meinl 22" Byzance Dark Spectrum RideMeinl71Stable$713€639$713€639Check ↗
- 49
Paiste 22" Signature Danny Carey Monad Dry Heavy Ride Cymbal22" Signature "Monad" Ride · Paiste71↓ 1.5%$725€649$725€649Check ↗
- 50
Paiste 22" Color Sound 900 Series Heavy Ride Cymbal22" 900 Series Heavy Ride · Paiste70Stable$312€279$312€279Check ↗
22" Ride Cymbals by the numbers
Measured across all 134 models we track, not a sample.
Median $568 — half of all 22" ride cymbals here cost less.
median of 134 models · 22"–22"
How to choose the best 22" ride cymbals
Sustain
A good ride needs to ring. But it's not just about length; it's about quality of sustain. Cheap rides often have a washy, uncontrolled sustain that just muddies the mix. We're looking for sustain that decays cleanly.
Articulation
Can you get a crisp, defined stick sound? Or is it just a dull thud? Articulation is key for locking in with a bassist or guitar player, especially in busier genres.
Wash vs. Stick Definition
A ride should have a nice wash for swells and atmospheric textures, but it also needs to clearly define the stick hits. Finding that balance is crucial, and it's often a compromise at this price point.
Timbre/Tone
This is subjective, sure, but we're looking for character. A bright, glassy tone? A dark, trashy sound? Does it have a fat midrange honk, or a brittle high-end? It needs to fit the music you play.
Build Quality/Lathing
How well is it made? A sloppy lathing job can create unwanted overtones and a generally cheap feel. Consistent hammering and a clean bell are signs of a better-made cymbal, even in this price range.
Buying guide
Alright, let's talk 22" rides. They're the sweet spot - big enough for a wash, articulate enough to lock in with a groove. Finding a ride that sounds good and doesn't require a second mortgage can be tough, but there are some seriously good options under $800. This isn't about the boutique stuff; this is about getting the most 'sproing' and sustain for your dollar.
At this budget, expect some trade-offs. You're unlikely to get a perfectly balanced, crystal-clear ride. Many will have some washy overtones or a slightly uneven bell.
Don't chase 'perfect' - look for a ride that has a character you like and that works for your style. Solid B20 bronze is almost a must, and pay attention to the hammering - more hammering generally means more complexity and responsiveness.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 134 22" ride cymbals from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
What's the difference between B8 and B20 bronze?
B8 is a cheaper bronze alloy, often sounding thinner and more washy. B20 is the standard for most good-sounding rides, offering more complexity and sustain. B20 is generally worth the extra investment.
I play a lot of funk - what should I look for?
For funk, you'll want something articulate and responsive. Look for a ride with a defined stick sound and a shorter sustain, so it doesn't get lost in the pocket. A lighter weight ride is also a good idea.
What about crashes/rides hybrids? Are those worth it?
They can be a decent option if you're on a tight budget and need versatility, but generally, dedicated rides will sound and feel better. The crash/ride hybrids often lack the focused tone of a true ride.
I'm a beginner - does it really matter that much?
It does! Even as a beginner, a better-sounding ride will inspire you to play more and improve your timing. It's a foundational piece of your kit.
Are used cymbals a good option?
Absolutely! You can often find incredible deals on used cymbals, but be sure to check for cracks or keyholing. A little oxidation is normal and can even add character.
