Buying guide
The Clay Pantry
Updated How we research
The right body for every project. The page is split into five sections (Stoneware Staples; Porcelain; Terracotta; Paper Clay; Storing Your Clay), followed by every pick ranked by our score so you can compare them in one place.
The short version
We compared 20 picks. Our scores range from 7.3 to 9.1 out of 10.
- Best overall:50lb Best Mix - BMix - BMX - Mid Fire Cone 6 Pottery Clay - Rocky Mountain Clay. Highest overall score in this guide at 9.1/10.
- Also great value:AMACO Low Fire Terra Cotta 77 Earthenware Clay - Moist - 50 Lbs.. Value score of 9/10, overall 8.8/10.
- Solid build:Frost Porcelain WC437 - Cone 6 - Laguna Clay - 25lbs. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.9/10.
- Feature-rich:Pottery Clay - Mid-Fire Stoneware Cone 6 Speckled Buff - Rocky Mountain Clay (25 Pounds). Features score of 8/10, overall 8.6/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
Stoneware Staples
- 50lb Best Mix - BMix - BMX - Mid Fire Cone 6 Pottery Clay - Rocky Mountain ClayOur score9.1/10
- Pottery Clay - Mid-Fire Stoneware Cone 6 Speckled Buff - Rocky Mountain Clay (25 Pounds)Our score8.6/10
- Old Potters Mid High Fire White Stoneware Clay for Pottery, Cone 6-10, Ideal for Wheel Throwing, Hand Building, Sculpting, 50 lbsOur score8.6/10
- SIO-2 PRAI White High Fire Stoneware Clay, 27.6 lb (Cone 6-10) Natural Modeling Pottery Clay for Wheel Throwing & Hand BuildingOur score8.4/10
Porcelain
- Frost Porcelain WC437 - Cone 6 - Laguna Clay - 25lbsOur score8.9/10
- Frost Porcelain WC437 - Cone 6 - Laguna Clay - 10 lbsOur score8.4/10
- SIO-2 Cellulain High Fire Paper Porcelain Clay, 11 lb (Cone 6-8) Natural Modeling Pottery Clay for Wheel Throwing & Hand BuildingOur score8.4/10
- SIO-2 Aneto White High Fire Porcelain Clay, 3.5 lb (Cone 6-8) Natural Modeling Pottery Clay for Wheel Throwing & Hand BuildingOur score7.6/10
Terracotta
- AMACO Low Fire Terra Cotta 77 Earthenware Clay - Moist - 50 Lbs.Our score8.8/10
- Pottery Clay - 25 lb Terra Cotta Low Fire Cone 06 - Rocky Mountain Clay's Red Rock RedOur score8.6/10
- Deouss 20 lbs Low Fire Pottery Clay - Terra Cotta, Cone 06 Earthenware Throwing Clay for Wheel Throwing, Hand Building, FiringOur score8.4/10
- SIO-2 PT Terracotta Low Fire Pottery Clay, 4 lb (Cone 05.5-04) Natural Modeling Clay for Wheel Throwing & Hand BuildingOur score7.6/10
Paper Clay
- Creative Paperclay for Modeling Compound, 16-Ounce, WhiteOur score8.1/10
- Padico La Doll Satin Smooth Clay, White, Air Dry Natural Stone Clay, 1.1lb (500g) - Specialty Clay for Doll Making, Sculpting & CarvingOur score8.1/10
- Padico La Doll Premier, White, Air Dry Lightweight Stone Clay, 10.58 oz (300g) - Specialty Clay for Fine Details, Miniature Charms & FiguresOur score7.8/10
- Creative Paperclay, 8 Ounces, WhiteOur score7.3/10
Storing Your Clay
- 5 Gallon White Bucket & Gamma Seal Lid - Food Grade Plastic Pail & Gamma2 Screw Seal Tight Lid (Red)Our score8.4/10
- ePackageSupply 5 Gallon Food Grade Bucket with Airtight Gasketed Tear Strip Lid, 90 Mil HDPE, WhiteOur score8.2/10
- 5 Gallon Bucket with Airtight Lid - Blue, Food Grade BPA-Free HDPE Pail with Gasket Seal and Metal HandleOur score7.8/10
- Food Safe 304 Stainless Steel 5 Gallon (20L) Container Bucket with Clamps and Air-Tight Lid with Silicone GasketOur score7.5/10
All 20 picks, ranked by our score
Every product from the sections above, listed once. Sort by the criterion you care about most, or tick up to three to compare.
#1Rocky Mountain Clay's 50lb B-Mix mid fire Cone 6 pottery clay, a smooth, popular stoneware for wheel throwing.
Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 9/10
- + B-Mix is a smooth, plastic clay loved for learning to throw
- + Mid fire Cone 6 matches the most common home and studio kiln firings
- + 50lb box is economical for regular potters and classes
- - Heavy 50lb box has high shipping weight and needs storage space
- - Needs a kiln, so it is not usable for air-dry projects
#2Laguna Clay's Frost Porcelain WC437, Cone 6, in a 25lbs box for translucent, pure white porcelain work.
Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Frost is known for very white, translucent results when thrown thin
- + Laguna Clay is a major US clay maker with consistent batches
- + 25lbs box is enough for a real porcelain series, not just a test
- - Frost is demanding to throw and can crack if dried unevenly
- - Premium porcelain costs noticeably more than stoneware
#3AMACO's moist Low Fire Terra Cotta 77 earthenware clay in a 50 Lbs box, a classroom-standard red clay.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 9/10
- + Terra Cotta 77 is a well-known school clay with consistent results
- + 50 Lbs box is economical for classes and frequent throwers
- + Moist clay is ready to wedge and use straight away
- - Box is heavy to ship and store, especially for home users
- - Messy red slip needs extra cleanup of floors and tools
#4Rocky Mountain Clay's 25 Pounds mid-fire Cone 6 speckled buff stoneware for throwing and hand building.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Speckled buff fires to a warm, rustic look under clear glazes
- + 25 Pounds is a manageable amount for home potters
- + Cone 6 stoneware fires durable and suitable for functional ware
- - Speckles can show through light glazes when you want a clean look
- - Smaller box costs more per pound than bulk clay
#5Old Potters mid high fire white stoneware clay, Cone 6-10, in a 50 lbs box for wheel throwing, hand building and sculpting.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + 50 lbs box gives a good price per pound for frequent throwers
- + Cone 6-10 rating fits a wide range of studio firing schedules
- + White stoneware works for throwing, slabs and sculpture
- - Bulk box is heavy to lift and needs cool, sealed storage
- - Kiln access is essential, so beginners without one should look elsewhere
#6Rocky Mountain Clay's Red Rock Red, a 25 lb terra cotta low fire Cone 06 pottery clay for throwing and hand building.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Red Rock Red fires to a deep, rich terra cotta color
- + 25 lb box balances value with manageable weight
- + Rocky Mountain Clay is a respected US pottery clay supplier
- - Dark red body limits how bright light glazes will appear
- - Cone 06 firing will not give stoneware-level durability
#7SIO-2 PRAI white high fire stoneware clay, 27.6 lb and rated Cone 6-10, for wheel throwing and hand building.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Cone 6-10 range works in both mid fire and high fire kilns
- + White body shows glaze colors bright and true
- + Suits both throwing and hand building, so one clay covers many projects
- - Imported brand may be harder to reorder quickly in the US
- - Firmer white stoneware can feel less forgiving than B-Mix for new throwers
#8Laguna Clay's Frost Porcelain WC437, Cone 6, in a 10 lbs pack for testing a translucent white porcelain.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + 10 lbs pack is a sensible first try with a premium porcelain
- + Same Frost WC437 body as the larger box, so results scale up
- + Cone 6 firing fits most electric kilns used by hobby potters
- - Higher price per pound than buying Frost in bulk
- - Beginners may struggle with its softness and tendency to warp
#9SIO-2 Cellulain high fire paper porcelain clay, 11 lb, Cone 6-8, for thin, strong hand-built and thrown pieces.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Paper fibers add green strength, so thin pieces crack less while drying
- + 11 lb supply is a good middle size for a porcelain project
- + Paper porcelain can be joined when leather hard more easily
- - Paper clay can smell if stored wet for a long time
- - Fibers burn out in the kiln, so ventilation during firing matters
#10Deouss's 20 lbs terra cotta Cone 06 low fire earthenware for wheel throwing, hand building and firing.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 9/10
- + 20 lbs is a good home-studio amount without the weight of a full box
- + Cone 06 earthenware fires in low-temperature hobby kilns
- + Smooth terra cotta body is friendly for beginner throwers
- - Red clay can contaminate white clay on shared wheels and tools
- - Low fire pieces are less chip-resistant than stoneware
#115 Gallon White Bucket & Gamma Seal Lid - Food Grade Plastic Pail & Gamma2 Screw Seal Tight Lid (Red)
A 5 Gallon white food grade bucket with a red Gamma2 screw seal lid for airtight clay storage.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + Gamma2 screw lid opens and reseals easily, unlike snap lids
- + Airtight seal keeps clay and glaze workable longer
- + Good for frequently accessed reclaim or glaze buckets
- - Screw lid adapter can be tricky to install at first
- - Red lid color does not suit every studio setup
#12ePackageSupply's 5 Gallon food grade bucket with airtight gasketed tear strip lid, 90 Mil HDPE, for clay and reclaim storage.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 9/10
- + Airtight gasketed lid keeps reclaim clay moist for weeks
- + 90 Mil HDPE walls are sturdy under heavy wet clay
- + 5 Gallon size is ideal for slip, reclaim or glaze batches
- - Tear strip lids are hard to reopen and reseal repeatedly
- - Full bucket of wet clay is very heavy to move
#13Creative Paperclay modeling compound in a 16-Ounce white pack, a larger supply of lightweight air dry paper clay.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10
- + 16-Ounce size offers better value than the smallest Creative Paperclay pack
- + Paper clay is lightweight, making larger sculptures easier to hang
- + Can be rewetted to repair or add to dried pieces
- - Dries with a slightly fibrous texture compared with polymer clays
- - Needs a sealant if pieces will face humidity
#14Padico's La Doll Satin Smooth white air dry natural stone clay, 1.1lb (500g), for doll making, sculpting and carving.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Satin smooth finish reduces sanding for dolls and figurines
- + Stone clay dries hard enough to carve crisp details
- + 500g block is a solid amount for a doll or several figures
- - Harder dried clay takes more effort to sand than paper clays
- - Premium specialty clay costs more than general air dry clay
#15Padico's La Doll Premier white lightweight air dry stone clay, 10.58 oz (300g), for fine details, miniatures and charms.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Premier formula is prized for very fine detail and smooth surfaces
- + Lightweight clay suits miniature charms and small figures
- + Stone clay dries firm enough for sanding and carving
- - 300g pack is small, so larger dolls use it up quickly
- - Price is high relative to standard modeling clays
#16A blue 5 Gallon food grade BPA-free HDPE bucket with airtight gasket seal lid and metal handle.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + Gasket seal lid prevents clay and glaze from drying out
- + Metal handle is stronger for carrying heavy slip
- + Blue color helps separate clay buckets from glaze buckets
- - Snap lids can be tough to pry open with wet hands
- - Check the gasket seal is seated before storing wet clay
#17SIO-2 Aneto white high fire porcelain clay, 3.5 lb, Cone 6-8, for fine wheel-thrown and hand-built pieces.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + White porcelain fires bright and smooth for delicate cups and bowls
- + Cone 6-8 rating works in mid fire kilns common in home studios
- + 3.5 lb pack lets you try porcelain before buying a full box
- - Porcelain is less forgiving and slumps easily for beginner throwers
- - Very small pack runs out after only a few pieces
#18SIO-2 PT terracotta low fire pottery clay, 4 lb, Cone 05.5-04, for wheel throwing and hand building red earthenware.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Cone 05.5-04 low fire range suits many school and hobby kilns
- + Natural terracotta color gives warm results with or without glaze
- + 4 lb pack is a light trial for testing a red clay body
- - Small 4 lb pack is used up after a couple of throwing sessions
- - Low fire terracotta stays porous unless glazed inside
#19A food safe 304 stainless steel 5 Gallon (20L) container with clamps and air-tight lid with silicone gasket.
Fit for the job 7/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 6/10
- + 304 stainless steel will not crack or absorb stains
- + Clamped lid with silicone gasket seals very tightly
- + Long-lasting container suits glaze mixing and storage
- - Costs far more than plastic buckets of the same size
- - Metal can dent, and the clamps add weight when lifting
#20Creative Paperclay in an 8 Ounces white pack, a lightweight air dry paper clay for dolls, ornaments and fine modeling.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Lightweight paper clay dries strong and resists cracking
- + Smooth white surface is easy to sand, carve and paint
- + Sticks well to armatures and other surfaces for mixed media art
- - 8 Ounces is a small amount for anything beyond ornaments
- - Not a kiln clay, so pieces remain decorative only
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Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.
Pottery Nest curates picks for US shoppers. Scores are our editorial assessment. We may earn a commission from links on this page.