Best Cymbal Sets for Beginner 2026
Perfect cymbal sets for beginner - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: February 11, 2026 • Next update: February 18, 2026
#1
⭐
5.0/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Istanbul Agop Xist Natural Cymbal Set Pro
Value
Rock
Pop
Key Feature:
• Matched sound characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Better value than individual cymbals
- • Consistent quality across all pieces
✗ CONS
- • May include cymbals you don't need
- • May not suit specialized musical needs
Istanbul Agop Cymbal Set ProXist SeriesNatural Finishprofessional quality in B20 (80% Copper20" Tin)Set containing...
⭐
5.0/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 621961
$879
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian AA MAX Bell Chime Set
by
Sabian
Pop
Metal
Beginner
Key Feature:
• Better value than individual cymbals
✓ PROS
- • Complete cymbal package in one purchase
- • Better value than individual cymbals
✗ CONS
- • May not suit specialized musical needs
- • May include cymbals you don't need
Sabian AA MAX Bell Chime SetBell Chime SetConsists of 6"6.5"7" AA MAX Bell ChimeMike Portnoy (Dream...
⭐
4.6/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 611819
$384
#3
⭐
4.5/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl HCS Expanded Cymbal Set
by
Meinl
Value
Complete Setup
Rock
Key Feature:
• Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✓ PROS
- • Complete cymbal package in one purchase
- • Consistent quality across all pieces
✗ CONS
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
- • May include cymbals you don't need
Meinl HCS Expanded Cymbal Set, Set of Cymbals, HCS Series, Material: Brass, Model: Regular*Set consisting of:*,...
⭐
4.5/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 582385
$373
#4
⭐
4.9/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl Pure Alloy C. Th. Hammered Set
by
Meinl
Complete Setup
Rock
Metal
Key Feature:
• Matched sound characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for complete drum kit setup
- • Consistent quality across all pieces
✗ CONS
- • May not suit specialized musical needs
- • Quality may be compromised for price
Meinl Pure Alloy C. Th. Hammered Set, Set of Cymbals, Pure Alloy Series, Finish: Smoke Bronze, Made in Germany*Set...
⭐
4.9/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 582372
$1,318
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian Stratus Promotional Set
by
Sabian
Metal
Pop
Beginner
Key Feature:
• Matched sound characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Better value than individual cymbals
- • Consistent quality across all pieces
✗ CONS
- • Quality may be compromised for price
- • May include cymbals you don't need
Sabian Stratus Promotional Set, Set of Cymbals, Hi-Hats provide a warm, semi-dark sound, Crash cymbals provide a deep...
⭐
4.8/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 591581
$1,077
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Masterwork Troy Traditional 4pcs Set
by
Masterwork
Pop
Complete Setup
Rock
Key Feature:
• Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for complete drum kit setup
- • Complete cymbal package in one purchase
✗ CONS
- • Quality may be compromised for price
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
Masterwork Troy Traditional 4pcs SetCymbal SetSet consists of: 14‘’ Hi-Hat16‘’ Crash18‘’ Crash20‘’...
⭐
4.5/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 611380
$571
#7
⭐
4.8/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl Byzance Traditional Complete
by
Meinl
Pop
Beginner
Rock
Key Feature:
• Better value than individual cymbals
✓ PROS
- • Complete cymbal package in one purchase
- • Better value than individual cymbals
✗ CONS
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
- • Quality may be compromised for price
Meinl Byzance Traditional Complete, Set of Cymbals, Byzance Series, Material: B20 Bronze, Hand hammered*Set consisting...
⭐
4.8/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 582169
$1,374
#8
⭐
4.6/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Ufip Class Series Starter Pack
by
Ufip
Rock
Metal
Beginner
Key Feature:
• Matched sound characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Consistent quality across all pieces
- • Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✗ CONS
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
Ufip Class Series Starter PackSet of CymbalsClass SeriesMaterial: B20 bronze alloyTraditional surfaceProvides warm tone...
⭐
4.6/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 580734
$813
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Meinl Byzance A.Choice Matt Halpern
by
Meinl
Metal
Complete Setup
Pop
Key Feature:
• Consistent quality across all pieces
✓ PROS
- • Complete cymbal package in one purchase
- • Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✗ CONS
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
- • May include cymbals you don't need
Meinl Byzance A.Choice Matt HalpernSet of CymbalsMatt Halpern Artist's Choice SetByzance SeriesSet compiled by...
⭐
4.8/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 582122
$1,978
#10
⭐
4.6/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl Byzance Dual Crash Pack
by
Meinl
Rock
Complete Setup
Value
Key Feature:
• Complete cymbal package in one purchase
✓ PROS
- • Consistent quality across all pieces
- • Better value than individual cymbals
✗ CONS
- • Quality may be compromised for price
- • May not suit specialized musical needs
Meinl Byzance Dual Crash Pack, Set of Cymbals, Byzance Series, Material: B20 Bronze, Hand hammered*Set consisting of:*,...
⭐
4.6/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 582155
$768
#11
⭐
4.4/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Ufip Class Series Full Pack
by
Ufip
Rock
Complete Setup
Pop
Key Feature:
• Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✓ PROS
- • Better value than individual cymbals
- • Consistent quality across all pieces
✗ CONS
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
- • May include cymbals you don't need
Ufip Class Series Full PackSet of CymbalsClass SeriesMaterial: B20 bronze alloyTraditional surfaceProvides warm tone...
⭐
4.4/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 580739
$989
#12
⭐
5.0/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Zultan 25 Anniversary Cymbal Set 2
by
Zultan
Complete Setup
Pop
Metal
Key Feature:
• Consistent quality across all pieces
✓ PROS
- • Consistent quality across all pieces
- • Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✗ CONS
- • Quality may be compromised for price
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
Zultan 25 Anniversary Cymbal Set 2Set of Cymbals25th Anniversary seriesSet consisting of: 15" hi-hat18" crash...
⭐
5.0/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 612360
$769
#13
⭐
4.6/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl Byzance A.Choice Matt Garstka
by
Meinl
Rock
Value
Complete Setup
Key Feature:
• Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✓ PROS
- • Better value than individual cymbals
- • Complete cymbal package in one purchase
✗ CONS
- • May not suit specialized musical needs
- • May include cymbals you don't need
Meinl Byzance A.Choice Matt GarstkaSet of CymbalsMatt Garstka Artist's Choice SetByzance SeriesSet compiled by...
⭐
4.6/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 582126
$2,088
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Agop Xist Dry Dark Exclusive Set
Metal
Rock
Pop
Key Feature:
• Consistent quality across all pieces
✓ PROS
- • Complete cymbal package in one purchase
- • Matched sound characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
Istanbul Agop Xist Dry Dark Exclusive SetSet of CymbalsExclusive Thomann special modelMaterial: B20 bronzeRaw...
⭐
4.8/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 612939
$1,022
#15
⭐
4.4/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Sabian HHX Complex Praise&Worship Set
by
Sabian
Metal
Rock
Beginner
Key Feature:
• Matched sound characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Better value than individual cymbals
- • Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✗ CONS
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
Sabian HHX Complex Praise&Worship Set, Set of Cymbals, Material: B20 bronze*Set consisting of:*, 14" Complex...
⭐
4.4/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 563159
$1,869
How to Choose the Best Cymbal Sets
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 cymbal sets 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.
