Best 8" Splash Cymbals 2025

Top-rated 8" splash cymbals 2025 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: October 15, 2025 • Next update: October 22, 2025

Sabian 08" AAX Splash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Sabian 08" AAX Splash

Rock Jazz Pop
Key Feature:
• Affordable entry into splash cymbals
✓ PROS
  • • Good balance of attack and sustain
  • • Great for various musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • May lack character of extreme sizes
  • • Still limited volume compared to crashes

Sabian 08" AAX SplashSplash CymbalAAX seriesSize: 8"Brilliant finishTransparent soundExtremely fastVery...

4.6/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 08" Byzance Splash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Meinl 08" Byzance Splash

Jazz Rock Accent Hits
Key Feature:
• Easy to incorporate into any setup
✓ PROS
  • • Great for various musical styles
  • • Affordable entry into splash cymbals
✗ CONS
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection
  • • May not cut through very heavy music

Meinl 08" Byzance SplashSplashByzance seriesSize: 08”Traditional finishBeautifully spreadingfast attack...

4.8/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Zildjian 08" A-Series Splash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Zildjian 08" A-Series Splash

Jazz Rock Accent Hits
Key Feature:
• Easy to incorporate into any setup
✓ PROS
  • • Most popular and versatile splash size
  • • Good balance of attack and sustain
✗ CONS
  • • May not cut through very heavy music
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection

  • Zildjian 08" A-Series Splash
  • Splash
  • Size: 08"
  • Regular finish
  • Fast
  • clean
  • short sounding splash

4.8/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 08" A-Custom Splash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Zildjian 08" A-Custom Splash

Fills General Use Jazz
Key Feature:
• Easy to incorporate into any setup
✓ PROS
  • • Great for various musical styles
  • • Affordable entry into splash cymbals
✗ CONS
  • • May not cut through very heavy music
  • • May lack character of extreme sizes

Zildjian 08" A-Custom SplashSplashSize: 08"A Custom seriesBrillant finishFast attackRoundshort sustainVery...

5.0/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Ufip 08" FX Traditional Spl. Light - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Ufip 08" FX Traditional Spl. Light

Rock Pop Accent Hits
Key Feature:
• Great for various musical styles
✓ PROS
  • • Most popular and versatile splash size
  • • Easy to incorporate into any setup
✗ CONS
  • • May lack character of extreme sizes
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection

Ufip 08" Class Series Splash LightSplash CymbalSize: 08"The UFIP Class Series always has something more to...

4.9/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Ufip 08" FX Traditional Spl. Medium - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Ufip 08" FX Traditional Spl. Medium

Pop Jazz Accent Hits
Key Feature:
• Good balance of attack and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Good balance of attack and sustain
  • • Great for various musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • Still limited volume compared to crashes
  • • Requires good timing to use effectively

Ufip 08" Class Series Splash MediumSplash CymbalSize: 08"The UFIP Class Series always has something more to...

4.4/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 08" Signature Dark Energy MK1 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Paiste 08" Signature Dark Energy MK1

Jazz Accent Hits Fills
Key Feature:
• Affordable entry into splash cymbals
✓ PROS
  • • Affordable entry into splash cymbals
  • • Good balance of attack and sustain
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good timing to use effectively
  • • May not cut through very heavy music

Paiste 08" Signature Dark Energy MK1Dark Energy SplashMark ISize: 08"Dark bodyFull frequency...

4.4/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Masterwork 8" Troy Traditional Splash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Masterwork 8" Troy Traditional Splash

General Use Fills Jazz
Key Feature:
• Easy to incorporate into any setup
✓ PROS
  • • Most popular and versatile splash size
  • • Good balance of attack and sustain
✗ CONS
  • • Still limited volume compared to crashes
  • • Requires good timing to use effectively

Masterwork 8" Troy Traditional SplashSplash CymbalSize: 8"Material: B25 bronzeFinish:...

4.7/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
5/10
Value:
10/10
Paiste 2002 Classic 08" Splash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Paiste 2002 Classic 08" Splash

Pop Fills General Use
Key Feature:
• Easy to incorporate into any setup
✓ PROS
  • • Affordable entry into splash cymbals
  • • Good balance of attack and sustain
✗ CONS
  • • May lack character of extreme sizes
  • • Requires good timing to use effectively

Paiste 2002 Classic 08" Splash, SplashA very thin, warm Splash, with a soft sound character. The sound spectrum...

4.5/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 08" Byzance Dark Splash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Meinl 08" Byzance Dark Splash

Accent Hits Pop General Use
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile splash size
✓ PROS
  • • Affordable entry into splash cymbals
  • • Good balance of attack and sustain
✗ CONS
  • • May lack character of extreme sizes
  • • May not cut through very heavy music

Meinl 08" Byzance Dark SplashDark SplashByzance seriesSize: 08"Dark (natural) finishDarkearthy sound with...

4.6/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Paiste 08" Signature Splash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Paiste 08" Signature Splash

General Use Rock Pop
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile splash size
✓ PROS
  • • Easy to incorporate into any setup
  • • Affordable entry into splash cymbals
✗ CONS
  • • May lack character of extreme sizes
  • • Still limited volume compared to crashes

Paiste 08" Signature Splash, 08" SplashThe Splash of the Signature line provides an explosive, warm and very...

4.8/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 08" Masters Dark Splash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Paiste 08" Masters Dark Splash

Jazz Pop Accent Hits
Key Feature:
• Good balance of attack and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Easy to incorporate into any setup
  • • Affordable entry into splash cymbals
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good timing to use effectively
  • • May lack character of extreme sizes

Paiste 08" Masters Dark Splash, 08" Splash Cymbal, Fine sizzling effect sounds, Soft feel and fast response,...

4.9/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Zultan 08" Splash Dark Matter - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Zultan 08" Splash Dark Matter

Accent Hits Fills Pop
Key Feature:
• Good balance of attack and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Good balance of attack and sustain
  • • Most popular and versatile splash size
✗ CONS
  • • Requires good timing to use effectively
  • • Still limited volume compared to crashes

Zultan 08" Splash Dark MatterSplash CymbalSize: 8"Dark Matter LineHand hammeredDark splash cymbalMade of B20...

5.0/5 (51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Masterwork 08" Custom Splash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Masterwork 08" Custom Splash

Accent Hits Rock Pop
Key Feature:
• Easy to incorporate into any setup
✓ PROS
  • • Great for various musical styles
  • • Affordable entry into splash cymbals
✗ CONS
  • • Still limited volume compared to crashes
  • • May not cut through very heavy music

Masterwork 08" Custom Splash, 8" SplashA considerable frequency range and a warm basic character with...

4.6/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
10/10
Zultan 08" Aja Splash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Zultan 08" Aja Splash

Pop Accent Hits Jazz
Key Feature:
• Good balance of attack and sustain
✓ PROS
  • • Affordable entry into splash cymbals
  • • Great for various musical styles
✗ CONS
  • • Still limited volume compared to crashes
  • • Can sound generic without careful selection

Zultan 08" Aja Splash, Splash, Aja series, Size: 08", Crisp, sharp sound thanks to the use of high-quality...

4.7/5 (41 reviews)
Sound:
6/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10

How to Choose the Best 8" Splash 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 8" splash 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.

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more