Clean brass is easier to inspect, kinder to your dies and looks great. The question is which cleaning method fits your bench.
For 2026, I added wet and ultrasonic options to this list, since many reloaders now prefer them to dry media.
- Best wet tumbler: Frankford Arsenal Platinum Rotary
- Best dry vibratory: Lyman Pro 1200
- Best budget: Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ
- Best heavy duty: Thumler’s Tumbler UV-18
- Best ultrasonic: Hornady Lock-N-Load Sonic Cleaner
Best Brass Tumblers: Comparison Chart
| Model | Type | Best For | Cleans Primer Pockets | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frankford Platinum Rotary | Wet rotary | Like-new brass | Yes (with pins) | $$$ | Check Price |
| Lyman Pro 1200 | Dry vibratory | Simple cleaning | No | $ | Check Price |
| Frankford Quick-N-EZ | Dry vibratory | Budget | No | $ | Check Price |
| Thumler’s UV-18 | Rotary | Big batches | Yes (wet with pins) | $$$ | Check Price |
| Hornady Sonic Cleaner | Ultrasonic | Fast, no media | Partly | $$ | Check Price |
Price guide: $ = under $80, $$ = $80 to $200, $$$ = over $200. Prices change often, so check the current price on Amazon.
The 5 Best Reloading Tumblers in 2026
Dry tumbling is simple. Wet tumbling with stainless pins gives the cleanest brass but needs drying time.
1. Frankford Arsenal Platinum Rotary (Best Wet Tumbler)
- Type: Wet rotary with stainless pins
- Capacity: Up to about 1,000 pistol cases
- Timer: Built-in
Wet tumbling with stainless pins cleans inside, outside and primer pockets, leaving brass that looks new.
- Best cleaning
- Cleans primer pockets
- Brass needs drying
- Pins to separate
2. Lyman Pro 1200 (Best Dry Vibratory)
- Type: Dry vibratory
- Capacity: Around 350 .38 Special cases
A dependable dry tumbler. Add corn cob or walnut media and leave it running for a few hours.
- Simple
- No drying
- Does not clean primer pockets
- Dusty
3. Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ (Best Budget)
- Type: Dry vibratory
- Use: Small batches
A cheap way to start cleaning brass. Fine for small pistol batches.
- Cheap
- Smaller capacity
4. Thumler’s Tumbler UV-18 (Best Heavy Duty)
- Type: Rotary
- Use: Wet or dry
- Made in: USA
A tough, long-lasting rotary tumbler that handles big batches.
- Very durable
- Large capacity
- Loud
- Pricey
5. Hornady Lock-N-Load Sonic Cleaner (Best Ultrasonic)
- Type: Ultrasonic
- Heater: Yes on most models
Ultrasonic cleaning is fast and needs no media. It also cleans gun parts and dies.
- Fast
- Also cleans parts
- Brass is clean but not shiny
Brass Cleaning Safety
Fired primers leave lead residue. Tumble in a ventilated area, wear gloves when handling dirty media, and wash your hands afterwards. Do not eat or drink at the bench.
Final Verdict
For the cleanest brass, the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Rotary wet tumbler is the best choice in 2026.
For simple dry cleaning, the Lyman Pro 1200 is reliable and cheap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is wet or dry tumbling better?
Wet with pins cleans better, including primer pockets. Dry is simpler and needs no drying.
How long should I tumble brass?
Dry: 2 to 4 hours. Wet: 1 to 3 hours depending on how dirty it is.
Should I deprime before tumbling?
For wet tumbling, yes, so primer pockets get cleaned.