Best Automatic Bud Trimming Machines (2024)

Croptober is not too far away. And with it comes the task of preparing your tools and machinery to get the job done of processing your harvests. One of the things you need to get greased up is your bud trimmer that will handle the sun-grown cannabis you will be harvesting.

Bud trimmers come in all sizes with different trimming capabilities and similar features, including quick cleanups. Some can do dry, while others can do both wet and dry. And with technology evolving all the time, manufacturers of bud trimmers churn out newer technologies to develop even more efficient machines.

Of course, newer technologies may confuse or even overwhelm you with better features, which might throw you off-track if you have narrowed down your choices for bud trimmers. With harvest season coming very soon, it might be a good idea to review the latest offerings of automatic bud trimmers before you bite the bullet on a new trimmer.

Wet, Dry, or Both?

Consider whether you need a wet, dry, or a hybrid 2-in-1 wet & dry machine. Remember that trimmers process wet buds faster, and dry buds, while more potent and flavorful, take more time. Also, a hybrid wet & dry trimmer consumes less space than having different trimmers, and having a dedicated dry trimmer gives you the processing efficiency of wet trimmers.

When choosing a bud trimmer, you need to weigh the most important things. But if you know what kind of buds you will be processing, consider following the size. If you are still determining which trimming method is best, we have an article that dives into the postive & negatives of wet and dry trimming.

Size Matters

Trimmers come in different sizes, and to cater to various sizes of operations. You need to choose the right size while considering future-proofing your operations: do you see yourself in the next two years scaling up your harvests, or would you just be handling a small batch, and treat planting cannabis as a hobby?

Trends for 2023

Many growers are now opting for dry trimming. For one, you get complete control over the speed to retain the moisture. It also allows for better terpenes' preservation and provides a smoother experience when consumed due to the lower amounts of chlorophyll present. When cleaning up, a dry trim is easier to clean, as the buds tend to be less sticky, which means they won't stick too much on other surfaces it comes in contact with.

If there’s anything worth noting right now, the dry trimmers have become more powerful now. Back then, trimmers would have capacities for dry buds that are 20 – 25 percent of their wet capacity. Now, more manufacturers are improving the design of their trimmers. Dry-only trimmers now have larger capacities, and wet and dry trimmers are slowly becoming at par.

Will the day come when trimmers can trim wet and dry at the same rate? It is possible since the Mobius M108S is at a ratio of 1:2 for dry to wet trimming. But, other than that, it’s good to know that dry trimming capacities are improving.

Best Bud Trimming Machines 2023

How This List is Organized

There's no shortage of automatic bud trimmers in the market in 2023. Nowadays you can find automatic bud trimming machines in all shapes, sizes, and capacities for every kind of operation out there— whether you're a hobbyist or a full-blown licensed producer.

As such, we decided to tackle this list based on the type of trimmer: the hybrid wet & dry trimmers, dry-only trimmers, and bladeless trimmers. Then, we look at the best trimming machines based on the scale of your grow-op: small, medium, and large-scale. Last but not the least, we have a separate category for the best trimming equipment for commercial-scale operations: for those who need a serious trimming machine for exceptionally large harvests.

Without further ado, let's dive into our list of the best trimming machines for 2023. 

Best Wet & Dry Trimmer for Small-scale Operations

CenturionPro TableTop

The CenturionPro TableTop Trimmer is one of the smallest Tabletop Trimmers in the market today. Measuring only 24 inches long and 21 inches high, it can efficiently do the job of 16 people hand-trimming at the same time.

The CenturionPro TableTop can trim up to 15 pounds of wet buds, or 3 pounds of dry buds in just an hour. This trimmer comes with a hybrid tumbler can do both wet and dry trimming. If you want a better quality of trims, you can upgrade the stock tumblers with CenturionPro’s Quantanium non-stick tumblers that protect your trichomes.

Also great

Twister T6

Meanwhile, the Twister Trimmer T6 is another robust tabletop wet and dry trimmer that you can buy. Like the CenturionPro Tabletop, the T6 can process up to 10 pounds of wet buds and 2 pounds of dry buds in an hour.

But the difference between the T6 and the CenturionPro Tabletop is the upgraded tumblers included in the former. No need to buy an upgrade as the tumblers of the T6 can handle both wet and dry buds. The T6 measures 19 inches long and 11 inches high.

Best Wet & Dry Trimmer for Medium-scale Operations

Twister T4

The Twister T4 Trimmer is another powerful medium-sized trimmer available in the market today. Capable of trimming up to 23 pounds of wet buds and 7 pounds of dry buds, the T4 is a strong foundation for developing a trimming system for your operations.

What makes the T4 powerful is its ability to expand for better support. You can chain three (3) more T4 trimmers together and expand your trim capacity by almost five times. Also, you can add the optional trim-saver to preserve those trimmings for other uses. Another powerful feature of the T4 is the speed control that gives you over 30 settings to match different kinds of buds and densities, unleashing its versatility as a trimmer.

Also great

CenturionPro Mini 

The CenturionPro Mini is a powerful automatic bud trimmer capable of handling up to 35 pounds of wet buds and 7 pounds of dry buds in an hour. It churns out enough power to take on the task of up to 28 personnel doing a hand trim job.

Aside from being a capable automated trimmer, the CenturionPro Mini also has a powerful leaf collector and a triple-bag kief filter system on-board, making every usage efficient. Like other CenturionPro products, you can upgrade the Mini to include the Quantanium Tumblers that have 40 percent trichome preservation.

Best Wet & Dry Trimmer for Large-scale Operations

CenturionPro Gladiator

The CenturionPro Gladiator is a wet and dry trimmer that can help you hurdle the challenges of large-scale bud trimming. With the ability to process up to 75 pounds wet and 15 pounds dry buds in an hour, the Gladiator can do the job of 60 workers.

Like other CenturionPro trimmers, the Gladiator comes with an extra set of tumblers to help you keep an efficient production line. Aside from the additional tumbler set, this machine also comes with the triple bag kief filtration system. You also have the option to upgrade to CenturionPro’s patented Quantanium Tumblers for easy cleanup.

Also great

Twister T2

The Twister T2 Trimmer is the flagship trimmer of the Twister brand. With the ability to trim up to 35 pounds wet and 11 pounds dry buds in an hour, the T2 handles buds with much accuracy comparable to the output made by hand. But the beauty of the T2 lies when paired with other Twister machines that compose the T2 System, which gives you up to five (5) times more output while improving your workflow.

Best Dry Trimmer for Small-scale Operations

CenturionPro DBT Model 1

The DBT Model 1 is CenturionPro’s offering for small-scale growers. It’s pretty much as basic one can get, as it only features a power switch. While it may seem simple, you’ll be surprised at what this trimmer offers.

The DBT Model 1 trims up to eight pounds of dry buds in an hour, or roughly the job of 32 people. That is more than what many of the small dry bud trimmers in the market can do, giving the DBT Model 1 an edge.

Specifically made for home growers

DBT Model 0

The CenturionPro Dry Batch Trimmer 0 (DBT0) was designed with the home grower in mind. The CenturionPro DBT0 can easily trim up to 6 pounds of dry material in an hour, despite its size. Designed to be portable, the DBT0 features two handles so that you can take it where you need it, and it only weighs 28 pounds. 

You should also consider

Triminator Mini Dry

The Triminator Mini Dry can process up to eight (8) pounds of your favorite strains. It effectively does the job of four (4) workers, while precisely trimming your buds.

The good thing about the Triminator Mini is that aside from being a dry bud trimmer, it also works as a kief extractor, thanks to its switchable tumblers. The Triminator Mini measures only 18 inches long and 21 inches tall, which makes it easy to take around.

Best Dry Trimmer for Medium-scale Operations

CenturionPro DBT Model 3

The DBT Model 3 is designed to improve your trimming workflow. Trimming at a capacity of 50 pounds an hour, this trimmer is a good option for those operating at a medium scale. The DBT Model 3 comes with a floor stand with caster wheels for better mobility.

Even making things better is the ability to tilt the chamber. By tilting the barrel of the DBT Model 3, you can quickly load and unload your buds while reducing points of contact with each bud.

Also great

GreenBroz M-Lite

Best Dry Trimmer for Large-scale Operations

Triminator XL

The Triminator XL is one of the most compact industrial-grade dry trimmers you can find in the market. Measuring only 47 inches, the Triminator XL is a lean machine capable of trimming up to 60 pounds of dry buds in an hour. It also utilizes angular shear band geometry to produce the cleanest and most precise cuts on your buds, without damaging it. The Triminator XL also uses an optimized speed to minimize trichome loss when handling your product.

Also great

CenturionPro DBT Model 4 & 5

The DBT Model 4 and Model 5 are identical for the most part, with only one difference: the DBT Model 5 is two Model 4 trimmers put together. That means you get twice the output of the Model 4 on the Model 5.

These two trimmers were designed for large and commercial-scale growers. The DBT Model 4 features a capacity of 108 pounds of dry buds in an hour, while the Model 5 doubles it at 216 pounds an hour with the two tumblers.

Since you’ll be dealing with larger capacities, the tilting function becomes more helpful as you quickly feed those buds from above and harness gravity in your favor to load these buds fast.

Both trimmers also feature the soft tumbler technology and a speed control function that gives you complete control over your bud’s trimming quality.

Making things even better for these trimmers is the inclusion of a timer. The built-in timer lets you set and forget the Model 4 and Model 5 and return to it when it’s done trimming your buds.

Best Bladeless Trimmer for Small-scale Operations

TTT 1900

Designed also for small to medium growers, the TTT 1900 can trim up to 20 pounds of dry buds in an hour with its bladeless trimming system and variable speed motor. One thing that makes the TTT 1900 is how you can flash freeze buds while trimming, using the optional CO2 Infuser Kit.

Best Bladeless Trimmer for Medium-scale Operations 

TTT 2100

Best Bladeless Trimmer for Large-scale Operations

TTT 3000

The Tom’s Tumble Trimmer 3000 is another large-scale dry trimmer you can consider for your operations. It features a trimming capacity of up to 100 pounds of dry buds in an hour. The Tom’s 3000 features a bladeless design and a variable speed motor, which lets you operate the machine with minimal noise. But, what sets apart the Tom’s 3000 from other dry trimmers is the optional CO2 infusion kit, which allows you to flash freeze your buds as you process them.

Best Multifunction Trimmer

What is a multi-function trimmer?

A multi-function trimmer is a versatile machine designed to handle multiple tasks beyond just trimming. Unlike standard trimmers that focus solely on cutting and shaping buds, a multi-function trimmer integrates additional features like sifting and extraction. This not only streamlines the post-harvest process but also maximizes the utilization of the plant by facilitating various forms of processing and refinement within a single piece of equipment. The multi-function trimmer is a practical investment for those looking to expand their capabilities and increase efficiency in their operations.

The Original Resinator

The Original Resinator represents a breakthrough in post-harvest processing for growers and processors, providing an all-in-one solution that combines trimming, resin extraction, and bubble hash production. Known for their efficiency, these revolutionary machines are designed to cut processing time by up to 85 percent, handling both wet and dry runs with bladeless trimming technology. The ability to flash freeze harvest and the infusion of CO2 into the trimming process are standout features across the product range.

The lineup includes the Resinator OG, a compact unit capable of trimming 1.5 lb of dry material and sifting 3 lb per run. Its big brother, the Resinator XL, scales up the processing to 15 pounds as a separator and 7 pounds per trim cycle.

Additionally, the brand has introduced lower-priced OG base model  and base model of the XL. These lower-priced versions are available in Trim, Sift, and Wash editions, focusing on essential functionalities for specific post-harvest tasks. Need to trim? There's an edition for that. Sifting or washing? There are editions for those too. If your needs change, you can even purchase low-priced add-on packages to expand the functionality.  Don't let the cost savings fool you – they can trim, wash, and sift to the same capacities as the classic bundles. It's a versatile approach that ensures you get exactly what you need without paying for extras. For those wanting the whole package from the start, the OG classic bundle is still there. With a one-year warranty and user-friendly design, The Original Resinator's base models have quickly become a noteworthy option for those looking to streamline their post-harvest processing in 2023

Best Commercial-scale Automatic Bud Trimmers

CenturionPro 3.0

The CenturionPro 3.0 is a triple tumbler wet and dry trimmer that can handle large amounts of buds in a short time. Having the efficiency of 100 workers, the 3.0 can trim in an hour up to 125 pounds of wet and 25 pounds of dry buds.

The 3.0 is a complete system on its own, as each machine comes with a leaf collector suction system and triple-bag kief collector, as well as an extra set of tumblers to swap when you need cleanup while working.

Mobius 108S

The Mobius M108S changes the way you do trimming in your facility. Designed for large and commercial-scale growers, the M108S can trim up to 120 pounds of wet and 60 pounds of dry buds. This trimmer can make this possible with its nitride blade cartridges that provide up to nine (9) feet of blade length.

Allowing for a more efficient trimming capacity is also the AirThread Tension Tumbler. This uniquely designed system will enable buds to be more exposed to the blades while providing gentle handling.

Like other trimmers in the market, the M108S comes with speed control that allows you to adapt to different bud densities and sizes. There’s also the collection system built into the M108S that provides for an efficient gathering of trims.

CenturionPro XL 5/5.0SE/10

CenturionPro XL10 w/ Conveyor System

CenturionPro classifies the XL as an Industrial Solution, with enough power to automate a large section of your whole operations. It features a centralized control system that gives you full command over the speed of your trimmers while producing the best results.

The XL features a complete system that covers the trimmers, leaf collectors, kief filtration, and an option for conveyor belts to keep the movement flowing between processes.

Conclusion

With all the great brands and features mentioned, choosing the best trimmer that ultimately depends on what fits your needs best. Although you can rest assured that all trimmers mentioned in this article are among the best in the industry. 

You can check out popular bud trimming equipment here.

Let Trimleaf help you find the right trimmer for your business

In case you still can't decide which machine to get, drop us a line or contact us. We'd be more than happy to help choose the right trimmer for your specific needs and budget!