4 Best Crash Cymbals That Are Great! (Dec 2024)

Every instrument can be made by using different materials, can have different manufacturing techniques, and have different selling prices. Drumming instruments like crash cymbals are no exception, either. And due to the availability of a wide variety of crash cymbals in the market, it can be quite overwhelming to choose the one that is best for you. In this article, we are going to tell you the best crash cymbals in the world right now, which will help you narrow down your search. So, without any due, let’s get to it. You can also check this out if you’re looking for the Best Drum Replacement Plugins.

Best Crash Cymbals
Reviewed and Compared

Zildjian ZBT18C 18-inch ZBT Crash Cymbal

Zildjian ZBT18C 18-inch ZBT Crash Cymbal
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Pros
  • High-end frequencies for crispier sound
  • Higher sustain
  • Dark voiced crash cymbal, perfect for jazz or rock and roll
  • Precise and responsive
Cons
  • Might not be suitable to be used as the main crash

This cymbal is made from an 80/20 bronze alloy, which is considered to be one of the best metallurgical compositions for a cymbal. It helps you to achieve the high-end frequencies, which are very important to produce that crisp in your performance. This particular cymbal is said to be “thin weight,” which means it is going to be brighter than any other cymbal made by Zildjian. 

This 18″ cymbal has short sustain and voicing that is in between bright and dark, but users review them to have a brighter voice when compared with dark voiced cymbals used for jazz or rock and roll. ZBT18C is one of the best choices if you are interested in playing modern music.  

Whether you want to record in the studio or want to set a stage on fire, this crash cymbal Zildjian will make sure you have a ball at every music performance. It is a pro-level piece of music equipment which gives a fierce competition to its competitors.

Paiste 2002 Classic Cymbal Crash 18-inch

Paiste 2002 Classic Cymbal Crash 18-inch
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Pros
  • Made from a 92/8 bronze for crispy sounds
  • Perfect for genres like Classic Rock, Blues, Funk, R&B, and Gospel
  • Medium thin weight
  • Precise and responsive
Cons
  • A bit pricey

Being one of the largest and most famous manufacturers of cymbals in the world, there is no surprise that we have featured a cymbal made by Paiste in our list. This cymbal from Paiste is made from a 92/8 bronze. Where more people prefer cymbals that are made by alloy with more composition of tin than bronze, this classic 18″ cymbal is an exception and ensures that you get the perfect crispy sound every time you hit it. 

Whether you want to play Classic Rock or Blues, Fun or R&B, Gospel, or Ska, this cymbal is perfect. It is a professional level cymbal that has almost all the qualities you need in a cymbal for a live performance. You will get consistent performance with this cymbal for both studio and live music. This cymbal is designed to perfection and as an awesomely clear and warm musical sound that does not lose precision with high-frequency hitting.

Meinl 16" Trash Crash - CC16TRC-B

Meinl 16
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Pros
  • Works well with all the modern genres like pop, rock, metal, fusion
  • Provides loud punch to the music
  • Higher sustain, best for quick transitions
  • "Thin weight," dark voiced cymbal
Cons
  • Might not suit everyone's taste
  • Not so ideal to be used as the main crash cymbal

If you want to bring energy and explosiveness in your drumming performance, then this trash crash cymbal from Meinl is just for you. This crash cymbal is made from high-quality B10 bronzes and has holes that help you to produce trashy sound accompanied by much better sustain. This trash crash can blend in with other crash cymbals, which will help you to add more flavor to your performance.  

If you are interested in brighter sound, then this crash from Meinl is extremely thin weighted, which helps you to achieve crispy and shimmery sound without much effort. It is a pro-level crash that can be used in live gigs where you need to have a loud punch in your musical tones. With its unique sound effects, you will add a different touch to your music that can be matched by no one else. This crash cymbal goes well with almost all the modern genres, including pop, rock, metal, fusion, and RnB.

Sabian 16 Inch SBR Crash

Sabian 16 Inch SBR Crash
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Pros
  • Good for beginners
  • Comes with excellent price
  • 16" diameter provides enough space to hit with a louder punch
Cons
  • Not a pro-level cymbal
  • You would need to upgrade it soon.

This is an entry-level crash cymbal by Sabian, which is perfect for the beginners that are building their foundations in the world of drumming. The cymbal is made from alloy whose tone can never match the tone of brass or bronze, but the fact that it is a cymbal for beginners at an affordable price earns it a place in our list of the best crash cymbals. View these Best Low Volume Cymbals for quieter drum practice.

The cymbal has a 16″ inch diameter, which makes it perfect for the beginners as it will provide them with enough space and volume to hit the high-frequency sounds and can be heard in an open place as well. The cymbal has a darker voice, which makes it a very good choice if you want to learn jazz. Given the price, the sound offered by this particular cymbal is exceptional. However, if you want to learn rock or metal, then this cymbal might not be for you.   

So, if you are a beginner who is looking for an entry-level cymbal with more sustain and darker voice, then the Sabian 16″ SBR Crash cymbal is going to be a perfect choice. 

Final Words 

Buying a crash cymbal is not easy when you have so many options to choose from. Every cymbal has its unique features and qualities. In this article, we mentioned the four best crash cymbals along with their key features and pros and cons. You can visit the Best Cymbal Cleaner to clean every part of your cymbal. We hope that this article was helpful to you, and we wish you luck with your future drumming endeavors.

Crash Cymbal Fundamentals

Crash cymbals are what most people think of when they think of a cymbal. Crash cymbals produce a loud sound and are used to accent the beat, not to play a pattern like ride cymbals. The crash cymbal is generally placed on the left side of the kit behind (relative to the drummer) of the toms.

Crash Cymbals 101

When it comes to crash cymbals, you need more information. I once only bought cymbals because I thought I had to. But the truth is, you need to understand the different types of cymbal in order to make the right purchase decision.

Cymbals are percussion instruments that have been played for many years. They were originally used in religious ceremonies and similar events. Over the years, they have transformed into an important part of a drum kit.

For your drum set to be complete, you will need at least two types of accessories. And now, whether you are just beginning or you have been playing for years, you need a good set of accessories. Your music will feel more complete with them.

Cymbals are divided into four categories: hi-hats, rides, crashes, and effects. For example, if you’re looking for a crash cymbal, you can move ahead in the search and compare the different options available. This will help you get exactly what you want for your drum set.

Pros and Cons

These cymbals are very dark but balanced. They are also some of the most affordable models in the world. However, not all models sound the same on the bad, so you may need to experiment to find a good combination of clear sounds that you want.

Sound Properties

Crash cymbals are characterized by their specific sound qualities. Shapes and sizes also play a role in how they will sound like. Larger crashes are warmer, but with a darker tone. Smaller crashes, on the other hand, have a brighter tone with a louder sound.

Crash cymbals are great for cutting through the noise. They are commonly used in rock and other loud genres. You can use a bright crash cymbal, but be careful not to overdo it. If you want something a little darker, opt for a dark crash cymbal.

What Size Crash Cymbal Should I Get?

Cymbals come in many sizes. Some are very large (20″), while others are small. The most common size is between 16″ and 18″, with the 16″ delivering a sharper, shorter sound and the 18″ providing a deeper, longer note. Larger cymbals tend to be louder than smaller ones.

Cymbals are a key part of an orchestra. Most have two, one large and one small. This gives them a wide range of notes.

For ska, jazz, and arena rock, you’d use smaller cymbals between 14″ and 16″. But if you’re just starting out, get either a 16″ or 18″ to start. Also, you can’t go wrong with these two sizes.

Dark vs Bright Cymbals – What’s Best For You?

Cymbals are one of the most important tools for a musician. They provide space and fill, with all the pros and cons you could imagine. A dark cymbal has a lot of musical potential and can really add a lot to your sound. However, a bright cymbal can be useful in its own unique way, as well.

If you’ve ever heard a cymbal, you probably know what one sounds like. The way you picture a cymbal in your mind can be described as dark or bright. Dark cymbals have low tones and a darker, more brooding sound. Bright cymbals have high tones.

In general, there are a few factors that will impact how dark or bright a cymbal is. For instance, the size and thickness of the cymbal will have an effect. Polish, hammering, and bell size all play a role.

Cymbals are complex and nuanced. They produce multiple tones, unlike a stringed instrument. A cymbal’s overtone structure could be low, with a high emphasis on bright overtones.

The pitch of a cymbal is usually determined by how high or low it sounds. So, in a sense, the pitch and the timbre go together. But despite their commonality, you can still tell them apart. Pitch refers to how high or low something sounds. Timbre is the tone quality — bright or dark. Cymbals are usually high-pitched and bright or low-pitched and dark tones. Learn more about Parts TrumpetFind the best feature of Pocket Trumpet.

What To Look For In A Crash Cymbal

It’s time to find the cymbals for you. When selecting crash cymbals, you need to look at several factors. Size and thickness, finish and weight, and even the type of music you play are just a few of the things you should consider. To help, we’ve listed all the details below.


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