Best Rosin Press 2024 For Flower, Kief or Hash

In the past, I’ve worked in a dispensary and one of the most popular products was rosin.

Why?

Rosin is generally described as a cleaner method of producing a concentrate as it does not require solvents. As a result, you can enjoy some of the most tasty cannabis concentrates because of its high terpene concentration.

But, to make this yourself you’re ideally going to need some specialized equipment; unless your going old school with a hair straightener and a buck load of luck.

So let’s dive in and find you the best rosin press for your needs! But, if you’re in a rush, here’s our 3 favorites:

How the Rosin Process Works

The way a rosin press works involves heat and pressure without using the solvents used to make other concentrates such as shatter, live resin, or wax. 

Related Read: Rosin VS Resin

The starting material is placed between two plates. You then place the starting material in a bag with parchment paper surrounding it, and then pressure and heat are applied to remove extra plant material to create rosin. 

You then place this into extraction bags to hold onto your precious extraction. 

The rosin press needs a precise heat distribution to ensure the proper flow of extra plant material out of the bag you are using. 

While some people believe higher heat may create the best rosin, this is not the case. 

Why?

The aromatic terpenes and the bright yellow color that many rosin users seek is best achieved when the material spends minimal contact with heat.

The amount of pressure used is also essential. For example, the lower the heat, the more pressure you will need. Conversely, the more heat you use, the less pressure you will need. 

It is important to know what temperature and pressure will work better with the starting material you will use. However, lower heat is preferred because the terpenes and cannabinoids will slowly release to create a better end product.

To yield the desired rosin consistency and color, it also depends on the starting material used. 

The material can be either flower, hash, or dry-sift trichomes, and the color of your product will largely depend on the age and quality of your starting material.

Are Tons of Pressure Needed For Rosin Presses?

There is a large misconception that you need to have larger plates and a considerable tonnage to get the best product and the higher yield.

But, high pressure alone isn’t the best way to think about rosin presses. 

One of the first things you need to take into consideration is your starting material and what the best pressure (PSI) and yield are for this material.

For instance, if you are using bubble kief as your starting material, you should use a pressure between 300-700 psi which will have a maximum yield of 80%. 

For kief, the ideal range for the pressure per square inch is between 400-800 and has a maximum yield of 60%.

While using flower requires a range somewhere between 600 to 1000 psi and has a max yield of 30%.

Though you may desire a higher yield, it is best not to go over these guidelines as you may push fats, lipids, and chlorophyll into your rosin, which will decrease quality. This is especially the case when using high pressure. 

As a result, the best rosin press for you might not simply be the one that delivers the most power inch for inch. 

Rosin Presses & Heat Distribution 

Heat distribution also plays a significant factor in determining the best temperature to produce the desired end product. 

What you want is even heat distribution which will melt the trichome heads and stalks, lowering the product’s viscosity. When adding pressure, the less viscous cannabinoids are forced out of the filter bag.

Minor changes in temperature or variances in temperature across the heat plate can produce varied textures and flaws that can be avoided if you choose a plate with a consistent surface. 

Even heat is essential for maximum rosin flow, and cold spots will cause the flow rate to slow down. Generally, when this occurs, you will have to increase press time which will cause terpene degradation – something no one wants.

Or worse, the extraneous material will not flow out of the rosin bag at all and cause a bag blow out.

To avoid this, when choosing a plate, you should avoid presses with a U-shaped coil. This type of coil typically has a cool spot in the center, and the areas over the heating element are much hotter and may cause your material to burn.

Manual VS Electric, Hydraulic & Pneumatic Rosin Presses

One of the first things you need to consider on your search for the best rosin press is if you want a manual press, hydraulic press, pneumatic rosin press, or one which uses electricity to operate. 

Hobbyists favor manual powered rosin presses due to their low cost and portability. 

Manual Rosin presses do not require an air compressor or external pump to operate. These presses tend to use a hand crank or twist-style instrument to apply force to the material you are using.

Contrary to manual presses is the hydraulic rosin press. Hydraulic rosin presses utilize compressed fluids in a hydraulic cylinder to create pressure quickly. 

You can make great rosin with the hydraulic press, but again, it depends on your needs. A pneumatic rosin press is more consistent and reliable but it’s pricey.

A pneumatic rosin press uses air to create pressure and uses a pneumatic cylinder that requires no oiling or maintenance and, through its unique design, can reach up to 25 tons of pressure with the use of an air compressor. 

As a result, pneumatic presses are believed to be top of the line when it comes to choosing a rosin press.

Lastly, there are electric rosin presses. These do not need hand-cranked or pump and operate with a button or a switch. 

An electric rosin press is generally less powerful than pneumatic or hydraulic presses, making them more suited to personal use.

But, electric rosin presses are super easy to use making them some of the best rosin presses on the market for those who can afford one. 

As you can tell, there is a wide range of rosin presses, each with its strengths and weaknesses. 

Determine what type of press would work best for you, which will help narrow down your selection.

Buying Rosin Press Machines – The 4 Essentials

You should review four main factors when choosing a press:

The shape of the plates used in the press 

The best shape for wider and equalized pressure distribution is a rectangular plate. It should ideally be long and narrow as well. 

There are two reasons for this. One is the fact that rectangular plates maximize the perimeter to area ratio. Having a large perimeter is vital so that the rosin has the largest area from which to exit the material bag. 

This rectangular shape will help you increase your yield and remove extraneous plant matter from your rosin. 

The second reason a rectangle is the better choice is that the distance from the center of the bag to its edge is also minimized.

 If you use a press with a more considerable distance to the edge, this will increase the amount of time the material is in contact with heat. 

This distance is the most significant contributing factor to terpene degradation, which you definitely do not want. Also, oils may be trapped in the bag, which will decrease yields. 

The second most common shape is a square press. For the reasons stated above, these are not optimal for a rosin press. 

The perimeter to area ratio is not maximized, and the distance to the edges is not minimized, leading to terpene degradation, burning of your material, and extra plant matter remaining in your product.

The flexibility to adjust pressure and temperature

As noted, heat and pressure are the two main factors in creating rosin. You want the flexibility to adjust temperature and pressure. 

So ensure your rosin press has the ability to play with each, as manipulating these controls can result in different kinds of quality when it comes to output.

The ability to manipulate temperature and pressure also ensures that if you decide to use a different starting material, you will have the option to experiment. 

Then you can see which temperatures and pressures will best extract the most product you can get from your starting material without losing terpenes and corrupting the flavor.

Even if you are using just one kind of starting material, for example, flower, the different phytochemical makeup in each bud might require pressure and temperature alterations for the best result. 

Keep in mind that you ideally want something flexible regardless of whether you are using only flower to make rosin. That way, you will also have the option to use other starting material like kief or bubble hash.

Equal heat distribution throughout the plates

As mentioned previously, heat distributed evenly throughout the plates results in a consistent extraction process.

Most square plates use a U-shaped heating coil which doesn’t give an even heating surface. You want a plate that has a heating coil that consistently runs throughout the plate.

Another thing you may want to consider is what type of metal your plate is made of. Depending on the material, your heat may not distribute evenly based on its thermal conductivity. 

Thermal conductivity is a metal’s ability to transfer heat from its heating element to your material. It’s vital, and you should ask your press manufacturer what alloys are used for the plates if its unclear.  

The most common grade of aluminum used for rosin press heat plates is 6061 and is treated with magnesium and silicon.

For stainless steel, the alloys 304 and 3116 are the most popular and contain nickel and chromium. 

Each has its advantages and disadvantages, but aircraft-grade aluminum or alloy 6061is considered the best for an even transference of the heat to your material. 

How much material you are looking to press and the frequency of use

The last thing you should consider depends on how frequently you are planning on using the press.

Some options may seem expensive at first glance, such as the pure pressure manual press or the pikes peak, but these are the top of the line when it comes to presses.

As with anything, if you’re going to be using it often and making heaps of rosin, you probably want something that will stand the test of time and has all the bells and whistles to make your life easy. 

Follow these four guidelines, and you should be able to pick out which press best meets your needs.

Best Rosin Press 2024

1. The Nugsmasher Original Electric Rosin Press

When it comes to electric rosin presses, the Nugsmasher is probably the most famous. 

This baby is one of the best-selling, manually-controlled electric rosin extraction machines on the market. 

The Nugsmasher is made in Corona, California, and is made in the USA. It is built to last a lifetime with a frame made of American steel. Their lifetime warranty alone makes this a good buy!

PROS (+)

• At just under $1000, this is an excellent product for a reasonable price. It will pay for itself within a few uses.
• This rosin press is just plug-and-play. All you need to do is plug it in and start extracting rosin.
• In built circuit protection
• Dual heated plates 

CONS (-)

• The yield isn’t as high as some other presses, no matter the starting material 
• Many customers claim the plates warp easily due to the heat, and with regular use

What’s Good About It

The Nugsmasher rosin presses have an Accurate Temperature Control allowing for manipulating the temperature.

This is important as it can help you improve your yields when you find the sweet spot for your starting material. It has 12 tons of pressure and can squish up to 14 grams of material in one go.

It also comes with aircraft-grade aluminum plates, which, as we discussed, is one of the best types of heated plates you can get. The press plates are 4″ by 4″, which is a decent size for a rosin press of this size.

What Could Be Better

As discussed, the best shape for the optimum extraction is a rectangular plate. 

This rosin press is square-shaped, and it may not have the best dimensions for optimum yields and purer extraction.

Another disadvantage is that this manual press is aimed at home users or small commercial operations, so don’t expect high yields from your cannabis flowers. 

Who Is It Suited For?

At just under $1000, this pick is a good investment for small start-ups or smaller cannabis product manufacturers. 

Overall, it is the best heat press machine for small dispensaries, a home grower or to share between a bunch of friends. 

2. Juicebox Manual Rosin Press Flower Kit

The Ju1cebox Manual Rosin Press is a small portable option with accessories. 

If you are currently using hair straighteners at home to make your rosin, you should definitely check out this rosin press as your first step up. 

When it comes to rosin presses, this is probably the best value choice you’ll find while still being made in the USA. 

PROS (+)

• It has a gradual heating feature to prevents burns.
• The press has a portable design and weighs just over 2 lbs so that you can stow and go.
• The kit comes with a host of goodies such as a silicon case and mat along with a metal collector

CONS (-)

• The press only comes with a one-year warranty.
• Issues with extraneous plant matter in your rosin.

What’s good about it

The Ju1cebox is one of the most affordable manual rosin presses available and has a bunch of accessories. 

It can press up to two grams of your favorite strain in minutes. The rosin typically flows out towards the back due to the sloped design. 

What’s not so good

The plate size is only 1.5″ square, which is not the optimum rectangular plate that extracts the best terpene profile. 

It also takes a bit of finesse to determine the best length of time to press your 2 grams as it varies between strains. It also doesn’t have a way to gauge temperature.

Who Is It Suited For?

The Ju1cebox rosin press is best for amateur users looking to get a few dabs out of a two-gram chunk of weed for home use. 

It is also suitable for people who like to carry their press with them as it is so lightweight.

3. Rosinbomb Rocket Rosin Press

The Rosinbomb Rocket Rosin Press is a portable electric heat press with a weight of 13 lbs that can deliver up to 1,500 pounds of pressure. 

The brand boasts that the press can fit into your backpack as it only stands up to 10 inches, and all that it needs for operation is starting material, parchment paper, and a power outlet.Most portable electric press

PROS (+)

• The plate has a rectangular, dual heated plate.
• You don’t have to clamp it yourself; instead, there are two buttons saying press or release.
• It has a lifetime warranty, so even if your electric motor blows, you are covered.

CONS (-)

• Many people claim that it does not have the pressing power it boasts.
• The temperature also does not remain steady during the press and constantly fluctuates.

What’s good about it

One of the upsides to this rosin press is that it has rectangular plates, giving the rosin more area to escape. Also, you operate the press with a button, so you don’t have to use a clamp. Lastly, as it is so small, you can easily store it away anywhere in your home.

What’s not so good

When doing a 5-gram test with the Rosinbomb Rocket Press, the 5 grams being the maximum it can press, it only had a 5% yield, which is less than optimal.

Also, Rosinbomb claims that it only takes minutes to heat. However, most tests showed it requires a more extended amount of time to reach 190 degrees Fahrenheit while other presses take less time.

As the Rosinbomb Rocket Rosin Press sells for about $500-600, it’s not the best value for money. 

Who is it best for?

The Rosinbomb Rocket Rosin Press is best for personal use. As it can only press up to 5 grams, it is not made for commercial use. 

4. Sasquash M1 10 Ton Rosin Press Machine

The Sasquash M1 10 Ton Rosin Press is a hydraulic rosin press with 10 tons of pressure. It weighs 64 lbs and uses 6061 aluminum blocks. It can squish around 14 grams of flower or 20 grams of hash. 

They claim that it can handle anything you can throw at it, and best of all, it has a lifetime warranty – making this the best hydraulic rosin press we’ve found. 

PROS (+)

• You can choose what type of pump you want, such as a manual hand pump, pneumatic foot pump, or an electric pump.
• You also have the option to add a pressure gauge.
• It has rectangular 6061 aluminum blocks, which are optimum for the best extraction.

CONS (-)

• It’s pricey if you compare it to the manual NugSmasher.
• Some people will find the Sasquash M1 10 Ton Rosin Press machine rather large.

What’s good about it

The Sasquash M1 10 Ton Rosin Press has what they call lean technology, which sets the rosin press in a position that makes rosin collection easier. It also has a frame with an open front and back design for ease of cleaning and maintenance.

Choosing your pump and a pressure gauge will help the concentrate connoisseurs determine what temperatures and pressures work best for which strain.

What’s not so good

The only real downside found with this hydraulic rosin press was that it might be more economical when compared to other presses (some even manual) that can press up to 14 grams.  

5. MyPress Gen 2 Manual Rosin Press

The MyPress Gen 2 Manual Rosin Press is a portable press that can exert 6 tons of pressure. It also claims to produce industry-standard yields. 

You can also adjust the temperature, which can help users determine optimum temperatures to get the highest yields from your starting material.

PROS (+)

• Contains a front-facing extraction timer so you can determine the best amount of time to press your material. 
• Compact, lightweight, and portable with a height of 11″.
• Has an operator-friendly LCD interface with a simple button layout.

CONS (-)

• Frequent complaints about the bolts on the handle breaking after repetitive use.
• Consumers also say that the yield is not that great and that you should only use a couple of grams at a time.

What’s good about it

If you want a plug-and-play rosin press and are not looking to press a lot of starting material at once, this may be the rosin press for you. 

It also has a user-friendly LCD screen and a straightforward button layout unlike other manual presses. 

What’s not so good

It is an expensive model when you can get the same yields from other portable rosin presses. It also has square-shaped, stainless-steel heating plates that do not have as much surface area to let the cannabinoids and terpenes escape.

 Who’s it best for?

This press is best for amateur users who are only looking to press a small amount of starting material at a time.

6. Triminator TRP Stack 25 Ton Rosin Press

The Triminator TRP is a hydraulic rosin press which can deliver up to 25 tons of pressure. 

It has a squish capacity of 128 grams since it has excellent pressing plates that can be individually controlled. 

With this rosin press, you can use high pressures and a low-temperature range for ultimate terpene content in your yields.

PROS (+)

• The press has what they call a Drip Tech System. This technology allows the plates to be set at a 90-degree angle, so the rosin drips directly on a cold surface.
• You can choose between a hand pump, a foot pump, or an electric pump, depending on your needs. 
• This rosin press has an open concept design.

CONS (-)

• Expensive
• It requires you to purchase a separate pump to operate it.

What’s good about it

The Triminator TRP has a strong frame and can handle a lot of starting material. 

The heating plates for this rosin press are rectangular shaped with the dimensions of 6″ by 10″, providing you with a lot of area for optimum pressure and rosin extraction. 

The fact that each plate can be individually temperature controlled is also a great feature as it lets hardcore rosin pressers determine the best temperature range to create the ultimate rosin.

What’s not so good

A lot of people seem to like this press, except for the price point. 

Why’s it so pricey?

Well, once you add a pump and an air compressor (if you choose a foot pump), it is well over four thousand dollars. 

Though, if you are using this for commercial use, you will make up for it with the high yields and not mind the investment in an air compressor. 

Who’s this best for

The Triminator TRP is best for commercial use or for those cannabis connoisseurs with a lot of bud, kief, or bubble hash that needs to be processed.

7. Nugsmasher Pro Rosin Press

The Nugsmasher Pro is a 20 Ton manual or pneumatic rosin press with a squish capacity of 100 grams. 

The machine is 212 lbs and is made from solid steel with a frame produced by the company. It is a plug-and-play operated system that can handle 3.5, 7, or 14-gram bags of material.

PROS (+)

• Has dual pressure control capacity with a precise gauge.
• Dual heated plates use three heating elements for consistent temperature control.
• Uses 7″ by 10″ smash plates which are the biggest on the market.
• Built in LED lights indicate temp.

CONS (-)

• Commercial customer service can be hit and miss.

What’s good about it

Overall, the press seems to have an above-average yield, and the machine is pretty straightforward to use. Yes, It’s both manual and pneumatic – you can hook it up to an air compressor, which is where it really shines. 

Why would you want to do that? Well, an air compressor can help you reach much higher levels of PSI and all without much effort.

Nugsmasher is certainly one of the best value choices. In addition to the fact it has the largest plates out of all the rosin presses, it provides the maximum area to allow the concentrate to extract from the plant matter.

Use the handy Nugsmasher surface area calculator to make sure you get the most out of your purchase!

What’s not so good

The Nugsmasher Pro may not live up to its hype, according to some reviews. 

Many people recommended going with another company for a commercial press as, despite it being able to squish up to 100 grams, it does not produce as great of a yield when making large batches.

Who’s it best for?

It is described as the best ultimate commercial rosin extractor for medium to large-scale businesses that require maximum production. 

If your’re after the best pneumatic rosin press then look no further!

The Final Verdict: Best Rosin Presses

As noted earlier, there is such a variety available, that closing with just one rosin press machine wouldn’t make sense.

We have four top picks when it comes to the best rosin presses:

The best of the hydraulic rosin presses would have to be the Triminator TRP.

Yes, it’s costly, but current customers love it compared to alternative commercial presses like the Nugsmasher Pro.

If you want to maximize your output, try out the Triminator TRP Stack, which can squish approximately 250 grams at a time using three plates.

For the best manual rosin press, it would be the Nugsmasher Original Press. It is both economical and has the highest yields when it comes to a manual heat press. 

Its temperature control seems to work well, and it has aircraft-grade aluminum plates, even if the plates are square. It is also made in the USA.

So, which do you think is the best rosin press?