For triceps growth
For triceps growth, triceps extension machine rates well ahead on our research criteria: easier to progress, more of the work on the triceps.
Dumbbell skull crusher gives more stretch.
Both are good choices that train the triceps the same way, so they swap freely. Rotating between them every few weeks is an easy way to vary your training.
The research score comes from these, scored by hand from the studies. Lifter scores appear once an exercise has 10 ratings. How scores work
Dumbbell Skull Crusher. Dumbbells let each arm find a comfortable path with a decent long-head stretch. Awkward to load heavy.
Triceps Extension Machine. A fixed path isolates the triceps, and it’s easy to load and push close to failure.
For triceps growth, triceps extension machine rates well ahead on our research criteria: easier to progress, more of the work on the triceps. Dumbbell skull crusher gives more stretch. Both are good choices that train the triceps the same way, so they swap freely. Rotating between them every few weeks is an easy way to vary your training.
About the same: both are easy to learn.
Dumbbell skull crusher needs dumbbells and a bench, so a home gym covers it. Triceps extension machine needs a machine, so for most people it’s a gym exercise.
Triceps extension machine: it rates Excellent for joint and recovery cost in our research rubric, against Strong for dumbbell skull crusher.