The 7 Best Hi-Hat Stands of (2024) for Smooth and Stable Playing
A hi-hat is an integral part of every drum set. The smoothness and quality of your hi-hat stand can allow you to properly control the pressure and sound of these cymbals. If you’re using a junk hi-hat stand then you’re missing out.
Hi-hat stands often don’t get the treatment they deserve. A good hi-hat is important not only in terms of durability and reliability but also in terms of its impact on the whole drum set. You also want a stand that has a great mechanism, which works smoothly and ensures effortless playing. A good mechanism is not just allowing effortless playing, but also provides lots of dynamics to your playing.
Another thing is that a good stand should feature heavy-duty tubing with integrated memory locks, so you won’t bother with height adjustment before each show and rehearsal.
Hi-hat stands can be 2-legged or 3-legged. This is very much a matter of preference. Stands with 2 legs offer more space for other hardware such as a double bass drum pedal, whereas 3 legged stands offer more stability. It’s very much a matter of preference.
My recommendation as the best hi-hat stand is the Pearl H930 Hi-Hat Stand, Demonator Style with a very good pedal and smooth. It’s a very well-rounded stand.
My budget option is the Gibraltar 5707 Double Braced stand for those on a tighter budget.
Contents
- The 7 Best Hi-Hat Stands of (2024)
- 1. Pearl H930 Hi-Hat Stand, Demonator Style
- 2. Gibraltar 5707 Double Braced
- 3. Tama Speed Cobra 315
- 4. Griffin Remote Hi Hat Stand with Foot Pedal
- 5. Yamaha HS-740A
- 6. Pacific Drums by DW 800 Series
- 7. DW DWCP3500TA Hi-Hat Stand
- How do you set up a Hi-Hat Stand?
- What is the Difference between two-legged and three-legged Stands?
- Why does my stand keep loosening?
- What to look for in a hi-hat stand when buying?
- Summary
The 7 Best Hi-Hat Stands of (2024)
Let’s compare these in more detail.
1. Pearl H930 Hi-Hat Stand, Demonator Style
Pearl is a household name in the business, so it’s no wonder that high-quality hi-hat stands are included in its offer as well. Based on the legendary H2000 series, this model comes as a cheaper alternative.
The overall design is pretty much the same, as well as the famous Demon look. One of the first things that you’ll notice is the famous Demon-style footboard, while the chain drive provides effortless and, at the same time, pretty responsive playing.
Another thing I should mention is that you can adjust spring tension, which means you can adjust resistance, which means you will find this stand comfortable, no matter how “heavy” your foot is.
The sturdiness and overall quality of this stand are amazing, despite that we are talking about a mid-range price tag. The only thing that could bother you is that this is a three-legged stand. Still, if you don’t play double bass drum pedals, you shouldn’t have any problems with finding enough space for it in your drum set.
2. Gibraltar 5707 Double Braced
When it comes to drumming hardware and accessories, Gibraltar is a very well-known name in the world of drums. This company also makes very good hi-hat stands. This one is one of the most popular models, as it delivers a lot of value for the price.
The overall design of this stand is pretty simple. It is a medium-sized three-legged stand, which is compact and stable at the same time.
The only complaint goes to a relatively small footprint. If this doesn’t bother you, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t try this one, especially if you consider the price tag. The stand is flexible and adjustable, as well as pretty compact when packed, which makes it perfect for transportation. Definitely a great choice for those with a tight budget.
A quality hi-hat stand is a good investment, no matter if you are playing a professional or some mid-grade drums.
3. Tama Speed Cobra 315
There are no words to describe how Speed Cobra 315 amazing is, considering the price tag. Practically, you get the same design as the famous 915 series, including some features that are pretty exclusive for this price tag.
Another feature that is typical for much more expensive products is a direct pull action system, instead of a regular chain mechanism. This provides smoother and more responsive playing compared to other products at this price range. Finally, there are six tension settings.
All in all, we could say that the Tama Speed Cobra is a highly functional and versatile product, which seems like a natural choice for metal drummers, as well as for all other drummers that are tight on budget and don’t have room for three-legged hi-hat stands.
4. Griffin Remote Hi Hat Stand with Foot Pedal
This is a very popular and solid remote hi-hat stand. Remote hi-hat stands are a great option for those who want a very flexible placement of their hi-hat on the kit.
You could place your hi-hat in a completely different position than is done traditionally.
Using a pedal like this saves a lot of space and is great for double bass drum pedals. For those who haven’t tried out this kind of option, it is highly recommended at least once. Who knows, maybe you just might find the perfect match for you.
You can buy a separate clamp to fasten the hi-hat stand to another cymbal stand or drum rack.
5. Yamaha HS-740A
If you’re looking for the best balance between price and quality, Yamaha is the brand for you. All Yamaha instruments are famous for excellent build quality, drums in particular.
Besides top-class durability and reliability, this product is also quite functional.
There are 11 tension settings, which in practice means that drummers of all music styles and genres will find this hi-hat pedal super comfortable. It’s a very solid and comfortable hi-hat stand.
6. Pacific Drums by DW 800 Series
A great thing to know is that Drum Workshop isn’t reserved for professionals anymore. The renowned company has also beginners and intermediate players in mind these days. DW 800 is a perfect example.
Based on the popular Pacific series, which set new standards in the industry years ago. The new model is a more affordable version, which comes with a similar overall design, though slightly simplified, as well as with lower-grade materials.
Of course, “lower grade” doesn’t mean anything bad. This three-legged stand will satisfy professionals’ needs with ease. It is compact, but also sturdy.
Also, the hi-hat pedal works incredibly smooth, like in other, much more expensive DW products. The price is relatively affordable, and we also like the fact that the stand is available in various color options.
7. DW DWCP3500TA Hi-Hat Stand
A two-legged hi-hat stand that defines quality and durability by the well-known and well-respected DW (Drum Workshop).
DW products are known to be of great quality and this is no surprise to any of us. This hi-hat stand is no exception to the rule. DW delivers a fine-quality stand with great construction, able to withstand a long time.
If you’re looking for a durable option, then this just might be the one. With a solid baseplate and solid footboard that delivers smooth and precise playing all within the confines of a reasonable price.
The value for money on this stand is simply mesmerizing. It rarely gets better than this!
How do you set up a Hi-Hat Stand?
While many might have this process in the bag, some are still confused and require some further guidance. Luckily, that is just what you will get.
A Hi-hat stand is not complicated to set up. When you get a stand, you might feel confused for a second because it’s closed up for the moment.
You need to loosen the screws and bolts, then widen the legs for a firm grip on the ground so it doesn’t go anywhere. And for the hi-hat, well that is the simplest part, just put the bottom/top hi-hat and mount them accordingly with selected pressure and preferred taste.
What is the Difference between two-legged and three-legged Stands?
The two-legged stand features two rubber feet with the usual spring tension adjustment and hinged height adjustment. All in all, it is an excellent hi-hat stand that has done the job right for a long time.
The three-legged stand offers more flexibility and stability. The setup is much more durable than the two-legged one and this is why most drummers go for the three-legged stands.
As far as sensitivity or responsive feel, I think both do a good job and don’t really differ much in that department, mostly for stability and durability.
Why does my stand keep loosening?
This is not an uncommon occurrence. The hi-hat stand will loosen from time to time, especially if played frequently. The tension rod weakens from constant playing and will require tightening every once in a while.
For tips, I’d say just make sure you mount the hi-hat cymbals correctly. Keep an eye out when adjusting the top and bottom cymbal angle, and watch the overall cymbal movement. You want it to be just the right amount of tight to avoid unnecessary damage and provide ease of playing.
What to look for in a hi-hat stand when buying?
Obviously, you want to look for a stand with a good structure and good durability, preferably around medium weight so it can offer better playing and easier transport. Granted, the heavier the more sturdy but sometimes you want the sweet middle ground.
The brand or manufacturer is also important. Choosing the more frequent and let’s say ‘safe’ options is a sure-fire for anyone. That is why brands like Pearl, TAMA, and DW are always good choices because they provide quality products.
Crucial components when it comes to stands are the swivel legs, the resistance in general, and the weight naturally. All these play a vital role in a good quality hi-hat stand so you need to keep an eye out for these in particular.
Lastly, you should always consider the price of the product. This also means that you need to consider your skill level. If you are a beginner to intermediate then there is no need to go overboard and spend a lot on a stand. If you are a pro, however, then upgrading to a better stand seems like a logical step.
Summary
Hi-hat stands come in all shapes and sizes, and they serve very different purposes. So, before you go out and purchase a hi-hat stand for your drum set, it is important to understand what exact type of stand will work best for you.
For those who simply want to start playing drums as soon as possible or those who play more casually than professionally, a two-legged stand will do just fine. These are usually the most affordable type of hi-hat stands on the market, available in all shapes and sizes. They may not be as stable as more expensive products with three legs, but if you have an average drum set in your garage or basement, nothing is likely to fall over.
My top recommended hi-hat stand is the Pearl H930 Hi-Hat Stand, Demonator Style. It’s a well-rounded and quality hi-hat stand for any drummer.
My second recommended hi-hat stand is the Gibraltar 5707 Double Braced stand. If you want to be conservative, this is an affordable option that will get the job done.
