Best Power Lathes of 2025

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Power lathes are versatile tools used in woodworking and metalworking. They are designed to shape, cut, and sand materials with precision and speed. With their powerful motors and adjustable speeds, power lathes can handle a range of projects, from creating intricate details on furniture to turning metal parts for machinery. Many models come with a variety of accessories, such as chucks, tool rests, and faceplates, to enhance their functionality. Power lathes are ideal for both hobbyists and professionals looking to achieve high-quality results in their work.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Power Lathes
WEN LA3421 Mini Benchtop Wood Lathe
The WEN Mini Wood Lathe is a versatile and compact lathe that is perfect for turning pens, bowls, cups, chess pieces, and other small workpieces. With its 8-inch swing over the bed and a 13-inch distance between centers, it provides ample space for your projects. The soft-start 3.2-amp motor ensures a gradual start to prevent damage and maximize safety. The variable speed feature allows you to adjust the speed anywhere from 750 to 3200 RPM, giving you full control over your turning projects. This lathe comes with a 2.3-inch face plate, an MT1 spindle and tailstock taper, two interchangeable tool rests, and a two-year warranty. Experience the convenience and precision of the WEN Mini Wood Lathe for all your woodworking needs.
JET JWL-1221VS 12" x 21" Wood Lathe
The JET JWL-1221VS Wood Lathe features a patent-pending ratchet-style belt tension system, three speed ranges that can be easily adjusted with digital readout, and convenient controls. It also includes a tool storage caddy on each end of the machine, a removable safety key, and smooth directional control. Recommended circuit size is 10 Amps, and it falls under the category of Power Metal Lathes.
VEVOR Mini Metal Lathe, 7"x14"
VEVOR Mini Metal Lathe is a precision machine ideal for professionals. Its high-precision 3-jaw chuck handles square and round objects with ease, making it perfect for accurate tasks like threading. With a 550W motor, it can manage small to medium projects effectively. The metal gear design ensures durability, while features like automatic power-off protection and an LED lamp enhance safety and visibility. You can control the rotational speed from 50 to 2500rpm with the digital display, giving you complete command over your work.
Vevor Wood Lathe 14" x 40"
The Vevor Wood Lathe 1/2HP is a powerful tool for wood turning. With a 1/2 Horse Power Motor, it starts softly for safety and low noise. The 4 Grade Speeds allow you to work with ease and accuracy at different RPMs. Its Large Work Capacity, with a 40" distance between centers and a cutting diameter of 14", offers high concentricity and adjustability. The Solid Steel Construction provides durability, strength, stability, and smooth operation, reducing vibration. This lathe comes with wrenches and 3 chisels for easy maintenance and various cutting needs.
VEVOR Benchtop Wood Lathe
VEVOR Wood Lathe is a professional DIY tool with a sturdy and stable design, powered by a high-frequency motor offering 5 adjustable speeds. The high-quality materials minimize vibrations for precise operations. The powerful motor enables high-speed cutting and planing, improving work efficiency. With 5-speed control, you can easily adjust for different cutting requirements, giving you precise control over your woodworking projects. Complete with professional accessories, this wood lathe provides convenience and comprehensive tools for all your DIY needs.
JET JWL-1640EVS Woodworking Lathe
The JET JWL-1640EVS Woodworking Lathe is a versatile and powerful lathe designed for woodworking enthusiasts. With its extended spindle nose and dual headstock spindle bearings, this lathe provides enhanced stability and precision. The improved tailstock quill locking mechanism with an anti-rotation key ensures secure and accurate positioning. The ACME threads on the tailstock allow for smooth and durable movement. The non-marring, positive locking wedge system on the banjo securely holds the tool post in place. The convenient spindle lock latch frees up both hands for easy tool changes. With 36 integrated indexing positions and an enclosed inverter for added protection, this lathe offers exceptional performance and reliability for all your woodworking projects.
WEN 6-Amp 14-Inch by 20-Inch Variable Speed Wood Lathe
The WEN 6-Amp 14-Inch by 20-Inch Variable Speed Wood Lathe is perfect for turning bowls, cups and other workpieces up to 20 inches long and 14 inches wide. With a variable speed range from 250 to 3550 rotations per minute, it can tackle a wide variety of tasks. The lathe is equipped with a 4-inch faceplate, MT2 tailstock and headstock tapers, and a 1"- 8 spindle thread to accommodate different lathe accessories. It also features a 6A motor, MT2 spur center, MT2 live center, 8-inch tool rest, and onboard accessory holder for added convenience.
RIKON VSR MIDI Lathe RIK-70-150VSR
The RIKON MIDI Lathe is equipped with a robust 1HP DC motor, ensuring you have the power needed for various woodturning projects. With electronic variable speed controls, you can easily adjust the lathe's speed to suit your specific tasks, allowing for greater flexibility in your work. The digital RPM readout provides clear visibility of the rotation speed, whether you are working in forward or reverse. Additionally, the pivoting belt cover makes it simple to change belt speeds, saving you time and effort while you focus on your crafting.
WEN Benchtop Metal Lathe ML716
The WEN Metal Lathe ML716 allows you to work with various metals like aluminum, steel, and brass up to 16 inches long or 7 inches in diameter. With dual variable speed ranges from 100 to 2500 RPM in both directions, you can handle your projects efficiently. The threading dial indicator assists in creating 18 screw thread sizes from 12 to 52 TPI. Enjoy manual operation or use the adjustable auto feed for added convenience. This lathe comes equipped with essential features like a 3-jaw chuck and offers a two-year warranty for peace of mind.
GAOMON 14" x 20" Wood Lathe
The GAOMON Wood Lathe is an excellent choice for both professional woodworkers and DIY enthusiasts. Its spacious 20-inch workbench allows you to work comfortably on various projects. The sturdy aluminum alloy base and steel headstock minimize vibrations, providing stability for precise operations. With a powerful 400W motor, you can achieve speeds up to 2600 RPM, enhancing your cutting and planing efficiency. The lathe features four adjustable speeds, giving you the control needed for different cutting tasks, making it easy to tackle projects of any complexity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the types of lathe?
There are several types of lathes, including speed lathes, center lathes, turret lathes, toolroom lathes, bench lathes, automatic lathes, special purpose lathes, and CNC lathes. Each type has its own specific features and applications.
2. What is a good horsepower for a wood lathe?
A good horsepower range for wood lathes is typically between 3/4 HP and 2 HP. Mini wood lathes usually have an output of 3/4 HP, while full-size wood lathes average around 2 HP. The horsepower requirement may vary depending on the size and complexity of the woodturning projects.
3. What is the most common lathe?
The most common type of manual lathe is the engine lathe or center lathe. It is widely used in machine shop applications and can perform various operations such as turning, end face, grooving, knurling, and threading. Engine lathes are versatile and suitable for a range of turning tasks.
4. What is the difference between a CNC lathe and a lathe?
The main difference between a CNC lathe and a conventional lathe is the control mechanism. A CNC lathe is computer-controlled and moves automatically, following instructions from a program. In contrast, a conventional lathe requires manual operation, with the operator controlling all the movements.
5. What type of wood is best for turning on a lathe?
Walnut wood is highly recommended for turning on a lathe. It produces excellent results when turned at speeds between 800 to 1,000 RPM. However, walnut wood can be tough and have challenging end grain, which may require extra care during sanding.
6. What is the easiest wood to turn on a lathe?
Pine and cherry are considered the easiest woods to turn on a lathe, especially for beginners. These softwoods are easy to shape and work with, allowing beginners to learn and practice woodturning techniques effectively. Starting with softwoods like pine and cherry reduces the complexity of turning wood.
During our power lathe research, we found 24 power lathe products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 15,918 customer reviews through our big data system to write the power lathes list. We found that most customers choose power lathes with an average price of $470.63.
The power lathes are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of power lathes, including WEN, Jet, VEVOR, RIKON Power Tools, GAOMON. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Harry Stack owns a small hardware store, his career landed him a depth of knowledge in categories such as tools, equipment, machinery and hardware. In his spare time, he usually repairs furniture, safes and appliances, and he knows how to make simple repairs to plumbing or electrical fixtures. His hobbies also include woodworking and fishing.