If you’re harvesting weed, you need a bud trimmer. Hand-trimming is so outdated. Get your life back — and save your hands from carpal tunnel syndrome (and all that sticky resin that won’t wash off).
Whether you’re an outdoor grower, or you’re growing indoors with the best LED grow lights available, use this guide to find the best bud trimming machine for your operation.
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1. Centurion Pro Trimmer (Dry AND Wet Trimmer)
Pros:- Heavy-duty blades execute 25,000 cuts per minute
- Can trim both dry and wet product
- Can process 20 pounds wet product per hour
- Can process 3 to 4 pounds dry product per hour
- Easy to assemble and use immediately
- Throttle on vacuum means you can adjust airflow based on bud density
- Comes with two stainless steel tumblers for either dry or wet trimming
- Extremely durable
Cons:- Expensive
- Made with many small parts and nuts and bolts
- Uses mesh bags which may lose some trichomes
The Centurion Pro Trimmer stands out because it can process 20 lbs wet product (or 3-4 lbs dry) per hour.
That is the largest wet trim capability out of any machine on this list.
It’s also perfect for anyone who needs to wet trim their harvest.
Wet trimming can be beneficial in a wide variety of situations. (Like, if you’re worried about mold, or if you simply have a massive harvest and limited time to get it to market.)
Still, if you want to dry trim some part of the harvest, you can do that with this machine, too. (The Centurion Pro is capable of either method.)
It comes with two tumblers: one for wet trimming, one for dry. Both are made out of heavy-duty stainless steel, and built to last.
And with either method, you can exercise even greater control, thanks to the throttle on the vacuum system. (You can adjust the airflow based on the density of your buds.)
This complete system comes with everything you need (including mesh bags, hoses, and blower). It can be ready to start trimming basically as soon as you get it.
And it’s built to last. This is one heavy-duty machine.
If you do need to disassemble it, be careful: it’s made with many small parts and nuts and bolts which you won’t want to lose.
This trim machine is ideal for a mid to large-scale grower. It’s probably not right for someone who’s just growing a few plants in grow tent kits. (If you’re a smaller-scale home grower, check out the bowl trimmers reviewed below.)
Find more Centurion Pro Trimmer information and reviews here.
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2. Centurion Pro Trimmer – Dry Trim Machine
Pros:- Can trim 15-20 pounds per hour
- Tumbler made from titanium-reinforced non-stick quantanium
- 10 year warranty and great customer service to replace/fix any parts
- Convenient tabletop model is easy to use
Cons:- Designed to process dry trim only
- Advertised as replacing 6 human trimmers
- Expensive
- Cannot be returned after use, except in cases of warranty claims
This Centurion Professional Tabletop Pro Trimmer stands out because it’s designed for commercial cannabis operations.
This unit can trim 15-20 pounds per hour. At this rate, it can replace six average-paced human trimmers, saving you big on payroll costs.
This might not sound like great news to human cannabis trimmers. Machines like this can put a lot of trimmers out of work. But that might not be such a bad thing. Hand-trimming is monotonous work, requiring repetitive motions with scissors. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have even warned cannabis trimmers about the danger of carpal tunnel.
It’s expensive, but it comes with a 10-year warranty and excellent customer service. If it arrives with any broken or inoperable parts, the company will replace them ASAP.
The tumbler is made from non-stick quantanium, which makes it easy to clean. It’s designed for dry trimming, but some users have clearly used it for wet trimming.
The magnetic blade system also helps for easy cleaning.
Find more Professional Trim Machine information and reviews here.
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3. Risentek Bud Trimmer Electric Trimming Machine Model-XLE
Pros:- Equivalent to 20 pairs of scissors
- Silicone fingers won't affect the scent of your finished product
- Adjustable blades for greater precision
- Can pulse in both directions
- Can trim 5-gallon bucket of buds in about 20 minutes
Cons:- No kief screen
- Somewhat expensive
- Replacement blades sold separately
This Risentek Bud Leaf Trimmer Electric Trimming Machine stands out because it’s designed to work as both a dry and wet trimming machine. And users rave about this machine.
It pulses in both directions, and it works for both wet and dry herb.
If you’re dry-trimming, you’ll first dry your harvest (probably using a mesh drying rack); then simply toss it in, fan leaves and all. This machine can handle fan leaves.
If you’re trimming wet, you simply remove the “dry trim plate,” and then fill the cylinder with your freshly harvested crop.
The blades are adjustable, so you can set this machine to smaller or larger bud sizes for greater precision. One customer raved that the finished product was “dispensary ready” — which is a difficult result to achieve with any cannabis trim machine.
The fingers are silicone, which will not impart any smell to your beautiful buds. (Other machines, which have fingers made of rubber, may affect the odor of your finished product.)
This machine harnesses the power of 20 pairs of scissors. If you have an industrial operation, you’ll save big on how much you have to pay your trimmers. Even if you’re just trimming for your own supply, this bud trimmer can help save your hands. Hand-trimming isn’t just monotonous — it can actually cause long-term damage to your hands.
When the CDC looked at hand-trimming, researchers found that the repetitive motions associated with hand-trimming could cause lasting health problems. That’s why you need to invest in a high-quality trim machine like this one today.
Find more Risentek Electric Trimming Machine XLE information and reviews here.
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4. Risentek Bud Leaf Trimmer Machine (16-inch Model X)
Pros:- Power of 20 pairs of scissors in one unit
- Reduces work time by 410 pwexwnr
- Silicone fingers are superior to rubber because they don't impart odor
- Adjustable blade
Cons:- Not designed for industrial/large-scale growers
- Somewhat expensive
- Replacement blades sold separately
The Risentek Trim Machine stands out because it’s designed to work as both a dry and wet trimming machine — and it’s really affordable.
When you’re using electric trimming machines, it’s usually a good idea to dry your harvest first (and it doesn’t hurt to use a mesh drying rack). But some people prefer to trim their buds first, before drying and curing. This machine can accommodate either method.
The fingers are silicone, which will not impart any smell to your beautiful buds. (Some machines that use rubber fingers may have this problem.) Its blades are adjustable, so you can set this machine to smaller or larger bud sizes for greater precision.
It can trim buds at about the same rate as an electric trim machine. But with manual machines, you also get to control the trim speed, and keep a closer eye on the process. That means you can choose to be extra gentle.
The ceramic body is designed for easy cleaning, and the silicone fingers are softer than brittle rubber. This unit comes fully assembled and ready to use right out of the box.
This upgraded model is built with a long-lasting, durable metal gearbox. Its central grate is designed to accommodate trimming buds of any size.
Plus, this 16-inch machine harnesses the power of 20 pairs of scissors. You’ll save big on trimmer payroll!
Find more Risentek Trimmer Machine - Upgraded Model X 16-inch information and reviews here.
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5. iPower GLTRIMBOWL16M 16-Inch Bowl Handheld Trimmer
Pros:- Affordable
- Equivalent to 30 pairs of scissors
- Removable handle for easier storage
Cons:- No warranty
- No replacement rubber fingers
- Not as easy to clean as electric machines
- May need to use caution when opening package
This iPower GLTRIMBOWL16M 16-Inch Leaf Bowl Trimmer stands out because its sharp blades are equivalent to 30 pairs of scissors, surrounded by soft rubber fingers that spin and fluff the buds as you turn the handle.
If you aren’t running a large industrial garden (or even if you are), you can usually rely on hand-cranked twister trim machines like this. This should be able to trim about an ounce in five minutes.
The great thing about hand-cranked trimmers is that you get to control the speed. You can easily adjust the speed based on your bud size, density, and moisture level.
Some small buds may fall through the grate, but it’s easy to pick those out of the pan at the bottom.
(Or just leave those tiny buds with your trim. That way, if you use your trim to make cannabis butter later, you’ll make your homemade edibles even more potent. Pro tip: Use an herbal infuser machine to make the best canna-butter of your life.)
Just be careful when you open the package: The blades may not be attached to the unit yet.
Find more iPower GLTRIMBOWL16M 16-Inch Leaf Bowl Trimmer information and reviews here.
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6. Trimpro Rotor with Workstation
Pros:- Designed for faster workflow than popular Trim Pro Rotor
- Mesh bags collect trimmed buds beneath rotor
- Blade height is adjustable
- Great for wet trimming
Cons:- Not ideal for dry trimming
- Perfectionists may not love the finished trim job
- May not retain all the terpenes and smell of hand-trimmed product
- Expensive
The Trimpro Rotor is known for being one of the most expensive automatic trimming machines — but seasoned grow operations often make the investment, knowing this machinery is built to last. Plus, it will withstand all the sticky resin (and repeated cleanings) associated with any successful harvest season.
Its leather fingers gently tumble your buds over the grate, while razor-sharp tempered steel blades slice away unwanted leaf matter.
This machine is designed to save time. The trimmed buds will fall into the mesh bag below, allowing you (or your workers) to remove the trimmed buds without interrupting the workflow.
Weed snobs may take issue with the trim job (as with any trim machine). The buds may not be ready for a magazine-style closeup. But if you have several plants (or acres) to trim, this machine will get the job done — and it won’t break down anytime soon. It should last for years.
And if any parts do break, you can take advantage of the manufacturer’s warranty.
It’s also designed for wet trimming. If you have an enormous harvest, or your product is intended to be processed into concentrates (so nobody will nitpick about the trim job anyway), this is the perfect machine for you.
Find more Trimpro Rotor with Workstation information and reviews here.
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7. Tom’s Tumbler Trimmer TTT1900 Model
Pros:- More affordable than Tom's Tumbler's industrial models
- Tom's Tumbler is early pioneering creator of trimming machines
- Comes with two mesh nets
- Clear dust cover so you can watch your buds tumbling
- Quiet
Cons:- Not designed for large-scale commercial operations
- Doesn't trim as much or as quickly as Tom's Tumbler's more expensive models
- Expensive for a non-industrial model
- May need to regularly grease the zippers
The Tom’s Tumbler Trimmer TTT1900 Model stands out because it’s another model from Tom’s Tumbler, the creators of the original tumble trimmer.
The TTT1900 is the most advanced of their non-commercial line. (Their commercial trimmers include the TTT2200 and the TTT2600.)
The model is straightforward and easy to use. You can watch your buds being tumbled through the clear bag and dust cover.
This model comes with two mesh nets and a clear collection bag. The collection bag is quick-release, so you can dump your trimmed buds and keep on trucking, with minimal interruption.
Find more Tom's Tumbler Trimmer TTT1900 Model information and reviews here.
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8. VIVOSUN 16-inch Bud Leaf Bowl Trimmer
Pros:- Can process either wet or dry material
- Includes two separate sets of blades
- Comes with blades for wet trimming as well as dry trimming
- Bowl-style trim "machines" let you trim manually without using scissors
- Affordable
Cons:- Manual-powered hand crank can be tiring
- Good customer service
- Not as efficient as electric trim machine
This VIVOSUN 16 inch Bud Leaf Bowl Trimmer stands out because it includes separate blades for different styles of trimming.
Want it to work as a wet trimming machine? Use the four-edge blade (included with purchase). Prefer to dry trim your buds? Use the serrated blade and stainless steel X blade designed for dry trimming (also included).
This would be perfect for someone who wants to experiment by trimming buds at different stages of the drying process.
Of course, calling this a “wet trimming machine” or “dry trimming machine” is kind of a misnomer. “Trimming machine” ususally refers to an electric trim machine. This unit, however, requires that you use your own energy, and turn the crank by hand.
Still, for many home growers, using this style of bowl trimming is preferable to hand trimming. Everyone loves the precision of hand-manicured buds, but if you’re harvesting more than a couple plants at once, trimming your entire harvest by hand can be exhausting. Your hands cramp; the scissors get sticky and need to be soaked in alcohol; your clothes get covered in plant matter, the smell of which may never truly come out. (Plus, some of us are allergic to freshly harvested cannabis, and we break out in hives if we touch the buds too much.)
With this product, you can avoid all that — for a super cheap price.
After spinning the bud, the trim will simply have fallen away, through the grate, and can be collected at the bottom of the bowl. You may find some small buds and trichomes have also fallen through. But this happens with almost any trimming process — and it means your trim stash will be more potent, when you use it to make cannabis-infused butter or coconut oil afterward.
Find more information and reviews for VIVOSUN 16-inch Bud Leaf Bowl Trimmer
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9. Trimatek Cannabis Trimmer
Pros:- Quiet and efficient motor
- Auto shut-off safety feature
- Works equally well on wet or dry herb
Cons:- Expensive
- Replacement parts must be purchased from Trimatek brand
- Extremely sharp blade can prove hazardous
This Trimatek Leaf Bud Trim Machine stands out because of its quiet, efficient motor, and its stainless steel fan blades.
It also has an auto shut-off safety feature. If you open the box on top of the grill, it will shut off immediately. This will prevent anyone from cutting their fingers on the moving blades.
With this machine, one person can do the work of roughly 10 trimmers. The operator simply grazes the chopped plant over the grille, and the rapidly spinning blades shred off every extra bit of leaf, leaving the bud intact. (The grille prevents anyone from accidentally chopping their fingers off.)
If you have a huge harvest, you need an electric trimming machine like this. You’ll save big on payroll.
Unlike many electric trim machines, this has a speed adjustment control. You can find the perfect speed for your plant material, which means you can trim either wet or dry material with this machine. And you can fine-tune the machine’s trim job to your customers’ preferences.
If you need to replace the grille — perhaps because it’s too sticky with resin from your trichome-coated harvest — that’s easy to do. Just make sure you purchase the replacement grille from Trimatek.
Find more Trimatek Leaf Bud Trim Machine information and reviews here.
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10. iPower 19-Inch Leaf Bowl Trimmer Machine
Pros:- Harnesses power of 30 pairs of scissors at once
- Can trim both dry and wet herb
- Clear plastic top for visibility
- One straight blade and one serrated blade
Cons:- Not an automatic trimming machine
- Must be cranked by hand
- Blade placement may need to be adjusted
The iPower 19-Inch Leaf Bowl Trimmer Machine is similar to iPower’s popular 16-inch model, but can trim more herb, faster. Thanks to its larger bowl, you’ll trim your crop in no time.
Like the 16 inch model, it harnesses the power of 30 pairs of scissors. This doesn’t just save you time. It also means less clean-up when you’re done.
You may need to remove a spacer or even bend the blades. This will improve the efficiency by bringing the blades closer to the grill.
Find more iPower 19-Inch Leaf Bowl Trimmer Machine information and reviews here.
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11. VEVOR Bud Leaf Trimmer
Pros:- Comes with six extra blades
- Works as a wet bud trimmer
- Affordable for an electric trimming machine
Cons:- Watch out for your fingers
- Not as heavy-duty as some models on this list
- No warranty
- No extra mesh bag included
This VEVOR Bud Leaf Trimmer stands out because it’s an affordable electric trimming machine that has many of the features of the more expensive models. It can also work as a wet trimming machine (which many models here cannot.)
It’s also easy to use. You simply place your buds on the grate, let the machine works its magic, and then open it to find the trimmed buds in the mesh bag below.
The trimmer has three speeds and sharp blades to quickly and efficiently slice the trim off of your buds. It also comes with six extra blades.
What's the Best Trimming Machine of 2023?
That depends on the size of your operation, as well as your budget, staffing, and how quickly you need to get your harvest trimmed and ready for sale.
A manual bud trimmer could be right for small operations and personal home grows. (If that's you, and you're about to have a lot of trim on your hands, check out our guide to how to make edibles!)
We've also included mid-size to large automatic and electric trimming machines for larger and more industrial grow operations.
Check out our reviews above for more details about which trim machine may be right for you.
But remember: it also depends on whether you wet trim or dry trim your plants.
What's the Best Dry Bud Trimmer?
Many boutique grow operations prefer to dry trim, because it helps preserve the terpene profile of each strain.
Tom's Tumbler makes several models that work great for dry trimming.
What's the Best Wet Trimming Machine?
Are you interested in wet-trimming? Don't let anyone tell you you're doing it wrong.
There are several good reasons to trim your product wet. Maybe humidity in your area has increased, and you're worried about mold. Maybe you simply need to speed up the process, and get your harvest out the door (and cash in hand).
Or maybe your harvest is simply too enormous, or you know your buds are destined to be processed into concentrates anyway.
We've included machines (like the Centurion Pro) with both dry and wet trimming equipment, so you can keep your options open.
Whichever method you choose, your ideal cannabis trimmer is probably included in this list.
Happy trimming!