Review: Best Cymbal Stands

DW 9000 pedals are the smoothest pedals on the market for bass drums, so it makes sense the 9000 series hi-hat stand builds on that reputation. The DW 9500 has the most sensitive pedal of any hi-hat stand and possesses features not available on other stands, including a double eccentric cam to further increase sensitivity. This hi-hat stand also has an infinitely adjustable spring tension so you can get the exact feel you’re looking for, along with plastic tubing insulators which keep’s the stand silent during studio recording sessions.

Many drummers are instinctively drawn to the DW 5000 series hi-hat stand because it’s been the gold-standard for many years, but the 9500 stand has surpassed it in quality. This stand is recommended for any drummer playing Latin and Jazz music because of its responsiveness to complex hi-hat patterns common to those genres. If you’re a professional seeking the absolute best in hi-hat stands, DW 9500 hi-hat has your name on it. This pick is little more expensive, but a fantastic value when you consider how amazing it performs.

If you’ve  read any of my bass drum pedal reviews, you’ll know I love Iron Cobra pedals. The feel of Tama's Iron Cobra Lever Glide HH905N hi-hat stand’s pedal is very similar to the great feel of the Iron Cobra Bass Drum pedals. The pedal on this pick is very responsive, the stand itself is very sturdy, and has the most options of any hi-hat stand on the market. Footboard angle and tension can easily be adjusted to your preferred settings and the whole stand can be tilted if desired.

The stands tension rod has a protective sleeve to keep it from being bent as this is a common problem for this type of stand. The rod has also been designed to resist loosening during play, a nice feature which only adds to the sturdiness. There’s also a swing lock clutch which allows the top cymbal to almost float without excessively dampening it.

Additional features include a spring seat designed to maximize the sound of the bottom hi-hat when being played with the pedal. What really sets this stand apart from those equipped with a traditional pull system is a unique lever glide mechanism which combines a Kevlar strap with roller bearings to create a very unique, smooth feel. The good news is this high end option is priced affordably, making it a great value considering its capabilities.

Gibraltar is famous for their huge drum racks and their hi-hat stands and their 9707ML-LD is a unique specimen because it features an extremely responsive liquid. This liquid drive has a sought after natural feel that’s driven many drummers to abandon their old hi-hat. There are several different options for the base, including no-leg, two-leg, movable-three leg, and flat base (personally I prefer the movable three-leg because of it stability). The stand itself is well made and extremely durable, typical of Gibraltar cymbal stands which are manufactured to higher standard than their competitors. The 9707ML-LD is competitively priced but if you like the feel of the liquid drive, it’s by far the best option.

I’ve used my Yamaha HS 850 more than any other stand because it light weight and doesn’t require that much in the way of maintenance. The HS 850 features all the essentials a drummer needs including rotating tripod legs, a cymbal tilter, and 11 tension settings for the pedal. This is a very sturdy stand with a grounded feel, high level of responsiveness, and a drive which is quiet and quick.

Made of sturdy, high quality metal, this stand is very easy to set up and pack away easily after you’re done with a gig. The double braced hardware is heavy duty but has a lightweight feel so it won’t weigh down your hardware bag. This hi-hat will be able to sustain a beating over years of gigging and still feel great. It’s also a rather inexpensive hi-hat stand, usually available for $100 less than its counterparts. This makes it an incredible deal for a professional level hi-hat stand.

The C-930 is part of Pearl’s award winning 930 series, an entire line of hardware which has become my favorite because of its high quality and affordability. The C-930 straight stand features Pearl’s "Uni-Lock" cymbal tilter for infinite positioning possibilities, the sturdy, double-braced legs will support the heaviest of cymbals, and the rubber feet at the base of the stand will keep it from moving around. This heavy duty stand will last you through years of gigging and features a plastic wing nut and washer which won't rattle. With die-cast joints for added durability, the C-930 is one of the most exceptional straight cymbal stands available.

The 9710 straight cymbal stand is part of the DW 9000 series of hardware, which is among the best which money can buy and used by top professionals use because of its. The DW 9710 is a heavy-duty double braced stand meant to last a lifetime with a lot of great features including hinged memory locks, plastic tube insulators, and a toothless tilter. The stand also integrates the reliable Techlock locking system, a secondary lock you enable with a drum key to prevent any sort of mishap during a gig. The 9710 also features the patented Cymbal Seat Adjustment system which allows you to adjust the distance between felts thus affecting affects the way the cymbal moves. This stand is a bit more expensive than other straight stands on our list, but it’s one of the best straight cymbal stands for professionals.

The CS-850 is Yamaha's heavy-duty straight cymbal stand. Just like their boom stands, Yamaha’s straight stand construction includes tubes and wing nuts made of a higher quality metal than other stands. The tubes are also lined with plastic to prevent rattling which makes this stand a great option for studio use. This also makes this pick favorite of classical musicians or pit drummers because rattling issues are more noticeable in those genres as opposed to pop music. The CS-850 also features the Infinite Adjustment Cymbal Tilter which offers almost unlimited possibilities for cymbal placement. This is a heavy-duty, professional level stand and as stated said in my reviews of other Yamaha stands, I have been loyal to their hardware for years because of the brands reliability.

The CS 660A is Yamaha’s lightweight cymbal stand, but unlike other stands in this category, it features double-braced legs which can support even the heaviest of cymbals. Just like their boom stands, Yamaha’s straight stand construction includes tubes and wing nuts made of a higher quality metal than other stands while the tilter offers multiple options for cymbal positioning and angle. The unit itself is actually quite light in comparison to other cymbal stands and can be folded down almost completely so your hardware bag remains light with space to spare. Even better, the Yamaha CS660A is less expensive than other quality straight stands which make this model an incredible value.

PDP’s 800 series hardware are their medium weight options and I’ve started to prefer it to their other lines. The PDCS800 is the perfect stand for students and drummers that don’t do a lot of gigging, featuring sturdy, double-braced legs and solid rubber feet. The PDCS800 is a very durable stand, but it’s lightweight enough to travel easily without create a lot of extra weight in your hardware case. The tilter offers almost unlimited cymbal positioning while the stands tubes are exceptionally made. While this stand doesn’t have a lot of the extra sonic features higher end stands have, it does provide a solid foundation for your cymbals at a great price.

Yamaha's CS655A is the best single braced stand on the market. While many people are scared of single-braced hardware branded as “lightweight”, this translate into lighter gear bags when you’re on the road. I usually have several 16-18 inch crash cymbals in my set-up and this stand is great for use with them. In fact, this stand is perfect for any cymbal under 20 inches and can even support large cymbals if you don't extend the arm out too far. It has all of the features of the best heavy-duty stands including a fully adjustable tilter and boom arm with unlimited options for cymbal placement. Like most high-quality boom stands, it easily converts into a straight stand and has a nice compact design. This is the sturdiest lightweight stand on the market and one of the least expensive boom stands I would trust in my setup.

PDP makes some of the best hardware available for the budget-conscious drummer and their 800 series is no exception. The PDCB800 is a boom stand that’s stable enough for heavy cymbals but not so heavy that it will break your back as its being carried in a hardware bag. It features double braced legs with rubber feet that provide a solid base and a boom tilter offering almost unlimited options for cymbal placement. While it doesn’t have a lot of the extra sonic features that high-end stands have, it does provide a solid foundation for your cymbals along with easy height and boom arm extension adjustments. This affordable pick is the perfect stand for students and drummers who don’t do a lot of gigging.

DW's 9000 series hardware is some of the best hardware available for the professional drummer. The DWCP9799 is a very unique stand because it can accommodate two cymbals with its dual boom arms. And because it only has one base, this pick saves a lot of space in your setup and hardware bag. The boom arms are connected to the base with a ball and socket joint similar to tom mounting hardware. This joint offers unlimited options for cymbal placement and even offers the ability to have one cymbal mounted high and the other mounted low.

Additionally, the stand offers features such as hinged memory locks and plastic tube insulators which make it a must for any gigging drummer with multiple cymbals in their setup. The stand also integrates the reliable Techlock locking system which is a secondary lock you can apply with a drum key that will prevent any sort of mishap during a gig. While this stand is fairly expensive, it does a great job of combining the power of two stands into one.