Choosing cymbals can be a daunting task, especially if you are purchasing from an online store without hearing them live. There are so many options! Which series do you pick and which ones can you afford??

If you are having trouble deciding what kind of cymbals to buy, or you don't have time to visit a store in person, I have broken down a list of my favorite lines from the top 4 cymbal companies based on the genre or style of music.

Zildjian K Custom Dark Cymbal Set

Sound: Dark, warm, and musical
Includes: 14" hi-hats, 16" & 18" crashes, 20" ride
Best for: Jazz, fusion, studio work
Why it’s popular: These cymbals blend beautifully into mixes and respond well to dynamic playing. They’re a favorite among pros for their rich tone and studio-friendly character.

Zildjian A Custom Cymbal Set

Sound: Bright, crisp, and refined
Includes: 14" hi-hats, 16" & 18" crashes, 20" ride
Best for: Rock, pop, metal
Why it’s popular: Cast from B20 bronze, these cymbals deliver a classic Zildjian shimmer with modern clarity. Ideal for cutting through loud mixes.

Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Cymbal Set

Sound: Earthy, dry, and raw
Includes: 14" hi-hats, 16" & 18" crashes, 21" ride
Best for: Funk, hip-hop, modern fusion
Why it’s popular: These unlathed cymbals offer minimal sustain and tons of character, perfect for tight, groove-heavy playing.

Zildjian S Series Performer Cymbal Set

Sound: Bright and shimmering
Includes: 14" hi-hats, 16" & 18" crashes, 20" ride
Best for: Intermediate players, budget-conscious setups
Why it’s popular: Made from B12 bronze, this set offers great tone and durability at a more accessible price point.

Top 5 Zildjian artists

Paiste Signature Classic Cymbal Set

Sound: Brilliant, balanced, and studio-ready
Includes: 14" Dark Crisp hi-hats, 16" Fast Crash, 18" & 20" Full Crashes, 22" Full Ride
Best for: Rock, pop, fusion
Why it’s popular: This premium set delivers shimmering highs and articulate stick response. The ride is bold and clear, while the crashes offer explosive power with musical sustain.

Paiste 2002 Cymbal Set

Sound: Bright, powerful, and cutting
Includes: 14" Sound Edge hi-hats, 18" & 20" crashes, 22" ride
Best for: Rock, metal, punk
Why it’s popular: A legendary series made famous by John Bonham and Stewart Copeland. These cymbals are loud, durable, and designed to punch through dense mixes.

Paiste Signature Dark Energy Hi-Hats (14")

Sound: Meaty “chick” with dark, complex overtones
Best for: Jazz, funk, classic rock
Why it’s popular: These hi-hats blend warmth with precision, offering versatility and a rich tonal palette for expressive playing.

Paiste Masters Thin Cymbal Set

Sound: Dark, dry, and musical
Includes: 15" hi-hats, thin crashes, expressive ride
Best for: Jazz, acoustic, ambient
Why it’s popular: These handcrafted cymbals offer subtlety and nuance, perfect for dynamic control and tonal sophistication.

Top 5 Paiste artists

Meinl Mike Johnston Byzance Set

Sound: Dry, earthy, and musical
Includes: 14" Extra Dry hi-hats, 18" & 20" Extra Thin crashes, 21" Transition ride
Best for: Studio work, fusion, indie, funk
Why it’s popular: Designed with educator Mike Johnston, this set delivers short sustain and complex tones. The Transition ride is especially versatile, balancing stick definition with wash.

Meinl Byzance Dual Crash

Style: Dual
Sound: Trashy, warm, and explosive
Popular Sizes: 18", 20"
Why it sells: Hand-lathed and hammered for a raw look and sound. It’s perfect for powerful accents and genre-blending setups.

Meinl Byzance Extra Dry Medium Thin Hi-Hats

Style: Extra Dry
Sound: Fat “chick,” dry wash, complex overtones
Popular Sizes: 16", 14"
Why it sells: These hi-hats offer deep tone and short sustain, ideal for groove-heavy playing in jazz, funk, and fusion.

Meinl Byzance Dual Splash

Style: Dual
Sound: Dark, quick, and trashy
Popular Sizes: 10"
Why it sells: Compact and punchy, this splash adds texture and drama to fills and breakdowns.

Meinl Byzance Custom-Tailored Studio Set

Style: Mixed (Traditional, Jazz, Trash, Dark Raw Bell)
Sound: Buttery, nuanced, and studio-optimized
Popular Sizes:
- 14" Traditional Medium hi-hats
- 16" Trash crash
- 18" & 20" Jazz crashes
- 22" Dark Raw Bell ride
Why it sells: Curated for studio work, this set blends traditional warmth with modern trashiness for a rich, layered sound.

Top 5 Meinl artists

HHX Series

Sound: Dark, modern, and complex
Popular Sizes:
- 14" HHX Evolution hi-hats
- 16", 18" HHX X-Plosion crashes
- 20" HHX Evolution ride
Why it sells: Crafted from B20 bronze, HHX cymbals are hand-hammered for rich tone and dynamic response. The Evolution line (co-designed with Dave Weckl) is especially popular for its buttery feel and studio-ready sound.

AAX Series

Sound: Bright, cutting, and contemporary
Popular Sizes:
- 14" AAX Medium hi-hats
- 16", 18" AAX X-Plosion crashes
- 21" AAX ride
Why it sells: These B20 bronze cymbals are precision-lathed for consistency and projection. Ideal for rock, pop, and metal, they offer crisp articulation and explosive accents.

XSR Series

Sound: Balanced, versatile, and affordable
Popular Sizes:
- 14" XSR hi-hats
- 16", 18" Fast crashes
- 20" ride
- Bonus: 10" splash in some packs
Why it sells: Made from B20 bronze like Sabian’s pro lines, XSR cymbals offer great tone at a mid-range price. They’re perfect for intermediate players or gigging drummers on a budget.

B8X Series

Sound: Bright, focused, and beginner-friendly
Popular Sizes:
- 14" hi-hats
- 16", 18" crashes
- 20" ride
Why it sells: Made from B8 bronze, these cymbals are durable and affordable. Their clean attack and consistent tone make them ideal for students and practice kits.

Artisan Series

Sound: Vintage, dark, and expressive
Popular Sizes:
- 14" Artisan hi-hats
- 18", 20" crashes
- 22" ride
Why it sells: These hand-hammered cymbals are Sabian’s most refined offering, built for jazz, orchestral, and expressive solo work. They deliver unmatched nuance and musicality.

Top 5 Sabian artists