Best Brass Ride Cymbals of 2025

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 10 Feb 2025

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Brass ride cymbals are a popular choice among drummers for their unique sound and versatility. Made from a brass alloy, these cymbals produce a bright and cutting tone that is perfect for a wide range of musical styles. They are often used as the primary ride cymbal in a drum kit, but can also be incorporated into various percussion setups. With a range of sizes and weights available, brass ride cymbals can be tailored to suit individual playing preferences and musical styles. Their durability and long-lasting tone make them a wise investment for any serious drummer.

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
Meinl HCS 18 Inch Crash-Ride Cymbal Cover #TOP 2
Meinl HCS 18 Inch Crash-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 7 Brass Ride Cymbals

#TOP 1

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

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 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
#TOP 4

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
#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 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 7

Sabian AA 20 Inch Medium Ride Cymbal

22012
Brass
Sabian AA 20 Inch Medium Ride Cymbal Cover
Sabian Cymbal AA 20 Inches Medium Ride

The Sabian AA Medium Ride is a highly versatile cymbal designed for modern players. It provides crisp stroke definition, ensuring that each note you play is clear and distinct. With its bright tones, it enhances your overall sound, making it perfect for various musical styles. The clean bell adds a sharp, defined sound, which is especially useful for cutting through mixes during performances. This cymbal offers a classic bright sound that will appeal to both beginners and seasoned musicians alike.

What We Like
Highly versatile model
Crisp stroke definition
Bright tones
Clean bell sound
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our brass ride cymbal research, we found 29 brass ride cymbal products and shortlisted 7 quality products. We collected and analyzed 16,216 customer reviews through our big data system to write the brass ride cymbals list. We found that most customers choose brass ride cymbals with an average price of £186.30.

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

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.