Best Cymbal Sets for Intermediate 2026
Perfect cymbal sets for intermediate - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: February 11, 2026 • Next update: February 18, 2026
#1
⭐
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
#2
⭐
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
#3
⭐
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
#4
⭐
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
#5
⭐
4.6/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Zultan 25 Anniversary Cymbal Set 1
by
Zultan
Metal
Pop
Complete Setup
Key Feature:
• Consistent quality across all pieces
✓ PROS
- • Matched sound characteristics
- • Consistent quality across all pieces
✗ CONS
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
Zultan 25 Anniversary Cymbal Set 1Set of Cymbals25th Anniversary seriesSet consisting of: 14" hi-hat16"...
⭐
4.6/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 612359
$855
#6
⭐
4.4/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl Byzance Dual Compl. Set Plus
by
Meinl
Value
Metal
Complete Setup
Key Feature:
• Matched sound characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for complete drum kit setup
- • Better value than individual cymbals
✗ CONS
- • Quality may be compromised for price
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
Meinl Byzance Dual Compl. Set Plus, Set of Cymbals, Byzance Series, Material: B20 Bronze, Hand hammered*Set consisting...
⭐
4.4/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 582156
$1,648
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Meinl BMIX2 Crash Pack
by
Meinl
Rock
Pop
Metal
Key Feature:
• Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for complete drum kit setup
- • Matched sound characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
Meinl BMIX2 Crash Pack, Set of Cymbals, Byzance Series, Material: B-20 Bronze, Hand hammered*Set consisting of:*,...
⭐
4.6/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 582362
$768
#8
⭐
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
#9
⭐
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
#10
⭐
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
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Zultan Mellow Professional Cymbal Set
by
Zultan
Complete Setup
Pop
Metal
Key Feature:
• Matched sound characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Matched sound characteristics
- • Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✗ CONS
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
- • Quality may be compromised for price
Zultan Mellow Professional Cymbal SetSet of CymbalsMellow SeriesMaterial: B-20 Bronze AlloyReduces the cymbal volume up...
⭐
4.8/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 561635
$989
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Meinl Practice HCS Cymbal Set
by
Meinl
Pop
Metal
Beginner
Key Feature:
• Consistent quality across all pieces
✓ PROS
- • Matched sound characteristics
- • Better value than individual cymbals
✗ CONS
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
Meinl Practice HCS Cymbal Set, Set of Cymbals, Material: MS63 brass, Extra quiet - perfect for practicing, Feel like...
⭐
4.6/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 558077
$439
#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
⭐
4.6/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl Byzance A.Choice Benny Greb
by
Meinl
Beginner
Metal
Complete Setup
Key Feature:
• Consistent quality across all pieces
✓ PROS
- • Matched sound characteristics
- • Better value than individual cymbals
✗ CONS
- • May include cymbals you don't need
- • May not suit specialized musical needs
Meinl Byzance A.Choice Benny Greb, Set of Cymbals, Benny Greb Artist's Choice Set, Byzance Series, Set compiled by...
⭐
4.6/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 582123
$2,088
#15
⭐
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
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.
