Best Splash Cymbals of 2026
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If you're looking to add a touch of colour and character to your drum kit, then splash cymbals are the perfect addition. These small, thin cymbals are designed to produce a quick, bright sound that can be used to accentuate fills and add texture to your playing. Available in a range of sizes and finishes, from the classic bright and shimmering to the dark and trashy, splash cymbals are a versatile addition to any drummer's arsenal. Whether you're playing jazz, rock, or anything in between, splash cymbals are sure to add a new dimension to your sound.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
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Top 10 Splash Cymbals
Meinl HCS 8-Inch Splash Cymbal for Beginners
The Meinl HCS Splash Cymbal is ideal for those seeking short bursts of sound. Its bright response and quick sustain make it perfect for accents in your drumming. Designed with beginners in mind, this cymbal is crafted from durable brass alloy, ensuring it withstands the wear and tear of practice. Made in Germany using green energy, it reflects an eco-conscious choice. With a diverse range of sounds available, you'll find the perfect fit for your musical style.
Meinl Classics Custom Dark Splash Cymbal 8 inch
The Meinl Dark Splash Cymbal is an excellent choice for drummers seeking a unique dark sound with a powerful attack. Its specially crafted dark finish, combined with extra hammering, delivers rich, shadowy tones and impressive volume. You will appreciate the explosive performance it offers, especially in louder settings, making it ideal for rock and metal music. Made from B12 bronze alloy, this cymbal ensures a uniform sound that cuts through dense mixes, enhancing your overall drumming experience.
Zildjian I Family 10" Splash Cymbal
The Zildjian 10" Splash Cymbal is inspired by the Turkish word for inspiration, Ilham. Crafted from B8 alloy, which consists of 92% copper and 8% tin, this cymbal offers a unique sound quality. Its thinner weight provides a washier and more emotive sound, making it ideal for adding texture to your music. You can also explore alternative sound options, such as trash crashes and mastersound hi-hats, allowing you to diversify your drumming style and creativity.
Meinl Classics Custom 8-Inch Splash Cymbal
The Meinl Splash Cymbal is a fantastic choice for drummers seeking a powerful sound. Its brilliant finish and fully lathed design enhance its shimmering cut, ensuring you stand out during performances. With a heavier rock splash, it delivers a cutting attack that is perfect for energetic styles like rock and metal. Made from B12 bronze alloy, this cymbal provides a uniform sound, ideal for those who play with intensity and require a cymbal that can easily penetrate dense mixes.
Meinl Classics Custom 12-inch Trash Splash Cymbal
The Meinl Trash Splash Cymbal is an incredibly versatile addition to your drum kit. Its unique hole cut outs help dry out the sound, making it perfect for use in cymbal stack configurations. The brilliant finish and fully lathed surfaces provide a shimmering sound that cuts through mixes effortlessly, ideal for energetic playing. Made from B12 bronze alloy, this cymbal delivers a powerful, uniform tone that works well for louder dynamics, ensuring you stand out in rock or metal performances.
Meinl Cymbals Classics Custom Dark Splash 10 inch
The Meinl Classics Custom Splash Cymbal is an excellent choice for those seeking a dark, heavier sound with minimal high-pitched overtones. Its unique dark finish and extra hammering create a rich complexity, enhancing the character of your drumming. Designed for power players, this cymbal delivers an explosive sound that excels at loud dynamics, perfect for rock and metal styles. Made from B12 bronze alloy, it ensures a uniform sound that effortlessly cuts through dense mixes, making your performance stand out.
Meinl HCS 12 Inch Splash Cymbal
The Meinl HCS Splash Cymbal is perfect for creating short bursts of sound, providing an immediate, bright response with a quick sustain. This makes it an excellent choice for accenting your drumming. Designed specifically for beginners and students, it features a durable brass alloy that holds up well against drumsticks. Additionally, the cymbal is made in Germany using green energy, reflecting a commitment to sustainability. With a full range of sound options typically found in professional setups, you can easily explore various musical styles.
Zildjian A Custom Series 10 Inch Splash Cymbal
The Zildjian A Custom Splash offers a brilliant finish on its 10-inch handmade cymbal, ensuring a visually striking addition to your drum kit. It delivers a bright sound with short sustain, perfect for adding sharp accents without lingering noise. The fast, colourful crash sound allows you to inject energy and excitement into your music quickly. Additionally, its very musical tone means it blends well with various styles, providing you with versatility and a pleasing sound every time you play.
SABIAN 8” B8X Splash Cymbal with Bright Tone
The SABIAN B8X Splash Cymbal is designed to deliver an extremely fast and bright sound, perfect for adding punchy accents to your music. With its focused style, you will enjoy a bright tone that cuts through other instruments, making it ideal for live performances. The B8 alloy construction ensures durability while maintaining a lightweight feel, allowing for quick response and easy playability. This cymbal is especially useful for drummers looking to enhance their sound with sharp, clear accents.
Zildjian A Custom 8 Inch Splash Cymbal
The Zildjian 8 Inch Splash offers a brilliant finish and is hand-made for superior quality. You will appreciate its bright sound with a short sustain, which makes it perfect for quick accents in your drumming. The cymbal produces a fast, colourful crash sound that adds vibrancy to your performances. Additionally, its very musical nature ensures that it blends well with other instruments, enhancing your overall sound. This splash cymbal is designed to elevate your drumming experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between a splash and crash cymbal?
Most splash cymbals are in the size range of 6" to 13", but some splash cymbals are as small as 4". Some makers have produced cymbals described as splash up to 22", but a splash of 14" or more is more often described as a crash cymbal.
2. What is the best size splash cymbal?
What splash size should I get? The bigger the splash, the longer the sustain of the cymbal. The smaller the splash, the shorter the sustain. So, a 12” splash cymbal is going to ring for a lot longer than an 8” splash cymbal.
3. Where do you put splash cymbals?
I like to mount my splash cymbals close to my hi hat or in a place that facilitates movement around the drum set. Out of the way of larger cymbals and drums is a good start, yet other considerations like microphone placement or the added weight when hauling gear are also important.
During our splash cymbal research, we found 96 splash cymbal products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 8,667 customer reviews through our big data system to write the splash cymbals list. We found that most customers choose splash cymbals with an average price of £97.90.
The splash cymbals are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of splash cymbals, including Meinl Cymbals, Zildjian, Sabian.
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.