Best Small Crash Cymbal (2026): 5 Picks Compared
Updated Oct 30, 2026 · By 
Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank
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For a small crash cymbal, the Arborea Brilliant Finish 14 inch Crash leads this list: it is a 14 inch stainless steel crash with a brilliant finish and a brighter sound for a drum set. The Zildjian 14 inch I Series is the runner-up, crafted from B8 alloy with thinner weights.
The picks at a glance
Which one should you buy?
- Beginners who want a 14 inch crash for a drum set: Arborea Brilliant Finish 14" Crash Cymbal Bright See pick 1More picks: Best Cymbals for Beginners
- Players who want a B8 alloy crash cymbal: Avedis Zildjian Company 14 inch I Series See pick 2
- Beginners who want a German-made brass crash: Meinl Cymbals Crash Cymbal for Drums See pick 3More picks: Best Beginner Cymbal Pack
- Players who want a brass crash for jazz drums: Foraineam 14-Inch Crash Cymbal See pick 4
- Drummers who need a fast accent for quick crashes: SABIAN 14" B8X Thin Crash Cymbal 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 stainless steel crash with a brilliant finish and car patterns on the surface.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a 14 inch crash for a drum set
- Players who want a brilliant finish crash cymbal
Skip it if
- You want a crash larger than 14 inches
- You play softly and need a crash that answers light hits
It is a 14 inch crash made of stainless steel, with car patterns on the surface and a polished finish. The thickened steel can withstand stronger knocks, and the surface polishing gives a brighter sound. It is designed for beginners and new players starting out with drums, and it enriches a drum set.
2Runner-Up
Avedis Zildjian Company 14 inch I Series
- Size: 14 in
- Alloy: B8
- 2-year warranty stated
It pairs a 14 inch B8 alloy crash with thinner weights and a 2-year warranty.
Who it suits
- Players who want a B8 alloy crash cymbal
- Drummers who want thinner weights on a crash
Skip it if
- You want a crash larger than 14 inches
- You want a brass alloy crash cymbal
It is a 14 inch crash crafted from B8 alloy, with thinner weights that give washier sounds. The name comes from Ilham, the Turkish word for inspiration. It carries a 2-year warranty.
3Also Great
Meinl Cymbals Crash Cymbal for Drums
- Alloy: Brass
- 2-year warranty stated
It is a 14 inch crash in durable brass alloy, made in Germany with a bright and musical sound.
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a German-made brass crash
- Players who want punchy accents from a crash
Skip it if
- You want a crash larger than 14 inches
- You want a B8 alloy crash cymbal
It is a 14 inch crash in durable brass alloy, made in Germany, with precision lathe grooves and hammer marks. The bright hit has controlled sustain and adds punchy accents, and it pairs with other HCS crash sizes. It carries a 2-year warranty and is built by the same team behind Meinl's other cymbals.
4Also Great
It is a 14 inch brass crash made for jazz drums, with a bright crash sound.
Who it suits
- Players who want a brass crash for jazz drums
- Drummers who want one crash for many applications
Skip it if
- You want a crash larger than 14 inches
- You want a B8 alloy crash cymbal
It is a 14 inch crash cymbal made of brass, with a bright crash sound. It is an all-purpose size for many musical applications, and it is made for jazz drums.
5Also Great
SABIAN 14" B8X Thin Crash Cymbal
- Size: 14 in
- Alloy: Bronze
- 2-year warranty stated
It is a 14 inch thin crash in the B8X line, with tight, bright sounds and a 2-year warranty.
Who it suits
- Drummers who need a fast accent for quick crashes
- New players who want an introduction to bronze cymbals
Skip it if
- You want a crash larger than 14 inches
- You want a brass alloy crash cymbal
It is a 14 inch B8X thin crash, a fast, punchy crash that cuts. SABIAN B8X models deliver tight, bright sounds, and this crash is an introduction to bronze cymbals. It is protected by a two-year warranty.
Side by side
| Product | Cymbal pack | Size | Alloy | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arborea Brilliant Finish 14" Crash Cymbal Bright | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Avedis Zildjian Company 14 inch I Series | Not stated | 14 in | B8 | Not stated | 2-year |
| Meinl Cymbals Crash Cymbal for Drums | Not stated | Not stated | Brass | Not stated | 2-year |
| Foraineam 14-Inch Crash Cymbal | Not stated | 14 in | Brass | Not stated | Not stated |
| SABIAN 14" B8X Thin Crash Cymbal | Not stated | 14 in | Bronze | Not stated | 2-year |
How we ranked these cymbals
Every pick ranks in Amazon's best-seller list for its category and has 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: small crash cymbal
Size and alloy first
Every crash here measures 14 inches, so size does not separate them. Alloy does: the Zildjian is B8 alloy, the Meinl and Foraineam are brass, the Sabian is bronze, and the Arborea is stainless steel. Alloy shapes the sound each crash gives, from the washier sounds of thinner B8 weights to the bright hit of brass. Compare alloy first, then check whether the crash weight and finish match the sound you want.
Thin versus thick crashes
Weight changes how a crash responds. The Zildjian uses thinner weights for washier sounds, the Sabian is a thin crash, and the Arborea uses thickened stainless steel that withstands stronger knocks. A thin crash gives a fast, punchy hit that cuts, while a thicker crash stands up to harder playing. If you play with a heavy hand, the thickened steel suits you; if you want a fast accent, a thin crash suits you.
Warranty terms to check
The Zildjian, Meinl, and Sabian crashes carry a 2-year warranty, so warranty terms are one way to compare them. A warranty covers the cymbal under the maker's terms, and the length of cover matters when a cymbal is played every day. Before buying, compare the warranty length across the picks and keep the purchase record with the cymbal.
Frequently asked questions
What size are these crash cymbals?
Each one measures 14 inches. The Arborea, Zildjian, Meinl, Foraineam, and Sabian crashes are all 14 inch models.
Which alloys do these crash cymbals use?
The Zildjian uses B8 alloy, the Meinl and Foraineam use brass, the Sabian uses bronze, and the Arborea uses stainless steel.
Do these crash cymbals carry a warranty?
The Zildjian, Meinl, and Sabian crashes carry a 2-year warranty.
Why choose a 14 inch crash cymbal?
A 14 inch crash is the size of every pick here, and it adds punchy accents to a drum set. The Meinl adds punchy accents, and the Sabian is a fast, punchy crash that cuts.
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 30, 2026 and can change. Check the listing before you buy.