Best Paint Sprayer — Buyers Guide, Review, and Comparison
If you’re fed up with drips, stray brush hairs, uneven coverage, and hard work — you need a paint sprayer. These mighty power tools make light work of tedious painting jobs while delivering a professional-like finish to all your projects. Simple to use, even for the novice, they enable you to cover expansive surface areas in a remarkably short amount of time — and reduce that annoying hand fatigue! Once you’ve switched to using a paint sprayer — those tired rollers and worn brushes will be consigned to the trash. Our comprehensive guide is specifically designed to help you find the best machine for your needs.
Paint Sprayer Information
Paint Sprayer Buying Guide, Types of Spray Gun, Brands, and Review
Whether you’re a crafter, casual DIYer, ardent home-improver, or trade pro — it’s time to consider forgetting the handheld brush and roller and opting for a paint sprayer.
Utilizing a motor to drive the paint through a relatively small diameter nozzle — they allow you to address wood, metal, walls, masonry, and ceilings without the risk of roller stipple, brush marks, and lost bristles. And, by delivering a fine spray mist of your chosen coating medium, they deliver a smooth and even coat.
However, buying a paint sprayer can be challenging.
Answering the question — what paint sprayer should I buy? — depends upon numerous factors, including:
- The material to be addressed.
- Size of the project.
- Your experience level.
- Weekly or annual throughput requirements.
- The finish that you need.
- Coverage medium that you will be utilizing in the gun.
- Whether you demand user customization.
- Size of your budget.
How to Buy a Paint Sprayer
When choosing a paint sprayer, you can consider its relative CFM (cubic feet per minute) to PSI ratio, GPM (gallons per minute) output, horsepower, wattage, and nozzle tip size to make your selection.
And, when you’ve taken a month to examine all these factors, become fed-up with reading about power-coaters, and that wall still needs painting — you’ll decide to stick with your trusted brush.
Hence, I’ve made the whole process straightforward.
If you already know the style of paint spraying machine you want — airless, turbine, pneumatic, handheld, etc. — or you wish to learn more about these formats, head straight down to the Best Painting Gun By Type section. Alternatively, if you want to review the best machines and designs for particular projects, shoot on down to the Best Sprayer By Use section.
That said, if you’re interested, or something of a paint spraying fanatic, you can still compare paint sprayers relative power outputs and nozzle sizes by checking out the relevant category pages or individual product reviews.
Best Painting Gun By Type
Perhaps one of the most significant challenges when buying a paint sprayer is understanding which format is ideally suited to your personal preferences and project’s demands — an issue that’s exacerbated if you’re a newbie to the power-painting arena.
With a market that includes handhelds, turbines, airless, electric, and pro-grade machines — the choice can appear overwhelming.
So, if you’re asking yourself — what kind of paint sprayer should I buy? — here’s your comprehensive guide to the complete gamut of formats.
Handheld Spray Paint Spray Gun Machines
The handheld paint sprayer is the most compact and affordable machine in the electric-painting category. Suitable for spraying newbies and professionals, these units are perfect for addressing small to medium projects such as restoring furniture, staining shelving, weatherproofing decking, and coating fencing. Faster than a brush and delivering smoother coats than a roller, handheld sprayers cut down your workload while providing a rewarding finish.
- Most pocket-friendly of all electric sprayers.
- Compact, portable, and small spray guns.
- Straightforward operation.
- Suitable for a wide range of mediums.
- Ideal for home DIY use.
Turbine Paint Sprayer Systems
The turbine paint sprayer is the most versatile, straightforward in operation, and pocket-friendly machine in the powered-painting niche. More portable than pneumatic units and without the pre-priming hassles of airless tools — these sprayers are as suited to DIYers as they are tradespersons. Ranging from compact handheld casual use models through to high-intensity external turbines, they can cope with a multitude of mediums and, depending on the model, are suitable for small to large projects.
- Easy to use — even for beginners.
- More lightweight than a compressor or airless machine.
- Most affordable air paint sprayers.
- Low power requirement.
- Stain, sealer, lacquer, and latex compatible — depending on the model.
- Straightforward maintenance.
Cordless Spray Guns
Allowing you to permanently ditch the power lead, a cordless paint sprayer offers the pinnacle of operational freedom. These versatile and rare machines enable you to paint anywhere — without requiring access to mains power. Available as both HVLP and airless units, and with models targeting both DIY and trade users, these sprayers can provide up to an hour of continuous use from a single charge — with many machines able to propel the densest of coverage mediums.
- Portable and compact.
- Multi-medium compatible.
- Include lithium-ion cells and chargers.
- Suited to small to medium scale projects.
- Permit cable and extension-free painting.
Compressor Driven Spray Guns
The best paint sprayers for compressors are the cream of power-painting guns. Driven by an external pneumatic unit, these tools provide accurate control, a flawless finish, and minimum wastage. Compatible with paints as diverse as stains and enamels through to latexes and polyesters, these air-powered guns are ideal for projects where a blemish-free coat is crucial — such as furniture restoring and automotive respraying. And, with user-adjustable airflow, material volume flow, and pressure input — they’re impressively customizable to suit both your project’s demands and coating medium.
- The paint sprayers best for fine and accurate projects.
- Low overspray.
- Top review paint sprayers for automotive use.
- Wide availability of pneumatic paint sprayer parts and accessories.
- Less wastage than an airless or turbine conventional spray gun.
- User-customizable controls.
- Lightweight small paint guns.
- Multi-medium compatible.
- Access to a wide spectrum of nozzle tips.
- Require external compressors.
Airless Hydraulic Pump Paint Sprayer Machines
The airless paint sprayer is the most powerful system in the entire power-painting niche. Typically knocking out around 3000 PSI, these mighty machines can propel virtually any medium without the hassle of pre-thinning. Their serious brawn means that they deliver paint at a rapid pace — making them the go-to units for large-scale work. The category is expansive, with models targeting casual users, DIYers, pros, and industry contractors.
- High power output.
- Multi-medium compatible.
- More portable than compressor-driven machines.
- Compatible with numerous tip sizes.
- Extensive hose lengths.
- Swift coverage.
- Machines for every level of experience.
Electric Paint Spraying Tools
The electric sprayer category encompasses a vast array of machines. Able to operate straight-outta-the-box, these paint spray gun kits are seriously user-friendly — with no requirement for a compressor, air hose, or couplings. The range extends from casual-use HVLP handhelds through to mighty externally-driven airless behemoths — meaning there’s a sprayer to suit the infrequent DIYer through to the hardcore trade pro. Available as cordless and mains-powered units, and — depending on the model — able to propel the whole gamut of coating mediums, they’re the most versatile machines in the market.
- Best DIY machines out of all types of paint sprayers.
- The category covers fine finish spray guns through to large project units.
- No additional purchases required — includes paint sprayers plus everything you need.
- Multi-paint use — from sealer spray gun through to latex compatible units.
- HVLP and airless models.
- Fuss-free operation.
- More portable than pneumatic-powered sprayers.
Professional Paint Gun Spray Systems
Commercial paint sprayer machines are the go-to tools for the serious tradesperson and semi-pro DIYer. Offering unrivaled durability and reliability, these industrial-grade units can withstand high volumes of throughput and the knocks and bumps concomitant to extreme use. Available in handheld, HVLP, and airless formats, these contractor-level sprayers can deal with the entire gamut of painting mediums and are suitable for a multitude of jobs, from addressing shelving and cabinets through to automotive and marine work.
- Corrosion-resistant components.
- Extensive warranties.
- Access to a massive catalog of spare and upgradeable parts.
- Automotive-grade filters.
- Motor-protecting cooling systems.
- Withstand daily use.
- Easy access for component lubrication.
Gravity-Fed Paint Guns
A gravity feed spray gun has a lower pressure-demand, fewer components, easier filling, and a lighter weight than its siphon-fed cousin. Providing high efficiency combined with seriously low overspray, these pneumatic-powered units deliver what many experts believe to be the ultimate blemish-free finish. Affordable and straightforward to maintain, they’re as suited to the home DIYer as they are the trade pro. And, compatible with a plethora of mediums, plus, able to cope with both small and large-scale work — they’re the epitome of versatility.
- The best rated paint sprayers for low overspray.
- Ideal fine finishing spray guns.
- Top-mounted paint containers.
- The best small paint sprayers for precision projects.
- Low-pressure requirement.
- No suction vacuum components.
- High center of gravity.
- Excellent small auto paint sprayer guns.
- Favorite amongst pro car resprayers and furniture restorers.
- Minimal components.
- A paint gun light in weight.
Siphon Spray Guns
Compressor-driven siphon paint guns offer all the accuracy of their gravity-feeding cousins but in a more compact form. Since they utilize a vacuum system to draw the paint from the attached cup, the container can be positioned in front of the shooter’s handle instead of on top of the unit. This reduces the height of the gun, permitting them to access harder to reach, confined areas. Furthermore, unlike gravity-fed examples whose center of gravity changes as paint levels deplete — bottom-feeding units remain constant. This increases ease of use, making them more appealing to inexperienced pneumatic-spraying DIYers.
- Possibly the best spray gun equipment for fine touch-ups.
- Ideal paint gun pistol units for confined areas.
- Bottom-feeding pot spray gun.
- A spray paint can gun format that requires higher pressure than gravity-fed.
- Low center of gravity.
- More user-tailorable painting gun parts than gravity-feeding units.
- Favorite amongst pro car resprayers and furniture restorers.
- Minimal components.
- Lightweight.
LVLP Spray Gun Units
An LVLP spray gun provides the most perfect finish in the entire power-painting category. A combination of high transfer efficiency and minimal overspray reduces pooling, dripping, and bounce-back on small to medium projects. Working from a consumer-style compressor, they’re within reach of the ardent DIYer yet deliver a coat appreciated by pro-contractors. Compatible with a plethora of mediums, these guns can handle thin urethanes, lacquers, and enamels, as well as dense primers, bases, latexes, and chalks.
- Available as gravity or siphon-fed guns.
- Air spray guns with low pressure and minimal CFM requirement.
- Straightforward operation.
- Reviews on paint sprayers recognize LVLP as the perfect finishing units.
- Suitable for dense and thin mediums.
- Best spray guns for fine atomization.
- Typically include a spray paint gun air pressure regulator gauge.
- Vast sprayer parts online availability makes them customizable.
HVLP Spray Gun Systems
The HVLP spray gun delivers less overspray, bounce-back, and wastage than standard pneumatic machines and airless units. Standing for high-volume low-pressure, HVLP units offer accuracy and a consistent, fine, and blemish-free finish on both large and small-scale projects. With models that can deliver the whole gamut of coating mediums, they’re a popular choice with both DIYers and trade-pros. These units encompass handheld, external turbines, and compressor-powered guns — whatever project you’re tackling, there’s a machine to suit your requirements.
- A low overspray air paint sprayer system.
- Reduced bounce-back.
- Industry-rated conversion spray gun.
- HVLP paint sprayers unlimited versatility makes them DIY favorites.
- Little wastage.
- Most eco-friendly of all powered sprayers.
- Good paint guns for DIYers and pros alike.
- Low-cost operation.
- Consistent finish.
- Highest rated paint sprayers in the power-painting category.
- Models to suit all applications and projects.
Top Paint Sprayers From Each Category
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Best Handheld Spray Machine for Painting
|
Best Handheld Spray Machine for Painting
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon HomeRight Finish Max Review HomeRight Finish Max Review | |
|
Best Spray Paint Gun With a Turbine
|
Best Spray Paint Gun With a Turbine
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon Wagner FLEXiO 5000 Review Wagner FLEXiO 5000 Review | |
|
Best Compressor Spray Gun
|
Best Compressor Spray Gun
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon Eastwood Concours Pro HVLP Review Eastwood Concours Pro HVLP Review | |
|
Best Airless Hydraulic Paint Pump Sprayer
|
Best Airless Hydraulic Paint Pump Sprayer
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon Graco 390 ProConnect Review Graco 390 ProConnect Review | |
|
Best Cordless Paint Gun
|
Best Cordless Paint Gun
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon NEU MASTER Cordless Review NEU MASTER Cordless Review | |
|
Best Electric Paint Sprayer
|
Best Electric Paint Sprayer
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon Wagner FLEXiO 5000 Review Wagner FLEXiO 5000 Review | |
|
Best Professional Painting Machine
|
Best Professional Painting Machine
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon Graco Ultra 395 PC 17E844 Review Graco Ultra 395 PC 17E844 Review | |
|
Best Compressor Spray Gun
|
Best Compressor Spray Gun
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon Eastwood Concours Pro HVLP Review Eastwood Concours Pro HVLP Review | |
|
Best LVLP Spray Gun
|
Best LVLP Spray Gun
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon Husky Siphon Feed General Purpose Review Husky Siphon Feed General Purpose Review | |
|
Best LVLP Spray Gun
|
Best LVLP Spray Gun
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon SPRAYIT SP-33310K Review SPRAYIT SP-33310K Review | |
|
Best HVLP Spray Paint Sprayer
|
Best HVLP Spray Paint Sprayer
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon Wagner FLEXiO 5000 Wagner FLEXiO 5000 Review | |
|
Best Wagner Paint Sprayer Machine
|
Best Wagner Paint Sprayer Machine
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon Wagner Control Pro 170 Review Wagner Control Pro 170 Review | |
|
Best HomeRight Gun for Spray Paint
|
Best HomeRight Gun for Spray Paint
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon HomeRight Finish Max Review HomeRight Finish Max Review | |
|
Best Titan Spray Machine for Painting
|
Best Titan Spray Machine for Painting
|
Features |
Check Price at Amazon Titan Impact 440 Review Titan Impact 440 3000 Review | |
|
Best Graco Spray Gun Machine
|
Best Graco Spray Gun Machine
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon Graco 390 ProConnect Review Graco 390 ProConnect Review | |
|
Best Fuji Spray Machines
|
Best Fuji Spray Machines
|
Features
|
Check Price at Amazon Fuji Mini-Mite 4 Review Fuji Mini-Mite 4 Review |
HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST PAINT SPRAYER
As we all know, there’s a time and place for everything. When choosing a paint sprayer, you will first need to determine what job it is for. Painting a bicycle is not the same as applying a covering layer to your old oak table. Also, if you need to paint your entire house, then a different machine will have to do the trick.
Once you decide on the type of the work you need to do, it will be much easier to know what kind of equipment you should use. With plenty of experience in this field, we hope our reviews and advice will be all that you need to make your choice.
Pressure or Horsepower
When you read the reviews about sprayers, you will see that the words pressure and horsepower are in most of them. Horsepower determines how powerful the engine is.
More of it means more paint comes out of the nozzle and thicker layers of paint end up on the wall. Generally, we would advise you to choose a higher pressure, as this gets the work done faster.
But then again, not all jobs need to be done against the clock. If your project requires a steady and relatively slow stream, you might go for a less powerful paint sprayer. It’s all about control and the situation.
Value
The world of paint sprayers is as versatile as any other industry. The choices are many, and the manufacturers and brands are numerous. Choosing the right product for your needs is, as always in life, a matter of debate. There will always be higher level professional gear mashed with cheaper alternatives.
When it comes to choosing a paint sprayer, the product you buy is likely to be the one you will use for years to come, unless it’s just for a one-off project. So, you should choose wisely.
It’s always advisable to go for a slightly better version, spending a few more bucks on a good quality paint gun can save you money in the long run. Still, you might need to draw the line at a certain point, as some high-end products are quite expensive and you may not use all the fancy features for straightforward projects.
Volume
When we talk about the volume of a paint sprayer, we are, of course, referring to the GPM value. GPM stands for gallons per minute, and it determines how much paint you can transfer from a container onto a surface. Naturally, higher volume translates to more coverage and a quicker job.
If you require a machine that can cover a large surface area with a thick layer of paint, then the GPM value is an important factor, helping you decide.
Spray Tips
Spray tips are a crucial part of the equation. They are affected both by the type of paint sprayer and the particular type of paint you’re using. We call everything “paint,” but of course sprayers can also work with other materials that have differing characteristics, such as wood stain.
Tips are usually marked with numbers, which translate to measurements in inches. If you have a 0.10” tip – then your tip opening is a tenth of an inch. If, however, your tip specification is 515, then only the last two digits are the measure of the opening. The first number is the width of the spray fan.
Spray Gun Parts and Accessories
One of the characteristics of paint sprayers is the availability of spray paint machine parts — particularly from the higher-end manufacturers. This not only allows you to customize the unit to your personal preferences and the demands of your project — but also extends the longevity of your machine by enabling the replacement of old and tired components.
However, bear in mind that the majority of parts are brand and model-specific — an airless tip will not work in a pneumatic gun, nor will a hydraulic hose work on a compressor machine. Hence, always ensure that when replacing or upgrading components, your chosen part is compatible with your particular unit.
While not an exhaustive list, here are the top air sprayer parts purchased by DIY and trade users:
- Paint filters for spray guns — ensure a blemish-free coat and protect the turbine, hydraulic pump, and gun chambers.
- Paint gun washer and gaskets — guarantee a leak-free seal on the gun, motor hose coupler, and medium container.
- Paint sprayer extension pole — sometimes referred to as a paint sprayer extension wand, it allows you to access high-level areas without using a ladder.
- Paint extension pole parts — additional tubing and springs for the extension wand.
- Paint sprayer swivel joint — connects the hose to the airless gun, allowing you to maneuver the shooter without kinking the hose.
- Paint sprayer hose cover — protects the hose from the coating medium and sunlight damage.
- Paint gun rack — also known as a paint gun stand, paint gun holders allow guns to be stored safely when not in use.
- Magnetic paint gun holder — as above, but utilizing magnets for a more secure hold.
- Paint gun cleaning station — a washing machine for your paint gun, ensuring it is thoroughly flushed post-project.
- Paint sprayer edger wheel — for cutting-in corners or woodwork.
- Spray paint can gun attachment — adds a ‘gun’ feature to aerosol spray cans.
- Paint sprayer shield — paint sprayer shields prevent wayward splashes of coating medium hitting unwanted areas — here’s a handy guide to their use.
- Paint sprayer storage fluid — protects the pump from corrosion on airless machines when not used for extended periods.
Conclusion
Taking the hard work over what can be time-intensive, these remarkable machines make painting not only rapid but fun. Furthermore, transforming what can be a gloopy liquid into a fine mist of atomized coating medium — they deliver a smooth and even coat without brush marks, lost bristles, or roller stipple.
Whether you’re attacking a complete home renovation, car respray, cabinet finishing, model crafting, roof waterproofing, or fence staining — there’s a machine suitable for your project.
When choosing your ideal unit — consider the scale of your work, the paints you will be using, the finish you require, and your budget. Utilize the above guide to ensure that your perfect sprayer addresses all your needs.
The bottom line.
Consign your tired and worn brush to history — and enter the 21st century with a powerful and versatile paint sprayer.
Paint Sprayer FAQs
Q: What Is the Best Paint Gun?
Asking what is the best spray gun is tough, as paint sprayer comparisons depend on the medium you are using, the size of your projects, and the finish that you wish to achieve.
However, if you’re asking yourself what paint sprayer should I buy? — I suggest checking out the handheld HomeRight Finish Max. Not only affordable and straightforward in operation — it’s compatible with a plethora of paints and suitable for a multitude of applications.
Q: What Is a Good Paint Sprayer?
A ‘good’ paint sprayer depends on your personal preferences and the demands of your project.
If you want to know how to choose a paint sprayer that’s suitable for your most common jobs, check out my guide to the Best Power Painters by Use above.
Q: Are Airbrush Replacement Parts Compatible With Paint Sprayers?
No. Airbrush gun parts are too small to use with a paint sprayer.
Q: How Many Watts Does a Paint Sprayer Use?
The power demands of a power-painter depend on the format — with turbines using less energy than their hydraulic counterparts.
For example, a quick wattage paint sprayer comparison — the HomeRight Finish Max turbine uses 400 watts, whereas the airless Graco X5 utilizes 2500 watts.
Q: What Is a Pump Up Paint Sprayer?
These hand-powered machines require manual pumping to increase the pressure in the paint tank — allowing you to propel the coating medium. When the compressed air is exhausted, you must then replenish the tank with more hand pumping — much like using a Super-Soaker.
While there are some creditable pump sprayer paint units, such as the LongRay — electric painters, like the Control 250, are lighter on the pocket and require less physical strain to use.
Q: Where Can I Find Capspray Gun Parts?
There’s no need to perform a sprayer parts near me Google Search — as the majority of these Titan branded components can be delivered to your door. These include check valves, switches, cups, washers, and gaskets.
Q: How To Make a Paint Sprayer?
If you don’t want to buy paint sprayer — you can make your own. Here’s a brief guide:
However, this is likely to deliver unsatisfactory results and possibly leave your target medium in a worse condition than when you started. When you consider that the Meterk HVLP paint sprayer costs no more than an evening in your local bar — it’s hardly worth making your own unit.
Q: Does a Paint Sprayer Use More Paint than a Brush?
Yes, as some paint is lost to atomization in the air, which doesn’t hit your target material. That said, the best HVLP machines — such as the Wagner FLEXiO 5000 — have seriously low overspray, keeping waste to a minimum.
Q: Where to Buy Paint Sprayer?
You could head down to your local paint gun store and check out the numerous guns and paint gun supplies. However, it’s possibly simpler to purchase them online — not just for the cost savings, but it also allows you to effortlessly check out the unit’s specifications more easily than in a home-improvement emporium.
Q: What Is a Spray Gun Extension Wand?
A paint gun extension, sometimes referred to as a paint sprayer wand, increases the reach of your power-painter — enabling you to reach high-level areas without having to utilize a ladder.
Reassuringly, there are numerous user-replaceable online sprayer wand parts should a component degrade or wear out with excessive use.
However, just a word of warning if you’re buying sprayer wand replacement parts. Typically, these components are not universal — you need to check that the paint sprayer extension parts are compatible with your particular model.
Q: Do Power Painters Come With Paint Sprayer Attachments and Accessories?
Some units — such as the 3M paint gun kit — are impressively comprehensive, including numerous tips, cups, lids, and cleaning equipment, making them ideal for newbie users.
Conversely, some machines only arrive with the basics — meaning that to customize, repair, or upgrade your unit, you need to look online or check out your local paint sprayer supplies store.
Q: How Do I Know If a Spray Gun Is Pneumatic?
Look at the spray gun pictures of the machine. If the handle incorporates a coupling for an air hose and it features a paint cup — it’s a compressor-driven shooter.
Q: What Is the Best Paint Sprayer on the Market?
If you want to buy spray gun that can tackle small finishing work as well as addressing larger-scale projects, suitable for thin and dense mediums, and will not hurt your bank balance — I suggest checking out the versatile Wagner FLEXiO 5000.
Q: Can You Buy a Snap On Paint Gun?
Yes. But only in used versions — Snap-On ceased production of spray guns in 2013.
Q: Do I Need Specific Paint for Paint Sprayer Machines?
No, using bespoke spray paint gun stock for your machine isn’t required — instead, use a machine suitable for your medium of choice.
Stains, sealers, and varnishes are ideal for use with turbine models, whereas thicker latexes and acrylics function best with airless machines.
Q: Do I Need Specific Paint for Paint Sprayer Machines?
No, using bespoke spray paint gun stock for your machine isn’t required — instead, use a machine suitable for your medium of choice.
Stains, sealers, and varnishes are ideal for use with turbine models, whereas thicker latexes and acrylics function best with airless machines.
Q: Where Can I Find Finish Line Spray Gun Parts?
You could head down to your local spray gun suppliers — but it’s easier to purchase them online. The DeVilbiss repair kit includes the most commonly replaced components for the FinishLine gun — however, first check out the spray gun parts diagram to ensure it has the items you require.
Q: Can I Use a Pot Paint Sprayer With My Turbine Machine?
No. A pot sprayer accessory — sometimes referred to as a pressure tank — can only be used with a pneumatic compressor shooter. Highly powerful, they function well as powder paint gun machines.