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Zildjian is one of the best cymbal brands out there. Even many people who don’t play drums have heard of them at some point or another. They’ve been making high-quality cymbals for years, with hundreds of pro drummers using all of their products.
If you’re looking for some new cymbals, you’re most likely to come across a few Zildjians. Here’s a list of some of the best Zildjian cymbals to help you decide on which ones you should get for yourself.
What are the Best Zildjian Cymbals?
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Best studio cymbals
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Best rock cymbals
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Best dry cymbals
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Best ride cymbal
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Best hi-hats
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Best intermediate cymbals
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How I Tested and Selected the Best Zildjian Cymbals
Zildjian is a legendary cymbal company, and I’ve been lucky enough to play most Zildjian cymbal products over my two decades of playing the drums.
When testing these Zildjian cymbals, I primarily looked at their sound quality, tone, responsiveness, and value.
I carefully examined each cymbal’s tonal characteristics, including their ability to produce a rich and diverse range of sounds, from crisp and cutting to warm and complex.
The dynamic response of each cymbal was also crucial in my evaluation. I examined how well they responded to different playing techniques, and also how each cymbal complements the other.
I paid close attention to how well the cymbals complemented different musical genres. I did this by playing different styles ranging from punk, to blues, right through to pop and jazz.
Beyond sound, I also carefully considered the value each cymbal line presented, weighing factors such as price, craftsmanship, and overall performance to help guide drummers in finding their perfect cymbal set.
Zildjian Cymbal Reviews
Zildjian K Custom Dark Cymbal Set
Zildjian K Custom Dark Cymbal Set Review
The Zildjian K Custom Dark cymbals all have very mellow tones to them. They have low-pitch sounds that blend within mixes of instruments. This makes them great for softer styles of music where the cymbals don’t need to sound aggressive.
I’ve seen these cymbals being used in more studio recordings than I can count. They just sound so great in a controlled room with high-end microphones around the kit.
When playing them, I loved how they had a fairly short decay, adding to the smooth dark tone. I was able to lay into them with my sticks without worrying about volume being an issue.
You’ll commonly find these cymbals being used by jazz and worship drummers. However, the biggest place you’ll find them being used is in recording studios. They transfer incredibly well through microphones and they’re easy to mix with.
This particular cymbal set comes with the standard cymbal setup having two crashes, a pair of hi-hats, and a ride cymbal.
If you’re looking for rich cymbals that work extraordinarily well in most playing environments, the K Custom Darks are the go-to option in Zildjian’s cymbal lineup. This is also one of the best cymbal packs you can get.
Pros
- Beautifully rich tones that are diverse and highly responsive
- One of the best Zildjian packs for recording music in the studio
- Very versatile, as these cymbals fit perfectly within most styles
Cons
- This pack is quite expensive
Zildjian A Custom Cymbal Set
Zildjian A Custom Cymbal Set Review
Zildjian A Custom cymbals are incredibly popular in the drumming world. They produce bright and shining tones that fit perfectly within rock and heavy music settings.
These have always been my go-to cymbals for lively rock gigs. I love how bright and powerful they sound, always cutting right through a mix for maximum intensity.
You would have seen these cymbals on most drum kits in the early 2000s when rock and punk were huge around the world. However, they’re still commonly used in many drummer’s setups today.
All the A Custom cymbals have high-pitched attacking tones. The sounds also have full-bodied warmth, making the cymbals sound much higher-quality than cheaper bright cymbals.
The crashes get out of the way quite quickly, making them great options to crash on during heavy choruses. The ride has a big presence and the hi-hats are solid. The bell of the ride is arguably the most impactful sound that the cymbal set has to offer.
This is the Zildjian cymbal set you should get if you need cymbals that are cutting and bright. Thankfully, it’s a bit more affordable than the previous one.
Pros
- These cymbals cut through mixes with ease, making them good for rock and metal music
- Great cymbals for live stages, thanks to their bright and powerful projection
- Classic cymbal sounds that most people know
Cons
- Not very versatile when thinking about using them for mellower styles
Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Cymbal Set
Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Cymbal Set Review
The Zildjian K Custom Special Dry set is a highly unique option in Zildjian’s lineup of cymbals. These cymbals offer the dry and earthy tones that many modern drummers love at the moment.
I own this set myself, and you’ll see them being used in most of the covers and playthroughs that I post on my YouTube channel.
While these cymbals are typically known to work well in jazz, I love how versatile they are. I’ve gotten many compliments when using them on stage with a few metal bands.
The hi-hats have a raw tone with a short sustain. They’re fantastic to play open hi-hat patterns with as the sound gets out of the way very quickly. This allows you to heavily lay into them without getting an overwhelming sound.
The two crash cymbals are extra-thin, also having a quick decay with dry and earthy tones. Their attack is fast and they tend to blend within a mix instead of shooting through it.
The 21” ride cymbal is excellent. It’s highly reminiscent of vintage raw rides, giving you a sound that is throaty and raw. The bell sound is strong, although it keeps the dark tone from the rest of the cymbals.
This cymbal set is fairly versatile, working well in most settings. They shine in jazz and indie settings, but they also sound great for RnB, pop, rock, and metal.
Pros
- Dry tones that have become increasingly popular in modern drumming
- Each cymbal in the pack is quite versatile
- Unlathed surfaces create a unique appearance
Cons
- Another relatively expensive Zildjian cymbal pack
Zildjian K Constantinople 22” Medium Thin Low Ride
Zildjian K Constantinople 22” Medium Thin Low Ride Review
If you want one of the highest-quality cymbals Zildjian has to offer, look no further than the 22” Zildjian K Constantinople Medium Thin ride.
This is honestly one of the best cymbals I’ve ever played, and I’ve seen so many professional drummers use it as their main cymbal of choice.
It costs almost the same amount as a whole cymbal pack, but you won’t find many ride cymbals that sound better than this one.
It produces tones that are incredibly warm, dark, and smooth. Combine those with clear stick articulation, and you have the reason why so many jazz drummers love this ride cymbal.
The wash is excellent as well, so you can crash on it to get a large tone that tends to hang over all your other cymbals beautifully.
Even though it’s primarily used by jazz drummers, this ride typically works well in any setting you put it in.
Pros
- Beautiful vintage sound and feel
- Hand-lathed by experienced cymbal artisans
- Extraordinarily beautiful tones
- Highly versatile
Cons
- One of Zildjian’s most expensive single cymbals
Zildjian A 14” New Beat Hi-Hats
Zildjian A 14” New Beat Hi-Hats Review
Zildjian’s 14” A New Beat hi-hats are some of the most recorded hi-hats in music history. These hats are so versatile that they work incredibly well in every style of music that exists.
This is another cymbal that I’ve regularly seen being used in the studio. The New Beat hi-hats are some of the most versatile hats I’ve ever played.
They have a strong “chick” sound, and they open up very nicely when you loosen your foot on the pedal. The overall tone is bright and full-bodied, working well along with other bright cymbals. However, it somehow works excellently with dark and dry cymbals as well.
If you want one pair of hi-hats that complement absolutely any cymbal and any style of music, look no further than the New Beats.
Pros
- Some of the most versatile hi-hats available in the cymbal world
- Fantastic reputation that dates back decades
- High-quality sounds and textures
- Used by countless famous drummers to record various top-tier albums
- Can easily be sold on the used market
Cons
- Relatively expensive compared to a few other hi-hat options
Zildjian S Series Performer Cymbal Set
Zildjian S Series Performer Cymbal Set Review
The S Series Performer Set is an affordable set of cymbals from Zildjian that you can get to upgrade from cheap entry-level cymbals.
The cymbals don’t sound as refined and smooth as the A Customs but they offer bright tones that I thought sounded much better than cheaper cymbals when I played them.
I love how all the cymbals in the set have shimmering sounds. They’re bright, and the tone stays consistent throughout each cymbal.
They’re fairly good options for rock, punk, and metal, and I think this pack is great for drummers who are just getting into gigging.
These cymbals are the budget option. They sound fantastic for their price, but don’t expect to record Grammy-worthy albums with them!
Pros
- One of the more affordable cymbal pack options from Zildjian
- B12 bronze is a good upgrade from entry-level brass or B8 cymbals
- Consistent sounds throughout each cymbal
- Bright tones that sound powerful within a mix of instruments
Cons
- Not a great option for professional drummers
- The cymbals don’t express full tones when you strike them softly
Zildjian Cymbals Buyer’s Guide
Different Zildjian Lines
Zildjian’s two main pro-level lines of cymbals are the A and K Custom lines.
If you’re looking for high-quality cymbals, you should look to see what Zildjian has to offer within these lines. Most of what you’ll find here will fit perfectly within professional settings.
Zildjian’s cheaper lines are the S Series and the Planet Zs. The Planet Zs are for absolute beginners while the S Series cymbals cater more to experienced beginners.
Stylistic Choices
The cymbals you get should depend on what style of music you mainly play. The A and A Custom cymbals like the Zildjian A 14” New Beat Hi-Hats are bright, making them good options for heavy styles of music. You can’t go wrong with a set of A Customs if you play in a rock band.
The K and K Custom cymbals such as the Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Set and the Zildjian K Constantinople 22” Medium Thin Low Ride are a bit more warm and complex in tone, making them great for jazz and studio recording. They also work fairly well in some rock and metal settings. They just don’t cut through mixes as easily.
Final Thoughts
With the brand being so popular, it’s quite easy to find Zildjian cymbals that fit exactly with whatever context you play drums in. All of their product lines cover a wide range of dynamics and tones.
The top-quality lines may be fairly expensive, but they’ll last you a very long time if you take good care of them. Purchasing them would be a good investment for any drummer.
If you’re not sold on Zildjian yet, go watch some of the Zildjian Live videos on YouTube to see the vast scope of what cymbals you can get from the brand. There are also some top-quality artists that endorse them!
