Weaving is becoming increasingly popular—and rightly so! It's creative, calming, and offers endless possibilities. But before you start weaving, there's an important question: Which loom is right for me? Or should I opt for a loom ?
To help you decide, we've compiled a list of the best weaving looms for adults, suitable for both beginners and advanced weavers.
If you are looking for a reliable and high-quality loom, we recommend you take a look at our page – Berliner Looms .
Checklist for buying a loom
Before we get to our top 5, there are a few things you should consider when buying:
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Loom size: The larger the frame, the more elaborate and wider your projects can be. But beware: Beginners shouldn't necessarily go beyond 80 cm in width, as larger looms are more physically demanding and less ergonomic. This can quickly dampen the fun of weaving.
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Frame material and color: Looms are made from various woods, such as silver beech (Ashford), birch (Glimakra), or alder (Kromski). Some frames, like the Kromski Presto , also offer modern color alternatives like mint or pink. High-quality materials ensure durability and comfort while weaving. Unvarnished looms can be finished with polishing wax from Ashford , for example.
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Yarn count: The count of the weave depends on the number of slots in the loom comb. More slots mean a finer weave. Many looms offer the option of using different weaving combs to process different yarn counts. Most looms come standard with 30/10 or 40/10 weaving combs. A detailed article on this topic can be found here: Weaving Combs
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Included accessories: Some looms come with useful accessories such as shuttles, table clamps, or double loom holders. Look for models that already include everything you need to get started. The looms on our website, Berliner Webstühle, all come fully equipped; all that's missing is the yarn.
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Ease of use: If you're a beginner, choose a loom that's especially beginner-friendly. Models like the Ashford Knitters Loom come pre-assembled and ready to use.
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Budget & Delivery Time: Prices vary depending on size, material, and accessories. Set a budget that matches your skill level and needs and choose a frame that optimally fits it. Also consider delivery times—some models may have longer delivery times due to their popularity.
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Expandability: Some looms can be expanded with additional accessories, which is useful as your needs grow. Ashford and Glimakra looms, in particular, offer a variety of upgrades, from additional combs to improved cloth beams.
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Mobility and storage: If you want to transport your loom or store it in a space-saving manner, look for foldable or compact models. These make transport and storage much easier.
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Workspace and ergonomics: The loom should fit well into your workspace to ensure comfortable and ergonomic work. Ensure the correct sitting position and sufficient space around the loom. If you don't have a suitable table, a loom stand can be a worthwhile investment.
The 5 best weaving looms for adults
5th place: Glimåkra Emilia loom
The Emilia loom is a classic from the Swedish manufacturer Glimåkra, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026. Crafted from Swedish birch wood and finished with high-quality metal ratchet wheels, the loom offers a great combination of robustness and elegance.
For anyone looking for a lightweight yet sturdy, European-made loom, this loom is an excellent choice. With its folding design and a weaving width of 35 cm or 50 cm, it offers plenty of flexibility for a variety of projects.
Thanks to its high-quality workmanship and the ability to expand the frame with the full range of Glimåkra accessories, the Emilia is suitable for both beginners and experienced weavers. Those who need a weaving width of more than 50 cm will find another option in the Glimåkra Susanna loom, which offers a weaving width of 70 cm and a similar design.
Why is the Emilia loom only in fifth place? We love Glimåkra's products, but we feel the (English) assembly instructions and accompanying materials are no longer up to date.
4th place: Ashford Knitters Loom
The Ashford Knitters Loom is a compact and user-friendly weaving frame, perfect for beginners. Pre-assembled and ready to use, it is available in 30 cm, 50 cm, or 70 cm widths. Conveniently, it can be easily folded and transported, even when strung. Ideal for smaller projects like scarves or shawls. A carrying bag is also included, emphasizing the loom's portable nature.
3rd place: Kromski Presto
The Presto loom is the perfect choice for creative minds who want to combine modern style with functionality. Manufactured by the traditional Polish company Kromski, known not only for its looms but also for its spinning wheels, the Presto brings a breath of fresh air to the weaving world.
What sets the Presto weaving loom apart is its unique color selection—it's currently the only weaving loom on the market that boldly experiments with new color variations. In addition to the classic natural finish, the loom is available in modern colors like mint or pink. We're excited about this move by the manufacturer, as we see that the fresh colors are particularly popular with a younger audience.
The Presto is available in weaving widths of 25 cm and 40 cm. Made of lightweight yet sturdy alder wood, it's particularly portable and easy to store. It fits easily into a city apartment, for example. It's ideal for smaller projects.
PS: With every Presto loom, we include a skein of hand-dyed yarn and instructions for your first scarf project – perfect for beginners or as a gift!
2nd place: Kromski Harp Forte Loom
The Harfe Forte loom from the manufacturer Kromski was in a head-to-head race with the Rigid Heddle loom from Ashford in our team and ultimately came out on top.
This loom, made of alder wood, is available in the four most popular weaving widths: 20 cm, 40 cm, 60 cm, and up to 80 cm. Kromski's focus on aesthetics is typical – in addition to the classic natural finish, the frame is also available in a sophisticated "walnut" finish.
The details are impressive: The workmanship is high-quality, and the ratchet wheels, knobs, and screws are made of metal or wood. The frame is also easy to fold and transport. Another advantage over the Rigid Heddle is that the warping pins for the warping frame are included on the back and do not need to be ordered separately.
However, the wood of the harp (alder) is lighter and appears less stable than the silver beech of the Ashford models. Here, more emphasis was placed on aesthetics. A weaver friend once even exaggeratedly said that the harp was more of a 'decorative piece of furniture.'
1st place: Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom
The Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom is one of the most well-known and best-selling looms in the world. At least in our product range, there is no other model that is more frequently chosen by customers.
New Zealand manufacturer Ashford crafts its flagship loom from high-quality silver beech and offers it in weaving widths of 40 cm, 60 cm, 80 cm, and an impressive 120 cm. A special feature is the ability to warp your own warp on the back using separate warping pins. Buyers also benefit from Ashford's extensive range of accessories, easy-to-follow assembly instructions, and a wealth of accompanying materials—albeit mostly in English—as well as the wealth of helpful information available online.
Our only criticism, as with the Knitters Loom, concerns the plastic knobs and ratchet wheels. It's clear that Ashford produces its products in large quantities, which is why the artisanal craftsmanship is somewhat lost here. Nevertheless, the overall package of this loom is the most impressive, which puts it at number 1 on our list.
Conclusion
Choosing the right weaving loom depends on many factors, such as the size of your projects, the space available, and your budget. Whether you're looking for a compact, portable loom for on the go or a sturdy, expandable loom for more complex projects, you're sure to find the right model for your needs in our top 5 list. With a good loom, nothing will stand in the way of your creative journey!
On our Berlin Weaving Machines page, you'll find a variety of high-quality looms and frames. It's worth a look!
PS: With the voucher code 4N592JSM3TPG you get 5% discount in 2025 on all items in our range.