Wheel Buying Guide
Whether you’re a new enthusiast, a hobbyist or an established artist looking to expand your studio, choosing the right pottery wheel to suit your needs is essential. Seeing as this investment can be both exciting and overwhelming, we’ve put together a guide to help you better understand what key factors to consider when purchasing a pottery wheel.
Key Considerations:
- Experience Level: Beginners often start with smaller, sturdy electric wheels; advanced potters might need more powerful models for large works.
- Budget: Prices vary widely, from entry-level to professional setups, but quality wheels are an investment.
- Workspace: Decide if you need a heavy, permanent floor model or a portable, storable table-top version.
- Motor Power & Torque: Crucial for handling heavy clay; check for strong performance at low speeds, not just high RPMs.
- Centering Capacity: Look for a wheel that can center more clay than you typically plan to use (e.g., 10kg for most, more for large pieces).
- Ease Of Speed Control: Foot/hand pedal sensitivity can vary between wheels.
- Wheelhead Size: Determines the maximum pot size; larger for big bowls, smaller for standard work.
- Throwing Style: Directly onto the wheel head, or on a removable batt? Consider a drilled wheel head with bat pins if using batts.
- Noise Level: Electric wheels can be noisy. If noise is a concern, check decibel ratings before buying.
- Direction Of Rotation: Some electric wheels allow reverse rotation—a must-have for left-handed potters!
Essential Features & Accessories:
- Splash Pan: Highly recommended to keep your workspace clean from clay and water.
- Plug In: All of our wheels are plug in, and ready to use.
- Shelves & Stools: Additional features can be added to some models.
Buying Tips:
- Try Before You Buy: Visit our showroom to test different models if possible.
- Longevity: If properly maintained, an electric wheel can last a decade, and hold their value well.
- Check the Brand: Reputable brands often offer good longevity and support.
- Shipping: An additional cost to remember when calculating the overall cost.
- Warranty: Varies between models, so worth checking before purchase.
- Lean On Bath Potters Expertise: With over 45 years experience, 5* customer support, and unlimited help and technical advice.
We would recommend a visit to our showroom, to physically sit at different wheels and try them out to ensure the best fit for your throwing style and comfort. But if that's not an option, we hope this guide has helped you decide which wheel suits your needs best.
Best For: Beginners
Best For: Studio Potters
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Posted by Beth Aspeling
30th December 2025
