After the hassles of everyday growing, you want your buds to be richer and good-looking. Trimming helps you take away as much leaf matter from your buds as possible, leaving your buds with a cleaner finish and a smoother smoke— no choking, no throat-irritating weed.
Trimming takes away all the leaf matter which contains less cannabinoids. When you trim, you enhance the potency of your weed. I’m yet to meet a stoner who enjoys filling their lungs with low-grade, leaf-filled joints. We all deserve better!
Trimming is a necessary procedure, whether you grow indoors for personal use or outdoors on an industrial scale. Still, it can be tedious trimming by hand. You’ll need a battalion of trimmers to get the work done, which will be costly in the long run. Using cannabis bud trimming machines shaves off several hours of labor and downsizes the number of workers—saving you time and money in the process.
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Comparison of Cannabis Trimming Machines, 2021
Trimming machines are expensive. And when you don’t know what to go for, you can get the wrong machine for the right job. You can also get the right machine for the wrong job, considering the scale of production—a home grower with only two plants has no business investing in an industrial level bud trimmer that costs tens of thousands in crisp dollars.
That’s where I come in. This review will help you buy the right machine for the job.
Best Manual Trimmer Machines for Cannabis Buds
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The iPower Leaf Bowl Trimmer is the best-selling bud trimmer for valid reasons. It makes your work a breeze with its useful features.
First, the crystal dome is transparent, thus allows you to literally see the buds through the process. You won’t lose even the slightest buds to kief.
It comes with twenty-four rubber stripes that turn your buds on all fronts to get an even trim. Thus, giving your buds a refined look— you know, the gleaming health of professionally-grown buds.
It is multipurpose in the sense that you can use it on dry buds and wet buds. The trimming machine comes with two replaceable blades; the serrated blade and the straight blade for dry buds and wet buds, respectively.
Being a manual hand crank machine, the iPower Leaf Bowl Trimmer gives you more control of the trimming process than an automatic trimmer would. If you love the rugged look of buds, you can rotate only a few times. The more rotations, the finer the trim gets. Trimming can only stop when not a single stretch of bud leaves can pass through the meshwork above the blade.
What amazed me is the inclusion of a detached pruning scissors that’s useful when cutting the branches to size. You won’t need an extra tool to trim with this machine.
The trimmer comes with a small, circular rubber mat that you place beneath it to hold it into place. However long you rotate the crank, the machine will not shift its position, allowing you a firm grip on any surface.
The trimmer is also equipped with a steel bowl where you can collect your kief.
Cons:
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
- Made from heavy-duty materials— sturdy and durable.
- Trims both dry and wet buds
- Cheaply priced
- See-through dome; you can watch the process
- Good for collecting kief
Cons:
- Not suitable for large harvests
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The Risentek Bud Leaf Trimmer, Model X features in our list of best manual trimmers for many reasons. First, it comes with a plexiglass top that allows you to watch the trimming process.
It also comes with a trim catcher, making it a good choice if you have use for the kief. The handle can be removed for easier storage and also fits back without hassle.
If you spend hours trimming your buds, this machine will save you big time. What you trim by hand for days, you’ll take an hour or less.
The blades are adjustable, making it easier to get the precise trim, you know, close to the precision you’ll get when you trim by hand. Simply adjust the blades to trim even the folded leaves that usually pass other trimmers.
The trimmer works best for both dry and wet bud trimming thanks to the two metal grates it’s fitted with— you won’t have to worry about the dry buds that passed you by. Trim it!
The downside to having this trimmer is cleaning it. It takes time because you have to disassemble it.
Pros:
- So efficient— saves you time.
- The gearbox is solid and durable.
- Well-priced.
- Adjustable blades for a finer trim.
- Has a trim catcher; very useful when you need to collect the kief.
Cons:
- Cleaning it takes time.
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This small dome of a trimmer does more than you expect of its size. Built with heavy-duty materials to last, the ingenuity behind its creation is a marvel. The crystal top is transparent but tough too, allowing you a peephole into the trimming process. Just by looking at it, you know you’ve got a high-quality trimmer in your possession.
The rubber straps graze the mesh above the blades, exposing your buds on all sides to the trimming blade. This gives you evenly trimmed buds—stoner’s eye candy. Even the folded leaves get the cut.
The iPower 16-Inch Trimmer has enough room to take the buds. And it helps that it comes with separate pruning scissors to cut the twigs from the main branch as you narrow closely to the buds you toss in the machine.
Thanks to the replaceable blades suited for both wet and dry buds, this machine trims your buds at any stage.
If you don’t want to spend days trimming your buds, this machine will save you days, thanks to its efficiency. You can trim up to an ounce in 5 mins!
The blades can be adjusted by the screws beneath to increase precision. And they’re pretty sharp, cutting everything to the right end— no wasting time nor your buds.
The bowl collects your kief. Helpful when you have some use for trims.
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Saves you time— the colas that take you 4 hours to trim, you’ll do in 20 spins.
- Reasonably priced— $129.99 as I write this.
- Suitable for both dry and wet trimming— just change the blades!
- Transparent lid, allowing you to view the trimming process.
- It comes with a rubber base that holds the machine in place when trimming.
- Separate scissor for cutting twigs
- Light-weight, suitable for any surface.
Cons:
- Isn’t good for industrial-scale trimming
Best Cannabis Bud Trimmers for Industrial Use
The high-yielding cannabis grow farms know that time matters. The longer it takes to get the buds cleaned up, the higher the risk of mold infestation, and the more expensive your operation becomes. Investing in powerful trimmers can help you replace up to 70 workers and still give you near-hand trimmed precision.
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The Centurion Pro Original first strikes you with its busy look. You know it’s grander than most trimmers by just looking at it. The output doesn’t betray the grandeur. It trims 812 lbs of dry buds per hour and 4060 lbs of wet buds per hour.
With such output, the machine replaces 20 human trimmers— huge savings for a large operation.
The machine works better with wet buds, but you can change the tumbler for a dry trimming. It still does better than most trimming machines on dry buds, trimming over 800 lbs per hour.
Though pricey, this machine is a beast that will pay for itself within a short while. You can adjust the cut to your liking, and the large entry tray reduces operator fatigue as common with smaller trimming machines.
Pros:
- 10-Year Warranty
- Comes with a high-quality tool kit
- Sturdy build, made to last.
- Pressure washable and easy to clean
- Powerful and efficient— trimming over 4000 lbs of wet buds per hour.
- Trims both wet and dry buds; no need to buy separate machines for each.
Cons:
- The machine is bulky, weighing 324 lbs.
- Out of reach of most growers
Thanks to its efficiency and effectiveness, the Triminator Industrial Trimmer is the hot cake of industrial trimmers. Even as I write this, it is out of stock on Amazon, meaning you should order it when you spot it.
The Triminator is made for high-yield, large scale bud trimming. The colas, however big, can’t be damaged by the tumblers. The trimming blades are sharp for a finesse cut— no losing the rich resin. Back to volume, this trimming machine can trim about 200lbs of wet buds nonstop. You can imagine the number of workers this machine can replace, saving you a lot in the long run.
Most trimming machines suffer frequent breakdowns, thanks to resin that jam the system. The Triminator is made to serve with minimal downtime if there’s any. It comes with a resin-repelling, self-cleaning feature. Atomized water forms a layer between the buds and the drum, avoiding the resin sticking on the drum. It self-cleans, meaning you won’t have to do much in maintenance.
The body is made from high-grade materials to last. It will serve you efficiently for long.
Pros:
- The blades and belts are fully covered to avoid operator accidents.
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
- Has a resin-repelling feature, retaining the resin and preserving the machine.
- Monster drum, taking your buds in industrial-scale portions
- Made in America under strict quality observation
- Atomic water mist cleans the system as it works, saving maintenance hassles.
- Larger feed-in tray for when you need to trim many pounds per hour.
- The controls are within reach, enhancing operator efficiency.
Cons:
- Large drum is not suitable for a small harvest.
- The Automatic Mist System isn’t patented.
- Bulky and requires more space than bowl trimmers.
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The Risentek Bud Leaf Trimmer is an efficient machine that comes in a solid body and forms a wedge with the platform it rests on for stability. With a rotor speed of up to 70 RPM, this automatic bud trimmer will trim a lot of buds within a short time. Having a 0-70 speed meter that allows you to set the speed gives more control of the trimming process.
It also features an exit chute from where you collect the finely trimmed buds. And it also helps that the plexiglass top is transparent, thus allowing you to view the buds before they exit the chamber.
Even if you have enormous colas, the 16-inch capacity is enough to give you a faster trim.
The non-sticky silicon fingers sweep the buds on top of the mesh, allowing an even trim. A good trim improves the quality of your smokes— the throat-irritating leaf matter is taken out of your buds, leaving only the THC-rich buds.
If you’ve worked with a manual bowl trimmer, you’ll find it easy to handle this machine. It works the same way the manual bowl trimmers do; the only difference is it being electric.
Since you won’t need to rotate the hand crank so many times, you can trim piles of bushy buds and still don’t feel like you’ve done any work at all.
The blades are adjustable, helping you decide the degree of trim you want on your buds. If you want a slimmer trim, just fasten the blade closer to the grate. If you want a fair trim, position the blade far from the grate.
Pros:
- Electric, saves you from the strains of spinning the handle.
- Suitable for industrial use.
- Saves you time
- Trims both wet and dry buds
- The speed dial allows you to control the speed of your spin.
- Adjustable blades for precise trim
Cons:
- If the blade is too close to the grate, you’ll lose smokable buds.
- 16-inch capacity is small for a machine of such efficiency.
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The first thing a kief collector will notice in this machine is the giant trim catcher. Unlike other trimming machines that force you to buy your own trim collector and do the fitting, this trimmer is fitted with a kief collector by default. The moment you begin trimming, the collecting starts, a life-saver when you need the kief for baking.
The machine is built from sturdy stainless steel, enhancing stability and assuring durability. It also comes with a replaceable grille for just when you might need it.
Pros:
- Good for large-scale trimming
- Handles both dry and wet buds— though more efficient with wet buds.
- The sturdy design makes it more durable
- Large bag for catching trim— a must-have feature when you need the trim.
Cons:
- Simplistic design— the designer was least concerned with aesthetics.
- Takes up space, not as portable as manual bowl trimmers.
- Not suitable for a small-scale grower.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bud Trimmers
When Should You Trim the Buds?
You can wet trim your buds before curing them, immediately after harvesting— when they’re still green. But you can also dry trim your buds after they’ve been cured.
Dry trimming is more arduous to the machines since the buds have lost the juices, and the fan leaves have also changed shape— curved inwards. Since a few folded fan leaves might pass, the buds will not be as appealing as wet-trimmed buds.
Wet trimming is the easiest and can save your buds from mold infestation. When the trimming is done early, curing begins with only the cannabinoid-rich buds that continue getting potentiated during the process.
The downside to wet trimming is that you can’t hang-dry your buds. Hang-drying is the most effective way to dry your harvest; wet trimming denies you that.
What Is The Best Trimming Machine?
The best trimming machine is that which meets your needs with less damage to the buds. Additional features like trim collection bags, automatic controls, and resin resistance further enhance efficiency and operator experience.
The best trimming machine should also match the scale of your trimming. If you only need to trim a few pounds, you won’t need the higher-value industrial trimmers. A $150 bowl trimmer will serve you just right. Consider your needs; the best trimming machine should meet them affordably, efficiently, and with less damage to your buds.
Are Bud Trimmers Any Good?
Bud trimmers are efficient and help large-scale producers to trim thousands of pounds in hours. However, unlike trimming by hand that restores all resin, machine-trimmed buds lose some of the rich components.
There have been new improvements to help reduce bud damage. Adjustable blades allow you to position the blades for a decent trim— no cutting off parts of the rich buds.
The resin-resistance technology, pioneered by Triminator, is also a promising solution for resin loss during trimming.
On matters precision, the bud trimming machines are inching closer and closer to the hand-trimmed quality. With adjustable blades to slice the trims the size of human hair, there’s little the machines can’t do.
On cost savings, the bud trimming machines win. Some of these machines can replace over 20 laborers trimming by hand. And they’re faster too— you save time and money!
Hand trimming being tedious can also fall victim to the state of being of the laborers. An exhausted laborer might not trim the buds the right way. The process can also take a toll on the laborers’ health if they bend forward for long hours. Shoulder pains, neck pains, and back pains are common ailments among hand-trimming laborers.
On the other hand, machine trimming reduces operator fatigue as more buds are trimmed within a short time. Manual machines may begin to wear you out after hours of spinning the handle, but automatic trimmers come in handy when you have so much to trim, giving your body a rest.
Still, if you have a few plants and you trust your trimming game, you might not need any of these machines at all.
How Do You Properly Trim Buds?
When harvested, the buds have fan leaves that are lacking in THC and other cannabinoids. You trim them off, inching closer to the rich buds.
With the machines, once the bud’s outer projections can’t pass through the grate, they are considered manicured. You can adjust the blade to trim even further until you get the right trim.
Every trimming machine comes with its instructions and procedures, and it helps a lot to read the user manual.
What Does Hand Trimmed Mean?
Hand-trimmed buds are the highest quality buds. When you trim by hand, you can see the fan leaves and remove them each by picking. This preserves the resin and the trichomes, hence higher quality buds.
Machine-trimmed buds often leave folded fan leaves that can’t be nabbed by the blades. Also, resin loss happens more when you use a trimming machine.
Since hand trimming picks all the fan leaves, the buds you get are smoother when you smoke— no throat-irritating smokes!
In Conclusion
Trimming buds is an essential procedure that improves your buds’ quality, fortifies them against mold infestation, and improves their outlook. Though a necessary process, it is a tough job without the right machines.
While most people only consider the cost of the machines when buying them, you, the dedicated grower, should do better. Among other factors, consider the volume the trimmer can handle, the ease of using the machine, and whether you’ll be trimming wet or dry buds. Stay trimming.