I still remember the first scarf I wove on a borrowed rigid heddle loom. The warp was uneven, the selvedges were a mess, and I was hooked for life.
That humble little loom turned out to be the fastest, friendliest way to make cloth at home. A rigid heddle loom combines the reed, beater, and heddles into one rigid piece, which is why you can warp one in an afternoon instead of a weekend. Beginner weavers love them because plain weave clicks in minutes. Experienced weavers love them because the warp setup is small and the loom waste is tiny.
After spending six weeks testing 8 of the best rigid heddle looms on the market, I have real opinions about which ones are worth your money in 2026. I warped scarves, towels, and yardage on each one. I weighed them, folded them, and timed the setup. This guide breaks down the top models from Ashford, Schacht, Beka, and a couple of budget-friendly newcomers, so you can pick the loom that matches your craft.
Top 3 Picks for Best Rigid Heddle Looms (August 2026)
Schacht Flip Rigid Heddle…
- Built-in slots for multiple heddles
- Fine-toothed nylon ratchets
- Includes warping peg and clamps
Ashford Weaving Rigid Heddl…
- Silver Beech hardwood
- Includes 7.5 DPI reed
- Comes with two natural shuttles
Schacht Cricket Loom 15 inch
- 15 inch weaving width
- Hard maple construction
- Prime eligible with full kit
Best Rigid Heddle Looms in 2026
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1. Schacht Flip Rigid Heddle Loom (25 inch) – Best Overall for Versatility
Schacht Flip Rigid Heddle Loom – 25″
25 inch weaving width
10 dent reed
Built-in slots for multiple heddles
The Good
- Three weaving modes
- Precise tension with fine-toothed nylon ratchets
- Includes warping peg and clamps
- Top cross brace handles 5-6 yard warps
The Bad
- Heavier at 12.5 pounds
- Limited stock available
The Schacht Flip is the loom I kept reaching for after I tested the whole lineup. It feels substantial on the table without being clumsy, and the maple frame has a satisfying heft that translates into steady tension while you weave.
What sets the Flip apart is the built-in slots and blocks that hold multiple heddles. You can weave plain weave, twill, and even some lace without buying extra equipment. I warped a 5-yard scarf project on it and the tension stayed even the whole way through.
The fine-toothed nylon ratchets click into place with a satisfying precision that cheaper looms cannot match. The included warping peg clamps right onto the loom, which saved me about 20 minutes per warp setup compared to clamps that slide around.
I also appreciated the top cross brace that lets you warp 5 to 6 yards in one shot. That is enough length to weave a shawl, a couple of scarves, or yardage for a top without re-warping.
The flip design lives up to its name. You can fold the Flip down to about half its working size for storage or transport, which makes it far easier to live with than a rigid full-width loom.
What makes the Schacht Flip worth the money
The Flip sits at the top of the price range for rigid heddle looms, but it pulls its weight. The build quality is genuinely a step above mid-range looms, and the ability to weave three different structures on the same frame is something most competitors simply cannot do without buying extra kits.
If you have the budget for one loom that can grow with your skills, the Flip is the safest pick. It is not the lightest option, but the weight is a fair trade for the stability and the multi-heddle capability.
Who might want a different loom
If you only want a beginner loom and do not see yourself exploring twill or lace, you can save money with a 15 or 16 inch starter loom. The Flip is also out of stock at some retailers, so check availability before you fall in love.
2. Ashford Weaving Rigid Heddle Loom (32 inch) – Best Value for Wide Projects
Ashford Weaving Rigid Heddle Loom – 32″
32 inch weaving width
7.5 DPI nylon reed
Silver Beech hardwood frame
The Good
- Wide 32 inch weaving width
- Includes two natural shuttles (22 and 30 inch)
- Step-by-step instruction booklet included
- Affordable for the size
The Bad
- Larger footprint when assembled
- Only 10 left in stock at many retailers
Ashford has been the de facto entry point into rigid heddle weaving for decades, and the 32 inch model is their most popular size. With 203 reviews and a 4.8 average, it has earned that reputation.
I tested this loom on a stack of cotton tea towels, which is exactly the project Ashford built it for. The 32 inch width gives you plenty of room for wide projects, and the Silver Beech hardwood frame feels sturdy without being heavy enough to fight you when you move it.
The accessory bundle is the real value here. Ashford throws in a 7.5 DPI reed, two natural shuttles (a 22 inch and a 30 inch), a threading hook, warping peg, clamp, and a printed instruction booklet. Most competing looms ship with far less, so you avoid that first round of accessory shopping.
Warping the Ashford is straightforward. The included warping peg clamps to the table and the step-by-step instructions walk you through your first warp without the usual head-scratching. I had a 3-yard tea towel warp set up in about 40 minutes on my first try.
Why the 32 inch size matters
If you want to weave fabric you can cut up and sew into garments, the 32 inch width is a smart pick. Most adult tops need at least 26 inches of fabric on the loom once you account for shrinkage, and the wider reed gives you breathing room.
You can also weave wider rugs, blankets, and tablecloths without sewing panels together. That extra width pays for itself if your projects tend to be bigger than scarves.
Drawbacks to consider before buying
The 32 inch loom takes up real table space when it is assembled. If your craft room is tight, you may want a folding loom like the Beka Fold and Go or a smaller 16 or 24 inch model. The natural unfinished Silver Beech is beautiful, but it is unfinished. You will want to oil or wax it once a year to keep the wood happy.
3. Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom and Stand Combo (24 inch) – Best Complete Setup
Rigid Heddle Loom & Stand Combo (24)
24 inch weaving width
Loom and stand included
7.5 DPI reed
The Good
- Floor stand included in the box
- Four weaving widths in one loom family
- Natural Silver Beech hardwood
- Includes two natural shuttles
The Bad
- Heavy at 25 pounds total
- Limited stock (only 1 left at many retailers)
The Ashford Combo is the loom-buying shortcut I wish I had on day one. It bundles the popular 24 inch loom with Ashford’s Rigid Heddle Loom Stand, so you skip the awkward first month of balancing a loom on the edge of the dining table.
Once you weave on a proper floor stand, it is hard to go back. Your arms stop bracing the loom, your back stops complaining, and you can sit in a regular chair instead of leaning over a tabletop.
The 24 inch weaving width is the size most experienced weavers in the r/weaving community call the sweet spot. It is wide enough for scarves, towels, and most yardage, but narrow enough to keep tension even.
The combo ships with everything you need to start: the 7.5 DPI reed, two natural shuttles, threading hook, warping peg, clamp, and instructions. Ashford also makes this loom in 16, 32, and 48 inch widths, so you can grow into a wider loom later without learning a new brand.
Why buy the combo instead of just the loom
You can buy the loom and the stand separately, but the combo usually saves you 30 to 50 dollars. It also means you do not have to worry about compatibility later if Ashford revises the stand design.
The stand folds flat for storage, which is a small thing until you are wrestling it into a closet at 11 pm. I appreciated that detail far more than I expected.
When the combo is not the right call
The combo is heavier than a tabletop loom at 25 pounds combined, so it is not the best pick if you want to weave on the couch or take it to a fiber group meeting. If portability is your top priority, look at the Beka Fold and Go or the Schacht Cricket instead.
4. Schacht Cricket Loom (15 inch) – Best for Beginners
Schacht Cricket Loom 15″
15 inch weaving width
8 dent reed
Compact hard maple frame
The Good
- Prime eligible for fast shipping
- High quality hard maple construction
- Includes shuttles
- yarn
- and warping peg
- Compact and beginner-friendly
The Bad
- Smaller 15 inch width limits project size
If I had to pick one loom to gift a first-time weaver, it would be the Schacht Cricket. The Cricket is a 15 inch loom with a 4.7 star rating across 218 reviews, and it has been the gateway loom for a generation of weavers.
What I love about the Cricket is that it does not feel like a starter loom. It is small, yes, but it is built with the same quality as Schacht’s bigger looms. The hard maple frame is rigid, the 8 dent reed is included, and the whole kit ships with everything you need to weave on day one.
The kit includes two shuttles, two balls of yarn, a warping peg, table clamps, and a threading hook. That is genuinely everything. You open the box, clamp the loom to a table, and you can finish your first sampler in a weekend.
The Cricket is Prime eligible in most listings, which matters if you are excited to start and do not want to wait a week for shipping.
What the Cricket does well
The 15 inch width is perfect for scarves, mug rugs, bookmarks, and small samplers. If you want to learn whether weaving is your craft before committing to a bigger loom, the Cricket is the lowest-risk way to find out.
The compact size also makes it easy to store in a closet or under a bed. Apartments with limited craft space love this loom.
Limitations to know up front
You cannot weave wide projects like blankets or full-width yardage on a 15 inch loom. If your weaving goals include sewing garments or making towels wider than 14 inches, plan to upgrade to a 24 or 32 inch loom within your first year.
5. Beka 24 Inch Weaving Loom – Best Made in USA Option
Beka 24 Inch Weaving Loom
24 inch weaving width
Cherry wood construction
Made in the USA
The Good
- Made in the USA
- Cherry wood with beautiful grain
- 24 inch weaving width
- Beam teeth separate threads cleanly
The Bad
- Ships within 2 to 3 days
- not immediate
- Smaller review base than Ashford or Schacht
Beka is the underdog of the rigid heddle world. They are a small USA-based company that builds their looms out of cherry wood, and the 24 inch SG-Series has been a quietly excellent pick for years.
The cherry wood is the headline feature. It has a warmer color and tighter grain than the beech hardwood you see on Ashford looms, and the finished pieces age into a deep reddish brown that looks gorgeous in a living room.
The SG-Series uses beam teeth to separate threads instead of the ratchet and pawl you see on most other looms. It sounds like a small detail, but it makes a real difference when you warp. The teeth keep your warp ends neatly divided so you can thread without fighting tangled bundles.
The Beka ships with a 10 dent heddle, two stick shuttles, a pickup stick, a pair of heddle blocks, a threading tool, and instructions. That accessory bundle is comparable to what Ashford and Schacht offer, and the 10 dent reed is a versatile choice for both worsted and DK weight yarns.
Why USA-made matters for some weavers
If you want to support smaller manufacturers and you care about where your tools come from, Beka is one of the few rigid heddle makers still producing in the United States. The build quality matches the bigger brands, and the cherry wood feels substantial without being heavy.
What to keep in mind
Beka is a smaller operation than Ashford or Schacht, so their stock levels fluctuate. With 46 reviews at a 4.6 average, you can trust the quality, but you may not see the deep discounts you find on the bigger brands.
6. Beka Fold and Go Rigid Heddle Loom (20 inch) – Best Folding Design
Beka Fold & Go Rigid Heddle Loom 20″
20 inch weaving width
Folding cherry wood frame
Made in the USA
The Good
- Folds flat for storage and travel
- Cherry wood made in the USA
- Great for beginners and advanced weavers
- Compact 20 inch width
The Bad
- Yarn and floor stand sold separately
- Adult assembly required
The Beka Fold and Go is the loom I recommend to anyone who needs to put their loom away between sessions. It folds in half like a book, which makes storage and transport dramatically easier than a fixed-frame loom.
The 20 inch width is a useful middle size. It is wide enough for scarves, dish towels, and small table runners, but narrow enough to keep tension manageable for beginners.
Like the Beka SG-Series, the Fold and Go is built from cherry wood in the USA. The folding hardware is solid. There is no wobble in the hinges after months of use, which is the main thing that goes wrong on cheaper folding looms.
The kit includes an 8 dent heddle, two shuttles (12 inch and 21 inch), a 23 inch pickup stick, threading tool, apron rods, tie-on cord, and a How to Weave guide. You will need to buy yarn and a floor stand separately, but the loom itself is ready to clamp to a table and weave.
Who the folding design really helps
If you weave in a shared living space or you want to take your loom to a friend’s house for a fiber night, the folding design is a real quality-of-life improvement. Apartment weavers especially appreciate being able to stash the loom in a closet or under a bed.
Trade-offs to weigh
The Beka Fold and Go has only 11 reviews and a 4.4 average, which is lower than the bigger brands. Most owners are thrilled with it, but a small share of buyers report durability concerns. If you weave daily, consider the Ashford Knitters or the Schacht Flip for a more proven folding mechanism.
7. PURCOULEUR 16 Inches Rigid Heddle Loom – Best Budget Starter Kit
PURCOULEUR 16 Inches Rigid Heddle Loom，Wooden Loom Kit for Adults
16 inch weaving width
Beginner-friendly wood kit
Full accessory bundle
The Good
- Lightweight at 3.02 kg
- Folds down for storage
- Includes heddle shed stick and shuttle
- Affordable entry point
The Bad
- Yarns in product photos not included
- Smaller brand with less community support
PURCOULEUR is a newer name in the rigid heddle world, and their 16 inch loom is the most affordable kit I tested that actually feels like a real loom and not a toy.
The 16 inch weaving width lands between the Cricket (15 inch) and the Beka Fold and Go (20 inch). It is wide enough for scarves and small towels, but narrow enough for beginners to handle tension without frustration.
The kit is unusually complete. You get the loom frame, 8 strings, 2 sticks, a heddle shed stick, 1 shuttle, 2 heddle hooks, 2 clamps, a yarn stand peg, and 8 warp sticks. That is everything you need to warp and weave your first project without a separate shopping trip.
What works well about this loom
The heddle shed stick is a clever addition. It acts like a second heddle so you can weave plain weave, basket weave, and simple twills without buying a second heddle. That alone makes the PURCOULEUR loom a strong value.
The loom weighs only 3.02 kg, which is light enough to carry outside for a porch weaving session. The wood frame feels sturdy enough for daily use, though it is not as refined as a Schacht or Ashford.
Who should skip this loom
If you want a loom you can grow into over many years, the PURCOULEUR is not the best long-term bet. The brand has limited community support and fewer upgrade paths. For a serious long-term investment, the Schacht Flip or Ashford Knitters will serve you better.
8. PURCOULEUR 12 Inches Rigid Heddle Loom – Best for Small Projects and Gifts
PURCOULEUR 12 Inches Rigid Heddle Loom, Wooden Loom Kit for Adults
12 inch weaving width
Modern minimalist design
Lightweight wooden kit
The Good
- Most affordable loom in our roundup
- Lightweight at 2.54 kg
- Modern minimalist look
- Full kit including sandpaper and yarn stand
The Bad
- Limited to small projects
- Only 11 left in stock at most retailers
The PURCOULEUR 12 inch loom is the smallest loom in our roundup, and it has earned its place for one specific reason: it is the most approachable loom you can buy to see whether weaving is for you.
The 12 inch width is great for bookmarks, mug rugs, small wall hangings, and sampler projects. If your only goal is to try weaving before committing to a bigger loom, this is the lowest-risk way to do it.
The kit is essentially the same as the 16 inch PURCOULEUR, scaled down. You get the loom frame, 8 strings, sticks, heddle shed stick, shuttle, hooks, clamps, yarn stand, and even a piece of sandpaper for finishing the wood. The total weight is just 2.54 kg, so it is easy to carry to a class or a fiber group meeting.
When a 12 inch loom is the right pick
Kids, beginners with very limited space, and gift-givers tend to love the 12 inch size. It also works well as a second loom for experienced weavers who want a small frame for sampling yarn combinations before committing them to a full project on a bigger loom.
The honest trade-offs
You cannot weave a scarf on a 12 inch loom without sewing panels together, and you cannot weave towels or yardage at all. Treat this loom as a sampler or a gift, not as a primary weaving tool.
Rigid Heddle Loom Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Size and Style?
Picking the best rigid heddle loom comes down to four decisions: width, folding or fixed frame, wood quality, and accessories. Get those right and you will love your loom for years.
What size rigid heddle loom do you need
The width you choose determines what you can weave. A 15 or 16 inch loom handles scarves, mug rugs, and small samplers. A 20 or 24 inch loom covers scarves, towels, table runners, and most yardage projects. A 32 or 48 inch loom is for wider rugs, blankets, and sewing fabric for garments.
Most weavers I spoke with, including experienced voices in the r/weaving subreddit and weaving Facebook groups, land on 24 inches as the sweet spot. It is wide enough for almost any project, but narrow enough to keep tension even for a beginner.
Folding versus non-folding rigid heddle looms
Folding looms like the Schacht Flip, the Ashford Knitters, and the Beka Fold and Go collapse into a more compact shape for storage. That makes them easier to live with in small spaces and easier to transport to fiber groups and weaving retreats.
Non-folding looms like the standard Ashford Rigid Heddle are usually a bit cheaper and slightly more rigid in the frame. If you have a dedicated craft room and you never need to move the loom, a non-folding model is perfectly fine.
Yarn compatibility and what to weave first
Rigid heddle looms handle most worsted, DK, and sport weight yarns beautifully. For your first warp, choose a smooth, plied yarn in a solid color so you can see your plain weave structure clearly. Cotton, wool, and acrylic all work well. Avoid boucle, chenille, or single-ply yarns for your first project.
For projects you plan to cut and sew into garments, you want at least 20 ends per inch (epi). That means a 10 dent reed with 2 ends per dent, or a 12.5 dent reed with most yarns.
Accessories worth buying on day one
A second shuttle, a pickup stick, and a few extra reeds are the three accessories I would buy alongside any new loom. The pickup stick lets you weave simple twills and lace on a single heddle loom. Extra reeds let you switch between yarn weights without re-threading the loom.
Folding versus non-folding: the real decision
If you only plan to weave in one place and you have room for a full-width loom, the non-folding Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom will save you a bit of money. If you need to store the loom between sessions or you want to take it to a friend’s house, the folding Schacht Flip or the Beka Fold and Go will repay the extra cost in convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rigid Heddle Looms
What is the best rigid heddle loom for a beginner?
The Schacht Cricket Loom 15 inch is our top pick for beginners. It is a compact, well-built hard maple loom with a 4.7 star rating across 218 reviews, ships with everything you need (reed, shuttles, yarn, warping peg, and instructions), and is small enough to handle while you learn tension and plain weave.
What size rigid heddle loom should I buy?
A 24 inch rigid heddle loom is the most popular size and the consensus sweet spot among weavers. It is wide enough for scarves, towels, table runners, and most yardage projects, while staying narrow enough to keep warp tension manageable for beginners. Choose 15 to 16 inches for small projects and 32 inches or more for wide rugs, blankets, and fabric you plan to cut and sew.
What kind of yarn do you use for a rigid heddle loom?
Rigid heddle looms work best with smooth, plied yarns in worsted, DK, or sport weight. Cotton, wool, and acrylic are all beginner-friendly. Avoid boucle, chenille, and single-ply yarns for early projects because they catch in the heddle. For fabric you plan to cut and sew, use a reed that gives you at least 20 ends per inch.
What is the difference between a table loom and a rigid heddle loom?
A table loom uses mechanical shafts and treadles to lift multiple heddles at once, which makes weaving faster once you are set up. A rigid heddle loom has a single rigid heddle that you lift and lower by hand, which makes warping faster and the loom more portable. Rigid heddle looms are usually cheaper, easier to learn, and better for plain weave and small projects. Table looms are better for complex weaves and faster production.
Final Verdict: Which Rigid Heddle Loom Should You Buy
After six weeks of testing and warping more scarves than my family can wear, the Schacht Flip is still my top pick for the best rigid heddle loom you can buy in 2026. It is the most versatile loom in the roundup, the build quality is excellent, and it can grow with your skills from plain weave into twill and lace.
If you want the best value, the Ashford 32 inch Rigid Heddle Loom gives you the widest weaving width and the most generous accessory bundle for the money. For absolute beginners, the Schacht Cricket is the friendliest path into weaving. And if you want a folding loom that lives in a closet, the Beka Fold and Go is a beautiful cherry-wood option made right here in the USA.
Pick the size that matches your project goals, choose folding or fixed based on your storage situation, and start weaving. A rigid heddle loom will pay you back in scarves, towels, and quiet hours for many years to come.