Denis Loncaric
I tried a hundred different cymbals in my career. From all kinds of funk hi-hats to those unmatched transparency crashes.
However, for this particular article, I chose to test those on-budget cymbals and give my honest review.
Luckily, I was also a newbie once, even though it was 15 years ago, I still know how you feel and what to look for. Without further ado let’s move on to the best cheap cymbals in 2024.
What I look for
Affordability
The first and most obvious thing I looked for is the price of these cymbals. This was my most important feature because I wanted to give you the best possible cymbals that you can find at an affordable price. I also included the exact price of each set of cymbals so you can easily navigate them.
Value for money
No matter the price, low or high, we want to have a good value for the money we pay. Again, we cannot expect some enormous built and sound quality, but we can find the perfect value for the price we aim for.
Matching quality
While affordability was my first look-for thing, quality was my second. Even though we cannot expect high-end sound from cheap cymbals, we can at least try to find the best in this league - and that’s what I did.
Durability
Finding an affordable cymbals set means nothing if they will break after the first few uses. This means that you will need to buy a new set which will just give you more expenses. I looked for an affordable yet durable cymbal set that will withstand often practices.
Best Cheap Cymbals
Zildjian ZBT
- Budget-friendly
- Well-known and trustworthy brand
- Addons
ThatScore
Sabian B8X
- Punchy
- Great value for your money
- Durable and functional
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Sabian SBR
- Bright and focused sound
- A FREE 10" splash
- Affordable price
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Zildjian I
- Deliver washier and more emotive sounds
- Thin weight maximizes the expression
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Zildjian Planet Z
- Bright and brilliant tone
- A refreshed look and sound
- The standard sizes
ThatScore
Meinl Variety Package
- Full range of sounds
- Great for instructors
- Ideal for beginners and intermediate players
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Meinl HCS
- Crystal clear sounds
- Durable and musical brass alloy
- Modern sounds fit any style
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Paiste PST 7
- Great sound for the money
- Not too loud with a quick sustain
- Pure, sweet tones on the crashes
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Paiste PST 8
- Loads of warmth and clarity
- Traditional tone
- 16" crash for FREE
ThatScore
Zildjian S
- Versatile and expressive cymbal set
- Suitable for any musical genre
- Perfect for heavy hitters
ThatScore
Sabian XSR
- Designed for maximum performance
- Highly responsive models
- Delivers unprecedented sound
ThatScore
| Cheap Cymbals | Expensive Cymbals | |
|---|---|---|
| SOUND | Stamped from metal sheets where the ‘grain’ runs in one direction. Non-articulated, brass, bull, tinny, short durability. | Grain run in all directions, providing a more complex sound and better durability. Articulate, musical, dynamic, complex. |
| MATERIAL | B8 bronze (92% copper, 8% tin) | B20 bronze (80 percent copper, 20 percent tin) |
| PRICE | $250-$600 | $700 and higher |
Zildjian ZBT
- Budget-friendly
- Well-known and trustworthy brand
- Addons
ThatScore
The sound
A bright, high-pitched sound that cuts through easily in all playing situations – WHAT A PERFECT COMBINATION!
This Zildjian cymbal pack is totally affordable because B8 bronze is generally cheaper than B20, which contains 80% copper and 20% tin.
Plus, Zildjian cymbals carry a 2-year warranty against manufacturing flaws!
The best thing is that it doesn’t even mean that the ZBTs sound bad!
They sound brighter and more focused because they (B8) have higher frequencies than B20 cymbals.
Why Zildjian ZBT?
It’s well known that Zildjian is one of the most famous cymbal manufacturers in the drumming world.
The cheapest base pack of Zildjian Cymbals available is the Zildjian ZBT Starter Box, which provides the best value at its reasonable price range.
These cymbals are made of B8 bronze, a mixture of 92% copper and 8% percent tin.
That’s a good thing. Why?
Because bronze has better sound characteristics than brass, brass is used in the stock cymbals that are mostly made for beginner drum sets.
The bottom line
This cymbal package is exactly what you need for a beginner on a budget!
Sabian B8X
- Punchy
- Great value for your money
- Durable and functional
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The sound
They are NOT too thin and quiet, neither too thick and loud with too much sustain, aka the GREAT MATCH!
Many people will agree that they sound a lot better than the original B8 series, and on top of that, they also look great!
Why Sabian B8X?
With its natural finish sonically matched tight and bright sounds that deliver, this is a top-notch offer!
Aggressive and cutting, yet the warm and complex sound is an ideal introduction to Bronze and the total successor of the Sabian B8 series!
Plus, you are protected by SABIAN Two-Year Warranty, which is enough time for you to become better and hone your skills.
The bottom line
Sabian is a great overall choice. It is perfect for anyone; you will get high value without breaking a bank.
Sabian SBR
- Bright and focused sound
- A FREE 10" splash
- Affordable price
ThatScore
The sound
Hi-hats deliver tight, clean sounds and loud fullness, a crash produces loud, powerful accents and a ride yields a strong, clean stick definition.
Sabian SBR Cymbal Set instantly puts the sonic power of brass, giving your drum kit extreme clarity and punch.
Why Sabian SBR?
Because they will deliver a decent sound at a great price for beginners.
SBR cymbals are made to work together, balancing your kit with a crisp, authoritative sheen.
The bottom line
Best of All, this cymbal set is budget-friendly, a great sound for a great price!
Zildjian I
- Deliver washier and more emotive sounds
- Thin weight maximizes the expression
ThatScore
The sound
The “I” in “I Family” comes from Ilham, the Turkish word for inspiration. The I Family is a collection of: expressive sounds designed to bring your playing to the next level!
Why Zildjian I?
Because you will get more expressive cymbals for a budget-friendly price.
Compared to the old ZBT series, I Family features modern weights, profiles, and fresh FX sounds.
Small-bore hammering and fully lathed playing surfaces lend these beautiful cymbals a mature, glassy response that can really stand out in a crowd
A medium-sheen, traditional finish gives the I Series a look that is
not just modern but will fit perfectly with the rest of your Zildjians collection!
The bottom line
Great cheap cymbals of the renowned company that will make you performance just stunning thanks to its modern design.
Zildjian Planet Z
- Bright and brilliant tone
- A refreshed look and sound
- The standard sizes
ThatScore
The Sound
They have an incredibly bright sound with a brilliant finish.
Planet Z cymbals have cutting and bright tones with shorter sustain.
Why Zildjian Planet Z?
American-made from an exclusive Zildjian alloy carry on the tradition of innovative metallurgy that exists within all levels of Zildjian cymbals!
It’s a proprietary blend that gives cymbals focus, brilliance, and musicality.
The bottom line
This entry-level set in the world of Zildjian is not just good cymbals “for the money,”
BUT a solid option for players in any price category!
No matter what style of music you enjoy, Planet Zs are an easy and affordable way to complete your setup.
If you’re looking for an exceptional setup with great value, be sure to give Zildjian Planet Z cymbals a chance!
Meinl Variety Package
- Full range of sounds
- Great for instructors
- Ideal for beginners and intermediate players
ThatScore
The sound
This budget-friendly package has a full range of sounds!
Why Meinl Variety Packag
HCS bronze cymbals are perfectly designed for beginnersjust starting their drumming career!
Meinl HCS Cymbals are designed for new players learning their way around the drums.
They are made of:
B8 bronze alloy, which is fully lathed, delivers a refined, bright, and clear response and a balanced sustain.
The bottom line
Durability, modern sound, great feel, and the right set of shiny bronze cymbals…
YOU can have it all AND at a great value!
Meinl HCS
- Crystal clear sounds
- Durable and musical brass alloy
- Modern sounds fit any style
ThatScore
The sound
Don’t expect the best sound quality since these cymbals are made of Brass, the cheapest material for cymbal making.
They are not “in your face” too much, covering the low quality of sound they offer. As a beginner drummer, don’t worry about the sound, but rather focus on technique and use these cymbals as a starting point.
Why Meinl HCS?
Meinl HCS cymbals are designed for beginners and students musicians using a durable brass alloy that maintains its tone while holding up to the brunt of drum sticks.
The cymbals offer beginners all cymbal types and size normally found in professional setups. Ideal for any style of music!
The bottom line
Don’t expect some incredible sound of the HCS series, but for this price range, these cymbals will do the job just fine for students and the very beginners on the budget.
STEP UP CYMBALS
For those fanatics and drummer lovers with deeper pockets, we have singled out the best of best Cymbals Sets!
Paiste PST 7
- Great sound for the money
- Not too loud with a quick sustain
- Pure, sweet tones on the crashes
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The sound
The PST 7s are lathed top and bottom, including the bells, with slightly unevenly spaced, machined grooves.
Providing you with a fairly bright yet mellow-sounding set of hi-hats, a sparkling, soft-feeling ride, and a sizzling, responsive crash!
Paiste’s PST 7 light hi-hats are fairly bright and warm, with a medium-wide range. It is versatile enough for softer acoustic musical styles!
Paiste’s PST 7 crash cymbal is bright and airy with plenty of sizzle a medium-wide range. Use this light crash for accents in low to moderate musical styles!
Paiste’s PST 7 light ride cymbal is bright, gentle, airy, and sparkling with a fairly narrow range. The defined ping and clean wash and clear, strong bell sound make this a versatile enough ride to use for a variety of musical styles!
Why PST 7?
Crashes and rides come in three weights – light, medium, and heavy
The brilliant and clear sound with warm and strong effects and powerful projection!
Using the CuSn8 Bronze (aka 2002 Bronze), these cymbals work great in a wide variety of musical settings to keep your kit’s sound as versatile as you need it to be.
The bottom line
This versatile set of PST 7 cymbals yields enough power for any live performance, and its traditional tone is suitable for a vast range of musical styles.
Their main characteristic is sparkling clarity and smooth, clean tones!
The PST7 series gives you the sound and quality you are used to from Paiste cymbals at an AFFORDABLE PRICE.
Paiste PST 8
- Loads of warmth and clarity
- Traditional tone
- 16" crash for FREE
ThatScore
The sound
A Set of PST 8 cymbals yields enough power for any live performance,
AND its brawny tone is suitable for rock, hard rock, and other loud music styles!
Both crashes are very clean and bright. Hi-hats are bright and have a great “chick” sound, and the Ride has a crisp sound with a sharp bell.
Why PST 8?
The Paiste PST8 Rock cymbal set rocks hard, bursting with energy, warmth, and definition!
Representing you the bright and powerful set of hi-hats, a brilliant, assertive Rock ride, and an explosive, massive-sounding Rock crash.
The Rock models are heavier, have larger bells, a slightly flatter profile, and have been on the end of a few more hammer blows.
The PST 8 Rock Set is immaculately presented, and under stage lights, they shine out like a set of stand-mounted mirrors.
The bottom line
Excellent quality of the cymbals! The sound is amazing and unique!
As we all know, the Paiste family is remarkable for making great cymbals!
Zildjian S
- Versatile and expressive cymbal set
- Suitable for any musical genre
- Perfect for heavy hitters
ThatScore
The sound
B12 bronze provides:
– Full body and a balanced tone
– Featuring lathed tops and bottoms for openness
– And extensive machine hammering for even dynamics!
Each cymbal features extensive hammering and lathing for the most musical and dynamic non-cast cymbal you have ever heard.
These are heavy cymbals that stand up to hard hit, recommended to drummers who play a wide range of styles from rock to pop and country!
Why Zildjian S?
Step up to real Zildjian bronze with the balanced and budget-friendly Zildjian S series!
Zildjian has crafted the perfect pack of cymbals in the S Family Performer Cymbal Pack, giving you EVERYTHING you need to enhance your sound.
It’s all ready for you in one pack!
This full set of cymbals is a good option for drummers ready to upgrade their budget cymbals in a hurry!
Crafted from Zildjian’s B12 alloy, S Family features the kind of musicality and versatility not normally found in a line of non-cast cymbals.
The bottom line
This explosive pack from the Zildjian provides a balanced frequency response and is available in a wide selection of models!
A huge assortment of cymbal sizes, weights, and FX options allow you to curate a sound that fits you the best!
Sabian XSR
- Designed for maximum performance
- Highly responsive models
- Delivers unprecedented sound
ThatScore
The sound
Sabian XSR delivers unprecedented sound and performance at a smart price!
They will deliver modern sound at a price lower than the AA series.
Crafted from pure SABIAN B20 Bronze using trickle-down technology from our popular Evolution and X-Plosion cymbals.
Hammered and featuring enhanced profiles…
XSR cymbals sport re-shaped bells for superior sonic acceleration!
Combining the response of a thin model with the increased power of a medium-weight ideal for any drummer playing any musical style!
These XSRs are professional B20 cast bronze at A VERY GOOD PRICE POINT!
While these are NOT hammered as much as the AAX/HHX or other Sabian top tier cymbals, they still provide the very distinct notes of the highly prized cast B20 metal
Why Sabian XSR?
The set includes the highly responsive Hi-Hats, a versatile and effective Crash, and a tasty XSR Ride.
This is not a budget series,
BUT rather a line of smartly-priced cymbals that would not be out of place on any drum kit, designed to fit your cymbal budget!
Aside from great sound, you will also receive a – Quality protected by SABIAN two-year warranty!
The bottom line
The Sabian XSR cymbals are the perfect combination of HHX dark tone and AAX brilliant finish. They are also perfect for both beginners but also intermediate and professional drummers at great price points.
How can I make cheap cymbals sound better?
The proper playing technique is usually the BEST way to improve the sound of your cymbals! Other factors also affect the sound of your cymbals like:
- Cymbal condition,
- Hardware maintenance and modifications like various muffling techniques
- Extreme methods like drilling holes and riveting
BUT,
There are a few tricks that you can try for your cheap cymbals to sound BETTER!
Put a small chain on it to give it a sizzling sound. If it’s TOO tinny…
TRY a small piece of duct tape underneath near the bell. A small piece might give it a more solid sound.
These are situations when you need to alter the sound of your cymbals
Here are some MORE TIPS that are known to work:
- Metal keys or a coin that was taped on.
- A ching ring
- A nut–bracelet
- Small bells tied to a rope
- Tape
- A kitchen cloth
How I Picked
As I mentioned above, I tested many different cymbal sets throughout my career. However, so did my colleagues, both professional but also younger ones who just started drumming recently.
I gathered all my experience with over 50 different cymbals I had encountered. On that long-lasting road, I wrote down each cymbal type and cymbal set that I tried. I tested their sound quality, response, and their durability – especially because I used some of them on my own drum set.
The main thing that I picked and that was most important is the price – I searched for the most affordable sets. Aside from the ones I laid my arms on, I picked the most popular ones according to satisfied users and reviews from drummers. I compared each one of them and made the list of my top 11.
How I Tested
For the ones that I got the chance to try – in this particular article I tried 6 out of 11 cymbal sets, I tested their durability and sound quality according to my beginner-level skills. I also tried different settings, including live performances, studio recordings, and home practice.
Also, I had help from my friends Vlada and Milos who together have over 40 years of drumming experience. They also tried many affordable cymbals and gave me direct feedback which I appreciate at the highest level.
They tested cheap cymbals for different genres, for instance, Vlada is a jazz drummer and he has tried every jazz cymbal you can think of, while Milos is a beginner drummer who was a perfect user for this type of research.
He has helped me a lot to test out everything we had and provide me with his own feedback on it as a newbie drummer.
Why you should trust me
As a drummer and percussionist with over 15 years of experience, I’m deeply passionate about drumming. My insights and writings have earned recognition in Drum Magazine, reflecting my commitment to the drumming community.
I focus on providing authentic advice and well-researched recommendations, drawing from extensive hands-on experience. My aim is to deliver relatable and informative content that supports drummers of all levels in their musical journey.
My name is Denis. I am a drummer, percussionist, music enthusiast, and blogger. Drums have been my passion for 15 years now. My idea is to write about the things I like and I am interested in. I want to share my drum passion with fellow musicians who walk, talk, and breathe drums.
