Best Indoor Paint Sprayer

Best Indoor Paint Sprayer Review Chart

The size of your project is going to dictate the type of model that you use.  Large jobs need an airless sprayer, while smaller jobs, an HVLP.

Best Indoor Paint Sprayer: Editor’s Ratings and Reviews

Editor’s Choice for Best Paint Sprayer for Interior Walls

PREMIUM AIRLESS PAINT SPRAYER: Best Paint Sprayer for Indoor Use

#1. Graco X5

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.

When you’ve got paint spraying to complete, you don’t always know what the conditions you’ll be encountering. Maybe the job site won’t have any power. You might need a lot of flexibility in your movement.

Do you have hard to reach or awkward areas to paint?  Give their extension pole a try.

The automatic priming helps users clean out missed items from the last cleaning session.

Here are the highlights of the features, which are included with the Magnum X5:

• A 25 foot DuraFlex airless hose gives you a maximum level of movement while working without disrupting the consistency of your application.  Need more?  Check out this 1/4″ airless hose that’s 50 feet. This sprayer will accommodate a painting hose of up to 75 feet.
• The design of this airless sprayer allows you to pump directly from either 1 gallon or 5 gallon paint containers.
• Automatic priming features allow even first-time paint sprayers to be able to use this equipment with ease straight out of the box.
• It will spray virtually anything you need, with the exception of lacquers or materials that have textures contained within them.

Awesome thing about these sprayers is you can buy a ton of tips to tackle any kind of paint you need to spray.

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, 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.   For storing your Graco, give their Pump Armor a try.

Best Indoor Paint Sprayer: Editor’s Choice

#2. Wagner Studio Pro

Can you use a Wagner paint sprayer indoors?  You bet you can.  Wagner has a TON of options for indoor paint sprayers to get you started on painting your walls like a Pro.

This Wagner Studio Pro Unit is the perfect size for any project. You have over 11 feet of hose with which to work, creating a total working area of more than 20 feet.  

The iSpray nozzle is able to spray paint that isn’t thinned, so broad surfaces can be painted very quickly such as walls and ceilings. You may still need to thin chalk or milk paint. It also sprays latex, stains, sealers and lacquers. The Control finish nozzle is great to use on small and medium sized projects, providing a semi-smooth finish.

Use the finish nozzle to create a smooth look on whatever project you happen to be working on. It comes with a self-contained case, so storage and transport are super simple.

We found that this model tends to have more overspray than others in this category. You have to take that into consideration when buying paint and make sure you are diligent when taping off areas you don’t want paint on.

When you’re finished painting you can store the hose and nozzles right into the self-contained case for super easy storage and mobility.

#3. Wagner Control Spray Max HVLP

No matter what type of paint or stain you choose to spray, the Wagner Control Spray Max HVLP Sprayer gives you the option to spray a pattern of ½-inch in size to 1 foot in size with the same optimal levels of control.

You can take advantage of fine finish work because of the high volume, low pressure design.  At the same time, you’re given a 20-foot flexible air hose that extends your reach as you work. Our experience also had us struggling with the hose just a bit. Jerky movements tend to make the hose want to separate from its connections, which could potentially strip them out if it happens often enough.

We found that latex paint sprayed extremely well with this machine, though screening the paint was necessary for consistent results.

With this Wagner Spray Gun, you can thin latex paint by 10% to 20% to achieve the finish that you want. We found that for some latex paint options, you may need to thin it by up to 40%. More overspray occurs with thinner materials, so take caution when paint spraying stains especially. Pay close attention to the viscosity or thickness of your latex paint or else this sprayer can clog.

You can use it with oil-based paints as well, but we wouldn’t recommend doing so. The amount of time it took to clean after using that type of paint was about three times longer than anything else we ran through the machine.

Here is what you can expect with this HVLP sprayer out of the box.

• Easy-to-reach air pressure controls that are variable, so you stay in control at all times.
• 3 possible spray patterns that work with adjustable flow controls.
• A metal cup for the sprayer build with professional-grade quality.
• A 1.5-quart plastic cup to help you get through larger jobs quickly.
• A two-stage turbine design that is strong enough to spray latex, but consistent enough to spray stains or lacquers.

Priming is the issue that we found with this particular paint sprayer. If you do not take the time to properly prime the equipment, your results will be less than desirable.

Although most HVLP designs struggle to paint walls, doors, or large surfaces, you really can get the job done fairly quickly with this model.

The Control Spray max is limited to small jobs which makes it perfect for odd jobs or a hobbyist.  Spraying cabinets is perfect but, painting a bedroom wall, for example, or a fence, would not be feasible with this equipment.  

#4. Wagner Double Duty

The Wagner Control Spray Double Duty provides users with a maximum level of control while providing a minimal level of overspray when used correctly.

The Control Spray is a siphon feed HVLP spray gun.  HVLP stands for high volume low pressure.  HVLP guns spray paint slowly and softly, leaving a smooth finish on your project.  They are pretty forgiving so they are perfect for beginners.

It accurately spray sealants, stains, and other light body materials in addition to paint when it’s at the right viscosity. We found that you had to thin down latex a TON before you could spray it through this paint gun. It doesn’t take much of a variation in the viscosity to cause this sprayer to clog up. 

It works great for finishing work. Spraying stain and varnish seems to be what this sprayer does particularly well. We’d likely include lacquer in with that assessment too.

It takes you about 5-10 minutes to get everything setup.

The variable trigger in particular makes finishing work consistent, but still personalized, and that gives this Wagner Project paint sprayer a unique advantage. The Double Duty comes with 2 paint cups: 1 quart and 1.5 quart for larger jobs.

Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, here is what we discovered while taking this double duty unit out for a test run.

You have horizontal, vertical, and round spray patterns from this Wagner sprayer.  The horizontal and round spray patterns were relatively easy to apply. The vertical pattern took a little time to master. 

This versatility makes the Wagner Control Spray a good paint sprayer for latex paint. The vertical spray pattern took a little time to master, so we recommend practicing your technique if you need to paint vertically with this equipment. 

We do love how fast you can change between materials with the design of this Wagner model. Spraying stain and varnish seems to be what this sprayer does particularly well.

The variable trigger in particular makes finishing work consistent, but still personalized, and that gives this paint sprayer a unique advantage. 

For paint, you’re going to need to strain it every single time. Make sure you thin down the paint per the manufacturer’s instructions and then strain the paint before sending it through this sprayer for the best results.

It’s also lightweight and produces a fine spray that doesn’t give you a whole lot of atmospheric pollution while you’re working, so it isn’t as temperamental as other sprayers with a similar design. 

#5. Fuji PaintWIZ Pro Sprayer 

With 400W of power, this little paint sprayer has enough juice to work outside if needed. That means you can bust out your painting chores quickly with this tool by your side. You can paint up to 3 times faster when using this sprayer as instructed.

The PaintWiz works best with thinner materials such as sealers, stains, urethanes and lacquers. You are limited in that you can’t really spray thicker materials unless thinned quite a bit.

In the box, you’ll receive an additional nozzle, another 1.3-liter cup, and the paint strainer you’ll need to paint with latex. You will have to thin latex quick alot using the included viscosity cup to get it to the right consistency for spraying. Make sure you frequently wipe the nozzles with a wet cloth to prevent clogging.

There’s also a cleaning brush to help you when you’re done. The overspray levels are relatively low, even with thin materials, while the results are excellent.

It works better for stains than paint in direct comparison, but with a little thinning work, you’ll be able to make this indoor paint sprayer work for you.

#6. Scuddles 

The Scuddles Power Paint Sprayer offers beginners an easy to use, budget way to enter the paint sprayer market.

You can ditch your brushes and rollers and work smarter while achieving an amazing finish.

Multiple nozzles are included, which allows you to get started on a variety of projects without having to spend more money or wait for parts to arrive.  Scuddles Sprayer can spray a ton of different materials, even thick ones.  Just make sure you use the included cup to thin done thicker materials like latex and oil based paints.

Included with your new sprayer are a total of 8 nozzles!  You will get 4 x 2.6mm, 2 x 2.2mm, 2 x 1.8mm.  

The 2.6mm is perfect for your thicker paints like latex and chalk paints, while the 2.2mm and the 1.8mm are for thin paints like sealers and varnishes.   The 1 quart or 1 liter cup means you can spray uninterrupted without having to refill your paint cup like you would with other models that have paint cups half that size.

If you’re a beginner, this Scuddles spray gun is recommended because it’s easy to use and for the price, produces a quality finish.

We love the 5 different spray options from horizontal to vertical circular.  And so will you.  You can really dial in the spray to achieve the results you’re looking for.

If you need a sprayer and are on a budget, this can fill that gap and help you get painting right away.

In our opinion, fan widths are just a bit too small to conquer larger projects, adding time to your painting DIY. A higher end HVLP sprayer may be what you need if you need a workhorse for big jobs.

#7. Critter Spray

This siphon gun is a surprisingly good value. It allows you to convert one of those old canning jars you’ve got lying around into a paint container.

Use this paint sprayer to apply lacquers, stains, or paints with ease. You’ll need to mount the spray gun kit to a compressor for it to work properly, with a minimum requirement of ¾ HP.

This paint sprayer is best suited for spraying furniture, cabinets and crafts.  If you have larger DIY projects, you will want to invest in a more heavy duty painter with larger capacity cups, better balance and more durable gaskets.

It is designed to work with 16-ounce jars, but you can adapt it to work with other models with a few minutes of work. If you already have the equipment, give this paint sprayer a try today and we think you’ll be quite pleased.

When you’re done using this siphon gun and you’ve cleaned it up appropriately, then the hook grip on the handle of the product can also double as a method for hanging the tool up in your workshop or garage.

The gasket does not have a long life. You’ll find the gasket wears out pretty quickly with this siphon gun. You can also buy this maintenance kit from Critter Spray to cover all your bases when it comes to maintenance.

You’ve got a couple of options for sealing your connection with the Mason jar when that happens.  You can cut some wax paper out to create your own temporary gasket or you can use the product without a gasket.

Avoid using rubber gaskets if you’re using solvent finishes.

The paint on the gun is going to flake off on you after several uses. We saw this begin to happen even with our limited trial.

Don’t worry – the gun itself is made from a zinc alloy and it stands up to a lot of use. You might even consider just stripping the paint off of the siphon gun before using it to avoid a future headache.

The air compressor requirements are quite minimal. 

At 90 PSI, this siphon gun only requires 3 CFM for continuous operation. You’ll need to have the air compressor and the air hose on-hand already for this sprayer to operate.  

This is reflected in the lower overall cost.  You will need at least 0.75 HP in your compressor motor for this siphon sprayer to operate.

In return, you’ll receive a home paint sprayer that can handle lacquers, stains, and paints with relative ease for a great price. It can feel a little top heavy if you’re using a full Mason jar for your finishing work.

#8.  Neu Master HVLP

This brilliant little sprayer offers a 40 ounce detachable container, a durable plastic housing, and enough pressure to spray even properly thinned latex. Neu Master claims you can paint 54 sq feet with a full paint cup: we found it to be a bit less, depending on your spraying skills.

You can find a few options on this cheap sprayer that normally come on more expensive versions. We are happy that such options are found on an entry level sprayer. This sprayer will spray everything from stains to latex to polyurethane and other finishes.

At 3.5 pounds, this sprayer is well balanced and weighs about half of what the other sprayers in this category weigh, reducing wrist fatigue.

We found the cord to be a bit short at 6.65 feet, so grab an extension cord before you get started.

Users have reported that this unit leaks when you hold it in a non-horizontal position unless all the parts are screwed on extremely tight. If you have to paint upside down or at an angle, this unit may not be for you.

We recommend straining your paint at all times before spraying but especially with budget models like this one.

The Neu Master Kit includes:

• 1 * HVLP Paint Sprayer with 1200ML container
• 4 * Size Nozzles (1.5/2.0/2.5/3.0 mm)
• 1 * Viscosity Cup
• 1 * Cleaning Brush
• 1 * Cleaning Needle
• 1 * User Manual

You can adjust the spray patterns from vertical to horizontal to circular to achieve the perfect spray pattern for your project. There is also a material control knob to easily dial in the correct settings for your chosen spray pattern.

With the 4 different nozzles included, you can paint anything from sealers, stains, to primer and oil enamels.

If you’re shopping on a tight budget, this is the best cheap paint sprayer you’ll be able to buy.   When you need a good paint sprayer to finish a project, give this one a closer look.

Best Interior Sprayer for Your Job

Best for Large Jobs: Graco Magnum X5

Best for Your Budget:  Neu Master

Why Use a Paint Sprayer for Interior Walls

Are Paint Sprayers Good for Indoor Use?

There are a ton reasons for using a paint sprayer to paint indoor walls.   You can paint larger surfaces in less time, the paint dries faster, and the finish is even and smooth.  But, is it better to roll or spray interior paint?

Should You Roll or Spray Walls?

Sometimes you have a pretty small wall to cover or maybe your paint budget is limited.  If this is the case then you should really roll your wall out.  If you have a larger wall, multiple walls, textured walls or ceilings or BOTH, a sprayer will deliver Pro results in a fraction of the time spent using a roller. 

Indoor paint sprayers do use more paint than a traditional roller so keep that in mind when figuring out how much paint your going to need to complete your wall DIY. Don’t forget to cover the area that you want to protect from paint with a drop cloth to keep it from getting any splatters on it from brushes, rollers, or overspray from your paint sprayer.

Indoor Paint Sprayer Benefits

• Speed
• Smooth and Consistent Paint Application
• Dries Faster
• Makes Large Jobs Easier
• Get More Projects Done in Less Time

Features to Look For in an Indoor Sprayer 

We recommend looking for a paint sprayer with stainless steel parts, especially connector parts like the ones to the cup are important.  This will prevent corrosion.   

Multiple fan patterns and pressure adjustments are a good option because you can spray everything from trim to doors to walls and even ceilings.  This also let’s you spray different materials like oil based paint or thinned latex.  

Just be sure to read the manufacturers instructions about what materials the sprayer can spray before you purchase. 

Since you are working indoors, look for an interior sprayer with less overspray. 

If you’re working in a confined or awkward space, you might have to ditch the compressor and go airless. 

Features to Look for in an Interior Sprayer

Fan Patterns and Adjustments

Multiple fan patterns and pressure adjustments are a good option because you can spray everything from trim to doors to walls and even ceilings.  This also let’s you spray different materials like oil based paint or thinned latex.  

We recommend looking for a paint sprayer with a bleeder type feed.  Air is always being blown through the tip of this type of gun.  No paint flows until the trigger is applied.   This reduces clogs and helps to reduce splatter on the initial triggering of the spray gun on the surface being painted.   

Pressure Controls

The worst thing is trying to paint and the pressure control knobs are in a weird place or require way too much effort to adjust. Check out where the controls are on your gun and if you can easily reach them.

Steel Parts

Stainless steel parts, especially connector parts like the ones to the cup are important.  This will prevent corrosion.   

Less Overspray

Since you are working indoors, look for an interior sprayer with less overspray.  If you’re working in a confined or awkward space, you don’t want to deal with a ton of overspray. Make sure to prep your area thoroughly and cover everything with plastic or newsprint and tape it off.

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What is the Best Type of Paint Spray Gun for Walls?

Different Types of Sprayers for Walls can be considered when shopping. I recommend either an HVLP for beginner wall painters or an airless for the more experienced. You will find the gravity feed HVLPs produce a soft, smooth and consistent finish throughout your pass over your project. Airless sprayers are usually siphon feed and can produce less consistent results if your technique isn’t down pat.

High Volume Low Pressure (HVLP) Paint Gun

HVLP sprayers use pressurized air and vacuum pressure to create the atomization effect. The air sources are located next to the nozzle, which draws paint from the resource container toward the tip for dispersion. We recommend this type of indoor paint sprayer for everyone. Simple to use and handle.

Once the stream is dispersed, the pressure separates the paint into the spray that applies to your surface.

HVLP paint sprayers also offer these advantages when painting walls.

• Spraying distances limited to maximum 6 inches.
• Detailed work where overspray is not a concern.
• Compatibility with stains and most paint types.

Choosing HVLP or airless sprayers depends on the specifics of your spraying projects.

HVLP sprayers are a better option when coverage is more important than precision. Imagine that you’re painting the leg of a chair. You don’t care if paint goes to either side.

You just want precision at impact and that’s what this design provides.

Airless Paint Gun

Airless sprayers use high levels of energy to force paint out of the tip to create a fine spray. We recommend airless paint sprayers for folks with more spraying experience.

It emerges from the sprayer in a pattern stream that is based on the tip used and the strength of pressure being commanded from the trigger.

Once the stream hits the air, it atomizes to create paint droplets that eventually impact the surface being painted to create a clean and consistent look.

Airless paint sprayers provide more consistency throughout the entirety of the spray. That gives you more control over the final outcome.

Airless sprayers can cover more square feet than other types because they spray at 2000+ PSI.  You also save time because you don’t have to thin most paints and primers with an airless unit.  At the same time, you know that you will have fewer touch-ups that need to happen after you get the painting done.

Airless sprayers also feature these advantages when painting walls.

• Spraying distances of up to 12 inches.
• A reduction in paint thinning.
• Large-scale uniform paint coverage.

Both options require masking before spraying the area. You’ll likely want to strain or filter your paint before using it as well for best results.

How to Video Interior Wall Painting with a Paint Sprayer

Check out this video here for instructions from a Pro on how to paint your interior walls.

Gravity Feed Paint Guns and Painting Indoors

A gravity feed paint gun means that the cup sits on the top of your paint gun.  Then, gravity feeds the paint into your gun.  Any paint sprayer can be gravity feed, including HVLP paint sprayers.  They require less air pressure to operate so there is less overspray. 

This results in a better finish because more paint is reaching your surface. 

Gravity feed paint sprayers are better for detailed work, rather than larger projects like interior walls and doors.  Some of them come with cups that are too small for most interior paint projects.   

Spraying latex is not what this type of feed gun is made for so forget about your indoor walls.  Gravity feed guns really shines at applying coatings. 

Siphon Feed or Conventional Paint Guns 

These pull the paint up from below the gun.  They need more air pressure than gravity feed so there is more paint waste and less efficient paint transfer to your surface.   Modern HVLP designs have all but replaced this type of sprayer.

Also great with coatings and specialized materials, but not so much for your basic indoor paint work.

 

7 Tips for Wall Painting with a Spray Gun: How to Paint a Wall

#1. Different types of paint require different levels of spacing between the nozzle of the sprayer and the surface being painted. Start by holding the paint sprayer about 12 inches from the wall that you wish to paint.

#2. Then use strokes that move from side-to-side. It is tempting to use your wrist to create this movement.

Resist the temptation. You’ll receive a better result if you move your entire arm for the stroke. This also prevents wrist fatigue.

#3. The proper way to paint a wall begins with working in a space that is about 3 feet by 4 feet. Begin with a horizontal pattern, creating sweeps with the paint back-and-forth.

Then move to a vertical spray and repeat the process. Don’t move too slowly, the paint will dry on your surface and you’ll create overlapping marks in your paint that you’ll need to fix.

#4. Begin your arm movement for each stroke before you begin to paint. If you start at one spot and then move, you’ll have a thicker area of paint at your beginning point.

#5. Stop the paint spray before you end your stroke. If you don’t, your painting project will look more like a connect-the-dots series than a good painted surface. This is called an “understroke.”

#6. Once you get the hang of painting, you should try to overspray your strokes to prevent paint buildup. If you depress the trigger just before your stroke hits the area being painted and let go just a moment after your stroke ends, then you’ll have a wider area being painted with the same consistency.

#7. Apply multiple thin coats of indoor paint for best results. One thick coat with a wall paint spray gun will not usually provide the good results you want.

Take your time on the project, especially since everything is masked off and protected. It is better to get the job done right the first time around, so you’re not stuck going back to fix problems.

Common Problems with an Indoor Paint Sprayer

Knowing how to use your interior paint sprayer is going to solve most of your problems with this equipment.

Use short sweeps, move with the arm instead of the wrist, and ensure that your paint has been thinned to the proper viscosity.

Here are some common issues that can come up when using a paint sprayer indoors and how to solve them.

Why isn’t my paint sticking to the wall like it should? Because the paint is atomized, the walls being painted must be properly cleaned and prepared for a fresh coat.

Do not use chemicals to clean your walls. Take a clean, lint-free rag with warm water to remove dust and debris. Then let the wall dry completely before starting to paint.

Why is my paint dripping so often? Old paint drips create new paint drips. Before painting, examine the texture of your wall very carefully.

If you see paint drips are present, then take a drywall sander to them so they’ll disappear. Nail holes and other small forms of wall damage are also known to encourage paint drips.

Why isn’t the paint coming out properly?

Paint that clogs your indoor paint sprayer is an indication that:

#1.  The paint is too thick 

#2. You could be using the wrong type of paint

#3.  Both #1 and #2 

#4.  The sprayer needs to be cleaned.  Sometimes all three issues may be present causing your sprayer to clog

Most models can be cleaned with soap and water, but you’ll need a specific cleaner for oil-based paints. 

Here are some great instructions for how to clean when you have been using oil based paints.

What to Budget for an Interior Paint Sprayer

Interior paint sprayers are competitively priced with other painting equipment options. Sprayers that operate through hand-pressure can be priced as low as $20.

Entry-level paint guns are usually priced between $45-$70. Both options are good for smaller indoor projects that you may have.

If you’re wanting to paint more than a single room, then the larger models in this category are going to be the better investment.

A good HVLP sprayer in this category for whole-home support begins around $120, while airless sprayers are priced around $300.

Compared to the cost of brushes, rollers, and trays, you’ll get the same equipment needed for painting and you’ll be able to work faster, which is why an indoor paint sprayer is such a wise investment.

What is the Best Paint Sprayer of Interior Walls?

We recommend the Graco Magnum X5 as our choice for the best indoor spray gun.  Why?  

It sucks paint straight out of your can or bucket without needing you to thin.  The Powerflush adapter let’s you hook it up to a garden hose for fast and easy cleaning and it’s airless which means you don’t need a compressor. 

The X5 airless paint sprayer can support up to a 75 foot hose and the annual 125 gallon usage means it can conquer your interior painting DIY all year long without missing a beat.

Conclusion

The best indoor paint sprayers will make sure you get any painting project done quickly and to the highest possible quality. Pick your preferred sprayer today and then get started on your next interior project. 

Our favorite is the Graco Magnum X5.

For more info on how to use a paint sprayer indoors, head over to our detailed How to Paint a Room post.

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