Best Cymbal Sets Under $1,000 2026
Affordable cymbal sets under $1,000 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Istanbul Mehmet Samatya Cymbal Set 1-18
Value
Rock
Metal
Key Feature:
• Better value than individual cymbals
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for complete drum kit setup
- • Consistent quality across all pieces
✗ CONS
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
Istanbul Mehmet Samatya Cymbal Set 1-18Cymbal Set14" Hi-Hat16" Crash18" Crash20" RideIncl. cymbal...
⭐
4.6/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 319461
$945
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet Samatya Cymbal Set 1
Metal
Pop
Beginner
Key Feature:
• Matched sound characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Matched sound characteristics
- • Consistent quality across all pieces
✗ CONS
- • May not suit specialized musical needs
- • May include cymbals you don't need
Istanbul Mehmet Samatya Cymbal Set 1Cymbal SetSamatya SeriesBrilliant performanceModernquick-response cymbal setIdeal...
⭐
4.6/5
(35 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 312215
$802
#3
⭐
4.9/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop Xist Brilliant Cymbal Set Pro
Pop
Beginner
Value
Key Feature:
• Complete cymbal package in one purchase
✓ PROS
- • Complete cymbal package in one purchase
- • Better value than individual cymbals
✗ CONS
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
Istanbul Agop Xist Brilliant Cymbal Set ProCymbal SetXist SeriesBrilliant finishProfessional quality in B20 Bronze: 80%...
⭐
4.9/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 400402
$879
#4
⭐
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
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Meinl Classics Custom Dual Plus Set
by
Meinl
Metal
Value
Beginner
Key Feature:
• Better value than individual cymbals
✓ PROS
- • Complete cymbal package in one purchase
- • Matched sound characteristics
✗ CONS
- • May not suit specialized musical needs
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
Meinl Classics Custom Dual Plus SetSet of CymbalsClassics Custom SeriesFinish: Dark / BrilliantMaterial: B12 bronzeWarm...
⭐
4.8/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 582381
$857
#6
⭐
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
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian XSR Performance Set Pro
by
Sabian
Metal
Complete Setup
Pop
Key Feature:
• Complete cymbal package in one purchase
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for complete drum kit setup
- • Matched sound characteristics
✗ CONS
- • May include cymbals you don't need
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
Sabian XSR Performance Set Pro, Cymbal Set, XSR Series, Material: B20 bronze, Brilliant finish, Slightly thinner cymbal...
⭐
4.5/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 415212
$879
#8
⭐
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
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Mehmet IMC Dark 4pcs Cymbal Set
Rock
Complete Setup
Pop
Key Feature:
• Matched sound characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for complete drum kit setup
- • Consistent quality across all pieces
✗ CONS
- • Quality may be compromised for price
- • May include cymbals you don't need
Istanbul Mehmet IMC Dark 4pcs Cymbal SetSet of CymbalsIMC Dark SeriesMaterial: B20 bronzedark sound with a fast...
⭐
4.5/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 568951
$809
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan Dune Grand Cymbal Set
by
Zultan
Pop
Beginner
Complete Setup
Key Feature:
• Better value than individual cymbals
✓ PROS
- • Matched sound characteristics
- • Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✗ CONS
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
- • May not suit specialized musical needs
Zultan Dune Grand Cymbal SetCymbal SetDune SeriesHand-hammeredPremium cymbals manufactured with traditional Turkish...
⭐
4.5/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 450138
$878
#11
⭐
4.6/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl Classics C. Dual Expanded Set
by
Meinl
Rock
Pop
Beginner
Key Feature:
• Matched sound characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Complete cymbal package in one purchase
- • Better value than individual cymbals
✗ CONS
- • May include cymbals you don't need
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
Meinl Classics C. Dual Expanded SetCymbal setMaterial: B-12 bronzeWarm sounds and explosive responseFinish: Dark /...
⭐
4.6/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 528065
$956
#12
⭐
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
#13
⭐
4.5/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian K Series Paper Thin Crash Set
by
Zildjian
Value
Rock
Complete Setup
Key Feature:
• Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✓ PROS
- • Complete cymbal package in one purchase
- • Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✗ CONS
- • Quality may be compromised for price
- • May include cymbals you don't need
Zildjian K Series Paper Thin Crash SetSet of CymbalsMaterial: B20 bronze alloyExplosivedark crash sound with fast...
⭐
4.5/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 621904
$956
#14
⭐
4.9/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Zultan Aeon Cymbal Set
by
Zultan
Beginner
Pop
Rock
Key Feature:
• Better value than individual cymbals
✓ PROS
- • Matched sound characteristics
- • Consistent quality across all pieces
✗ CONS
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
- • May include cymbals you don't need
Zultan Aeon Cymbal SetSet of CymbalsMaterial: B25 bronze alloy (75% copper25% tin)Hand hammeredComepletely handmade...
⭐
4.9/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 541002
$802
#15
⭐
4.9/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop Xist Bril.Power Cymbal Set Pro
Pop
Value
Metal
Key Feature:
• Better value than individual cymbals
✓ PROS
- • Matched sound characteristics
- • Better value than individual cymbals
✗ CONS
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
- • Quality may be compromised for price
Istanbul Agop Xist Bril.Power Cymbal Set Pro, Xist SeriesThe Power cymbals are a bit thicker and louder and thus ideal...
⭐
4.9/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 417383
$879
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.
