Best Ride Cymbals of 2026
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Ride cymbals are an essential part of any drum kit, providing a distinct tone and rhythm to a drummer's performance. These cymbals are typically larger than other types of cymbals and are designed to produce a sustained, warm sound when struck. They can be used for a variety of musical genres, from jazz to rock to metal. With a range of sizes, weights, and materials available, there is a ride cymbal to suit every drummer's needs and style. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, investing in a quality ride cymbal can elevate your drumming to the next level.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
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Top 9 Ride Cymbals
Meinl HCS 20 Inch Ride Cymbal for Beginners
The Meinl HCS Ride Cymbal offers traditional ride sounds with a defined ping, making it suitable for various genres, from rock to jazz. Designed specifically for beginners and students, this cymbal is made from durable brass alloy, ensuring it withstands the demands of drumming while maintaining its tone. Additionally, it is produced in Germany using green energy, reflecting a commitment to sustainability. With a full range of sounds available, you can explore different options usually found in professional setups, making this cymbal a versatile choice for any aspiring drummer.
Zildjian Planet Z 20 Inch Ride Cymbal
The Zildjian Planet Z Ride is an excellent choice for both beginners and intermediate players looking to explore the world of cymbals. Redesigned for 2020, this ride cymbal is crafted from brass, ensuring bright, cutting tones that will stand out in any mix. You will appreciate the control and focused sound it offers, making it easier to achieve the perfect sound. Additionally, its heavy weight enhances stick definition, allowing for greater precision in your playing.
Meinl HCS 18 Inch Crash-Ride Cymbal
The Meinl HCS Crash-Ride is the ideal choice for beginner and student drummers. It offers a unique blend of crash and ride capabilities, allowing you to achieve a clean ping sound or crash effects with ease. Made from a durable brass alloy, it withstands the impact of drumsticks while maintaining its tone. Additionally, this cymbal is manufactured in Germany using green energy, ensuring an environmentally friendly production process. With a full range of sounds available, you can explore various musical styles effortlessly.
Zildjian Planet Z Series 18" Crash Ride Cymbal
The Zildjian Planet Z Crash Ride is part of the redesigned 2020 Planet Z range, ideal for beginners and intermediate drummers looking to enter the world of Zildjian cymbals. Made proudly in the USA from brass, this cymbal delivers bright, cutting tones that make it easier for you to achieve a clear, focused sound. The Planet Z series offers excellent sound quality at an affordable price, giving you great value. This 18-inch Crash Ride is extremely versatile, perfect for ride patterns and providing an impressive crash sound when needed.
Zildjian K Zildjian 21 Inch Sweet Ride Cymbal
The Zildjian K Sweet Ride offers a unique tonal palette, perfect for drummers seeking dark, sweet, and responsive sounds. With its extra thin weight and unlathed bell, this cymbal enhances your playing experience by providing a rich sound that is both versatile and expressive. You can enjoy darker overtones compared to the popular A series Sweet Ride, giving your music depth. Additionally, the clear bell and clean stick definition ensure that your rhythms are always audible, making it suitable for any musical genre.
Zildjian S Family Series 22 Inch Medium Ride Cymbal
The Zildjian S Medium Ride is designed for semi-professional and professional musicians seeking a versatile cymbal. It offers a strong, clean mid-range tone, making it suitable for various music styles, so you can easily adapt your playing. The top-to-bottom lathing is perfectly crafted to balance weight, feel, and sound, giving you a comfortable and responsive experience. Additionally, the cymbal delivers a clear stick response with a defined bell, allowing for precise playing and excellent control.
Meinl Classics Custom Dark 20 inch Ride Cymbal
The Meinl Dark Ride Cymbal is designed for rock and heavy metal enthusiasts. It features a rich ping and excellent definition, ensuring your sound cuts through the mix. The dark finish and extra hammering provide a unique tonal complexity that enhances your playing. Additionally, the B12 Bronze Alloy construction delivers a powerful and consistent sound, perfect for those loud performances. You’ll find that this cymbal offers the drive needed for high-energy styles, making it an excellent choice for any drummer.
Meinl Classics Custom Extreme Metal Ride Cymbal
The Meinl Extreme Metal Ride offers an impressive sound tailored for intense drumming. Its large bell ensures clarity, making it perfect for blast beats and powerful performances. The brilliant finish and fully lathed surfaces enhance the cymbal's shimmering cut, allowing you to stand out in any mix. Additionally, the extra deep hammering darkens the tonality, balancing the brightness and providing a rich sound experience. This cymbal is designed for those who want to make a statement while playing.
Meinl Classics Custom Extreme Metal Ride Cymbal
The Meinl Extreme Metal Ride is designed for powerful performances, making it ideal for drummers who play in loud environments. Its heavyweight construction, large bell, and extra thickness allow you to cut through dense mixes with ease. The brilliant finish enhances the cymbal's shimmering sound, providing a clear and vibrant tone. Additionally, the extra deep hammering darkens the sound, balancing the brightness and giving you a versatile option for various musical styles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which is the ride cymbal?
The ride cymbal is a standard cymbal in most drum kits. It maintains a steady rhythmic pattern, sometimes called a ride pattern, rather than the accent of a crash. It is normally placed on the extreme right (or dominant hand) of a drum set, above the floor tom.
2. What is the difference between a ride and crash cymbal?
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.
3. Do I need a ride cymbal?
If you are playing with an acoustic bass it's important to have ride cymbals that are not too loud and will blend well with the sound of the bass. I think this one reason why many jazz drummers prefer darker cymbal sounds, they blend with the warm sound of the upright bass.
During our ride cymbal research, we found 80 ride cymbal products and shortlisted 9 quality products. We collected and analyzed 20,280 customer reviews through our big data system to write the ride cymbals list. We found that most customers choose ride cymbals with an average price of £174.40.
The ride cymbals are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of ride cymbals, including Meinl Percussion, Zildjian, Meinl Cymbals.
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.