Table of Contents
What is a potter’s wheel?
The potter’s wheel is the most important tool for every potter or ceramist in the world, because it allows modeling, i.e. making the figures of the desired shape while rotating. The potter’s wheel is therefore also called a wheel.
What types of potter’s wheels are there?
There are currently two types of potter’s wheels, manual and electric. To make it easier for you to tell the difference, we’re going to tell you a little bit about them below.
Manual pottery wheels
Manual potter’s wheels are mostly made of wood, are the oldest type of potter’s wheel and were used by our ancestors.
As the name suggests, this potter’s wheel is operated manually, that is, only with hands and feet. Within this type of potter’s wheel there are two different models:
- Potter wheel
- Pedal Pottery Wheels
Electric potter’s wheels
As the name suggests, these potter’s wheels work with electricity, although their construction and shape are similar to manual potter’s wheels.
This type of potter’s wheel can be equipped with a pedal that the potter has to press with his foot to start the spinning function. However, there are also models that do not have a pedal and are only equipped with a button.
What should you consider before buying your pottery wheel?
Price of the potter’s wheel
The price of your pottery wheel is the first aspect to consider. In fact, you can find pottery wheels on the market at prices between USD 84 and USD 500.
Product warranty on potter’s wheels
The product guarantee is also a decisive factor for many buyers. In the event of a defect, this ensures that you will receive a repair or replacement within a certain period of time at no additional cost. Many providers offer a 5-year guarantee.
Lifespan of potter’s wheels
Unfortunately, the service life is not specified in each case and of course changes from product to product. However, there are forums where this aspect is discussed and users share their own experiences. Experts can certainly help here too.
Size of the potter’s wheel
Before making a purchase, make sure that the potter’s wheel you want doesn’t take up more space than you have. You should take into account that you also need a bit of space around the potter’s wheel.
If you work a lot on the move, the potter’s wheel should also not be too heavy and large and easy to transport.
Turntable of the potter’s wheel
We recommend a potter’s wheel with a metal wheel. These are strong, durable and material doesn’t stick to them as much.
The noise of the potter’s wheel
If you are sensitive to noise, or are in a noise-sensitive location, you must control your emissions. Before making a purchase, make sure that the machine in question is not too loud for you or makes a noise that bothers you personally or could bother others.
Degree of professionalism of the potter’s wheel
From this point of view it should also be noted that not all potter’s wheels are also suitable for advanced potters. For example, if you plan to become a professional potter within a short period of time, then you should also get a device that is adequate over several levels.
Best places to buy a potter’s wheel
You can buy pottery wheels either online or in specialty stores. In a specialist shop you generally get professional advice and you may know the seller personally. However, this is usually associated with a higher price than buying online. But you have advantages here if you have questions or problems after a purchase.
Online purchases are usually cheaper, but if you have questions or problems, there can sometimes be greater difficulties.
Our 10 best electric pottery wheels
Below we show you our selection of the 10 best electric pottery wheels.
DIY Ceramic Pottery Wheel
- Price: $50
- Brand: Asixx
- Dimensions: 22 cm high x 6.6 cm wide and long
- Made from plastic
- Electric potter’s wheel
- Battery operated 2 * 1.5V battery (battery not included)
- For children from 8 years
- Contains clay, paints and brushes
Our first recommendation is this plastic pottery wheel. This product is ideal for beginners who want to make pottery in an easy way.
Advantages
- Good price
- Great for testing
- Easy to handle
- Contains clay, paints and brushes
- Easy to transport
Disadvantage
- Only suitable for the production of small parts
- Battery not included
Mini pottery wheel
- Price: $58
- Brand: Moligin
- Electric potter’s wheel
- Weight: 1.8kg
- Dimensions: 14.5 cm high x 12 cm width and length
- Color: sky blue
- Material: aluminum
Our second recommendation is this mini pottery wheel, ideal for beginners or for children aged 12 and over. Thanks to its size, it is easy to transport. This pottery wheel is easy to use as you can adjust the speed by turning the knob. In addition, the noise emissions are low.
This product comes with a cover that protects the wheel from dust and physical damage. The device can be used continuously for 7 hours, after which you need to charge it for 10 hours.
Advantages
- Easy to use and transport
- Good price
- Adjustable speed
- Good battery life
- No noise
Disadvantage
- Only suitable for the production of small parts
Mini Electric Ceramic Portable Pottery Wheel
- Price: $37
- Electric potter’s wheel
- Adjustable speed
- Stable and heavy base
- Material: aluminum
- Weight: 402g
As a third recommendation, we show you this electric potter’s wheel, characterized by the floral design of its base and the cover that covers the wheel so as not to damage it. Thanks to its size, this product is ideal for transport.
We recommend this product for making small pieces of clay or just for practice.
Advantages
- Affordable price
- Easy to handle
- Adjustable speed
- Adjustable direction of rotation
- No noise
Disadvantage
- Only suitable for the production of small parts
- Not waterproof
Akozon Ceramic Mini Wheel
- Price: $121
- Brand: Akozon
- Weight: 1kg
- Material: metal
- Size: 10*10*10cm
- Contains 11 turning tools
This mini pottery wheel from Akazon is ideal for creating small and beautiful ceramic pieces.
The product comes with 11 additional tools that you can use to add the detail you want to all of your pieces. Thanks to the base, the turntable is very stable.
This product is ideal for beginners as it is easy to use.
Advantages
- Easy to handle and clean
- Resistant due to its material
- Including turning tools
Disadvantage
- Only suitable for the production of small parts
- High price
Electric potter’s wheel 350w
- Price: $285
- Brand: NaiCasy
- Electric potter’s wheel with foot pedal
- Weight: 12kg
- Size: 50*36*38cm
- Red color
This product is an electric pedal potter’s wheel. This potter’s wheel is for you if you have an intermediate or advanced level in the field of ceramics.
The speed and direction of rotation of the wheel can be changed. Cleaning is easy and you can produce small, medium and large parts on the machine.
Advantages
- Ideal for amateurs and professionals
- Allows the creation of parts of different sizes
- Speed and direction of rotation adjustable
- Easy to clean
Disadvantage
- High price
- Operation takes practice
S SMAUTOR 350W pottery wheel
- Price: $38
- Brand: SSMAUTOR
- Electric potter’s wheel with foot pedal
- Weight: 11.5kg
- Dimensions: 28.5 cm high x 50 cm wide x 45 cm long
- Digital display for speed control
- Electric potter’s wheel with pedal
This electric pedal potter’s wheel is suitable for intermediate and advanced level potters. Thanks to their size, you can make pieces of any size you want.
Advantages
- Affordable price
- Speed and direction of rotation adjustable
- Digital speed setting display
- Easy to clean
- Ideal for making parts of all sizes
Disadvantage
- Requires experience operating the foot pedal
TTLIFE electro-ceramic disc
- Price: $283
- Brand: TTLIFE
- Electric potter’s wheel with foot pedal
- Color orange
- Weight: 13kg
- Dimensions: 33 cm high x 50 cm wide x 33 cm long
- LDC (digital) display
- Contains 11 tools
This electric pottery wheel with pedal and digital display is ideal for advanced potters. The direction of rotation of the wheel can be changed. The device is easy to use and clean.
11 tools are included in the purchase.
Advantages
- Easy to handle and clean
- Contains 11 tools
- Speed and direction of rotation adjustable
- Doesn’t make much noise when working
- Allows clay figures of all sizes
Disadvantage
- Requires experience to use the foot pedal properly
- High price
Huanyu electric pottery machine
- Price: $709
- Brand: Huanyu
- Electric potter’s wheel with foot pedal
- Weight: 14kg
- Dimensions: 23.5 x 19 x 17 inches
- Contains a digital display for setting the speed
- Color white
- Includes 8 tools
If you are looking for a modern pottery wheel that is easy to use and easy to clean, this machine is for you.
The Huanyu potter’s wheel has a foot pedal to regulate the speed. If you don’t know how to operate this pedal, you can change the speed with the digital display and also change the direction of rotation. We recommend this product to professional potters. Also, the product includes 8 tools.
Advantages
- Easy to handle and clean
- Adjustable speed and direction of rotation
- Doesn’t make much noise
- Contains 8 tools
- Allows the creation of parts of different sizes
Disadvantage
- Requires experience operating the foot pedal
- High price
- The white color gets dirty easily
KKTEC electric potter’s wheel 350w
- Price: $242
- Brand: KKTEC
- Electric potter’s wheel with foot pedal
- Weight: 13.3kg
- Dimensions: 33 cm high x 50 cm wide x 33 cm long
- With digital display for speed setting
- Color blue
- Contains 11 tools
This potter’s wheel has a digital display with which you can change the speed and direction of rotation.
This device is perfect for hobby potters, beginners, intermediate and experts, because if you are not perfect with the pedal, you can also use the digital display. The pottery wheel is also easy to clean.
Advantages
- Acceptable price
- Contains 11 tools
- Easy to use and clean
- Speed and direction of rotation adjustable
- Suitable for all levels
- Allows the production of parts of different sizes
- Not too loud
Disadvantage
- Experience is required to operate the foot pedal properly
TABODD potter’s wheel
- Price: $253
- Brand: TABODD
- Electric potter’s wheel with foot pedal
- Wheel diameter: 30 cm
- Available colors: green, grey, yellow, orange, and white
- Adjustable speed and direction of rotation
- Contains a set of 8 tools
This device is highly recommended if you are at an intermediate or advanced level in the field of ceramics, as it can only be operated with the foot pedal. This potter’s wheel is also easy to clean because the tub is removable.
Advantages
- Ideal for making parts of all sizes
- Adjustable speed and direction of rotation
- Includes 8 turning tools
- Easy to clean
Disadvantage
- High price
- Requires experience in operating the foot pedal
