Best Hi Hat Cymbals (2026): 5 Picks Compared
Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying through the Amazon links on this page costs you nothing extra. Full disclosure
The Meinl 14 inch HCS hi-hat pair leads this list for players replacing stock cymbals, with a 14 inch top and bottom pair in MS63 brass and a 2-year warranty. If you want a bronze pair with a traditional wide groove, the Zildjian New Beat pair is the runner-up.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Beginners replacing the cymbals that came with an entry-level kit: Meinl 14” Hihat See pick 1More picks: Best Cymbals for Beginners
- Players who want a bronze pair with a traditional wide groove: Zildjian A0133 14" A New Beat Hi-Hats See pick 2
- Beginners who want a 14 inch pair for practice: Arborea Hi Hat Cymbals Hero Brilliant Finish See pick 3More picks: Best Beginner Cymbal Pack
- Players taking a first step into cymbals with brass: SABIAN 14" SBR Hi-Hat Cymbals See pick 4
- Players who want a 13 inch hi-hat pair: Avedis Zildjian Company 13 inch I Series See pick 5
Want the full range? Best Cymbals ranks the top cymbals for every buyer, or browse all 22 guides.
The 5 picks, ranked
1Best Overall
It earns Best Overall as a 14 inch brass pair with a crisp closed sound and a 2-year warranty.
Who it suits
- Beginners replacing the cymbals that came with an entry-level kit
- Players who want a 14 inch pair in MS63 brass
Skip it if
- You want a 13 inch pair instead of 14 inches
- You want a bronze pair instead of brass
The pair is a 14 inch top cymbal and a 14 inch bottom cymbal in traditional finish brass, made in Germany. It gives a crisp chick when closed and a smooth sizzle when open. It carries a 2-year warranty.
2Runner-Up
Zildjian A0133 14" A New Beat Hi-Hats
- Cymbal pack
- Size: 14 in
- Alloy: Bronze
- 1-year warranty stated
It holds Runner-Up with a 14 inch bronze pair, symmetrically hammered and lathed with a traditional wide groove.
Who it suits
- Players who want a bronze pair with a traditional wide groove
- Drummers who want crisp chick articulation and tight groove control
Skip it if
- You want a 13 inch pair instead of 14 inches
- You want a brass pair instead of bronze
The pair is a 14 inch top and bottom set in bronze, symmetrically hammered and lathed with a traditional wide groove. It gives an all-purpose combination of stick and chick sound with a bright, expressive character. It carries a one year warranty.
3Also Great
Arborea Hi Hat Cymbals Hero Brilliant Finish
- Cymbal pack not stated in the listing
- Size: 14 in
It holds Also Great as a 14 inch alloy pair with a copper-plated brilliant finish and a bright sound.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a 14 inch pair for practice
- Players who want a copper-plated alloy pair with a bright sound
Skip it if
- You want a 13 inch pair instead of 14 inches
- You want a brass pair instead of alloy
The 14 inch hi-hats use a thickened alloy material with a copper-plated surface and a car pattern finish. The special process treatment resists bending and stands up to repeated beating. The pair suits use in various scenarios.
4Also Great
SABIAN 14" SBR Hi-Hat Cymbals
- Cymbal pack not stated in the listing
- Alloy: Brass
- One-year warranty stated
It holds Also Great as a 14 inch brass pair with tight, clean sounds when closed.
Who it suits
- Players taking a first step into cymbals with brass
- Players who want tight, clean sounds when closed
Skip it if
- You want a 13 inch pair instead of 14 inches
- You want a bronze pair instead of brass
The pair is a 14 inch SBr brass hi-hat set with a metal finish in gold and black. It gives tight, clean sounds when closed. It is protected by a Sabian one-year warranty.
5Also Great
Avedis Zildjian Company 13 inch I Series
- Cymbal pack not stated in the listing
- Size: 13 in
- Alloy: B8
- 2-year warranty stated
It holds Also Great as a 13 inch B8 bronze pair in a traditional finish.
Who it suits
- Players who want a 13 inch hi-hat pair
- Drummers who want a B8 bronze pair in traditional finish
Skip it if
- You want a 14 inch pair instead of 13 inches
- You want a brass pair instead of B8 bronze
The pair is a 13 inch hi-hat set made from B8 bronze in a traditional finish. The set comes as a pair with a gold color and a copper finish. It carries a 2 year manufacturer warranty.
Side by side
| Product | Cymbal pack | Size | Alloy | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meinl 14” Hihat | Yes | Not stated | Brass | Not stated | 2-year |
| Zildjian A0133 14" A New Beat Hi-Hats | Yes | 14 in | Bronze | Not stated | 1-year |
| Arborea Hi Hat Cymbals Hero Brilliant Finish | Not stated | 14 in | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| SABIAN 14" SBR Hi-Hat Cymbals | Not stated | Not stated | Brass | Not stated | one-year |
| Avedis Zildjian Company 13 inch I Series | Not stated | 13 in | B8 | Not stated | 2-year |
How we ranked these cymbals
Every pick has at least 100 customer ratings on Amazon and a listing with real specifications. The order mixes two things: how each model compares on the specs below (higher share of the best value in this group scores more), and how widely it is bought. The spec score runs from 9.0 to 9.8 and only compares these picks with each other. A spec the listing does not state is left out and the other specs are re-weighted; a listing with fewer than 2 stated specs is scored at half. We do not test gear in person. Full method.
- Cymbal pack weight 1
Buying advice: hi hat cymbals
Match the size to your kit
Hi-hat pairs in this guide come in 14 inch and 13 inch sizes. The Zildjian I Series pair is 13 inch, and the Meinl, Zildjian New Beat, Arborea and Sabian pairs are 14 inch. Size sets the diameter of the top and bottom cymbals, so match it to the pair you are replacing and to the stand you plan to use.
Compare alloys before you choose
This guide covers brass, bronze, B8 bronze and alloy pairs. The Meinl and Sabian pairs are brass, the Zildjian New Beat pair is bronze, the Zildjian I Series pair is B8 bronze, and the Arborea pair is alloy. Alloy is the material of the cymbal, and the finish sits on top of it, so read the material row and the finish row together before you decide.
Check the warranty and the finish
Warranty terms differ across this guide. The Meinl pair carries a 2-year warranty, the Zildjian New Beat pair carries a one year warranty, the Sabian pair carries a one-year warranty, and the Zildjian I Series pair carries a 2 year warranty. Finish also differs: the Meinl pair has a traditional finish, the Arborea pair has a brilliant finish with a copper-plated surface, and the Zildjian I Series pair has a copper finish. Compare the warranty row and the finish row before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
What size hi-hat cymbals should I buy?
Pairs in this guide are 14 inch, except the Zildjian I Series pair, which is 13 inch. Pick 14 inch unless you want the 13 inch pair.
Are brass or bronze hi-hats better for beginners?
The Meinl pair covers Beginner/Intermediate use, and the Arborea pair is aimed at beginners. Brass and bronze both appear in this guide, so pick by size and finish rather than by alloy alone.
Do hi-hat cymbals come as a pair?
Yes. Hi-hat cymbals are bought as a top cymbal and a bottom cymbal that work together on a stand. The Meinl pair is a 14 inch top cymbal and a 14 inch bottom cymbal.
What does a traditional wide groove mean?
It describes the lathe pattern on the Zildjian New Beat pair, which is symmetrically hammered and lathed with a traditional wide groove. The groove pattern is part of how that pair is made, not a separate part you buy.
Gear that goes with it
Best Snare Drum for MetalTop pick: Gibraltar Deluxe Classic Snare Drum Throw Off
Best Drum SticksTop pick: OIETON 5A Drum Sticks Bulk 12 Pairs
Best Bass Drum PedalTop pick: Foraineam Drum Kit Pedals Heavy Duty SingleMore cymbals guides
Specifications and availability come from each Amazon listing on Oct 24, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.