Paint Sprayer

Speeding through your next painting project starts with choosing a paint sprayer with the right pump, tip, and features for your needs.

Paint sprayers with pressure control will not wear out their tips as fast as non-adjustable types. High, low, cleaning, and roller settings can improve results and save money by extending the life of the tip. A home paint sprayer is a powerful tool for any homeowner to have in their arsenal. The best home paint sprayer will enable the homeowner to paint interior and exterior walls, to stain fences and decks and for about a million other uses. It will significantly reduce painting time so the user can move on to other projects that may need to be done. AIRLESS SPRAYERS Airless paint sprayers provide a finer finish with more output at a faster speed. They're typically used for larger projects. Paint Sprayer, NEU MASTER NSG0070 Electric Spray Gun, HVLP Paint Gun with 3 Spray Patterns, 3 Nozzle Sizes and 1200ml Detachable Canister for Painting Ceiling, Fence, Cabinets 4.0 out of 5 stars 449 $37.95 $ 37. 95 $49.89 $49.89.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Want to speed up your paint job? Equip yourself with a paint sprayer! Ahead, we’ve outlined the key considerations for selecting the best paint sprayer for your needs. Keep reading for our tips—and don’t miss our top picks, below!

1. BEST OVERALL:Wagner Spraytech Control Spray Max HVLP Paint or Stain Sprayer
2. BEST FOR LIGHT DUTY:HomeRight Quick Finish Paint Sprayer
3. BEST FOR HEAVY DUTY:Graco Magnum ProX19 Cart Airless Paint Sprayer

Types of Paint Sprayers

Heavy-duty air-driven paint sprayers use high-pressure air from an air compressor to atomize paint or stain and provide a fine finish. Airless sprayers are electric- or gas-powered tools that mechanically pump paint or stain into the sprayer, which then pushes the finish through the sprayer tip, where it’s atomized and becomes a spray.

Sprayer Tips and Patterns

Sprayers are rated for the tip size or sizes they can support.

• A sprayer’s tip size sometimes refers only to the size of the opening, as in a .015 tip. Other times, it indicates two things at once—both the fan size (in inches) and the size of the tip opening. For example, a 515 tip sprays paint in a 5-inch diameter out of tip opening that measures .015 inches.
• Stains require smaller tip sizes and less pressure, while paints and heavier coatings need larger tip sizes and more pressure. Consider the jobs you will be tackling, and for each sprayer option you consider, pay attention to its maximum recommended tip size. The greater the maximum recommended tip size, the more finish the sprayer can output per minute.
• A paint sprayer’s spray pattern is the shape in which the tool outputs the finish. The best paint sprayers are able to spray in multiple patterns: round, horizontal, and vertical. Having these options available means you can switch from spraying a wide fan across a surface to a fan of the same width moving up-and-down without having to turn the sprayer.
• Each tip size comes in multiple spray-pattern widths. Widths can vary from about six to 14 inches wide. Smaller surfaces, like fence rails, call for a smaller pattern width. Ceilings, walls, and larger surfaces call for a larger pattern width.
• Tips can be standard or reversible. The difference? A reversible tip can be unclogged easily by turning it around and blowing out the blockage.

Photo: istockphoto.com

Tips for Picking the Best Paint Sprayer

• Sprayers with 25 feet or more of flexible hose or a long extension cord are best for jobs that require distance, like painting a fence. An extension cord makes cleanup even easier at the end of the job.
• If you need to carry your paint supply a long distance, consider a unit with wheels or a backpack.
• Determine your paint capacity and how often you’ll need to refill. You might opt for a larger hopper or a unit that draws straight from the can.
• Think about cleanup and whether you want a unit that comes apart for easy cleaning. Smooth interior surfaces and units that draw from the can make cleaning easier, too.
• Consider an adjustable pressure control with high, low, cleaning, or roller settings to help extend the life of your spray tips. A model that comes with a pressure roller attachment can also take over on projects where spraying isn’t possible (it, too, applies paint up to four times faster than a traditional roller and with less mess!).
• Note whether or not the sprayer takes tip extensions—a handy feature when painting high ceilings, foyers, and hard-to-reach spaces.

Safety

Sprayers demand your respect. Always read and follow the manufacturer’s safety, setup, and operating instructions. Use a respirator mask and proper eye protection when spraying, and never spray at a person, animal, or window.

Cover or mask off anything in the vicinity of your project, including windows and trim, because vaporized paint gets into everything. If spraying outside, cover plants and avoid painting on windy days.

Our Top Picks

Photo: amazon.com

1. BEST OVERALL: Wagner Spraytech Control Spray Max HVLP Paint or Stain Sprayer

Boasting a 20-foot-tall flexible hose, this 11.2-pound, 110-volt, air-driven electric sprayer unleashes a high volume of paint or stain at low pressure. The sprayer’s 1.5-quart capacity hopper and two-stage turbine enable you to spray virtually any finish, be it as viscous as latex paint or as thin as wood stain. With a simple twist of the air cap, you can spray your chosen finish in a vertical, horizontal, or round spray pattern. All the while, the sprayer’s variable air pressure control, ranging from 1.50 to 2.63 PSI, reduces the risk of overspray.

Photo: amazon.com

2. BEST FOR LIGHT DUTY: HomeRight Quick Finish Paint Sprayer

This 3.6-pound, air-driven electric sprayer is great for small- and medium-size painting projects. The adjustable air cap unleashes a high volume of air at low pressure to allow more paint to reach surfaces, while the adjustable nozzle allows you to spray on a smooth finish using a vertical, horizontal, or round spray pattern. Once you’ve achieved a look you love, cleanup is easy—simply fill the hopper with water and spray until the water runs clear.

Photo: amazon.com

3. BEST FOR HEAVY DUTY: Graco Magnum ProX19 Cart Paint Sprayer

This professional-grade, 42-pound spray unit features adjustable pressure, a stainless steel piston pump, and a flexible suction tube that lets you spray paint at your preferred rate of flow directly from a one- or five-gallon paint cant. The built-in, wheeled cart helps you haul cans of paint, and the 50-foot flexible hose allows you to spray hard-to-reach surfaces, such as the side of a multi-story house. The Graco is rated for use for up to 500 gallons of paint annually.

A home paint sprayer is a powerful tool for any homeowner to have in their arsenal. The best home paint sprayer will enable the homeowner to paint interior and exterior walls, to stain fences and decks and for about a million other uses. It will significantly reduce painting time so the user can move on to other projects that may need to be done. Before these machines can be pressed into service, they have to be bought. Which means the user has to find the best one possible. A model that isn’t expensive but has the features they need it to have. With that in mind, I’ve listed my picks for the ten best home paint sprayer models currently available. These models will please just about any painter, both amateurs, and professionals.

10. Wagner Power Painter (0525027)

One of the main features of the Wagner Power Painter is that it uses piston pump technology and a carbide dual-tip that creates a professional fan-shaped pattern that not only looks nice but can be applied three times faster than a conventional paint brush. This unit can apply approximately 6.6-gallons per hour, has a 1-quart material cup with a twist ‘n lock locking mechanism, and a material selector for selecting either paint or stain. It can be set up in less than five minutes and cleaned up in ten minutes. This sprayer can be used to paint small houses, fences, sheds or even shutters.

9. Wagner Flexio HVLP Sprayer (0529010)

This HVLP sprayer is a useful tool for painting a variety of surfaces including interior and exterior walls. It has an iSpray nozzle that can be adjusted so it can paint horizontally or vertically and narrow or wide patterns. This unit also has a detail finish nozzle that can be used for smaller projects such as chairs or baseboards. Another key feature of this sprayer is that it can use interior or exterior paint and can also use urethane and various stains as well. This makes this a versatile tool that can easily be used by not only professional painters but anyone who wants to do a professional job.

8. Home Right Finish Max (C800766)

This 400-watt electric sprayer can be used for a variety of different DIY projects, on both the interior and the exterior of a home. It can spray a number of different materials including stain, varnish, latex and enamel paints, primers, sealers and even polyurethane. This makes it an ideal tool to use on interior or exterior walls, furniture, and craft projects. It has a 27-ounce capacity, adjustable nozzle sizes which allow the user to select from one inch to six inches wide, and has three spray patterns: circular, vertical and horizontal. It’s a product that’s easy to use by amateurs but offers the options professionals can use.

7. Tacklife Advanced Sprayer (SGP15AC)

This advanced sprayer has a 400-watt power rating and has a water flow rate of 800 ml/minute. It has three nozzle sizes: 2.0mm, 2,5mm, and 3.0mm. This unit holds approximately 900ml of paint and can be used for a variety of painting projects including painting furniture, car parts or parts for home appliances. Another good thing about this unit is that it has a 5.9-foot power line, so it gives the user the reach they need to get into tight areas. Included with this sprayer are a cleaning brush, a cleaning needle, a canister, funnel and a user manual.

6. Wagner HVLP Control Spray Sprayer (0417005)

Manufactured using durable plastic housing and equipped with a plastic reservoir, this unit is light and easy to use for just about any DIY project. It can be used to spray thinner materials including some thin paints, wood sealers, and deck stains. This product has three pattern shapes: a round pattern, vertical fan or horizontal fan and can spray anywhere from 1/2-inch wide to 6-inch wide patterns using the variable control trigger. And since this unit has a 1-1/2-quart sprayer cup, it can hold enough material for most small jobs. Setting this unit up takes five minutes or less and it can be easily cleaned up in ten minutes.

5. Wagner Control Spray Max (0518080)

This sprayer can be used to paint a number of products including stains, some paints, lacquers, and primers. This makes it useful for priming furniture, painting walls, and staining furniture. It uses variable air pressure control and a two-stage turbine to produce superior painting results. It has a 20-foot hose, a professional grade metal cup, a 1-1/2-quart plastic cup and can spray liquids in one of three different spray patterns. It’s a quality sprayer powerful enough for professional use but easy enough to use for amateur painters and DIY enthusiasts.

4. Graco Magnum Project Painter Plus (257025)

This sprayer can be used by anyone from an absolute beginner to a professional and is suitable for all kinds of different DIY projects. It has a flexible spray tube that allows the user to spray directly from either 1-gallon or 5-gallon paint buckets and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor projects. It can support up to fifty feet of paint hose, so users can reach even the second floor of their home to paint in areas other spray painters can’t reach. And it comes with a Power Flush Adapter which allows it to be connected to a garden hose so cleanup is fast and easy.

3. Astro Spray Gun With Cup (4008)

While this spray gun doesn’t come with a pump or motor and has to be hooked up to a compatible 3-HP compressor, it does have many of the features that users look for in a spray gun. It has a 1-quart capacity drip less cup which can hold a variety of materials and has a nozzle size of 1.8mm. This unit has a fully adjustable wide fan control pattern, a two-piece construction with an exclusive air valve design and an operating pressure of 50-60 PSI. This is an ideal gun that can be paired with a compressor and can be used for a variety of primers, glues and heavy paints.

2. Graco Magnum X5 Stand Sprayer (262800)

This unit has a variable spray control and can spray directly from either 1-gallon or 5-gallon paint buckets. It has a metal spray gun, 25-feet of Duraflex paint hose, and a Push Prime button that allows the unit to be reliably and quickly started up. This sprayer was designed for DIY handymen and can be fitted with up to 75-feet of paint hose for extra reach. This unit is equipped with a stainless steel piston pump that allows the user to spray unthinned paint at higher pressures. Using this unit, painters can paint ten times faster than when they are using paint brushes and four times faster than paint rollers.

1. Graco Magnum X7 Sprayer Cart (262805)

This unit has a number of features which makes it useful for any professional or amateur painter. It has an adjustable steel piston pump that allows the unit to spray paint at high pressure that hasn’t been thinned and has a flexible suction hose that can draw paint from paint containers up to 5-gallons. This unit can support up to 100-feet of paint hose, so it can be used for second and third story homes if needed. Other features on this sprayer include 25-feet of paint hose, a Power Flush adapter for easy cleanup, an SG2 metal spray gun and a RAC IV 515 Switch Tip.

Home Paint Sprayer Guide

With the right air pressure and even distribution, a home paint sprayer can make a big task a lot easier and save you precious time. This is only when you find a decent product as the sub-par paint sprayers will slow you down. To find a high-quality product, the following home paint sprayer guide is designed to help.

Byu clearing up a few of the basics and giving you some pointers at what you need to expect from the product you choose, you should get this purchase right first time.

What To Look For In A Home Paint Sprayer

Variable Spray Patterns

The more options your home paint sprayer gives you the better. This is because you never know what type of pattern you might need in the future.

Adjustable Nozzle

Being able to control the amount of spray that comes out is vital as you might use the device differently from time to time. A lot of paint sprayers are fine to use on intricate jobs such as painting furniture as well as large scale tasks like walls as long as they come with adjustable settings.

High Pressure

Sometimes measured in horsepower, the more pressure, the faster it will paint the surface. Added pressure is better for larger surfaces where accuracy isn’t as key or intricate so make sure you consider the type of work you will be using it for before deciding.

GPM Volume

Graco Paint Sprayer

This is the Gallon Per Minute and determines how much paint the device can spray onto the surface per minute. With the higher volume products expect to get the job done faster with quick distribution of paint.

Compatability

Another consideration is the type of paint you will use. Whether it is an acrylic, latex, lacquer, and any other type, the home paint sprayer you go for needs to be up to the task. Some are more delicate than others so make sure it is fine to use with heavier paint types if you are looking to paint with them.

Warranty

The more you spend, the more you will want to keep an eye out for a warranty when buying a home paint sprayer. This protects your purchase and since there are some intricate parts to these useful devices, it is good to make sure you are covered.

The reputable brands will offer at least a years warranty, and often a lot more.

Different Types of Home Paint Sprayers

Conventional

These are the more traditional types that you may have seen over the years and they offer a simple way of getting the job done. Don’t expect a load of options and the design has other faults. Conventional sprayers are known for being noisy and messier than the other types. A lot of the paint goes into the air which means they are less economical as well.

High Volume Low Pressure

The narrower spray that comes out of these paint sprayers means they are easier to use and are more accurate. This saves on wastage and makes them ideal for spraying small surfaces where you need to get it right. The added volume results in more paint on the surface for a thicker coat.

Airless

These give you the benefits of a High Volume Low Pressure home paint sprayer but without the need for air. This means there is more paint being used so expect it to make quick work of large surfaces. You can get a whole room finished in under 15 minutes.

How To Unclog A Paint Sprayer

Paint Sprayer As Seen On Tv

After a certain amount of use, it is normal for a home paint sprayer to become clogged. The better models won’t be affected by this as much as the cheaper types but whatever brand you go for, unclogging it can be simple.

Take the device apart and place the nozzle in a bowl of water for a few minutes. This should loosen any clogging or unblock it completely. If there is still paint blocking the nozzle, use a pencil or cotton bud to remove it. Clean it and test it before continuing.

Paint Sprayer Home Depot

Is A Paint Sprayer Better Than A Roller?

Homeright Paint Sprayer

This depends, do you value your time? If the answer is yes then a home paint sprayer is a better option for you. Not only do they make the job a lot easier, helping you to paint large surfaces in just a few minutes, but they are accurate, give an even coat and are often fine to use with a variety of paint types that rollers are not so good for.