The cannabis market continues to evolve. While compression may be occurring in certain categories like flower, others are seeing growth. Beverages, pre-rolls, and solventless offerings are attractive to discerning consumers for their quality and ease of use. Rosin-based products have exploded in popularity thanks to their solvent-free production methods.
The impressive growth of the solventless category has led manufacturers to seek out the best rosin press machines available. While creating these craft concentrates may require more work, the premium price tag makes the effort worth the investment. The price per gram of rosin varies by market, but it’s typically double or even triple that of live resin, shatter, or other solvent-based extracts. At the high end, premium rosin is worth more at retail than a gram of gold.
Rosin press vs. other extraction methods
While things like hash rosin may be niche products, requiring more care and consideration than CO2 or butane extracts, the market is poised to reward solventless producers handsomely.
Overall, concentrate revenue has faltered — but solventless extracts have experienced a surge. Between Q1 of 2021 and Q4 of 2023, rosin’s market share jumped from 6.5 percent to 16 percent. During that period, the larger concentrates category dwindled from $377 million to $276 million, with sales of rosin extracts increasing from $24 million to $44 million.
For commercial operations, investing in top-rated cannabis rosin presses is crucial to success. Choosing a rosin press doesn’t have to be rocket science. These options are all worthy of squish.
Lowtemp Industries Medusa
- Modular design
- Lifetime warranty
- Starting at $5,659
Considered one of the best canabis rosin presses on the market, the Medusa from Lowtemp Industries can be customized to meet any production need. This modular system fits any space, from the budget-conscious start-up to the vertically integrated multi-state operator (MSO). The Medusa lets producers attach up to five machines together, allowing a single operator to process up to 500g of sift or 300g of flower per squish.
Manufacturers can choose between four pump options: the P1000 premium hand pump, PA1500 air pump, P2801 BVA high flow electric hand pump, and Lowtemp electric pump. Every system comes outfitted with LT3 Heat controllers for precise performance and even heat distribution.
The Medusa offers universal force options, boasting up to 20 tons of pressure. The machines are crafted in Denver, Colorado from powder-coated steel and food-grade anodized plates. When it comes to hydraulic rosin presses, Lowtemp is a key player.
Access Rosin KWÄD
- Touch screen automation
- Limited warranty
- Starting at $19,971
The KWÄD is one of the best commercial cannabis rosin presses for large-scale manufacturers seeking unparalleled performance. This behemoth boasts a unique 12’ x 12” heating plate, perfect for creating solventless extracts at a serious scale. The fully automated system can store custom recipes and allows the operator to adjust pressure and temperature for unrivaled precision.
The KWÄD is available in three versions: Feel, Pro, and Pro Kit. The baseline Feel is great for producers seeking a good rosin press without too many frills. The Pro has far more bells and whistles, including a 4” touch screen, selector switch, and e-stop switch button. The Pro Kit adds an e-hydraulic pump and hydraulic lift table to the system.
Another benefit of the KWÄD system is the large collection cavity, which makes post-melt separation a breeze. This ensures the final product is pure, potent, and practically perfect.
NugSmasher IQ
- Fully automated system with integrated app
- Lifetime warranty
- Starting at $3,760
For producers who want a “set it and forget it” hydraulic rosin press, the NugSmasher IQ is just the ticket. The integrated computer numerically controlled (CMC) system creates precise, repeatable results while the 10.1-inch capacitive touch display helps reduce user error. A companion app allows operators to add custom recipes and adjust settings near or far.
The device also features built-in decarb screens and a special heat cure mode, greatly increasing efficiency. Should the unit lose power for any reason, an automatic recovery will resume the cure as soon as power is restored.
The NugSmasher IQ runs off 110v or 220v single-phase wall power and is self-contained, meaning there’s no need for an air compressor. This space-spacing feature makes this one of the best machines for companies with a limited production footprint.
Rosin Technologies Cirum Series Brick Pneumatic Rosin Press
- Uses air compressor or CO2
- Limited warranty
- Starting at $3,880
Rosin Technologies has some of the best-rated cannabis rosin presses on the market. The Circum Series Brick Pneumatic press is an excellent option for craft manufacturers who require decent output from a smaller machine. The dynamic machine is capable of pressing 10 to 14 grams of flower or 6 to 20 grams of hash in one squish.
Pneumatic rosin presses can use air compressors or CO2 tanks, making them easy to operate and automate. They also tend to be more consistent and reliable, which is especially important for producers with a lean workforce and tight budgets.
The Circum Series Brick press comes in 120, 220, 230, and 240 Volt options, allowing operators to adjust the power as needed. At max capacity, the unit harnesses up to 9,300 pounds of force. Adjustable downstroke speed offers maximum control over the time it takes to come up to full pressure, something that helps ensure the finished product is top quality.
Rositek Manual Pollen Press
- Easy-to-use hand crank
- One year warranty
- $129
While it may be barebones, the Rositek Manual Pollen Press is easily the best concentrate press under $200. By deploying a hand pump instead of a hydraulic press, this budget rosin press puts an old-school spin on the manual extraction process. Despite the lack of bells and whistles like a pressure gauge or automatic sensors, this press machine still gets the job done.
With a 3” x 5” plate size and two tons of pressure, the Rositek Manual Pollen Press has a small but powerful footprint. Simply place the parchment paper and material, crank the lever, and watch the simple yet efficient press go to work. Crafted from 6061 aluminum, this durable and simple-to-operate machine is great for hobbyists and pros alike.
Where to buy cannabis rosin presses
There are many reputable dealers of extraction equipment throughout the country. While going through a manufacturer is recommended, experts like Xtractor Depot or Hydro Builder also offer a full suite of solutions. They can assist when shopping for anything from an electric rosin press to micron bags, and provide customer service if something goes wrong.
For producers looking for a great deal, secondhand extraction equipment is readily available. Check out websites like Ruder Equipment or the Future4200.com forums for high-quality machines at a fraction of the price. Buyers may not get the same level of service, but it may be worth it to save a few bucks.
