Best 8" Splash Cymbals for Professional 2026
Perfect 8" splash cymbals for professional - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.8/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 08" Signature Splash
by
Paiste
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
Art. 100875
$230
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Paiste 08" 602 Mod. Essential Splash
by
Paiste
Rock
Accent Hits
General Use
Key Feature:
• Good balance of attack and sustain
✓ PROS
- • Good balance of attack and sustain
- • Easy to incorporate into any setup
✗ CONS
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
- • Requires good timing to use effectively
Paiste 08" 602 Mod. Essential Splash8" Splash CymbalModern Essentials SeriesRegular modelCuSn20 bronze...
⭐
4.7/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 312882
$241
#3
⭐
4.6/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 08" AAX Splash
by
Sabian
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
Art. 100890
$208
#4
⭐
4.5/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Zildjian 08" K-Custom Dark Splash
by
Zildjian
Rock
Accent Hits
General Use
Key Feature:
• Good balance of attack and sustain
✓ PROS
- • Good balance of attack and sustain
- • Most popular and versatile splash size
✗ CONS
- • May lack character of extreme sizes
- • Still limited volume compared to crashes
Zildjian 08" K-Custom Dark SplashSplashK Custom seriesSize: 8”Dark splashTraditional finishPlayed amongst others...
⭐
4.5/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 158788
$197
#5
⭐
4.5/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Paiste 2002 Classic 08" Splash
by
Paiste
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
Art. 100869
$164
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 08" Byzance Splash
by
Meinl
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
Art. 151054
$175
#7
⭐
4.8/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 08" A-Series Splash
by
Zildjian
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
Art. 147387
$149
#8
⭐
5.0/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 08" A-Custom Splash
by
Zildjian
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
Art. 127275
$175
#9
⭐
4.9/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 8" B8X Splash
by
Sabian
Pop
Jazz
Accent Hits
Key Feature:
• Easy to incorporate into any setup
✓ PROS
- • Affordable entry into splash cymbals
- • Great for various musical styles
✗ CONS
- • Still limited volume compared to crashes
- • Requires good timing to use effectively
Sabian 8" B8X SplashSplashSize: 08"B8X seriesAlloy: B8 bronzeNatural finishHammered bellStronger...
⭐
4.9/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 363249
$108
#10
⭐
4.9/5
(40 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Paiste 08" Masters Dark Splash
by
Paiste
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
Art. 549331
$208
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 08" K-Series Splash
by
Zildjian
Accent Hits
General Use
Jazz
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile splash size
✓ PROS
- • Easy to incorporate into any setup
- • Most popular and versatile splash size
✗ CONS
- • Still limited volume compared to crashes
- • Requires good timing to use effectively
Zildjian 08" K-Series SplashSplash CymbalSeries K ZildjianRegular finishSize 8"SplashPlayed by e.g....
⭐
4.8/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 158826
$186
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 08" Xist ION Splash Brilliant
Fills
Pop
General Use
Key Feature:
• Most popular and versatile splash size
✓ PROS
- • Great for various musical styles
- • Affordable entry into splash cymbals
✗ CONS
- • Still limited volume compared to crashes
- • Requires good timing to use effectively
Istanbul Agop 08" Xist ION Splash BrilliantSplashSize: 08"Xist ION seriesBrillant finishMaterial: B20 bronze...
⭐
4.6/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 382927
$120
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian 08" S Series Paper Thin Splash
by
Zildjian
Jazz
Accent Hits
General Use
Key Feature:
• Great for various musical styles
✓ PROS
- • Easy to incorporate into any setup
- • Most popular and versatile splash size
✗ CONS
- • Still limited volume compared to crashes
- • May not cut through very heavy music
Zildjian 08" S Series Paper Thin SplashPaper Thin Splash CymbalSize: 08"S SeriesMaterial: B12 bronze alloy...
⭐
4.7/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 380610
$108
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Meinl 08" Pure Alloy Splash
by
Meinl
Fills
General Use
Accent Hits
Key Feature:
• Good balance of attack and sustain
✓ PROS
- • Most popular and versatile splash size
- • Easy to incorporate into any setup
✗ CONS
- • May not cut through very heavy music
- • Can sound generic without careful selection
Meinl 08" Pure Alloy SplashSplash CymbalSize: 08"Pure Alloy SeriesFinish: TraditionalMechanical high-tech...
⭐
4.8/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 581439
$127
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl 08" Byzance Dark Splash
by
Meinl
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
Art. 221810
$175
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.
