Tabletop wheels have become genuinely capable for small work, and they are limited in two predictable ways: how much clay they will centre, and how much they weigh. Both are worth understanding before buying rather than after the first attempt at a large bowl.
What they will actually throw
Small bowls, mugs, cups, test forms and jewellery components, in the region of one to two kilograms of clay depending on the machine. That covers a great deal of useful pottery. It does not cover platters, large vases or anything that starts with a heavy centred lump, and no technique compensates for a motor that stalls.
Weight is the hidden limitation
A light wheel moves under the sideways force of centring, which makes centring harder and can turn the machine into a wrestling match. Clamping it to a solid bench or standing it on something heavy solves most of it, and doing that is not optional on the lightest models. A tabletop wheel on a folding table is a poor combination.
Where they suit best
Flats and small houses with nowhere for a studio wheel, classrooms where several machines are needed, and anyone testing whether they enjoy throwing before committing to a large purchase. They are also easy to store, which is the practical reason many people keep using them long after they could justify something larger.
What to check before buying
The stated centring capacity, whether it can be clamped or bolted down, the head diameter and whether bats are available for it. A tabletop wheel with no bat system means removing every pot by hand, which limits what survives the process.
Questions people ask about pottery wheel
How much clay will a tabletop wheel centre?
Typically one to two kilograms depending on the model, which covers mugs, cups and small bowls.
Do they move while you throw?
The lightest do, unless clamped or set on something heavy. That is the main practical limitation rather than the motor.
Can I use bats on a mini wheel?
On some. Check before buying, because removing every pot by hand limits what survives.