Are Meinl HCS 13-inch hi-hat cymbals worth buying on a budget?

At £109, these are the cheaper of the two hi-hat options supplied here. The UFIP Bionic Series 13-inch hi-hats are listed at £358, so they’re a considerably bigger purchase rather than a similarly priced alternative. That price gap alone doesn’t tell you which you’ll prefer.

If possible, try the HCS pair with your own sticks and listen to the closed sound, foot chick and open wash. The supplied details don’t establish their tonal character or durability, so an audition is more useful than promises about how they’ll perform.

It’s also worth checking the Best-value used cymbals list before buying new. For any used pair, inspect the edges and centre holes for cracks or damage, and compare the total cost and condition with the new HCS option.