i've been growing and trimming a long time... i've used machines and i've done it by hand... the one thing i will say about these machines is that i have never had a machine do trim as well or as efficiently as an experienced trimmer... i've been paid in cash, and paid in buds... if you have any amount more than a few plants, you should either have a crew of trimmers or an expensive machine... the cheapies do not tend to do it for me... however, it must be said, the closer the trim the better the smoke... plus all that sugar leaf really makes for a happy concentrate-making session...