NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable vs JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed
Both made our Best Beginner Wood Lathe 2026 shortlist, at #1 and #3. Here's how they differ and who each one suits.
- BuyOnceRight Research Desk
- Updated
- 4 min read
Quick verdict
Choose the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch if you want variable speed with electronic control maintains consistent RPM under cutting load. Choose the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS) if you'd rather have 21-inch between centers handles most furniture spindle turning. Overall we rank the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Beginner Wood Lathe 2026 list.
Winner overall: NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch
NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch vs JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS) compared
Every difference that matters, in one table.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Our ranking | #1 of 8 in Best Beginner Wood Lathe 2026 | #3 of 8 in Best Beginner Wood Lathe 2026 |
| Pick label | Best Overall | Best Midi |
| Brand | NOVA | JET |
| Key features | Variable speed 250-4,000 RPM; 16-inch swing; 18-inch between centers | 12-inch swing; 21-inch between centers; 60-3,600 RPM variable speed |
| Biggest strength | Variable speed with electronic control maintains consistent RPM under cutting load | 21-inch between centers handles most furniture spindle turning |
| Main trade-off | 18-inch between centers limits spindle turning to shorter projects | 12-inch swing is less than NOVA Comet II at a similar price |
| Best for | buyers who want the best overall package | Most buyers |
Which should you buy?
#1 pick · Best Overall
Choose the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch if…
- Variable speed with electronic control maintains consistent RPM under cutting load
- 16-inch swing accommodates most bowl-turning project sizes
- NOVA's headstock quality and spindle runout are better than most competitors at this price
Best for: buyers who want the best overall package
Prefer the alternative? See the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS) section.
#3 pick · Best Midi
Choose the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS) if…
- 21-inch between centers handles most furniture spindle turning
- 60 RPM minimum enables very large, unbalanced bowl blanks to be turned safely at low speed
- Reversible headstock for sanding off the lathe at low speed -- common technique
Prefer the alternative? See the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch section.
Pros and cons of each
NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch
Pros
- Variable speed with electronic control maintains consistent RPM under cutting load
- 16-inch swing accommodates most bowl-turning project sizes
- NOVA's headstock quality and spindle runout are better than most competitors at this price
- Headstock indexing for fluting and decorative cuts
Cons
- 18-inch between centers limits spindle turning to shorter projects
- Higher price than basic midi lathes
JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS)
Pros
- 21-inch between centers handles most furniture spindle turning
- 60 RPM minimum enables very large, unbalanced bowl blanks to be turned safely at low speed
- Reversible headstock for sanding off the lathe at low speed -- common technique
- JET quality control and customer service are reliable
Cons
- 12-inch swing is less than NOVA Comet II at a similar price
- Heavy -- difficult to move once set up
NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch vs JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS): common questions
Which is better, the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch or the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS)?
Choose the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch if you want variable speed with electronic control maintains consistent RPM under cutting load. Choose the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS) if you'd rather have 21-inch between centers handles most furniture spindle turning. Overall we rank the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Beginner Wood Lathe 2026 list.
What is the difference between the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch and the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS)?
The NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch stands out because variable speed with electronic control maintains consistent RPM under cutting load, while the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS) stands out because 21-inch between centers handles most furniture spindle turning. The trade-offs differ too: the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch's main caveat is that 18-inch between centers limits spindle turning to shorter projects, and the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS)'s is that 12-inch swing is less than NOVA Comet II at a similar price.
Is the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch worth it over the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS)?
For most buyers, yes: it's our #1 pick. Consider the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS) instead if 18-inch between centers limits spindle turning to shorter projects is a deal-breaker for you.
Who should buy the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS) instead of the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch?
The JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS) suits buyers whose priorities match its strengths, while the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch is best for buyers who want the best overall package.