Cymbal stands are one of the essential pieces of hardware on your drum set. If you’re looking to add a few extra cymbals to your set, then you’re going to need cymbal stands (or at least cymbal arms that hang off other hardware).
Though, not all cymbal stands are created equal. There’s a big difference between a very cheap stand vs heavy and durable ones.
The big problem area that I’ve found with very cheap cymbal stands is the lack of durability around the knobs to adjust the height. These broke on my two main cymbal stands on my first cheap drum set all of those years ago.
A good boom stand can really help you position your cymbal correctly, though you don’t necessarily need these for every cymbal because they take up a bit of extra room. So, we’re going to talk about cymbal stands that you can use cymbals such as the crash, ride, splash, china, and other effects cymbals.
My top recommended cymbal stand is the DW 5700 Cymbal Stand. This is a heavy-duty, quality-made cymbal stand from a renowned manufacturer.
My second recommended cymbal stand is the DW PDP 800 Cymbal Stand. This is a good-quality and affordable cymbal stand for those on a budget.
Contents
- The 7 Best Cymbal Stands (2024)
- 1. DW 5700 Cymbal Stand
- 2. DW PDP 800 Cymbal Stand
- 3. Pearl BC-930 Cymbal Boom Stand
- 4. DW 9700 Cymbal Stand
- 5. Mapex B200RB Cymbal Boom Stand
- 6. Gibraltar 5709 Cymbal Boom Stand
- 7. Tama HC83BW Cymbal Boom Stand
- Boom Stands vs Straight Stands
- What to look for in a Cymbal Stand when buying?
- Summary
The 7 Best Cymbal Stands (2024)
Let’s compare these in more detail.
1. DW 5700 Cymbal Stand
Every drummer should have at least one boom cymbal stand in his drum setup. And if you’re looking to buy one, the DW 5000 series heavy-duty cymbal stand is a good option to consider.
This is the stripped-down version of the high-end 9000 series, meaning it has the best of both worlds – it’s stripped down of every unnecessary thing, but it also has all of the features that you would need from your cymbal stand.
It has 1/8” diameter tubes and memory locks to keep everything together. The locks are of top quality, meaning they will endure the everyday stress that a serious drummer would put them through in practice and gigging. They are also quite light in comparison to the high-end options and every pound counts when you have to dismantle and move your drum set every other night.
2. DW PDP 800 Cymbal Stand
If you’re looking for a budget option and don’t want to splash large amounts of money, the PDP 800 is a great pick for you. This is a double-braced, 3-legged stand that is collapsible and easily transferred. It’s light and thin, but don’t be fooled by the looks – this is one sturdy stand.
Even though it’s not the best item on the market, it will do its job properly and for a really cheap price. What more could you ask of it?
This cymbal stand is especially great for beginner drummers since the value-for-price ratio is off the charts. Naturally, you would upgrade when the time comes later on. But, for starters, this stand will be more than enough.
3. Pearl BC-930 Cymbal Boom Stand
Pearl is a household name in the drumming world and it’s no wonder that their stand has made its way to this list of the top cymbal stands. The BC930 is a high-quality, heavy-duty cymbal stand that has all the best features and can be used by any drummer in the world.
This is a three-legged, double-braced stand, with a boom arm. It is equipped with Uni-Lock tilters giving you as much versatility as you can get.
The great thing about it, apart from the quality of every piece of the equipment is that the boom arm fits inside the stand base. This means that you can elegantly pack everything up, without having to lose too much space, which is really valuable when you are packing every night.
4. DW 9700 Cymbal Stand
The DW 9700 Cymbal Stand is a high-end cymbal stand option with great features that we touched on earlier with its downgraded counterpart. This stand has everything you might think of from memory locks to toothless tilters and a TechLock secondary locking system.
Naturally, not everyone needs these features but for a pro drummer who knows what he wants, this is an all-inclusive option. This rugged stand is built to last and has great flexibility for easy positioning wherever you are. It even has plastic tube insulators.
Overall, this is a professional option to consider if you have the budget and want an all-rounder of a cymbal stand for your studio sessions or live performances.
5. Mapex B200RB Cymbal Boom Stand
If you’re a beginner and looking to just get started, you’re probably not going to need the best stand on the market, but something that’s affordable and easy to use.
The Mapex B200RB Cymbal Boom Stand is just the thing you’re going to need – it’s light, sturdy, and most importantly, it’s cheap! This is a simple, double-braced, three-legged stand with rubber tips that keep it from sliding on the floor.
It doesn’t have any fancy features, but just standard locks that are going to help you keep your cymbal in place when you play your drum set. This is a great buy for any beginner, as it fits every set, it’s cheap and they offer good quality for the amount of money you’re paying. And most importantly, they are sturdy enough to keep you hitting on them for a long time!
6. Gibraltar 5709 Cymbal Boom Stand
The Gibraltar 5709 Cymbal Boom Stand is a great mid-range cymbal stand with great value for money. This affordable stand has a double-braced tripod base for great stability and is very portable thanks to the medium-weight design.
It features a hideaway, retractable boom arm that you can use to convert the boom stand into a straight stand if needed.
The Gibraltar 5709 is a beginner-to-intermediate option that won’t break the bank. The durability is on par and for this price range, you will unlikely find a better solution for a medium-weight option.
7. Tama HC83BW Cymbal Boom Stand
The last entry on this list is the Tama HC83BW Cymbal Boom Stand. This is a very reliable, budget-friendly, and heavy-duty option. It features a quick-set tilter for extra flexibility and a Glide-Tite grip joint. The durability of this stand is superb.
Tama are a big-game player for a long time now and the HC83BW Roadpro series stand shows their work beautifully. This sturdy stand has a double-braced tripod base for stability, a Quick-Set tilter for adjustability, and Quick-Set Cymbal Mate for portability (attaching and detaching).
The HC83BW stand is also convertible from a boom into a straight stand if needed. All in all, the value you get from this affordable stand is unmatched!
Boom Stands vs Straight Stands
Boom stands, because they can reach over the other drums, offer much more versatility when setting up your drum set. Also, many boom stands have a design where a boom arm fits into the bottom part of the stand. This allows for them to become straight stands if need be, making them a comprehensive, all-in-one tool that any drummer must have.
They do tend to cost a bit more as there is more material used for building them, but it’s not such a cost difference if you’re serious about your drumming.
You should also note that lighter stands would need some counterweight if you’re planning on extending the cymbal far from the gravity center of the stand.
What to look for in a Cymbal Stand when buying?
There are a few crucial things you should look for in a cymbal stand when buying one and that includes a double-braced tripod base, a convertible design, memory locks, and overall flexibility.
Double-braced Tripod base
Most cymbal stand you will encounter on the market will already be double-braced with a tripod base so you shouldn’t worry here. A double-braced tripod base ensures that you have a stable foundation even if you’re playing at maximum intensity.
Convertible Design
What you need is a convertible design so that you can switch from a boom cymbal stand to a straight cymbal stand if the occasion arises. This is also a great and portable way to store your cymbal stand, especially if you’re a traveling drummer.
Memory Locks
Memory locks are exceptional features that you may find in higher-end cymbal stands. They sort of store your preferred height adjustment and angle when you set up your kit. This saves you time and worries while gigging.
Flexibility
Flexibility is key for positioning your cymbals. You want to look for a Uni-Lock, toothless, or Quick Set tilter that will add flexibility while finding that perfect position. Many options on the market offer this feature.
Summary
There are different kinds of stands, single-braced, double-braced, etc. All of this can be a bit confusing when buying your first stand especially, so I would advise beginners to research a bit into the topic before going out and buying.
Also, you should identify what your needs are – of course, the most expensive stand on the market is going to do you a good job. But, for your needs, some lighter, cheaper stand would most probably do the job you need as well, and for a lot less money.
My top pick is the DW 5700 Cymbal Stand, a heavy-duty, quality-made cymbal stand from a renowned manufacturer.
My budget pick is the DW PDP 800 Cymbal Stand, a good-quality and affordable cymbal stand that is great for beginner drummers.
