Best Zildjian Cymbals (2024) – Packs, Hi Hats, Rides & Crashes

Author: Brett Clur | Updated: | This post may contain affiliate links.

Zildjian is one of the leading cymbal brands in the world. They’ve been at the top for as long as I can remember and if you’ve been drumming for a while, you’ve undoubtedly become aware of the name.

Whether you’ve played many of their cymbals or not, there’s no doubt that they have some top-quality choices that any pro drummer would choose. So, I’m going to take you through my top picks of the Zildjian lineup and explain all the things I love about these cymbals.

5 Best Zildjian Cymbals – My Favorites for Rock, Jazz, Metal & More

I first became familiar with this set when a church I was drumming for ordered them for the house kit. We did a bunch of research and finally ended up with the decision that the Zildjian K Custom Dark cymbals were the best cymbals for worship music.

I found that these cymbals blend into mixes incredibly smoothly. This is thanks to their darker texture that is a lot warmer than many other cymbals. The sound they make sits under everything instead of overpowering it.

Since they’re dark and complex, I’d also argue that they’re great cymbals for jazz. The ride cymbal has enough stick definition to make one hear a swing pattern clearly, and it’s also washy enough to crash on whenever you need to.

I love how the hi-hats are heavy, allowing you to get a strong ‘chick’ sound when playing the foot pedal. Keeping time with your hi-hat is important in both jazz and worship settings, so these hi-hats are golden.

While I love the cymbal pack as a whole, I wish it came with a 20” crash cymbal instead of a 16” one. When you’re looking for dark cymbals, bigger is always better.

So, a 16” crash seems a bit out of place to me. To be fair, it sounds pretty good. But it just doesn’t sound as good as a 20” crash would.

Personally, the K Custom Darks are my favorite in the K Custom line. However, I know many drummers that prefer the drier tones of the K Custom Dry line or the modern sounds of the K Custom Hybrids.

You’re spoiled for choice with Zildjian Ks as you could also go for the K Sweet cymbals. They don’t have the ‘Custom’ name as they’re a bit brighter than all the K Customs. If you love the sound of Zildjian K cymbals, the K Sweet line would be the best option for funk or rock.

PROS

  • Best option for worship and jazz
  • Blend wonderfully within mixes
  • Strong hi-hat sound
  • Surprising amount of stick articulation on the ride
  • Very warm tones

CONS

  • Cymbal pack may have been better if it included a 20” crash
  • 16” crash isn’t ideal for dark cymbals

While the Zildjian K Customs are the top line of cymbals from the Zildjian brand, the A Customs follow close behind. This set of cymbals is a bit more affordable, but it’s still a line of cymbals that pros use frequently.

The A Custom cymbals are a lot brighter and heavier, making them some of the best cymbals for rock and metal. They have such punchy and powerful sounds that pierce through mixes as easily as you could imagine.

I’ve always referred to A Customs as the classic cymbal sound. They’ve been used in so many recordings over the decades that whenever a casual person thinks of a cymbal sound, they’re most probably thinking of an A Custom.

They used to be the most popular cymbals in the world, especially when rock and punk were the dominating styles of music. I’ve noticed that they’ve lost a bit of popularity thanks to the rising popularity of dry and artsy cymbals.

However, the Zildjian A Customs are still some of the most reliable cymbals you can get your hands on.

The crashes are my favorite cymbals in the pack. I love how the short decay means they get out the way fairly quickly, yet they’re powerful enough to make a significant impact. I think they’re great for getting a strong accented sound whenever you need one.

I’ve seen many drummers having a full set of K Custom cymbals along with one or two A Custom crashes in their setup. Most likely due to the punchy power they have.

They record surprisingly well for bright cymbals. You’d typically be made to use dark and washy cymbals in the studio, but I’ve never heard of a studio producer chasing a drummer away if he has a set of A Customs.

They’re not a good fit for jazz, though. I once played a jazz gig with an A Custom ride and it sounded extremely out of place. So, I’d suggest getting these cymbals if you’re a hard player who plays mostly rock or metal.

If you want something a little more subtle, you should check out the Zildjian A line. Those cymbals are a bit more versatile compared to the A Customs. I especially love the Zildjian A City set.

Those cymbals are made small with the intent of being portable. They’re also fantastic for jazz settings, unlike the standard A Customs.

PROS

  • Great cymbals for rock and metal
  • Bright and punchy tones
  • Excellent crash sounds
  • Great for recording

CONS

  • Not good cymbals for jazz

Speaking of the Zildjian A line, it will be no surprise to see the New Beats hi-hats on any list of best hi hat cymbals. While the K Custom Series cymbals are at the top of the food chain, most drummers I know will typically opt for the A New Beats if they had a choice of Zildjian hi-hats.

I think the biggest drawcard of these hi-hats is their versatility. You can use them in all the styles of music you can think of and they’d fit in wonderfully, making them some of the most versatile hi-hats on the market.

The secret to how these hats sound so good is that the bottom cymbal is quite heavy while the top cymbal is much lighter. The top hat has a shimmering bell sound that complements the heavier bottom extraordinarily well.

I’d say that the New Beat ‘chick’ sound when hitting the pedal is one of the best hi-hat foot sounds I’ve heard. It cuts easily through anything, making these hats awesome for time keeping.

Even though these cymbals are bright, they’re not as in-your-face as the A Custom hi-hats are. The subtler qualities are what make them great for softer styles of music. However, they still have enough power to make themselves known in heavier environments.

I can see how these might be slightly too aggressive for drummers who love malleable cymbals.

For example, the K Custom Dark hi-hats sound smooth while these sound cutting. If you want smooth hi-hat sounds, I suggest you check out the K Custom Darks or the K Custom Special dry hi-hats.

One thing I’ve never quite understood is how the New Beats cost around the same as any K Custom hi-hats. Since the A line isn’t as pristine, you’d assume they’d be a bit cheaper.

However, their quality far outweighs their price. With that being said, you could get a 12” or 13” pair of New Beats if you want to get something a bit cheaper.

PROS

  • Incredibly versatile
  • Strong chick sound when foot pedal is played
  • The hi-hats cut easily through heavy mixes

CONS

  • May still be a bit too aggressive for drummers who like smooth cymbals

In my opinion, one of the standout performers in the Zildjian K Sweet line is the 21” ride cymbal. I have a bit of an unhealthy liking to ride cymbals. I’ll typically want to buy about 5 of them before ever moving my eye onto other types of cymbals.

If I had my way, I’d always run a setup with 3 ride cymbals, and the K Sweet ride would undoubtedly be one of them.

I’d say the sound it produces is a mixture between a K Custom Dark and A Custom ride. It has all the dark complexity mixed with a bit of brightness to push it through a mix.

While the cymbal is quite articulate when you play the surface, I found the real strength to be in the washiness of it.

It sings beautifully whether you tap it lightly or lay into it heavily with force. It’s for that reason why I wouldn’t mind using it as an extra crash cymbal. The darker tone is great for making a sound that sits under all your drums instead of piercing through them.

The only part of the cymbal that has a bright ping is the bell. However, it’s got the most subtle ping I’ve heard out of all the Zildjian cymbals, making it fantastic for playing bell patterns that you don’t want to sound too aggressive.

The only big problem I have with the K Sweet ride is that the finish is quite bright. That’s not a bad thing in itself, but it means your drum sticks will make marks on the surface more than you’d like them to.

If you’re someone who doesn’t care for keeping your cymbals looking pristine, it won’t be an issue. Otherwise, I’d suggest you use sticks that have wood tips as much as you can with this cymbal.

In terms of musical styles, I’d say the Zildjian K Sweet ride is a highly versatile cymbal fit for almost everything. Similar to the New Beats hi-hats, you could happily play a jazz or metal gig with this ride.

However, I think the dark and washy nature of it caters better to jazz and funk settings. It will work for a metal gig, but it wouldn’t be as ideal as a ride with a stronger bell and more stick definition.

PROS

  • Beautiful tone when hit lightly or aggressively
  • Plenty of washiness
  • Fairly versatile

CONS

  • Bright finish means you get quite a few stick marks on the surface

As I said earlier, the A Custom crashes are the standout cymbals in the A Custom cymbal pack. If you’re looking to purchase one crash cymbal that is separate from anything else, I highly suggest you think about getting the 18” A Custom crash.

16” crashes have very specific uses. The tone is often too high-pitched to sound appealing to certain drummer’s ears. So, 18” crashes are where the money is when it comes to cymbal setups. That’s why I’m suggesting the 18” A Custom crash over the 16”.

This crash is incredibly bright, and it has a short decay that causes its sound to disappear fairly quickly. I found the brightness of it to work incredibly well in rock and metal settings.

You’ll see the majority of Zildjian artists who are rock and metal drummers using this cymbal because of that.

The punchiness of it is great for playing quick shots on the kit that need a bit of oomph from the cymbals. It won’t ring much, and you’ll be able to play more shots in quick succession.

This also means that it’s a great cymbal for crash/riding with. I’ve always thought of it as the go-to cymbal for when you need to play louder in a chorus or bridge.

I wouldn’t suggest using this cymbal for jazz or softer style situations. It’s one of the brightest cymbals out there.

I once played a small jazz gig where the house kit had A Custom cymbals and my drumming stood out like a sore thumb the whole night. That’s when I learned to always bring my own cymbals with me.

If you want an 18” crash that is a bit more jazzy, I’d recommend looking at either the K Custom Special Dry or K Custom Dark. I’ve found those two cymbals to fit jazz occasions perfectly.

PROS

  • Bright tone with short decay
  • Great for rock and metal
  • Good option for crash/riding

CONS

  • Not versatile

What are the Top Lines of Zildjian Cymbals?

Zildjian has such a wide array of cymbals on offer that many people don’t know the full extent of their product line. You may be like me and think that the A and K Customs are the top lines of cymbals from Zildjian.

However, there is one other line from Zildjian that is more expensive than those. The reason that the A and K Custom lines are known to be the top lines is that they’re mass-produced.

They’re fairly abundant online and in music stores. You won’t struggle to find these cymbals if you’re looking to buy them.

The top line from Zildjian would arguably be the K Constantinople Series. It’s the most expensive line of cymbals you can get from Zildjian, telling us that it’s right there at the top of the market. However, you’ll only see jazz drummers playing these cymbals.

Since they only cater to a very specific type of drummer, you could argue that they’re not the top line. I think it would be better to say that Zildjian has beginner, intermediate, and professional cymbals. The K Constantinoples and the A and K Customs all fall under the professional category.

What About Budget Zildjian Cymbals?

Zildjian has some high-quality options in the budget cymbal space. However, most beginner drummers first become aware of the Zildjian name when they get their hands on some Planet Z cymbals. These are the cheapest cymbals Zildjian offers and unfortunately, they’re not very good.

The best budget cymbals from Zildjian, in my opinion, are the S Series Performer cymbals. These cymbals are heavy and bright, making them worthy options for many harder styles.

Most drummers tend to get into drumming because of rock, punk, or metal music. So, the Zildjian S Series cymbals are fantastic for beginner drummers.

I played in a church for a few years that had ZHT cymbals on the kit. I loved them so much and I was surprised to see how good they sounded, even in church settings.

The Zildjian S Series Performer cymbals are the reintroduction of those cymbals under a different name, and they sound the same as they did when I was playing in that church.

I’ve become a professional drummer since then, so my cymbal taste has matured a lot. However, I think the Zildjian S cymbals are a strong competitor in the budget cymbal game. They’re obviously just nowhere near as good as the pro cymbals that Zildjian offers.

What About Splash / China / Effects Cymbals?

Crashes, rides, and hi-hats are typically the main cymbals that drummers will look out for. But there is a whole world of possibilities when you look outside of those normal types of cymbals. You’ll find that effects cymbals typically fall under the same categories.

So, most of the top splashes or chinas will be either A or K Customs. Since splashes are intended to sound high-pitched and aggressive, I’ve found the A Custom splashes to be the best option for that brighter cymbal sound.

The same point could be argued when it comes to china cymbals. However, one of my favorite Zildjian chinas is the K Custom Special Dry Trash China. It has such a unique sound and I love the earthiness of it.

Zildjian offers several unique effects cymbals that many drummers use. A popular example would be the 8” FX Stack. I saw Larnell Lewis playing this stack a few years ago, and I’ve been in love with it ever since.

Where are Zildjian Cymbals Made?

Like most cymbal brands, the Zildjian company was started in Europe. Istanbul, to be exact. The company started in 1623, meaning it’s almost 400 years old.

It’s completely understandable that Zildjian are one of the best cymbal brands, seeing as though they’re the oldest cymbal company in the world.

While Zildjian cymbals were made in Istanbul for the longest time, the factory has since been moved to the USA. The Zildjian headquarters is in Norwell, Massachusetts.

What Zildjian Cymbals Do Famous Drummers Use?

Some of the most famous drummers on Zildjian’s artist roster would be Dennis Chambers, Mark Guiliana, Taylor Hawkins, Steve Gadd, and Peter Erskine. A few of my personal favorite Zildjian artists are JD beck, Larnell Lewis, Marcus Gilmore, and Aaron Spears.

All these drummers use a wide array of cymbals from Zildjian. Something that used to surprise me was that the most famous and successful drummers will still use cymbals from the lower-tier lines.

This eventually taught me a very valuable lesson. Use the cymbals that you like the sound of, not the ones that are the most expensive.

All the famous drummers typically have a mixture of A and K Custom cymbals. The rock drummers lean more towards A Customs while the jazz drummers lean more towards the K Customs. There’s still a bit of crossover, though.

For example, I’ve seen Larnell Lewis playing with an A Custom crash a few times. There you have one of the best jazz drummers around playing with one of the brightest rock cymbals you can get.

One thing to note is that I’ve never seen famous drummers performing with S Series or lower cymbals before. So, they all use the cymbals that fall under the professional category.

Wrap Up

This guide has been fairly extensive. It’s perfectly justified by the sheer number of high-quality cymbals Zildjian has on offer. The brand virtually has something for everyone.

If you’re a heavy rocker, you need to go for any type of Zildjian A cymbal. If you’re a bit more of a creative drummer, the K lines will suit you better.

I suggest you try mixing and matching those two lines, though. You can see from the pro drummers how effective it is in getting a fantastic overall cymbal sound.

While getting a set of cymbals may seem expensive, it’s one of the best investments you can make as a drummer. You can improve the sound of a bad drum kit, but you can’t improve the sound of a bad cymbal. So, save some money and jump into what Zildjian has to offer when you’re ready.

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About Brett Clur

Brett has been drumming for almost two decades. He also helps his students get better at drumming. He can be found on Instagram (@brettclurdrums), where you can regularly catch glimpses of his drumming.

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