8 Best Hi-Hats For All Styles and Budgets

Zildjian 14” A New Beat Hi Hats Review

The legendary Zildjian A New Beats are easily some of the most iconic and versatile hi-hats ever made. To my ears, they have a brilliant all-purpose sound and a balanced tonal response.

I’ve owned these for years, and they’ve followed me through so many different projects – metalcore albums, pop drum covers, reggae sessions, blues songs… they sound great for everything. 

Closed, you get a classic and smooth stick response that is crisp and tight. Open them up and they deliver a smooth, crisp sizzle without harshness. And when you really lay into them, they open up with this controlled roar that’s musical rather than overbearing.

Tonally, they sit in that sweet spot: mellow but articulate, expressive but not too washy, and clean with a really satisfying stick definition. 

The medium weight helps them feel responsive, and the B20 bronze construction along with Zildjian’s traditional hammering and lathing, gives them that pure, classic A-series shimmer.

These can slot into any cymbal setup, and they’re the kind of hats you buy once and keep forever. You simply can’t go wrong with these New Beats.

Meinl 14" Byzance Extra Dry Hi-Hats Review

The Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Hi-Hats are some of the most unique-sounding hats I’ve played, and they’re also a lot more versatile than people give them credit for. 

They’ve got an unmistakable dry and earthy character, yet they still manage to feel smooth, and expressive. Even when you open them up, they don’t fall apart into harsh overtones like other dry cymbals can – they still sound very musical.

I love the tonal balance: there’s just the right amount of wash, dryness, bite, and cut. You get a really crisp, articulate stick sound with no unpleasant overtones poking through, and they feel amazing to play. 

The foot chick is tight and clear, and under mics these cymbals sit beautifully in a mix. From the kit perspective, they sound amazing too, and they respond really well to dynamics.

These hats also have a distinctive feel because they have quite a big weight difference between the top and bottom cymbals. And paired with the hand-hammered, raw, unlathed finish, they end up with a really unique and characterful sound.

They’re definitely dry-sounding, but they’re still musical and surprisingly adaptable across different genres. Overall, I’m a big fan of these hi-hats, both tonally and for how good they feel to play.

Paiste 15" 2002 Sound Edge Hi-Hats Review

The Paiste 2002 Sound Edge Hi-Hats are some of the most distinctive and exciting rock-focused hats you can buy. They’re bold, cutting, full of presence, and don’t sound too harsh either.

The 15-inch size gives them a bit more weight and body. They have that unmistakable bright, clean Paiste character, but what stands out is how controlled and musical they remain even at higher volumes.

The foot chick was the first thing that grabbed my attention. It’s superb – lower and fuller than expected. And the stick definition you get from these is excellent too.

When played closed or slightly open, these hats sound crisp, defined, and incredibly satisfying. When you open them up, they deliver a pure, lively wash with a bit of complexity to the tone. And they project effortlessly. 

The wavy Sound Edge bottom is a huge part of the sound. It keeps the air moving, prevents any muddiness, and gives the hats a uniquely articulate and consistent tone. 

It’s no surprise these were John Bonham’s go-to hats. They’re powerful, full sounding, and embody everything great about the 2002 line. If you want hi-hats that cut through a mix with authority while still sounding refined, these are a fantastic choice.

Zildjian 14” K Light Hi-Hats Review

I’ve been using the Zildjian 14” K Light Hi-Hats for about a year now, and they’ve quickly become one of my favorite pairs. They have an extremely warm, pleasing tone that just feels great in almost any setting. 

They actually remind me a bit of the A New Beats, but with a slightly softer, more relaxed character. The tonal balance is excellent, and they just sound amazing across so many styles.

The stick response on these is amazing. They feel buttery and smooth under the stick, and the lighter weight gives them a very natural, flowing feel. 

Closed, they’re clean and controlled without being tight or rigid. When you open them up, they have a warm, airy wash that stays musical and never gets harsh. 

Whether it’s pop, jazz, folk, singer-songwriter, or rock, these hats slot in effortlessly. They’re the kind of hi-hats that make everything feel a bit more tasteful and musical.

The only downside is that they don’t have the same volume or excitement as brighter, heavier hi-hats like the AAX Mediums or other modern options. When opened up hard, they don’t explode in the same way, and that’s mainly down to their lighter weight.

But if you want warm, smooth, beautifully musical hi-hats with a really pleasing feel, the K Lights are an outstanding choice.

Sabian 14” AAX Medium Hi Hats Review

The 14” AAX Medium hi-hats sound super refined, and I’m a big fan of these. These have a cleaner, more open, and much more modern sound compared to AAX models I’ve tried in the past.

They’re very clean and precise sounding, with an excellent stick definition and minimal harsh overtones.

The foot chick is crisp and defined without being overly sharp, and the stick sound is tight and articulate. Even when played at lower dynamics, they respond really nicely and don’t produce any harsh or stray overtones.

When you open them up, they give you a bright, punchy wash that feels smooth whilst being aggressive. They’ve got plenty of cut, but the top end is more rounded compared to other bright hi-hats. 

I also like how easily these sit in a mix. They project really well, but they’re still controlled enough to work across a wide range of styles. Compared directly to Zildjian A Customs or Z Customs, these sound more versatile to my ears, while still offering plenty of brightness and definition.

Overall, these AAX Medium hi-hats deliver a balanced, modern sound that works beautifully for pop, rock, gospel, funk, fusion, and heavier genres too.

Meinl 14” Classics Custom Dark Hi Hats Review

The Meinl Classics Custom Dark Hi-Hats are made from B12 bronze, but they punch far above what you’d normally expect from a mid-range alloy. They’ve got a quick attack, plenty of cut, and I’ve been genuinely impressed by how clean the tone is. 

They have a strong, bright and versatile sound, and I’ve been surprised by how clean the tone is overall. The stick definition is tight, and they respond quickly at all dynamics.

Closed, the chick sound is crisp and articulate. Open them up and they have a lot of punch with plenty of volume and excitement. For louder styles and high-energy playing, these work extremely well.

The dark finish, in addition to the extra hammering provides these cymbals with a slightly dark and rich character that helps these stand out from other affordable cymbals.

For the money, these are amazing. These are an affordable, great-sounding pair of hi-hats that are ideal for rock, metal, and modern pop styles where cut and clarity matter. And the more I’ve played them, the more I’ve enjoyed having them on the kit.

The extra hammering, lathed profile, wide blade lathing, and that dark finish make them look striking. They stand out in the best way, and that adds to their appeal.

Paiste 14” PST7 Light Hi Hats Review

The Paiste PST7 14” Light Hi-Hats are also impressive for the price. They’re bright, clean, and surprisingly refined, and they have a clarity to them that feels a step above most hi-hats in this range. They just sound more expensive than they are.

They’re made from Paiste’s CuSn8 bronze, which is the same alloy used for the 2002 series, and that definitely plays into the tone. 

Closed, you get a crisp, defined chick that works really well for pop, rock, and most contemporary styles. They feel quick and responsive under the stick, and the tone stays surprisingly mellow even when you open them up.

They project well too, but I will say that when fully open they lack some of the volume and beefiness of a heavier pair of hi-hats.

They’ve got a traditional finish, and the overall character feels clean, balanced, and versatile. I’ve been really impressed by how usable they are across different settings, especially considering the price point.

If you want bright, modern hi-hats with a clean attack and a very pleasing sound, these are a fantastic option. For the money, they’re easily some of the best value bright hi-hats out there.

Zildjian Z Custom 14” Hi-Hats Review

The latest Zildjian Z Custom 14” Hi-Hats are a welcome update to the older Z Customs. These newer models are noticeably thinner and lighter, and that makes a big difference in how they feel to play. 

They respond quicker, they have more flex, and overall they just feel far more controlled and enjoyable under the stick. 

These hats are definitely bright and loud, but they’re a bit darker and deeper than I expected. I actually really like that. It gives them a fuller, more rounded character while still keeping all the aggression and attack. 

When you strike the edge you get a sharp, cutting sound with loads of presence, whereas playing on the surface brings out a tighter, more articulate tone.

And they absolutely open up in a big way. When you lift your foot off the pedal, the amount of wash you get is huge. It covers the whole kit, but it’s still controlled enough to be usable. 

The foot chick is very strong too – it easily cuts through when you’re keeping time with your left foot, even in busy or heavy playing.

Overall, I’m impressed with these hats. They’re loud, but far more musical than I expected, and I like these a lot more than I expected to. 

They’re still very much geared toward rock, metal, and punk, but I think they could fit into fusion, electronic, and some modern pop as well.