There’s nothing quite like settling down to a good crafting session is there? The relaxing work transports you to another land, while the result leaves you with a unique handcrafted item.
Beading is one of those lovely crafts! Capable of making beautiful bracelets, necklaces, or purses, it’s a diverse craft that can be very enjoyable.
Beading looms are a great tool for this craft, providing a surface to work on, keeping all your beads together to avoid the dreaded unravel! Trust me, I’ve been there, and it is not pretty!
But finding a beading loom can be challenging. With so much choice and a wide range of prices, it’s hard to know where to start.
Don’t descend into chaos quite yet, because the hard work has all been done for you!
Read on to see our excellent choice of the best beading loom, our handy buyer’s guide, and FAQ section to answer all your burning last-minute questions make you a savvy beading loom shopper!
Top 5 Best Beading Looms
OUR TOP PICK
Clover’s beading loom is an excellent choice for beginners or serious beading experts!
Sitting at the higher end of the budget, all operational parts are included with this beading loom.
It is praised by customers for its durable construction, meaning it’s going to last.
Clover’s loom is easy to use, and can be adjusted allowing you to make bigger creations should you wish.
By scanning the tags on the packaging you get access to free patterns and an instruction video. Great for beginners after some inspiration and helpful guidance.
For those who prefer a good old hard copy, instructions are also included in your package.
This loom features 2 warp thread spacing options for cylinder or round beads, making it a diverse loom to own. You can also change these out for different beads should you wish, making it diverse.
It even comes pre-assembled, making it even easier to use and get started!
To use simply line up warp threads in the evenly spaced plastic grooves on either end, anchoring them with the included pegs and pulling them taut to make weaving easy.
Customers praised the tension on this loom too, and although some found the instructions could be clearer, it’s a great loom that will stand the test of time!
Pros:
- Durable construction
- Scan tags for additional patterns
- Great for beginners
- Can be used to create longer pieces
- Pre-assembled
Cons:
- On the pricier side
More time to browse? Check out our other great recommendations below…
EDITORS CHOICE
Beadalon offers an affordable loom kit that's great for beginners.
With this beading loom you also get a rod, bag, needle, and threader, all you need to do is bring the beads and you are good to go!
This beading loom is designed to fit in the palm of your hand, providing you with a comfortable grip.
As you use this loom, pulling the warp strings tight, the loom can bend into a U-shape providing easy access to the strings and its comfortable fit in your hand.
Some customers did note to take care when tightening the strings, as the plastic cracks as the loom bends if the strings were too tight, so take care when winding!
The loom comes with pegs on the back to anchor the string, with 45 small grooves for warp threads too.
It's a small loom, measuring 2.75 x 10.5 inches, making it a portable and lightweight loom, great for those wanting to create on the go!
Customers praised how easy it was to use, and its sleek design.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Great for beginners
- Comes with a rod, bag, needle, and threader
- Comfortable grip
- Portable and versatile
Cons:
- Customers found the plastic cracked if the strings were wound too tightly
BEST VALUE
Beadsmith offers an affordable bead loom kit that is easy to use.
Designed for beginners this kit has got you covered! It comes with the bead loom, beads, thread, and needles, all great to get you started.
The beads and thread provided aren’t of the highest quality, but great for those wanting to practice a new technique, or entering the beading world!
The wire-frame loom measures in at 12.5 x 2.5 x 3 inches, a nice size to handle.
To use this loom tie threads to the wooden dowels, small strings to attach the string to. Thread these up over the metal bar using the grooves to hold the string in place.
These can then be anchored on the other side and pulled tight.
Those looking to create longer pieces may need to wind on your warp threads to achieve that.
Described as an entry-level loom, it's great for those on a budget who want to give beads looming a whirl!
Pros:
- Great for beginners
- Affordable
- Easy to use
- Beads and thread included
- Metal frame
Cons:
- Beads and thread not the highest of quality
RUNNER UP
Cousin offers an affordable loom kit, which comes with beads, thread, and needles. Great to get you started!
They also throw in instructions and multiple patterns for you to follow as well. Some customers found that these instructions weren’t the best to follow, so be sure to check out online tutorials for those looking for extra support.
This large bead loom is 8.5 x 5.6 inches and made of durable wood and metal.
To use this beading loom attach the strings to the wooden dowel, thread over the wire bar, placing each string into warp separate grooves.
Anchor the strings and turn the dowel to pull them tight.
This loom is great for larger creations, those wanting to try their hand at bags and purses should check this one out!
Pros:
- Affordable
- Includes beads, thread, and needles
- Pattern guides included
- Durable construction
- Great for larger creations
Cons:
- Some customers found the instructions unhelpful
RUNNER UP
A more expensive beading loom, Rik’s loom is made from high-quality and durable wood.
Designed to leave you with just 2 warp threads at the end of the project, customers enjoyed how easy this loom was to use.
Rik’s loom provides a diverse loom, as it works with any size glass beads great for those wanting to work with lots of different sizes across different pieces.
In this kit, you get your beading loom, 3 warp rods, 3 warp pegs, and a warp separator card.
To use this loom, you will first need to install the warp rods, using 2 and keeping 1 as a spare, always handy to have!
You can then adjust the length for your chosen project by loosening the tailstock adjustment wingnuts and sliding the tailstock in or out to the desired position.
Using a ruler, lay the warp rods and measure from outside of each warp rod, turning the wingnut until the tailstock is positioned. Be sure to tighten the wingnuts until snug to keep the tailstock in place.
Next, you will need to attach the warp thread to a warp peg and insert it into the second from the left hole in the headstock.
To warp the loom and get it ready to be used, pass the thread over the headstock warp rod and around the tailstock rod. This will create the first warp.
For the second, pass the thread back under and around the headstock warp and over the tailstock for your third warp. Continue to do this until you have as many as you need for your piece.
Once done attach the end of the thread to another warm peg and insert it into a hole below keeping tension in the warps, this can be done by turning the peg.
Customers enjoyed how evenly spaced the beads were and the excellent tension levels it provided.
Designed to reduce the time finishing work, this is a great loom for those with a bigger budget and looking to save themselves some time!
Pros:
- Reduces time finishing your piece
- Strong wooden design
- Evenly spaced beads
- Well tensioned
- 3 warp rods, 3 warp pegs, and warp separator card included
Cons:
- Expensive
Best Beading Loom Buying Guide
Not sure what to look out for?
Use our buyer’s guide to assess your needs and get your beads loomed!
Why a Beading Loom?
Now I hear you, why do I need to spend money on a beading loom? Especially when I can bead by hand? I too was a loom skeptic, unsure if I needed to take the plunge, so let's look at some factors that may sway your decision.
A beading loom will save you time, as you can bead faster and quicker than simply by hand. You can pick the beads for a whole row and stitch them at once rather than individually!
It’s a handy tool that will allow you to create your designs, and with lots of options to choose from, you are sure to find one that suits your beading needs!
Fixed or Adjustable?
When looking at beading looms you will have noticed I’m sure that they are either described as fixed or adjustable looms.
While the choice is entirely personal, there are some factors to consider when deciding which one to go for.
Adjustable
An adjustable loom will allow you to create pieces that are ranging in length. Often this is done by winding extra onto the warp threads, or the loom itself may be adjustable as you will have seen from some of our excellent recommendations!
This gives you the freedom to create pieces of varied length and may be a better option for those after a long-term loom, as an adjustable loom will save you money in the long run as it should create all the beaded pieces you desire!
Fixed
A fixed beading loom will not be adjustable. It will clearly say the length and you will not be able to create longer pieces with it.
This should not be a problem if the length suits your looming needs, so be sure to check the dimensions if this is your preferred choice. While there is less flexibility with a fixed beading loom, those looking to create specific pieces only may find this a more suitable choice for themselves.
Added extras?
While you may find a beading loom well within your price range, the next task can often be wondering how much more money are you likely to spend?
Those beginners should opt for a loom kit, like some of the great ones we have mentioned, as they will also come with beads, thread, and needles so you can get started straight away.
More seasoned beaders may already have their beads and threads ready to go and thanks to how diverse these looms are you don't need to worry about compatibility issues!
There are some added extras you may need to complete your kit, such as scissors, thread cutters, and zappers to help with the length of your threads.
Crimp ends, covers, and cord ends are also handy tools to add to your collection.
Perhaps the most important, are clasps to help secure your jewelry. These can be purchased in a range of sizes to suit your bracelets or necklaces, so be sure to check the dimensions before you make your purchase!
Price
You don’t need to break the bank to get a good quality beading loom these days!
Be sure to set a clear budget before you begin your hunt and check that the beading loom has everything you will need before making the purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last-minute questions?
Read our FAQ below to make sure you have all the knowledge to go forth and buy the best beading loom!
What is a beading loom?
A beading loom is a tool used to weave beads together. Generally, they are all made with the same basic design where weaving is done by inserting weft (side to side) threads over and under stationary warp (up and down) threads.
The tension holds these warp threads in place while your weft threads hold the beads and are woven between the warp threads.
The length and width of the piece you create are determined by the length and number of your warp threads.
A handy and quick way to weave your beads the loom can save you time and help you create some beautiful pieces.
How do I use the beading loom?
Your beading loom should come with instructions on how to use this, so be sure to read those before starting, especially if this is your first time.
They are very easy to use these days and it shouldn’t take too long to get into the swing of things.
What can I make with my bead loom?
With a beading loom, the possibilities are endless. You can make your usual jewelry, bracelets, and necklaces, as well as larger creations.
Look out for adjustable or larger looms if you are looking to make beaded purses or bags, go crazy, why not!
How do you finish a bracelet?
This can be daunting, especially if you are new to loom beading as you don’t want to watch all your hard work unravel!
One of the easiest ways to do this is to weave your thread in and out of the warp thread after your final row of beads as if you are doing a tapestry.
Do this up to 1cm and then you can backstitch and tie the thread off. Be sure to add a layer of glue over the woven area and leave it overnight to set.
You can trim this off and add a clasp then to secure and fasten your bracelet.
Or, you can weave the warp threads back through your beadwork, tying them here and there as you go.
Before you cut the thread be sure to weave the ends back in for a clean edge ready for your clasp to be attached.
Be sure to check the instructions your loom comes with, or look for some handy tutorials online that can walk you through the process.