Ashford e-Spinner 3: Owner Reviews and Who It Suits
The short answer: is the e-Spinner 3 right for you?
The e-Spinner 3 suits a spinner who wants a small wheel that goes in a bag, with room for thick yarn and fine. It comes assembled, with three jumbo bobbins, a tensioned lazy kate, a foot switch, a padded carry bag and Ashford’s Learn to Spin booklet.
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Check today’s price at Woolery
Two others to look at, with list prices from each maker on 31 Oct 2026:
- For a lighter wheel and more bobbins: the Dreaming Robots EEW 6.1 weighs about 1.4 kg and comes with six bobbins. It reaches the same 1800 rpm and lists at $299.
- For more speed and more flyer sizes: the SpinOlution Firefly reaches 3200 rpm with five flyer sizes, from $1,395 for a complete wheel.
What it means for your spinning
Where you’d spin it. At 2 kg (4.4 lb), with a padded carry bag, it’s made to move. It runs from a 12 V mains cord, and Ashford offers an optional car cord for use with a battery pack in a car, caravan, RV or boat.
Speed. Ashford’s e-Spinner 3 page describes a soft start and variable speed from 0 to 1800 rpm. The foot switch turns it on and off.
Thick yarn and fine. The orifice is 15 mm (0.59 in), with a 15 mm to 9 mm reducer bush in the box.
How much you can spin. The bobbins hold 225 g (7.9 oz) each. That’s about the same as the EEW 6.1’s 8 oz (227 g). You get three with the Ashford and six with the EEW.
Who it suits
- A new spinner starting on medium wool. The 15 mm orifice and 225 g bobbins leave room to grow, and it arrives assembled with the Learn to Spin booklet.
- A spinner who travels. The bag and the 2 kg weight are the point. The EEW 6.1 weighs less, at about 1.4 kg.
Look elsewhere if
- You want the highest top speed. The Firefly reaches 3200 rpm.
- You want a battery in the box. The Firefly comes with a 12 V battery rated for 14 hours.
- You want six bobbins in the box. The EEW 6.1 comes with six, and lists at $299 direct (31 Oct 2026).
The e-Spinner 3 beside two others
| Wheel | Motor | Top speed | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashford e-Spinner 3 | 12 V DC 2.0 amp | 1800 rpm | 12 V mains cord |
| EEW 6.1 | Brushless | 1800 rpm | Wall power supply |
| SpinOlution Firefly | DC 10 watt | 3200 rpm | Included 12 V battery, 14 hours |
| Wheel | Bobbin capacity | Orifice | Weight | List price, 31 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashford e-Spinner 3 | 225 g (7.9 oz) | 15 mm (0.59 in) | 2 kg (4.4 lb) | See Woolery |
| EEW 6.1 | 8 oz (227 g) | 0.55 in (14 mm) | 3 lb (1.4 kg) | $299 |
| SpinOlution Firefly | By flyer: 4A, 8, 16, 32, 64 oz | 13+ lb (5.9+ kg) | $1,395 |
Dreaming Robots’ EEW 6.1 page gives the $299 direct price. SpinOlution’s Firefly page gives $1,395 for its smallest complete wheel (4A oz flyer and three bobbins, 2026 pricing), and $999 for the base alone.
Owner reviews
- Pattie, on her blog, 2024, chose it because she trusted Ashford’s quality, was “totally thrilled” with her first plied yarn, and took it into a 100-day long-draw challenge.
- Susan McFarland, a dealer who sells and spins on it, in Spin Off, 2018, likes how quiet it is and its size and bag, and added a 14-hour battery pack.
e-Spinner 3 details
| e-Spinner 3 | |
|---|---|
| Motor | 12 volt DC 2.0 amp |
| Top speed | 1800 rpm |
| Power | 12 V mains power cord |
| Orifice | 15 mm (0.59 in) |
| Orifice height | 15 cm (5.9 in) |
| Bobbins | 3 jumbo bobbins |
| Bobbin capacity | 225 g (7.9 oz) |
| Weight | 2 kg (4.4 lb) |
| Tension | Scotch tension |
| Also in the box | On/off foot switch, padded carry bag, tensioned lazy kate, 15 mm to 9 mm reducer bush, wooden threading hook, bottle of oil, Learn to Spin booklet |
| Assembly | Comes assembled |
| Materials | Beech hardwood, factory lacquered |
| Product code | ESP3 |
FAQ
Is the Ashford e-Spinner 3 worth it?
If you want an assembled e-spinner to carry with you, it comes with what you need: three jumbo bobbins, a lazy kate, a carry bag and a reducer bush. Set today’s price against the EEW 6.1 at $299 (list price, 31 Oct 2026).
What is the orifice size on the e-Spinner 3?
15 mm (0.59 in), with a 15 mm to 9 mm reducer bush in the box.
How fast does the Ashford e-Spinner 3 spin?
Up to 1800 rpm, with variable speed from 0. The EEW 6.1 has the same top speed; the SpinOlution Firefly reaches 3200 rpm.
Does the e-Spinner 3 run on a battery?
It comes with a 12 V mains cord. Ashford offers an optional car cord for use with a battery pack. The Firefly comes with a 12 V battery rated for 14 hours.
How much does the Ashford e-Spinner 3 cost?
See today’s price at Woolery. The EEW 6.1 lists at $299 and the Firefly at $1,395 (list prices, 31 Oct 2026).
Related
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Ashford
e-Spinner Super Jumbo
SpinOlution
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