Best Tumbling Media of 2025
* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Tumbling media is a type of abrasive material that is used to smooth and polish surfaces of various materials. It is commonly used in the manufacturing industry for finishing metal parts, but can also be used for polishing stones, ceramics, and plastics. Tumbling media comes in different shapes, sizes, and materials such as ceramic, plastic, and steel. It is a cost-effective and efficient way to achieve a smooth and polished finish on a variety of surfaces.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Tumbling Media
2 LBS Ceramic Pellets for Rock Tumbling
The Tonmp Ceramic Tumbling Media consists of 2 pounds of small ceramic pellets that significantly enhance your rock tumbling experience. These pellets improve the delivery of tumbling grit, ensuring more effective polishing. They also help to quiet the tumbler, making the process more enjoyable. Additionally, they reduce the risk of rock breakage, providing peace of mind during use. Moreover, these ceramic pellets are reusable, allowing you to utilise them throughout multiple polishing cycles, making them a convenient choice for any rock tumbler user.
Shropshire Crystals Rock Polishing Media Kit
The Shropshire Crystals Polishing Kit is a comprehensive refill kit containing 700g of polishing media. It includes 200g each of stages 1, 2, and 3, along with 100g of pumice powder, ensuring you have everything you need for a beautifully polished finish. The included 8-page crystal guide helps you identify 240 unique stones, enhancing your tumbling experience. Additionally, the flexibility of purchasing media stages individually allows you to restock as needed, making it a convenient choice for any enthusiast.
HSHTTKL 1 Pound 1200# Final Polish Grit
The HSHTTKL Final Polish Grit is a 1 lb high-quality 1200# aluminium oxide grit, perfect for achieving that final polish on your stones after stage 3 tumbling. It is designed to be used by both professionals and beginners, with clear instructions provided to guide you. Packaged in a reusable bottle, it ensures easy access and convenience during your polishing process. This universal grit is compatible with all rock tumblers, making it a versatile addition to your tumbling supplies.
Crushed Walnut Shells for Cleaning and Filling
Crushed Walnut Shells are a versatile product ideal for various industrial and cleaning processes. You can use them for soft metal cleaning or achieving a bright finish on wood, stone, and engine parts. They also serve as effective media in tumbling, barrelling, and blasting. Additionally, if you're looking for a filling for pin cushions, the medium grade is highly recommended. This environmentally friendly product is non-toxic, reusable, and biodegradable, making it a great choice for both practical and eco-conscious users.
4lb GANGOU Rock Tumbling Ceramic Media
The GANGOU Rock Tumbling Media consists of 4lb of non-abrasive ceramic pellets, ideal for enhancing your rock tumbling experience. These small tumbling media, measuring 3/16” in diameter and 3/8” in length, help improve the delivery of tumbling grit, resulting in better polishing results. You will also appreciate the reduced noise from your tumbler, making the process much more pleasant. Additionally, the pellets protect your stones during tumbling and can be reused through every grit cycle, ensuring you get the most out of your tumbling sessions.
Gunson 77161 Ceramic Media for Tumbling
The Gunson Ceramic Media is designed for use with the Gunson Vibratory Tumbler Polisher, model 77159. This 1kg bag of ceramic media provides a superior finish on heavier parts compared to traditional plastic media. By using this product, you can achieve a professional-quality polish that enhances the appearance of your items. Additionally, it is a consumable product, meaning you will need to replace it as you use it, ensuring consistent results every time.
80 Grade Silicon Carbide Grit for Tumbling
The Silicon Carbide Grit is a versatile abrasive ideal for various industrial and engineering tasks, such as cleaning, blasting, and grinding. This 80 grade grit is particularly useful in the initial stage of rock tumbling, helping to smooth rough edges before progressing to finer grits like 220 and 400. Available in multiple quantities, from 100 grams to 5 kilograms, it caters to different project sizes. Plus, the grit comes in convenient re-sealable plastic bags, ensuring easy storage and access whenever you need it.
KoolStone 6 Pound Rock Tumbler Grit Kit
The KoolStone Grit Kit allows you to polish rocks effortlessly, accommodating up to 40lbs of stones. It includes a complete set of 6lbs of polishing grits, ranging from coarse to fine, ensuring a step-by-step process for achieving stunningly polished results. The kit features durable plastic jars with secure lids, preventing leaks and mess during use. Additionally, it is compatible with any tumbler, making it ideal for both professional lapidarists and hobbyists looking to enhance their rock tumbling experience.
MJR Tumblers 12,000 Grit Polish Kit
The MJR Tumblers Polish Kit offers an exceptional polishing experience with its exclusive 12,000 Grit Sub Micron Extreme Aluminium Oxide Polish. This product ensures that you achieve unparalleled results for your rock tumbling projects. Each kit is designed for ease of use, as all stages are premeasured, allowing you to simply pour and roll without any hassle. Additionally, you will receive comprehensive, easy-to-understand instructions filled with helpful tips, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced users alike.
Natural Crushed Corn Cob Abrasive Media
The Crushed Corn Cob is a versatile natural abrasive made from grinding corn cobs. It serves various industrial and cleaning purposes, offering a cleaner alternative to other products. You will appreciate that it leaves no stains and is eco-friendly, being non-toxic and biodegradable. When used at low pressures, it can even be recycled, making it a practical choice for sustainable practices. Supplied in re-sealable bags, this medium-grade product (0.7mm - 2.0mm) ensures convenience and ease of use in tumbling or barrelling processes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What can be used as tumbling media?
Plastic has traditionally been used as the filler for rock tumbling, but ceramic seems to be preferred these days. Plastic can come in many types but we recommend and sell polypropylene plastic pellets because they are tough and will last longer than other types of plastic like polyethylene.
2. What is ceramic tumbling media used for?
Ceramic media works best for polishing, deburring, and even extreme metal removal. It's also more useful than plastic in heavy cutting and hard metal applications. If you require a very small media ceramic is your best option.
3. What is tumbling media made of?
Tumbling media is a blend of abrasives and binders. Ceramic Media is generally a clay or porcelain binder while Plastic Media and Synthetic Media are typically made from urea formaldehyde or polyester polymers. These binders are used to hold (bond) and shape the abrasive grit blend needed for a particular media type.
During our tumbling medium research, we found 70 tumbling medium products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 5,035 customer reviews through our big data system to write the tumbling media list. We found that most customers choose tumbling media with an average price of £19.17.
The tumbling media are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of tumbling media, including Tonmp, Shropshire Crystals, HSHTTKL, GANGOU, GUNSON.
Tom Law is an adventurer who has captured his love for nature into all of his works. A native of Newcastle, Tom has always wanted to share beautiful stories alongside the lovely sights of nature. Fortunately, he took into photography on one of his many journeys and gradually grew a passion for it. Tom Law is now an expert photographer who tours the world while creating and keeping memories of his adventures. He frequently puts his thoughts and experiences into writing.