Best Metal Hi-Hat Cymbals of 2026

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 8 Feb 2026

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Metal Hi-Hat Cymbals are a popular choice for drummers looking to add a crisp and cutting sound to their drum kit. These cymbals are made of high-quality metal alloys and are designed to produce a sharp, bright sound when struck with a drumstick or hi-hat pedal. They are available in a variety of sizes and weights, allowing drummers to choose the perfect cymbals to fit their playing style and musical preferences. With their versatility and durability, Metal Hi-Hat Cymbals are an excellent addition to any drummer's collection.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Meinl Classics Custom Extreme Metal 14" Hi-Hat Cover #TOP 1
Meinl Classics Custom Extreme Metal 14" Hi-Hat
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Meinl Classics Custom Dark 14" Hihat Cymbals Cover #TOP 2
Meinl Classics Custom Dark 14" Hihat Cymbals
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Cymbals Low Volume Hi Hat Cover #TOP 3
Cymbals Low Volume Hi Hat
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Metal Hi-Hat Cymbals

#TOP 1

Meinl Classics Custom Extreme Metal 14" Hi-Hat

CC14EMH-B
Brilliant Finish
14 inch
Meinl Classics Custom Extreme Metal 14" Hi-Hat Cover
Meinl Cymbals Classics Custom Extreme Metal Hihat Cymbals 14 inch (Video) for Drum Set (35,56cm) B12 Bronze, Brilliant Finish, Made in Germany (CC14EMH-B)

The Meinl Extreme Metal Hi-Hat is designed for drummers who play aggressive music. Its loud and powerful sound cuts through dense mixes, making it perfect for heavier styles. You will appreciate the brilliant finish that not only enhances the sound but also adds a stunning visual appeal to your drum kit. With extra deep hammering, these cymbals produce a darker tonality that balances the brightness, giving you versatility in your playing. Made from B12 bronze alloy, they deliver a uniform sound that excels in performance.

What We Like
Powerful sound for aggressive music
Stunning mirror-like finish
Extra deep hammering for versatility
B12 bronze for uniform sound
#TOP 2

Meinl Classics Custom Dark 14" Hihat Cymbals

CC14DAH
Dark Finish
14 inch
Meinl Classics Custom Dark 14" Hihat Cymbals Cover
Meinl Cymbals Classics Custom Dark Hihat Cymbal 14 inch (Video) for Drum Set (35,56cm) – Pair – B12 Bronze, Dark Finish, Made in Germany (CC14DAH)

The Meinl Dark Hihat Cymbals are designed to deliver exceptional sound quality for drummers. When closed, they provide a clear definition for fast singles and doubles, while opening up creates a powerful crashing effect. The dark finish, enhanced by extra hammering, offers unique shadowy tones and impressive volume. Made from B12 bronze, these cymbals ensure a uniform sound that cuts through dense mixes, making them ideal for high-energy genres like rock and metal.

What We Like
Exceptional sound clarity
Powerful crashing effect
Unique dark finish
Durable B12 bronze material
#TOP 3

Cymbals Low Volume Hi Hat

CYMBALS
HH001
Silver
Cymbals Low Volume Hi Hat Cover
Cymbals Low Volume Hi Hat , 14 inches Practice Hi Hat Cymbal Pair, Quiet HiHat (Silver)

Features
GREAT QUALITY — The Hi-Hat Cymbals Are Well Built, And The Edges Are Polished And Smooth, Our Proprietary Modern Manufacturing Techniques Combined With A Stainless Steel Give You A Real Cymbal Feel With A Sophisticated Look.
LOWER VOLUME & REAL SOUND — The Low Volume Hi Hat Cymbals Have Great Open Hi-Hat Sound And Feel Like Real Cymbals When Played, But These Are Up To 60%-70% Quieter Than Traditional Cymbals Without Losing The Feel Of The Metal Cymbals.
THICKEN DURABILITY — This Practice Hi Hat Cymbals Are 10%-20% Thicker Than Other Silent Cymbals. The Stainless Steel Material Is Thickened To Ensure Durability, Making It Less Likely To Break.
PACK INCLUDES — This Cymbal Pack Includes A Pair Of 14" Hi-Hats.
CAN BE USED FOR — This High Hat Cymbals Pair Are Perfect For Apartments, Bedrooms, Rehearsals, And Other Settings. They Can Be Used With Any Drum Set. The Low Volume Cymbal Set Is A Great Option For Those Who Are Looking For A Simple, Cheap Way To Get Cymbals.
#TOP 4

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 5

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 6

Zildjian A Custom 14 Inch Hi-Hat Cymbals Pair

A20510
Gold
Zildjian A Custom 14 Inch Hi-Hat Cymbals Pair Cover
Zildjian A Custom Series - 14 Inch Hi-Hat Cymbals - Pair - Brilliant finish

The Zildjian A Custom Hi-Hats offer a light and crisp sound that is perfect for drummers seeking subtlety and brightness in their playing. You will appreciate the delicate stick sound, which provides clear articulation, while the solid "chick" sound ensures clean rhythm control. With a copper-tin ratio of 80/20, these cymbals deliver a balanced tonal quality. Their medium thin weight makes them versatile and easy to play, giving you excellent responsiveness for varied musical styles.

What We Like
Light and crisp sound
Delicate stick articulation
Clear, solid "chick" sound
Balanced copper-tin ratio
Medium thin, versatile weight
#TOP 7

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

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 8

Zildjian 13 Inch L80 Low Volume Hi-hat Cymbals

ZIL LV8013HP
Gold,Black
Zildjian 13 Inch L80 Low Volume Hi-hat Cymbals Cover
Zildjian 13 inch L80 Low Volume Hi-hat Cymbals

The Zildjian L80 Hi-hat Cymbals are designed to be 80% quieter than traditional cymbals, allowing you to play at low volumes without disturbing others. This feature is particularly beneficial for practice rooms or during drum lessons. They are also highly responsive, making them suitable for various playing styles, including chopsticks, brushes, and mallets. This versatility ensures you can experiment with different sounds while avoiding ear fatigue during long practice sessions.

What We Like
80% quieter than traditional cymbals
Perfect for practice and lessons
Responsive to various playing styles
Reduces ear fatigue
#TOP 9

Zildjian K Zildjian Series 14 Inch Hi-Hats

ZIL K0812
Bronze
Zildjian K Zildjian Series 14 Inch Hi-Hats Cover
Zildjian K Zildjian Series - 14 Inch Light Hi-Hat Cymbals - Pair

The Zildjian K Hi-Hat Cymbals are designed with a lower pitch and thinner profile compared to traditional models. This allows you to explore a broader range of tonal colours, making your music more expressive. The medium thin top and medium bottom create a dark and slightly delicate feel, enriched with a light blend of overtones. These versatile hi-hats are suitable for various genres, including rock, pop, country, and jazz, ensuring you can easily adapt to different musical styles.

What We Like
Lower pitch for unique sound
Broader tonal colour range
Versatile for multiple genres
Delicate feel with overtones
#TOP 10

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
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our metal hi-hat cymbal research, we found 70 metal hi-hat cymbal products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,699 customer reviews through our big data system to write the metal hi-hat cymbals list. We found that most customers choose metal hi-hat cymbals with an average price of £212.93.

The metal hi-hat cymbals are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of metal hi-hat cymbals, including Meinl Cymbals, CYMBALS, Zildjian, Tiger, Sabian.

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.