I remember walking into the local music store as a child holding my dad’s hand. We were about to buy me my first cymbals kit. I had to persevere for two years to get my first drum kit and had been saving for another year for the cymbals. I had long outplayed the rather basic (and bad-sounding) ones that came with it.
It was time for me to become a real drummer. I remember the big posters on the walls with all my heroes beating their crashes in front of countless people as we walked in. I was dreaming awake. I had nothing but high hopes and thin air but if I could rewind time, I’d do it all again; no doubts about it.
Maybe your case isn’t like mine. Perhaps you just bought your first drum set, set it up, and realized all you need to do is to get the right set of cymbals so you can start playing.
Fortunately for you, there are quite a few amazing cymbal packs made for beginners and intermediate drummers from some of the most popular cymbal manufacturers in the business at very affordable prices.
Top 3 - Cheap Cymbal Packs
Maybe you have some experience but haven’t played in a while and you’re looking to get back on the drum throne after a hiatus.
If you’re unsure about which cymbal pack you should buy, worry not young lad, you’re in the right place.
I did the heavy lifting for both of us. I just had to take a pair of 5B sticks and try some of the most effective and affordable cymbal pack options available so you can make the right decision today.
Let me share with you the absolutely best options in the market.
Best Budget Cymbal Packs (Bang for the Buck!)
1. Meinl Cymbals HCS Basic Set
One of Meinl’s biggest hits as a company was the creation of cymbal packs. Yes, they were the first to come up with the idea and commercialize it.
Remember the kiddo walking into the music store holding hands with his dad from the intro? Well, that scene wouldn’t have existed if it wasn’t for Meinl.
In fact, you wouldn’t be reading this piece if it wasn’t for the German giants.
While Meinl is a young cymbal manufacturer by comparison to its competition, they’ve quickly established themselves as a key player in the drumming world. You’ll find that their HCS cymbals are a popular choice for drumming school instructors and newcomers.
This cymbal pack from Meinl offers great bang for the buck. You’ll get a crash, a ride, hi-hats, and, surprisingly, a splash cymbal. I say, surprisingly because there aren’t many cymbal packs that offer a splash, so this is a pleasant addition for sonic diversity.
These Meinl cymbals are durable as they are made from MS63 brass alloy. Meaning their composition contains 63% copper.
Take it from a heavy-handed drummer who’s had his share of ruined cymbals, having durable cymbals for a beginner drummer who is learning the technique is very important. You don’t want to be replacing cymbals very often as that will put a strain on your wallet.
When you look at the price tag, you know you’re playing with an entry-level set. As expected, most of these cymbals aren’t very dynamic in terms of sound. For example, you just can’t play jazz with the ride since it offers one sound. Plus, the moment you hit a bit harder, the wash will override everything else.
That said I truly mean “most” of the cymbals because the hi-hats weren’t bad at all.
I was surprised to find that the hi-hats are quite dynamic and sound more expensive than they actually are. They aren’t annoyingly clangy and uncontrollably loud. You could actually get a nice little “schk” sound when playing with your foot.
The bottom line is this: these are good cymbals for the money.
They’re definitely a step forward for a newcomer to drums but are also great for someone looking for a set to leave at the rehearsal room or an inexpensive set to play small gigs. That said, beginners will enjoy playing these for a long time before they’re ready to upgrade.
Read our full review of the Meinl HCS for a deeper take on these.
2. Sabian B8X Performance Cymbal Set
Sabian offers new drummers an exciting and affordable option in the form of their B8X cymbals. Let me begin by saying that these shiny bronze dishes are LOUD!
B8X cymbals possess a bright and explosive tone all around. They are impressively dynamic for starter cymbals. They respond with a brilliant explosive sound when hit hard but can also purr if you have a softer touch.
Sabian is known for their big wash but also for their warmth. I found the ride cymbal to be especially lovely. The bell had a nice clean ping to it, and the ride didn’t build up any annoying ringing overtones when notes were played close together. This is very common with budget cymbals.
The hi-hat plays nicely as well. A clean, bright wash with fast stick response when played open or closed.
This pack comes with two fast crash cymbals. A 16” and an 18”. These cymbals explode with energy when struck! I can see great applications here for those playing loud.
I have to tell you, when you go from the hi-hat to the 18” crash, and you hit it hard, it opens up and, suddenly, you’re galloping over a huge golden wave of sound. The 16” is bright and has little sustain, so it’s great for fast transitions.
The downside with the 16” crash is that it has a 3K peak that can be annoying when used too often. I mean, all cymbals in this set may be a little bit too loud for some applications, but this is where it shows the most.
The crashes do get a little pitchy when struck with force. The tone could be offensive to the ears if played in the wrong venue. In other words, these cymbals have rock written all over them and beg to be played loud in a big room.
While I would not recommend these for a drummer who plays quieter music (jazzers beware), anyone looking to play along to some rock n’ roll would be very happy with this choice.
Sabian has once again expanded their reputation as a very respectable and affordable option for new drummers.
3. Wuhan Traditional Cymbal Set
Wuhan is a company that will surprise you over and over again. Most drummers will know Wuhan for their beautifully trashy sounding china cymbals, maybe their gongs too but, not much else. Once you play these cymbals, though, you’ll be shocked at how good they sound!
The moment I put these on the stands of my Catalina Maple Gretsch (in seafoam green, of course) and started playing some jazzy grooves I was amazed at how warm and full these cymbals sound. I had to do a little research but I found out that these are made from B20 bronze, not B8 bronze like other starter packs.
In case you didn’t know, the B20 bronze gives these cymbals a warmer, softer sonic profile. As a result, there isn’t any annoying higher-mids peaking or harsh ringing in these as you might find in most budget cymbal sets.
I’m not trying to be dramatic here, this is no hyperbole; this 16” crash sounds like a cymbal twice its price. It punches way above its weight and produces a lower-frequency trashy sound that is just perfect in many different scenarios and musical styles.
For the price tag I was expecting a dull heard-it-all-before sound coming out but I was met with cymbals oozing personality and character. That’s what I call punching above its weight.
I can see some drummers not liking the trashy quality and disagreeing with me right now, though. But hey, don’t look at me like that; thrashy is a good word when talking about a crash!
That said, it’s not a one-trick pony scenario. You can also perform beautiful swells, and easily get multiple dynamic tones from this Wuhan crash.
The ride plays nicely as well. The bell has a clear lower pitch to it and the cymbal feels responsive overall. I did notice that when I crashed this ride a bit it had some overtones that were less than desirable. Nevertheless, when played very close to the bell you can easily keep the sound tight.
Also, the contrast between crash and ride is quite big. While the ride is on the dark side (lol), the crash sounds bright for 18”. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s worth noting.
The hi-hats have a nice sizzle when played semi-closed. Stick rolls sound great on these. When played open they sound pretty darn good too.
I had quite a bit of fun going from “High and Dry” by Radiohead to “No One Knows” by Queens of the Stone Age, to the trick-filled “Hysterya” by Muse; the hi-hat delivered in every scenario.
I don’t want to say it’s top-notch, K Custom territory, but it held up perfectly playing soft or heavy.
For the price, this is a surprisingly great set for a beginner or an intermediate player. I’d even venture to say experienced drummers might find something they love about these as well.
4. Paiste PST 7 Universal Cymbal Set
If I can make a recommendation to you right now is this: Wear dark glasses to open the packaging. I mean, straight out of the box, these Paiste PST 7 cymbals are BRIGHT! They have a brilliant finish to them that shines like the Sun is right between your hands.
As soon as I put my tinted glasses on (lol) I put them on the stands and noticed they have a good weight to them and that it gives them a nice swing when struck.
To begin with, the PST 7 hi-hats sound super clean and shimmery. I don’t mean this in a bad, harsh way. On the contrary, they don’t have that annoying over-the-top ring you can find in some other brands. While it’s true that they are a little bit overpowering at times, they produce some very crisp barks when played wide open.
The sticks felt good dancing on their brim. Especially if you play with wood-tipped sticks. Rolls when playing closed sound precise and energetic. The bright element is there, but it’s not overwhelming.
The PST 7 crash cymbals sound shimmery without being too hard on the ears. The two distinct pitches of the 18” crash and 16” crash complement each other nicely. Especially when hit in unison! The bell area of the 18” crash has a pleasant low metallic ping to it as well.
I have to say, though, that there’s a quality difference between the 16” crash and all the rest. It’s not as crisp as you would expect a crash that size to be while the hats and the ride sound very good.
Speaking of it, the ride is nice and heavy. It allows easy play as it feeds the energy of your stick hitting right back into your hand. The PST 7 ride has a shimmering deep tone with each hit. Crashing on the ride will produce lower, washy tones, with some ringing overtones. Used in the right context it can be useful but it is a little overwhelming at times.
Also, the bell has a nice, clear, and defined ping that can fill any chorus with chime.
The PST 7 set of cymbals is made of the same material as Paiste’s 2002 series and is a bit more costly than other packs on the market. Paiste makes top-quality cymbals; however, someone who is a beginner may end up going with a different set if it saves them $100-$150 for the same number of cymbals.
To finish, let me add something: Shame on you Paiste. Not even a gig bag for the price? Shame on you.
5. Zildjian S Series Performer Cymbal Set
The S Series Performer set is Zildjian's replacement for the long-standing ZBT series.
The S series are made from Zildjian B12 bronze mix, which falls between their lower-end B8 and higher-end B20. The difference in sound quality from a B8 cymbal to a B12 bronze cymbal is noticeable.
In situations in which B8 cymbals shine bright and cut through, B12 cymbals add layers of complexity and balance the overall sound. To my ears, this S Series pack is very balanced and perfect for beginners trying to find their sound.
Zildjian includes in this pack a master sound style hi-hat, which has crimped edges to allow for air to escape. This might sound like a detail to you, but experienced drummers will know it gives drummers a better sound quality and more sound projection.
In my opinion, this alone adds great value to this pack.
The crashes are what Zildjian calls medium thin crashes. This is something I say as a word of warning. I’m a heavy-handed drummer and I’ve broken my fair share of cymbals. I believe beginners and drummers who lack knowledge of cymbal striking techniques could break these quickly.
All cymbals waiver when struck but, these are very noticeable to the naked eye. Again, to preserve your cymbals learn the proper way to hit them. In other words, a few lessons won’t hurt; your cymbals will be thankful.
The bell of the ride is great. Easily accessible, great tone, lots of fun to play on. The ride itself didn’t impress me. I just found it too disperse tone-wise. It didn’t seem to have a defined sound. It was rather an unfocused cacophony of overtones.
Don’t get me wrong, it will crash and wash, but not in an entirely musical way.
The master sound hi-hats add a nice touch to this pack. That said, for the price, I would’ve hoped for some better-sounding crashes and a better ride.
Again, not even a soft gig bag for the price? Shame on you, Zildjian!
6. Zildjian A Series City Pack Cymbal Set Bundle
This is a very clever and small pack of cymbals. While I would honestly say this is not a pack I’d deem fit for beginners, I wanted to include this because I think it’s a very special bundle from Zildjian.
The thing is I recently dusted off my small kit, a beautiful Ludwig Breakbeats, and found out my cymbals set weighs more than the kit! I came across this pack and it’s been great for smaller venues.
This bundle comes with a 12” Zildjian A New Beat hi-hat. In the rare (very rare) case you’re not familiar with them, Zildjian New Beat hi-hats are widely renowned for their versatility.
This 12”-version of the legend is just perfect. They’re quick, precise, and a little dry in tone. It feels upbeat, with a ton of mid-highs, and a razor-sharp edge. While it is a little on the quiet side, that’s a good thing for this pack; it’s intended for small venues. I mean, this is not a set of cymbals you’d play in an arena.
You’ll get a 14” A series Fast Crash with this bundle as well. This is a crisp and explosive crash. You hit it, it’s in, it's out! Exactly what you’d want from any cymbal to make quick transitions without taking up too much sonic space or having its sustain floating around for half a bar. It’s a bright, dry, explosive sound with rapid decay.
Do not hit this too hard, though, as they are prone to cracks.
Last but not least, the pack comes with the Zildjian 18” A series Uptown Ride. Zildjian’s Uptown Ride is a dry, slightly choked-sounding cymbal. That said, the stick definition is of superior quality. Tight sticking patterns on the Uptown Ride are a joy to play. The Uptown Ride can also be crashed lightly for some resonance if so desired.
For three cymbals, this pack is quite expensive and it will only appeal to specific play styles. Jazz drummers, lounge players, and acoustic guitar accompaniers, this bundle would be an ideal choice. Just be ready to pay a little more for it.
Is One Cymbal Manufacturer Better Than the Other?
The short answer is, it depends.
There are some cymbal companies that keep things at a low price point because they use materials that are not the highest of quality. They won’t even hide this fact, they will outright state it. It’s not an attempt to fool you or steal your money, it’s just the way they do things based on their own philosophy.
There are also companies that draw comparisons to one another quite often like, Zildjian, Paiste, Meinl, Sabian, TRX, etc. These companies produce various tiers of cymbals with even more variations of sonic profile and modifications within cymbal lines.
These companies utilize the same metals with slight adjustments to the content of tin, bronze, and maybe other metals they may be experimenting with. It’s amazing how many different sounds can be made using the same materials when they are subject to different manufacturing processes.
At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference. Try some crashes or rides out from comparable cymbal lines from different companies. See which one you like best.
How Should I Set Up My Cymbals?
Ideally, you want your cymbals to be angled down and inward slightly towards where you are sitting. Depending on your seating height you should be able to see the entire face of the cymbal or at least most of it.
The slight angle will not only save your wrists from being put into strange positions but it will also help with sound projection and preserve the lifespan of your cymbals (more on that later).
You will see some drummers have their cymbals completely flat, some have them way above their heads, and some have them down low or close together. These drummers are often very experienced who have developed their sticking technique and everything you see has a reason for how it is placed.
You as a beginner or intermediate drummer should be focused on proper technique and preserving your equipment above all.
For hi-hats specifically, we've previously published a detailed set up guide for hi-hat stands.
What is the Right Way to Hit My Cymbals?
Whether you’re just starting out and need a refresher, or you’ve never been told, there is a proper way to strike your cymbals that will help them last longer.
Most people learn the hard way after they’ve cracked a few cymbals and spent hundreds of dollars. I’m one of those, so I’d like to help you avoid making the same mistakes I’ve made in the past. Let’s review the right way so that you save money and build a better technique.
Hopefully, you’ve set up your cymbals properly before you started hitting them.
The proper way to strike your cymbals is not straight-on like you're swinging a hammer. Cymbals are flexible and yes they are meant to be hit, but they are still prone to breaks and cracks. We want to preserve our cymbals for as long as we can.
You should be striking your cymbals with a swiping-type motion. Kind of like a windshield wiper on a car. Glancing blows across the cymbal's brim or face distribute the energy across the cymbal and through it rather than in one location over and over again.
Try this technique and thank me later.
What Cymbals Do I Really Need to Get Started?
Let's say you are a minimalist who is simply looking for the bare minimum to get started on the drums.
You really need only three cymbals. A ride, a crash, and a hi-hat (which is technically two cymbals). These three are the essentials to play any song, anywhere, anytime.
You can even go further like Russell Simins, the drummer of the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and go with a hi-hat and a ride.
A good-quality cymbal can produce multiple tonalities as long as it’s paired with an experienced drummer.
Drummers like Buddy Rich famously performed solos only on a hi-hat. Yes really.
Go ahead, try it out for yourself.
Final Thoughts
I can say from experience that starter cymbals have dramatically improved over the years. It’s a very exciting time for beginners and for those returning to the drum throne after a short break.
The Wuhan cymbal pack was my unexpected favorite here. I can’t believe it but I’d like to keep things honest. For the price, they are a great value.
Meinl also has great value for the cymbals you get in their pack as well even if the sound isn’t the best.
For newcomers or intermediate players looking for an upgrade, the Sabian B8X and Zildjian S Performance are good choices.
Finding the best beginner cymbal pack to get you started can be a little daunting. I hope this has helped you in your decision-making process.
