As more and more consumers are turning to solvent-less cannabis extractions, rosin has become all the rage. Rosin is delicious, dabbable, and a lot safer than extracts made with solvents like butane. The only things required to create rosin are heat and pressure.
It’s OK to use a hair strengthener to squash a few nugs for personal use occasionally. But if you’re planning to do any serious extracting, you’re going to need a professional rosin press.
Let’s take a look at some of the best rosin presses available in 2020.
1. The Sasquash V2
The Sasquash V2 is a versatile hydraulic press that features variable heat settings. The press can deliver 15 tons of force and process up to one ounce at a time with its 8.5” x 5” plates. The Sasquash is exceptionally heavy at 135 pounds, so you’ll need to install it in a permanent location.
Folks looking for a smaller model may want to investigate the Sasquash M1, which has 3.5” x 4.5” plates and delivers 10 tons of pressure. The bigger Sasquash 2.5 offers 50,000 pounds of downward force with its 10” x 5” plates. Consumers can upgrade to a pneumatic or electric pump for an extra fee. All Sasquash models come with a limited lifetime warranty.
2. RTP Gold Series
The RTP Gold Series Manual Twist Rosin Press offers a simple, user-friendly design, making it an excellent choice for beginners. The unit features an automatic digital timer, a microprocessor temperature gauge, and two heated 2 ⅜” and 4 ¾” aluminum plates. The RTP Gold Series has a capacity of 2.5 tons, which you deliver with a flick of your wrist.
The press is lightweight, weighing in at only 36 pounds. And with a price tag of just around $500, the RTP Gold can’t be beaten for a starter press. The press runs on 110 power and allows for temperatures up to 415 degrees F. The company also offers an optional stainless steel mounting table.
3. Nugsmasher Original
With a price tag of less than $1000, the Nugsmasher OG offers one of the best values for the money. The Nugsmasher Original’s manual pump arm delivers 12 tons of pressure. The unit features sturdy steel construction and 3.5” x 4” plates that use 160 watts each for fast heating. The only drawback of the Nugsmasher OG is its weight of 74 pounds.
The Nugsmasher Mini is a more economical model with a price of just under $500. The Mini has 2.5” x 2.5” plates, delivers two tons of pressure, and can squeeze 3-5 grams at a time. If you’re looking for a professional model, you could check out the Nugsmasher Pro, which can process up to 100 grams at a time. Nugsmasher’s Pro model features 7” x 10” plates and reaches up to 20 tons of pressure. All Nugsmasher rosin presses feature built-in circuit protection and lifetime warranties.
4. Pure Pressure Pike’s Peak V2
Pure Pressure leads the pack when it comes to top-of-the-line, professional rosin presses. The Pike’s Peak V2 runs on a pneumatic system and features touch screen controls that permit you to adjust the temperature up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The software allows you to save 30 presets, and the unit has two sets of legs, so that you can use the press either horizontally or vertically. Consumers can choose either 10” x 2” or 10” x 3” plates.
Those looking for a larger option may want to check out the Pure Pressure’s Long’s Peak Rosin Press, which can process 35 grams of herb or up to 70 grams of kief or hash using eight tons of pressure. As one of the more expensive rosin presses on the market, the Pure Pressure Pike’s Peak V2 isn’t particularly suitable for hobbyists. You will also need to purchase a separate air compressor to use the unit.
5. RosinBomb M60
Many extract enthusiasts consider the RosinBomb M60 as the best electric rosin press available. The unit exerts 6000 pounds of pressure between its two 3.75” x 3.75” plates. The FDA-approved plates feature a patented flow channel that allows for continuous pressing. The compact RosinBomb M60 is made of stainless steel yet only weighs 60 pounds. Additionally, the motor makes virtually zero noise, which makes the RosinBomb ideal for home use.
If you’re looking for an even more portable model, you may want to consider the RosinBomb Rocket, which can process up to five grams at a time. Both RosinBomb models are economically priced, with the Rocket coming in at just under $500. The company offers a 5-year warranty for structural components, and electrical parts are covered for one year.
6. Ju1ce Box Handheld Rosin Press
One of the more effective handheld models, the Ju1ce Box is an economical option for small personal batches of rosin. While the Ju1ce Box doesn’t promise to deliver the kind of results you’d see with a $1000 press, the unit works perfectly well for making dabs at home. The Ju1ce Box is much more efficient than a hair straightener, and, at $99, it’s almost as inexpensive.
The press features two 1.5” x 1” plates and can press up to two grams at a time. Although the Ju1ce Box is clearly intended for lighter-duty applications, its structure is surprisingly sturdy and has a capacity of 300 pounds of force.
7. Triminator Rosin TRP Stack
Although most consumers associate the brand with its state-of-the-art trimming machines, Triminator also offers a respectable line of high-quality rosin presses. The Triminator Rosin TRP Stack features three 6” x 10” plates and delivers a full 25 tons of pressure. The higher pressure allows for cooler pressing that will help conserve terpenes with lower boiling points.
The Triminator is compatible with all types of pumps, so you’ll be able to upgrade easily. The TRP stack uses a patented Easy-Pivot Drip Tech System to allow the rosin to immediately flow on to a cool surface after pressing to further protect delicate terpenes.
8. RTP Professional Series
RTP offers a versatile H-Frame Hydraulic Press that’s ideal for making high-quality rosin for commercial applications. The unit can either be used manually or connected to an air compressor. The press has a 12-ton capacity and features two 2” x 9” heated stainless steel plates. The company also offers a 20-ton model for heavy-duty applications.
9. Dulytek DHP20
The Dulytech DHP20 Hydraulic Heat Press Machine has a 20-ton capacity and two 3” x 8” heated plates. The touchscreen displays a press timer and temperatures in both Celsius and Fahrenheit. The Dulytech unit features removable hydraulics and an ergonomic handle to facilitate portability. The DHP20 is durable, easy to use, and affordable, making it a suitable rosin press for both beginners and more-experienced manufacturers.
10. Gorilla Press 420
Gorilla Press designed their lightweight and portable 420 Rosin Extraction Press on the old-school hair straightener model. The press features four temperature settings and heats up quickly so that you can enjoy freshly-pressed terpene-rich rosin in a matter of minutes. The unit features an eight-foot chord and a pollen press attachment. Parchment paper is sold separately.
11. 10-Ton Yeti Pro Series
Another excellent rosin press from Sasquatch, the 10-Ton Yeti can squash up to 30 grams of hash in one press. The unit’s hydraulic ram can deliver up to 20,000 pounds of pressure. The Yeti’s two 4” x 8” aluminum plates are covered with an FDA-approved, food-safe coating. The Yeti includes a Smart PLC for controlling time, temperature, and pressure settings. The press comes with a hand pump and a limited lifetime warranty. The company also offers a 55-ton model as part of its Pro Series.
12. Pure Pressure Helix 5-Ton Manual Press
Pure Pressure’s Helix is considered by many to be the best manual rosin press available. The unit features two precisely-calibrated 7” x 2.5” aluminum plates, which can be set anywhere up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The Helix allows you to adjust the pressure in ten-pound increments and offers 29 presets for automation. Pure Pressure also offers complete accessory kits for both the Helix and the Helix Pro.
How to Choose a Rosin Press
The rosin press you choose will depend on many factors, from budget to capacity. Here are a few things to consider before you make your purchase.
- How often will you be using the press? If you’re only planning to use your press once in a while, you may want a lighter, more portable model, so you can store it when not in use. On the other hand, if you’ll be using your press frequently, you’ll probably be wise to invest in a sturdier model.
- Are noise levels a concern for you or your neighbors? Hydraulic presses are generally quieter than other types of rosin presses.
- How much material will you need to press at once? If you plan to use your press for large harvests, you’ll need a unit with larger plates and more pressure capacity. In general, rectangular plates work better than square ones.
- Be careful when considering some of the cheaper rosin presses. Some of them don’t have even distribution through the plates and produce lower-quality rosin.
- If you choose a rosin press with various accurate temperature settings, you’ll be able to create batches of rosin with different textures.
- The amount of force a press can deliver isn’t always the best gauge of quality. While a certain level of pressure increases efficiency and yields, too much pressure could cause unwanted lipids and chlorophyll to contaminate your rosin. However, you will want to buy a machine with a high-pressure capacity if you’re planning to do a lot of cold pressing.
We carry a full line of rosin presses and accessories here at EverythingButThePlant. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like help picking out a rosin press. We offer free shipping within the U.S.