How to pick the best hi-hat stands?
Picking the best hi-hat stand requires considering your personal preferences and the quality of the hi-hat stand itself. Since the hi-hat stands we’ve recommended are all top-quality, it can then come down to your needs. Your choice of the right hi-hat stand can come down to a number of features you might value more than others. Some of the features we’ll review in-depth in this section so that you can better determine which product is optimal for you. The aspects that we’ll compare include height adjustments, legs, drive mechanism, dimensions, weight, balance and smooth action, versatility, and price.
Height and pedal adjustments
When it comes to setting up your hi-hat stand, the most important thing you’ll need to adjust is the height of the hi-hat. This is crucial because it can vastly affect the sound you produce, and it can be very uncomfortable if the height is not adjusted.
The ideal way to set up the height of your hi-hat stand is to position your cymbals roughly 6-8 inches above your snare drum.
Next, you’ll want to adjust your hi-hat pedal, so that your leg is bent at a 90-degree angle. In terms of keeping your height settings after you’ve established them, the best hi-hat stands should have a very durable tubing with memory locks so that you won’t have to constantly keep re-adjusting your hi-hat stand every time you start a jamming session. For example, the Pacific Drums by DW 700 Series Hi-Hat Cymbal Stand allow you to put your cymbals up to 44 inches high to make it convenient to play.
Legs
The number of legs on a hi-hat stand is either two or three, and it really is up to you which one you prefer among these options. Hi-hat stands that come with 2 legs obviously take up less space and allows you for more room to fit other drum hardware, including double bass drum pedal, for example. However, the 3-legged hi-hat stand is more common among drummers, and that’s because it affords drummers much more stability and doesn’t need any extra support.
The legs are also unique because they can come in either single or double-braced. A single-braced leg just means that the leg consists of one piece, like with the Yamaha HS-740A, whereas a double-braced leg has two separate pieces that make up the leg giving it a bit more stability and strength, such as seen with the Pearl H830.
Lastly, it’s pretty much commonplace now that all of the best hi-hat stands have legs that come with rubber feet. The rubber on the feet of the legs ensures that the hi-hat stand stays in place and does not move or slip around when it’s being used.
Drive mechanism
The drive mechanism refers to how the power is transferred within the hi-hat stand. Pretty much all of the hi-hat stands use a chain drive mechanism. What this means is that the pedal in the footboard is attached directly to the pull rod using some sort of connecting piece. For hi-hat stands, this connecting piece is often a chain.
Chain drives are often considered to be the classic choice because it is the most reliable way to connect the footboard and the rod.
Also, you can find the Double Eccentric Cam with the Drum Workshop 9500D that uses a unique approach for more control.
Dimensions
The size of the hi-hat stand you choose is an important factor because it can be easier to transport smaller product around from different places. On the other hand, you might want to have more adjustability to add a larger pedal or make it a tad higher.
Drum kits tend to take up quite a lot of space. If the place where you’re playing is limited, there’s a decent chance your hi-hat stand may not be able to fit, or it might be too uncomfortable to adjust or play.
In our list of the best hi-hat stands, the tallest hi-hat stand we see is the Drum Workshop 9500D, which is nearly 33 inches tall and can be extended to a maximum of 43 inches, whereas, on the shorter side, the Gibraltar 5707 Hi-Hat Stand is only 22 inches tall and can go up to a height of 36 inches.
Weight
The weight of the hi-hat stand can be a factor for some drummers, but it will generally come down to the style of music you play. For instance, if you’re a drummer that plays a hard rock style of music, you’ll definitely want to look into purchasing a hi-hat stand that is much more sturdy and has more stability, such as the ddrum RXHH2L PRO RX Pro Series. Oftentimes, these ones will be heavier.
However, if you play a less aggressive type of music, you’ll likely be able to settle for a lighter hi-hat stand. On that note, if you plan on bringing your hi-hat stand to different places and gigs and have to assemble and disassemble it, you’ll probably want to find a lighter one and one that is easier to set up and take apart.
Balance and smooth action
The best hi-hat stands all offer drummers balance and smooth action. This is often related to footboard sensitivity as the more sensitive the footboard is, the more responsive it will feel. The resistance produced by a hi-hat stand is also very important for drummers because it can greatly affect the way you play. Drummers need to find the right balance in tension, and this can differ from person to person. Too much resistance means drummers are likely to become fatigued more easily, whereas too little resistance means that you might not achieve that control. That’s why drummers need to pay close attention to the adjustments of the tension to ensure they have the right settings for a more smooth and balanced feel. For example, the Yamaha HS-740A is a well-balanced model that gives plenty of control.
Prices
Despite the level you have, any drummer should get the proper equipment to achieve better results. Having one of the best hi-hat stands will help you sound like a professional. Thankfully, you don’t need to splash the cash to get a decent option. There is a fairly wide range in price of the hi-hat stands we’ve selected, and it really is up to you how much you’re willing to spend.
If the price of a hi-hat stand is of the utmost importance to you and is often a key factor in any purchasing decision you make, you might want to consider our Best Value selection, the Gibraltar 5707 Hi-Hat Stand, which costs only $70. On the other hand, if price really isn’t of any concern to you, and you want to enjoy the highest-quality product, you should really take a look at our Premium Pick, the Drum Workshop 9500D. This hi-hat stand will set you back some $350. You can also find amazing options in between of these two numbers.
