It’s not easy to find the right hi hat cymbals for you, but once you find the pair that are exactly what you’re looking for, they’ll become a crucial part of your drumming arsenal. It’s important to select a pair that match your playing style and drum set, so we’ve done some of the heavy lifting for you by taking a close look at all of the top-rated options.
Here are the best hi hat cymbals currently on the market.
Our Editor’s Best Hi Hat Cymbals Reviews
- Bright and focused sound of brass is great for the developing ear
- Package Dimensions: 33.02 H x 3.81 L x 33.02 W (centimetres)
- Package Weight: 1.61 kilograms
- Country of Origin : United States
- MAJOR UPGRADE FROM "STOCK" STARTER CYMBALS: these are not those distractingly cheap, flimsy prop cymbals that come with most drum sets; Meinl HCS cymbals have impressive sound and sturdy feel geared toward beginner/intermediate players
- WHY IT MATTERS: playing HCS cymbals will sound more like what you hear in actual songs, making the drums even more fun to play; plus, they aren't going to fall apart, dent, or bend after a few uses like stock cymbals
- WHAT'S IN THE BOX: includes 13" top and bottom hihat cymbals; they have an articulate "chick" sound when played closed with a lower pitch sizzle played open; their sound easily transitions styles from jazz to rock, and they blend great with a cajon too
- DRIVING THE SOUND: made in Germany with MS63 brass alloy for a clean, bright, and crisp tone; substantial thickness with well-formed surface grooves and hammer marks give you a defined sound without clangy or ear-piercing overtones
- CATCH UP QUICK: HCS exceeds expectations because Meinl brings experience crafting cymbals since 1951; we make HCS and other lines in our German factory, and our top-of-the-line professional Byzance cymbals are hand hammered in Turkey from cast B20 bronze
- Easy to assemble, could folds, easy to pack up and carry along.
- Not easy to loose, long service life, and the holder is more stable.
- Zinc alloy plating and polishing plating for durable in use.
- Adjusts: 2 to 3 Feet Double Braced Legs, Pedal Top to the Ground Height: 4.13" / 10.5cm.
- Pedal Dimensions: (11.4 x 3.15 x 0.59)" / (29 x 8 x 1.5) cm (L x W x H).
- MAJOR UPGRADE FROM "STOCK" STARTER CYMBALS: these are not those distractingly cheap, flimsy prop cymbals that come with most drum sets; Meinl HCS cymbals have impressive sound and sturdy feel geared toward beginner/intermediate players
- WHY IT MATTERS: playing HCS cymbals will sound more like what you hear in actual songs, making the drums even more fun to play; plus, they aren't going to fall apart, dent, or bend after a few uses like stock cymbals
- WHAT'S IN THE BOX: includes 14" top and bottom hihat cymbals; they have an articulate "chick" sound when played closed with a lower pitch sizzle played open; their sound easily transitions styles from jazz to rock, and they blend great with a cajon too
- DRIVING THE SOUND: made in Germany with MS63 brass alloy for a clean, bright, and crisp tone; substantial thickness with well-formed surface grooves and hammer marks give you a defined sound without clangy or ear-piercing overtones
- CATCH UP QUICK: HCS exceeds expectations because Meinl brings experience crafting cymbals since 1951; we make HCS and other lines in our German factory, and our top-of-the-line professional Byzance cymbals are hand hammered in Turkey from cast B20 bronze
- Redesigned for 2020 the NEW Planet Z range of cymbals are a great introduction for beginners and intermediate players to the Zildjian world of cymbals
- Proudly made in the USA crafted from Brass the NEW Planet Z cymabls offer bright cutting tones with more control and a focussed sound
- The Planet Z range offers a superior sound qualiy at an entry level price
- The ZP14PR Hi-Hat pair combines a medium weight hi-hat top and heavy hi-hat bottom that delivers a great NonechickNone sound and excellent stick definition
- The Planet Z Hi-Hats provide a serious upgrade to a beginners kit at an affordable price
- 🎶Designed for Beginners — New type 14 hihat practice cymbals is designed for beginner and student, unique to this price range, you are definitely worth to try!
- 🎶Great Quality — Cymbal is well built, musicians using a durable stainless steel alloy that maintains its tone while holding up to the brunt of drum sticks.
- 🎶Thicken Durability —The stainless steel material is thickened to ensure durability, making it less likely to break.
- 🎶Can Be Used for — East cymbals are made for new players who are learning their way around the drum set, you can find these to be an outstanding affordable solution to outfit their lesson sets with in a classroom.
- 🎶Pack Includes — This cymbal pack includes a pair of 14" Hi-hats.
- The hi-hats cymbal is made of high-quality alloy materials, the surface is copper-plated.
- Fine workmanship, the surface of the cymbal is treated with a car pattern, which increases the ductility of the sound.
- The 14"hi-hats cymbal is treated with special process, it is not easy to bend, and it is more resistant to beating
- Exquisite craftsmanship and high-quality prices provide the greatest help for beginners.
- Suitable for use in various scenarios. Thickened alloy material makes the cymbal not easily deformed during transportation
- 🎶 KEEP THE BEAT:. Planet Z HiHats deliver a range of sounds and respond precisely to how you play them. They’re clean and crisp when open, or short and separated when closed.
- 🎶 GREAT PERFORMANCE: Bright, responsive sounds, perfect for the beginner in practice and performance.
- 🎶 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Designed for versatility and inspiration, Planet Z Cymbals are a great entry to the Zildjian Family. Available in HiHat, Splash, Crash, China, Ride and Band cymbals
- 🎶 GREAT VALUE: Make serious music at a great value for your money.
- 🎶 TOP QUALITY: Made in the USA by the trusted name in Cymbals since 1623.
- Exclusive 14-Inch Size: A unique 14-inch diameter for electronic hi-hats, offering a realistic, substantial playing surface comparable to acoustic hi-hats, at a fraction of the cost of high-end alternatives.
- Wide Compatibility: Engineered to work seamlessly with a broad range of electronic drum modules, offering extensive compatibility for enhanced versatility across different setups. Please see the product description for detailed compatibility information.
- Professional-Grade Playability: Dual-zone triggering (Edge and Bow) on a full-rubber 14″ playing surface for an authentic, responsive feel and greater control over nuanced grooves.
- Perfect for Advanced Techniques: Supports foot-splashing and other advanced techniques with compatible modules, enabling expressive playing.
- Sturdy, Reliable Design: Includes a hi-hat clutch and rotation stopper system to prevent twisting on any hi-hat stand, ensuring stability during intense play.
- 13" Hi-hats (Pair) Made from B8 Bronze - Traditional
- Item Package Dimension: 14.2913385681L x 13.7401574663W x 1.7322834628H inches
- Item Package Weight - 3.48991760746 Pounds
- Item Package Quantity - 1
- Product Type - MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Best Hi Hat Cymbals Buying Guide
Before choosing the best hi hat cymbals you should consider following options:
1. Sound: The tone of a cymbal is the result of its specific alloy, or blends of alloys, and the formation process.
The tone of a cymbal is the result of its specific alloy, or blends of alloys, and the formation process.
The tone of a hi-hat is the result of its specific alloy and formation.
The alloy used in the bottom cymbal is typically a medium- to high-pitched alloy, while the alloy used in the top cymbal is a medium- to high-pitched alloy with a smaller percentage of alloy with a higher tone.
The formation process is equally important to the tone. The top cymbal is formed by hammering, which changes the pitch. The bottom cymbal is formed by being dropped in a special mold, which maintains its original tone.
2. Pitch: The pitch of a cymbal is measured by its diameter, thickness and the pitch of the alloy used.
The larger the diameter, the lower the pitch, and the thinner the cymbal, the higher the pitch. The tone of the alloy used will affect the timbre and decay of the sound.
Higher-pitched alloys typically produce a shorter decay. The higher-pitched alloys are typically used for the top cymbal. Lower-pitched alloys typically produce a longer decay. The lower pitched alloys are typically used for the bottom cymbal.
3. Staccato vs. Legato: The sound of a cymbal is also determined by the hammering and the formation process, which is different for the top and bottom cymbal.
The top cymbal is formed by hammering, which is the key element in creating a staccato sound, while the bottom cymbal is formed by being dropped in a mold, which creates a more legato sound.
4. Break: The break of a cymbal is determined by the diameter, thickness, alloy and formation process. Smaller diameters produce a shorter break, and thicker diameters produce a longer break. Higher-pitched alloys produce a shorter break and lower pitched alloys produce a longer break.
The bottom cymbal is formed by being dropped in a mold and produces a longer break, while the top cymbal is formed by hammering, which produces a shorter break.
5. Pitch Change: The pitch change of a cymbal is determined by the diameter, thickness and the alloy used. Smaller diameters produce a larger change in pitch, and thicker cymbals produce a smaller change in pitch.
Higher-pitched alloys produce a larger change in pitch and lower pitched alloys produce a smaller change in pitch.
The top cymbal is formed by hammering and produces a larger change in pitch, while the bottom cymbal is formed by being dropped in a mold and produces a smaller change in pitch.
What else you should know about hi hat cymbals
1. What are the best hi hat cymbals for beginners?
There is no definitive answer to this question as everyone’s preferences will differ. However, some good hi hat cymbals for beginners include the Sabian SBR1400 14-Inch SBR Hi-Hats, the Zildjian ZBT 13-Inch Hi-Hats, and the Paiste PST5 14-Inch Hi-Hats.
2. What are the best hi hat cymbals for rock?
The best hi hat cymbals for rock are typically going to be heavier and have a more aggressive sound. Some of the best brands for rock hi hats include Zildjian, Sabian, and Meinl.
3. What are the best hi hat cymbals for jazz?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on personal preference. Some jazz drummers prefer lighter hi hats, while others prefer heavier ones. It is advisable to try out different weights and sizes to see what works best for you.
4. What are the best hi hat cymbals for metal?
The best hi hat cymbals for metal are typically ones that are made of a harder metal, such as bronze. They should also have a good amount of weight to them so that they can produce a loud, cutting sound.
5. What are the best hi hat cymbals for live playing?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on personal preference. Some drummers prefer brighter sounding hi hats for live playing, while others prefer darker sounding hi hats. Ultimately, it is up to the drummer to decide what hi hat cymbals sound best for them in a live setting.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best hi hat cymbals. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best hi hat cymbals will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.