KomeStone Professional Rock Polisher Tumbler Kit vs National Geographic Hobby Rock Tumbler

Buy the National Geographic Hobby Rock Tumbler for a child or a first-timer. It has a leakproof rubber barrel with a stainless steel lid, an automatic shut-off timer, a strainer, jewelry fastenings, nine types of rough gemstones and a full-color guide, plus a 2-year warranty. The KomeStone is a simpler 2.5 lb kit with a one-pound bag of rocks and grit, and it rates 4.3 from 130 ratings against 4.6 from 48 for the Nat Geo. Both are beginner machines; the Nat Geo's timer and guided materials make it the easier start, while the KomeStone suits someone who already has rocks and wants a basic tumbler.

• Choose the KomeStone if you want a plain tumbler to polish rocks you already collect and don't need a timer, guide or starter gemstones.
• Choose the National Geographic Hobby Rock Tumbler if a kid is starting out and you want the timer, strainer, gemstones, guide and warranty in one box.