Best Cymbal Sets Under $800 2026
Affordable cymbal sets under $800 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: February 11, 2026 • Next update: February 18, 2026
#1
⭐
4.8/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Masterwork Jazz Master Cymbal Set
by
Masterwork
Metal
Beginner
Value
Key Feature:
• Matched sound characteristics
✓ PROS
- • Complete cymbal package in one purchase
- • Matched sound characteristics
✗ CONS
- • May include cymbals you don't need
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
Masterwork Jazz Master Cymbal SetCymbal SetTraditional finishB-25 alloyHandmade according to old Turkish traditionRich...
⭐
4.8/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 530767
$659
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet IMC Brilliant 5pcs Special Set
Rock
Value
Pop
Key Feature:
• Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✓ PROS
- • Complete cymbal package in one purchase
- • Better value than individual cymbals
✗ CONS
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
- • May include cymbals you don't need
Istanbul Mehmet IMC Brilliant 5pcs Special SetSet of CymbalsExclusive Thomann editionIMC seriesMaterial: B20...
⭐
4.9/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 611824
$549
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet IMC 4pcs Cymbal Set Natural
Beginner
Metal
Pop
Key Feature:
• Better value than individual cymbals
✓ PROS
- • Perfect for complete drum kit setup
- • Matched sound characteristics
✗ CONS
- • May include cymbals you don't need
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
Istanbul Mehmet IMC 4pcs Cymbal Set Natural, Cymbal Set, This series combines traditional craftsmanship with modern...
⭐
4.7/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 515944
$626
#4
⭐
4.8/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Zildjian I Family Pro Gig Cymbal Set
by
Zildjian
Complete Setup
Metal
Rock
Key Feature:
• Complete cymbal package in one purchase
✓ PROS
- • Consistent quality across all pieces
- • Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✗ CONS
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
- • Quality may be compromised for price
Zildjian I Family Pro Gig Cymbal Set, Cymbal Set, I Family series, Material: B8 bronze, Finish: Traditional*Set...
⭐
4.8/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 480911
$658
#5
⭐
4.7/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Istanbul Agop Xist Brilliant Cymbal Set
Complete Setup
Pop
Value
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
- • May not suit specialized musical needs
Istanbul Agop Xist Brilliant Cymbal SetCymbal SetAgop Xist SeriesBrilliant finishProfessional qualityMaterial: B20...
⭐
4.7/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 265129
$747
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Mehmet Samatya Cymbal Set 3
Beginner
Complete Setup
Metal
Key Feature:
• Complete cymbal package in one purchase
✓ PROS
- • Matched sound characteristics
- • Better value than individual cymbals
✗ CONS
- • May include cymbals you don't need
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
Istanbul Mehmet Samatya Cymbal Set 3Cymbal SetMehmet SA-SET3 cymbal setBright modelModernfast responsive cymbal...
⭐
4.5/5
(52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 312214
$626
#7
⭐
4.7/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Mehmet IMC Dark 3pcs Cymbal Set
Complete Setup
Pop
Rock
Key Feature:
• Consistent quality across all pieces
✓ PROS
- • Consistent quality across all pieces
- • Complete cymbal package in one purchase
✗ CONS
- • Quality may be compromised for price
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
Istanbul Mehmet IMC Dark 3pcs Cymbal SetCymbal SetIMC Dark SeriesMaterial: B20 bronzedark sound with fast responseThis...
⭐
4.7/5
(10 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 568949
$582
#8
⭐
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
#9
⭐
4.9/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Zildjian S Series Performer Cymbal Set
by
Zildjian
Complete Setup
Value
Pop
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
Zildjian S Series Performer Cymbal SetPerformer Cymbal SetS SeriesMaterial: B12 bronze alloy (88% copper12%...
⭐
4.9/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 380630
$582
#10
⭐
4.6/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Zildjian A-Series City Pack
by
Zildjian
Beginner
Metal
Complete Setup
Key Feature:
• Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✓ PROS
- • Better value than individual cymbals
- • Matched sound characteristics
✗ CONS
- • Quality may be compromised for price
- • May include cymbals you don't need
Zildjian A-Series City Pack, Cymbal Set, A series, Cymbal setup for compact drum kits and percussion setups*Set...
⭐
4.6/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 430946
$768
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Zultan Dune Cymbal Set Standard
by
Zultan
Complete Setup
Rock
Value
Key Feature:
• Consistent quality across all pieces
✓ PROS
- • Better value than individual cymbals
- • Consistent quality across all pieces
✗ CONS
- • May not suit specialized musical needs
- • Upgrade path requires replacing entire set
Zultan Dune Cymbal Set StandardCymbal SetDune seriesHand hammeredPremium cymbals manufactured with traditional Turkish...
⭐
4.5/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 450136
$604
#12
⭐
4.8/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Zultan Rock Beat Cymbalset
by
Zultan
Complete Setup
Beginner
Pop
Key Feature:
• Consistent quality across all pieces
✓ PROS
- • Better value than individual cymbals
- • Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✗ CONS
- • May not suit specialized musical needs
- • Quality may be compromised for price
Zultan Rock Beat CymbalsetSet of CymbalsRock Beat SeriesHigh-quality cymbal set for almost any musical...
⭐
4.8/5
(29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 269754
$548
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Zultan Heritage Cymbal Set
by
Zultan
Pop
Value
Metal
Key Feature:
• Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✓ PROS
- • Matched sound characteristics
- • Better value than individual cymbals
✗ CONS
- • May not suit specialized musical needs
- • Quality may be compromised for price
Zultan Heritage Cymbal SetCymbal SetHeritage Series100% Handmade cymbal setmade according to old traditions for the...
⭐
4.7/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 422456
$769
#14
⭐
5.0/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Zultan Raw Cymbal Set
by
Zultan
Rock
Metal
Complete Setup
Key Feature:
• Consistent quality across all pieces
✓ PROS
- • Complete cymbal package in one purchase
- • Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✗ CONS
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
- • May not suit specialized musical needs
Zultan Raw Cymbal SetCymbal SetRaw SeriesDarkwarm and full sound100% Hand-hammered from B20 bronzeGreat musicalityThe...
⭐
5.0/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 383413
$548
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Meinl Classics Custom Plus Set
by
Meinl
Rock
Value
Pop
Key Feature:
• Consistent quality across all pieces
✓ PROS
- • Better value than individual cymbals
- • Perfect for complete drum kit setup
✗ CONS
- • Quality may be compromised for price
- • Less flexibility than individual selection
Meinl Classics Custom Plus SetSet of CymbalsClassics Custom SeriesBrilliant surfaceMaterial: B12 bronzeBrightassertive...
⭐
4.7/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 582380
$692
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.
