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Weight & portability

The first thing to consider is movement within your space.

At 45kg, the Whisper-T is a solid two-person lift. Once in place, it feels incredibly stable — ideal if you’re making larger pieces or don’t plan to move your wheel often.

The RK-55 weighs 23kg, making it much easier to reposition around the home. If your setup shifts throughout the day, or you live alone, this can be a big advantage.

Comfort & adjustability

The Whisper-T offers five adjustable leg settings and can even be set up as a tabletop wheel. This makes it ideal if you’re tall, petite, or simply want to fine-tune your throwing posture.

The RK-55 has a fixed height (generally comfortable for potters around 140–180cm), but it doesn’t adjust. If long throwing sessions are part of your plan, the Whisper-T gives you more flexibility.

Noise levels

Both wheels run smoothly and quietly — but the Whisper-T truly lives up to its name at just 30dB.

It’s quiet enough to throw while watching tutorials, listening to an audiobook, or with your dog curled up nearby.

The RK-55 is still quiet, but has a gentle hum in comparison.

Clay capacity

If you’re mainly throwing mugs, bowls and smaller pieces, the RK-55 is perfect.

If you’d like the option of working with larger amounts of clay, the Whisper-T offers greater stability and comfortably handles heavier loads.

Practical considerations

The Whisper-T’s removable side wings make it easier to fit into tighter spaces or teach from the opposite side.

The RK-55 has a fixed worktable, offering more tool space but taking up slightly more room.

Power draw is also worth noting:
The Whisper-T uses 5A, so it’s best not to share its circuit with other appliances.
The RK-55 draws just 0.5A, making it more forgiving in shared spaces.