Best Brass Hi-Hat Cymbals of 2025

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 5 Feb 2025

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Brass Hi-Hat Cymbals are a popular choice among drummers of all levels. These cymbals are made from a mixture of copper and zinc, giving them a bright and cutting sound that complements a wide range of music styles. They are typically used as a pair and can be played open or closed using a foot pedal. Brass Hi-Hat Cymbals are durable and long-lasting, making them a great investment for any drummer looking to upgrade their kit.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Meinl HCS 14 Inch Hi-Hat Cymbals Pair Cover #TOP 1
Meinl HCS 14 Inch Hi-Hat Cymbals Pair
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Meinl HCS 13-inch Hi-Hat Cymbals Pair Cover #TOP 2
Meinl HCS 13-inch Hi-Hat Cymbals Pair
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Meinl HCS Basic Cymbal Set with Hihats and Crash-Ride Cover #TOP 3
Meinl HCS Basic Cymbal Set with Hihats and Crash-Ride
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 7 Brass Hi-Hat Cymbals

#TOP 1

Meinl HCS 14 Inch Hi-Hat Cymbals Pair

HCS14H
Traditional Finish
14 inch
Meinl HCS 14 Inch Hi-Hat Cymbals Pair Cover
Meinl Cymbals HCS Hihat Cymbals 14 inch (Video) for Drum Set (35,56cm) – Pair – Traditional Finish Brass, Made In Germany (HCS14H)

The Meinl HCS Hi-Hat Cymbals are ideal for beginner and student drummers. The unique design features a lighter top cymbal and a heavier bottom, producing a clear and well-defined chick sound that enhances your playing. Made from a durable brass alloy, these cymbals maintain their tone while withstanding the impact of drum sticks, ensuring longevity. Plus, with a full range of sounds available, you can explore various styles and techniques, giving you all the options usually reserved for professional setups.

What We Like
Clear and defined sound
Durable brass alloy construction
Suitable for beginners
Full range of sound options
#TOP 2

Meinl HCS 13-inch Hi-Hat Cymbals Pair

HCS13H
Traditional Finish
13 inch
Meinl HCS 13-inch Hi-Hat Cymbals Pair Cover
Meinl Cymbals HCS Hihat Cymbals 13 inch (Video) for Drum Set (33,02cm) – Pair – Traditional Finish Brass, Made In Germany (HCS13H)

The Meinl HCS Hi-Hat Cymbals are essential for any drum set, providing a lighter top cymbal and a heavier bottom for a clear and defined chick sound. Designed specifically for beginners and students, these cymbals are made from durable brass alloy, ensuring they withstand the impact of drumsticks while maintaining their tone. Crafted in Germany using green energy, they reflect a commitment to sustainability. With a full range of sound options available, these cymbals allow you to explore various styles and express your musical creativity.

What We Like
Clear and defined sound
Durable brass alloy construction
Eco-friendly manufacturing
Wide range of sound options
Ideal for beginners
#TOP 3

Meinl HCS Basic Cymbal Set with Hihats and Crash-Ride

HCS1418
Traditional Finish
14, 18 inch
Meinl HCS Basic Cymbal Set with Hihats and Crash-Ride Cover
Meinl Cymbals HCS Basic Cymbal Set (Video) Box Pack with 14 inch Hihat and 18 Crash-Ride for Drum Kit (35,56-45,72cm) Traditional Finish Brass (HCS1418)

The Meinl HCS Cymbal Set is perfect for beginners and students looking to enhance their drumming experience. It features a well-balanced pair of 14-inch hihats and a powerful 18-inch crash-ride, crafted from a durable brass alloy. This ensures that the cymbals maintain their tone while withstanding the rigours of drumming. Made in Germany using green energy, you can feel good about your purchase. With a full range of sounds available, you'll have access to the variety typically found in professional setups.

What We Like
Designed for beginners and students
Durable brass alloy construction
Made in Germany with green energy
Full range of professional sounds
Used by professional drummers
#TOP 4

TIGER CYM7-BR 14” Hi-Hat Cymbals for Beginners

Tiger Music
CYM7-BR
Brass
14-inch
TIGER CYM7-BR 14” Hi-Hat Cymbals for Beginners Cover
TIGER CYM7-BR Pair 14” Hi-Hat Cymbals - Ideal Replacement for Starter Drum Kits

The TIGER 14” Hi-Hats are an excellent choice for beginners looking to enhance their drum kits. They are perfect for school orchestras, allowing you to contribute to a range of musical genres, from Rock to Jazz. The thin design produces a controlled short sustain, ensuring that you achieve a defined "chick" sound when closed by foot, which is essential for rhythmic precision. This makes them ideal for both school settings and home practice, helping you to develop your drumming skills effectively.

What We Like
Great for beginner kits
Suitable for school orchestras
Controlled short sustain
Defined "chick" sound
Versatile for all music genres
#TOP 5

Zildjian Planet Z 14" Hi-Hat Cymbals

ZIL ZP14PR
New 2020
Zildjian Planet Z 14" Hi-Hat Cymbals Cover
Zildjian ZP14PR Planet Z Series - Hi-Hat Pair Cymbal - 14"

The Zildjian Planet Z Hi-Hat offers a fantastic introduction to the world of cymbals, especially for beginners and intermediate players. Redesigned in 2020, these cymbals are crafted from brass, providing bright and cutting tones that enhance your playing experience. You'll appreciate the more controlled and focused sound, which is ideal for developing your skills. With a medium weight top and heavy bottom, the hi-hat delivers a great sound and excellent stick definition, making it a valuable upgrade to your kit without breaking the bank.

What We Like
Great for beginners and intermediates
Bright, cutting tones
Controlled, focused sound
Excellent stick definition
Affordable upgrade
#TOP 6

SABIAN 14” SBr Hi-Hat Cymbal SBR1402 for Bright Sounds

SBR1402
Brass
SABIAN 14” SBr Hi-Hat Cymbal SBR1402 for Bright Sounds Cover
SABIAN 14” SBr Hi-Hat Cymbal SBR1402

The SABIAN SBr Hi-Hat Cymbal is designed to deliver a focused sound that enhances your drumming experience. When closed, it produces tight and clean tones, allowing for precise rhythms. When opened, you’ll enjoy a loud, full sound that adds depth to your music. The bright tone ensures your beats cut through other instruments, making it perfect for various styles. Crafted from brass with a medium thickness, it offers durability while ensuring an excellent sound quality.

What We Like
Tight, clean sounds
Loud fullness when open
Bright tone
Durable brass construction
#TOP 7

Gewa Bsx F807050 14 Inch Hi Hat Cymbal

F807050
Yellow
Gewa Bsx F807050 14 Inch Hi Hat Cymbal Cover
PURE GEWA Bsx F807050 14 Inch Hi Hat Cymbal

The Gewa Bsx Hi Hat Cymbal is crafted in Germany, ensuring high quality and durability. Made from yellow brass, this 14-inch cymbal offers a bright and clear sound, perfect for various musical styles. Its size is ideal for quick and articulate playing, allowing you to express your rhythm with precision. With its robust construction, you can rely on this cymbal for consistent performance, whether you're practising or performing live.

What We Like
High-quality German craftsmanship
Bright, clear sound
Ideal size for quick playing
Durable yellow brass material
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is best size for hi-hat cymbals?

If you are looking for a higher pitch, we recommend choosing a pair of 13” hi-hat cymbals. These hi-hats usually work well in gospel, fusion, and funk music. Alternatively, 15” or 16” hi-hats provide a much deeper sound with more sustain, which many people prefer when playing rock and jazz music.

2. What is the difference between open hi-hat and closed hi-hat?

Standard terminology has evolved. Open and closed hi-hat refer to notes struck while the two cymbals are apart or together (open or closed), while pedal hi-hat refers to parts or notes played solely with the pedal used to strike the two cymbals. Most cymbal patterns consist of both open and closed notes.

Editor's Notes

During our brass hi-hat cymbal research, we found 51 brass hi-hat cymbal products and shortlisted 7 quality products. We collected and analyzed 6,600 customer reviews through our big data system to write the brass hi-hat cymbals list. We found that most customers choose brass hi-hat cymbals with an average price of £161.19.

The brass hi-hat cymbals are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of brass hi-hat cymbals, including Meinl Cymbals, Tiger Music, Zildjian, Sabian, Gewa. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 82 consumers with an average rating of 4.5.

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.