Best Airless Paint Sprayer

With an airless paint sprayer you are just pumping paint, not mixing pressurized air & paint. A small difference, but with the right combination, the best airless paint sprayer can make fast work out of your next project.

If you really don’t have any time to lose and there’s a painting project that has to get done, then choosing this type of sprayer will help you get the job done quickly.

Best Airless Paint Sprayer
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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.

Airless Paint Sprayer Reviews: Editor’s Choice

Top Rated Airless Paint Sprayer

Graco Magnum X5

N/A
  • Spray unthinned paint directly from 1 or 5 gallon buckets
  • RAC IV Switch tip lets you reverse the tip to clear out clogs
  • Annual use up to 125 gallons/year
  • Easy cleanup with PowerFlush Adapter
  • Sprays up to 27 gallons/hour

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 automatic priming helps users clean out missed items from the last cleaning session. It can spray up to 27 gallons per hour, which is more than 10% the output of other models in this brand.

Users are also given full control over the amount of pressure that is used for the paint flow at all times. You can work on any project, at any speed, and receive the same results every single time

Then, once you’ve finished painting, cleanup is super simple as well. The sprayer is equipped with a PowerFlush Adapter from Graco products, allowing you to connect a garden hose to the equipment.

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.

Pros
Sprays unthinned materials
Awesome Quality
Easy to Clean PowerFlush Adapter

Cons
Limited to tip sizes smaller than 515
Overspray

Best Semi Professional Airless Paint Sprayer

Titan Control Max 1700

N/A
  • HEA technology that decreases overspray by up to 55%
  • Max operating pressure of 1500 PSI
  • 50 foot hose
  • Spray up to 300 gallons per year
  • 0.60 horsepower pump that can spray unthinned paints and stains up to 0.33 gallons/minute
  • 2 year warranty

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.

Newbie painters don’t have to worry about having difficulty priming the Titan 1700 because of the Sureflo pusher valve that makes priming a breeze every time.

The 0.60 horsepower HEA pump (High Efficiency Airless Technology) is durable and extra strong compared to the competition. This pump lets you spray unthinned coatings so you don’t have to waste time thinning your paint medium to the proper viscosity. The flow rate is 0.33 gallons per minute which is typical for a sprayer in the heavy duty DIYer category.

Mobility and portability are addressed with this 2 wheeled cart. You can store your painting supplies on the top in the handy storage compartment.

Protect yourself with the included tip guard. This unit is great for spraying stain, water or oil based paints. Anything thinner and you will need to buy a smaller spray tip than the one that comes with the sprayer. Available Titan tip sizes 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.

It does operate at a maximum pressure of 1500 PSI, however, so there are some limitations to the benefits this model is able to provide. For some reason, this sprayer does not come with an inline filter; you will need to strain your paint to reduce clogging in the tip. Wipe down your tip frequently to also prevent clogging and never let the tip dry out if you’re taking a break. Cover it with a wet rag.

I think this sprayer is perfect for the hobbyist who wants to take it up a notch in their DIY and do more frequent painting projects, but doesn’t need to do commercial spraying or painting for a living.

Pros
Soft Spray
Less overspray than other models
Durable pump
2 year warranty
Sucks paint from 3-5 gallon containers

Cons
1500 PSI Max
No inline filter
Only accepts Titan Tips

Best Airless Paint Sprayer for the Money

Graco Project Painter Plus

N/A
  • Fully adjustable pressure
  • Spray unthinned paint directly from paint can or bucket
  • Easy clean up with PowerFlush adapter
  • Annual Use up to 50 gallons/year

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.

At the same time, the stainless-steel piston pump is strong enough to let you spray paint that hasn’t been thinned at a high enough pressure for consistent results.

This unit works best when spraying thicker paint mediums like latex. Stains and lacquers will need to have a thicker viscosity for this unit to spray them with good results.

I love the fact that this unit takes paint directly from the can or bucket. The paint supply hose is flexible and works with both 1 gallon and 5 gallon cans and buckets. Most other models have a rigid paint hose that can cause issues and come out of your paint can/bucket when moving around your projects. This results in air getting into your paint system and having to stop, bleed the line and then begin painting again. This could result in a not so professional finish on your paint surface.

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.

Pros
Fully adjustable
Little overspray

Cons
Weighs 15 lbs
Best with Water based only
Stains should be thicker to work well with this unit

Graco Ultra Cordless Airless

N/A
  • MAX PSI 2000
  • 514 tip included
  • Comes w/2 batteries
  • Powered by DEWALT XR Lithium Ion System
  • Triax Triple Piston Pump with ProConnect
  • Adjustable Pattern Fan Control
  • 1 Quart cup
  • Fully Repairable for Extended Life
  • Uses RAC X FFLP Spray Tips

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 recommended for large jobs and lays down a smooth finish on your surface fast. A true workhorse.

The pressure controls are the nicest feature of this cordless sprayer. You can adjust your PSI levels to work at the speed you are most comfortable. Extra protections need to be taken for areas where close work needs to be done. You’ll still need to properly mask-off your room to prevent paint molecules from settling onto unwanted items. Overall, we found the overspray claims to be truthful.

The triple piston pump can be rebuilt with Graco parts, extending the life of your sprayer. The RAC X FFLP spray tips are quality built and provide an industry leading consistent spraying experience.

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.

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.

This model can lose its prime while painting. During testing, it happened twice. This is not a huge problem and would not stop us from buying or using this paint sprayer. The fix is simple: open the VacuValve and remove the air. Check the gasket and replace the cup if necessary, which is covered under the warranty. I recommend to not fill the paint cup completely when working. Leaving a little room seemed to provide a more consistent painting result and kept the prime.

It takes about 5 minutes in total to get the sprayer ready for painting after you’ve completed your prep work. Our first cleaning attempt took about 30 minutes. After a couple of extra days with the unit, the cleanup time could be reduced to about 10 minutes.

On larger jobs, be prepared to refill the cup a few times, because it’s only 1 quart. That’s the downside of a paint machine that doesn’t suck directly from paint cans/buckets.

Make sure before you tackle a big job that you have multiple batteries charged up and ready to go. A charge lasts about 30-45 minutes of 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.

Pros
Med to Large Jobs
Gets into Awkward Spaces
Sprays Unthinned Paint

Cons
Drains Batteries Fast
Overspray
Large Investment

HomeRight Power Flo Pro

N/A
  • 2 year warranty
  • 515 reversible tip included
  • 2800 PSI
  • 0.28 gallons per minute
  • 1/2 horsepower motor
  • 100 gallons/year
  • 25 foot hose

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 tip can spray unthinned latex and thinner materials. Be careful though, you may need to clean the tip if you’re consistently spraying thick paints because it can clog.

One of the downsides of this sprayer is the hose is only 25 feet long. Keep this in mind when painting a larger area that you might have to stop to move the sprayer.

The Power Control Knob allows you to adjust the pressure for spraying different paint mediums like stains and unthinned latex.

We love that this unit pulls paint directly from the original cans or containers, making it easy to paint anywhere and not have to worry about refill a cup. The suction hose for pulling paint from containers is not as flexible as it should be. This means that the hose might come out of the paint container. Another con of the paint suction hose is that it’s hard to reach the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket due to the inflexibility and length of the suction hose.

The built in mesh filter reducing clogging and helps to achieve pro paint results while saving you cash on having to buy additional 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

Pros
Cheaper than other models
2 year warranty
515 reversible tip included
Built in filter
Non kink hose
2800 PSI output

Cons
Must buy more spray tips
Some people find it a bit noisy
Hose only 25 feet long

Earlex HV5500 

N/A
  • Easy Adjustments
  • 650 watt turbine
  • 2 stage turbine
  • Push and Click adjustments
  • 13 foot hose
  • 2mm nozzle
  • 1 quart tank capacity

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.

Pros
Easy Spray Adjustments
Consistent results
Sprays latex, lacquers, varnish, oil, stains, sealants
13 foot hose
Built in carrying handle
2 year warranty

Cons
Only comes with 1 tip
Motor is a bit loud
Hose easy to dislodge

Graco TrueCoat 360 Kit

N/A
  • Includes TrueCoat 360 Paint Sprayer with 1 narrow 4 tip, 1 wide 12 tip, 1 quart Pump Armor and a 3-Pack FlexLiner 32 oz Paint Bags
  • Spray unthinned paint
  • Reversible Spray Tips
  • VacuValve technology allows you upside down spraying
  • Flow Rate 0.20 gallons/minute

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) 

Clean out paint clog with minimal downtime by using Graco’s reversible spray tips.

The TrueCoat includes a 1500 PSI piston pump made of stainless steel to resist corrosion and rust. The 1500 PSI let’s you spray unthinned paint mediums like latex at high pressure.

The 4 and 12 inch variable spray widths allows you to dial in your spray to complete both large and small jobs quickly and with precision.

Can you spray primer with Graco TrueCoat 260? You bet, it can spray water based and solvent based paints, stains and primers that can be cleaned with mineral spirits. Spray all unthinned paint mediums with this powerful sprayer.

I love that this unit let’s you spray upside down because of the air tight VacuValve technology. 

Graco hit a home run with this sprayer. It weighs only 3.5lbs which eliminates wrist fatigue you might get when using the sprayer.

The 32 ounce capacity cup is OK, but we found we needed to refill a bit more frequently than we’d like, especially for bigger jobs. We wouldn’t recommend it for painting the exterior of a house, for example. the best choice for a huge job is a sprayer that pulls paint directly from a can or a 5 gallon paint bucket.

We also found that this sprayer seems to create more overspray than others, mostly because of the 1500 PSI and the fact that it’s airless. You should adjust your paint budget for this fact by buying more paint.

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.

Pros
Comes with a ton of supplies
Battery lasts 30 min of spray time
Can also spray unthinned paints
0-2000 PSI adjustments

Cons
Must buy flexliners when you run out
Paint cups are small
Doesn’t suck paint directly from can
Needs a longer power cord

What is an Airless Paint Sprayer?

Airless spray guns create paint spray without using any air.  How do airless paint sprayers work? They pump paint directly from a container through a hose to the gun and then onto your project.

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.

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

Why We Recommend an Airless Paint Sprayer

We recommend an airless spray gun because of a few reasons.  

They paint big jobs and they paint them fast.  Save yourself a ton of time painting the exterior of your home.  We love the consistency of the paint flow and result.

We didn’t need to lug around a compressor, so you can use them anywhere.  Bigger airless sprayers come on their own trolley so you can just wheel them around.

No thinning of latex and they paint thicker materials like primers.  You can buy a ton of different tips which means you can spray all sorts of materials.  Compare this to an HVLP sprayer which is limited to 1 or 2 tips and spraying thinned paints.  Your airless is the clear winner.

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

Features of the Best Airless Sprayer
Long and Flexible hose to suck paint directly from cans
Easy to Adjust Controls
Stainless Steel Parts
Brand Name Tips Available
Lower overspray levels
Larger units have carts or wheels for portability
Easy to clean
Paint Capacity
Flow Rate and Annual Usage
Lightweight Gun

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?  

Is an airless sprayer better than other types of paint sprayers?  Well, like all other sprayers, an airless sprayer is good at certain things and for certain jobs.  

It’s a workhorse for spraying large areas in a short amount of time.

Prep time is reduced because you don’t need to thin your paint and you can just pull it straight from the bucket with some airless models.

Because airless sprayers are airless, you cut down on costs for buying a compressor.  BUT, airless sprayers do cost more than other type of sprayers like your run of the mill HVLP models.  Usually though, an airless sprayer costs less than an HVLP plus a compressor.

If you aren’t using good technique, airless sprayers will make more paint waste or overspray, costing you more cash in paint.

Also, some models aren’t recommended for spraying thin materials so read up on the sprayer you’re planning on buying first.

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

Pros
Large Jobs
Weighs Less
Handles Thick Materials

Cons
More Overspray
Longer Prep Time
Not Really Beginner Friendly

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. It’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 projects required different paint sprayers.  Your spray experience level is also a factor here in which sprayer is best for home use.

For example, if you’re mostly painting larger projects like big walls, ceilings, or the exterior of your home you will want an airless sprayer for home use because they lay down a coat of paint really fast. 

Airless sprayer do create more overspray (paint waste).  Pairing that with less experienced technique and you could have a ton of paint waste.  

If you’re mostly painting furniture, craft projects, and your cabinets, an HVLP would work better.  HVLP is beginner friendly and much more forgiving because of the low pressure at which HVLP lays down a coat of paint. 

There is much less overspray and the spray is softer (because of the low PSI used by HVLP), making the finish perfect for your cabinets or wood 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.

JobTip 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.

Quick FAQs

What is an airless Sprayer?

Airless spray guns create paint spray without using any air.  How do airless paint sprayers work? They can pump paint directly from a container through a hose to the gun and then onto your project.  Or they have an attached paint cup and they suck paint from that paint cup and spray it onto your project unthinned.

What materials can you spray with an airless paint sprayer?

Thick materials like primers and unthinned latex.

What is the top rated airless paint sprayer?

Graco Magnum X5

What is the best airless paint sprayer for my money?

Graco Project Painter Plus

Table Of Contents
  1. Best Airless Paint Sprayer Comparison Chart
  2. Airless Paint Sprayer Reviews: Editor's Choice
  3. Top Rated Airless Paint Sprayer
  4. Graco Magnum X5
  5. Best Semi Professional Airless Paint Sprayer
  6. Titan Control Max 1700
  7. Best Airless Paint Sprayer for the Money
  8. Graco Project Painter Plus
  9. Graco Ultra Cordless Airless
  10. HomeRight Power Flo Pro
  11. Earlex HV5500 
  12. Graco TrueCoat 360 Kit
  13. What is an Airless Paint Sprayer?
  14. Why We Recommend an Airless Paint Sprayer
  15. Join our Email List for more Tips and Info!
  16. Features to Look for in an Airless Sprayer
  17. Best Material to Spray with Your Airless Sprayer
  18. Do You Have to Thin Paint for an Airless Sprayer?
  19. Are Airless Sprayers Any Good?  
  20. How to Use an Airless Paint Sprayer
  21. Pros and Cons of Airless Paint Guns
  22. The Advantages of an Airless Paint Sprayer
  23. Disadvantages of an Airless Paint Sprayer
  24. Why Use an Airless Sprayer over a Brush and Roller?
  25. What is the Best Type of Sprayer for Home Use?
  26. Airless Paint Sprayer Coverage per Gallon
  27. How to Use an Airless Sprayer
  28. Airless Paint Sprayer Buyer's Guide 
  29. Airless Paint Sprayers Tips and Tricks
  30. Biggest Pet Peeve about Airless Paint Guns
  31. What Are the Prices of the Best Airless Paint Sprayers? 
  32. Renting an Airless Paint Sprayer
  33. How Often should Paint Filters be Cleaned?
  34. How to Clean an Airless Paint Sprayer
  35. Which Tips Should I use on my Airless Paint Sprayer?
  36. Conclusion
  37. Quick FAQs