Hi hat cymbals are arguably the most important cymbals on your kit. They are one of your main tools to keep time and hold the band together. You can’t have a drum kit without a pair of hi hats, and some drum kit setups have ONLY hi hats. So, it is important to have a good pair of them.
Hi hats come in all shapes and sizes, so we’ll discuss what qualities make them different, and I have compiled a list of some good pairs.
The Meinl Byzance Extra Dry hi hats have a distinctively dry and defined tone. Their dryness means that they don’t have many overtones. They have a heavy bottom hat and an extremely thin top hat. The bottom hat gives a heavy “chick” sound, while the light top hat gives a dark stick response with no washiness.
These hi hats are great for jazz, since the sound is distinct when played with the foot, and the dark, dry tone of the cymbals blends nicely into a mix of instruments.
The raw, unlathed surface of the top hat also makes it look quite unique and aesthetic.
Be sure to check our guide on the best drums for jazz.
The Zildjian K Custom 14 1/4” Hybrid hi hats deliver a bright and solid sound. The brightness makes these hi hats cut through a mix and sit nicely in grooves. They are slightly bigger than 14”, making them sound big and powerful.
The bottom cymbal features Zildjian’s Mastersound hybrid hammering, meaning it has mixed metals together to give it a unique sound.
The loud and clean tone of these hi hats makes them a good choice for funk music. 16th notes played on these will be clear and distinct.
The Sabian HHX Click hats feature fully lathed bottoms and partially lathed tops, which result in plenty of control and articulation. These hi hats are known for having a very good “chick” sound, which is something you want from a hi hat!
When played with the foot, they produce a crisp sound that isn’t too washy. When played half open with a stick, they give a warm tone that isn’t too overpowering.
These hi hats are quite versatile and will fit well in most styles of music.
You can also check the HHX Evolution Hats.
Zildjian’s New Beat hi hats are an extremely popular choice for a lot of drummers. They are bright, loud and quite durable. They have a traditional finish and look very clean in a cymbal setup.
The heavy bottom hat gives these hi hats a solid “chick” sound and the brightness makes them seriously loud. These hi hats are advertised as versatile for any style of music, but they actually fit best in a rock setup. They cut through a mix of distorted guitars and heavy vocals.
Meinl’s Medium Classic Custom hi hats are loud, aggressive and perfect for metal. They produce a loud, cutting “chick” sound that will be super present in any mix. The glassy character easily pierces through distorted guitars, so you don’t have to play too hard to be heard.
They are made from B10 bronze, which is what gives them a loud, bright punch. The smooth golden finish also looks great in a cymbal setup.
Sabian’s B8 cymbals have been the most popular value for money entry-level cymbals on the market for a long time. The B8X series is an upgrade to that. The B8X hi hats are precision formed and lathed. They get hand hammered to produce a bright, tight sound with crisp stick and pedal response.
The B8X hi hats are extremely affordable, making them one of the top options for beginners who need quality hi hats, but don’t want to spend too much.
In regards to a beginner, these hi hats will work well in any style of music. Once you become more experienced, you might want to look for some better options.
A good pair of hi hats will be ones that fit your sound. Everyone has specific tastes and plays different types of music. So, your hi hats should help you fit in with that.
Some hi hats will be great for metal, but they’ll be way too harsh for jazz. Cymbals have certain qualities such as being dark, bright, dry or washy. Certain qualities of cymbals lend better to certain styles of music.
Most mid to high tier cymbals sound really good. So, if you see a pair of hi hats that is pricey, it should have a pretty decent sound. Most cheap hi hats don’t sound too great, especially ones that are made with weaker metals. However, there are a few entry-level pairs of hi hats that sound pretty decent.
I have gone and picked out 6 pairs of hi hats that I think would be great in certain setups. Hopefully after seeing this list, you’ll have an idea of what hi hats will be good for you and what you need.
There are a few things you need to take into consideration. Your hi hats should fit the style of music you play. Heavy, bright hi hats work well in heavier styles of music such as metal and rock. Hi hats that are thin and dark work well for jazz. Hi hats that are clean and precise work well for funk, since you’ll be spending most of the time grooving on them.
Certain hi hats will have a mixture of qualities that will make them versatile and fit in with any style of music. Would it not make sense just to get those then? Well no, because they still won’t cater as well to the music as a dedicated hi hat will.
You should then decide how much you are willing to spend. Companies will sell hi hats in categories: entry-level, mid range and high tier. Each range will have a good selection of hi hats, obviously with the sound improving as the price increases. However, you will find some entry-level hi hats that sound really decent. You will also find some high tier hi hats that you just can’t stand the sound of. This all comes down to personal preference.
Lastly, it’s advised to commit to a brand. Brands will design cymbals in a way that makes them work well with each other. So, a pair of Zildjian hi hats will sound good when paired with a certain Zildjian crash. If you ever hope to get an endorsement by a cymbal company in the future, they will appreciate that you have been loyal to them.
Size really depends on personal taste. However, most hi hats are 14”, so that is a good place to start. Standard hi hats range from 13” to 16”. Any thing smaller than that would be considered as an effects cymbal, since it would add a unique sound and you wouldn’t play it all the time.
If you want a higher pitched sound, then a pair of 13” hi hats would be a good option. This size works well for styles like funk, gospel and fusion.
If you want a deep sound that sustains for longer, 15” or 16” hi hats would work well. These sizes work well for rock and jazz.
If you’re not too sure, then just get a pair of 14” hi hats and they will do the trick.
There are 3 main players in the cymbal world. They are Meinl, Zildjian and Sabian. None of them are better than the other, but these are the companies that constantly deliver high quality products. If you’re not too sure on what to get, then definitely pick from one of these.
There are a few well-established smaller brands that are reliable such as Istanbul, Paiste and Soultone.
With hi hats being the most important cymbal, it’s crucial that you choose a good pair for yourself. A pair that suits your style and adds to your voice.
A drummer is never limited to just one pair though. Most professional drummers have different cymbals for different situations. So, you could get one really expensive pair, or split that cash and get a few pairs. Or you can also consider buying a cymbal pack.You can also consider a Low Volume set if need to play low.
When you grow as a musician, your taste grows with you. Your hi hat taste will probably change over the years. Go out and buy yourself a good pair!
Founder of TheDrumNinja
I’m crazy about drums, it’s been my passion since I was 12 years old. I played in numerous bands going through different styles like Rock, Progressive, Pop & Jazz-Rock. After being featured in major music publications (Drumeo, Guitar Guitar, AudioIssues, MusicThinkTank) I started this website to share my knowledge and create a resource for drummers of all levels.
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