6 Best Crash Cymbals for all Budgets

Best Crash Cymbals for all Budgets

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Crash cymbals are essential tools for drummers, allowing you to add dramatic accents, powerful transitions, and explosive energy to your drumming.

While a single crash cymbal has a particular sound profile, there are many different crash cymbals on the market to suit all different tastes.

When choosing the best-sounding crash cymbal, you will want a model that complements the styles of music you play, and is the ideal size for your playing style and setup.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best crash cymbals to suit a range of budgets. I’ve compared cymbal sizes, sounds, build quality, and cost to give you my top recommendations.

What are the Best Crash Cymbals?

Image Recommended ProductsProduct Features Price
Best Professional Crash
Sabian 17” AAX Thin Crash Cymbal
  • B20 bronze 
  • Thin weight 
  • Medium volume
Best Premium Crash
Zildjian 17” K Custom Dark Crash Cymbal
  • B20 bronze alloy
  • Medium thin weight
  • Traditional finish
Best Intermediate Crash
meinl classics custom 18 crash
  • B10 bronze alloy
  • Medium weight
  • Brilliant finish
Best Bright Sounds
Paiste 18” PST7 Crash Cymbal
  • CuSn8 bronze alloy
  • Medium weight
  • Traditional finish
Best Trashy Sounds
Meinl 16” Classics Custom Trash Crash Cymbal
  • B10 bronze alloy
  • Thin weight
  • Brilliant finish
Best Budget Crash
Zildjian 17” I Series Crash Cymbal
  • B8 bronze alloy
  • Medium thin weight
  • Traditional finish

How I've Tested and Selected the Best Crash Cymbals

I’ve carefully evaluated and tested all of the crash cymbals in this guide to provide you with the best models available for drummers of all different budgets.

These cymbals are handpicked based on their capacity to deliver powerful and explosive accents, while still possessing a highly musical sound that will fit at home within any modern style of music.

My evaluation criteria focused on attributes including tone, projection, sustain, and durability, ensuring they meet the standards of professional drummers.

Below you’ll find the top options to suit various budgets and musical styles, that are powerful and expressive additions to any drummer’s arsenal.

In-Depth Crash Cymbal Reviews

Best Professional Crash

Sabian 17” AAX Thin Crash Cymbal

A high-end crash with a medium pitch and quick response time. The small bell creates a fundamental sound that makes it work well in any setup. It’s super versatile and fairly priced.
Sounds
4.5
Versatility
5.0
Build Quality
4.5
Durability
4.5
Value
5.0

    Sabian 17” AAX Thin Crash Cymbal Review

    The Sabian 17” AAX Thin Crash Cymbal is one of my favorite cymbals to use for live gigs. 

    This cymbal has an amazing tone, that is bright without being too overpowering, and with a thin design that makes it feel super responsive to play.

    That washiness, weight, and pitch makes it more versatile than other bright cymbal options in my opinion, such as Zildjian’s A Custom line.

    The response I get when playing this crash is very quick. You get an immediate full tone when you strike it, and you don’t need to strike it hard to get all the depth. 

    That quick response is a result of the bell being a bit smaller, as well as its thinner weight. 

    I’ve used this crash cymbal in almost every musical style possible. It feels right at home when used in metal setups, but it sounds just as good for electronic music, pop, blues, or classic rock. 

    While I’m more of a fan of Sabian’s HHX lines, this is definitely a fantastic crash cymbal that I immediately loved after playing it for a very short time. 

    I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good 17” crash cymbal for a reasonable price. It’s a full-on professional crash ready to take on any situation. 

    Features:

    • B20 bronze 
    • Thin weight 
    • Medium volume

    Pros

    • Very musically responsive thanks to the thin design
    • Versatile enough to sound great in any style from metal to jazz
    • Popular option for professional drummers
    • Great durability thanks to the immaculate build

    Cons

    • Not all drummers are fans of brighter cymbals, so you may want something a bit lower in pitch
    Best Premium Crash

    Zildjian 17” K Custom Dark Crash Cymbal

    Part of Zildjian’s top-of-the-range line, this beautiful sounding, versatile cymbal has a dark character and rich yet buttery smooth tone.
    Sounds
    5.0
    Versatility
    4.5
    Build Quality
    4.8
    Durability
    4.8
    Value
    4.5

      Zildjian 17” K Custom Dark Crash Cymbal Review

      This sublime Zildjian K Custom Dark Crash Cymbal is a beautiful-sounding medium-thin weight model, and it is extremely versatile for many styles of music,

      This K Custom crash is a part of Zildjian’s flagship line of premium cymbals, and it possesses a wonderfully dark and complex character.

      After striking this cymbal for the first time, I was amazed by its explosive, dark, and rich tone.

      It has a lower pitch yet it still has high-end qualities that give it a strong presence and enable it to cut through instruments within various musical genres.

      After the initial crash explosion, the sounds decay quickly. It’s a highly articulate and versatile cymbal with a buttery smooth sound that is just so inviting to play.

      No matter whether I play rock, blues, or hip-hop, I keep being drawn back to this crash cymbal simply because of how good it feels and sounds to play.

      The Zildjian K Custom line of cymbals represent some of the best cymbals available, and I personally love this 17” dark crash. It’s one of the finest in the series.

      It is in my opinion the best crash cymbal at the premium price point.

      Features:

      • B20 bronze alloy
      • Medium thin weight
      • Traditional finish

      Pros

      • Gorgeous explosive and dark sounds
      • Highly musical and is perfect for a broad range of styles and genres
      • Articulate and responsive no matter what playing dynamics

      Cons

      • Premium price tag
      • Darker character may not be best suited for those who enjoy bright cymbals such as A customs
      Best Intermediate Crash

      Meinl 18” Classics Custom Medium Crash Cymbal

      A modern, bold-sounding, and full-bodied crash cymbal with an excellent price tag to match. It sounds excellent for modern styles of music.
      Sounds
      4.0
      Versatility
      4.0
      Build Quality
      4.5
      Durability
      4.7
      Value
      4.8

        Meinl 18” Classics Custom Medium Crash Cymbal Review

        This stunning Meinl Classics Custom Crash Cymbal is one of the best value crash cymbals available. It has a bold, full-bodied, well-rounded tone with a loud projection.

        I find this 18” crash cymbal delivers great power and projection with incredible clarity.

        The B10 bronze alloy is lathed to a brilliant finish to provide a bright punch with rich, musical tones.

        It blends in seamlessly with most musical styles, and it has the power to be played for heavy styles of music as well as being balanced and warm enough for pop, funk, and hip-hop.

        The cymbal has an immediate response with just the right amount of sustain to make it cut through without being overbearing sonically.

        This cymbal has a comparable sound and brightness to the Zildjian A Custom and Sabian AAX range of cymbals, but this cymbal is half the price of these competitor offerings.

        For the money, you really cannot beat this cymbal. It’s the best crash cymbal that ticks all of the boxes.

        Features:

        • B10 bronze alloy
        • Medium weight
        • Brilliant finish

        Pros

        • Cutting attack with rich musical tones
        • Incredible value for money
        • Versatile and explosive crash cymbal

        Cons

        • B10 alloy doesn't provide the cymbal with the same sonic richness as B20 bronze
        Best Bright Sounds

        Paiste 18” PST7 Crash Cymbal

        A fantastic mid-priced option. This highly musical crash cymbal has a medium pitch and a good balance of bright and warm sonic qualities.
        Sounds
        4.0
        Versatility
        4.5
        Build Quality
        4.5
        Durability
        4.5
        Value
        4.5

          Paiste 18” PST7 Crash Cymbal Review

          The Paiste PST7 18-inch crash is an excellent mid-range crash cymbal produced by Swiss manufacturer Paiste. It has an explosive and full-bodied sound that truly offers amazing value for money.

          I find the Paiste PST7 line possess similar sound qualities to that of far more expensive cymbals thanks to the high-quality CuSn8 bronze alloy, which is the same as Paiste’s legendary 2002 series.

          When compared to the flagship 2002 crash cymbal, I think this 18” medium crash has very similar sonic characteristics, which is very impressive.

          This crash cymbal opens up with an incredibly musical voice, and it really bursts to life with bright overtones and it has just the right amount of sustain.

          It has a medium pitch and has a good balance of bright and warm sonic qualities.

          The Paiste PST7 Crash Cymbal works great for just about any popular style of music. It has the ability to cut through a wall of loud distorted guitars as well as speak with a softer voice when played more quietly.

          Overall this crash cymbal is a fantastic mid-priced option, and if you are looking for the best cymbal for the money this has to be in your shortlist.

          For the money, I can find no major faults with this cymbal, and it’s a great choice for all drummers looking to upgrade a crash cymbal or to add an additional crash to a setup.

          Features:

          • CuSn8 bronze alloy
          • Medium weight
          • Traditional finish

          Pros

          • Beautiful traditional sounding crash cymbal
          • Excellent value for money- easily one of the best sounding crash cymbals for its price point
          • Explosive and full-bodied with bright and rich tones

          Cons

          • Very few negatives can be drawn, but some of the high frequencies may be problematic for very small rooms
          Best Trashy Sounds

          Meinl 16” Classics Custom Trash Crash Cymbal

          An exciting crash cymbal perfectly designed to deliver a trashy sound with a short sustain for quick accents and punchy musical transitions.
          Sounds
          4.0
          Versatility
          3.5
          Build Quality
          4.0
          Durability
          3.0
          Value
          4.0

            Meinl 16” Classics Custom Trash Crash Cymbal Review

            If you’re looking for a unique crash cymbal that packs a trashy sonic punch- then you should consider the 16-inch Meinl Classics Custom Trash Crash.

            This crash cymbal works excellently as an additional crash that adds exciting new flavors, and it has a wonderfully trashy tone that makes it different from the other crash cymbals featured in this review.

            This thin crash cymbal is made from premium quality B10 bronze and features perforated holes to deliver a trashy sound with a short sustain for quick accents and punchy musical transitions.

            I find this cymbal really packs a loud punch but with rich musical tones. It fits right in with modern music styles such as pop, rock, metal, fusion, and RnB.

            It also has a thin profile and features a brilliant finish for a shimmering sound.

            This cymbal has a distinctive, trashy sound that adds a lot of excitement to any style of music. If you are looking for a fun-to-play crash cymbal that offers unique sound effects, then look no further!

            Features:

            • B10 bronze alloy
            • Thin weight
            • Brilliant finish

            Pros

            • Bright and cutting projection
            • Compared to higher-end Meinl effects cymbals this offers great value
            • Offers exciting trashy and snappy tonal flavors

            Cons

            • Not ideal as a main crash cymbal
            • Trashy sounds not to everyone's tastes
            Best Budget Crash

            Zildjian 17” I Series Crash Cymbal

            Ideal for drummers starting their musical journey, this medium-weight B8 bronze crash delivers the legendary Zildjian brand quality on a budget.
            Sounds
            3.0
            Versatility
            4.0
            Build Quality
            3.5
            Durability
            4.5
            Value
            4.5

              Zildjian 17” I Series Crash Cymbal Review

              The Zildjian 17” I Series Crash Cymbal is one of the more expensive entry-level crash for students that offers the sonics of bronze at an accessible price point.

              The Zildjian I Series offers the legendary Zildjian brand quality on a budget, and the cymbals are all made with Zildjian’s hammering techniques for a musical tone.

              This cymbal is made from B8 bronze and for a beginner cymbal, it delivers some really great sounds. It has a full-bodied, bold sound with just the right amount of wash and a medium length of decay.

              This crash delivers surprisingly rich sounds that outperform other entry-level cymbals at this price point. This cymbal also has a loud projection that will allow it to burst into life in any musical performance.

              For any drummer looking to begin their musical journey, this is an excellent crash cymbal to start off with. It fits right in with a wide range of musical styles and will equip you with great sounds to help you explore your creativity.

              Features:

              • B8 bronze alloy
              • Medium thin weight
              • Traditional finish

              Pros

              • Best crash cymbal for beginners
              • Renowned Zildjian quality
              • Full-bodied and musical

              Cons

              • Will require upgrading eventually

              Crash Cymbal Buying Guide

              A crash cymbal is an iconic cymbal that is featured in every musical style and is a staple part of any drum set.

              The main function of a crash cymbal is to provide distinctive accents within music to signify the ends of phrases and musical transitions.

              Because of their distinctive sound qualities and use within modern music, a drummer typically features two or more crash cymbals within a setup.

              Crash cymbals are typically the loudest cymbals available as the name suggests, and provide a punctuated and sharp sound.

              They sound great at the end of a fill, which generally marks the transition into the ‘1’ of a new phrase.

              Rock and metal music predominantly feature crash cymbals within grooves and drum beats to add more aggression and power alongside the distorted guitar rhythms.

              When hi-hats or a ride cymbal bell won’t quite cut it, wailing on a crash cymbal will add lots more intensity to a piece of music!

              What Features to Look for in a Crash Cymbal

              Cymbal Alloy

              The type of cymbal alloy used is largely responsible for the cymbal’s overall sound.

              Traditionally, the best crash cymbal is one that is made from B20 bronze: a formula that is comprised of 80% copper and 20% tin, with traces of silver.

              Adding more tin to a bronze alloy is known to darken the tone, and lead to a sonically richer sounding cymbal. This is why nearly all professional cymbals available are comprised of B20 bronze.

              Meinl and Paiste have developed mid-priced point cymbals that are far superior to other affordable cymbals in terms of quality, tone, sound, versatility, and playing response.

              These two manufacturers utilize B10 bronze and CuSn8 bronze respectively to produce high-quality and affordable cymbals.

              B20 bronze cymbals still dominate the premium cymbal market and are still the professional’s choice. But it’s important to use your ears over your eyes when it comes to choosing a crash cymbal.

              Cymbal Weight

              The weight of a cymbal greatly affects the cymbal’s volume, sound, and power.

              Thin crash cymbals speak faster and are more responsive. This is because vibrations are able to travel through the metal faster. Because of this, thinner cymbals are punchier and more energetic.

              But with this being said, heavier crash cymbals are louder and have more projection. So in terms of volume and power, heavier cymbals can cut through music far better than lightweight models.

              If you are looking for the best crash cymbal to suit a wide range of musical styles, the crash cymbal you should go for will be a medium weight, which has the optimal balance of explosive sounds and loud projection.

              Cymbal Size

              Crash cymbals can range from 14 to 24 inches in diameter, even though the most popular sizes are between 16 and 20 inches.

              Larger cymbals have more volume and a longer sustain than smaller cymbals. Think of the short and snappy cutting sound of a splash cymbal as opposed to a 24” ride cymbal.

              Bigger cymbals have a bigger sound and will require more power from the drummer to activate them.

              The size of the bell of a cymbal also contributes to the volume and overtones. The cymbal bell adds harmonics that can audibly be heard. A heavy crash cymbal with a large bell has richer harmonics than a thin cymbal with a small bell.

              Cymbal Finishes

              There are two main types of finishes that come adorned on crash cymbals: traditional or brilliant.

              Brilliant finish cymbals have a gleaming, highly-buffed mirror-shine surface.

              The reflective, slick surface lends itself to a much brighter sound overall that can cut through loud mixes.

              Traditional finish cymbals undergo a less intense finishing process, and therefore have a dull sheen on the surface. 

              Traditional cymbals typically have a warmer and darker sound compared to brilliant finish cymbals.

              Crash Cymbal FAQs

              What Size Crash Cymbals Should I Get?

              The ideal size for a crash cymbal is between 16 and 20 inches in diameter. Anything smaller than 16 inches and I find it begins to sound like a splash cymbal, and if you go larger than 20 inches it loses its explosiveness.

              It is very common and popular for drummers to incorporate two crash cymbals within their setup of different sizes.

              My personal favorite-sized crash cymbals are 17 and 19 inches. So I like to have a 17-inch crash cymbal on my left in my setup, and the 19-inch crash placed to my right.

              If you are buying a first crash cymbal as a beginner I’d recommend buying a 16-inch crash cymbal. If you are getting a secondary crash cymbal then I would look to get a 17-inch or 18-inch crash cymbal.

              Do I Need 2 Crash Cymbals?

              Most drummers feature more than one crash cymbal within their setup, whether that’s two, three, or even more crash cymbals.

              It totally depends on personal preference, budget, the style of music you play, as well as the amount of space you have to set up a drum set!

              There are rock and metal drummers like Mike Portnoy and Thomas Lang who play with almost 10 crash cymbals! And then there are some drummers who only use 2 or even some who use a single crash cymbal.

              Drummers with very compact sets (typically Motown or jazz drummers) tend to only use a single crash cymbal, it just depends on personal preference and also your playing style.

              If I had a drum tech that would set up and pack down my drum set between shows, then I think I would probably be using a lot more crash cymbals within my setup!

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