- The best pottery wheel bats for most home wheels are 12-inch round bats with pin holes 10 inches apart. LEOLIO lists that spacing and includes a pair of bat pins.
- For a bat that fits any pin spacing, Speedball's Universal plastic bat is listed as designed to fit all wheel bat pin spacing.
- Throw lots of mugs? A bat system (Penguin Pottery 14-inch, LEOLIO 12-inch) holds small square inserts so you can lift off a piece and start the next one.
- Check your wheel head first. Some bats only fit one wheel: the U.S. Art Supply 11-inch plastic bats are made for its PW-101 wheel.
The best pottery wheel bats fit your wheel head and pins, stay flat when wet and let you lift a fresh pot off the wheel without touching it. Bats are removable discs that sit on the wheel head, held by two pins. You throw on the bat, lift the bat off and let the pot firm up while you throw the next one.
We compared eight bats and bat systems from Speedball, Penguin Pottery, LEOLIO, ElaraBerry, Funtery and VFIUME on listed diameter, thickness, material, pin spacing and what comes in the box. We did not throw on them. Two listings disagree with themselves on size or count; we flag those. If you are still choosing a wheel, start with best pottery wheel for home.
Our picks
LEOLIO 12" HDF Pottery Wheel Bats, 4-Pack
- Size
- 12 inches
- Count
- 4
- Thickness
- 1/3 inch
- Pin holes
- 10 inches apart
LEOLIO lists four 12-inch HDF bats, 1/3 inch thick, about 0.8 lb each, with two pin holes positioned 10 inches apart and a pair of 1-inch bat pins included. The surface has a waterproof coating, and the maker says the board is formaldehyde-free.
Best for: standard 10-inch pin wheels
Skip if: your wheel uses a different pin spacing
- 4 bats per pack
- 10-inch pin spacing listed
- Bat pins included
- HDF, not Medex; keep out of standing water
Speedball 12" Universal Plastic Pottery Bat, 2-Pack
- Size
- 12 Inch Round
- Count
- Pack of 2
- Material
- Injection-molded plastic
- Fit
- All wheel bat pin spacing
Speedball's injection-molded plastic bat is listed as fitting all wheel bat pin spacing, with an easy-lift rim and reinforcing ribs. Plastic does not absorb water, so it will not swell or warp from soaking.
Best for: wheels with unusual or unknown pin spacing
Skip if: you want a porous bat that helps pots release
- Fits all pin spacing per the listing
- Easy-lift rim
- Plastic won't swell
- Non-porous; pots may need a wire pass to release
Speedball 12" Medex Pottery Wheel Bat, 2-Pack
- Size
- 12-Inch Round
- Count
- Pack of 2
- Material
- Medex
Speedball says its Medex bats offer the greatest durability of its wooden bats, with very limited warping or chipping, combining the feel of wood with the longevity of plastic or plaster. The title lists a 12-inch round 2-pack, but one bullet mentions a 16-inch round bat, so check the listing before you buy.
Best for: potters who like the feel of wood
Skip if: you need to know the size for certain right now
- Medex resists warping per the maker
- 2-pack
- Size conflict on the listing (12 vs 16 in)
- Pin spacing not listed
Penguin Pottery 14" Bat System with 5 Square Inserts
- Size
- 14" Bat System
- Inserts
- 5 square Medex MDF
- Thickness
- 1/4 inch
Penguin Pottery's 14-inch system holds five square Medex MDF inserts, each 1/4 inch thick. Square inserts store and dry in less space than round bats, and the brand lists a lifetime warranty.
Best for: batch-throwing mugs and small pots
Skip if: you throw large bowls or plates
- 5 square Medex inserts
- Lifetime warranty listed
- Space-saving storage
- Insert size limits piece diameter
LEOLIO 12" Bat System with 6 Square Inner Bats
- Size
- 12" round outer bat
- Inserts
- 6-pack 7" square
- Includes
- 1pc batmate
- Pin spacing
- 10" apart
LEOLIO's system has a 12-inch round outer bat, six 7-inch square HDF inner bats and a batmate pad, with pin holes 10 inches apart. Six inserts let you throw six pieces in a row without stopping to dry bats.
Best for: beginners making lots of small pieces
Skip if: your wheel head is smaller than 12 in
- 6 inserts plus batmate
- 10-inch pin spacing listed
- Waterproof coating
- 7-inch inserts suit small to medium pieces
ElaraBerry 12" MDF Pottery Bats, 6-Pack
- Size
- 12 inch round
- Count
- 6
- Thickness
- 1/2 inch (12 mm)
- Material
- High density MDF
ElaraBerry lists six 12-inch round bats in high-density MDF at 1/2 inch (12 mm) thick, the thickest round bats here. Six bats let several people share a wheel or let you throw a full session without waiting.
Best for: shared studios and long sessions
Skip if: storage space is tight
- 6 bats
- 1/2 in thick
- High-density MDF
- Pin spacing not listed; bats may need drilling
Funtery 12" Pottery Wheel Bats with Pins, 4-Pack
- Size
- 12 inches
- Count
- 4
- Thickness
- 1/4 inch
- Includes
- 8 sets of bat pins
Funtery lists four 12-inch density-board bats, 1/4 inch thick, pre-drilled, with eight sets of bat pins (bolts and wing nuts). Spare pins are handy because pins bend and wing nuts walk off.
Best for: a starter pack with hardware
Skip if: you want premium Medex
- 4 bats, pre-drilled
- 8 sets of bat pins
- Thinner 1/4 in board
- Pin spacing not stated in specs
VFIUME 12" PVC Bat System with 6 Aluminum Plates
- Size
- 12-inch
- Plates
- 6 replaceable 1.5mm aluminum alloy
- Includes
- 2 sets fixing screws, anti-vibration pads
VFIUME's 12-inch PVC bat holds six replaceable 1.5 mm aluminum alloy plates, with two sets of fixing screws and anti-vibration pads. The listing says compatible with most standard wheels and pre-drilled. It is an unusual design worth knowing about if you want thin, rigid plates.
Best for: small pieces on thin, rigid plates
Skip if: you prefer porous bats that help release
- 6 aluminum plates
- Anti-vibration pads
- 2-year warranty listed
- Non-porous plates
- Less common system; spares from one maker
How to choose the best pottery wheel bats
- Pin spacing. Most wheel heads have two pin holes. Many bats here list 10 inches center to center. Measure your wheel head before buying, or choose a bat listed for all spacing.
- Diameter. A 12-inch bat suits 12- to 14-inch wheel heads. Bigger bats give more room for plates; smaller ones are lighter to carry.
- Material. Medex and HDF/MDF are porous wood-fiber boards that help pots release as they firm up. Plastic does not absorb water and will not swell. Aluminum plates are thin and rigid.
- Thickness. Thicker boards resist warping but take more clearance between the bat and your wheel's splash pan.
- System or round. Bat systems hold small square inserts for batch work; round bats handle any size.
Listed bat or insert thickness
Inches, as listed. VFIUME plates converted from 1.5 mm. Speedball bats do not list thickness.
Wheel bats compared
| Product | Size | Count | Thickness | Material | Pin spacing | Fit | Inserts | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEOLIO 12" HDF Pottery Wheel Bats, 4-Pack | 12 inches | 4 | 1/3 inch | — | — | — | — | — |
| Speedball 12" Universal Plastic Pottery Bat, 2-Pack | 12 Inch Round | Pack of 2 | — | Injection-molded plastic | — | All wheel bat pin spacing | — | — |
| Speedball 12" Medex Pottery Wheel Bat, 2-Pack | 12-Inch Round | Pack of 2 | — | Medex | — | — | — | — |
| Penguin Pottery 14" Bat System with 5 Square Inserts | 14" Bat System | — | 1/4 inch | — | — | — | 5 square Medex MDF | — |
| LEOLIO 12" Bat System with 6 Square Inner Bats | 12" round outer bat | — | — | — | 10" apart | — | 6-pack 7" square | 1pc batmate |
| ElaraBerry 12" MDF Pottery Bats, 6-Pack | 12 inch round | 6 | 1/2 inch (12 mm) | High density MDF | — | — | — | — |
| Funtery 12" Pottery Wheel Bats with Pins, 4-Pack | 12 inches | 4 | 1/4 inch | — | — | — | — | 8 sets of bat pins |
| VFIUME 12" PVC Bat System with 6 Aluminum Plates | 12-inch | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 sets fixing screws, anti-vibration pads |
Specs as listed by the maker or seller; check the listing before you buy.
Bat materials at a glance
| Medex / HDF / MDF | Plastic | Aluminum plate system | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absorbs some water (helps release) | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Resists swelling and warping | ~ Medex best; keep dry | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Can be drilled for your pins | ✓ Yes | ~ Possible | ~ Pre-drilled |
| Feel when throwing | Wood | Smooth | Hard, thin |
| Picks here | LEOLIO, Speedball Medex, Penguin, ElaraBerry, Funtery | Speedball Universal | VFIUME |
How to fit and use wheel bats
- Measure your pin holes
Measure center to center between the two holes in your wheel head. Compare with the listing's pin spacing.
- Install bat pins
Thread pins into the wheel head and tighten the wing nuts. Use stainless pins so they do not rust.
- Seat the bat
Drop the bat over the pins. If it rocks, a batmate pad underneath steadies warped bats.
- Throw, then wire under
Run a cut-off wire under the pot before lifting the bat, especially on plastic, so it releases cleanly as it dries.
- Lift and dry
Lift the bat straight up and set it on a shelf. Trim the next day at leather-hard. See best trimming tools.
How many wheel bats do you need?
Count the pots you throw in one session, then think about how long each one stays on its bat. Most pots stay on the bat until they are firm enough to handle, often until the next day when you trim. So you need roughly one bat per pot you throw before your next session, plus a couple of spares.
Rough bat count by habit
| Your habit | Pots per session | Bats to own | Good fit here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning, one session a week | 2–4 | 4–6 | LEOLIO 4-pack or Funtery 4-pack |
| Regular home potter | 4–6 | 6–10 | ElaraBerry 6-pack plus a 4-pack |
| Mugs in batches | 6+ | One system plus round bats | Penguin or LEOLIO bat system |
| Shared wheel or class | Varies | 6+ per wheel | ElaraBerry 6-pack |
Bat systems stretch further because the inserts are small and cheap to multiply: one outer bat stays on the wheel while the inserts with pots move to a shelf. Round bats are still the better choice for plates, platters and wide bowls that would overhang a 7-inch insert.
Label your bats with a marker on the underside if you share a studio, and keep a couple aside for trimming plates upside down.
Which bats for beginners, tabletop wheels and small spaces?
- Total beginners: a 4-pack of 12-inch bats with pins (LEOLIO or Funtery) covers your first months. Start in the beginners hub.
- Tabletop and mini wheels: check the wheel head size. Some small wheels have 9.8–11 inch heads, and some brands sell their own bats only. See best tabletop pottery wheels.
- Apartments: bat systems with square inserts dry and store in less space. More ideas in the small space hub.
- Plates and wide bowls: a full-size round bat, not a system insert.
- Own wheel brand? U.S. Art Supply's 11-inch plastic bats are designed only for its PW-101 wheel.
U.S. Art Supply 11" Plastic Pottery Wheel Bats, 2-Pack
- Size
- 11" round
- Count
- 2
- Thickness
- 3/8"
Best for Owners of the U.S. Art Supply wheel
PandaHall 12" Bat System with 6 x 7" MDF Inserts
- Outer bat
- 12" (30cm) round
- Inserts
- 6pcs 7" (18cm) MDF
- Bat pins
- 304 stainless steel
Best for Batch throwing on a budget
PandaHall also sells a 12-inch outer bat with six 7-inch MDF inserts and 304 stainless pins, another option in the bat-system style.
Wheel bat mistakes to avoid
- Buying before measuring pin spacing. A bat that does not match your pins will not sit flat.
- Soaking wood-fiber bats. Even coated HDF can swell if it sits in water.
- Lifting without wiring under. Pots crack when the bat flexes and the base sticks.
- Ignoring a rocking bat. A wobble makes centering harder; use a batmate or replace the bat.
- Trusting conflicting listings. Speedball's Medex listing gives two sizes; check before ordering.
We compare manufacturer specs and listing data (power, capacity, size, voltage, temperature or cone rating, firing range, what is included) and what the maker says each product is for. We did not throw on, fire or lab-test these products, and we never show invented scores, ratings or prices.