Use this guide to find the right rock tumbler for you. Learn about all the different kits, sizes, and accessories.
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If you’re looking for a fun hobby that can also double as a unique gift-giving idea, a rock tumbler is a great idea. Rock tumbling is the perfect way to take rough, unpolished stones and turn them into beautiful, shiny gems. All you need is a rock tumbler kit and some patience (it can take weeks for the rocks to reach their final polish).
To help you find the best rock tumbler for your needs, I’ve put together a list of the best rock tumblers on the market, complete with a buyer’s guide to help you make an informed decision. So whether you’re a beginner just getting started or a seasoned pro looking for an upgrade, read on for the best rock tumblers money can buy!
Note: Some links in this post may contain affiliate links, which means at no cost to you, I may earn a commission.
What is a Rock Tumbler?
A rock tumbler (also known as a rock polisher) is a machine that polishes rocks through an abrasive process. The rock tumbler slowly grinds down the stones, gradually removing imperfections and making them smooth and shiny. Rock tumbling usually takes anywhere from 3 weeks to several months to complete depending on the size of the rock and how much grinding needs to be done.
Rock tumbling machines are a great way to polish stones for jewelry or other crafts. They can also be a good way to display your rocks if you collect them. In testing all of these rock tumblers I have officially become obsessed and have most definitely spent weekends searching for rocks to tumble and polish.
What Can You Make with a Rock Tumbler?
As it turns out, rock tumblers are not just for rock polishing – though that is certainly their primary purpose. Aside from polishing stones, gems, and minerals, you can actually use a rock polisher to make sea glass, which could be used in all kinds of creative projects.
They are also great for cleaning up antique jewelry or other items made from metal and stone. So thankfully rock tumblers aren’t actually a single-use item.
How to Choose a Rock Tumbler
There are a few factors you need to consider when choosing a rock tumbler. Answering each of these questions will help you decide on the right one for you.
1. How many rocks will you need to polish at a time?
The size and capacity of the rock tumbler should be taken into account when purchasing one. Choose a rock tumbler that’s large enough for your needs, but not too large or you’ll need to purchase plenty of extra fillers.
2. Who will be using the rock tumbler - children or adults?
There are a few rock tumblers that are specifically designed for children, using fun designs and colors. Therefore you want to ask yourself if kids will be the ones to use the rock polisher or is it for an adult? Typically the machines made for kids aren’t actually the best at polishing and aren’t the most durable – but they’re easy to use and visually appealing to kids.
3. Do you need a full rock tumbler kit or will you be collecting your own rocks?
Rock tumbling kits come with everything you need to get started rock polishing, including rocks grit, and sometimes filler media and jewelry settings. If you have access to grit and resources for rock collecting and prefer to find your own rocks, then a full kit may not be necessary.
4. How much do you want to spend on a rock tumbler?
Rock tumblers can range from $40 to several hundred dollars, depending on how professional of a tumbler you want. Cheaper models will work just fine, but you might not get a perfectly polished rock without purchasing additional items such as fillers. Therefore if you want something that will last a long time and give a great polish, you’ll need to spend a bit more.
5. Are you looking to get beautifully polished rocks or are you looking for more of a toy?
For rock tumbling, you want to make sure that the rock polisher can actually give the rocks a good polish. If you’re looking for more of a toy rock polisher, the cheaper models or the ones for kids will work just fine. But if you’re looking to make beautiful jewelry or other craft items, then it’s best to invest in a rock tumbler that’s more durable and more properly polishes the rocks.
Rotary Rock Tumblers vs Vibratory Rock Tumblers
There are two main types of rock tumblers – rotary and vibratory. Rotary rock tumblers are the most common type (and the one I’m primarily focused on).
Rotary Rock Tumblers
Rotary rock tumblers are easy to use for both beginners and experienced rock polishers. This type of rock tumbler works by using a rotating barrel filled with the rocks and abrasive grit you wish to polish, which slowly grinds away any imperfections on the rock’s surface, smoothing it and giving it a polished finish. These are two examples of the rotary rock tumblers I tested.
Vibratory Rock Tumblers
Vibratory rock tumblers are less common, but they tend to produce better results in a shorter amount of time. This type uses an electric motor that vibrates the rock around inside a round “bowl,” which eliminates any imperfections in the rock’s surface much faster than a rotary rock tumbler. They can be a bit pricier and require more skill. They’re also more difficult to find and offer fewer options as they’re less common.
Don’t forget to pin it so you can come back to it later!
The Best Rock Tumbler Kit in Each Category
To make it easy, I’ve compiled a short list of the best rock polishers for different categories:
- Best Performing Rock Tumbler (and my favorite): Tumble-Bee TB-22 (Amazon)
- Best Beginner Rock Tumbler Kit: Komestone K1 Pro (Amazon)
- Best Rock Tumbler for Kids: AliKids (Amazon)
- Best Rock Tumbler for Adults / Professional Kit: Tumble-Bee TB-22 (Amazon)
- Best Cheap Rock Tumbler Kit: Zcvtbye “Blue Buttons” (Amazon)
- Best Versatile Tumbler: Vevor Jewelry Polisher / Rock Tumbler (Amazon)
Best Rock Tumblers for Adults / Professional Rock Tumblers
The machines and kits are the best on the market and give the best results. Some I would say are best for adults as they’re more complicated and not as “fun” looking as the ones designed specifically for kids. That being said, most can certainly still be used by kids and can be a great family activity. I’ve also included images of the rocks that come with the machine so you can get a clearer picture of what you’ll get with each rock tumbler kit.
Tumble-Bee Rotary Rock Tumbler TB-22
While it’s newer to the scene, the Tumble-Bee has become my go-to machine out of all the ones I tested. If you’re serious about rock polishing and are willing to invest in a high-quality machine that will last for years (or even decades), the Tumble-Bee is the one to get. While they have single barrel versions or an extra large single barrel, I highly recommend the two barrel machine as it allows you to run two different types of rocks at once. This could be different polishing stages or rocks of different hardness.
And the kit itself comes with the most rocks out of any of the machines I tested with an amazing variety of agates, jaspers, and petrified wood! The barrel is also super easy to open.
Barrel Size: 4 lbs Total – 2 x 2 lb Barrels
PROS
- Two Barrels – This machine comes with two separate barrels, so you can polish two different rock types at the same time.
- Easy to Open – This is one of the easiest barrels to open as it comes with a washer that you use to lift the lid.
- Durable – It’s made of high quality rubber, making it extremely durable. Even simply holding the barrel it feels more secure and professional than the other machines I tested.
- Comes with Oil – This is the only kit I tested that actually came with oil for the machine, ensuring it will last a long time.
- Rock Variety and Amount – This kit has the most unique rocks out of all of them and a lot of them. It has more than enough for multiple polishes.
- Simple and Accurate Instructions – They keep the instructions simple and accurate and a more clear explanation as to why you need each step.
CONS
- No Strainer or Mesh Bag – It doesn’t come with a strainer or mesh bag so you need to provide your own way to clean the rocks.
- Only One Speed – There is only one speed to this machine, but it spins at an appropriate speed to get a professional polish.
- Price – The Tumble Bee is one of the more expensive rock tumblers on the market, but if you’re serious about rock polishing it’s well worth the price.
- No Filler – It doesn’t come with any filler so the stones aren’t protected throughout the process, leading to broken or very small stones.
KomeStone K1 Pro Rock Tumbler Kit
The Komestone K1 Pro is a rock tumbler that is perfect for those who are just starting out in the world of rock polishing and aren’t looking for just a toy. The machine itself is extremely durable for being an entry level machine, ensuring it will last you a long time. It also comes with all the necessary materials to ensure you get a great polish in the end. Plus, they offer a coupon for a free refill rock kit so you can keep polishing more rocks.
BARREL SIZE: 2.5 lb Barrel
PROS
- Durable – This machine is built from durable materials so it will last a long time.
- Large Size – This is a larger machine that can hold 2.5 lbs of rocks.
- Easy to Open – This was one of the easiest barrels to open and didn’t require extra tools.
- Includes Ceramic Media Filler – It comes with ceramic media, which protects the stones and gives a better polish.
- Jewelry Settings – It comes with jewelry settings to make a keychain, necklace, earrings, and a ring.
- Rock Variety and Amount – There’s a good variety of rocks that comes with the kit. It also comes with a coupon to redeem a refill pack of rocks and grit.
- Strainer – It comes with a strainer to easily clean a few rocks to check their progress.
- Good Instructions – The instructions are great and easy to read. They also include some tips and tricks that will ensure you get a great polish each time!
- Multiple Speeds – There are 3 speeds you can use, allowing for more flexibility in the process.
- Good Slow Speed – The slowest speed is not too fast so it can still be used as an every day tumbler.
CONS
- Moves Around – This rock tumbler tends to move around during use, which can be a bit annoying. Though I ended up finding it amusing to see where it ended up each day.
- Fast High Speed – The highest speed is very fast, making it more likely that the rocks will break. I often found little pieces of stone in the rim of the barrel. I recommend starting at level 2 instead of 3 (or even level 1 for the whole process!).
Vevor Rock Tumbler / Jewelry Polisher
This is certainly the most unique machines since the primary use isn’t technically for rock tumbling, but rather for polishing jewelry. The major benefit of this polisher though is that it’s clear so you can get a glimpse at what’s going on inside. That being said, after your first run the inside of the barrel will become frosted so while you can still see into it, it’s not crystal clear (no pun intended)!
Since the focus is primarily on polishing jewelry, the polishing kit doesn’t come with any rocks or grit. You receive tiny metal ball bearings, which I don’t recommend using with rocks. The hexagonal shape of the barrel makes it a bit tricky to clean, but if you want a machine that’s built for also polishing jewelry, this is a fantastic option. Just be sure to get a set of grit to go with it!
Barrel Size: 6 KG
PROS
- Large Size – This is a very large machine that can hold up to 5 lbs of rocks (though I likely wouldn’t go more than 3-4).
- Clear Barrel – The clear barrel lets you get a glimpse at what’s happening without having to open the lid, which can be fun to watch.
- Versatile – since it’s technically a jewelry polisher, it can be used for more than just rock polishing.
- Reverse Setting – It has the ability to reverse the direction of the rotation so it gives more flexibility in the settings.
- Multiple Speeds – There are 5 speeds you can use, allowing for even more flexibility in the process.
CONS
- Difficult to Clean – Because of the hexagonal shape of the barrel and the design of the lid, it can be a bit tricky to clean.
- No Stones or Grit – Since this is intended to be used for jewelry polishing, it doesn’t come with stones or grit so you will need to buy those separately.
- No Instructions – It does not include instructions for how to polish rocks, but you can use my guide on rock polishing.
National Geographic Rock Tumbler Kit - Platinum Series
While I haven’t tried this one, the National Geographic Platinum Series rock tumbler is a high-quality machine that offers unique features not found on other rock tumblers. This machine comes with foam filler and a unique lid to reduce noise, making it perfect for those who want a quieter rock polishing experience. It also has a sleek, modern design that will look great in any home.
Barrel Size: 2 lb Barrel
PROS
- Quiet – Thanks to the unique lid this rock tumbler is said to be much quieter than other machines. It’s still very likely you’ll want to put it in the garage to be completely silent.
- Foam Filler – The foam filler not only helps a bit to reduce the noise, but it also acts as a filler to protect the stones and give a better polish.
- Modern Design – The overall design of this rock polisher is simply beautiful. It looks sleek and modern.
- Includes Mesh Bag and Strainer – This one comes with both a mesh bag and a strainer, making it very easy to clean the rocks between cycles.
- Jewelry Settings – It comes with jewelry settings to make a keychain, necklace, earrings, and a ring.
- Multiple Speeds – There are 3 speeds you can use, allowing for more flexibility in the process.
- Reverse Setting – It has the ability to reverse the direction of the rotation so it gives more options.
CONS
- Price – This rock tumbler is extremely expensive for what it is. You’re very much paying extra for the design and some noise reduction.
- Difficult to Open – For some reason they made the barrel with a screw on lid, which can be extremely difficult to open.
- Made of Plastic – The outer shell of the barrel and top are made of plastic, making it less durable.
Lortone Rock Tumbler - 33B
The Lortone rock tumbler is one of the most popular rock polisher brands on the market. They’ve been around for many years, and it’s a rock tumbler used by many rock-hounds, rock collectors, and rock enthusiasts. They make single and double barrel machines so out of these options I recommend the double barrel one.
The main thing is Lortone rock tumblers are very expensive – often 2x the price of their competitors. While they’re certainly durable, they don’t have an on/off switch, making it cumbersome to turn it on or off as necessary. But if brand recognition is important and you need the larger size, then this is definitely the machine to get. But there are now plenty of competitors out there (such as Tumble-Bee) so depending on your needs you may want to go with one of the other options.
Barrel Size: 6 lbs Total – 2 x 3 lb Barrels
PROS
- Two Barrels – This machine comes with two separate barrels, so you can polish two different rock types at the same time.
- Easy to Open – This is one of the easiest barrels to open as it comes with a washer that you use to lift the lid.
- Durable – It’s made of high quality rubber, making it extremely durable.
- Rock Variety – This kit has a good variety of unique rocks.
- Reputable Brand – This brand is well known in the lapidary community and is often the go-to brand for those looking for a more professional rock tumbler.
CONS
- Price – This is the most expensive machine of all, nearly 2x its competitors.
- No Strainer or Mesh Bag – It doesn’t come with a strainer or mesh bag so you need to provide your own way to clean the rocks.
- Only One Speed – There is only one speed to this machine, but it spins at an appropriate speed to get a professional polish.
- Not Enough Rocks – It only comes with 2 lbs of rocks, which likely won’t be enough to fill one of the barrels
- No Filler – It doesn’t come with any filler so the stones aren’t protected throughout the process, leading to broken or very small stones.
- No On/Off Switch – There isn’t an on/off switch, making it cumbersome to turn it on and off.
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Best Rock Tumblers for Kids
If you’re looking for a rock tumbler that’s perfect for kids, don’t worry – there are plenty of rock tumblers out there that are designed with kids in mind. They come in fun colors and shapes, and are usually made of durable materials for safety. All of these come with everything you need to get started tumbling rocks – the rocks themselves, grit, polish, and some even have additional accessories.
AliKids Rock Tumbler Kit
The Ali Kids Rock Tumbler Kit is a great rock polisher for kids (and adults). It’s one of the cheaper rock tumblers on the market and it gets the job done. The kit comes with a great variety of rocks and includes some jewelry settings. It’s also one of the smallest so it doesn’t take up much space. Overall, I really like this one as long as you don’t use their instructions and include some filler.
Barrel Size: 1 lb Barrel
PROS
- Jewelry Settings – It comes with jewelry settings to make a keychain, necklace, earrings, and a ring
- Rock Variety – There’s a large variety of rocks that comes with the kit (9 types)
- Price – The price point is great at around $50
- Start/Stop Button – The polisher doesn’t immediately start when you turn it on so you can choose when you want it to start spinning.
- Strainer – It comes with a strainer to easily clean a few rocks to check their progress.
- Information on Stones – The booklet includes some fun information about the stones included in the kit
- Compact Size – Because it’s a smaller baller, the machine itself doesn’t take up much space. It was the smallest machine out of the ones tested.
- Multiple Speeds – There are 3 speeds you can use, allowing for more flexibility in the process
- Good Slow Speed – The slowest speed is not too fast so it can still be used as an every day tumbler.
- Easy to Open – This was one of the easiest barrels to open and didn’t require extra tools.
CONS
- Small Barrel – You can only polish a small number of rocks at a time.
- Bad Instructions – There really aren’t instructions for this machine. It has the a chart for the length of each cycle and which grit to use, but doesn’t explain the process step by step.
- No Filler – It doesn’t come with any filler so the stones aren’t protected throughout the process, leading to broken or very small stones.
- Smaller Finished Stones – Following the chart given, you’ll end up with smaller finished stones than if you use lower speed settings.
Cayama Snail Rock Tumbler Kit
This rock polishing kit is absolutely adorable since the designers made this kit into the shape of a snail. It’s one of the few polishers that actually looks fun and I’m all for making items that bring a smile to my face when I look at them. However, if the snail isn’t your thing, they also make a slightly larger one (3 lb barrel) that doesn’t look like a snail.
Barrel Size: 2 lb Barrel
PROS
- Larger Barrel – While there is a smaller version that’s 1.5 lbs, this 2.5 lb one I tried has extra capacity so you can polish more rocks at a time (which is especially good since it can take a month).
- Includes Mesh Bag – This one comes with a mesh bag, making it easy to clean the rocks between cycles.
- Includes Plastic Pellets – It comes with plastic filler pellets, which protect the stones and give a better polish. That being said, the plastic pellets are a little annoying vs ceramic media.
- Fun Design – This is by far the most fun looking rock polisher with the adorable snail face.
- Decent Instructions – The instructions are pretty decent, however it doesn’t include instructions about using soap to wash the stones. So by following these instructions you risk having rocks that don’t have a good shine in the end.
- Multiple Speeds – There are 3 speeds you can use, allowing for more flexibility in the process
- Good Slow Speed – The slowest speed is not too fast so it can still be used as an every day tumbler
CONS
- Hard to Open – This is the only polisher that was nearly impossible for me to open. Even using a screw driver, it was extremely difficult.
- No Start Button – It only has an on/off button so when you plug it in and turn it on, it immediately starts, even though you haven’t put in the days/speed yet.
- Minimal Rock Variety – There are only 2 kinds of rocks included in the kit.
- No Jewelry Settings – It doesn’t come with jewelry settings so it just makes the stones.
- Loud – Because of the large barrel size, this is one of the noisier of the polishers.
- Frequent Error Messages – I found this tumbler turned off the most with no clear reason as to why. The error message said the barrel was unbalanced, but even after trying countless adjustments, it still is prone to error messages. Therefore this one needs to be checked more often than once per day.
Zcvtbye Rock Tumbler Kit
The Zcvtbye rock tumbler kit is a great option for those who want a kit for kids at a lower price point, that’s easy to use, and you don’t mind the results. This is very much a no-fuss machine that runs at a higher speed so it polishes the stones more quickly. That being said, the stones will likely end up very small with most getting destroyed in the process (though you could get separate filler to prevent this). But if the goal is for a cheap machine that’s more about the process rather than the result, then this is a fantastic choice.
Barrel Size: 1 lb Barrel
PROS
- Jewelry Settings – It comes with jewelry settings to make a necklace, 2 pendants, earrings, 2 rings, and a keychain. It also comes with glue to attach the rocks to the settings.
- Rock Variety – There’s a decent variety of rocks that comes with the kit.
- Price – The price point is great at around $45.
- Easy-Open Tab – This is the only barrel that includes a pull-tab that makes it easy to open.
- Simple Settings – The timing of the machine is controlled by blue buttons on the front of the machine and it doesn’t require a speed setting. This simplicity makes it easy for kids to use. I actually fondly referred to this tumbler as “Blue Buttons.”
- Fast – Because the speed of the machine is so fast, it polishers the stones pretty quickly as well.
CONS
- Only One Speed – There is only one speed to this machine and it’s way too fast to give a proper polish without breaking the stones.
- Small Barrel – You can only polish a small number of rocks at a time.
- Bad Instructions – The instructions are in Chinese and English, making it difficult to read. It also doesn’t have a nice chart for the timing of each stage so you need to hunt for the information.
- No Strainer or Mesh Bag – It doesn’t come with a strainer or mesh bag so you need to provide your own way to clean the rocks.
- No Filler – It doesn’t come with any filler so the stones aren’t protected throughout the process, leading to broken or very small stones.
- Smaller/Few Finished Stones – Because of the fast speed of the machine, the lack of filler, and small starting stones, most of the rocks were destroyed and the ones remaining were tiny.
- Non-Intuitive Buttons – Rather than having buttons that clearly show the time set, the buttons only show 1, 2, or 4 days. Therefore if you want 5 days, you need to select the 1 and 4 buttons. That being said, it may be preferable for children.
National Geographic Rock Tumbler - Starter Kit
This National Geographic Rock Tumbler kit is a classic starter kit. This machine is very basic, making it easy for kids to use and it gets the job done. It would be a great option if you’re looking for a lower-end machine that is more of a toy than a solid polisher. I do like the fact that it is from National Geographic, making it more science and learning focused. Somehow the brand name also makes it more “special” as a gift.
Barrel Size: 1 lb Barrel
PROS
- Fun Color – The bright yellow color is fun and inviting for kids.
- Easy to Use – Because there is only one speed, you simply plug it in without having to worry about any settings.
- Rock Variety – There’s a good variety of rocks that comes with the kit.
- Jewelry Settings – It comes with jewelry settings to make a keychain, necklace, earrings, and a ring
- Price – It’s one of the more affordable machines at a price point around $40-50
CONS
- Only One Speed – There is only one speed to this machine.
- Difficult to Open – For some reason they made the barrel with a screw on lid, which is extremely difficult to open. Most kids will likely not be able to open it.
- Made of Plastic – Even though the inner barrel is made of rubber, it’s soft and flexible. The outer shell is what provides the structure and the outer shell is made of plastic, making it less durable.
- No Strainer or Mesh Bag – It doesn’t come with a strainer or mesh bag so you need to provide your own way to clean the rocks.
- No Filler – It doesn’t come with any filler so the stones aren’t protected throughout the process, leading to broken or very small stones.
Nature Bound Rock Tumbler Kit
This kit is really more of an honorable mention, but I’m including it because it truly is built for kids and it has a unique plastic cover to help reduce noise. This is a polish-only kit, meaning it doesn’t start with a coarse grit. It’s therefore advertised as reducing the time to polish, but in reality it means you’re not going to get as smooth of rocks. But if you want a kit that is truly for kids as more of a toy and isn’t about the function, then this is the one to get.
Barrel Size: 2-3 lbs of stones
PROS
- Fun Design – The colors and design are great for kids with the bright green and orange.
- Size – It can hold a lot of rocks at 2-3 lbs.
- Plastic Cover – It has a plastic cover to help reduce noise (though remember that all polishers will still be noisy)
- Rock Variety – You get 3 different types of rocks and a reasonable amount of each (though they are a little small).
CONS
- Only One Speed – There is only one speed to this machine.
- No Grit – This polishing kit skips some steps by jumping directly to polishing instead of slowly grinding and then polishing so stones don’t come out as smooth and shiny.
- Made Just for Kids – This is the only kit made specifically for kids and is not really suited for adults as it skips steps and the overall appearance is made for kids.
- Made of Plastic – The barrel is made of plastic so it’s less durable.
- No Jewelry Settings – It doesn’t come with jewelry settings so it just makes the stones.
- No Strainer or Mesh Bag – It doesn’t come with a strainer or mesh bag so you need to provide your own way to clean the rocks.
- No Filler – It doesn’t come with any filler so the stones aren’t protected throughout the process, leading to broken or very small stones.
