AC Infinity Bowl Trimmer Review: 2-Minute Test

Short answer: the AC Infinity 16-inch bowl trimmer cut my test batch in 2 minutes 5 seconds, compared with 23 minutes by hand. It was much faster, but it also removed more material than I would have taken with scissors. I would use it for a larger batch where speed matters more than a top-shelf hand-trimmed finish.

My 2022 test: this page documents the exact unit I tested in 2022. Inspect the current model, included blades, price and return policy before buying. My review also found sharp unfinished metal beneath the screen and a poor included hand trimmer, so inspect every cutting surface before use.

My original bowl-trimmer-versus-hand-trimming test. English captions are available from the CC menu.

Video chapters

0:19 — Why I wanted out of trim jail
0:49 — How the manual bowl trimmer works
1:03 — Two build-quality problems
1:32 — Splitting the test batch evenly
1:52 — Remove stems before turning
2:07 — First 75-second result
2:20 — Second pass and total machine time
2:31 — 23-minute hand-trim comparison
3:15 — Finish-quality verdict
3:34 — Cleanup time and blade safety

Timestamp links open the standard HWGrow pop-out player at the selected moment without losing your reading position.

What the side-by-side test actually showed

Bowl-trimmer time: 2 minutes 5 seconds for two slow passes.
Hand-trim time: 23 minutes for a comparable amount.
Finish: the bowl removed sugar leaves and some flower material that I would have kept by hand.
Prep: large fan leaves and protruding stems still had to come off first.
Cleanup: approximately 15 minutes in this test, which changes the math on very small batches.

The speed difference was real, but so was the quality tradeoff. The machine does not know which edge you consider worth preserving. That makes it a good labor-saving tool for a larger utility-grade batch, not an automatic replacement for careful hand trimming.

AC Infinity 16-inch bowl trimmer used in HWGrow's hand-trim comparison — The exact bowl trimmer I compared.

How to use a bowl trimmer without wrecking the batch

Inspect the screen, blade, fasteners and bowl before any flower goes inside. Do not use a damaged or roughly finished cutting surface.
Remove the major fan leaves and cut stems close enough that they cannot catch underneath the sweeper.
Start with a small test amount and turn slowly. Check the finish before committing the rest of the harvest.
Stop when the result matches your goal. Extra passes can take more than you intended.
Follow the current manufacturer instructions for disassembly and cleaning. Treat the blade as sharp even when it is not moving.

The current AC Infinity product page lists separate straight-edge and serrated blades for wet and dry trimming, while the manufacturer manual shows the current assembly and safety instructions. Go with those if they differ from my unit or video.

AC Infinity savings: If you buy from AC Infinity directly, use code EVYGROWS at checkout for additional savings on eligible products.

My verdict: if you hate trimming and have more than a tiny batch, the time savings can be worth the softer finish. If presentation and maximum flower preservation come first, hand trim the best tops and use the bowl only for the rest.

Useful tools for the job

16-inch bowl trimmerCompare current blades, replacement parts and return terms.View product

Example screened trim tray; link opens a product search

Trim trayKeep hand work contained and make cleanup easier.View product

Example nitrile-coated work gloves; link opens a product search

Protective glovesUse appropriate hand protection during careful disassembly and cleaning.View product

Next in your grow

Before this step: When to Harvest Cannabis: Trichome Color & Readiness Guide

Next step: How to Cure Weed: Complete Cannabis Curing Guide

Further reading: Peer-reviewed review: cannabis postharvest handling · Peer-reviewed study: how drying and curing affect cannabinoids

Go deeper (supporter membership required): These advanced guides are for HWGrow supporters: Grow With Me – Finale – Chop & Dry Room Prep. Become a supporter.

Want to watch this done step by step? The Grow With Me Masterclass follows one complete grow, day by day.

Affiliate disclosure: HWGrow may earn a commission from qualifying Amazon purchases at no additional cost to you. Equivalent current products can replace these links without changing the comparison method.

Next, use the harvest and drying guide and cannabis curing guide so faster trimming does not become the weak point in the finished flower. Need help adapting the workflow? Ask HWGrow.

Frequently asked questions

How much faster was the bowl trimmer?

The machine completed two slow passes in 2 minutes 5 seconds. Hand trimming a comparable amount took 23 minutes.

Does a bowl trimmer produce the same finish as hand trimming?

No. In this test it removed more sugar leaf and flower material than I would have removed by hand.

Is it worth using for a small batch?

Usually not for me. Cleanup took about 15 minutes, so I would reserve it for more than roughly an ounce or whenever time matters more than presentation.