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
- 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
- EASY AUXILIARY HIHAT SETUP: mounts stationary hihats anywhere on your kit with minimal, quick setup; solid chrome plated steel holds everything in place
- WHY IT MATTERS: you can play grooves open handed instead of cross hand; or place an auxiliary hihat/stack next to your main hats to open up your sound—the options are endless
- ONE BIG THING: the spring-loaded infinite control dial gives you unlimited tension settings on your cymbals; set to a completely open hihat sound, a slightly loose sizzle effect, or tightly closed crisp "chick"
- OF NOTE: works with most cymbal sizes; the Meinl X-Hat Arm will accommodate if you have a 6" mini hihat pair or a big 18" stack
- ZOOM IN: two 360-degree angle adjustment points on the arm allow you to find the perfect placement on your kit and weave through crowded spaces; plus, the cymbal tilter lets you fine-tune your final angle
- 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
- Light weight and portable design, easy for you to use it
- Adopt rivet technology connect to the different small parts, and makes the entirety more beautiful
- Not easy to loose, long service life, and the holder is more stable
- Zinc alloy plating and polishing plating for durable in use
- Holder leg with the super wide spacing which makes the holder bearing capacity greatly enhanced.（Cymbals not included）
- 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
- 14 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.
- 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.
- Realistic Playability: Offers a dual-zone triggering system (Edge and Bow) on a durable 12″ rubber playing surface, delivering authentic rebound and control over nuanced grooves.
- Ideal for Advanced Techniques: Supports foot-splashing and other advanced techniques with compatible modules, ensuring expressive performance potential.
- Stable & Reliable Design: Includes a hi-hat clutch and rotation stopper to prevent twisting on any hi-hat stand, ensuring stability for intense playing.
- Complete Package: Comes with a 12″ top cymbal pad, 12″ bottom plate controller, hi-hat clutch, rotation stopper, and link cable for an easy, secure setup.
- MADE IN GERMANY: Classics Custom Dark cymbals are made at the Meinl Cymbal factory in Gutenstetten, Germany; they're formed with high-tech German engineering for consistent dark tone, powerful feel, and durability across all models
- WHY IT MATTERS: these cymbals will make your kit sound and look professional; plus, the big assortment makes it easy to find your voice whether it's just one piece or a matching complete set
- WHAT'S IN THE BOX: 14" hihats (top and bottom cymbals); these hihats have definition and "chick" when played closed; their heavy "slosh" when played open punches through with sizzling dark overtones
- DRIVING THE SOUND: made of durable B12 bronze alloy weighted and shaped for loud volume; extra hammering and additional lathing dial-in overtones to give the cymbals a dark, but crisp sound and controlled decay
- THE UPSIDE FOR YOU: you'll be heard next to distortion charged guitar amps or in wide-open, large rooms without sounding crazy bright or ringy
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.