Top 4 Tabletop Pottery Wheels for Every Potter (2025 Buying Guide)

I’ve been having a clay dream for some time now—I desperately want to set up a home pottery studio. And I’m dreaming of the works—a wall full of multicolored glaze test tiles, shelves of clay and works in progress, and a state of the art wheel to throw the day away. But given that we’re balling on an apartment budget these days, I don’t have room to spare for a whole studio. After all, I barely have room for the treasure trove of ceramics I bring home from pottery class. So, I started investigating tabletop pottery wheels. Can they truly be the solution to my home studio woes? Stay tuned to find out.

What are tabletop pottery wheels? 

What is a tabletop pottery wheel, and how does it differ from any other wheel? So glad you asked. Unlike classic models (looking at you, Shimpo), these wheels don’t come with legs and a handy table for storing tools. These are lighter, portable wheels that you can set on any surface, from kitchen tables to workbenches. Unlike most traditional wheels, tabletop pottery wheels are belt-driven. Translation: they’re lighter and more affordable, but they wear more quickly and will eventually need a belt replacement. 

The tabletop pottery wheel is an excellent option if you’re on a budget, or need the wheel to easily move. Given that my home “studio” needs to double as my 9-5 desk, it seems like the best option for a multi-purpose space. 

What are the best tabletop pottery wheels? 

Once I narrowed in on the type of wheel that would work for my space, I began the search for my ceramics soulmate. I knew I wanted something light that could be easily tucked away in a cabinet, AND something affordable. Another majorly important feature was foot pedal compatibility–speed control knobs can get messy, and I like the feel of throwing on a traditional wheel.

To recap, we judged wheels by:

• Weight/portability 
• Affordability 
• Foot pedal compatibility

What did we find? Let’s get into the top four gems of our search. 

Speedball Artista

Got a need for pottery speed? Check out the Speedball Artista. There’s lots to love about this tabletop wheel. Other than being a known and respected name in the pottery world, this wheel can be put to work. It can handle up to 25 lbs of clay, making it perfect for the beginner to intermediate potter. With a durable steel wheelhead and extra features like a removable splash pan and tray for tow buckets, you’ll hardly compromising on quality. And,  while the wheel itself features a knob for speed control, you can purchase a foot pedal to set up a more traditional at home wheel. It’s checking all our pottery boxes, making it a top contender in the tabletop pottery “throw down”. 

Quark

The Quark first caught my eye at my local ceramics shop. Why? Because it is honestly one of the cutest pottery wheels I’ve seen! Coming in colorways like red, royal blue, and pink, it’s a much welcome pop of color in the pottery studio. (Plus, to fight against the “pink tax”, Quark prices their pink wheel a bit less than the others—how neat!). 

Outside of its colorful cuteness, the features of this wheel are quite clever. It comes with an auto-lock magnetic splash pan AND a WIRELESS speed control. Correct me in the comments if I’m wrong, but this certainly sets the Quark apart from the rest. Like the Speedball, it has a 25 lbs centering capacity, but we did ding points for the price—it’s about $100 more than the Speedball. But, if charm is important to you, you certainly can’t get any more delightful than the Quark! 

Shimpo Aspire

Shimpo is a ceramics household name, so naturally, this wheel was on our shortlist. All in all, it’s a solid wheel. It boasts foot pedal compatibility, a reversible wheelhead, a splash pan, and it even comes with two bats! However, at only 20 lbs, the centering capacity is a bit less than the above wheels. Another con? This model is typically $690, making it the more expensive option of the two we’ve reviewed so far. While that knocked it out of the running for us, if you’re a Shimpo loyalist and want an extra light and portable wheel, it’s still a great option!

Small Ceramics

You didn’t think I’d write a pottery article without pleading the mini wheel case, did you? Though this wheel is small, it is mighty. From the deep, magnetic removable splash pan to the superior torque, it truly is a joy to throw tiny creations on the 3 inch wheelhead. And while you’re certainly limited in terms of what you can throw, having a smaller wheel in an apartment means less cleanup, and better storage options. 

So which of the tabletop pottery wheels did I choose?

Right in the middle of my pottery wheel hunt, I got some exciting news—I officially became a member at my local pottery studio! With 24/7 access, I didn’t need to build out a full studio in my apartment anymore. But I did want to keep the pottery vibes alive at home.

Enter: the Small Ceramics tabletop wheel. It’s the perfect happy medium.

I might not be throwing giant vases, but this little wheel lets me keep my skills sharp right from my kitchen table. And the best part? When I’m done, it tucks right into my craft cabinet. I’ve basically got the best of both worlds—a full-size pro setup at the studio, and a fun-sized wheel at home for whenever inspiration strikes.

Wrapping Up

A tabletop wheel is the ultimate home studio starter. It’s compact, budget-friendly, and surprisingly versatile. Whether you’re aiming to throw big, stick to a trusted name brand, or just want to try your hand at tiny pots, you really can’t go wrong with any of the four we reviewed. Let us know which one you’re eyeing—and happy throwing!