The Best Hi Hat Cymbals For Pros

We have created this handy buying guide if you want to know more about what constitutes a pair of good-quality hi-hat cymbals. Here we will be diving into a list of things you need to consider before buying hi-hat cymbals, as well as how much you should expect to pay. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions. Rest assured, you’ll be completely prepared to purchase by the end of this article.

What are Hi-Hat Cymbals?

Simply, a hi-hat is an essential combination of two cymbals and a foot pedal mounted on a stand. It is a standard part of most drum kits. The hi-hat is used by drummers of all styles, mostly rock, jazz, pop, and blues. 

Things to Consider When Buying Hi-Hat Cymbals

There are a few things you need to consider when purchasing your next pair of hi-hats. These include:

Genre

It is vitally important that your hi-hats fit the style of music you play often. This is the most important piece of advice we can give you. For example, if you are a metal or rock drummer, you may want to invest in heavy, bright hi-hats that lend themselves to heavy music. Conversely, hi-hats that are dark and thin lend themselves to jazz and blues. And if you enjoy playing some funky beats, you’ll want hi-hats that are both precise and clean, as you’ll spend a lot of the song grooving on them in particular.

Other hi-hats will mix a variety of these qualities, making them a versatile option for numerous styles of music. While many people would assume it makes sense to choose one of those hi-hats, you still have to consider how authentic you want your sound to be or how experimental you are willing to go.

Budget

We would recommend deciding on your budget well ahead of time. Companies often sell hi-hats in three categories: entry, mid-range, and high-tier. All ranges offer plenty of value for money. As you may expect, the sound quality generally increases along with the price.  Additionally, there are plenty of high-tier hi-hats that may cost a lot of money, but you still might end up hating the sound. Most of the time, your ideal hi-hat simply comes down to personal preference.

Brand

As much as I hate advocating brand loyalty, especially when so many companies make such fantastic-sounding equipment, some brand brands will often go that extra mile when designing cymbals. Some famous names in this regard are Zildjian, Paiste, Sabian, and Meinl. 

Insurance

If you are going to be gigging a lot with your hi-hat cymbals, it’s an excellent idea to invest in some insurance. So many things can happen when you’re on the road or at a music venue. There are many instances of bands having their gear stolen by opportunists or damaged by other musicians on the bill. If you take out some insurance, it’ll cover your significant investment and ensure you are not left without cymbals if faced with the worst-case scenario.

Customer reviews

While purchasing your hi-hat cymbals online, you may want to check out some customer reviews to ensure they are of sufficient quality. This is the best way to determine if the cymbals will suit your style of play and whether they will stand the rigors of continuous use. You should also leave your feedback and help future buyers who may be looking at the same item.

What Hi-Hat Size Should I Go For?

Basically, hi-hat size comes down to personal taste above anything else. That being said, many hi-hats are 14”, so if you’re a beginner, that is a great place to get a feel for your instrument. Hi-hats can be found in sizes from 13” to 16”. If you’re looking for something smaller, it is generally considered an effects cymbal (like a splash cymbal). This is because the sound would be too unique and wouldn’t lend itself to the constant grooving that you do on the hi-hat.

If you are looking for a higher pitch, we recommend choosing a pair of 13” hi-hat cymbals. These hi-hats usually work well in gospel, fusion, and funk music.

Alternatively, 15” or 16” hi-hats provide a much deeper sound with more sustain, which many people prefer when playing rock and jazz music.

Still unsure? We suggest sticking with the 14” hi-hats as a good all-rounder until you know exactly what you want.

How Much Do Hi-Hats Usually Cost?

Hi-hat cymbals vary in price depending on the brand, size, and a whole range of other factors. If you are on a tight budget, you can find hi-hat cymbals for under $100. However, it is not uncommon for hi-hat cymbals to rise well over $500. If you are serious about your sound, consider a high-quality hi-hat as a worthwhile investment.

How Do We Choose the Best Hi-hat Cymbals?

We understand that preference is subjective. However, we still feel like we know a decent hi-hat when we see one. During the research for our list of recommendations, we considered things like brand, brightness, value for money, materials, and customer reviews.