There are lots of options for pottery wheels on the market, and it can be difficult to work out which ones are great and which ones to avoid.
It’s worth first pointing out that when going for a pottery wheel from one of the major brands (Shimpo, Skutt, Brent etc), you can be confident that you will be getting a good quality, well-built pottery wheel.
This level of trust and reputation does come with a larger price tag though, but it can be well worth it if you’re looking for a peace of mind. While it can be difficult to get help from the brands themselves (they are large companies and not based in the UK), you can normally get good support from their authorised distributors.
For full transparency: We do sell pottery wheels (some of which will be featured on this list), but we will be looking at all pottery wheels available in the UK fairly and honestly. Our ethos as a business is to provide clarity to help people make an informed decision – not to be salesy or pushy. That said, we have a lot of faith in the products that we sell (due to our great experience with them), so we have no problems confidently ranking some of them here.
Best Overall Wheel – Shimpo RK-3E/VL
£1865
Capacity: 45KG
Wheelhead: 35cm
Power: 400W
Well, what can we say? If you’ve been doing pottery for a while you’ll have seen plenty of these wheels around. Shimpo RK-3E wheels are ubiquitous in the pottery UK scene, and for good reason.
They are high-torque, fine-control, smooth and can handle more clay than a typical potter would ever want. These wheels last a very long time and can handle intense use.
Shimpo are probably the most trusted UK brand, and this is their flagship model.
Best Home Wheel – The Home Studio Wheel
£899
Capacity: 10KG
Wheelhead: 32cm
Power: 200W
Having a high-powered, high-capacity wheel is great, but a typical beginner-intermediate home potter rarely throws with over a few Kg. Home potters have slightly different priorities, including ease of use, build quality, aesthetics and ergonomics.
The Home Studio Wheel ticks these boxes well, which is why have recommend it as our best choice for home potters. Since it’s not always easy to predict how a wheel will look/feel once you are using it in your home, we offer a free trial period, where you can return the wheel even if you have used it.
Best Wheel For Large Work – Brent CXC
£2400
Capacity: 136KG
Wheelhead: 35cm
Power: 1HP
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The Brent CXC wheel is hands down the best wheel if you regularly making extremely large pieces. It can handle a whopping 136KG clay (writing this now, I don’t even know how you would get this on the wheel!)
Brent wheels do last an extremely long time as well, with reports of them lasting 10-20 years in some cases!
Best Value for Money Wheel – Home Studio Wheel
When looking at value for money, the Home Studio Wheel stands out as (to our knowledge) the only full-sized, full-power pottery wheel in the UK for under £1000 that comes with a full warranty. At this price point, that combination of size, power, and after-sales support is uncommon, which makes it worth considering for home potters who want a capable wheel without stepping up to higher-priced studio models.
Best Tabletop Wheel – Shimpo RK-5T
£750
Capacity: 9KG
Wheelhead: 17.8cm
Power: 100W
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The Shimpo RK-5T tabletop wheel may be small, but don’t underestimate its power. Despite its compact size, it has enough power for regular throwing and is widely regarded for its reliability and longevity. While it is not designed for large-scale work, many potters value it as a long-term, dependable wheel for small to medium pieces, particularly where space is limited or a tabletop setup is preferred.
Best Wheel Not available in UK: Pacifica GT-800
~£900–£1,100 (US price, not UK available)
Capacity: 45kg
Wheelhead: 13 in
Power: 1HP
The Pacifica GT-800 is worth mentioning because it consistently comes up in experienced potter discussions as a well-built, sensibly priced alternative to higher-end studio wheels. In the US market, it is often positioned between entry-level wheels and premium options like Brent and Shimpo, offering strong performance without the highest price tag.
It is a full-size, belt-driven wheel with a powerful motor, good stability under load, and a reputation for reliability in long-term use. Many potters also appreciate practical details such as the splash pan design and optional leg extensions, which make it adaptable to different throwing setups.
While the GT-800 does not have the brand prestige or resale value of some competitors, it is frequently recommended as a dependable, no-frills workhorse. Unfortunately, it is not currently available through authorised distributors in the UK, which makes parts, servicing, and warranty support difficult. For that reason, despite its reputation, it is not a realistic option for most UK-based potters.