Every drum kit needs three cymbals: a pair of hi-hats (usually 14 inches), a crash (16 to 18 inches) and a ride (20 to 22 inches). Buy them in that order of importance: hi-hats keep time in almost every song. Splashes, chinas and stacks are extras for later.
Then choose the metal. It decides most of the sound and the price.
The three cymbals you need first
| Cymbal | Typical size | What it does | Models at Thomann | Median price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hi-hat (pair) | 14" | Keeps time | 312 | $472 |
| Crash | 16" to 18" | Accents | 822 | $348 |
| Ride | 20" to 22" | Keeps time, bell accents | 420 | $505 |
| Splash | 8" to 12" | Short accents | 200 | $134 |
| China | 16" to 20" | Trashy accents | 188 | $280 |
Thomann had 2,308 cymbals in stock on October 19, 2026, half under $359. Meinl (450), Paiste (405) and Zultan (311) have the most models.
Brass, B8 or B20?
- Brass: the cheapest, found in starter sets. Fine to start; you'll replace it once your ears improve.
- B8 bronze (8% tin): brighter and cutting, good value for years of playing.
- B20 bronze (20% tin): darker, more complex and more expensive; most professional cymbals.
Sets or single cymbals?
A set (hi-hat, crash, ride) costs less than the same cymbals bought one by one. Later, upgrade one cymbal at a time, starting with the ride or hi-hats.
Zildjian Planet Z Standard Set, $322
A brass starter set with 14" hi-hats, a 16" crash and a 20" ride, plus sticks. #82 of 163 cymbal sets.
Paiste PST5 Universal Set, $555
A B8 bronze set with 14" hi-hats, 16" and 18" crashes and a 20" ride, made in Germany. #48 of 163 cymbal sets.
Zildjian L80 Low Volume 38 Box Set, $344
Low-volume cymbals, up to 80% quieter, for practicing at home, practice rooms and unplugged gigs. #13 of 163 cymbal sets.
Upgrading one cymbal at a time
Paiste 18" 900 Color Sound Crash, $199
A black 18" crash in B8 bronze with a full, warm sound. One of the highest-ranked 18" crashes we track: #1 of 219 18" crash cymbals.
Zildjian 20" A-Series Medium Ride, $422
A versatile 20" medium ride for all styles. #2 of 141 20" ride cymbals.
Zildjian 14" A-Custom Hi-Hat, $589
Light, crisp 14" hi-hats with a brilliant finish and a clear "chick". The highest-ranked 14" hi-hats we track: #1 of 153 14" hi-hat cymbals.
Questions
What size cymbals should a beginner get?
14" hi-hats, a 16" or 18" crash and a 20" ride.
Which cymbal should I upgrade first?
The ride or the hi-hats: you play them the most.
How we measured. Counts and medians: every cymbal Thomann listed as in stock on October 19, 2026, by Thomann's categories, converted from euros at the European Central Bank rate. Products show today's price and rank, updated every night.
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Denis Kataev runs AudioFu. Every night the site records the prices of more than 38,000 instruments and studio tools at Thomann, and he writes about what those numbers show: what got cheaper, what just arrived, and which discounts are real.
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