Throwing on a pottery wheel is an experience in itself. But what if you’re looking for a mini pottery wheel to perfect your skills at home?
Search no more. In this article, we’ve put together a guide of the 4 best mini pottery wheels. These products are hand-selected to show you that even the tiniest of pottery wheels can bring plenty of clay projects to life.
Are you ready to pick out your next mini pottery wheel? Let’s begin.
Got no time to read? Here are our best picks and why we picked them.
| Product Name | Good For |
| MATHOWAL Mini Double Motor Pottery Wheel | Removable basin |
| Together-Life USB Mini Pottery Wheel Machine | Speeds up to 2,000 rpm |
| Mini Gold Pottery Wheel | Easily adjustable switch for wheel direction |
| Made by Me Pottery Wheel | Comes with clay and basic tools |
Best Miniature Pottery Wheels
If you’re looking for a mini pottery wheel, you’ve got to check out this list of quality products.
MATHOWAL Mini Double Motor Pottery Wheel
We chose this mini double motor pottery wheel from MATHOWAL for many reasons, least of which is the simplicity of this particular design.
This electric pottery wheel features a 5.12 inches diameter pottery wheel head, which spins in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions.
Besides the double motor duty, this mini pottery wheel is compact and weighs just under 5 pounds. The 60W brushless motor can drive up to 2 kilograms of clay, or about 4.4 pounds. Capable of anywhere from 0 to 200 rpm, this mini pottery wheel also includes a removable ABS basin.
Additional materials include a sponge, 8 double-ended sculpting tools, and 4 large-handled clay tools.
Pros
- Removable basin
- Large wheel head
- Included tools and sponge
Cons
- Plain in appearance, besides the jeweled accents on either side of the speed control knob
Together-Life USB Mini Pottery Wheel Machine
Traditional pottery wheels typically have a circular basin that surrounds the wheel head. This mini USB-powered pottery wheel from Together-Life looks a bit different from those traditional setups, but still offers all the benefits.
This electric mini pottery wheel achieves up to 2,000 rpm. Compact and lightweight, it includes an aluminum alloy pottery wheel head that’s 1.8 inches in diameter and 0.3 inches thick.
The pottery wheel head is joined to the base by a heavy-duty ball bearing.
You can easily adjust the speed with the speed control knob located on the side of the base.
Together-Life’s mini pottery wheel comes with 4 wooden sculpting tools as well as a single loop tool. It can be charged with a mobile power supply via USB.
Plus, it’s quiet during use to help you focus on the task at hand.
Pros
- Weighs between 2 and 3 pounds
- Speeds up to 2,000 rpm
- USB powered
Cons
- Large footprint for a small pottery wheel head size
Mini Gold Pottery Wheel
Finding the best micro pottery wheel might feel like striking gold. In fact, this miniature gold pottery wheel might just be the ticket for you.
Unlike other mini pottery wheels, this model places the wheel head directly in the center of the base, so your hands have a better resting place as you throw.
There are many other features that make this unit a good choice for a mini pottery wheel. For instance, there are 2 included aluminum alloy pottery heads: a 2.56 inch and a 3.94 inch.
The 30W motor is capable of up to 300 rpm and yet remains below the 60 decibel mark.
Included on this model is a forward and reverse switch that allows you to change the direction of the pottery wheel head’s movement. You’ll also receive an Allen key to change out the pottery wheel heads, along with a set of 8 clay tools that are double sided.
Your purchase is also protected by a 1 year warranty from the manufacturer.
Pros
- Easily adjustable switch for wheel direction
- 1 year warranty
- Base provides adequate hand support during throwing
Cons
- Not available in any other colors
Made by Me Pottery Wheel
Mini pottery wheels are a great way to get kids started with throwing. This is especially true for the Made by Me Pottery Wheel, which takes a basic approach to the mini pottery wheel.
Don’t let the plastic pieces fool you though. This particular setup can teach kids the basics and help them grow into a larger pottery wheel of their own.
This mini pottery wheel features an electric foot pedal that drives a mini pottery head.
You will have to install 4 D-cell batteries for the wheel to turn via the foot pedal.
However, this kit also includes a strip of ceramic paints, 2 pounds of air dry clay, a paintbrush, a sponge, 2 clay tools, 3 pottery-making tools, one adjustable arm tool, and a clay cutting cord.
Pros
- Introduces kids to the idea of pottery throwing
- Comes with clay and basic tools
- Motorized with the help of D-cell batteries
Cons
- Geared more for children than the (adult) beginner
What to Look For in a Mini Pottery Wheel
As you shop for a mini pottery wheel, there are a few things you’ll want to keep an eye out for. The best mini pottery wheels don’t skimp on these characteristics, even if they do come in a small package.
Ergonomics
Pottery is all about working with your hands. The best mini pottery wheels are those that make it easy to rest your hands as you need to when throwing things like tiny pots.
Because mini pottery wheels are smaller, the placement of your hands makes a bigger impact, especially when working with smaller amounts of clay. This is especially true for beginners.
Wheel Head
Most of the pottery wheel heads on our list are miniature in size. However, you should view these smaller pottery wheel heads just as you would for a larger pottery wheel. You’ll just be making smaller pots.
For instance, you’ll want to identify the size of the pottery wheel head, as well as the material type it’s made from. Most of the wheel heads on our list are made from an aluminum alloy. These alloys are popular because they stand up to rust and are also lightweight.
In terms of wheel head size, you’ll likely see diameters of about 1 inch up to 6 inches. Generally speaking, larger pottery wheel heads are able to accommodate more clay.
However, you should also note whether or not these wheel heads also include holes for batterboards, also known as bats.
Motor Power Specifications
The motor within the mini pottery wheels is very important, especially given the small platform they power. These motors must spin high enough to throw, but are still limited by the platform upon which they are installed.
When looking at mini pottery wheel motors, you’ll see specifications for wattage, rather than horsepower. However, like with horsepower, a higher wattage means the pottery wheel has more power.
But with power comes noise. If you’re someone who needs to think about how loud the pottery wheel is, be sure to check for this characteristic as you shop.
Most of the mini pottery wheels we included in this list are low noise and aren’t much louder than 60 decibels.
Speed Control
Many of the pottery wheels we’ve included on this list are adjustable when it comes to speed.
In fact, there are a few machines that also allow you to choose between clockwise and counterclockwise motion.
This can be handy if you want to try throwing in both directions, or simply prefer a direction that most standard machines don’t address.
Portability
Mini pottery wheels are typically meant to be portable. For the best experience, they include a detachable power supply and/or foot pedal that makes it easy to break the wheel down for storage or transport.
The entire pottery wheel itself shouldn’t take up much more room than a large placemat. In some cases, the pottery head might be removable as well, for cleaning and/or transporting.
Wrap up
Choosing the right mini pottery wheel can seem like a daunting task, but we hope this article has helped guide you towards a wheel that will support your future projects. After all, you should be focused on what you want to make next!