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Last updated: 14 Feb 2022

Enhance Your Sound With The Best Hi-Hat Stands

Best Adjustable
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DW DWCP5500TD
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Best Portable
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Tama HH205
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Best Uni-body
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DW DWCP5500D
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Most Easily Set-up
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PDP PDHH812
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By Derek Sautter
Published 8:15 pm

The hi-hat is a very important part of any drum set. It takes a lot of hits from your drumsticks, and as such, it is important that you keep your hi-hat in as good a shape as possible at any given time. A good quality hi-hat stand is integral to this. With the best hi-hat stands, you have a stable platform to work, a platform that places your hi-hat in a convenient location for you and is sturdy enough to last. Now, choosing a particular hi-hat from the many available on the market today could be a difficult task, with so many models boasting various features available. To help you decide which of these models is best for you, we are providing a list of the best hi-hat stands in 2021 along with those features that make them above the competition.

What is the Best Hi-Hat Stand of 2021?

1

DW DWCP5500TD

– Best Adjustable
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THE SCOOP

The DW DWCP5500TD Heavy Duty hi-hat stand is a double-braced 2-leg hi-hat stand with DW’s heavy-duty tubing for durability. It has a patented folding spring release footboard for mechanical reliability, a design that releases all the tension on the spring and compactly locks the footboard in place for transport. The unit’s lateral seat adjustment feature lets you adjust the bottom cymbal angle,, even while playing. It has integrated memory locks on all tube joints, a locking clutch, and swiveling legs for easily positioning bass drum pedals and other stands around the hi-hat. Its tallest playing height is 42 inches, and its lowest playing height is 28 inches. The product weighs 11.7 pounds. It is a 2-legged hi-hat stand.

Pros
  • It is durable, sturdy, adjustable, and easy to position
  • The tallest playing high on this hi-hat stand is around 42 inches
  • It has swiveling legs
Cons
  • It is not suited to flat-footed players
2

Tama HH205

– Best Portable
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THE SCOOP

The Tama HH205 Iron Cobra hi-hat stand gives you a traditional pull action feel, snappy response, and performance-ready stability, at a decent price. Its double-braced legs are very stable while keeping the unit light ensuring that they fold up neatly for easy transportation. 5-way tension adjustment allows you to get the precise feel and response you demand, and its swivel foot lets you set up the hi-hat stand very easily, anywhere you need it. It is a 3-legged hi-hat stand.

Pros
  • It is sturdy, solid and flexible
  • It is easy to assemble and adjust
  • It is easy to pack up and transport from place to place
Cons
  • Some buyers reported having trouble with assembling the unit
3

DW DWCP5500D

– Best Uni-body
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THE SCOOP

The DW DWCP5500D Delta II Series hi-hat stand features hinged memory locks at tube joints, swivel legs, and a locking clutch. Unlike most stands that fold, the DW5500 has a patented uni-body folding footboard that keeps the footboard attached to the stand during storage and transportation. The patented Lateral Cymbal Seat allows you to adjust the angle of the bottom hi-hat cymbal, even while playing. It is a 3-legged hi-hat stand.

Pros
  • It is easily adjustable
  • This hi-hat stand has features like hinged memory locks, swivel legs, a locking clutch, and the patented lateral cymbal seat
Cons
  • Not well suited to use with multiple pedals
4

PDP PDHH812

– Most Easily Set-up
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The PDP PDHH812 800 Series Medium Weight hi-hat stand is dependable and very easy to set up. It has 2 double-braced legs that work very well with double bass pedal setups. It has a needle-bearing hinge and stout chain drive for impressive responsiveness and feels. It has composite memory locks for easily repeatable height setups and the quick-release hi-hat clutch makes it easier to set up and tear down the unit. This hi-hat stand is durable and sturdy.

Pros
  • The double-braced legs setup works well with double bass pedal setups
  • It is durable, sturdy, and very easy to set up
Cons
  • It is not as stable as the 3-leg models
5

Pearl H-930

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The Pearl H-930 Double Braced stand is designed to withstand serious punishment. It features a direct-pull chain drive, a standard clutch, and extra-large non-slip rubber feet for added stability. The unit also has die-cast pipe joints with memory stop locks for memory positioning and SureStruts to prevent lateral wobble and squeaks.

It’s an excellent trident design tripod stand with swivel function and no-rattle tubes!

Pros
  • It is capable of taking serious punishment
  • Its extra-large non-slip rubber feet make it extra stable
  • It is easy to set up and use
Cons
  • In our opinion, more should have been done to prevent squeaks but it’s still totally worth it
6

Gibraltar 9707XB

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The Gibraltar 9707XB X-Hat hi-hat mount attaches to an existing hi-hat stand via the multi-angle clamp that is included in the package. This unit lets you mount aux hats to your cocktail kit or traditional drum sets. It has a 12.7mm knurled boom arm that stays solid even at full extension and works with a gearless brake-style adjuster (with a key lock) to give players freedom of positioning around the kit. It features a clutch and spring mechanism for locking in tightness settings.

Pros
  • It lets you mount aux hats on traditional drum sets
  • It has a set-up that gives players freedom of positioning around the kit
  • It is easy to set up and adjust
Cons
  • It can only be used with another stand, it can’t stand on its own
7

Yamaha HHS-3 Lightweight

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THE SCOOP

The Yamaha HHS-3 Crosstown Advanced Lightweight hi-hat stand is lightweight and ultra-portable. It is made from durable aluminum. It features standard tubing that pairs with other Yamaha System Hardware and is 25%–34% than similar hardware, making setups and tear-downs easier. The unit is fingerprint, scuff and oxidation resistant. It is equipped with non-slip rubber feet that eliminates shift during play.

Pros
  • It is made from durable material
  • It is lightweight, ultra-portable, and a breeze to set up
Cons
  • They don’t work well with multi-pedal setups

Best Hi-Hat Stands Buying Guide

The hi-hat is an integral part of any drum kit and choosing a good quality stand is important if you're planning to transfer that inspiration into flawless tracks! They provide a stable platform for you to play on and also play a crucial role in extracting the best sonic performance from your hi-hat. The best hi-hat stands give you more control over the pressure and sound of your cymbals. They are easily adjustable, easy to set up, pack up, and ensure a seamless playing experience!

What Is A Hi Hat Stand?

As the name suggests, a hi-hat stand is a stand, typically made of metal, that a hi-hat is mounted on. A hi-hat comprises a pair of cymbals and a pedal, with all these mounted on a stand, the hi-hat stand consisting of a mating metal tube and rod supported by a tripod (for 3-legged models, 2 legged models also exist). The 2 cymbals face each other, usually, the bottom cymbal is fixed, it sits atop the tube, it is typically fitted with an adjustment screw. The mobile top cymbal is mounted on a rod that moves it towards the stationary bottom one when the pedal is depressed, closing the hi-hat. To play notes on the hi-hat, you can close it by pressing on the pedals or striking the cymbals when they are open or closed.

What Factors Should I Consider Before Choosing A Hi-Hat Stand?

Hi-Hats come in many different models and configurations, with each offering a unique set of features. Because of these differences in offered features, one cannot just walk into a store and pick up the first hi-hat stand you happen upon. It is more complicated than that. There are certain features for you to consider before you decide what hi-hat stand works best for you because there is a model that works best for you. To help you identify this near-perfect fit, we have put together this buying guide aside to help you better zero in on a hi-hat stand that suits you best!

Weight 

The weight of the stand is one of the most important factors to consider. To decide whether a heavier or lighter stand is better for you, you should consider factors like what genre of music you play, how much moving around you need it to do, and the weight of your cymbals. For example, if you play mostly jazz music, lightweight stands are appropriate for you. But if you play rock or metal, you'll need more robust models. Also, if you need to move your drum set from place to place very frequently, you should consider getting one of the more lightweight models. Finally, you should consider the weight of the cymbals the stand is to support, this is perhaps the most important considerations where weight is concerned.

Number Of Legs

For the uninitiated, this may not seem like anything of great importance, but it is. Hi-hat stands can be 2- or 3-legged models. To decide which of these suits you best, you need to consider the weight and size of your equipment. The 3-legged options are generally more stable, but they are not well suited to double bass pedal setups because of the relatively little space they afford. Also, the 2-legged models are easier to pack up and carry around, they are also more freely adjustable. No leg models also exist.

Asides from the number of legs, other things to consider are if the legs are double braced or not, for extra strength, and if they come with rubber feet for extra stability.

Swivel

This is another important feature to consider. The swivel lets you adjust your stand or pedal for better performance. Also, it allows you to add extra pedals to your setup. Most 2-legged and 3-legged hi-hat stands can swivel. Nonetheless, flat-base and no-leg models cannot.

Height and Pedal Adjustments

The height of the hi-hat stand is essential to your playing experience. Adjustable height is essential for comfort and sound quality. To help with configuring the height of your setup, most stands have durable tubing with memory locks so you don't have to constantly keep re-adjusting your hi-hat stand every time you intend to use it. Also, adjustable pedals are another important feature to have.

Resistance

Spring or resistance tension is another feature to consider. The feel of your hi-hat stand is dependent on the resistance. Different drummers prefer different levels of tension, and as such, hi-hats that allow you to adjust the tension are the better choice. 

Build Quality

For a piece of equipment as exposed to punishment as the hi-hat stand, durability is a doubly important factor. 

Your hi-hat stand should be sturdy, durable, and well-balanced to take all the pressure that comes from the drums being hit. With this in mind, you should pay attention to the build quality. Models with double braced hardware are the more durable and sturdy option. 

How Much Do Hi-Hat Stands Cost?

The price of these stands depends on the weight, height, build quality, and other features. You can buy a hi-hat stand for as little as $54 or as much as $650 for premium models.

As much as we hate to admit it ourselves, when it comes to musical instruments, the pricier is normally the better. We'd suggest you fix a budget for your purchase and then buy the best possible product under that budget!

Best Hi-Hat Stand FAQ

Q: Are 2-legged or 3-legged hi-hat stands better?

A: Most traditional hi-hat stands are 3-legged. 3-legged stands offer greater stability. The 2-legged models are more suited to double bass pedal setups, are easier to pack up and carry around, and are more freely adjustable.

Q: How do I assemble my hi-hat stand?

A: Assembling your hi-hat stand is a straightforward process.

  1. Loosen the T-bolt and fold out the stand's legs and screw in the rod.
  2. Screw the bottom cymbal washer and slide the bottom cymbal onto the seat.
  3. Attach the top cymbal to the clutch, slide the clutch onto the rod, and adjust the upper tube to a comfortable height.
  4. Move the stand to a comfortable position in relation to the rest of the drum set and it is ready to use.

Q: How long can a hi-hat stand last?

A: It depends on usage and the build quality. The best hi-hat stands can last for years with responsible use.

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By Derek Sautter
Derek is a professional musician who specializes in percussion and works with the independent WGI group Cap City Percussion. With a Bachelors of Music from Capital University, specializing in Music Industry studies, he consistently finds himself playing and teaching percussion to anyone who has the will to learn. Derek is also a former member of DCI groups Legends (2014-15) and Colts (2016-18); he is also the percussion technician and instructor of the drum line at Olentangy High School. You may find him playing a gig throughout the greater Columbus, Ohio area.
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