Best Cymbal Sets for Intermediate 2026
Perfect cymbal sets for intermediate - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
4.8/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Ufip Bionic Series Full Pack
by
Ufip
Metal
Rock
Pop
Key Feature:
• Consistent quality across all pieces
✓ PROS
- • Matched sound characteristics
- • Consistent quality across all pieces
✗ CONS
- • Quality may be compromised for price
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
Ufip Bionic Series Full PackSet of CymbalsBionic SeriesMaterial: B20 bronzePowerfulbright and warm sound with great...
⭐
4.8/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606191
$989
#2
⭐
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
#3
⭐
4.6/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Istanbul Agop Xist Natural Cymbal Set
Pop
Beginner
Rock
Key Feature:
• Matched sound characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Complete cymbal package in one purchase
- • Matched sound characteristics
✗ CONS
- • May include cymbals you don't need
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
Istanbul Agop Xist Natural Cymbal SetCymbal SetXist seriesNatural versionProfessional quality in B20 bronze (80%...
⭐
4.6/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 621959
$747
#4
⭐
4.9/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Zildjian S Series Performer Cymbal Set
by
Zildjian
Complete Setup
Metal
Beginner
Key Feature:
• Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✓ PROS
- • Matched sound characteristics
- • Better value than individual cymbals
✗ CONS
- • May include cymbals you don't need
- • Quality may be compromised for price
Zildjian S Series Performer Cymbal SetCymbal SetExplosivebrilliantexpressive and balanced soundLathed on both...
⭐
4.9/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 621594
$681
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Masterwork Troy Traditional 3pcs Set
by
Masterwork
Beginner
Pop
Metal
Key Feature:
• Complete cymbal package in one purchase
✓ PROS
- • Matched sound characteristics
- • Consistent quality across all pieces
✗ CONS
- • May not suit specialized musical needs
- • Quality may be compromised for price
Masterwork Troy Traditional 3pcs SetCymbal SetSet consists of: 14‘’ Hi-Hat16‘’ Crash20‘’ RideMaterial: B25...
⭐
4.8/5
(37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 611379
$468
#6
⭐
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
#7
⭐
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
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl Byzance A.Choice Mike Johnston
by
Meinl
Rock
Pop
Value
Key Feature:
• Complete cymbal package in one purchase
✓ PROS
- • Better value than individual cymbals
- • Matched sound characteristics
✗ CONS
- • May include cymbals you don't need
- • Quality may be compromised for price
Meinl Byzance A.Choice Mike Johnston, Set of Cymbals, Mike Johnston Artist's Choice Set, Byzance Series, Set...
⭐
4.5/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 582142
$1,704
#9
⭐
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
#10
⭐
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
#11
⭐
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
#12
⭐
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
#13
⭐
4.5/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl BMIX1 Crash Pack
by
Meinl
Beginner
Pop
Rock
Key Feature:
• Better value than individual cymbals
✓ PROS
- • Better value than individual cymbals
- • Complete cymbal package in one purchase
✗ CONS
- • May include cymbals you don't need
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
Meinl BMIX1 Crash Pack, Set of Cymbals, Byzance Series, Material: B-20 Bronze, Hand hammered*Set consisting of:*,...
⭐
4.5/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 582361
$878
#14
⭐
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
#15
⭐
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
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.
