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 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
- 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
- 🎶 KEEP THE BEAT: Planet Z HiHats deliver a range of sounds and respond precisely to how you play them.
- 🎶 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Excellent Quality: This silent cymbal is made of high-quality alloy material, which is strong and durable, the whole surface is polished, and the surface and edges are smoother.Small holes in the face allow it to produce a detailed and clear cymbal sound at low volumes
- Lower Volume:These drum cymbals are designed to be 70%-80% quieter than traditional cymbals, making them ideal for practice and performance in noise-sensitive environments. Our low noise cymbals still maintain their metal texture and sound quality, so you can play longer without worrying about ear fatigue or hearing damage
- Widely Used:This pack of silent cymbals pack are perfect for apartments, bedrooms, rehearsals, and other settings. They can be used with any drum set
- Excellent Choice For Drummers:Our drum cymbals are a great choice for drummers and beginners. Whether you're practicing at home or performing on stage, our cymbal sets will elevate your drumming experience
- Package Includes: cymbal combination 14 *2, 16 *1, 18 *1, 20 *1, cymbal bag *1, felt combination *1
- 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
- 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.
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.