Are you looking for an epic hi hat cymbal to add to your kit?
You've come to the right place!
In this guide you’ll learn the following:
- What Are The Different Options For Hi Hat Cymbals?
- Which Hi Hat Cymbals Are Right For Me?
And Much More!
Below is a quick list of all my top picks. Keep scrolling to learn more about my best buying tips and tricks for hi-hat cymbals.
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My Top Pick
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My Top Pick
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Zildjian A Series 14″ New Beat Hi Hat Cymbals
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Best Budget
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Best Budget
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Meinl Cymbals Byzance 14” Vintage Sand Hi Hats
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Best High-End
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Best High-End
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Meinl 14” HCS Hi Hat Pair Cymbals
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Zildjian 14″ S Mastersound Hi Hat Cymbals
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Sabian SBR 13″ Hi-Hat Cymbals
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Paiste 2002 Classic Sound Edge 15” Hi-Hats
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Zildjian A Custom 14″ Mastersound Hi Hat Cymbals
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My Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated 8/10/2020
- Very Versatile
- Balanced stick/chick sound
- Well made
The Avedis Zildjian New Beat hi-hats have proved themselves to be the most popular and versatile cymbals around on the market today. Thousands of top drummers attest to their versatility and usable tone.
And rightly so! They have the perfect balance of clarity and articulation with a bright cutting sound that retains enough warmth to not sound harsh or overbearing in the mix.
If you’re looking for a pair of great sounding hi-hats that aren’t eye-wateringly expensive and will work in pretty much any musical context, you can’t get any better than a pair of Zildjian New Beats!
Top 7 Best Hi Hat Cymbals
In a hurry? Check out my top 7 picks below! Keep reading to learn more about these awesome cymbals.
What Are The Different Options For Hi Hat Cymbals?
Hi-Hats are arguably the most important cymbals on your drum set. They allow for the most amount of expression depending on how open or closed they are as well as where you strike them.
If you play any type of modern musical styles then you’ll spend a lot of time using the hi-hats to glue your drum grooves together.
However, looking for your perfect pair of hi-hats can be a daunting task as there can often seem like there are endless variables in size, finish, and materials that will alter the sound of the cymbals.
Don’t worry! I’m going to take you through some of the main variables that will influence the overall sound of a pair of hi-hats.
Size
Hi-hat cymbals can range anyway from micro hats at 10” in diameter, to huge 17” crash-sized cymbals...and anywhere in between.
The most common size for hi-hats however is 14”.
These will give you the most balanced and versatile sound, with a good amount of ‘wash’ when open without sacrificing any stick definition when closed.
You’ll notice that the majority of the cymbals reviewed in this article are 14” versions.
If you’re looking for ‘tighter’ more hi pitched hi-hats then moving to a pair of 13” cymbals are a good option. Generally, they tend to be crisper with a shorter note and less volume (often used for funk).
If you’re looking for more volume or for cymbals with a broader, lower-pitched wash, then moving up to a pair of 15” or even 16” cymbals will help.
Rock drummers tend to prefer larger, thicker cymbals that project more.
Size is an important factor when choosing a pair of hi-hats, however the weight of the individual cymbals will often have a more profound effect on the overall sound.
For example, a pair of very thin 16” hi-hats will be much quieter and ‘washier’ than a thick pair of 13” cymbals.
Read More >> Acoustic vs. Electric Drums: Which Is Best For You?
Weight
As a general rule, the ticker the cymbals the louder and more high pitched they are.
So if you’re a heavy rock drummer looking for cymbals that will cut through a wall of guitars, you’ll probably be looking for a thicker pair of 14” or 15” cymbals (such as the Paiste 2002 Sound Edge Hi-Hats reviewed below).
Jazz drummers on the other hand are looking for a darker, more complex sound that isn’t as loud as their rock counterparts.
Therefore a lighter pair of hi-hats between 13-16” (depending on the drummer’s preference) will be much more suitable.
Material
All cymbals are made of metal (obviously!), but not all metals are the same. The majority of mid-range to high-end cymbals are made from an alloy of copper and tin called ‘Bronze’.
There are two most common types of Bronze that differ in tin content which alters their overall sound.
B20 Bronze
B20 Bronze has 80% copper and 20% tin (hence the 20) and is the most commonly used alloy for high-quality cymbals.
It has a balanced tone that is warm, yet bright and expressive (depending on the finish of the cymbals).
B8 Bronze
B8 Bronze has only 8% tin content. This gives it a much brighter, high pitched, and cutting sound. Paiste are famous for using B8 Bronze in their 2002 line, which has been used for decades by some of the most famous rock drummers in the world. Probably not the best for making dark and complex jazz cymbals though!
Brass
Brass alloy is most commonly used for entry-level and budget cymbals as it’s much cheaper to manufacture. Brass tends to have a duller tone with shorter decay.
Finish
There seems to be hundreds of different finishes (i.e the look and texture of the surface of the cymbals) available for hi-hats. However, there are two main ‘camps’ that affect the sound in different ways.
Traditional Finish
Traditional finish cymbals that have a more matt look and haven’t been lathed into a glossy shine. These cymbals tend to be warmer in nature, with fewer hi-frequencies overtones.
Some traditional finish hi-hats can come completely ‘unlathed’, giving them an earthy, muddy look. This makes the cymbals sonically very dry, with a short sustain.
Brilliant Finish
Brilliant finish cymbals are lathed until they produce a mirror-like shine. These cymbals tend to be more cutting, have more high-frequencies, and have a ‘sparkly’ sound to them.
Hammering
Cymbals are usually made from a blank metal disc that is pressed, hammered and lathed. The pattern and amount of hammering, combined with the type of lathing, has a drastic effect on the overall sound of the cymbals.
Generally, the more the cymbal has been hammered, the darker, more complex it’s sound is going to be. If it has fewer hammer marks then it’ll have a purer tone.
It all comes down to personal preference.
Heavily hammered cymbals tend to be more expensive however, due to the added man-hours required to make them.
Read More >> What Are The Ultimate Drum Cymbal Kits Out There?
Which Hi Hat Cymbals Are Right For Me?
Finding the right pair of hi-hats it’s at its core a very personal process. What I find sonically pleasing may be completely different to you.
It also depends on the type of musical situations you’ll find yourself in (and the type of music that you play).
However, here’s a list of musical styles with some suggestions of the types of hi-hats that may be better suited for each. Remember there are no rules, but this may be a good place to start!
Pop/Rock
Size: 13”-15” (larger for louder environments)
Weight: Medium
Finish: Traditional or Brilliant (Brilliant for more ‘cut’)
Heavy Rock/Metal
Size: 14”-15”
Weight: Medium/Heavy
Finish: Brilliant (Traditional will work too, but will be less bright)
Funk/Soul
Size: 13”-14”
Weight: Light/Medium
Finish: Traditional or Brilliant (Brilliant for more ‘cut’)
Jazz
Size: 13”-16”
Weight: Very Light/Light
Finish: Traditional/Unlathed (Dark hi hats)
My Reviews Of The Best Hi Hat Cymbals
The Zildjian Avedis New Beat hi-hats are probably the most versatile cymbals you’ll ever encounter.
I’ve seen this model sit comfortably on metal drummers kits as well as jazz drummers, and always hold their own.
They have that perfect balance of stick and chick sound and sound just as hi-hats should.
This also makes them excellent for recording as they sit incredibly well in the mix without getting lost or overpowering the overall drum sound.
If you’re looking for a quality pair of workhorse hi-hats that will deliver no matter what you’re playing, then definitely pick up a pair of New Beats...you won’t be disappointed.
Pros
- Very Versatile
- Balanced stick/chick sound
- Well made
Cons
- May not be as ‘exciting’ as some other models
These are some of the most beautiful B20 Bronze hi-hats that money can buy.
Created in collaboration with master drummer Benny Greb, they aim to have a vintage ‘buttery’ feel under the stick, with a lovely warm and clear tone.
These cymbals really deliver on all fronts. The top cymbal has a rough sandblasted finish, whilst the bottom is left unlathed and has an earthy look to it.
The underside of each cymbal is actually lathed to a mirror shine, which really helps counteract the ‘dry’ tone from the unfinished tops...making these cymbals beautifully sonically balanced.
They have a nice deal of cut and projection but just ooze vintage tone and warmth. A real joy to play.
Pros
- Warm vintage sound
- Great feel under the stick
- Versatile
Cons
- Hefty price tag
As well as making some of the best hi-end cymbals on the market, Meinl also makes excellent entry-level cymbals for the aspiring drummer.
The Meinl HCS series are premium brass cymbals that have a brilliant finish with extensive lathing and hammering, which is unusual for cymbals in this price range.
These hi-hats are on the thinner end of the spectrum, which I personally think is preferable in this price range. Cheaper, thicker cymbals tend to be ‘clangy’ and dull.
Therefore the HCS hi hats are very responsive and speak quickly.
Due to their lighter weight, they aren’t the loudest cymbals but have a bright pleasing tone that is incredibly versatile.
If you’re a drummer looking to get your first set of hi-hats or are upgrading from the stock ones that came with your drum kit, these are an excellent choice.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Bright pleasing tone
- Versatile
Cons
- Lack a little in volume
The Zildjian S series cymbals are designed to bridge the gap between budget/entry-level cymbals and the more expensive high-end offerings.
They’re made of a slightly less common B10 Bronze, which sits between B20 and B8 bronze in terms of tone.
It’s bright and cutting like B8 but with slightly more warmth, akin to B20.
The ‘Mastersound’ element refers to the crimped bottom hi-hat cymbal (Paiste call it ‘sound-edge’).
This gives the hi-hats a fuller, more pronounced stepped hi-hat ‘chick, as well as making the overall sound ‘meatier’ and fuller, however, it does sacrifice a little tight hat stick articulation.
These cymbals are also lathed and polished to a mirror shine, giving them a bright glassy quality, very similar to the higher-end Zildjian A-Customs.
These hi-hats will suit someone looking to upgrade from their entry-level set and are especially good for pop or rock music.
Pros
- Full clear sound
- Meaty chick sound
- Good value
Cons
- Mastersound bottom not for everyone
- Not as versatile
The Sabian SBR series cymbals are Sabian’s answer to extremely wallet-friendly, budget cymbals.
They’re made of sheet cut brass and have a very modest hammering and lathing pattern (similar in look to the higher end Sabian AAX line).
These are the only 13” hi-hats on my list, which means they have a higher-pitched, tighter and shorter note to them.
The cymbals themselves do a pretty good job of being satisfying in all the sounds you’d want from a pair of hi-hats.
The closed stick sound is tight and clear and the open sound is reasonably full and pleasing.
The stepped hi-hat sound is pretty dull, and generally, the lower quality metal and cheaper manufacturing methods mean that they have a shorter, duller tone, compared to pricier options.
However, at this price range (which is incredibly cheap!) you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything that gets even close to this quality.
Pros
- Incredibly affordable
- Bright clear tone
- Great for beginners
Cons
- Sound a bit dull
- Lacking in volume
Paiste 2002 cymbals have been an institution in the drumming world since their instruction in the 1970s.
They were introduced to cater to the increased demand from rock drummers for more volume, as PA systems and guitar amps began to get bigger and louder, drummers needed something that would cut through this wall of sound.
The 15” sound edge hi-hats are most notable for their extensive use by the incredible Led Zeppelin sticksman, John Bonham.
Put on pretty much any Zeppelin tune from their 3rd album onward and you’ll hear these hats in all their glory.
They are meaty, full, lush, and just huge sounding. The Paiste B8 alloy gives them a wonderfully full and bright sound.
Tight stick accents are fierce and pronounced and open these things up and you’re rewarded with an impressive full wash that doesn’t get out of hand.
If you’re into classic rock, these hats are simply a must-have in your arsenal!
Pros
- Classic rock sound
- Full meaty sound
- Paiste quality
Cons
- Might be a bit too powerful for some
- High price point
Zildjian mastersound crimping is slightly less aggressive than Paiste’s sound-edge, which means you get slightly more bite than a normal hi-hat, whilst still retaining the crisp articulation associated with A custom cymbals.
Open these babies up and they have a lovely wash that is inherently musical and pleasing.
They also feel incredibly responsive for short open hi-hat accents so they would also suit a funk context as well as rock and pop.
I would say that they probably suit more of a live setting where extra projection and ‘cut’ is needed.
If you’re looking for a little darker, trashiness, check out the Zildjian K Custom series instead.
Pros
- Full sound
- Bright and cutting
- Musical
Cons
- Maybe a bit bright for some
- Better suited to live situations
Final Thoughts On The Best Hi Hat Cymbals
Choosing cymbals is a very personal thing. Every drummer has different preferences when it comes to size, finish, tone, look, etc.
So there is no wrong answer when it comes to finding your perfect pair of hi-hats.
However, if you follow some of the guidelines in this review you’ll be way closer to finding the sound you have in your head…
For more in-depth insider knowledge, be sure to check out my other gear reviews here on YourMusicInsider.
