Whether you’re an amateur or an artist making pottery for a living, an electric pottery wheel can make your life easier. This device spins at a pre-set speed, allowing you to complete your masterpieces in the minimum time possible.
A few important things to check before buying include the size of the wheel, its durability, as well as the ease of use.
Like most other products, pottery wheels come in an array of shapes and sizes. The bountiful range on the market may make it challenging to choose, especially if you’re a beginner.
To make things easier, we picked the best electric pottery wheels for you. Our selected models can suit professionals and hobbyists alike. Check them out below.
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1. YaeTek Electric Pottery Wheel
- Brand: YaeTek
- Dimensions: 18.3” x 13” x 13”
- Weight: 30 lb
- Voltage: 110V/220V
Moving forward with our list of best electric pottery wheels, the YaeTek is an excellent choice for beginners and hobbyists. Essentially a tabletop model, it impresses with the seamless operation and outstanding speed control offered by a foot pedal.
In terms of power, the model comes with a 350-watt reversible motor that outputs sufficient speed for all your pottery projects. Furthermore, it boasts a 9.8-inch wheel.
Relatively lightweight and compact, the machine is also portable. You can take it with you to fairs or teach ad-hoc pottery classes.
Like most compact pottery wheels, it runs on a single-phase current circuit and can be easily plugged into a regular wall outlet. And, as you can expect, it comes with a plastic tray as well as leak protection. Small but affordable, it is a great alternative to the SEAAN pottery wheels.
2. Speedball Big Boss and Clay Boss Potter’s Wheels
- Brand: Speedball
- Dimensions: 26” x 21” x 19 1/2”
- Weight: 31.1 lb
- Voltage: 110V/220V
The Big Boss and Clay Boss pottery wheels from Speedball bring outstanding value for money for the entry-level and more experienced potters alike. The main difference between the two is the size of the motor, with the Big Boss featuring an industrial-grade 1-horsepower core.
Clay Boss features an industrial-grade motor too, but a smaller, 1/2-horsepower one; needless to say, the amount of clay each wheel can handle is different, with the Clay Boss holding up to 100 lbs per load – at the same time, the Big Boss features a capacity of 175 pounds.
Apart from this difference – and a difference in price tag, of course – the two wheels share similar features. Their size and weight allow for easy transport, while the intuitive controls make it easy to turn on, stop, and control the speed.
The generous, 14-inch wheel makes the machines perfect for all kinds of projects, and the large foot pedal enhances speed control. The wheels also feature an ABS basin as well as various layers of protection for a safe operation overall.
3. Shimpo VL-Whisper Potter’s Wheel
- Brand: Shimpo
- Model: VL-Whisper
- Dimensions: 23 1/8” x 27 1/2” x 22 3/4”
- Weight: 122 lb
- Voltage: 110V/220V
Design-wise, the Shimpo VL-Whisper Potter’s Wheel looks strikingly similar to the SEAAN, but its performance makes it easy to understand the difference in price tag. Perfect for professional artists and avid hobbyists, this electric pottery wheel knows how to stand out from the crowd.
In terms of speed, it’s not as fast as the SEAAN mentioned later, but any professional knows that 250 revolutions per minute are more than enough for turning clay.
Controlling the speed is super easy, thanks to the oversized foot pedal. Furthermore, the wheel is perfect for both left-hand and right-hand users, thanks to the reversible motor.
The diameter of the wheel is 14 inches, ideal for most projects. Similar to the SEAAN, the Shimpo comes with a removable plastic basin designed to minimize messes.
We also like the adjustable height; indeed, the legs allow you to choose from five possible heights, between 11 and 21 inches; in other words, you can use the wheel in either a freestanding or tabletop arrangement, depending on circumstances.
This turning wheel runs on regular, 110-volt current and boasts a powerful, ½-horsepower motor. All that you need to tackle all pottery projects effortlessly.
4. Speedball Artista Potter’s Wheel
- Brand: Speedball
- Model: Artista
- Dimensions: 23 1/8” x 27 1/2” x 22 3/4”
- Weight: 35 lb
- Voltage: 115V
Small yet mighty, the Speedball Artista Potter’s Wheel is one of the best electric pottery wheels for pottery artists in need of portable equipment. Its compact size, low weight, and incredible performance pair to offer potters a versatile and easy to move tool.
Despite being much smaller than the Shimpo, the Artista packs a ¾-horsepower motor under its hood. Operation is simple and intuitive – you won’t get fancy controllers, but the knob and foot pedal allows you to adjust the speed in the blink of an eye.
Perfect for smaller rather than larger projects, it boasts an 11-inch wheel and supports a clay load up to 25 lbs.
This pottery wheel comes in either a left-handed or right-handed wheel direction. You won’t be able to switch from one direction to another, but it’s still nice you have the option to choose the right type of wheel for you.
5. SEAAN Electric Pottery Wheel Machine
- Brand: SEAAN
- Dimensions: 18.3” x 13.2” x 12.6”
- Weight: 30 lb
- Voltage: 110V/220V
Hobbyists and beginners on a lower budget might also like the SEAAN Electric Pottery Wheel Machine – the less fancy version of the other SEAAN machine on this list. The main difference between the two is the lack of digital controls and foot pedal on this model.
Nevertheless, the unit is still very easy to control, and it can reach speeds up to 300 revolutions per minute.
The wheel diameter of 9.8 inches makes it ideal for smaller projects, and we particularly like the larger ABS tray that keeps any spilled clay contained and prevents messes.
Essentially a tabletop model, it comes with no legs and is perfect for smaller spaces. The reversible motor also allows you to switch between left-handed and right-handed wheel motion. This pottery wheel boasts a quiet operation and comes with a 5-year warranty—all you need for the seamless making of ceramics.
6. Brent Model CXC Power Wheel
- Brand: Brent
- Model: CXC
- Dimensions: 23.0 ” x 28.5 ” x 23.25 “
- Weight: 126 lb
- Voltage: 110V/220V
A state-of-the-art electric pottery wheel, the Brent CXC appeals to professional potters and advanced amateurs. Its greatest highlight is the generous wheel diameter that, at 14 inches, allows you to tackle all kinds of projects.
The machine boasts a 1-horsepower motor and can withstand loads up to 300 lb of clay. Sure, at this size, it isn’t the most compact or the easiest to transport, but it is an excellent choice for your professional workshop.
Power and efficiency are also provided by the self-tensioning seamless belt that drives the wheel at speeds up to 240 revolutions per minute.
Like any pottery wheel that respects itself, it comes with height-adjustable legs, a splash guard and leak safety switch, and a modular foot pedal for easier control. And while you’ll have to pay for all these features, this pottery wheel is undeniably worth it.
7. Huanyu Pottery Forming Machine
- Brand: Huanyu
- Dimensions: 20.87” x 15.75” x 15.75”
- Weight: 31.5 lb
- Voltage: 110V
Running on 110 volts, the Huanyu Pottery Forming Machine is another outstanding choice for beginners and hobbyists alike. Similar to the other small pottery wheels on this list, it has a compact size and is lightweight enough to carry with ease.
The wheel is available in two variants with either a speed adjustment switch or speed adjustment foot pedal. Thanks to this characteristic, it’s easy to choose the machine you feel more comfortable operating.
Practical for small projects, it comes with a small wheel diameter of 9.8 inches. Although this diameter is small for making pots and bowls, it’s more than enough for creating smaller decorative objects or ceramic jewelry.
From a visual standpoint, the machine looks similar to other entry-level units on this list. It can be used either freestanding or on a tabletop and has a reversible motor that allows both left-handed and right-handed users to operate it comfortably.
8. SEAAN Electric Pottery Wheel
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- Brand: SEAAN
- Dimensions: 20.87” x 15.75” x 15.75”
- Weight: 31.1 lb
- Voltage: 110V
Designed with beginners in mind, the SEAAN is perhaps the best electric pottery wheel for schools and hobbyists who don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on a machine. It runs on 110-volt current, and it can be easily plugged into a regular wall outlet.
Its greatest strength is the super-intuitive control. An LCD panel allows you to adjust the speed up to 320 rotations per minute, while the foot pedal makes it easy to change the speed even when your hands are dirty.
The large wheel allows for easy and precise clay throwing, while an ABS basin minimizes messes – experienced users can even choose to remove the basin. We also like that it comes with a set of ten pottery tools, a great addition for the beginners who don’t really know what tools they might need.
This electric pottery wheel comes in three colors, boasts quiet operation, and is intuitive to use. Undeniably, one of the best electric pottery wheels for beginners and amateurs.
Features to Look For In Electric Pottery Wheels
Which is the best electric pottery wheel is ultimately down to you, but no matter what you need, here are a few things to consider before buying.
Wheel Diameter
A quick look at the offer on the market reveals that cheaper machines – basically designed for entry-level users – have smaller wheels than those with a higher price tag. However, the bigger the wheel, the easier it will be to throw the clay on it without creating a mess.
More often than not, beginners should go for a wheel with a diameter of around 11-12 inches. If your budget doesn’t allow it, at least buy a machine with a removable plastic basin.
Pedal Sensibility
Most electric pottery wheels can be controlled with a foot pedal, allowing users to keep both hands empty and on their artwork. Thus, the quality of the pedal should be one of the first things to check before buying.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t want a sensible pedal. Indeed, the more sensible the pedal, the harder it is to control the speed, often with a negative impact on the outcome of your project. If possible, try before buying and make sure you can speed up or slow down smoothly.
Centering Capacity
Expressed in pounds – or kilograms if you’re buying a European machine – the centering capacity tells you how much clay the wheel can hold. Most beginners will find a 25-pound centering capacity just right – this capacity is enough for making cups, smaller plates, and smaller decorative items.
Intermediate and advanced users may prefer a machine with a higher centering capacity. Depending on what projects you plan to tackle, you can choose from models with centering capacity up to 300 pounds.
Reversible Motor
The direction in which the wheel spins may seem unimportant, but it actually determines the wheel’s suitability for left-handed or right-handed users. If you’re the only user, you could simply get a wheel that spins in the right direction.
However, if you need a wheel for your pottery class or to share between multiple users, investing in an electric pottery wheel with a reversible motor could be your best bet, as you’ll be able to change the spinning direction as often as you like.
