Are you thinking about getting into pottery? It’s a fun and messy activity that allows for full creativity for adults and children alike! But picking the right tools, like a pottery wheel, can be challenging if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Luckily, there are plenty of pottery wheels for beginners to help you get started.
Keep reading to learn about some great options for a pottery wheel for beginners to help you get the hang of pottery making.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Mophorn Pottery Wheel
Budget Option
VEVOR Ceramic Wheel
Best for Speed Adjustability
VIVOHOME Pottery Wheel
Best Overall
Mophorn Pottery Wheel
As a starting pottery artist, you don’t need all the fancy bells and whistles. You need something simple that’s easy to understand and use. And the electric Mophorn pottery wheel is exactly that, which makes it a nice pottery wheel for beginners! The sculpting tools are also a helpful addition.
Its compact design makes it a good option for home studios and classrooms alike. The controls are extremely easy to use, as it only has three parts. There’s an on/off switch, a forward/reverse kob, and a speed-controlling pedal. It even has leakage protection to protect you from shocks.
The detachable basin is especially notable, as it catches any flying clay and makes cleaning a breeze. It’s plastic, so you can easily wash and soak it in the sink for those stuck-on messes.
The metal wheel itself is about 9.8 inches in diameter, making it great for both small and large projects. It’s easy to control with the small foot pedal, allowing you to adjust the speed as needed. The wheel makes little to no noise as it rotates, making it an excellent option for quiet areas.
A pottery wheel for beginners like this is sleek and simple and helps you learn at your own pace.
Pros
- Large metal wheel
- It has a low-noise wheel
- It has leakage protection to prevent electrical injuries
Cons
- You can’t change the wheel if you want a different size
- It’s low to the ground
Budget Option
VEVOR Ceramic Wheel
While pottery wheels for beginners are generally affordable, they can still cost a large chunk of money. But VEVOR offers a good-quality pottery wheel that many can enjoy without emptying their wallets!
The pottery wheel comes in a small and compact size, which allows excellent portability. And each piece on the machine is dustproof and waterproof, which ensures everything will stay rust-free.
You can take it anywhere as long as you have an outlet available! All control pieces are conveniently located on the machine itself. This includes an on/off switch and a speed dial. It also has the option to move the wheel clockwise or counterclockwise.
You’ll find not one but three different replaceable wheels. You’ll have the option to make miniature pottery pieces up to medium-sized ones. They’re very easy to screw on and off with just your hands. So, you won’t need to go searching for tools in your garage.
This pottery wheel for beginners even comes with a 16-piece tool set to get you started in pottery making!
Pros
- It has three different-sized wheels
- You can carry the wheel and store it easily due to its small size
- Dustproof and corrosion-resistant, which is great since you’ll be working with wet clay
Cons
- You can only create small projects with this pottery wheel
- It doesn’t have a basin
Best for Speed Adjustability
VIVOHOME Pottery Wheel
If you want full control of your pottery wheel’s speed, the VIVOHOME wheel is the best option! Similar to other pottery wheels for beginners, it has a speed-controlling pedal. But it also has a manual lever that you can use to control the speed as well. It’s perfect for short bursts of speed, which are helpful when starting or finishing a project.
Other controls on this wheel include a forward/reverse switch and an air switch. There’s also a green light to indicate if your machine is receiving power.
The air switch is essentially the on-and-off switch, but it has a built-in circuit breaker. So, the machine will automatically shut off if it happens to short circuit. You can feel safe and at ease using this pottery wheel for beginners.
Enjoy using the provided tools to create your masterpieces, and simply rinse out your basin when done. The plastic basin extends past the metal wheel, providing an excellent mudguard. This will save your floors and walls from flying clay globs!
Pros
- It has both a speed pedal and a manual lever
- It has an air switch to prevent short-circuiting
- The wheel includes a large extended basin
Cons
- The cord is short, which limits where you can put it
- Its height is a little short
Best for Kids
National Geographic Pottery Wheel
Do you have a child or know a child who wants to try out pottery? You can start them off with a kid-friendly National Geographic pottery wheel!
This pottery wheel for beginners uses minimal controls, making it easy for children to understand. All they need to do is plug it in and push one of two buttons to choose the wheel speed!
Along with this, the wheel also has an extended arm for tool attachments. This nifty piece can help little hands learn how to shape and hollow out their pottery projects. It’s the perfect option for both left and right-handed children because the pottery wheel allows the user to adjust the arm.
To make this pottery wheel for beginners more kid-friendly, it omits any levers and pedals. Instead, it uses two speed buttons that are easy to understand and push. This allows the child to operate the wheel on their own.
The wheel even comes with an entire starter kit to help the child get a head start on their pottery. It comes with clay, tools, and some paints for decorating!
Pros
- It comes equipped with arm tools to help shape the pottery
- There are two automatic speed options
- It uses all plastic pieces, making cleaning easy
Cons
- It’s a little small
- It can get a little loud and noisy
Best Technology
SEAAN Electrical Pottery Wheel Machine
The SEAAN pottery wheel is one of the best pottery wheels for beginners who like technological controls. Instead of having a bunch of switches and knobs, this wheel uses a single touchscreen.
You can control the speed, direction of the wheel, and the power with this LCD screen! It offers a sleek look. But you can also control the wheel speed with a foot pedal if you like manual control.
This low-noise pottery wheel for beginners offers a removable plastic basin, which makes cleaning easy. The large metal wheel turns effortlessly in clockwise and counterclockwise directions for your convenience.
You can create your pottery masterpieces with ease, as the electrical cord has a leakage protection switch. So, the machine should stop if any water or wet clay hits the electrical parts, which keeps you safe.
Along with all this, the pottery wheel comes with a collection of sculpting tools. They’re great to experiment with and will aid in your pottery-making process!
Pros
- It has a waterproof LCD touchscreen
- The wheel has a leakage protection switch
- It has a quiet motor
Cons
- The power cord can sometimes be finicky
- The foot pedal isn’t very sensitive, so you’ll need to push down hard
Beginner Pottery Wheel Buyer’s Guide: Things to Consider
It’s easy to ignore the reviews and buy the first pottery wheel you can find. But that isn’t the best idea, as you can end up overspending or picking the wrong wheel for your needs. You’ll need to consider a few things, such as power, wheel size, cleaning difficulty, and ease of use.
If you keep these things in mind, you should have a pretty good idea of what to look for. It’ll make your decision much easier and help you make the correct choice.
Speed Control Options
Almost all modern pottery wheels for beginners and professionals alike are electric. You plug the machine in and set your controls with switches and knobs. But one of the primary differences between pottery wheels is their speed control.
Some pottery wheels have manual levers, some have foot pedals, and some have both. Others have switches and dials. And a select few have LCD touchscreens.
All options are usually easy to use, but some give you more control than others. If you want complete control, you may want a lever or pedal-controlled pottery wheel for beginners. But if you don’t have a preference, you may benefit from one with a dial or touchscreen.
You’ll need to assess the available choices and decide which control option you think you’d like best.
Wheel Size
What are you thinking of creating on your pottery wheel? Will you be making small pottery pieces or larger ones?
Think about this beforehand, as the wheel size will determine your maximum project size. A pottery wheel for beginners with interchangeable wheels might be best if you plan on making multiple sizes.
Always pay attention to the wheel size before you hit the purchase button. The pictures don’t always do it justice. Look for the specific measurements, as some wheels can be as small as about two inches.
Cleaning Difficulty
Many pottery wheels for beginners have plastic basins. They help catch any flying clay or water that might come off your project or hands. You can usually remove these plastic basins as well. This makes cleanup very easy, as you can soak and scrub the basin in soap and water.
Other pottery wheels for beginners may have no basin at all. Having no basin can be a pain when you go to clean up your clay-covered mess. Your wheel may throw clay globs and water all over the place. This will extend your cleaning time unless you spread protective coverings before starting your project.
Cleaning your machine will also be a tedious and time-consuming task, as you can’t dunk the machine in soapy water.
A pottery wheel with a basin might be best for large projects. More clay can mean more of a mess, and the basin will catch that mess. But if you’re making small projects, a wheel without a basin should be just fine.
Ease of Use
Always look at the control options before buying your pottery wheel. If they seem confusing to you, that specific wheel might not be the best option. A pottery wheel for beginners typically has switches, knobs, pedals, or a combination of these things.
Take a peek at the pictures and descriptions of the wheels you’re looking at to see what they have. A visual of the controls should help you decide its ease of use.
Pottery Wheels For Beginners Frequently Asked Questions
Is a mini pottery wheel better for beginners?
A mini pottery wheel can make a perfect pottery wheel for beginners! It’s small, easy to store, and great for starter projects. As a beginner, you’ll typically start your pottery-making journey with small projects.
Mini pottery wheel machines often have tiny turntable wheels, which are the perfect base for these small projects.
What’s the easiest thing to make on a pottery wheel?
If you need an easy idea for your first pottery project, a bowl or vase is a good project to try. These things are easy because the wheel helps you quickly pull the clay outwards to form walls and rims. The spinning motion is what aids with this.
What happens if the clay isn’t in the center of the wheel?
Forming your pottery can be challenging if your clay isn’t in the center. Your walls will most likely be uneven and wavy. The pottery piece will be asymmetrical, which you don’t want.
Uncentered clay can also lead to wall breakage or collapse, causing you to start over. So, if your clay isn’t centered, fixing it before you begin sculpting is always best.
Wrapping Up the Best Pottery Wheels For Beginners
It’s possible to do pottery without a wheel. But it’s typically more difficult and time-consuming, especially for beginners. You’ll need some serious elbow grease and strength.
That’s why a pottery wheel is a vital thing to have in your pottery tool kit. Hopefully, this guide on pottery wheels for beginners gave you some ideas to help pick the perfect one!
Are you ready to start making some pottery masterpieces? Take a look at our Pottery Tools post for some great sculpting and detailing tools!
Ashley Masiello is a crafting fanatic, video editor, artist, general freelance writer, and a writer for That Sweet Tea Life. She has a bachelor’s degree in film/media and two minors in writing and art.
She loves to try out crafts, projects, and recipes in her free time. And she enjoys sharing fun and interesting artistic knowledge with others. Whether you like scrapbooking or cooking, there’s a fun learning process for everything!
Ashely can be reached at [email protected]