Best Brass Ride Cymbals of 2026

Hayden Bryant Avatar
Hayden Bryant
Last Updated: 12 Feb 2026

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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
Zildjian Planet Z 20 Inch Ride Cymbal Cover #TOP 3
Zildjian Planet Z 20 Inch Ride Cymbal
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 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

Zildjian Planet Z 20 Inch Ride Cymbal

ZIL ZP20R
New 2020
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 4

TIGER CYM21-BR 20” Medium Ride Cymbal

CYM21-BR
Brass
20-inch
TIGER CYM21-BR 20” Medium Ride Cymbal Cover
TIGER CYM21-BR 20” Medium Ride Cymbal - Ideal Add-On for Starter Drum kits

Features
Medium Thin Ride Produces High To Medium Overtones With A Medium Sustain.
Most Starter Kit Do Not Come With A 20” Ride Making This The Most Logical Upgrade To Any Beginners Cymbals.
Perfect For All Genres Of Music – Rock, Jazz, Fusion, Funk.
Ideal Kit For Schools, Drum Lessons And Home Practice.
Great To Replace The Cymbals On Your Starter Drum Kit Or To Add More Flexibility To Your Drumming.
#TOP 5

Zildjian Planet Z Series 18" Crash Ride Cymbal

Zildjian ZP18CR
New 2020
Zildjian Planet Z Series 18" Crash Ride Cymbal Cover
Zildjian ZP18CR Planet Z Series - Ride Cymbal - 18"

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.

What We Like
Bright, cutting tones
Made in the USA
Great for beginners
Versatile crash and ride
Affordable entry-level quality
#TOP 6

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 7

Gear4music Ride Cymbal 20 Inch

194610
20 inch
Gear4music Ride Cymbal 20 Inch Cover
Gear4music Ride Cymbal 20 Inch – Medium Weight CZ2

Features
Bright And Dynamic Sound
20 Inch Ride Cymbal By Gear4music
Medium Weight Brass Ride
Even Sustain
#TOP 8

PAISTE 101 20 Inch Ride Cymbal Drum Cymbals Brass

Paiste
PAISTE 101 20 Inch Ride Cymbal Drum Cymbals Brass Cover
PAISTE 101 20 Inch Ride Cymbal Drum Cymbals Brass

TIGER CYM14-BR 16” Crash Cymbal for Beginners

CYM14-BR
Brass
16-inch
TIGER CYM14-BR 16” Crash Cymbal for Beginners Cover
TIGER CYM14-BR 16” Beginners Crash Cymbal - Ideal Add-On for Starter Drum Kits

The TIGER CYM14-BR Crash Cymbal is an excellent choice for beginner drummers. Its 16-inch size is popular among learners, making it a perfect add-on to your starter drum kit. The thin design produces a high-pitched sound with a short sustain, allowing you to create dynamic rhythms effortlessly. Whether you're playing rock, jazz, fusion, or funk, this cymbal offers great versatility for all musical styles. It’s particularly beneficial for schools, drum lessons, and home practice, giving you the flexibility to improve your skills.

What We Like
Popular size for beginners
High-pitched sound quality
Versatile for all music genres
Ideal for practice and lessons
#TOP 10

Meinl Classics Custom Extreme Metal Ride Cymbal

CC18EMBBR-B
Brilliant Finish
18 inch
Meinl Classics Custom Extreme Metal Ride Cymbal Cover
Meinl Cymbals Classics Custom Extreme Metal Big Bell Ride Cymbal 18 inch (Video) for Drum Set (45,72cm) B12 Bronze, Brilliant Finish, Made in Germany (CC18EMBBR-B)

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.

What We Like
Powerful, in-your-face sound
Stunning, mirror-like finish
Great for intense drumming
Durable, long-lasting quality
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our brass ride cymbal research, we found 34 brass ride cymbal products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 20,670 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 £178.61.

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 Percussion, Zildjian, Tiger, Sabian, gear4music.

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.