5 Best Zildjian Cymbals [2023 Review]

The name Zildjian is associated with cymbals. The Avedis Zildjian Company has been creating instruments since 1623, making it one of the world’s oldest.

This demonstrates that they are well-versed in their field. At some time in their drumming career, every drummer has come across a Zildjian cymbal. So, to give you an idea of how high-quality Zildjian cymbals are, we’ve compiled a list of
some of the greatest.

We included the 5 best Zildjian cymbals in this review for you. If you are interested in these models, keep reading our 5 Best Zildjian Cymbals review for more information below.

Zildjian Planet Z Complete Cymbal Set - 14/16/20-inch
  • Updated hammering and lathing pattern provide a refreshed look and sound
  • Bright and focused sound of brass is great for the developing ear
  • Crafted in the USA from an exclusive nickel-silver alloy to produce a great responsive sound
Sale
Zildjian S Series Thin Crash Cymbal - 14 Inches
  • 14" Crash with B12 Alloy
  • Hand Hammered
  • Bright Finish
Zildjian A Custom Box Set - 14" Hats, 16" Crash, 20" Med Ride, 18" Crash
  • A Custom Cymbal Pack with 14" Hi-hats
  • Plus a Bonus 18" Crash
  • A 20" Medium Ride
Zildjian A Series New Beat Hi-Hat Cymbals - 14 Inches
  • Cast Bronze (Pair)
  • A Zildjian Series
  • ELEGANT DESIGN: Originally designed by the late great Louie Bellson

Our Top Pick: Zildjian K0800 K Cymbal Set Bundle

Features: K Zildjian cymbals have the same dark, warm tone as the original K cymbals, which were created in Turkey in the 19th century by Zildjian.

With that said, these cymbals are an excellent choice for jazz, rock, and country drummers. The K Series cymbal kit from Zildjian is top-of-the-line. Drummers looking for their first set of cymbals should hold off on these for a while.

Four cymbals are included in the kit:

K Hi-Hats 14″

K Dark Thin Crash 16″

20′′ K Ride 18′′ K Dark Thin Crash

If you’ve ever heard these cymbals, you know how dark and lovely they are. They simply appear to be pricey. If you are looking for the 5 Best Zildjian Cymbals, you should give this one a chance.

Durability will be lower than that of a thinker cymbal, like with any thin cymbal. If you use Zildjian K cymbals, especially the narrow crashes, be aware that they are more likely to shatter.

If you play hard rock, you might want to consider purchasing a different set of cymbals for recording purposes only, as touring with them can be costly.

Pros
  • Beautiful rich tones
  • Excellent for recording
  • Very versatile
Cons
  • Expensive

Runner Up: Zildjian Planet Z Complete Cymbal Pack

Features: The ZBT (Zildjian Bronze Technology) range of Zildjian cymbals has a bright and powerful sound that cuts right through the mix. Each Z-line cymbal has a classic polish and thorough lathing.

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Many of us are aware that bronze is a poor choice for cymbal construction. Some manufacturers refuse to consider it because it appears to be too brittle and susceptible to breakage.

If you are looking for the 5 Best Zildjian Cymbals, you should give this one a chance. Zildjian, on the other hand, has figured out how to get the most out of its cymbals. Furthermore, not everyone has the financial means to purchase higher-end items.

Planet Z cymbals are a wonderful choice if you’re searching for a simple way to get into the Zildjian family.

They’re made to be adaptable and motivating for today’s drummer. Each one was meticulously created in the United States of America from a combination of Nickel and Silver alloys. This means that no matter what kind of music you play, the Planet Zs will always surprise you with new sounds and directions.

Planet Z PLZ4PK Cymbal Set-up, 16-inch ZBT Crash, and 14-inch ZBT Hi-Hats are among the most popular.

Pros
  • Forged with zinc and copper
  • Brilliant sound
  • Great Durability
  • Material: Nickel-silver alloy
Cons
  • Poor crash

Best for Budget: Zildjian 14″ S Thin Crash

Features: The ZBT (Zildjian Bronze Technology) range of Zildjian cymbals has a bright and powerful sound that cuts right through the mix. Each Z line cymbal has a classic polish and thorough lathing.

Many of us are aware that bronze is a poor choice for cymbal construction. Some manufacturers refuse to consider it because it appears to be too brittle and susceptible to breakage.

If you are looking for the 5 Best Zildjian Cymbals, you should give this one a chance. Zildjian, on the other hand, has figured out how to get the most out of its cymbals. Furthermore, not everyone has the financial means to purchase higher-end items.

Planet Z cymbals are a wonderful choice if you’re searching for a simple way to get into the Zildjian family.

They’re made to be adaptable and motivating for today’s drummer. Each one was meticulously created in the United States of America from a combination of Nickel and Silver alloys. This means that no matter what kind of music you play, the Planet Zs will always surprise you with new sounds and directions.

Planet Z PLZ4PK Cymbal Set-up, 16-inch ZBT Crash, and 14-inch ZBT Hi-Hats are among the most popular.

Pros
  • Bright, full crash sound
  • Exceptionally quick and sensitive response
  • Shimmering sustain
  • Light and quick in smaller sizes
  • Works well as stacker cymbals
Cons
  • Not for professionals

Best for Rock: Avedis Zildjian Company A20579-11 Crash Cymbal

Features: This Zildjian Custom Box Set will add a touch of class to your drum set. The A Custom Box Set comes with a total of 14 cards “Standard cymbals include an A Custom Hi-hats, a 16″ A Custom Crash, and a 20” A Custom Medium Ride.

But that’s not all: this Custom Box Set comes with an additional 18 songs “A Custom Crash, which allows you to express yourself even more freely at a low cost. These cymbals bloom with full-bodied warmth and produce superb projection, thanks to Zildjian’s world-famous secret alloy.

If you are looking for the 5 Best Zildjian Cymbals, you should give this one a chance. For practically any performing circumstance, it’s difficult to beat the recognizable and dependable sound of A Zildjian, but the award-winning cymbals featured in this A Custom Box Set are a tempting alternative.

Customs was created with the help of legendary drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and used radical rotary hammering techniques, thin to medium weights, and a stunning brilliant finish for a crisp, sweet, and sophisticated Zildjian sound.

This Custom Box Set gives you the sound that’s just appropriate for modern music: not too dark, not too bright.

Best for Hi-Hats: Zildjian 14″ A Zildjian New Beat HiHats – Pair

Features: This Zildjian Custom Box Set will add a touch of class to your drum set. The A Custom Box Set comes with a total of 14 cards “Standard cymbals include an A Custom Hi-hats, a 16″ A Custom Crash, and a 20” A Custom Medium Ride.

But that’s not all: this Custom Box Set comes with an additional 18 songs “A Custom Crash, which allows you to express yourself even more freely at a low cost. These cymbals bloom with full-bodied warmth and produce superb projection, thanks to Zildjian’s world-famous secret alloy.

If you are looking for the 5 Best Zildjian Cymbals, you should give this one a chance. For practically any performing circumstance, it’s difficult to beat the recognizable and dependable sound of A Zildjian, but the award-winning cymbals featured in this A Custom Box Set are a tempting alternative.

Customs was created with the help of legendary drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and used radical rotary hammering techniques, thin to medium weights, and a stunning brilliant finish for a crisp, sweet, and sophisticated Zildjian sound.

This Custom Box Set gives you the sound that’s just appropriate for modern music: not too dark, not too bright.

Pros
  • Widely recognized as the most adaptable hi-hat cymbals available today
  • With a classic wide groove, it’s symmetrically hammered and lathed
  • Bright and expressive in the traditional sense It has a Zildjian sound to it
  • Louie Bellson, the late renowned designer, created the original design
Cons
  • Too loud and crispy

Buyer’s Guide for 5 Best Zildjian Cymbals

The characteristics that distinguish greatness The same qualities that make other cymbal brands exceptional also apply to Zildjian cymbals.

Zildjian, on the other hand, has a long history of cymbal production, so all of that knowledge is included in the manufacturing process.

A nice cymbal will complement the tone you’re after. If you’re a rock drummer, you’ll want to choose bright, cutting cymbals.

If you’re a jazz drummer, you should use dark and melodious cymbals. Zildjian offers a diverse selection of cymbal properties to suit your needs.

What to consider?

When purchasing new cymbals, there are various aspects to consider. You should think about the genre of music you enjoy listening to and the type of set you are most comfortable playing. At the very least, you’ll require the following:

A brand-new hi-hat

a new vehicle

A new crash has occurred.

You could wish to add an extra crash cymbal, a splash, or a china hat if you play a wide range of musical styles.

Other things to think about are:

The Material

You must think about the material because it has an impact on the sound. Brass is the least expensive, but it usually sounds the poorest. B8 bronze is the next step up, while B20 bronze is the best.

Machine-Made vs. Hand-Crafted

After you’ve decided on the material, you’ll need to decide whether you want a machine-made or hand-crafted set. Machine-made cymbals have a consistent sound between two of the same size. Handcrafted ones have a considerably more distinct tone.

Cymbal Packs vs. Individual Cymbals

Finally, you must decide whether to get a bundle or individual cymbals. Packs are beneficial because the maker will know which sounds go well together. You get terrific audio while saving money with packs.

Purchasing them separately gave you more sound options. This procedure, however, is usually significantly more expensive. Hardware is another something you should not disregard.

You might want to consider upgrading your hi-hat stand or stands to a higher-quality one.

A good rule of thumb is to stay with one of the bigger brands like Zildjian, Sabian, Meinl, or Paiste unless you truly know your cymbals. They’re all fantastic, and you’re unlikely to find a bad-sounding cymbal from any of them.

Price

It’s important to remember that you get what you pay for, and cymbals are no exception. If you’re on a budget, you can consider buying a used set or buying a pack. A decent Zildjian pack You’ll get a

hi-hat, a crash, a ride, and a bonus crash if you use cymbals.

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This choice could save you a few hundred dollars. If you mix and match, you will almost certainly wind up spending more money in the long term. You’ll need to buy a hi-hat, crash, and ride cymbal, not to mention the supports.

If you want a good set and can afford it, you might want to go with a somewhat more expensive alternative than you had intended.

The more expensive models usually last longer. If you have a strict budget, you should get the greatest cymbals available for the money you have. You might also upgrade one cymbal at a time. That way, you can get better equipment over a longer period of time.

Various Zildjian Lines

The A and K Custom lines are Zildjian’s two primary pro-level cymbal lines. If you’re seeking high-quality cymbals, have a look at Zildjian’s offerings in these categories. The majority of what you’ll see here will work well in a professional situation.

The S Series and the Planet Zs are Zildjian’s most affordable lines. The Planet Z cymbals are designed for complete novices, whilst the S Series cymbals are designed for more experienced beginners.

Choices in Stylistics

The cymbals you choose should be based on the type of music you prefer to perform. The Zildjian A 14″ New Beat Hi-Hats and other A and A Custom cymbals are bright, making them suitable choices for strong music.

If you’re in a rock band, you can’t go wrong with a set of A Customs. The warm and rich tone of the K and K Custom cymbals, such as the Zildjian K Custom Special Dry Set and the Zildjian K Constantinople 22″ Medium Thin Low Ride, makes them ideal for jazz and studio recording.

They also operate well in rock and metal environments. They simply don’t cut through mixes as well as others.

Which models are the best?

The A Customs and K Customs are two of Zildjian’s most well-known cymbal lines. The K Customs are widely regarded as the company’s most accessible top-of-the-line cymbals.

Within the K Custom range, they have various cymbal lines that cover a wide spectrum of cymbal characteristics, from dry to dark to sweet. The A Customs are a little less expensive. They’re also more suitable for rock and metal music.

What is the best cymbal brand?

This is a fascinating debate that will never be resolved. There are numerous drum and cymbal manufacturers, all of which provide excellent items.

Zildjian, Sabian, Meinl, and Paiste are the four most popular cymbal brands. Among these, Zildjian is undoubtedly the most well-known. Each brand’s cymbals have distinct characteristics, and different drummers have different perspectives on them.

TRX, Istanbul, Soultone, Heartbeat, and Centent are some of the lesser cymbal companies.

Final Review

Because the brand is so well-known, it’s very easy to get Zildjian cymbals that are perfect for whatever situation you’re playing drums in. They have a wide range of dynamics and tones in all of their product lines.

The higher-end lines may be more expensive, but if you take excellent care of them, they will last a long time. Buying these would be a wise decision for any drummer.

If you’re still not sold on Zildjian, check out some of the Zildjian Live videos on YouTube to see the wide range of cymbals available. They’re also endorsed by some top-notch musicians!

Frequently Asked Questions: 5 Best Zildjian Cymbals [2023 Review]

Why are Zildjian cymbals popular among musicians?

They are renowned for their distinctive sound, durability, and versatility. They offer a wide range of tones that can suit various musical genres and playing styles.

What types of Zildjian cymbals are available?

Zildjian produces various types of cymbals, including ride cymbals, crash cymbals, hi-hat cymbals, splash cymbals, and more.

What is the difference between a ride cymbal and a crash cymbal?

A ride cymbal produces a steady, defined sound used for rhythm and patterns, often with a pronounced bell for accents. A crash cymbal creates a quick, explosive sound used for accents and fills.

Can I mix Zildjian cymbals with other cymbal brands?

Yes, you can mix cymbal brands, including Zildjian, within your drum kit. However, it’s important to ensure that the cymbals complement each other in terms of tone and volume.

Are Zildjian cymbals suitable for beginners?

Yes, Zildjian has a selection of cymbals that are appropriate for musicians of all ability levels. They offer options for amateurs, moderate players, and experts.

Can I buy Zildjian cymbals online?

Yes, Zildjian cymbals are available through various online retailers and music stores. It’s a good idea to listen to sound samples and read reviews before making a purchase.

Conclusion: 5 Best Zildjian Cymbals [2023 Review]

Purchasing a new set of cymbals is a difficult and costly decision. Your best option is to visit a local drum store. You may try out the many cymbals offered.

Our staff will assist you in determining which ones you enjoy playing the best and which have the tone you desire. Buying a new pair of cymbals, regardless of the brand, will not just improve your sound.

It will also provide you with a rush of energy and inventiveness.  We hope you liked our 5 Best Zildjian Cymbals review and it was helpful.

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