Best Paint Sprayer Reviews for 2019

What is a Paint Sprayer and Why Do I Need One?

There are four types of paint sprayers on the market today. Each spray paint gun has certain features that can be utilized to your advantage.   

Paint sprayers all work basically the same.  They force paint (sometimes mixed with air) out of the tip or nozzle onto your surface.  

Some operate at high pressure, others require a compressor while some use gravity and lower pressure to help you paint.

The choice of which one of these is the best spray gun is largely dependent on what your project demands are. 

Are Paint Sprayers Easy to Use?

Paint sprayers do require a bit of practice.  We recommend you watch a few how to videos on youtube and then practice the sweeping arm motion technique on some cardboard until you get the hang of it.  

This way you can avoid a paint sprayer disaster like bowtie effect or tailing.  We love this quick instructional video below to get you started on your paint sprayer journey.

Types of Paint Sprayers and How they Work

What This Means when Buying a Spray Gun 

​This doesn't necessarily mean that you can't use an HVLP sprayer for touch-up work or a cup sprayer to paint a room. 

It just means the task becomes a little more difficult if you're not using the best spray gun for your project. 

For this reason, the best paint gun reviews are an essential asset to the shopping process as they can help you identify the most versatile paint sprayer that can meet the needs of all the projects on your list. 

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The Advantages of Having a Paint Sprayer At Home 

If you used paint sprayers in the 1990s, you might have found them to be cumbersome or even a waste of time. 

It's time to give this tool a second look. 

The buzzing noises, the heavy vibration at the wrist, and the inconsistent spray patterns have evolved. 

Now, paint sprayers are a rather effective painting and finishing tool.

​

Why use a Home Paint Sprayer Instead of a Brush and Roller?  

Brushes and rollers Vs Paint Sprayers are cheaper and require less skill than a home paint sprayer.  

But, the results speak for themselves.  Sprayers give you a professional finish every time. 

You can even purchase power paint rollers, that suck the paint up into the roller with a tube. 

Then you don't have to bend over and cover the roller with paint every time.  

They have their uses, but really, a paint sprayer delivers a better finish. 

When spraying paint, you can paint more surfaces faster. If you need to crush a few walls out, you can get them done in 1 morning, and then get on with your day. 

Painting a textured surface with a consistent finish is impossible with a brush or roller. 

The best paint sprayer will level up your DIY and your results will SHINE on textured surfaces. 

Spray paint is thinner than when brushing or rolling so it dries faster.  You can get your second coat completed much sooner. 

Best Paint Sprayer Buyer's Guide

The best paint sprayers are designed to provide you with more surface coverage in less time when compared to conventional brushes and rollers.

Virtually any painting task can be completed with ease, but determining the best paint spray gun for your needs requires an examination of the job that needs to be completed.

How to Choose the Best Paint Sprayer

The first step in the shopping process should be to determine which of the available spray paint guns will meet the most DIY needs you have.

To do this, there are 3 important questions to ask yourself about the work your new sprayer will be asked to do.

• What are the materials that will be painted by this tool?
• How large is the overall surface area of each project?
• Is the paint thick that will need to be sprayed onto each surface?

Spray Patterns 

Perhaps the nicest feature that can be found on home paint sprayers today is a wide variety of available spray patterns. 

​With enough practice, even the cheapest models with tailing edges or the occasional splatter can give you a consistently good result. 

Sometimes even without backrolling. 

You'll also find models that give you tight spray edges and a very smooth finish even if you just have average control of the spray gun. 

Easy Set Up 

Some paint sprayers come with a feature that is called a “painting application system.”

There might be different marketing terms applied to such a system, such as Wagner's PaintREADY system. 

This will allow users to be able to directly apply latex paint without thinning it.

You still need to screen or filter the paint before using it to prevent clogging. 

With some home paint sprayer models, you can take the paint straight from the can. 

Higher Quality Parts 

You'll also find that home paint sprayers that are equipped with brass nozzles or tips tend to provide the most consistent results.

Aluminum, stainless steel, or even plastic tips and nozzles will still give you good results.  

Just beware that they may need to be replaced more often. 

Adjustments are Easy 

A final feature to consider when shopping for the best home paint sprayer, are models that have instant adjustments.

This applies to your spray pattern. 

You will be able to do vertical or horizontal stripes with ease.  

With instant adjustments, you switch to a round pattern or other spray design with a simple turn of a knob or switch. 

Turning the nozzle also works on some models, but these tend to clog a bit more due to the design.  

How Often will You use Your New Paint Sprayer

You also want to look at the frequency you plan to use the paint sprayer.  

Are you thinking about using the sprayer to paint furniture, trim, and other detailed surfaces?

Do you need a multi purpose paint sprayer that can spray your deck and good as it sprays a wall?

Once you've answered these questions, then you're ready to look through the best paint sprayer reviews found here.

This information will let you see how a paint sprayer is able to perform, if it can meet the needs you've identified, and if it will provide you with the uniform finish you desire for each project.

If you want to limit backrolling and other finishing touches, then the spray paint gun reviews are a great place to determine which tools will meet that need as well.

What is the Best Affordable Paint Sprayer

The prices for the best paint sprayers can vary considerably.

A cheap paint sprayer will give you cheap looking results.

Prices of your preferred paint sprayer is going to depend on what type of sprayer you're intending to purchase.

Manual paint sprayers, for example, can be found for as little as $15 – and sometimes less.

A high-end airless sprayer, on the other hand, might cost more than $400.

Most folks aren't going to be shopping at these extremes, however, which means a good paint gun can typically be found in the $50-$150 range.

You'll find that cup sprayers, because of their smaller size, tend to be priced in the $35-$75 range.

HVLP sprayers are right on the price point average, with several good models being right around the $100 mark.

This means you won't have to necessarily spend a lot to receive a tremendous amount of value.

If you're looking for a commercial-grade paint gun, you will need to expect to pay top range prices with this type of tool.

Can I use a Paint Sprayer Indoors?

Paint sprayers are a great way to get fast professional looking results on walls, ceilings, trim, doors, and your cabinets.  Extra care in preparation will guarantee awesome results.  

Bring your painting supplies into the room. Then close the door if one is available. If not, hang a piece of plastic that covers the entire door jamb, so the paint droplets cannot go outside of the room.

Painting My Room: Mask Off Everything

Spraying paint inside requires special prep to make sure you don't get overspray on surfaces like countertops, floors and light fixtures.

Then you’re going to need to mask off everything that isn’t going to be painted in the room. And by everything, we mean everything.

Paint spray guns atomize the paint, so it can be applied to the wall. This means that spray guns add air to the paint so it can be sprayed.

That is how you get the nice fan-like spray that comes from the nozzle. When paint is atomized, it will begin to float along the air currents in your home.

Every home has air currents. Maybe you have a window open. Your heating or cooling system could be turned off.  

Atomized paint will find its way to those currents and leave droplets in places you wouldn’t expect.

That’s why you must take time to set up your room before painting to avoid a big mess.

If you have furniture in the room, remove it if possible. Remove any light fixtures if you can as well. Then cover the items with a plastic drop cloth.

Wall Preparation Before Painting 

Giving your walls a light sand before painting will make sure that the new paint bonds with the old paint. 

If you're going from light to dark or vice versa, consider a primer.  Using a primer gives you longer lasting results with deeper richer colors.

If you're painting interior walls like your kitchen, which may have grease on it, definitely degrease the walls first, then sand, prime and paint.

Drop Cloth

You will also need to lay a drop cloth over the entire floor. Seal the drop cloth along the edges. If you can afford it, use a canvas paint tarp to protect your floor. It’s heavier than plastic and stops the paint from running upon contact.

A 9’x12’ all-purpose canvas cotton drop cloth is your most affordable option and available on Amazon.

As a final step, you’ll need to make sure your windows are covered with a plastic drop cloth as well. Don’t use canvas here because you’ll likely need the light from the window to work.

Make sure the tape you use is wide enough to cover the woodworking, trim, and sill around the window.

If there are walls, baseboard trim, or other components that will not be painted in the room, then these must be covered as well.

Give yourself a couple of hours to ensure that your masking work is done the right way.

It only takes one drop of paint to start a mess and a paint spray gun creates millions of drops of paint when you pull the trigger.

Why We Recommend an HVLP as the Best Paint Sprayer for Home Use 

HVLP sprayers are beginner friendly.  They have minimal overspray and can spray most materials.  

BUT....HVLP sprayers may need you to thin out latex paint and primers. 

HVLP delivers a controlled finish for all your projects. 

This includes furniture, trim work, cabinetry, and other woodwork without really having any painting knowledge. 

This can help you improve your DIY results dramatically for a rather minimal overall investment.

Unless you buy an HVLP system, with a built in turbine, you WILL need an air compressor. 

If you're a beginner and/or on a budget (and you already have a compressor) pick up an HVLP. 

Why We Recommend Airless Sprayers as Home Paint Sprayers 

Most of the handheld models you'll find on the market today are airless paint sprayers.  

They spray much faster than HVLP models BUT have more overspray. 

​You can waste a ton of paint if you're not experienced with these types of guns. 

They are more expensive than HVLP sprayers, but you won't need to have a compressor. 

Airless Home Paint Sprayers SHINE when painting thicker materials like unthinned latex and primers.

If that's what you'll be doing most of the time then grab one of our recommended guns from the list below. 

If you're more experienced, and need to paint a large surface, grab an Airless Sprayer. 

For more detailed info, check out our Airless Vs HVLP post, where we go in depth about the benefits and drawbacks of each model. 

Pro Tips for the Best Spraying Conditions

There are specific times to spray paint when you will get the best results with less effort.  

Spraying when it's warm out and there is low humidity will give you the best results.  Paint manufacturers recommend using their paints at 70 F or above to get the best results: color, surface adhesion/bond, and longevity.

If you need to paint in lower temps than that, there is extra prep involved and specialized cold weather painting techniques to make sure you get good results.

What Spray Tips Should You get for Your Job

Let's demystify spray tips.  

First, each tip is given a 3 digit number, like 317.  That first number "3" if you multiply it by 2, tells you the width of your fan spray from 12 inches away.  A 317 tip will spray a 6 inch wide fan pattern.  A 517 will spray a 10 inch wide pattern and so on.

Those second 2 numbers, the "17" that tells you how small the hole or orifice is that the paint is prayed out of.  This shows you how thick of a coating or paint you can spray out of that specific tip. 

The larger the last 2 numbers, the thicker the coating/paint you can spray.

The difference between the 317 and 517 is that the 517 will spray the paint out in a wider fan pattern (10" versus 6") meaning each coat of paint will be thinner.  To choose the perfect sprayer for your job, if you have a Graco, check out this awesome tip selector tool on their website.

You must keep your spray tips in good condition and free of debris and clogs.  If you don't take care of them, you can end up with more overspray (wasting paint and costing you money) or you might ruin your paint sprayer and its pumps.

The perfect tip for a certain job is always up for debate.  Most pros find which one they like working with best through trial and error. 

We recommend the following tips.

Troubleshooting You Paint Sprayer

Issues can come up with your spray gun from time to time.  Most of them are preventable with proper maintenance such as cleaning and proper storage techniques.  Let's go over a few of the most common issues that could help you get back to painting.

• Sprayer not priming
• Nozzle/Tip is clogged
• No Pressure
• Trigger not working

Sprayer isn't Priming

First make sure you've got the valve in the prime position.  You can also try resetting the pump. 

If this doesn't work, you will need to remove the siphon tube and check for clogs, old paint and leaks (especially in the siphon tube).  Make sure the lower ball can move freely.  There could also be a plugged screen or air in the pump/hose.

There could also be air in the lines.  You'll have to hold the gun trigger in the open position and run your unit until the air is purged out.

Nozzle/Tip is clogged

This one is simple: remove the tip and clean it.  If you own a Graco, you can use the reverse tip technology to simply twist and tip, shoot air through and clear out the clog. 

Make sure to strain your paint and primer before running it through your gun to remove any weird materials that might have gotten into your paint.

No Pressure

Make sure the pressure knob is adjusted for the amount that you need.  There could also be air in the line, so bleeding the air out will get pressure to build.  Also, check your equipment for air leaks.

Also, make sure you're using the right spray tip for the job: it could be too big and you need to switch it out for a smaller one that let's pressure build behind the nozzle.

Trigger Not Working

It could simply be that your safety switch is on. So many folks forget to turn the safety off before spraying.

For a comprehensive list of problems and solutions, check out Portland Compressor.

Maintaining and Cleaning Your Sprayer

Someone who doesn't clean out their sprayer thoroughly after every use ends up with a weird looking doorstop.  It doesn't make sense to sepnd at least $100 on a tool and then not take care of it!

The messiest part of owning any paint sprayer is the cleanup process. It takes a lot of time to take apart a sprayer so it can be flushed out.

You’re going to have paint go everywhere while you’re getting this job done as well.

Certain makes and models can attach to a garden hose, however, to make cleanup go a lot faster.

If your sprayer is not designed to be hooked up to a standard garden hose, then you’ll need to take the sprayer apart to wash it out.

Don't forget to clean out your tips as well.  Never use a cloth or paper towel to dry your gear.  You will get foreign objects inside your sprayer and that could result in a severely clogged sprayer.

Instead, let your sprayer air dry or use a blow dryer to air dry the parts.

Focus on your ball-check valves, your hose connections, and the internal spraying mechanisms when performing maintenance on your sprayer and you’ll prevent most of the troubles that are complained about when users review sprayers in a negative way. 

If you're storing your paint sprayer over the winter months, make sure to use some sort of preservative inside the sprayer, so that the valves in the pump and the pump itself are kept in tip top shape.  Graco Pump Armor is the best that comes to mind for winterizing sprayers, but check with your manufacturer.

The video below walks you through the steps to keep your sprayer painting like brand new even after many DIY jobs.

Final Pro Tip: How to Improve Your Technique

Using a paint sprayer can be a lot of fun, but only if you have the correct technique. To maximize your productivity, be sure to prime your sprayer first.

You can do this by placing the prime tube into a waste pail. Place the suction tube into your clean bucket of paint that has been strained.

Now turn the prime/spray valve on your equipment to the “prime” option. Turn on your pump.

You’ll need to turn the pressure valve up until your pump begins to work.

Once paint starts flowing from the prime tube, you can move it into your paint bucket.

If you need a few more tips on how to avoid a bad paint job check out our post at this link: Paint Sprayer Disasters You Can Fix.

Eliminate Air Bubbles

Now your work is halfway done. The next step is to eliminate air bubbles from your line, so you don’t experience paint splatters as you work.

You’ll want to clip the priming tube to your suction tube as the pump runs.

Allow for at least 30 seconds to get the air bubbles out.

It may require more time before you don’t see the air bubbles any more.

Clean Filters and Screens

It is also important to ensure that your screen at the intake point is always clean. All sprayers have this screen.

If it isn’t clean, then your painting is going to be subpar.

Most of today’s best models have a removable filter that requires periodic inspections as well to achieve the best possible results.

There’s another filter near the handle where you activate the sprayer. Be sure to inspect that one too.

Straining Your Paint

As a final step, it is important to strain your paint before using it.

Don’t rely on the screens and filters to do the job for you.

Pour your paint through a strainer into a clean bucket.

Then follow the priming process to achieve consistency with your spraying and a better end result.

Conclusion

The best paint sprayer reviews can help you find the right tool for your upcoming project.

​Don't waste your time with inadequate tools that leave you with an inferior finish.

Find the best spray paint gun today and your work will look amazing.

Quick Facts: Best Paint Sprayers