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If you are a drummer, you’ll already know the importance of hi-hats. While the average layperson may assume that a cymbal is just the loud metal disc that drummers abuse during drum solos, any musician understands that the hi-hat is the glue that holds the drum kit together, keeping time and stopping the band from falling apart. Quite simply, you can’t have a drum kit without quality cymbals - particularly hi-hats. But with so many popular brands on the market, it is difficult to know where to start. Luckily, we have come up with this list of the best hi hats in 2021. We've also put together a detailed buying guide to help you scour through this list in an informed manner. Keep reading to find out more!
The Paiste 15 Inch Hi-Hat Symbols possess an iconic wavy bottom. Interestingly, Paiste was the first company to use this technique. These cymbals create a fully rounded and warm sound, with more pronounced mid-tones and few high-tones. It has medium sustain allowing for a decent amount of control. The weight of the top cymbal is medium, and the lower cymbal is medium-heavy. Paiste 15 inch Hi-hat Symbols possess a blended balance allowing for versatility within the sounds you wish to create. Paiste makes these symbols from a CuSn8 Bronze. Always the innovators, they were the first to create hi-hat cymbals using an 8% bronze blend.
Zildjian NewBeat Hi-Hat Cymbals come in 12, 13, 14, and 15 inches. This cymbal contains a little mystery because it is cast from a secret formula crafted over 380 years ago! Apart from that particular gimmick, the Zildjian NewBeat Hi-Hat Cymbal produces a great solid chic sound. This sound is what you imagine a retro hi-hat from the 70s to sound like. Medium sustain allows you more control throughout your performance. The top cymbal is medium, and the bottom cymbal is heavy-weight. The balanced blend allows for a smooth session and sound.
Paiste 15 Inch 900 Series Heavy Hi-hat Cymbals are a set of both heavy-weighted top and bottom cymbals. The sustain is medium to long for dramatic and powerful performance. These are the cymbals for you if you like to play loud – they provide medium to loud volume. They create a bright, vibrant, energetic, and solid chic sound. They are made from Paiste’s favorite CuSn20 bronze material blend. Perfect for punks and rockers!
Sabian 14 Inch AAX Freq Hi-Hat Cymbals maintain their focus and crisp sound during even the most aggressive playing styles. With these cymbals, you can expect a gated attack and a cutting rhythm without overwhelming the sounds of your other percussion instruments. The top hat is medium, and the bottom hi hat cymbal is a bit heavy. The dual lathing process controls the resonance of your beat and creates a short sustain.
We have created this handy buying guide if you want to know more about what constitutes a pair of good-quality hi-hat cymbals or drum set hi hat. 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.
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.
There are a few things you need to consider when purchasing your next pair of hi-hats. These include:
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 drum set hi hat 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.
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.
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.
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.
While purchasing your drum set hi hat 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.
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.
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.
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.
A: Without a doubt, the three biggest cymbal companies are Meinl, Sabian, and Zildjian. While none of them are significantly better than each other, they are trusted by drummers throughout the industry thanks to their ingenuity, reliability, and gorgeous-sounding cymbals. If you are new to drumming, we suggest sticking to one of these brands.
A: Of course, you can. While the hi-hat is a common part of most modern drum kits, you can construct your own kit any way you like, particularly if you are experimenting with style and sound.