Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Rotary Tumbler
The Platinum Series is Frankford Arsenal’s premium rotary solution, designed to deliver quiet operation and a very uniform polish that minimizes wear on brass compared with aggressive vibratory machines. It commands a higher price but rewards users with superior finish consistency and reduced media dust, making it the best choice for reloaders who prioritize brass longevity and low-noise operation over up-front cost. Compared with vibratory options on this list it trades speed for gentler, more repeatable results, and compared with other rotaries it stands out for build quality and refined controls.
Ultra-quiet spin — ninja
Mirror-bright finish
Ultra-quiet spin — ninja
Mirror-bright finish
Review Summary
"Users praise the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series rotary for its quiet operation, consistent polishing and compact, well-built feel; a minority report occasional motor/belt issues and slower cycle times compared with premium machines. Overall it’s seen as a very good mid-priced rotary tumbler for hobbyists."
Space-saving footprint
Large metal rotary drum designed for gentle, low-impact tumbling to preserve primer pockets and flash holes.
Space-saving footprint
Large metal rotary drum designed for gentle, low-impact tumbling to preserve primer pockets and flash holes.
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
The Platinum Series is Frankford Arsenal’s premium rotary solution, designed to deliver quiet operation and a very uniform polish that minimizes wear on brass compared with aggressive vibratory machines. It commands a higher price but rewards users with superior finish consistency and reduced media dust, making it the best choice for reloaders who prioritize brass longevity and low-noise operation over up-front cost. Compared with vibratory options on this list it trades speed for gentler, more repeatable results, and compared with other rotaries it stands out for build quality and refined controls.
Ultra-quiet spin — ninja
Mirror-bright finish
Space-saving footprint
Large metal rotary drum designed for gentle, low-impact tumbling to preserve primer pockets and flash holes.
Heavy-duty motor and durable metal construction built for frequent, long-lasting use.
Ultra-quiet spin — ninja
Mirror-bright finish
Space-saving footprint
Large metal rotary drum designed for gentle, low-impact tumbling to preserve primer pockets and flash holes.
Heavy-duty motor and durable metal construction built for frequent, long-lasting use.
Lyman Cyclone Rotary Tumbler
The Lyman Cyclone balances professional-level results with strong value, earning its place as a market leader for reloaders who want rotary-style gentleness without the highest premium. It typically undercuts the Platinum Series on price while delivering comparable case finish and capacity, making it a go-to for high-volume hobbyists who want consistent, primer-safe polishing. Against vibratory machines it offers quieter operation and less abrasive action, and versus premium rotaries it trades a bit of refinement for a better price-to-performance ratio.
Heavy-duty drum — workhorse
Consistent tumble
Heavy-duty drum — workhorse
Consistent tumble
Review Summary
"The Lyman Cyclone rotary is widely regarded as a top-tier machine—robust construction, large capacity and excellent, repeatable finishes with minimal fuss; complaints are few and mostly about price and weight. It’s frequently recommended as a best-in-class rotary tumbler."
No-spill lid
Rotary tumbling action offers low-impact cleaning that minimizes case wear while improving uniformity.
No-spill lid
Rotary tumbling action offers low-impact cleaning that minimizes case wear while improving uniformity.
Skill Development & Mastery
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
The Lyman Cyclone balances professional-level results with strong value, earning its place as a market leader for reloaders who want rotary-style gentleness without the highest premium. It typically undercuts the Platinum Series on price while delivering comparable case finish and capacity, making it a go-to for high-volume hobbyists who want consistent, primer-safe polishing. Against vibratory machines it offers quieter operation and less abrasive action, and versus premium rotaries it trades a bit of refinement for a better price-to-performance ratio.
Heavy-duty drum — workhorse
Consistent tumble
No-spill lid
Rotary tumbling action offers low-impact cleaning that minimizes case wear while improving uniformity.
Generous drum capacity accommodates larger batches of brass for efficient workflow.
Heavy-duty drum — workhorse
Consistent tumble
No-spill lid
Rotary tumbling action offers low-impact cleaning that minimizes case wear while improving uniformity.
Generous drum capacity accommodates larger batches of brass for efficient workflow.
$250-350 CAD
Hornady M2 Case Tumbler
Hornady’s M2 is positioned as a fast, user-friendly tumbler optimized for dry media and quick turnaround, offering a compelling middle ground between entry-level vibratory units and high-end rotaries. It often costs less than top rotary models while delivering faster cycle times, which is attractive for reloaders who prioritize throughput; however, it can be slightly more aggressive on brass than rotary designs. Compared to RCBS and Frankford’s Quick-N-EZ, the M2 typically brings better build quality and speed, while remaining more affordable than premium rotary options.
Fast vibratory action — quick zap
Debris-free brass
Fast vibratory action — quick zap
Debris-free brass
Review Summary
"Hornady M2 users report reliable, consistent polishing and a solid build, although some note it’s heavier and pricier than similar units and occasional motor longevity concerns. It’s generally rated good-to-very-good for regular reloading use."
Compact, rugged build
Robust rotary design delivers consistent, fast polishing across a full batch of cases.
Compact, rugged build
Robust rotary design delivers consistent, fast polishing across a full batch of cases.
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Hornady’s M2 is positioned as a fast, user-friendly tumbler optimized for dry media and quick turnaround, offering a compelling middle ground between entry-level vibratory units and high-end rotaries. It often costs less than top rotary models while delivering faster cycle times, which is attractive for reloaders who prioritize throughput; however, it can be slightly more aggressive on brass than rotary designs. Compared to RCBS and Frankford’s Quick-N-EZ, the M2 typically brings better build quality and speed, while remaining more affordable than premium rotary options.
Fast vibratory action — quick zap
Debris-free brass
Compact, rugged build
Robust rotary design delivers consistent, fast polishing across a full batch of cases.
Engineered for reliable, repeatable results with minimal case damage during tumbling.
Fast vibratory action — quick zap
Debris-free brass
Compact, rugged build
Robust rotary design delivers consistent, fast polishing across a full batch of cases.
Engineered for reliable, repeatable results with minimal case damage during tumbling.
$280-380 CAD
RCBS Vibratory Case Cleaner
The RCBS vibratory cleaner is a sturdy, budget-conscious choice that gives fast, aggressive cleaning and a generous capacity for batch processing brass at a lower purchase price. Its direct vibratory action shortens cycle times and makes it a practical workhorse for reloaders who need speed and capacity, though that same aggressiveness can lead to slightly more wear compared with rotary tumblers like the Frankford and Lyman models. As a financial value, it often represents the best short-term investment for high-throughput shops and weekend shooters who accept trade-offs in gentleness for speed and cost savings.
Powerful vibration — thunder
Big-batch cleaning
Powerful vibration — thunder
Big-batch cleaning
Review Summary
"The RCBS vibratory case cleaner is praised for fast, effective dry-cleaning of brass and durable construction, but it’s noisy and more vibration/transmission to the bench than rotaries. Overall reviewers find it a dependable market-leading vibratory option."
Durable, garage-ready
Vibratory action cleans and polishes brass quickly using media or corn cob for fast turnaround.
Durable, garage-ready
Vibratory action cleans and polishes brass quickly using media or corn cob for fast turnaround.
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
The RCBS vibratory cleaner is a sturdy, budget-conscious choice that gives fast, aggressive cleaning and a generous capacity for batch processing brass at a lower purchase price. Its direct vibratory action shortens cycle times and makes it a practical workhorse for reloaders who need speed and capacity, though that same aggressiveness can lead to slightly more wear compared with rotary tumblers like the Frankford and Lyman models. As a financial value, it often represents the best short-term investment for high-throughput shops and weekend shooters who accept trade-offs in gentleness for speed and cost savings.
Powerful vibration — thunder
Big-batch cleaning
Durable, garage-ready
Vibratory action cleans and polishes brass quickly using media or corn cob for fast turnaround.
Stainless steel/metal pan and rugged motor provide durable performance for regular use.
Powerful vibration — thunder
Big-batch cleaning
Durable, garage-ready
Vibratory action cleans and polishes brass quickly using media or corn cob for fast turnaround.
Stainless steel/metal pan and rugged motor provide durable performance for regular use.
$150-250 CAD
Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler
The Quick-N-EZ is Frankford Arsenal’s entry-level vibratory model, targeted at beginners and low-volume reloaders who want a compact, affordable way to clean brass. It is the most budget-friendly option here and easy to store, though it offers lower capacity and a less refined finish than premium rotary tumblers like the Platinum Series or the Lyman Cyclone. For reloaders comparing cost and convenience, the Quick-N-EZ delivers solid value for occasional use, but serious high-volume or precision-focused users will likely prefer the more robust or gentler machines on this list.
Quick clean cycles — blink
Tool-free operation
Quick clean cycles — blink
Tool-free operation
Review Summary
"Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ is valued as an affordable vibratory tumbler that cleans brass reasonably well for the price, but reviewers frequently cite shorter lifespan of plastic parts and louder operation compared with higher-end models. It’s considered a good budget choice with some durability trade-offs."
Portable grab-and-go
Entry-level vibratory tumbler offering an affordable, compact solution for occasional brass cleaning.
Portable grab-and-go
Entry-level vibratory tumbler offering an affordable, compact solution for occasional brass cleaning.
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Quick-N-EZ is Frankford Arsenal’s entry-level vibratory model, targeted at beginners and low-volume reloaders who want a compact, affordable way to clean brass. It is the most budget-friendly option here and easy to store, though it offers lower capacity and a less refined finish than premium rotary tumblers like the Platinum Series or the Lyman Cyclone. For reloaders comparing cost and convenience, the Quick-N-EZ delivers solid value for occasional use, but serious high-volume or precision-focused users will likely prefer the more robust or gentler machines on this list.
Quick clean cycles — blink
Tool-free operation
Portable grab-and-go
Entry-level vibratory tumbler offering an affordable, compact solution for occasional brass cleaning.
Easy to use with basic on/off controls and compatibility with common polishing media.
Quick clean cycles — blink
Tool-free operation
Portable grab-and-go
Entry-level vibratory tumbler offering an affordable, compact solution for occasional brass cleaning.
Easy to use with basic on/off controls and compatibility with common polishing media.