Best 23" Ride Cymbals for Intermediate 2026
Alright, so you're leveling up your drumming - that's awesome. Moving to a 23" ride is a big step, offering more wash and complexity than a 20" but demanding more control. It's not just about bigger size; it's about handling that extra sustain and learning to shape the sound. Let's find you a ride that'll inspire, not frustrate, and actually cut through the mix when you need it to.
Last updated: May 13, 2026 • Next update: May 20, 2026
Sabian 23" HH Billy Cobham LE Ride
- • Exceptional B20 bronze delivers complex overtones and sustain.
- • Hand-hammering creates a uniquely responsive and lively feel.
- • The bell provides a clear, cutting projection for accents.
- • Cobham's signature wash is dark, powerful, and musically versatile.
- • The medium-heavy weight demands a strong playing technique.
- • The dark, focused sound may not suit all musical genres.
- • Premium-priced, making it a significant investment for most drummers.
Istanbul Agop 23" Agop Signature Ride
- • Exceptional clarity and complexity for a dark ride.
- • The hand-hammering creates a uniquely responsive feel.
- • Musical, swirling overtones blend beautifully with the core tone.
- • Crash ride capability expands versatility without sacrificing character.
- • The dry sound might not suit brighter musical styles.
- • Premium-priced, a significant investment for many drummers.
- • Bell tone is relatively subdued compared to some brighter rides.
Zildjian 23" K Sweet Ride
- • Exceptional warmth and complexity, perfect for nuanced playing.
- • Fast response and clear stick definition despite its size.
- • Beautiful, consistent hammering provides a unique visual and sonic signature.
- • The K series bronze delivers a rich, full tone with great sustain.
- • Can be a bit too dark for brighter musical styles like funk or metal.
- • Premium-priced, representing a significant investment for many drummers.
- • Large size may be unwieldy for smaller kits or less experienced players.
Sabian 23" HHX Complex Medium Ride
- • Exceptional warmth and sustain thanks to B20 bronze alloy.
- • Complex hammering creates a uniquely responsive and articulate wash.
- • Hand-hammered bell delivers a focused, musical, and powerful projection.
- • HHX quality construction ensures durability and longevity for gigging.
- • Premium-priced, represents a significant investment for many drummers.
- • The 'complex' wash might be too subtle for players seeking a trashy ride sound.
- • Weight can be fatiguing during extended playing sessions, particularly for smaller players.
Zultan 23" Q Ride
- • Deep hammering creates a remarkably warm, complex wash across the cymbal surface.
- • The contrasting finishes offer a wide dynamic range, from crisp stick definition to shimmering brilliance.
- • B-20 bronze alloy delivers a full, musical tone with good projection.
- • The raw, untreated bell provides a powerful, dark, and focused bell tone.
- • The complex construction might make it slightly less durable than simpler, mass-produced rides.
- • The raw bell finish can be prone to tarnishing faster than polished areas.
- • Its nuanced sound may not be ideal for heavier, more aggressive musical styles.
How to Choose the Best 23" Ride Cymbals
Wash vs. Stick Definition
A 23" ride's primary charm is the wash, but it needs to still articulate. You want a balance - enough shimmer to fill out the sound, but enough definition so your bell and stick patterns don't just blur together. Too much wash and it's a muddy mess; too little and it's just a big, floppy crash.
Bell Response
The bell is crucial for cutting through. A responsive bell, with a clear 'ping' that doesn't get swallowed by the wash, is essential for those crucial accents. We're looking for a bell that feels like an extension of your stick, not a separate entity.
Sustain and Decay
23" rides naturally sustain longer. You need to be able to control that sustain - choke it back for quieter passages, let it ring for big fills. A ride that just drones on forever is unusable in most situations.
Weight and Action
A heavier ride will generally have more sustain and a darker tone. Lighter rides are more responsive but might lack the body you want. The action (how the cymbal bows and moves) influences playability - a stiff action feels less responsive, while a floppy action can be hard to control.
Overall Tone
It's not just "bright" or "dark." We're talking about the character. Does it have a warm, vintage thump? A cutting, modern edge? A complex, shimmering quality? The right tone depends on your genre and the sound you're after.
Buying Guide
At the intermediate level, you're likely balancing budget and quality. Don't chase the loudest, flashiest ride; focus on playability and responsiveness. Entry-level 23" rides often cut corners with thin bronze alloys, leading to brittle tones and short lifespans - they'll break up easily and sound lifeless. Spending a bit more for a B20 bronze cymbal will get you noticeably better sustain and a warmer, more complex tone. Don't be afraid to look at smaller boutique brands; sometimes they offer incredible value.
Our Methodology
We're not chasing spec sheets here. We've spent countless hours playing these rides, A/B'ing them against each other, and putting them through the wringer - gigging in loud rock bands, laying down clean tracks in studios, and just plain messing around to see what they're really like. Our focus is on how they feel under the stick, how they respond to dynamics, and whether they'll hold up to regular use.
