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The 8 Best effect cymbals of 2025

Are you trying to find effect cymbals among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!

We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling effect cymbals on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 29 hours of research and did 37 effect cymbals tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!

An overview of our top picks

Table of contents

The best effect cymbals you can buy today

No. 1
HYG Cymbal Sizzler Cymbal Chain, Big small 2pcs, Cymbal hiss, Sound effect adjustment Cymbal Chain for Rides, Crashes, Chinas, Drum Kits, Jazz Drums (2108092309)
  • Sizzler cymbals: He will send out hiss with your beat, which has the effect of prolonging the sound, and the sound effect is great.(The length of the chain is equal to or smaller than the radius of the cymbal for best results, if it is too long, you can cut it short.)
  • Size: gasket inner ring:0.6 inches is Great applicability, outer ring:1.37 inches, thickness 0.08 inches; chain length 12 inch (30 cm), steel ball:0.125 inches and 0.177 inches in two sizes.
  • Design: Two chains, large and small. The chain adopts a hollow design, which greatly reduces the weight. The use effect is better. With the high hardness of 304 stainless steel, the elasticity is better and the sound effect is perfect.
  • Material: Made of high-quality 304 stainless steel, strong and durable. Don't worry about malfunctions during the performance.
  • Easy to use: The size of the washer is very adaptable, and the installation, adjustment and disassembly of the cymbal chain is very quick and simple.
No. 2
Meinl 12” China Cymbal – HCS Traditional Finish Brass for Drum Set, Made In Germany, 2-YEAR WARRANTY (HCS12CH)
  • MAJOR UPGRADE FROM "STOCK" STARTER CYMBALS: these are not those distractingly cheap, flimsy prop cymbals that come with most drum sets; Meinl HCS cymbals have impressive sound and sturdy feel geared toward beginner/intermediate players
  • WHY IT MATTERS: playing HCS cymbals will sound more like what you hear in actual songs, making the drums even more fun to play; plus, they aren't going to fall apart, dent, or bend after a few uses like stock cymbals
  • WHAT'S IN THE BOX: includes one 12" china cymbal; this china has a bold, trashy sound that's perfect for accents and adding energy to your playing; most players mount with the edge and bell facing down to get the classic china sound effect
  • DRIVING THE SOUND: made in Germany with MS63 brass alloy for a clean, bright, and crisp tone; substantial thickness with well-formed surface grooves and hammer marks give you a defined sound without clangy or ear-piercing overtones
  • CATCH UP QUICK: HCS exceeds expectations because Meinl brings experience crafting cymbals since 1951; we make HCS and other lines in our German factory, and our top-of-the-line professional Byzance cymbals are hand hammered in Turkey from cast B20 bronze
  • ZOOM IN: the surface shimmers and shines under light, which is a bonus if you like your kit to look beautiful; HCS cymbals also feature the same logo treatment as our professional lines, including a small laser engraved logo and serial number
  • OF NOTE: you can find any sound in the seemingly never-ending selection of cymbal types in the HCS line; all essentials in multiple sizes are covered along with effects cymbals that let you expand your sound with variety
  • THE BOTTOM LINE: this is a German made, top-quality entry level cymbal that resembles more high-end models with its crisp, bright tone and musical feel; it has a long lifespan, even for hard hitters, and fits any musical style
No. 3
Meinl 12" Trash Splash Cymbal with Holes - Classics Custom Brilliant - Made In Germany, 2-YEAR WARRANTY (CC12TRS-B)
  • MADE IN GERMANY: Classics Custom Brilliant cymbals are made at the Meinl Cymbal factory in Gutenstetten, Germany; they're formed with high-tech German engineering for consistent bright tone, powerful feel, and durability across all models
  • WHY IT MATTERS: these cymbals will make your kit sound and look professional; plus, the big assortment makes it easy to find your voice whether it's just one piece or a matching complete set
  • WHAT'S IN THE BOX: one 12" trash splash cymbal; hole cut-outs give it its trashy tone; great for fast fills with extra bite or cymbal stacking
  • DRIVING THE SOUND: made of durable B12 bronze alloy weighted and shaped for loud volume and controlled sustain; fully lathed surfaces with brilliant finish produce clean tone, and precision hammering dials-in musical frequencies
  • THE UPSIDE FOR YOU: you'll be heard next to distortion charged guitar amps or in wide-open, large rooms with a bright cymbal cut that doesn't overtake or ring out forever
  • ZOOM IN: the mirror-like finish adds shimmer and brilliance to both the sound and look; these cymbals will give your kit a great stage presence
  • BEST FOR: rock, metal, fusion, worship; ALSO GREAT FOR: high-energy pop, R&B, funk
  • THE TAKEAWAY: Classics Custom Brilliant is for you if you like powerful cymbals with clean tone, bright attack, and a controlled sustain; their expert German craftsmanship is built to last
SaleNo. 4
Meinl Cymbal Bacon - Cymbal Sizzler for Rides, Crashes, Chinas, and Effect Cymbals with No Rivets Required (BACON)
  • MAKES YOUR CYMBAL SIZZLE: Meinl Cymbal Bacon produces old school sizzle sounds on your ride, crash, or effects cymbal with no effort; it instantly changes your cymbal feel, live or in the studio
  • WHY IT MATTERS: the alternative to getting a sizzle effect is drilling holes in your cymbal to add metal rivets, a dramatic procedure that permanently alters your cymbal; now you can get that sound in seconds and remove it just as fast
  • HOW IT WORKS: the light stainless steel beaded chain reacts by bouncing on your cymbal while you play; this gives you a sizzling sustain with every note whether you play with sticks or brushes
  • DRIVING ITS POPULARITY: it's the most easy-to-use cymbal sizzler; the minimalist washer design is all you need to secure it (no bulky plastic collars here), plus, you can use your original cymbal felts with it
  • OF NOTE: there are two versions of Meinl Cymbal Bacon, Standard and Heavy; this is the Standard model that has slightly smaller beads and a lighter weight for subtle effects
  • SAFE FOR ANY FINISH: your homemade sizzler isn't guaranteed to not damage or mark up your favorite ride cymbal; Meinl Cymbal Bacon is safe on all cymbal finishes and alloys
  • BY THE NUMBERS: the chain measures 10 1/2" long to reach right to the edge of a 22" cymbal (but it works the same on smaller or larger cymbals too); the universal washer opening is 1/2" wide to fit all cymbal stands
  • THE BIG PICTURE: Meinl is a family-owned musical instrument manufacturer and brand established 1951 in Germany; our expert German designers have deep relationships with our builders to ensure you're delivered the absolute finest quality
No. 5
Meinl Cymbals HCS-FX HCS Cymbal Box Set Effects Pack with 10" Splash, 12" China, Plus a FREE Cymbal Stacker (VIDEO)
  • Effects pack stacker — included in the HCS effects pack is a 10” splash and a 12” china, along with a FREE cymbal stacker attachment that threads onto any cymbal stand; cue in effects sounds while reducing the number of stands you need
  • Cymbal stacker attachment — equipped with felt washers, this handy attachment threads onto an existing cymbal stand so that you can mount cymbals in a stack configuration; the attachment puts 5.5” of space between your two cymbals
  • You'll sound more naturally musical — get the cymbal sound you want without a brash, tinny, or over-the-top piercing pitch; Meinl HCS cymbals develop plenty of warmth with a pleasant, balanced tone so you can sound more naturally musical on your drums
  • Total inspiration for beginners — Meinl HCS cymbals are an outstanding entry point for beginner drummers with their ultra-clean sounds that let you hear every note with clarity; their classic good looks also make your set look more refined and upscale
  • Multi-use for any skill level — if you're a more advanced player, Meinl HCS cymbals are a solid, musical and reliable fit for practice setups or to use in your main kit to find new sounds; they also blend well with a cajon in acoustic settings
  • Durable brass alloy for all styles — our MS63 brass alloy produces a dialed-in mix of volume, clarity and warmth to fit any musical style from rock to pop to jazz; we form the brass to stand up to the brunt of drumsticks with a musical tone
  • Full range of sounds — unique to this price range, HCS cymbals offer all of the cymbal types and sizes normally found in professional setups to beginners; this means you can build up your drum set exactly how you want with a uniform sound
  • Made in Germany with 100% renewable energy — Meinl HCS cymbals are made in our German factory not far from where our designers work so we can maintain total control and produce the highest quality; plus, we use 100% renewable energy to make these cymbals
No. 6
Meinl Cymbals Ching Ring Tambourine Jingle Effect, Stainless Steel — NOT Made in China — for Hihats, Crashes, Rides and Stacks (CRING)
531 Consomer Reviews
Meinl Cymbals Ching Ring Tambourine Jingle Effect, Stainless Steel — NOT Made in China — for Hihats, Crashes, Rides and Stacks (CRING)
  • QUICK TAMBOURINE EFFECT: the Meinl Ching Ring goes directly on your cymbal to blend tambourine sounds while you play; it instantly changes your cymbal feel, live or in the studio
  • WHY IT MATTERS: you get a lot of new sounds anywhere on your drum kit with a small accessory that requires no attachments; toss it on your cymbal, and let gravity hold it down
  • HOW IT WORKS: five pairs of stainless steel jingles are mounted with rivets on a light metal frame to react seamlessly with your playing; stainless steel has a bright tone that cuts without overpowering
  • OF NOTE: if you have the Ching Ring on your hihats, it adds a nice sparkle when you hit the cymbals with your sticks, and it lets your hihat foot patterns shine
  • GO DEEPER: it creates buzzing high-end on crashes, rides and effects, plus, you get a sampled drum effect if you put it on a snare or floor tom; there's no limit on where to place the Ching Ring (try more than one around your setup)
  • SAFE FOR ANY FINISH: the Meinl Ching Ring is safe to use on all cymbal finishes and alloys
  • BY THE NUMBERS: the universal size frame has a 4 1/2" wide opening to fit most cymbals, and the whole Ching Ring measures 6" across; it weighs about 4 ounces
  • THE BIG PICTURE: Meinl is a family-owned musical instrument manufacturer and brand established 1951 in Germany; our expert German designers have deep relationships with our builders to ensure you're delivered the absolute finest quality
No. 7
Avedis Zildjian Company 9" FX Oriental Trash Splash
  • Exotic, "trashy" special effects
  • Blends well with other cymbal sounds
  • Excellent cymbal stacker for stretching your sound with more FX possibilities
  • Short, sharp splash sound
  • Great for accents and other punctuated effects
No. 8
Sabian 8" Chopper Cymbal
  • Three layers of custom-cut bronze deliver raw, dirty, funky sounds
  • Create rapidfire bursts of white noise that cut with precision and clarity
  • Exclusive innovation from the SABIAN Vault team
No. 10
Meinl Cymbals GX-8/10ES Generation-X 8" and 10" Electro Stack Cymbal Pair (VIDEO)
  • hard, sizzling attack due to waved China top
  • trashy, white noise effect
  • extrememly short sustain
  • 2 Cymbals in one make up the stack
  • 8" & 10"

How to choose a good effect cymbals

Does the idea of finding a fantastic effect cymbals make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!

Your presence here indicates that you are interested in effect cymbals. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top effect cymbals products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?

First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top effect cymbals on the market right now!

The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:

Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top effect cymbals brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.

Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top effect cymbals based on those.

Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.

Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.

Customer ratings:  Would it be accurate to suggest that the effect cymbals were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.

Customer Reviews: Like ratings,  provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.

Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good effect cymbals, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.

Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your effect cymbals.

Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting effect cymbals for months and years to come.

Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.

Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.

These are the standards by which we selected our effect cymbals. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.

Why should you believe us?

There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what effect cymbals should you purchase in 2022?

This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on effect cymbals.