Buying a spinning wheel: what a good wheel costs
Martin Bleich"How much does a good spinning wheel actually cost?" We hear this question almost every day, by email, on the phone and at markets. The honest answer: less than many people fear, and more than a decorative wheel from a flea market. In this guide I show you what a spinning wheel for handspinning gives you in each price range, how much our customers really spend and what to look out for when you buy a spinning wheel.
In short: a good beginner wheel starts at around €400. Most of our customers spend around €700 on their spinning wheel. From about €1,300 you enter the class of wheels that people often treat themselves to as a second wheel, for example a Lendrum.
Buying a spinning wheel: what a good wheel costs
New spinning wheels for handspinning cost roughly between €400 and €2,000. The price depends less on the brand than on three things: the wood (solid wood or multiplex), the quality of the bearings and bobbins, and what comes in the box. A €450 wheel can spin just as well as a €900 one. The more expensive wheel is often more beautifully turned, has more ratios or folds up.
So you don't just get my opinion, I looked at our own numbers. In the last twelve months we sold 55 spinning wheels. On average our customers paid about €700. Around three quarters of all wheels cost less than about €715. Only three wheels were clearly above that: two Lendrum complete sets and one Louet S10 complete set.
Our best-selling wheels were the Kromski Fantasia, the Kromski Prelude, the Kromski Minstrel and the Kromski Sonata Encore. As you can see, most spinners start with a solid mid-range wheel, not with the most expensive model.
Price ranges at a glance
| Price range | What you get | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| €400 to €500 | Good beginner wheels, some as kits or in beech | Louet S17 from €390, Lojan Buddy from €415, Kromski Fantasia from €479, Kromski Prelude from €489 |
| €500 to €900 | Solid wood, classic shapes, folding travel wheels, modular wheels | Kromski Interlude from €599, Lojan Travel Buddy €620, Louet S10 Concept from €648, Kromski Minstrel from €679, Kromski Sonata Encore from €799, Kromski Symphony from €799 |
| €900 to €1,300 | Large wheels with plenty of range for fine and chunky yarn | Kromski Polonaise from €919, finished versions of the Sonata Encore and Symphony |
| from €1,300 | Special wheels and complete sets with lots of accessories | Lendrum base set €1,308, Louet Victoria Fully Loaded €1,449, Louet S10 complete set €1,547 |
€400 to €500: a solid start
This is where you find the wheels most people start with. The Louet S17 is the most affordable wheel in our range and comes as a kit in beech multiplex. The Lojan Buddy has five ratios and large bobbins. And at €479 the Kromski Fantasia is the wheel I most like to recommend to beginners: solid wood, double treadle, four ratios and a built-in lazy kate. There is a reason it is our best-selling wheel.
€500 to €900: more wood, more style, more options
Many people who deliberately choose a beautiful wheel end up here. The Kromski Minstrel is a castle wheel with an upright drive wheel that needs little space and runs very quietly. The Kromski Sonata Encore folds without tools and fits into a bag, ideal for spinning groups and holidays. The Louet S10 Concept is configured to your wishes and can be converted later. If you buy in this range, you usually buy a wheel for life.
From €1,300: Lendrum and complete sets
From about €1,300 things get special. The Lendrum spinning wheel from Canada is, for me, a truly special spinning experience. Lendrum has been making spinning wheels since 1975, and in the spinning world the wheel has almost cult status. There are good reasons for that: it runs very quietly and evenly, doesn't wobble when you treadle and doesn't creep across the floor. In under two minutes you fold it flat without tools, which is handy for small flats and travel.
Even the base set has three ratios (6:1, 8:1 and 10:1), a tensioned lazy kate and four bobbins. There are also plenty of accessories: a fast flyer for fine yarn, a plying head and the large Mother of All flyer for chunky yarn. By the way, Berliner Spinnräder was the first dealer in Europe allowed to sell Lendrum. We are a little proud of that.
Louet's complete sets, such as the Louet S10 complete set, also sit in this range. They are worth it if you already know you want to spin both fine and chunky yarn.
Complete set or wheel and accessories separately?
That depends on what you want to spin. A complete set makes sense if you already know you want to spin very fine yarn and chunky art yarn. You save compared with buying everything separately and have it all together. For getting started, though, the wheel in its basic version is almost always enough. You can always add things later once you see where your spinning is heading. A jumbo flyer or extra bobbins are still available years later for most wheels.
What comes on top of the price of the wheel?
Less than you think. Bobbins, oil and often a lazy kate come with most wheels. What our customers buy most often after the wheel is the Kromski niddy noddy from €15. You use it to wind your finished yarn into a skein so you can wash and measure it. Next come extra bobbins from €20, because if you ply, you never have enough of them.
You will also need fibre, such as combed top or washed wool. Plan on 500 g to 1 kg for practising in the first few weeks. If you'd like to find out first whether spinning is for you, you can also start with a drop spindle set from €38.50.
New or used?
Used spinning wheels can be found for €100 to €300. That sounds tempting, but it is often a gamble: many old wheels are purely decorative, others are missing bobbins, a flyer or the drive band. Spare parts for old models are hard to find. If you want to buy a used wheel, take our checklist for used spinning wheels with you. A new beginner wheel for €450 to €500, on the other hand, is ready to use, comes with a warranty and runs smoothly from day one.
What to look out for when buying a spinning wheel
- Treadle: with a double treadle you treadle more evenly, which is often easier at the start. More on this in our guide single or double treadle.
- Ratios: three to four ratios cover almost every yarn. You only need more for very fine yarn.
- Space: if you live in a small home or want to take your wheel with you, look at folding wheels like the Sonata Encore, the Travel Buddy or the Lendrum.
- Spare parts: buy a wheel for which bobbins, flyers and drive bands will still be available in ten years.
I compare the best wheels for getting started in detail in Spinning wheel for beginners: 6 models compared. And if you are still unsure, our page Which spinning wheel is right for me? will help.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a good spinning wheel cost?
A good new spinning wheel for handspinning starts at around €400. Most of our customers spend around €700. Special wheels like the Lendrum start at about €1,300.
Which spinning wheel should I buy as a beginner?
For most beginners we recommend the Kromski Fantasia from €479. If you prefer to treadle with one foot, the Kromski Prelude is a great choice.
Is a used spinning wheel worth it?
Sometimes. Before buying, check that the flyer, bobbins and drive band are there and that spare parts are available. Many old wheels are purely decorative.
Do I need accessories as well as the wheel?
Very little at first. A niddy noddy to wind off your yarn and some wool to practise with. Bobbins and oil come with most wheels.
Is a complete set cheaper than buying parts separately?
Yes, if you really use the accessories. For getting started, the basic wheel is usually enough, and you can add to it at any time.