Polymer Clay Extruder: Our Comparison Guide to Help You Choose the Right One

An extruder lets you create different shapes with polymer clay depending on the discs you use with it: hair, grass, flower centers, strips of clay, letters using geometric tips, discs...
It’s the tool that saves the most time when you want to make identical elements.
But not all models are created equal. To answer the question you often ask us—“Which extruder should I choose?”—designer Karine Barrera, also known as Akak, tested three extruders over a six-month period: the Walnut Hollow, the Fimo Professional, and the Makin’s Clay Professional extruder.

Criteria	Walnut Hollow and Fimo Professional	Makin’s Clay Professional
Storage	The boxes are nearly identical, with discs placed in small compartments: they scatter as soon as you open them. It’s up to each person to organize the discs.	Box with a compartment for the extruder and disc dividers: everything stays in place. This way, you can remove all the plastic wrap and close the box without anything getting mixed up—it’s very professional and always neat and tidy!
Usage	These machines work well; both children and older adults can use them, but it takes a lot of effort and several attempts. The extruders are quiet; you don’t really feel the cylinder heating up because it’s protected by plastic or silicone.	This is the extruder that’s suitable for everyone. It requires minimal effort to extrude, and the machine is quiet.
Results	Very good if the dough is properly preheated; otherwise, the edges are uneven	The smoothest results, with less dough preparation
Who is it for?	Occasional use, with assistance for children and seniors	Everyone, for regular use

Walnut Hollow and Fimo Professional: two very similar extruders

Both machines work well and are quiet. The cylinder is protected by a plastic or silicone sleeve, so you don’t feel the heat on your hand during extrusion. However, pushing the clay requires some strength: children and seniors can do it, but it takes effort and may need to be done in several passes.

You’ll get excellent results as long as you heat and knead the clay thoroughly beforehand. If it hasn’t been worked enough, the edges coming out of the extruder won’t be clean.

Our take: Two reliable extruders, suitable for occasional use. Be prepared to lend a hand to younger children and seniors.

Makin’s Clay Professional: the most comfortable to use

This extruder is suitable for everyone: it requires minimal effort to extrude, and the device is quiet. It’s the top-performing model in our test. It requires less clay preparation to produce a smooth strand with clean edges.

Our top pick: easy to use, consistent in results, and built to last. This is the extruder we recommend, whether you’re just starting out or use it frequently. It’s also available in a stainless steel version, and perforation adapters allow you to expand its capabilities.

Our tips for using an extruder effectively

• Prepare the clay: knead it until it’s soft and warm. Cold clay puts strain on the mechanism and comes out with ragged edges.
• Form a roll slightly thinner than the cylinder before sliding it inside to avoid trapping air.
• Push with a steady, smooth motion to maintain a consistent thickness.
• Finish with a scrap of clay in a different color to ensure all usable clay is extruded, then remove it.
• Clean the extruder after each use: polymer clay doesn’t air-dry, so it comes off easily as long as it hasn’t been baked.

To take your creations to the next level, check out our guide: “How to Drill Holes in Polymer Clay Beads Without Deforming Them.”