Best Airless Paint Sprayer

Best Airless Paint Sprayer Comparison Chart

If you know for certain that you want an airless sprayer, then we’ve made the selection process easy for you.

These are the best rated airless sprayers on the market today and will help you get your project done quickly and with a high quality.

Picture	Name
	Graco Ultra Cordless Airless 2 batteries Included Triple Piston Pump RAC X FFLP Spray Tips
	Titan ControlMax 1700 55% less overspray than other models Max 1500 PSI Max 300 Gallons/year
	Graco Magnum X5 Sprays Unthinned Paint Spray 27 Gallons/hour 125 Gallon/year Usage
	HomeRight Power Flo Pro 2 year warranty 515 reversible tip included Budget Friendly
	Graco Project Painter Plus Spray up to 50 gallons/year Best for Latex 15 lbs
	Earlex HV5500 Easy adjustments 650 Watt Turbine
	Graco TrueCoat 360 Kit 3.5 lbs FlexLiner System Fast Cleaning Comes with a ton of Stuff

Airless Paint Sprayer Reviews: Editor’s Choice

Top Rated Airless Paint Sprayer

Graco Magnum X5

What is the best airless sprayer to complete your jobs?  You don’t always know what the conditions you’ll be encountering. You might need a lot of flexibility in your movement.

The Graco X5 airless spray gun supports a painting hose of up to 75 feet. That means you’ve got plenty of reach for every project. Just mask off what you need to do and then paint until you’re done.

The Graco Magnum X5 Airless Sprayer is recommended as a light duty machine. It’s great for staining your deck or your fence. Bring it inside and you’ll be able to quickly paint a ceiling without the mess a roller tends to give you.

Use their 20 inch extension rod and save your back when painting your deck, fence or those ceilings.

The built-in auto-prime feature makes it easier to clear out any leftover paint or residue that might’ve been missed during your last cleaning. This model can output up to 27 gallons per hour, giving it over 10% more capacity than many other sprayers from the same brand.

You also get complete control over paint pressure, so you can adjust the flow to match the speed and precision of your project. Whether you’re working quickly or taking your time, the finish remains consistent throughout.

Cleanup is streamlined thanks to the PowerFlush Adapter, which lets you hook the sprayer directly to a standard garden hose for fast and efficient rinsing.

Turn on the hose, pull the sprayer, and clean water flushes out the paint very quickly. There is no disassembly required for the cleaning process.  Once your done with your sprayer, use Graco Pump Armor to protect the internal parts and the pump.

Best Semi Professional Airless Paint Sprayer

Titan Control Max 1700

This professional airless sprayer unit was manufactured with the hobbyist who wants to take it up a notch. The Titan 1700 HEA Tip decreases overspray levels by over 55% compared to other airless sprayers in this category.  Less atomized paint particles floating around in the air. Save money on your paint budget too.

Reducing blow back and overspray is a built in feature of this sprayer due to the lower PSI and the HEA technology. The spray is softer and you have more control over the finish.

I love that the Titan 1700 draws paint directly from a 3 or 5 gallon container, making it super easy to paint your projects. The hose is 50 feet with the option to extend it another 10 feet. This ensures you can reach any area you need to paint and is especially useful for large scale projects like painting the exterior of your house or a long fence.

Beginner painters will appreciate how easy it is to prime the Titan 1700 thanks to its Sureflo pusher valve, which simplifies the process and helps get you started quickly.

Powered by a 0.60 horsepower HEA (High Efficiency Airless) pump, this sprayer is built for durability and strength. It can handle unthinned paints with ease, saving you the extra step of diluting coatings to the correct thickness. With a flow rate of 0.33 gallons per minute, it’s well-suited for serious DIY projects that require consistent performance.

The included two-wheel cart makes moving the sprayer around your workspace simple, and there’s even a storage tray on top to keep your tools and paint supplies organized.

To help ensure safe operation, a tip guard is included. The Titan 1700 works well with stains and both water- and oil-based paints. If you’re planning to spray thinner materials, you may need to purchase a smaller tip size than the one provided. Compatible Titan spray tips include 311, 413, 515, and 517.

Easy to dial in paint flow adjustments are located on the paint machine itself, while the horizontal and vertical spray pattern adjustments are found on The Titan 1700 spray gun itself.

This sprayer operates at a maximum pressure of 1500 PSI, which means there are some limits to the power and versatility it offers. Notably, it doesn’t include an inline filter, so you’ll want to strain your paint before use to help prevent clogs in the spray tip. Regularly wiping the tip during your project is important to avoid blockages, and if you pause for a break, be sure to keep the tip moist by covering it with a damp cloth to prevent it from drying out.

This model is ideal for hobbyists looking to step up their DIY painting game with more frequent projects, but it’s not designed for heavy-duty commercial or professional use.

Best Airless Paint Sprayer for the Money

Graco Project Painter Plus

With this Graco airless spray gun, you receive a paint sprayer that is fully adjustable. You stay in control of the flow of the paint as you work to create specific results.

The stainless-steel piston pump is powerful enough to spray unthinned paint at a high pressure, ensuring a smooth and consistent finish.

This sprayer performs particularly well with thicker paint types such as latex. For stains and lacquers, it’s important to maintain a thicker viscosity to achieve optimal spraying results.

One feature I really appreciate is that this unit draws paint directly from the can or bucket. The flexible paint supply hose fits both 1-gallon and 5-gallon containers, unlike many other models that use rigid hoses.

Those stiff hoses can easily come loose or pull out of the paint can while you’re working, allowing air into the system. This interrupts your workflow as you have to stop, bleed the line, and restart painting — which can lead to uneven coverage and less professional results.

Hook yourself up with a 20 inch extension rod and save your back.

When storing (and after cleaning), put some Graco Pump Armor into your sprayer to protect the pump parts.  You’ll thank me later.

Weighing 15 pounds, you can also take this unit just about anywhere and achieve professional results.

We also appreciated the easy-to-access adjustable pressure controls that are on this Graco paint spray gun

Everything you need is placed on a dial that is easy to turn, even while working, and the symbols for each setting are placed in such a way that you can easily see them so you don’t have to guess at what you’re doing.

Graco Ultra Cordless Airless

Powered by the DeWalt XR lithium-ion system, this Graco wireless paint sprayer is designed to give you the perfect airless finish. Users can operate it at any speed and without the paint thinning requirements of other sprayers.

This airless sprayer is ideal for larger projects and delivers a smooth, fast finish to your surfaces. It’s truly a reliable workhorse.

One standout feature of this cordless model is the adjustable pressure control. You can easily set the PSI to match your preferred painting speed. However, when working in tight spaces, extra caution is necessary. Proper masking remains essential to protect areas from overspray, which, based on our testing, lives up to its reputation.

The triple-piston pump is serviceable and can be rebuilt using Graco replacement parts, helping to extend the sprayer’s lifespan. Additionally, the RAC X FFLP spray tips are well-made and offer an industry-leading consistent spray pattern.

You’ll receive everything you need to get started inside the box with the Graco Ultra Cordless Airless Handheld Paint Sprayer. Here is what we discovered.

• One 514 tip. (Get different tips HERE)
• Two batteries from DeWalt, plus the charger for them.
• Two sleeves for the paint.  (You’ll need more, get them here.)
• One cloth bag to help you carry everything.

What I love about Graco Spray Tips is that you can buy any tip you need, including a fine finish low pressure tip. Get all the spray tip info you need, straight from Graco Products.

During our testing, this model occasionally lost its prime while painting — it happened twice. Although it’s not ideal, it’s not a deal-breaker. The solution is straightforward: open the VacuValve to release any trapped air, inspect the gasket, and replace the paint cup if needed (this is covered by the warranty). We also found that not filling the paint cup completely helps maintain a steady prime and results in more consistent painting.

Getting the sprayer ready after prep takes roughly 5 minutes. Our first cleanup session required about 30 minutes, but after a few days of use, we managed to reduce that to around 10 minutes.

For bigger projects, expect to refill the 1-quart paint cup multiple times since this sprayer does not draw paint directly from cans or buckets, which can slow you down.

Before starting any large job, be sure to have several fully charged batteries on hand, as each charge typically lasts between 30 and 45 minutes of active painting.

When you’re storing your Graco Ultra for any period of time greater than 2 weeks, we recommend you use Graco’s Pump Armor.  This antifreeze and lubricant preserves the pump and other parts inside your sprayer.  If you’re going to spend the money for a good sprayer, protect it!

This Graco Spray Gun provides an incredible experience for both new and pro painters. I believe that it’s well worth the initial investment.

HomeRight Power Flo Pro

If you’ve got a big project to complete, don’t waste your time with small sprayers. This unit was built for the hardcore DIYer who paints more than a regular person, but less than a commercial painter.

If that sounds like you, you definitely need to level up your sprayer. The only problem is that professional-quality sprayers can cost as much as a month’s worth of groceries. That’s why we like this HomeRight Model.

It’s priced perfectly for a DIYer at half that of the commercial models. HomeRight includes all the professional type features to get the job done for about half the amount of a commercial sprayer.

One of those features in the 515 reversible spray tip. HomeRight Power Flo Pro also has a spray tip guard built into the unit which protects the tip from getting damaged if you drop it.

The 515 spray tip handles both unthinned latex and thinner paint materials well. However, if you’re frequently spraying thicker paints, be prepared to clean the tip regularly since clogs can occur.

A drawback to consider is the hose length—at just 25 feet, it may require you to pause and reposition the sprayer when working on larger surfaces.

The Power Control Knob is a great feature, letting you easily adjust the pressure to suit different coatings like stains or unthinned latex paints.

We appreciate that this sprayer draws paint straight from the original cans or buckets, eliminating the hassle of refilling a separate cup and allowing you to work more flexibly. That said, the suction hose isn’t as flexible as ideal, which means it can sometimes pop out of the container. Additionally, the hose’s stiffness and length make it difficult to reach the bottom of a 5-gallon bucket.

On the bright side, the built-in mesh filter helps minimize clogging, ensuring a professional finish and saving you money on extra filters.

For such a large sprayer, it only weighs 15 lbs. You can take this unit anywhere. The Power Flo Pro has a carrying handle for easier portability and it also swivels on its base.

Cleaning is really easy with this model as well, with basic solvents or water sprayed through until the stain or paint is gone.

The included gun is chrome plating: with use, this will flake off. It doesn’t affect your paint finish but you could always paint the gun to cover up the flake. The ergonomically designed handle helps reduce fatigue.

Backed by a 2-year warranty, you’re going to love the value that is offered here. Replacement parts are available from HomeRight or online.

If you need the manual, you can find it here: Homeright Power Flo Pro Manual

Earlex HV5500 

The Earlex Spray Station HV5500 delivers consistent results with easy spray pattern adjustments on the fly.

Instead of fiddling with difficult knobs or dials, you simply push to receive the pattern adjustments that your next project requires.

What we really liked about this Earlex Spray Station was the fact that the spray pattern adjustments come with a push and click type of design. This easy spray pattern changing system makes it so you can easily complete a wide variety of projects with different paint mediums such as latex, oil, lacquers and sealers.

It’s also easy to store the Earlex because the gun sits on top when not in use. Take this sprayer anywhere, with the easy carry handle.

The motor is a bit loud. Even with hearing protection on, it can be enough to leave your ears ringing for a bit after you’re done working.

Its a spray station which means you don’t need a compressor because it comes with a turbine and generates its own air.  You can save some cash on buying a separate compressor.

It gives contractors the power and control they’ll need to get some of their jobs completed on time.  With a 13 ft hose, you won’t have to struggle to reach your projects. However, we found that the hose for this particular unit can be easy to dislodge from the unit especially since it is only 13 feet long. If you have larger areas to cover, consider buying a longer hose.

This sprayer comes with a 2mm nozzle that covers most paint jobs. We didn’t like that the only spray tip you get out of the box is a 2mm tip. To spray certain finishes, you need to invest into several different tips to maximize the use of this machine.  You’ll need a 1.5mm tip/nozzle at least. When purchasing this unit, also purchase additional tips so your covered for all your projects.

The 1 quart paint cup allows you to paint without worrying about having to pause and refill your cup. It’s also teflon coated, along with the gun, which means super fast and easy clean up.

The portability and on board storage of this unit are well thought out making it easy to carry with you or store it when not in use.

If you’re tired of the messes and inconsistent coverage that brushes and rollers can provide you at times, especially for decking and other exterior work, then you’re going to love what the Earlex HV5500 Spray Station is able to do.

This pro spray gun is able to generate up to 42 CFM thanks to its 650 watt power turbine, giving you consistent coverage on your shutters, trim or similar medium-sized projects.

Fan widths that can be distributed onto a surface by this unit range from just 1 inch to 12 inches, give you the large-scale coverage you need or the detail work you’ve got to have.

Get yourself the specialized Earlex Spray Gun Cleaning Kit to get your unit super clean after use.

It can be used for interiors or exterior needs and can spray thinned latex, lacquers, varnishes, oils, stains, and even sealants if you have the need to do so.  The Earlex HV5500 is a super versatile unit for all your DIY projects.

Graco TrueCoat 360 Kit

This Graco TrueCoat 360 Paint Sprayer Kit is fantastic.  Graco supplies everything you need to get started painting right away including:

• Paint bags 
• Pump armor and 
• 2 tips (1 narrow 4” tip and 1 wide 12” tip) 

Reduce downtime caused by paint clogs with Graco’s reversible spray tips, designed for quick cleaning and continued workflow.

The TrueCoat model features a durable stainless-steel piston pump rated at 1500 PSI, which resists rust and corrosion. This pressure level allows you to spray unthinned paint types such as latex efficiently.

With adjustable spray widths ranging from 4 to 12 inches, you can easily customize the spray pattern to handle both detailed and large-scale projects with accuracy and speed.

Wondering if you can spray primer with the Graco TrueCoat 260? Absolutely. It’s compatible with both water-based and solvent-based paints, stains, and primers that can be cleaned using mineral spirits. This versatile sprayer handles all unthinned paint types with ease.

One standout feature is the airtight VacuValve technology, which enables spraying even when the unit is inverted.

Graco really delivered with this model—it weighs just 3.5 pounds, helping reduce wrist fatigue during extended use.

The 32-ounce paint cup is convenient for small to medium jobs, but for larger projects, frequent refills might interrupt your workflow. For extensive jobs like exterior house painting, a sprayer that draws paint directly from a can or a 5-gallon bucket would be a better fit.

Keep in mind that this sprayer can produce more overspray compared to others, mainly due to its 1500 PSI airless design. Plan your paint quantity accordingly to avoid running short.

Using the Graco TrueCoat 360 is uncomplicated and you can see it for yourself in this VIDEO FROM GRACO.

Because of the FlexLiner system, clean up is fast: around 10 minutes or so.  We recommend washing out your FlexLiner paint bags to save some dough or buy them in a warehouse pack.  Don’t overfill your paint cup on this model or it could lose its prime. I also found that my paint results were more consistent when I left some room at the top of the paint cup when filling.

The recommended annual usage is 25 gallons/year, so this sprayer is perfect for the home handy person.

What is an Airless Paint Sprayer?

An airless paint sprayer is a tool that applies paint without relying on compressed air.

Instead of mixing air with paint to create pressure and atomization—like traditional or HVLP spray guns—airless sprayers use a powerful motor to pump paint directly from a container, through a hose, and out of the spray gun nozzle.

This method delivers a strong, consistent stream of paint that coats surfaces quickly and evenly.

Other types of spray guns use compressed air from an air compressor  to create pressure and deliver flow.

With your airless spray guns, they are doing all of that without needing a compressor. Because of this they are considered to be the fastest and most versatile as they paint thick materials with ease such as thick latex paint.

This makes them more self-contained and mobile, with the added benefit of handling thick materials such as unthinned latex with ease. If you equip your sprayer with the correct size tips, it can also handle a wide variety of coatings, giving you even more flexibility for different types of projects.

If you purchase the right size tips, they can also spray most coatings.

Why We Recommend an Airless Paint Sprayer

There are several reasons we recommend using an airless paint sprayer, especially for homeowners and DIYers tackling large jobs. First and foremost, airless systems are incredibly fast.

They allow you to complete big projects—like painting the entire exterior of your home—in a fraction of the time it would take using rollers or brushes. The flow of paint is consistent and strong, delivering reliable results with every pass.

Another major benefit is portability. Unlike compressor-based systems, airless sprayers don’t require you to haul around bulky equipment. Many larger models even come mounted on a trolley, so you can easily wheel them from one spot to another without lifting or struggling with extra gear.

Airless sprayers also eliminate the need to thin paint. They handle thick materials, such as latex and primer, with no problem.

You can purchase a range of interchangeable spray tips, allowing you to use one sprayer for multiple types of coatings. This is a clear advantage over HVLP sprayers, which are typically limited to one or two tips and often require thinning your paint to function correctly.

Because airless sprayers are self-contained, they can fit into tight spaces and awkward areas where a compressor system might not reach.

Not needing to invest in an air compressor also allows you to put more of your budget toward a high-quality spray gun itself—giving you better performance and value in the long run.

Because you don’t need a compressor, we got into tight spaces to paint.  Also, we saved a few bucks and spent it on a higher end gun instead of a compressor!

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Features to Look for in an Airless Sprayer

Hoses

A long and flexible hose allows you to move around your project easily. If your hose is too short, you will run into problems like having to reposition yourself and your sprayer. You don’t want anything to interrupt your paint stroke.

Easy Controls

Controls that are positioned on the gun so you can make adjustments on the fly will increase the quality of your paint job. No one wants to fiddle with controls and be distracted while painting.

Steel Parts

This one is obvious, but steel parts protect against rust and last longer than plastic parts.

Tips

If there are lots of tips available or your airless sprayer, you will be able to conquer a lot more painting projects with the same gun. Brand name tips usually are better quality and last longer too.

Overspray

Airless sprayers tend to have higher levels of overspray than other types of spray guns, like HVLP. Check the specs and make sure the overspray level is low for the gun you buy.

Portability

Large sprayers will be heavy and you want to avoid lugging it around as much as possible. A sprayer with wheels or some sort of cart are super helpful.

Easy to Clean

The more parts, the harder it is to get into every little crevice and clean out the paint. Make sure that your new gun will be easy to clean.

Paint Capacity

If you gun comes with a cup, is that cup big enough for the painting projects you have in mind? You don’t want to compromise the quality of your paint job because you’re starting and stopping to constantly refill your paint cup. Smaller cups are OK for detail work, but bigger jobs need bigger paint cup capacity.

Flow Rate and Annual Usage

The sprayer should have a fast enough flow rate (gallons per minute) and a high enough annual usage that you can paint all of your projects without issue.

Lightweight Gun

Make sure that the spray gun itself is lightweight enough that you won’t begin to suffer from fatigue while painting.

Best Material to Spray with Your Airless Sprayer

Airless sprayers are the best at spraying thicker materials.  This is because they push nearly 2000 PSI, atomizing even unthinned latex and primers.

Do You Have to Thin Paint for an Airless Sprayer?

One of our favorite features of the HUGE PSI an airless sprayer pushes is the fact that you can spray unthinned materials including latex paint.  Some models, like the Graco line of airless spray guns, have a flexible suction tube that sucks the paint straight from your paint can. Save yourself a bunch of time.  Awesome.

Warning though, don’t try to spray thinner materials with this type of spray gun.  The PSI is just too much and it will be a huge mess.  Check out why Airless Vs HVLP are better for thicker materials.  We recommend spraying thinner materials with HVLP and Gravity Feed Guns.

Are Airless Sprayers Any Good?  

Wondering if an airless sprayer is better than other types of paint sprayers? The truth is, like most tools, airless sprayers excel in certain situations and are ideal for specific types of jobs.

Where airless sprayers shine is in covering large areas quickly. They’re absolute workhorses when it comes to big projects like exterior walls, fences, decks, or even entire houses. If speed and efficiency are what you need, an airless sprayer is hard to beat.

One of the biggest perks is that prep time is significantly reduced. With many airless models, you don’t need to thin your paint—just pull it straight from the can and get to work. That alone saves time and hassle, especially if you’re working with thicker materials like latex or primers.

Because these sprayers don’t rely on air pressure, you don’t need to purchase a separate air compressor.

While the upfront cost of an airless sprayer may be higher than a basic HVLP unit, it’s usually still more affordable than buying both an HVLP sprayer and a compatible compressor.

Over time, that makes airless a more cost-effective option for many users.

That said, airless sprayers do have their tradeoffs. If your technique isn’t on point, you’ll likely experience more overspray and wasted paint, which can add up in material costs.

Also, not all models are suited for thinner materials—so be sure to check the manufacturer’s recommendations before you buy to make sure the unit fits your project needs.

How to Use an Airless Paint Sprayer

If you’ve never used an airless spray gun before, it’s important to understand how to use this type of sprayer so you can save time and get professional results.  

Once you’ve watched the short video below, you can read our post on good painting techniques and 6 paint sprayer disasters you can fix.  

Take your DIY to the next level.

Pros and Cons of Airless Paint Guns

The Advantages of an Airless Paint Sprayer

Airless paint guns offer users a portable solution for everyone’s painting needs.

Paint Anywhere

Of course a brush or a roller is also portable, but the spray gun offers a chance at a better consistency during the application of the paint or other medium.

If you have a paint sprayer that offers 25 feet or more of hose, combined with 25+ feet in length of an extension cord, then you can take an airless sprayer virtually anywhere to paint whatever needs to be painted.

Some airless paint sprayers come with wheels attached to their frame. Although this adds to the cost of the tool itself, users gain the advantage of having a paint sprayer they can take with them over longer distances with ease.

Easy to get Started

An airless paint sprayer can often take paint straight from the can. Depending on the nozzle and the filtering process included with the gun, users may not even need to run the paint through a screen before feeding it.

Pressure Controls

An added advantage to the best airless paint sprayer is the adjustable pressure controls.

This will allow you to apply paint at several different settings. You may even be able to attach a roller for backrolling to the spray gun. Some models also include a cleaning setting that makes cleaning up after a project a lot faster as well.

How do you find the paint sprayer with the most possible advantages for your needs? By going through the helpful airless spray gun reviews found right here.

Speed of Paint Application

Airless sprayers can crush a large job like a fence or a house exterior much faster than other types of paint feeds like HVLP/gravity.

Disadvantages of an Airless Paint Sprayer

Airless paint sprayers tend to need a more experienced user, someone who already knows how to spray.  

Overspray is an issue with this type of sprayer which can have 40-50% overspray.  Compare that to an HVLP with about 10-20% overspray rate.

Why Use an Airless Sprayer over a Brush and Roller?

Preparing to spray and clean up afterwards is a bit of work and takes time. Spraying also using more paint than the traditional brush and roller.

We recommend using an airless sprayer because it really takes the results up a notch. Your painting will look professional because the finish is even and smooth. I

t’s much easier to paint in corners and hard to reach places with an airless sprayer. Laying down thin coats that don’t run is another plus of using a sprayer over a brush and roller.

What is the Best Type of Sprayer for Home Use?

Different types of painting projects call for different types of paint sprayers, and your level of experience with spray painting is also an important factor when deciding which sprayer is best for home use.

If you’re planning to tackle larger surfaces—like big interior walls, ceilings, or the exterior of your home—an airless paint sprayer is often the better choice. These sprayers are built for speed, allowing you to cover large areas quickly with a thick, even coat of paint.

However, airless sprayers also tend to produce more overspray. When combined with limited experience or poor technique, that can lead to a lot of wasted paint and potential cleanup.

On the other hand, if your projects focus more on furniture, DIY crafts, or cabinet painting, then an HVLP sprayer (high volume, low pressure) is a much better fit.

HVLP sprayers are beginner-friendly and far more forgiving thanks to the lower pressure they use to apply paint. That lower PSI creates a softer spray pattern, resulting in minimal overspray and a smooth, professional-looking finish.

This makes HVLP sprayers ideal for detailed or delicate projects, like cabinetry and patio furniture.

Airless Paint Sprayer Coverage per Gallon

How much sq feet can you cover with a gallon of paint if you use an airless sprayer?  There is no right answer for this question, other than it depends.

It depends on:

#1. Type of Paint: Thick or Thin

#2. Overspray for Your sprayer model

#3. Painting Technique and Experience

#4. Quality and Condition of Your Tips

#5.  Pressure Used

#6.  Are you Painting Inside or Outside (wind, temperature, humidity etc.)

How to Use an Airless Sprayer

Here are the general steps for starting your airless sprayer. Consult your instruction manual for the exact steps. Check out this video HERE for a step by step on how to paint with your airless sprayer.

Priming Your Sprayer (if required) are the first steps listed below

1. Unplug your paint sprayer
2. Make sure the nozzle is not attached
3. Engage the safety, located behind the spray gun trigger
4. Switch the knob to “prime”
5. Put the suction tube in your paint medium
6. Put the return tube into a waste bucket
7. Plug in your airless paint sprayer
8. Slowly turn up the pressure nob to a low setting
9. Once paint is flowing well, turn off the pressure knob
10. Put the return and suction tube in the same bucket
11. Aim the sprayer towards a test area
12. Turn the knob to the “spray” setting and slowly turn up the pressure
13. Squeeze the trigger of the spray head until paint begins to flow
14. Lock the spray head trigger
15. Put the tip you’re using on
16. Paint away!

Airless Paint Sprayer Buyer’s Guide 

How to Find the Best Airless Paint Sprayer for Me 

Choosing an airless paint sprayer is a little more complicated than just finding the best paint sprayer in this category.

You have a virtually endless selection of combinations that you’ll need to figure out for your next project.

This means it is just as important to select the right paint hose and the right tip/nozzle as it is to select the right pump or the right spray gun when picking out an airless sprayer.

Horsepower

If completion speed is your primary priority, then you have another consideration: horsepower.

An airless paint sprayer that is rated with a higher horsepower level will allow you to process more gallons of paint per minute.

Speed and Volume

Once you reach a 1 gallon per minute spray ratio, you’ll be looking at commercial-grade equipment, which means you may be looking for the best professional airless paint sprayer and making a rather large investment into this tool.

Paint Thickness

If you have a thick paint or other finish that needs to be sprayed through the airless sprayer, then you’ll need a tool that can support larger nozzles or tips.

You’ll also want to look for units that have a strong pounds per square inch to make sure you have a high quality finish with the thicker coatings you’re planning to apply.

Size

Size can also be a factor. Small handheld units are generally cheaper to purchase, but the amount of coverage they can provide on a single pass is also quite limited.

You’ll also receive fewer spray patterns and lower levels of air pressure with handheld units.

Airless Paint Sprayers Tips and Tricks

There might be nothing more frustrating than an airless spray gun that won’t work for you.

Here are some common issues that users encounter and how to quickly fix them.

• The spray gun has become clogged. The filter or the tip/nozzle can get clogged from time to time. Stop using the spray gun, remove the clogged item from the machine, and rinse it out with water. Replace a damaged tip/nozzle or filter. If you have a tip that is reversible, then turn it 180 degrees and run the paint on the lowest possible setting.

• Tailing. This means you’re not achieving enough pressure. Your tip is probably worn out. You may also have the pressure setting too low. If increasing the pressure doesn’t work, then replace the worn-out tip immediately.

• The motor on my spray gun is really hot. This means your spray nozzle is too small for the paint. It is causing the motor to run hot. Decrease your pressure and increase your nozzle size.

• Your airless spray gun won’t work at all. There can be hardened or even frozen paint in your machine. If the paint has hardened, then you’ll need to replace your pump packings. If the paint has frozen, then allow the spray gun to thaw at room temperature, but be prepared for the need to replace your spray gun. 

Biggest Pet Peeve about Airless Paint Guns

One of the biggest complaints that covers all airless sprayers is a fluid leak that comes from the attachment point of the paint hose.

A leak there indicates that your connection is not tight enough.

You’ll want to take a wrench to tighten the hose to the sprayer or to your gun. If that does not work, you may have a seal or gasket that has failed.

If you cannot resolve the issue on your own, take a few moments to talk to your sprayer’s manufacturer.

Most offer a section that provide you access to some of the “tricks of the trade” to keep your productivity levels high.

What Are the Prices of the Best Airless Paint Sprayers? 

Most DIY homeowners will find that a smaller airless paint sprayer will meet most of the needs they have.

This means they’ll be able to take advantage of an airless sprayer, which are priced in the $75-$125 range.  There really is not such thing as decent, usable cheap airless paint sprayers.

For those who have extensive exterior work to complete, airless sprayers equipped with wheels on their frames typically run between $200-$400 in price.

Commercial airless paint sprayers are typically priced above that mark. Contractors may pay in excess of $1,500 for a high-powered machine.

Renting an Airless Paint Sprayer

You can rent a paint sprayer from your local hardware store. The problem with renting is that it can get pretty expensive if you have a larger job to do over a few days. Usually prices start at around $25 per day and go up from there.

I found that it can actually be cheaper to buy one used of craigslist or Facebook marketplace. You can buy one used, complete your job, then sell it again and get your money back.

How Often should Paint Filters be Cleaned?

Some airless paint sprayers come with built in filters saving you the time of pre-filtering the paint. These filters should be cleaned out after each time you use your sprayer. Otherwise the paint will dry and clog up your filters and this could wreck your paint gun. This also prevents filter and tip clogs.

How to Clean an Airless Paint Sprayer

I’m a hands on type of person, and chances are, so are you. I prefer to watch a video of someone cleaning a sprayer than read about it, so take a look at this video HERE for great details on how to clean your airless sprayer.

Which Tips Should I use on my Airless Paint Sprayer?

Here is a handy chart you can reference for which tips work best with which paint mediums.

Basically, the thinner the material, the smaller the tip size or hole should be at the end of the tip. Thicker paint medium will use a tip with a larger hole.

Job	Tip Size
Furniture (Oil)	517 or 619
Coatings (Poly)	313, 413, 415, 515
Walls/Ceilings (Latex)	313, 413, 415, 515, 517
Decks/Fencing (Stains)	313, 413, 415, 515
Cabinets (Enamel - Oil)	313, 413, 415, 515
Primer (Oil)	517, 619
Primer (Latex)	415, 515, 517

Conclusion

The best airless paint sprayers go where other spray guns fear to tread. Create less mess, work faster, and finish with professional results thanks to reviews like these and the outstanding options in this category.

If an airless sprayer isn’t for you, check out our Best Paint Sprayers Reviews to pick your next paint sprayer.

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