Meinl Cymbals roundup
The Best Meinl Cymbals for the Money
The best picks from the Meinl range at each budget tier — from the HCS student pack through Classics Custom gigging sets to the Byzance professional range.
The best Meinl cymbals at each price point offer genuine value — the brand covers the full range from budget brass to professional hand-hammered bronze, and the best in each tier represent good purchases for their respective use cases. This covers the top picks at entry, mid and professional levels.
Best Entry-Level: HCS Pack
The HCS Standard Complete Cymbal Set — typically containing 14-inch hi-hats, a 16-inch crash and a 20-inch ride — is the most functional option for a beginning drummer on a tight budget. Brass construction keeps the price low, and the tone is bright and consistent enough to learn on without frustration. It is not a long-term gigging tool, but it does not need to be at this price. A student who practises regularly will likely outgrow it within a year and move up to bronze, at which point the HCS has already served its purpose.
Best Mid-Range: Classics Custom
In the Meinl cymbals mid-range, the Classics Custom Brilliant series is the standout recommendation. B8 bronze with a brilliant finish produces a bright, focused tone that cuts through in live settings. The 16-inch crash and 20-inch ride in this series are among the most consistently well-reviewed mid-priced Meinl cymbals in the UK market. The hi-hats are crisp and articulate — usable for funk, rock and pop without modification. At current prices, the Classics Custom delivers professional-sounding results at a realistic budget for working musicians.
Best Professional: Byzance
Within the Byzance range, the Byzance Traditional series is the broadest recommendation — suitable for rock, pop, soul and general-purpose studio and live use. The Traditional Medium Ride provides excellent tip definition and a full body, and the 18-inch or 20-inch Traditional crashes respond cleanly across dynamic levels. For drummers who play in lower-volume settings, the Byzance Jazz Thin Crash and the 14-inch Byzance Jazz Hi-Hats produce the dry, complex tones that close-miked recording sessions and acoustic venues require.
Best Budget Crash: HCS Crash
If budget is the only consideration and a single crash is needed, the 16-inch Meinl cymbals HCS crash is the most practical choice. It is widely stocked, inexpensive to replace and functions well enough for practice and rehearsal situations. Once a player is ready to invest in better bronze, replacing it with a Classics Custom or Byzance crash is a meaningful upgrade at a reasonable step-up cost.
For background on the full range, see the features guide. For buying guidance, see the buyer's guide. For getting started, see the beginner's guide.
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