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
- 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
- Widely regarded as the most versatile HiHat cymbals made today
- All-purpose combination of "stick" and "chick" sound
- Symmetrically hammered and lathed with a traditional wide groove
- Classic bright, expressive A Zildjian sound
- Originally designed by the late great Louie Bellson
- 13 inches hi hat pair
- Durable and versatile.
- Sharp, focused and full-bodied HiHats.
- Well-suited to integrate into your setup and ideal for all styles.
- Perfect for beginner drum set students and players.
- 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
- Tight, clean sounds when closed
- Smartly priced, SBr Brass is in a class of its own
- SBr makes your first step into cymbals an easy one
- Protected by SABIAN One-Year Warranty
- IMPECCABLE SOUND CLARITY – Experience crisp, bright, and articulate tones with SOUNDACTURE 14" Hi Hat Cymbals, designed for a perfect "chick" sound when closed and smooth, vibrant sounds when open. Ideal for any drum set, these cymbals deliver dynamic, consistent performance every time.
- DURABILITY YOU CAN TRUST – Built to withstand even the hardest hits, SOUNDACTURE 14" Hi Hat Cymbals are crafted from high-quality materials, offering long-lasting performance that won't bend or warp after intense use. A reliable choice for beginners and seasoned drummers alike!
- VERSATILE PERFORMANCE – Whether you're jamming to jazz or rocking out in a band, SOUNDACTURE 14" Hi Hat Cymbals seamlessly transition between music genres. From sharp, articulate tones to rich, smooth textures, these cymbals give you unmatched flexibility for any style.
- STUNNING LOOKS, STUNNING SOUND – With a sleek finish that catches the light and a polished surface, SOUNDACTURE 14" Hi Hat Cymbals add flair to your kit while producing the perfect tone. You’ll look great, sound amazing, and stand out in every performance!
- EXCEPTIONAL VALUE – Upgrade your drum set without breaking the bank. SOUNDACTURE 14" Hi Hat Cymbals offer premium sound quality at an affordable price. A must-have for drummers looking for a professional sound at a fraction of the cost of high-end cymbals.
- 2-PIECE HI-HAT SYSTEM WITH DUAL-ZONE TOP CYMBAL: This 12” electronic hi-hat system includes a dual-zone top cymbal pad and a dedicated bottom plate controller designed to replicate acoustic-style hi-hat mechanics. Separate bow and edge zones allow expressive articulation across the playing surface for realistic hi-hat phrasing.
- RESPONSIVE CONTROLLER FOR OPEN / CLOSED / FOOT SPLASH PLAYING: The bottom plate controller enables smooth transitions between open, half-open, and closed positions. Foot splash and dynamic hi-hat techniques are supported on compatible drum modules, allowing nuanced foot control and expressive performance.
- REALISTIC RUBBER PLAYING SURFACE WITH NATURAL RESPONSE: The full-rubber cymbal surface provides controlled stick rebound and consistent triggering across a wide dynamic range. Designed for quiet practice while maintaining a convincing hi-hat feel suitable for extended sessions.
- MODULE COMPATIBILITY – CHECK BEFORE PURCHASING: Designed to work with many electronic drum modules that feature advanced hi-hat inputs, including select models from Roland, Alesis, ATV, 2Box, Pearl Mimic Pro, and Audiofront. Hi-hat behavior is interpreted by the drum module and may vary by model and settings. Please review the compatibility table in the listing images or A+ content before purchasing.
- STABLE MOUNTING FOR STANDARD HI-HAT STANDS: Includes hi-hat clutch and rotation stopper (9 mm hole) for secure mounting on standard hi-hat stands. The stable mounting system helps prevent unwanted movement during play and supports consistent hi-hat response.
- ✅【Straight Cymbal Stand】Adjustable straight & boom cymbal stand heights from 30" to 58", with a convenient memory lock to ensure your preferred height setting stays the same. Comes with drum key lock and memory lock with limiter for extra security.
- ✅【Dual-Use Boom Cymbal Stand】These are cool stands because they can also be straight stand or a boom stand, recommended: 14",16",18",20" cymbal. It is made of high quality ferrous alloy with bright colour, high hardness and high stability, the thicker tube diameter, double support stand and enlarged rubber feet increase the stability and can provide you with unchanging support for years to come.
- ✅【Heavy Duty Hi-Hat Stand】Craft with sturdy and stable alloy, The hi-hat pedal is responsive, not a tad heavy feeling. Suitable for 3'' 14'' 16'' cymbals. You can adjust the height and angle of hi-hat stand to meet your playing requirement style. The solid design of the dual Brace 3 legs withstands more knocks and harder hits, so you can play with peace of mind.
- ✅【Snare Drum Stand】Crafted from high-grade alloy with chrome plating, it is highly dependable for stage performance as well as daily practice. The Snare Drum Stand Tripod has three telescoping rods with rivet mechanism that securely grip the drum at all times. Slightly curved feet greatly increase stability and support, great to fit snare drums and practice drums under 15". Chrome plated knobs lock tight and are durable for long-lasting use.
- ✅【5 Pack Combo Set】Package Included: 1 pack straight cymbal stand, 1 pack boom cymbal stand excluding ride cymbal, 1 pack hi hat stand, 1 pack snare drum stand as well as 1 pack drum sticks holder. Easy to assemble, collapsible for packing and carrying. It's a perfect birthday, Christmas, Thanksgiving gift for beginner or intermediate level of your family, friends and loved ones.
- Add darker shading to your overall sound
- Versatile hihats for many genres of music
- Universal standard 14" size for all applications
- Excellent blend with other cymbal colors
- Well-balanced and full-bodied hihat sound
- This low volume hihat cymbal pack includes a pair of 14 inch hihat.The 14 inch high hats are 70%-80% quieter than traditional cymbals, play longer without ear fatigue or hearing damage
- This high hat cymbals can avoid ear fatigue from long practice sessions
- The holes in each cymbal are skill fully hand drilled one at a time to produce beautifully rich and clear cymbal tones with a lower volume
- Proprietary manufacturing techniques and alloy deliver a real cymbal feel
- This practice hi hat cymbals is perfect for apartment, practice rooms, dorm rooms or any noise-sensitive Situations
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.