Hi-hat stands can be an overlooked part of a drum set. Even among experienced drummers, these stands don’t get much love. When players get a new snare drum or pedal, they’ll pridefully show it off to their friends and bandmates. They don’t typically show off their new hi-hat stand with so much glee!
Well, it’s time to give hi-hat stands some deserved attention. We’ll get into what we believe are the best hi-hat stand values, each under $200 (at the time of writing). Some of these might not be considered high-end in terms of professional features, but they’re great for their price. All of these stands are money well-spent.
Some of the stands on this list are two-legged, while others have the standard three legs. Most are name brand, but not all. There may be a surprise or two. Hopefully the list can help you make a good decision whenever you make your next hi-hat stand purchase.
On with the list! These are the best hi-hat stand values under $200.
*This post includes affiliate product links, through which we may receive a small commission. We take pride in only recommending the products that will help drummers most. Thank you for the support!
Gibraltar 5707
3-Leg Stand
The 5707 has been a Gibraltar best-seller for years, creating a long history of satisfied users. Many stands that hover around the $100 price range have a major weakness or two. Cheap parts, non-adjustable foot tension, a sloppy pedal feel, or a base that doesn’t swivel. Not so with the 5707. There’s nothing all that fancy about it, but it does what most players need without a major shortcoming.
The combination of having 3 legs and being medium weight is helpful to many drummers. It gives you the support most 2-legged stands don’t provide, while still being very portable. Hardware is the heaviest part of a gigging drummer’s load, so finding that middle ground is what many players want.
If you play double pedal, you may still be able to use this stand. The base swivels enough to sneak the second bass drum pedal in. However, hardware can get really cluttered with that type of setup, even with a swiveling hi-hat base. There are snare stand legs, hi-hat stand legs, and a bass drum pedal all competing for space in a small area around your feet. Something typically ends up in an awkward position. For that reason, most double pedal players are probably better off with one of the 2-legged stands on the list.
The 5707 would be a great choice for drummers who play single pedal, want minimal hi-hat cymbal movement, play at light to medium volumes, and want a stand that’s easy to transport.
Tama Speed Cobra 310
2-Leg Hi-Hat Stand
Another great medium weight hi-hat stand is the Tama Speed Cobra 310. It has many of the same qualities that make the Gibraltar 5707 so popular. It’s smooth, doesn’t use shoddy parts, has tension adjustment, isn’t bulky, and has a swiveling base. Of course, the Tama 310 only has two legs. That makes it worthy of consideration for drummers who play double pedal or for drummers who just want a more comfortable setup.
A unique aspect of Tama’s 310 hi-hat stand is the stabilizer. It’s a small platform that serves as the stand’s third support point. Most 2-legged stands achieve this support with a solid footboard, but Tama came up with something different.
Why the stabilizer instead of a standard footboard? One advantage is the ease of setup and teardown. No need to collapse a full footboard, which typically requires a drum key. The Tama 310 simply folds up, while still offering a good amount of support. While it won’t be quite as solid as the Gibraltar 3-legged stand above, you’ll get the extra convenience and comfort with the Tama.
Overall, combining its features, overall build quality, and price, the Tama Speed Cobra 310 could be a good buy for just about any drummer.
Mapex Armory H800
3-Leg Hi-Hat Stand
If you’re a player looking for a heavier-duty 3-legged hi-hat stand, it’s tough to beat the value of the Mapex H800. This stand is surprisingly rugged and has more features than you might expect at its price, including design components typically found in stands costing $100 more.
The Armory has all of the most important features, of course – tension adjustment, a swivel base, and high-quality parts. Those are common on all stands on this list. What sets this stand apart in value are the extras.
The pull system, what Mapex calls a Tru-Direct-Pull, is very well-designed. It’s a smooth and solid mechanism that’s similar to pull systems on professional-grade stands. The footboard angle is also adjustable, which is a feature that’s often overlooked. It allows you to select the angle that works for your foot, which is especially beneficial to players who sit higher or lower than normal.
Besides the mechanical design and build quality, there’s also a cosmetic reason these Mapex stands are popular. It’s the only model on this list with color options. You can get this stand with chrome or black frames. It’s a matter of taste, but black hardware can fit in very well with certain drum sets. Plus, Mapex makes a full line of matching black hardware, so you aren’t necessarily stuck with one black hi-hat stand.
The typical downside of having three legs will apply to this stand. If you’re playing with a double pedal, you might find it hard to set up comfortably. That depends on how you position your pedals and stands. Also, this stand is heavier than the previous stands mentioned, so if you’re trying to keep your load light, other options may be better for you.
However, if you’re looking for something really solid, you play a single pedal, and maybe even want a black color option, the Armory H800 hi-hat stand would be a great choice.
DW 3000
(2-Leg or 3-Leg)
Whether you’re a fan of 2-legged or 3-legged hi-hat stands, you can find a great option in the DW 3000 series. This is the only model on the list available with both types. These DW’s are the most expensive stands we’ll cover (at the time of writing, just below the $200 threshold), but DW makes up for the extra cost with very good quality. Even if the price has gone up a bit since late 2023, they’re probably still worth considering.
Both versions of the 3000 have the expected features. They have a swivel base, adjustable tension, and solid components. On top of that, DW now includes a few nice upgrades from previous versions of the series. The tension adjustment has been improved, making it easier to fine-tune your feel. The clutch is also better (now including a version of the One-Touch Clutch). This clutch clamps onto the hi-hat rod more securely than the basic wing bolt design. It also uses clutch nuts that restrict unwanted loosening.
The same rules of stability should be considered when deciding between the 2-leg and 3-leg options. Both have a solid footplate, but the 3-legged version will be a bit more stable when playing foot patterns. That’s not to say the 2-legged version is unstable, but more care must be taken when setting up the stand to avoid the cymbals rocking back and forth too much.
The DW 3000 stands cost more than the Gibraltar, Tama, and Mapex stands mentioned. For the extra cost, you get a solid foot plate, a better clutch, a metal cymbal seat, and DW’s typical overall durability. If the price is within your budget, those features are probably worth the extra cost.
Griffin LG-H600A
Hi-Hat Stand (2-Leg)
This is probably the surprise on the list. Griffin isn’t a name brand in hardware, but their Premium hi-hat stand uses some of the same professional features that many of the popular brands use. The Griffin isn’t quite as refined as the most expensive stands on the market. The materials and fittings aren’t as precisely made. However, for the money, there isn’t too much to complain about.
The pull mechanism on the Griffin is impressive for the price. Standard pull drive actions are very simple and straightforward. The Griffin uses a more sophisticated system, which results in a light and responsive feel. The tension adjustment is very easy to use. It uses a hand knob, making it easy to adjust on the fly.
Of course, the base can swivel, like all of the stands on this list. The clutch is very basic and something we’d advise upgrading. All in all though, the components of the Griffin are solid for the price.
There are a few things to keep in mind if you plan on playing shows with this stand. It’s fairly heavy to carry, although that comes along with some extra durability. It also doesn’t pack up as easily as others on this list because of its footboard design. Folding the footboard requires the removal of a couple of drum key bolts. It’s possible to keep the footboard in playing position for transport, but that depends on the size of your hardware case.
Finally, as with any 2-legged stand, there could be a slight bit of wobble. The Griffin is heavy enough that the wobble isn’t extreme, but it’s always good to keep in mind with any 2-legged stand.
All things considered, the Griffin is a solid value. It’s not as refined as the other stands on this, but it’s also less expensive. Players looking for a heavier hi-hat stand, especially those who play double pedal, could find a surprisingly good stand at a great price with the off-brand Griffin Premium.
Wrap-Up
Those are the picks for best hi-hat stand values under $200. Each one has its own pros and cons, so you’ll want to think about which features are most important to you. No matter which one you end up with, you can be confident you’re getting a lot for your money.
By Peter Treuden – About the Author
Looking for more good deals on drum hardware? Check out our Best Values: Cymbal Boom Stands Under $100 and Best Values: Hardware Packs Under $500!
Great post.