Best Hanging Cymbals Under $500 2025

Affordable hanging cymbals under $500 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: October 15, 2025 • Next update: October 22, 2025

Istanbul Agop Traditional Crash Medium 20" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Istanbul Agop Traditional Crash Medium 20"

Contemporary Classical Suspended Effects Modern Ensemble
Key Feature:
• Essential orchestral voice
✓ PROS
  • • Essential orchestral voice
  • • Wide dynamic range capability
✗ CONS
  • • Specialized playing techniques
  • • Expensive professional models

Istanbul Agop Traditional Crash Medium 20"Crash CymbalSize: 20"Medium crash cymbalTraditional seriesFor...

4.8/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Agop Trad. Suspended Crash 20" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Istanbul Agop Trad. Suspended Crash 20"

Contemporary Classical Suspended Effects Film Scoring
Key Feature:
• Multiple playing techniques available
✓ PROS
  • • Sustained orchestral color
  • • Essential orchestral voice
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality suspension system
  • • Needs variety of mallets

Istanbul Agop Trad. Suspended Crash 20"Orchestra Crash CymbalSuspended cymbalSize: 20"Finish:...

5.0/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 18" Suspended Cymbal - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Meinl 18" Suspended Cymbal

Film Scoring Orchestral Suspended Effects
Key Feature:
• Excellent for crescendo effects
✓ PROS
  • • Essential orchestral voice
  • • Wide dynamic range capability
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality suspension system
  • • Expensive professional models

Meinl 18" Suspended Cymbal, Cymbal, Size: 18", Suspended cymbal, Weight: approx. 1.6 kg

4.9/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Istanbul Agop Traditional Pap.Thin Crash 17" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Istanbul Agop Traditional Pap.Thin Crash 17"

Modern Ensemble Film Scoring Orchestral
Key Feature:
• Multiple playing techniques available
✓ PROS
  • • Essential orchestral voice
  • • Wide dynamic range capability
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality suspension system
  • • Specialized playing techniques

Istanbul Agop Traditional Pap.Thin Crash 17", Traditional Paper Thin Crash, Suspended cymbal, Handmade cymbals...

4.9/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 16" AA Suspended Orchestral - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Sabian 16" AA Suspended Orchestral

Contemporary Classical Suspended Effects Modern Ensemble
Key Feature:
• Excellent for crescendo effects
✓ PROS
  • • Multiple playing techniques available
  • • Wide dynamic range capability
✗ CONS
  • • Specialized playing techniques
  • • Requires quality suspension system

Sabian 16" AA Suspended OrchestralSuspended Orchestra Crash CymbalSize: 16"AA SeriesThickness:...

4.5/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop Traditional Pap.Thin Crash 18" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Istanbul Agop Traditional Pap.Thin Crash 18"

Suspended Effects Orchestral Modern Ensemble
Key Feature:
• Wide dynamic range capability
✓ PROS
  • • Sustained orchestral color
  • • Essential orchestral voice
✗ CONS
  • • Sensitive to mounting and damping
  • • Specialized playing techniques

Istanbul Agop Traditional Pap.Thin Crash 18", Traditional Paper Thin Crash, Suspended cymbal, Handmade cymbals...

4.7/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Sabian 18" AA Suspended Orchestral - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Sabian 18" AA Suspended Orchestral

Film Scoring Modern Ensemble Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Sustained orchestral color
✓ PROS
  • • Wide dynamic range capability
  • • Multiple playing techniques available
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive professional models
  • • Specialized playing techniques

Sabian 18" AA Suspended OrchestralSuspended Orchestra Crash CymbalSize: 18"AA SeriesThickness:...

5.0/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Zultan 24" Orchestra Suspended - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Zultan 24" Orchestra Suspended

Film Scoring Modern Ensemble Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Multiple playing techniques available
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for crescendo effects
  • • Wide dynamic range capability
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality suspension system
  • • Sensitive to mounting and damping

Zultan 24" Orchestra Suspended, Orchestra Suspended Cymbal, Size: 24", Suspended, Manufactured with...

5.0/5 (55 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Istanbul Agop Trad. Suspended Crash 18" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Istanbul Agop Trad. Suspended Crash 18"

Suspended Effects Film Scoring Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Multiple playing techniques available
✓ PROS
  • • Multiple playing techniques available
  • • Wide dynamic range capability
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality suspension system
  • • Needs variety of mallets

Istanbul Agop Trad. Suspended Crash 18"Orchestra Crash CymbalSuspended cymbalSize: 18"Finish:...

4.5/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Zultan 20" Heritage Orchestra Susp. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Zultan 20" Heritage Orchestra Susp.

Orchestral Contemporary Classical Suspended Effects
Key Feature:
• Essential orchestral voice
✓ PROS
  • • Wide dynamic range capability
  • • Essential orchestral voice
✗ CONS
  • • Specialized playing techniques
  • • Expensive professional models

Zultan 20" Heritage Orchestra Susp.Orchestral Suspended CymbalSize: 20"Heritage SeriesSuspendedFrom...

4.9/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Meinl 16" Suspended Cymbal - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Meinl 16" Suspended Cymbal

Orchestral Film Scoring Modern Ensemble
Key Feature:
• Multiple playing techniques available
✓ PROS
  • • Multiple playing techniques available
  • • Essential orchestral voice
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive professional models
  • • Requires quality suspension system

Meinl 16" Suspended Cymbal, Cymbal, 16" Suspended cymbal, Symphonic, Weight: approx. 1.2 kg

4.4/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Sabian 16" AA Molto Symp. Susp. Orch. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Sabian 16" AA Molto Symp. Susp. Orch.

Suspended Effects Modern Ensemble Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Essential orchestral voice
✓ PROS
  • • Wide dynamic range capability
  • • Multiple playing techniques available
✗ CONS
  • • Needs variety of mallets
  • • Expensive professional models

Sabian 16" AA Molto Symp. Susp. Orch.Orchestra Crash CymbalSize: 16"AA SeriesThickness: thinSmoothshimmering...

4.9/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Zultan 20" Orchestra Suspended - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Zultan 20" Orchestra Suspended

Film Scoring Contemporary Classical Orchestral
Key Feature:
• Excellent for crescendo effects
✓ PROS
  • • Sustained orchestral color
  • • Wide dynamic range capability
✗ CONS
  • • Requires quality suspension system
  • • Expensive professional models

Zultan 20" Orchestra Suspended, Orchestra Suspended Cymbal, Size: 20", Suspended, Manufactured with...

4.8/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Sabian 18" AA Molto Symp. Susp. Orch. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Sabian 18" AA Molto Symp. Susp. Orch.

Orchestral Modern Ensemble Film Scoring
Key Feature:
• Multiple playing techniques available
✓ PROS
  • • Excellent for crescendo effects
  • • Essential orchestral voice
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive professional models
  • • Needs variety of mallets

Sabian 18" AA Molto Symp. Susp. Orch.Orchestra Crash CymbalSize: 18"AA SeriesThickness: thinSmoothshimmering...

4.8/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Istanbul Agop 18" Traditional Thin Crash - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Istanbul Agop 18" Traditional Thin Crash

Film Scoring Suspended Effects Contemporary Classical
Key Feature:
• Wide dynamic range capability
✓ PROS
  • • Essential orchestral voice
  • • Sustained orchestral color
✗ CONS
  • • Expensive professional models
  • • Needs variety of mallets

Istanbul Agop 18" Traditional Thin CrashTraditional Thin CrashSize: 18"Traditional seriesB20...

4.5/5 (2 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10

How to Choose the Best Hanging Cymbals

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 hanging cymbals 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.

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