Best Crash Cymbals of 2025

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025

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Crash cymbals are a popular type of percussion instrument that add a sharp, explosive sound to musical performances. These cymbals are typically used in rock, pop, and jazz music and are played by striking them with drumsticks or mallets. They come in a variety of sizes and thicknesses, each producing a different tone and volume. Crash cymbals are an essential component of any drum kit and can also be used in orchestral music. They are a must-have for any drummer looking to add some flair and excitement to their playing.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Paiste 101 16-Inch Brass Crash Cymbal with Stand Cover #TOP 1
Paiste 101 16-Inch Brass Crash Cymbal with Stand
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Zildjian 16" Planet Z Crash Cymbal Cover #TOP 2
Zildjian 16" Planet Z Crash Cymbal
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Meinl HCS 18 Inch Crash Cymbal Cover #TOP 3
Meinl HCS 18 Inch Crash Cymbal
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Crash Cymbals

Paiste 101 16-Inch Brass Crash Cymbal with Stand

Paiste
Silver
Paiste 101 16-Inch Brass Crash Cymbal with Stand Cover
Paiste 101 16 inch brass crash cymbal with cymbal stand LBD-25

The Paiste 101 Crash Cymbal offers a rich, dark sound that is perfect for a variety of music genres. Its 16-inch size ensures a full and focused tone, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned musicians. Included with the cymbal is a sturdy cymbal stand from Stagg, providing added convenience for setup and performance. With this versatile cymbal, you can easily enhance your drumming experience and bring depth to your music.

What We Like
Versatile for all music genres
Dark, full sound character
Includes sturdy cymbal stand
Focused tone for performances
#TOP 2

Zildjian 16" Planet Z Crash Cymbal

ZP16C
New 2020
16'' Crash
Zildjian 16" Planet Z Crash Cymbal Cover
Zildjian ZP16C Planet Z Series - Crash Cymbal - 16"

The Zildjian Planet Z Crash is a fantastic choice for beginners and intermediate players. Redesigned for 2020, this cymbal offers a bright and cutting tone that enhances your sound. Made in the USA from brass, it provides you with more control and a focused sound during your performances. With its superior sound quality at an entry-level price, this 16-inch crash cymbal can add vibrant colour to your cymbal setup, whether you use it alone or as part of a Planet Z Fundamentals Pack.

What We Like
Great for beginners and intermediates
Bright, cutting tones
Affordable entry-level option
Made in the USA
Adds vibrancy to setups
#TOP 3

Meinl HCS 18 Inch Crash Cymbal

HCS18C
Traditional Finish
18 inch
Meinl HCS 18 Inch Crash Cymbal Cover
Meinl Cymbals HCS Crash Cymbal 18 inch (Video) for Drum Set (45,72cm) Traditional Finish Brass, Made in Germany (HCS18C)

The Meinl HCS Crash Cymbal offers a powerful sound with its smooth attack and medium sustain, ideal for accentuating your drumming. Designed specifically for beginners and students, this cymbal is durable and maintains its tone despite rigorous use. Made in Germany with a commitment to green energy, you can enjoy quality craftsmanship while supporting eco-friendly practices. With a full range of sound options, the HCS Crash Cymbal provides versatility that allows you to explore different musical styles effortlessly.

What We Like
Powerful sound delivery
Durable for beginner use
Eco-friendly production
Versatile sound options
#TOP 4

SABIAN 16” SBr Crash Cymbal for Bright Accents

SBR1606
Brass
SABIAN 16” SBr Crash Cymbal for Bright Accents Cover
SABIAN 16” SBr Crash Cymbal SBR1606

The SABIAN SBr Crash Cymbal is crafted from pure brass, delivering a loud and punchy sound that is perfect for accenting your music. Its focused style ensures that your crashes cut through the mix, providing a bright tone that adds energy to your performances. With a thin design, this cymbal offers a quick response, making it ideal for dynamic playing. Whether you're in a studio or performing live, this cymbal enhances your sound and brings clarity to each strike.

What We Like
Loud and punchy sound
Bright, clear tone
Quick response
Perfect for accents
#TOP 5

Meinl Cymbals HCS Traditional Brass Set

HCS1314+10S
MultiColored
-inch
Meinl Cymbals HCS Traditional Brass Set Cover
Meinl Cymbals Cymbal Set Box Pack with 13" Hihats, 14" Crash, Plus Free 10" Splash, Sticks, Lessons – HCS Traditional Brass – Made in Germany, 2-Year Warranty (HCS1314

The Meinl HCS Cymbal Set is an excellent choice for drummers seeking quality and affordability. This set includes a 13-inch hihat and a 14-inch crash cymbal, perfect for creating a full range of sounds. You also receive a free 10-inch splash cymbal, adding versatility to your performance. Additionally, the inclusion of Meinl drum sticks enhances your playing experience, making it easy for you to start right away. This comprehensive pack is designed to meet the needs of both beginners and experienced drummers alike.

What We Like
Quality traditional brass sound
Includes essential cymbals
Free splash cymbal included
Comes with drum sticks
Great for beginners and pros
#TOP 6

Zildjian S Family 14 Inch Thin Crash

S14TC
14 Inch
Zildjian S Family 14 Inch Thin Crash Cover
Zildjian S Family Series - 14 Inch Thin Crash Cymbal

The Zildjian S Family Crash offers superb sound quality for semi-professional and professional musicians. You will appreciate its exceptionally quick and sensitive response, allowing for a light touch that produces an impressive sound. This cymbal features a bright, full crash sound complemented by a beautiful shimmery sustain, enhancing your performance. Additionally, its smaller size makes it light and quick, making it an excellent choice for stacking with other cymbals.

What We Like
Superb sound quality
Quick and sensitive response
Bright, full crash sound
Lightweight and versatile

Meinl Cymbals 18 inch Extreme Metal Crash

CC18EMC-B
Brilliant Finish
18 inch
Meinl Cymbals 18 inch Extreme Metal Crash Cover
Meinl Cymbals Classics Custom Extreme Metal Crash Cymbal 18 inch (Video) for Drum Set (45,72cm) B12 Bronze, Brilliant Finish, Made in Germany (CC18EMC-B)

The Meinl 18 inch Crash Cymbal is designed for powerful performance. Its heavyweight construction ensures it cuts through even the loudest mixes, making it perfect for those intense drumming sessions. The brilliant finish, combined with fully lathed surfaces, provides a shimmering sound that enhances your playing experience. With extra deep hammering, this cymbal delivers a darker tonality that balances its brightness, allowing you to achieve a fuller sound. This makes it ideal for drummers looking to make a bold statement.

What We Like
Powerful sound projection
Shimmering finish
Balanced tonality
Durable and stunning design
#TOP 8

Meinl Classics Custom Dark Crash Cymbal 16 inch

CC16DAC
Dark Finish
16 inch
Meinl Classics Custom Dark Crash Cymbal 16 inch Cover
Meinl Cymbals Classics Custom Dark Crash Cymbal 16 inch (Video) for Drum Set (40,64cm) B12 Bronze, Dark Finish, Made in Germany (CC16DAC)

The Meinl Dark Crash Cymbal is an excellent choice for drummers seeking a heavy metal sound without harsh overtones. Its dark finish and extra hammering create rich, shadowy tones with impressive volume, perfect for adding depth to your performance. This cymbal is designed for power players, delivering energetic drive during loud dynamics, ideal for rock and metal styles. Made from B12 Bronze Alloy, it offers a uniform sound that cuts through dense mixes, ensuring your beats are heard clearly.

What We Like
Heavy metal sound without overtones
Rich, shadowy tones
Ideal for rock and metal
Powerful sound delivery
Durable and lasting finish
#TOP 9

TIGER CYM14-BR 16” Crash Cymbal for Beginners

Tiger Music
CYM14-BR
Brass
16-inch
TIGER CYM14-BR 16” Crash Cymbal for Beginners Cover
TIGER CYM14-BR 16” Beginners Crash Cymbal - Ideal Add-On for Starter Drum Kits

The TIGER CYM14-BR Crash Cymbal is an excellent choice for beginner drummers. Its 16-inch size is popular among learners, making it a perfect add-on to your starter drum kit. The thin design produces a high-pitched sound with a short sustain, allowing you to create dynamic rhythms effortlessly. Whether you're playing rock, jazz, fusion, or funk, this cymbal offers great versatility for all musical styles. It’s particularly beneficial for schools, drum lessons, and home practice, giving you the flexibility to improve your skills.

What We Like
Popular size for beginners
High-pitched sound quality
Versatile for all music genres
Ideal for practice and lessons
#TOP 10

Zildjian A Series 16 Inch Medium Thin Crash Cymbal

ZIL A0230
bronze
Zildjian A Series 16 Inch Medium Thin Crash Cymbal Cover
Zildjian A Zildjian Series - 16 Inch Medium Thin Crash Cymbal

The Zildjian 16 Inch Crash Cymbal offers a bright and powerful high end, making it suitable for various musical styles. You will appreciate its ability to project sound with considerable volume while maintaining a bright and mid-range tone. The cymbal also delivers a long sustain, allowing for a lasting impact in your performance. Its medium thin weight strikes a balance between responsiveness and durability, making it a versatile choice for both practice and live settings.

What We Like
Bright, strong high end
Long sustain
Medium thin weight
Traditional finish
Great volume projection
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are crash cymbals used for?

A crash cymbal is a type of cymbal that produces a loud, sharp "crash" and is used mainly for occasional accents, as opposed to a ride cymbal. It can be mounted on a stand and played with a drum stick, or by hand in pairs. One or two crash cymbals are a standard part of a drum kit.

2. How are crash cymbals played?

Crash cymbals are played with beaters, which can be drum sticks, mallets, hot rods, or wire brushes. Most drummers and cymbal players strike their crash cymbals with drumsticks, which produce loud, bright sounds. For effect, you can perform drum rolls on crashes using mallets, which creates a dense wall of sound.

3. What is the difference between crash and ride cymbals?

Ride cymbals tend to be larger, and are used to keep the beat or to play a specific rhythmic pattern. They usually give off short, sharp sounds. A crash cymbal, on the other hand, is used mainly as an accent, producing a loud “crash” or a sustained swelling to add dynamics and expression to your song.

4. Why is it called a crash cymbal?

They are commonly used in marching bands and orchestras. Crash cymbal: A medium-sized cymbal named for the loud and sharp sound it makes when struck.

Editor's Notes

During our crash cymbal research, we found 306 crash cymbal products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 12,527 customer reviews through our big data system to write the crash cymbals list. We found that most customers choose crash cymbals with an average price of £121.66.

The crash cymbals are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of crash cymbals, including Paiste, Zildjian, Meinl Cymbals, Sabian, Tiger Music. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 92 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Hayden Bryant Avatar

Hayden was born in Liverpool, and he never left his hometown until university. In his freshman year at the University of Manchester, Hayden was the group leader of a popular music group. Hayden is responsible for the popularity of his music, and this is because of his natural ability to play with keys and strings. He graduated with BFA in 2016 and returned in 2018 as a lecturing staff in the School of Music.