5 Best Paint Sprayers to Move DIY Projects Along in 2023
Updated: May 18, 2023Spend less time and energy on your painting projects and more time reveling in their beauty when you use the best paint sprayers.
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If you have a painting project in the works and are looking for a cleaner, quicker alternative to paint brushes and paint rollers, look no further than a paint sprayer. This useful tool will be a welcomed addition to your collection of painting tools.
The best paint sprayers will bring your projects to life with beautiful colors and a smooth finish. Whether you’re looking for an air-based, airless or high volume, low pressure (HVLP) paint sprayer, it’s hard to go wrong with these top-rated options.
Best Overall Paint Sprayer
Graco Magnum Airless Paint Sprayer
The Graco airless paint sprayer is an outstanding option for both interior and exterior painting projects. This 110-volt machine sprays paint without the need for thinning, and its fully adjustable pressure means you control the paint flow. Its switch tip is compatible with 0.009, 0.011, 0.013 and 0.015 tip sizes. Swapping out the tip is easy, and you’ll never need to pause a paint job for more than a few seconds.
This best paint sprayer’s flexible suction tube makes it easy to spray directly from a paint bucket. In addition to making painting easy, the Graco Magnum’s power flush adapter supports quick cleaning off the paint, making it one of the best painting tools to add to your collection.
Pros
- Designed for interior and exterior projects
- Switch tip prevents clogs
- Easy clean-up with the power flush adapter
- Can support up to 75 feet of paint hose
Cons
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Pricey
Best Budget Paint Sprayer
Yattich HVLP Paint Sprayer Gun
If you want one of the best paint sprayers without spending hundreds of dollars, this HVLP paint sprayer gun should be added to your cart. This paint sprayer comes equipped with five copper nozzles: 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.5 and 3 millimeters. Copper nozzles are better able to withstand pressure, leading to fewer clogs.
This paint sprayer offers three spray patterns—horizontal, vertical and circular—which can easily be switched depending on the project. The 6.5-foot power cord means you don’t need an extension cord to use this machine.
Pros
- Won’t break the bank
- Copper nozzles prevent clogs
- Has a long power cord
- Features three spray patterns
Cons
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Doesn’t work as well with latex-based paint
Best HVLP Paint Sprayer
HomeRight Super Finish Max HVLP Paint Sprayer
Whether you’re painting your fence outside or repainting your cabinets inside, this HomeRight HVLP paint sprayer is one of the best paint sprayers for DIY paint projects. This sprayer sprays material through brass spray tips with 450 watts of power. Increase or decrease how much material is sprayed from the machine with the easy-to-use control knob.
This product comes with three brass spray tips that work with a wide array of paint types. The 1.5-millimeter tip is best for stains and sealers, the 2-millimeter works well for latex and chalk paint and the 4-millimeter is used for primer coats and latex paint.
Pros
- Has 450 watts of power
- Adjustable flow control knob
- Comes with three tips
- Features three spray patterns
Cons
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May be tedious to clean
Best Paint Sprayer for Decks
Wagner SprayTech Control Spray Double-Duty Stain Sprayer
If you’re looking to paint or stain your deck and want to do so quickly, consider this double-duty stain sprayer from Wagner SprayTech. You won’t have to think about constantly replenishing your material supply, as this sprayer includes a 1.5-quart cup for those working on exterior projects. With its wallet-friendly price tag, this sprayer is a quality value product for applying thin materials, and it has a regulator designed to produce a smooth flow.
Pros
- Includes a 1.5-quart material cup
- Has a two-stage indoor/outdoor turbine
- Affordable
- Features three spray patterns
Cons
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Works best with thin materials
Best Cordless Paint Sprayer
Graco Ultra Cordless Airless Handheld Paint Sprayer
If you need a paint sprayer that can handle smaller painting jobs without the hassle of power and extension cords, the Graco cordless handheld paint sprayer may be just what you’re looking for. This cordless tool is powered by two included lithium ion batteries. It is lightweight enough for you to easily move around, and quickly disperses 1 gallon of paint, primer or stain with each charge. Its FlexLiner bag system lets you spray paint at any angle—even upside down!
Pros
- Runs on batteries
- Disperses 1 gallon on a single charge
- Doesn’t require thinning
- Can be sprayed at any angle
Cons
- Pricey
- Only includes one tip
What to Consider When Buying a Paint Sprayer
To ensure you choose the best paint sprayer, consider whether you’ll be working on interior or exterior spray painting projects. You should also think about the type of paint you plan on buying for your projects, and ensure the paint sprayer is compatible in order to avoid clogs. Keep in mind that some paint sprayers require paint to be thinned before use.
Understanding the types of tips with regard to orifice size, fan width and material may impact your painting. While some paint sprayers have smaller orifices, others have considerably larger ones, allowing for more coating to be applied when sprayed. If you plan on using your paint sprayer on a large surface, consider a tip with a larger width. However, if you would like to paint a smaller surface, tips with narrower widths will do the trick.
Types of Paint Sprayers
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Air-based paint sprayers: Air-based paint sprayers use air compressors to atomize and apply large volumes of paint quickly. These paint guns tend to be more affordable, but are typically accompanied by a great deal of overspray. These sprayers often require paint to be thinned before use.
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Airless paint sprayers: Airless paint sprayers are typically electrically powered and apply paint at high pressures up to 3,000 psi (pounds per square inch). The paint travels through a hose and comes out of a tiny hole at the gun’s tip. Airless paint sprayers are well-known for their glass-smooth finish. Although these machines will expedite a painting job, you should consider the potential overspray, especially when working on outdoor projects.
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HVLP paint sprayers: HVLP paint sprayers spray high volumes of paint using low pressures. They tend to be more expensive, as they are often used by professional painters and finishers. These paint sprayers are available in five stages, and the more stages it’s equipped with, the more powerful it will be when it comes to applying thicker paints.
How We Found the Best Paint Sprayers
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
Do you paint ceilings or walls first with an air sprayer?
When it comes to using an air sprayer for an indoor paint job, it’s best practice to paint the ceiling first and then continue to the walls.
What spray guns do professional painters use?
Professional spray painters often use HVLP paint sprayers. The high volume and low pressure makes these units more efficient and result in a clean, professional finish.
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