Hi Hat Cymbals roundup
The Best Hi Hat Cymbals for the Money
Great hi-hat cymbals don't have to cost a fortune — but you need to know where the genuine quality steps up and where the law of diminishing returns kicks in.
Most drummers want a great-sounding pair of hi-hats without burning through their budget. The good news is that the cymbal market has improved considerably in recent years, and genuinely excellent pairs are now available at prices that would have bought you something mediocre a decade ago. Here's where the value sits at each level.
Entry Level: Under £150
At this price, you're generally looking at B8 bronze or sheet brass hi-hat cymbals. These are the staple of beginner kit packs and are perfectly reasonable for someone learning the basics. They won't have the harmonic complexity of more expensive options, and the sound will be fairly bright and direct, but they work. The Sabian B8X and Zildjian ZHT lines have historically offered reliable performance in this bracket.
If you're buying your first separate hi-hats after the ones that came with your kit, this is a fair starting point. Treat it as a stepping stone rather than a long-term instrument.
Mid-Range: £150–£300
This is where things get interesting. At the lower end of B20 bronze, you'll find pairs that offer a genuine step up in warmth, complexity and feel. The Zildjian A Series 14-inch hi-hats have been an industry standard for decades for a reason — they're versatile, well-made and sound convincingly professional across a wide range of styles. The Sabian AAX and Meinl Classics Custom lines also compete strongly in this range.
For most working drummers playing rock, pop or general session work, this bracket represents the best overall value: enough quality to perform professionally, available without breaking the bank.
Upper Mid: £300–£500
At this level you're into properly serious instruments. The Meinl Byzance series — hand-hammered, Turkish-style B20 — offers remarkable quality at prices that often undercut comparably spec'd alternatives from larger brands. The Sabian HHX and Zildjian A Custom also live in this range, the latter with a brilliant finish and a distinctly bright, cutting character.
Jazz and recording drummers often choose pairs in this bracket: the tonal complexity is there, and the nuance reveals itself clearly in quiet, dynamic contexts where a cheaper pair would fall flat.
Professional: £500 and Above
Beyond £500, you're into hand-crafted, traditionally-made instruments from the top tier. The Zildjian K Series (dark, complex, jazz-oriented), Sabian HH (slightly warmer than HHX), Istanbul Agop and Bosphorus hi-hat cymbals are considered reference-grade. They reward very dynamic, nuanced playing and are the first choice for session work, recording and professional touring.
The law of diminishing returns is real here: the jump from mid-range to professional is smaller than the jump from entry to mid. If you're not playing at a level that will expose the extra complexity, the difference may not be worth the price. Buy up when your playing demands it, not before.
Where the Real Value Sits
For most drummers, the £200–£400 range represents the sweet spot. A good B20 pair in this bracket — whether from Zildjian, Sabian, Meinl or Paiste — will serve you well through years of live performance and recording. Don't be drawn to a premium pair just because it's expensive; be drawn to it because you've played it and it sounds right for what you do.
For a breakdown of what each specification actually means before buying, the buyer's guide covers every variable clearly. And if you'd like to understand the full range of what hi-hats can do technically, the complete overview has the technical detail.
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