The Best Paint Sprayers

The Best Paint Sprayers

There comes a time in every homeowner's life when she stares at a blank wall, a long fence, or a wide patio deck and says, "Yeah, I'm not doing this with a paintbrush." Fortunately, electric paint sprayers have come down in cost as they've gone up in quality and reliability. You don't have to be a professional to use one, either. Paint sprayers are easy to set up, easy to use, and easy to clean, and the technique involved in using one without drips and splotches only takes a little practice. To make your life even easier, we researched the wide variety of sizes, features, and accessories available in modern paint sprayers, and here are the best ones we found.

Wagner Spraytech

Hi-Tech Spraytech

The Wagner Spraytech offers easy setup, flawless nozzle control, and easy maintenance, earning it our highest honor.
Best Overall

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The Wagner Spraytech may be the first and last paint sprayer you buy, as it has all the basic features a homeowner or DIY-er is looking for. Capable of applying over 4 ounces per minute through its 3-position control finish nozzle, it’s perfect for spraying thin coatings on a variety of materials. The Variable Flow Trigger accurately controls the flow of paint propelled by a powerful, integrated air turbine. Despite its power, the Wagner Spraytech is lightweight, making it easy to handle even for longer jobs.

Pros:

  • Cup holds up to a quart of paint
  • Great for stains, sealers, and varnishes
  • Cleans in less than 10 minutes

Cons:

  • Sensitive flow control lever
  • Trigger requires some finesse

Yattich Paint Sprayer

Paint By Numbers (Of Nozzles)

With 3 spray patterns, 5 nozzles, and an easy-to-disassemble design, the Yattich Paint Sprayer is another excellent choice.
Runner Up

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Featuring horizontal, vertical, and circular paint patterns along with 5 detachable copper nozzles that are easy to clean, the Yattich Paint Sprayer has a setting for pretty much any project you can think of. Designed with a rear foam pad that prevents paint from flowing backward or blocking the nozzle, the Yattich Paint Sprayer creates more uniform coverage than its competitors. The pad also has dust and moisture resistance qualities, which can extend the life of its powerful, 500-watt motor.

Pros:

  • Power cord over 6-feet long
  • Comes with cleaning brush and needle
  • Detailed, easy-to-read instructions

Cons:

  • Small paint container
  • No warranty

Neiko Mini Gravity Air Feed Spray Paint Gun

Mini But Mighty

For smaller jobs requiring fine, detailed work, this one from Neiko is just the right size at just the right price.
Best Value

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For smaller painting and touch-up projects, the Neiko Mini Gravity Air Feed Spray Paint Gun is the perfect solution. Utilizing the High-Volume/Low-Pressure (HVLP) design that saves paint and reduces overspray, you’ll achieve even coating and fewer drips — especially in tight spaces. The nozzle features 3 pattern adjustments, as well as adjustments for paint volume and air volume. At only 10 inches long, it’s easy to hold and control, and weighing only 12 ounces, it’s the type of sprayer you can use all day long.

Pros:

  • Choose from 6 different nozzle sizes
  • Available cleaning kit
  • Perfect coats at 40 PSI

Cons:

  • Requires an air compressor
  • The nozzle head is difficult to disassemble

Teccpo Electric Paint Sprayer

Paint, Power, Performance

For big jobs that require a lot of paint — and power — try the Teccpo Electric Paint Sprayer.
Best Large-Capacity

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If you’re a professional painter, or you’re staring down a weather-beaten fence that borders an acre of property, you’re going to want the Teccpo Electric Paint Sprayer. Its 600-watt motor can deliver up to 800ml per minute of paint — twice as much as its competitors — without causing the motor to heat up. And with a large, 1300ml paint cup, you won’t be stopping to fill up as often. Despite its power, the Teccpo Electric Paint Sprayer weighs less than 4 pounds, so it’s easy on your arm for long jobs. We especially like the fact that this paint sprayer was drop-tested at five feet to ensure its durability.

Pros:

  • Comes with 3 copper spray nozzles
  • HVLP design
  • Adjustable paint volume dial

Cons:

  • Not designed for oil-based paints
  • Tips require frequent cleaning

Graco Ultra Cordless

Shades Of Graco

Powered by the DeWalt lithium-ion battery, the Graco Ultra Cordless gives you hours of paint spraying without the hassles of a power cord.
Best Cordless

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There’s a lot to love about the Graco Ultra Cordless Paint Sprayer. A trusted brand name itself, the Graco Ultra Cordless uses DeWalt lithium-ion batteries to run its powerful motor — and by powerful, we mean a Trilax Triple Piston Motor capable of delivering 2,000 pounds per square inch. This will give you a perfect, airless finish at any speed, and it eliminates the need to thin your paint (or varnish). This is a pro-grade paint sprayer, so if something does go wrong with it, it’s fully repairable and not the type of power tool you throw in the trash when it breaks.

Pros:

  • 2 batteries included
  • Comes with carrying case and extra paint cup
  • Sprays latex, enamel, and chalk paint

Cons:

  • Weighs over 11 pounds
  • O-rings have a short life span (but replaceable)

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best technique for getting an even coat of paint from a sprayer with no drips?

Start by remembering to be patient and paint the object using slow and even strokes. Hold your paint sprayer at least 10 to 12 inches from the surface, then move it in a steady motion vertically or horizontally. Again, move slowly and don’t worry about getting only light coverage with the first coat. Then, allow the paint to dry. Next, apply a second coat of paint in the same manner as the first, but move your painter in a direction perpendicular to the first coat. So if you used vertical stroke for the first layer, use horizontal strokes for the second.

What’s the best way to clean a paint sprayer?

Simple is best: run water through it. After cleaning out the holding cup, fill it with hot water and run it through the spray nozzle. When using varnish, or if the paint is not being diluted by the water, most paint sprayers disassemble and can be cleaned in a tank or sink filled with water and a solvent.

My project is going to take more than one day. Can I leave paint in my sprayer overnight?

Yes, but do not leave the sprayer pressurized, and remember to turn off the power. Take apart the gun and intake tube and place them in a bucket of water, and you should be fine for another 24 hours.