Best Ride Cymbals of 2025

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 10 Feb 2025

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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

Meinl HCS 20 Inch Ride Cymbal for Beginners Cover #TOP 1
Meinl HCS 20 Inch Ride Cymbal for Beginners
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Zildjian Planet Z 20 Inch Ride Cymbal Cover #TOP 2
Zildjian Planet Z 20 Inch Ride Cymbal
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Meinl HCS 20 inch Ride Cymbal and Stand Cover #TOP 3
Meinl HCS 20 inch Ride Cymbal and Stand
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Ride Cymbals

Meinl HCS 20 Inch Ride Cymbal for Beginners

HCS20R
Traditional Finish
20 inch
Meinl HCS 20 Inch Ride Cymbal for Beginners Cover
Meinl Cymbals HCS Ride Cymbal 20 inch (Video) for Drum Set (50,80cm) Traditional Finish Brass, Made in Germany (HCS20R)

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.

What We Like
Bright, defined sound
Durable for beginners
Environmentally friendly production
Variety of sound options
#TOP 2

Zildjian Planet Z 20 Inch Ride Cymbal

ZIL ZP20R
New 2020
20'' Ride
Zildjian Planet Z 20 Inch Ride Cymbal Cover
Zildjian ZP20R Planet Z Series - Ride Cymbal - 20"

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.

What We Like
Great for beginners and intermediates
Bright, cutting tones
Enhanced stick definition
Focused sound quality
Affordable entry-level option
#TOP 3

Meinl HCS 20 inch Ride Cymbal and Stand

Meinl HCS 20 inch Ride Cymbal and Stand Cover
Meinl Cymbals HCS Ride Cymbal 20 inch (Video) for Drum Set (50,80cm) Traditional Finish Brass, Made in Germany (HCS20R) & XDrum Cymbal Stand Semi with Boom (Boom Cymbal stand)

The Meinl HCS Ride Cymbal offers traditional ride sounds with a defined ping, perfect for various music styles like rock and jazz. As it is designed for beginners, you can enjoy durable brass alloy construction that withstands the impact of drumsticks while maintaining its tone. Made in Germany with green energy, this cymbal reflects a commitment to sustainability. The full range of sounds available ensures that you have access to all cymbal types and sizes typically found in professional setups, making it an ideal choice for new musicians.

What We Like
Bright, defined sound
Durable brass alloy
Eco-friendly manufacturing
Variety of sound options

Meinl HCS 18 Inch Crash-Ride Cymbal

HCS18CR
Traditional Finish
18 inch
Meinl HCS 18 Inch Crash-Ride Cymbal Cover
Meinl Cymbals HCS Crash-Ride Cymbal 18 inch (Video) for Drum Set (45,72cm) Traditional Finish Brass, Made in Germany (HCS18CR)

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.

What We Like
Versatile crash and ride functionality
Durable brass alloy construction
Environmentally friendly production
Wide range of sound options
Suitable for beginners and students
#TOP 5

SABIAN 20” SBr Ride Cymbal with Bright Tone

SBR2012
Brass
SABIAN 20” SBr Ride Cymbal with Bright Tone Cover
SABIAN 20” SBr Ride Cymbal SBR2012

The SABIAN SBr Ride Cymbal offers strong, clean stick definition, making it ideal for precise playing. Its bright bell enhances versatility, allowing you to create a range of sounds suitable for different music styles. You will appreciate the focused style and bright tone, which can elevate your performances. Made from brass, this medium-thickness cymbal ensures durability while delivering a lively sound that can complement any drummer's setup.

What We Like
Strong stick definition
Bright and versatile sound
Durable brass construction
Focused style for precision
Medium thickness for balanced play
#TOP 6

Zildjian K Zildjian 21 Inch Sweet Ride Cymbal

ZIL K0731
natural
Zildjian K Zildjian 21 Inch Sweet Ride Cymbal Cover
Zildjian K Zildjian Series - 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.

What We Like
Rich tonal colours
Extra thin weight
Clear stick definition
Darker overtones
#TOP 7

Zildjian L80 Low Volume 20 Inch Ride Cymbal

ZIL LV8020R
Yellowish Gold
Zildjian L80 Low Volume 20 Inch Ride Cymbal Cover
Zildjian L80 Series - Low Volume 20 Inch Ride Cymbal

The Zildjian L80 Ride Cymbal is designed for quieter play, making it up to 70-80% less loud than traditional cymbals. This feature is perfect for home practice or lessons, allowing you to play for longer periods without ear fatigue. You can also use it at quiet gigs, ensuring you don't disturb others around you. With its 20-inch size, it integrates well into existing L80 setups or Hi-Hat components, providing new and exciting sound effects. Enjoy a real cymbal feel thanks to Zildjian's special alloy and manufacturing techniques.

What We Like
Significantly quieter performance
Ideal for home practice
Reduces ear fatigue
Integrates with existing setups
Authentic cymbal feel
#TOP 8

Zildjian S Family 20 Inch Medium Ride Cymbal

ZIL S20MR
multicoloured
Zildjian S Family 20 Inch Medium Ride Cymbal Cover
Zildjian S Family Series - 20 Inch Medium Ride Cymbal

The Zildjian S Family Ride Cymbal offers superb sound quality, ideal for semi-professional and professional musicians. Its strong, clean mid-range makes it a versatile choice for all music styles, ensuring you can perform with confidence. The top-bottom lathing is expertly crafted for optimal weight and feel, enhancing your playing experience. You'll appreciate the exceptionally clean stick response, allowing for precise articulation, while the defined bell adds clarity to your sound. Enjoy the low to mid pitch with long sustain, perfect for creating rich musical textures.

What We Like
Excellent all-purpose cymbal
Strong, clean mid-range
Exceptional stick response
Defined bell sound
Long sustain

Meinl Classics Custom Dark 20 inch Ride Cymbal

CC20DAR
Dark Finish
20 inch
Meinl Classics Custom Dark 20 inch Ride Cymbal Cover
Meinl Cymbals Classics Custom Dark Ride Cymbal 20 inch (Video) for Drum Set (50,80cm) B12 Bronze, Dark Finish, Made in Germany (CC20DAR)

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.

What We Like
Excellent sound definition
Unique dark finish
Powerful and consistent sound
Designed for heavy styles
#TOP 10

20-Inch Paiste 101 Brass Ride Cymbal

Paiste
CY0000141620
Bronze
20-Inch Paiste 101 Brass Ride Cymbal Cover
Paiste 101 Brass Ride 20" - Ride Cymbal

The Paiste 101 Brass Ride offers a 20-inch diameter, making it an ideal choice for drummers seeking a versatile ride cymbal. This ride cymbal's size ensures that you achieve a pronounced sound, perfect for various musical styles. The brass material provides a warm tone that complements your overall sound. With its robust design, you can rely on the Paiste 101 Brass Ride for durability during intense performances, making it a great addition to your drum kit.

What We Like
Versatile for various music styles
Pronounced sound quality
Durable brass material
Great addition to drum kits
Buying Guide Image

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.

Editor's Notes

During our ride cymbal research, we found 93 ride cymbal products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 13,748 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 £230.00.

The ride cymbals are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of ride cymbals, including Meinl Cymbals, Zildjian, Meinl Percussion, Sabian, Paiste.

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.