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Cowley vs Kiln Crafts: Pottery Wheels Compared

Comparing Cowley?

Cowley or Kiln Crafts? Here's the honest difference.

The Cowley Double Drive has a cone drive and a built-in seat. Here's the Double Drive next to our Daisy and Thistle.

UK prices checked 13 October 2026Every figure linked to its sourceKiln Crafts isn't connected to Cowley

Pick the wheels you want to compare

Kiln Crafts wheels

Cowley wheels

Side by side

On a phone? Swipe the table sideways to see every wheel.

How much clay can it centre?

The most clay the maker or UK retailer says the wheel can centre in one go.

What that means in real life: a mug takes roughly half a kilo of clay, and a big serving bowl 2–3kg. A whole 12.5kg bag in one go is a very large pot. Most people throwing at home never come close to the limit of any wheel here, so big numbers matter far less than they look.

What it costs to start throwing

The wheel, plus batts, tools and a stool if it doesn't come with them.

For any wheel that doesn't include batts, tools and a stool, we've added £149, the price of our Wheel Accessory Pack. That's a like-for-like allowance, not a quote. Delivery isn't included for any wheel.

Will it fit?

Each wheel's floor space, drawn to scale next to a dining chair. Change the wheels above and this updates.

Footprints are the maker's or UK retailer's published dimensions. Leave room around the wheel to sit and move.

The honest bit

Where Cowley comes out ahead

  • A built-in padded seat, and a pedal that holds its speed when you lift your foot.
  • Centres 20kg, more than the Daisy's 12.5kg.
  • A cone and ring drive, which feels different from a belt or direct drive.

Where ours are different

  • The Thistle centres 25kg with an 800W motor, for about the same money (£1,699 vs £1,650).
  • Much less floor space: the Daisy is 60 × 47cm; the Cowley is 103 × 53cm with its seat.
  • A 3-year warranty, fixed or replaced. Potclays quotes 2 years for the Cowley, parts only in year 2, with transport at your cost.
  • The Daisy comes with batts, tools and a stool for £1,349.

Not sure? Three questions.

Tell us what you want to make and we'll point you to a wheel. Sometimes that won't be one of ours.

What do you want to make?

Where will the wheel live?

Roughly what's your budget?

Questions people ask

What does the 30-day home trial mean?

Set the wheel up at home and throw on it. If it isn't right for you within 30 days of it arriving, send it back for a full refund. It applies to our own wheels: Poppy, Daisy and Thistle.

Ready to have a look?

Every Kiln Crafts wheel has a 3-year warranty and 30 days at home to decide. And if you'd rather talk it through, we pick up the phone.

See the PoppySee the DaisySee the ThistleGet in touch

Keep making.

Crafted with passion, delivered with care.

KILN CRAFTS

Cowley is a trademark of its owner. Product names belong to their owners and are used here only to compare. Prices are those shown by the named UK retailer on 13 October 2026 and may have changed since. Specs come from the maker's website or the named retailer; where sources disagree, we say so. Kiln Crafts prices are live from this site. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll correct it.

Sources