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Best 24" Ride Cymbals and Bigger Under $500 2025

Affordable 24" ride cymbals and bigger under $500 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $500 Under $800
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Orchestral For Cinematic For Art Music For Special Effects For Professional Recording For Extreme Applications
BRANDS: Paiste Meinl
Zultan 24" Heritage Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Zultan 24" Heritage Ride

by Zultan
Orchestral Cinematic Art Music
Key Feature:
• Unique sonic characteristics
✓ PROS
  • • Professional orchestral applications
  • • Unique sonic characteristics
✗ CONS
  • • Limited availability and selection
  • • Impractical for general drumming

Zultan 24" Heritage RideRide CymbalHeritage SeriesSize: 24"100% Handmade cymbalmade according to old...

⭐ 4.5/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 422418
$461
Buy at Thomann View Details
Meinl Pure Alloy 24" Medium Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Meinl Pure Alloy 24" Medium Ride

by Meinl
Special Effects Art Music Cinematic
Key Feature:
• Ultimate ride cymbal experience
✓ PROS
  • • Unmatched sustain and complexity
  • • Unique sonic characteristics
✗ CONS
  • • Extremely expensive professional instruments
  • • Highly specialized applications only

Meinl Pure Alloy 24" Medium RideRide CymbalSize: 24"Finish: TraditionalHigh-tech mechanical...

⭐ 4.5/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 483042
$450
Buy at Thomann View Details
Masterwork 24" Resonant Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Masterwork 24" Resonant Ride

by Masterwork
Art Music Extreme Applications Cinematic
Key Feature:
• Unique sonic characteristics
✓ PROS
  • • Unique sonic characteristics
  • • Professional orchestral applications
✗ CONS
  • • Extremely expensive professional instruments
  • • Requires expert technique and control

Masterwork 24" Resonant Ride, 24" RideThe resonant series is hand-polished, giving it a glossy surface and...

⭐ 4.5/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 111712
$329
Buy at Thomann View Details
Zultan 24" Caz Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Zultan 24" Caz Ride

by Zultan
Professional Recording Extreme Applications Special Effects
Key Feature:
• Ultimate ride cymbal experience
✓ PROS
  • • Ultimate ride cymbal experience
  • • Unique sonic characteristics
✗ CONS
  • • Highly specialized applications only
  • • Limited availability and selection

Zultan 24" Caz RideRide CymbalSize: 24"Material: B20 bronzeHand hammeredPolished surfaceFull sounding topRide...

⭐ 5.0/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 475510
$362
Buy at Thomann View Details
Paiste 24" 900 Series Mega Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Paiste 24" 900 Series Mega Ride

by Paiste
Art Music Special Effects Cinematic
Key Feature:
• Unique sonic characteristics
✓ PROS
  • • Ultimate ride cymbal experience
  • • Unique sonic characteristics
✗ CONS
  • • Requires expert technique and control
  • • Limited availability and selection

Paiste 24" 900 Series Mega RideMega Ride CymbalSize: 24"900 seriesMade from B8 (2002) bronzeFull sound with a...

⭐ 4.8/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 407511
$351
Buy at Thomann View Details
Meinl 24" Classics Custom Dark Ride - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Meinl 24" Classics Custom Dark Ride

by Meinl
Extreme Applications Special Effects Art Music
Key Feature:
• Impressive acoustic and visual impact
✓ PROS
  • • Professional orchestral applications
  • • Unmatched sustain and complexity
✗ CONS
  • • Extremely expensive professional instruments
  • • Limited availability and selection

Meinl 24" Classics Custom Dark RideRide CymbalSize: 24"Classic seriesB12 bronze alloyDark...

⭐ 4.5/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 606876
$362
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 24" Ride Cymbals and Bigger

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 24" ride cymbals and bigger 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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