The Speedball Artista pottery wheel is a small, belt-driven tabletop wheel aimed at beginners, classrooms and potters short on space. Speedball lists a 1/3 HP motor, an 11 in wheelhead, a 25 lb centering capacity, a hand control from 0 to 220 rpm and a 5-year warranty. Our verdict: it is a sensible compact wheel if you throw small pieces and accept one spin direction. Add the pedal and legs, though, and it costs close to some full-size wheels.
This review is research-based. We have not thrown on an Artista. We compared Speedball's product page and 2026 owner's manual with listings from Clay-King and Blick, and with maker data for rival wheels.
Speedball Artista specs compared
| Wheel | Motor | Head | Capacity | Speed | Direction | Pedal | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speedball Artista Check price | 1/3 HP | 11 in | 25 lb | 0 to 220 rpm | Fixed (counter-clockwise) | Optional | 5 years |
| Artista Left-Handed Check price | 1/3 HP | 11 in | 25 lb | 0 to 220 rpm | Fixed (clockwise) | Optional | 5 years |
| Shimpo VL-Lite Check price | 100 W | 12 in | 25 lb | 0 to 250 rpm | Reversible | Included | 5 years |
| Shimpo Aspire Check price | 100 W DC | 7 in | 20 lb | 0 to 230 rpm | Fixed (order CW or CCW) | Optional kit | 5 years |
| U.S. Art Supply PW-101 Check price | 3/4 HP (listed) | 11 in | 25 lb | Not published | Reversible | Included | 1 year |
Artista, VL-Lite and Aspire figures come from Speedball and Shimpo. The PW-101 figures come from a third-party review because we could not load a U.S. Art Supply spec page.
Speedball Artista pottery wheel at a glance
We cover the Artista because it is one of the few tabletop wheels from an established US pottery brand. Speedball says its wheels are hand-assembled and tested in Statesville, North Carolina, and the Artista carries a 5-year warranty where most budget tabletop wheels offer one year.
- Motor: 1/3 HP, belt drive (per the manual's parts list)
- Wheelhead: 11 in, universal bat pins at 10 in center to center; takes bats up to 14 in
- Capacity: 25 lb centering
- Speed: 0 to 220 rpm, variable hand control
- Direction: Fixed; right-handed (counter-clockwise) or left-handed (clockwise) model
- Pedal: Optional plug-in foot pedal
- Included: Two-part splash pan, 7.5 in and 12 in plastic bats
- Power: 110V, 6 ft grounded cord; 220V needs a transformer and adaptor per the manual
- Weight: not published by the maker
- Warranty: 5 years, registration within 30 days
Pros
- Compact and easy to store
- 5-year warranty from a known pottery brand
- Two bats and a splash pan included
- Takes universal bats
Cons
- Cannot change direction
- 25 lb limit
- Pedal and legs cost extra
- 220 rpm top speed is lower than most rivals
Who should skip it: Potters who want to reverse the wheel for trimming, plan pieces larger than a mid-size bowl, or would end up buying the pedal and folding legs anyway.
What the Artista does well
Small footprint, real wheel
Speedball describes the Artista as lightweight and compact. It sits on a table and stores in a cupboard, which suits apartments and shared rooms. Unlike toy wheels, it has a proper 11 in head, a 1/3 HP motor and pins that take standard universal bats.
Splash pan and bats in the box
The two-part splash pan is included, and Blick notes room for two 2 1/2 quart buckets inside it. Speedball includes a 7.5 in and a 12 in bat. Many budget wheels ship with one small bat or none.
A longer warranty than budget rivals
Five years beats the 1-year warranty listed for the U.S. Art Supply PW-101. Speedball's manual says the warranty covers 100% of parts and labor when labor is performed at the Speedball factory. Note the fine print: you must register within 30 days of purchase.
Quiet motor, by the maker's description
Speedball says the 1/3 HP motor "runs smoothly with very little noise". It does not publish a decibel figure, so treat this as the maker's claim.
A hand control you can set and leave
The standard hand knob holds a steady speed without any foot pressure. That suits slow jobs such as banding lines of underglaze, decorating or trimming small pieces, and it helps potters who find a pedal awkward. You can still add the pedal later if you want foot control for throwing.
Weak points
One direction only
The manual is clear: "The direction of the Artista Wheel Head cannot be changed." You choose a right-handed (counter-clockwise) or left-handed (clockwise) model when you buy. Potters who throw one way and trim the other, or share a wheel, should pick a reversible wheel.
25 lb capacity
Twenty-five pounds is enough for mugs, bowls, small vases and plates. It rules out large platters and big jars. If you expect to grow into bigger work, a 100 lb wheel such as the Speedball Clay Boss gives more room.
Add-ons raise the real price
The Artista typically sells for $600 to $750. Speedball sells the foot pedal separately (in the $150 range at list), static steel legs (22 in tall, per the manual) and folding aluminum legs (in the $335 range at list). Fully kitted, it approaches the price of a Shimpo VL-Lite, which includes a pedal and reverses.
Artista potter's wheel options: pedal, legs and left-hand model
The base Artista is a tabletop wheel with a hand knob. Speedball offers three upgrades:
- Foot pedal: plugs in and converts the wheel from hand to foot speed control, so both hands stay on the clay.
- Static legs: 22 in steel legs for seated throwing without a table.
- Folding legs: aluminum legs that fold for storage.
Many potters find a pedal easier for throwing, because you can change speed without taking a hand off the pot. If you already know you want a pedal, price the Artista with it. Our upcoming guide to pottery wheel foot pedals covers this choice in more depth.
Speedball Artista Left-Handed
The left-handed Artista is the same wheel with a clockwise head. Speedball sells it as an option in the "Wheel Head Rotation" menu on the Artista page. It is one of the few compact wheels built for left-handed throwers rather than relying on a reverse switch.
- Motor: 1/3 HP
- Wheelhead: 11 in
- Capacity: 25 lb
- Speed: 0 to 220 rpm
- Direction: Clockwise only
- Warranty: 5 years
Pros
- True left-hand version with no switch to forget
- Same accessories as the standard Artista
Cons
- Cannot be switched back to counter-clockwise
- Awkward for right-handed guests or teachers
Who should skip it: Left-handed potters who share the wheel with right-handed family members; a reversible wheel suits a shared home better. See our left-handed pottery wheel guide.
Setting up the Artista
Put the wheel on a sturdy, level table or on Speedball's legs. Keep the 6 ft cord clear of water. The manual calls for a grounded three-hole outlet; if your outlet is the old two-hole type, have a licensed electrician check it and install a grounded outlet rather than relying on adapters near water. For 220V countries, the manual says a transformer and adaptor are required.
The right working height depends on your chair and body. Our tabletop pottery wheels guide covers table height.
Safety: Speedball's manuals warn against running the wheel unattended and against pressure washing or spraying water under the wheel. Unplug before cleaning. Wipe dried slip wet; do not dry sweep, because clay dust contains silica. See clay dust safety.
Artista vs a full-size wheel: when to step up
The Artista and Speedball's own Clay Boss show the trade-off clearly. The Artista has an 11 in head, a 25 lb limit, a hand control and a fixed direction. The Clay Boss has a 14 in head, a 100 lb limit, a pedal included, a reversing plug and a 10-year warranty instead of 5 years.
If you want the Artista for its size, it is a fair choice. If you are buying it only because it is cheaper, add up the pedal and legs first. Once those are included, the gap to a full-size wheel narrows, and a full-size wheel will not limit you as your pots get bigger. Our pottery wheel cost guide sets out the price tiers.
Care and upkeep
The manual asks you to clean the wheel by hand rather than with a hose or pressure washer, and to keep the clay load at or under 25 lb. Lift out the two-part splash pan to clean it at a sink, and wipe the head with a damp sponge after each session so slip does not dry on it.
Who should buy the Speedball Artista?
- Beginners in small homes who want a real wheel that stores away.
- Left-handed potters who want a dedicated clockwise wheel.
- Classrooms or makers who throw small pieces such as cups, small bowls and test tiles.
Who should skip it?
- Anyone who wants to trim in the opposite direction or needs a reversible wheel.
- Potters planning pieces bigger than its 25 lb limit allows.
- Buyers who will add the pedal and legs anyway, since a full-size wheel may then cost only a little more.
Alternatives to the Artista
Shimpo VL-Lite
Shimpo lists a 100 W reversible motor, a 12 in head, 25 lb capacity, 0 to 250 rpm, a remote foot pedal and a 51 lb weight, with a 5-year warranty. It reverses and includes the pedal. Read the Shimpo VL-Lite review; a head-to-head comparison is planned at VL-Lite vs Artista.
Shimpo Aspire
Smaller still: a 7 in head, 20 lb capacity and 25 lb weight, with a hand lever that Shimpo calls handicap accessible. Read the Shimpo Aspire review.
Speedball Clay Boss
A full-size step up: 0.5 HP, 14 in head, 100 lb capacity, pedal included and a 10-year warranty. See the Clay Boss review.
U.S. Art Supply PW-101
A cheaper tabletop wheel with a pedal, reversing and an LCD speed readout. The trade-off is a 1-year warranty and unpublished rpm and voltage. Check the PW-101 on Amazon.
For more choices, see our best pottery wheel for beginners guide, which ranks the best pottery wheels for beginners across brands and budgets. If you are still setting a budget, our guide to how much a good quality pottery wheel costs shows what each price tier buys.
Speedball's wheel range and where the Artista fits
Speedball makes four current wheels: the tabletop Artista and three floor wheels in the Boss series (Clay Boss, Big Boss and Boss Elite). Speedball says its wheels are hand-assembled and tested in Statesville, North Carolina. The Boss wheels carry a 10-year warranty and the Artista 5 years, both with registration required within 30 days.
| Speedball wheel | Type | Motor | Head | Capacity | Direction | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artista | Tabletop | 1/3 HP | 11 in | 25 lb | Fixed, two versions | 5 years |
| Clay Boss | Floor | 0.5 HP | 14 in | 100 lb | Reversing plug | 10 years |
| Big Boss | Floor | 1.0 peak HP | 14 in | 175 lb | Reversing plug | 10 years |
| Boss Elite | Floor, utility shelf | 1.0 peak HP | 14 in | 175 lb | Reversing plug | 10 years |
The Artista is the only Speedball built for a table and the only one with a fixed direction. If you like the Speedball name but need reversing or more capacity, the Clay Boss is the next step; our Clay Boss review compares all three Boss wheels.
Which wheels do professional potters use?
Production potters, teachers and full-time studio potters generally choose heavy floor wheels with large motors and high centering ratings, because they throw for hours and center big lumps of clay. On maker data, that points to wheels such as the Brent CXC (1 HP, 300 lb per AMACO), the Speedball Big Boss and Boss Elite (1.0 peak HP, 175 lb), the Shimpo VL-Whisper (direct drive, 100 lb) and the Skutt Classic, which Skutt aims at production potters. The Artista is not that kind of wheel. It is a compact tool for small work, a second wheel for demos and decorating, or a starter for a small home.
Sources: Speedball Artista product page (speedballart.com) and Artista owner's manual (2026 edition); Speedball Artista foot pedal and folding legs pages; Clay-King Artista listing; Blick Artista listing; Shimpo VL-Lite and Aspire pages (shimpoceramics.com); Speedball Clay Boss page; Craftschmaft review of the U.S. Art Supply PW-101 (third-party, maker page not available); Speedball Big Boss and Boss Elite pages; AMACO Brent CXC page; Shimpo VL-Whisper page; Skutt Classic page. Specs checked October 2026.