The Best Paint Sprayers for 2022
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Best Paint Sprayer
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These relatively simple tools are a must-have for professionals and homeowners to complete a range of tasks, from painting interior and exterior walls to fences and more.
To help you select which one is best for you, I have outlined the various features below along with a list of the best paint sprayers currently available.
UPDATED: Februrary 10, 2022
MY TOP PICK:
If you are looking for the best overall I recommend the Graco Magnum 262800 X5 because it features an airless design with an adjustable pressure system, a stainless steel piston pump to spray unthinned paint at high pressure, and a flexible suction tube to pull paint straight from the bucket.
What is a paint sprayer?
A paint sprayer is an indispensable tool for painting contractors and DIY homeowners alike. It uses compressed air or gas to spread the paint evenly and efficiently across a surface. It offers a much faster alternative to using a brush and roller, saving you both time and labor.
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Here of some features and components to be aware of when selecting a specific model:
Types of Sprayers
In general, paint sprayers fall into one of three categories: airless, HVLP, and pneumatic or compressed air sprayers.
Airless sprayers are professional-grade tools that use high pressure to distribute the paint rapidly. They spray out large volumes of paint in a short amount of time, making them ideal for large projects like siding, fences, or interior walls. When using them outdoors, you must be careful of the wind, because even a light breeze can affect the paint spray.
High volume low pressure (HVLP) sprayers distribute the paint at a much lower pressure, so it’s easier to control the direction of paint. These sprayers don’t cover a lot of ground quickly, like the airless sprayers, but they are very precise and don’t waste a lot of paint. They are best for detailed work, such as cabinetry, furniture with multiple corners and crevices, molding, and trim.
Finally, pneumatic sprayers consist of a spray gun and a separate air compressor. They have a high capacity to distribute paint across large surface areas. They work best with thinned paint and may have clogging issues if they are used with thick paints.
Most professional painting contractors use a combination of both airless and HVLP sprayers.
Nozzles
Most units will include several nozzle options which will vary the spray pattern. Examples include horizontal, vertical, and round. This allows you to select the appropriate paint distribution based on the particular project. These nozzles are usually constructed from either plastic or metal such as copper. Typically the metal nozzles offer superior durability and will last longer.
Suction Tube vs. Container
There are two standard methods of providing paint to the sprayer, either via a tube or a container. The suction tube is a hose that extends from the sprayer and is placed directly into the bucket of paint. This has the advantage of minimizing clean up and it means that the paint does not have to be thinned. It also reduces the weight that has to be held while working since the paint is in a separate bucket.
The container models have a reservoir mounted just in front of the trigger which is filled with paint or stain. As a result, this creates a fully self-contained system that doesn’t require moving a separate container around as with the suction tube models.
However, it does mean that you have to also support the weight of the paint with your hand. In addition, it requires cleaning the container between uses. Based on your preferences and project types you will need to decide what works best for you.
Variable Flow Rate
Depending on the model, most have a variable flow rate that is controlled through either the trigger or a dial on the side of the unit. This allows for greater flexibility when working on a range of applications since it allows you to control the volume of paint that is expelled.
For example, if you are painting a large surface such as a fence you would want a higher flow rate compared with a small project like a birdhouse. This customization helps to maximize your efficiency while reducing the potential for waste and drips.
Maximum Annual Volume
Since these models are designed for DIY projects, there is typically a maximum recommended volume of paint that it can spray per year. So depending on the number and size of projects you are expecting, you will want to find a unit that can accommodate the anticipated use. A few one-off projects should not be an issue, however, if you are going to be painting multiple houses per year you will want to look into professional equipment.
Corded vs. Cordless
Traditionally sprayers were pneumatically powered, however, today most household units are powered by a plug-in electric motor. Unlike cordless, this doesn’t require recharging batteries and provides uninterrupted power. The sprayers below are all self-contained, meaning they propel the paint with a built-in motor (except for the pneumatic Astro 4008), so a separate air compressor is not required.
Unfortunately, at this point very few of the large cordless tool manufacturers make sprayers. However, as battery technology advances I expect to see more and more cordless models. Depending on your portability requirements you may want to go with a cordless option. If you are typically working away from an available outlet or are bothered by the cord, cordless is the way to go.
Weight
Since you are often holding these sprayers at awkward positions it is important to note the weight of the tool, as working with a heavy tool can quickly cause fatigue. Note that the weight provided by the manufacturer excludes the weight of the paint. So take into consideration the additional weight of the paint or stain you will be using.
Now, on to the individual products. I’ve compiled a list of the best paint sprayers on the market today, from manufacturers including Graco and Wagner. Each unit has been assigned a key feature that makes it particularly noteworthy and has been broken down according to its essential functions to help you make an informed selection.
So whether you are working on renovating your home or tackling your latest DIY project, these tools will help you get the job done fast.
Best Overall: Graco Magnum 262800 X5 Airless Paint Sprayer
The Graco Magnum Paint Sprayer features an airless design with an adjustable pressure system to accurately control the paint flow.
Equipped with a stainless steel piston pump that allows for unthinned paint to be sprayed at high pressure.
Features a flexible suction tube to spray directly from a one or five-gallon paint bucket.
Includes a PowerFlush adapter that connects to a garden hose for fast and easy cleaning.
Offers the ability to use up to 75 ft of paint hose for flexibility while working.
Features the RAC IV SwitchTip for reversing the tip when clogged.
Use recommendation is up to 125 gallons per year.
Check out this overview video explaining the setup and demonstrating the Graco X5:
Runner-up: Wagner 0518080 HVLP Paint Sprayer
The Wagner 0518080 features a metal spray gun, variable air pressure control, and a two-stage turbine.
Offers variable air pressure control (1.50 to 2.63 PSI) to customize the spray to the project size.
Features a spray nozzle that turns to project either a horizontal, vertical, or round pattern.
Equipped with two air filters to reduce the incidence of dust on the finish.
Includes a 1-quart metal cup and a 1-1/2 quart plastic cup.
Comes with a 20-foot air hose.
Best Nozzle Options: YATTICH YT-191 HVLP Paint Sprayer
The YATTICH YT-191 provides three different spray patterns by adjusting the location of the air cap to either horizontal, vertical, or circular.
Includes five copper nozzles that offer superior blockage resistance and consistency when compared with plastic nozzles.
Equipped with a control knob for quick adjustments to the flow rate.
Features a detachable design that makes for easy cleaning.
Offers a maximum flow rate of up to 800ml per min.
Designed to work on a range of surface sizes and configurations.
Best for Stains and Varnishes: Wagner 0518050 HVLP Paint Sprayer
The Wagner 0518050 features an HVLP system designed to deliver a range of thin materials such as stains and varnishes.
Features a three-position air cap to adjust the spray pattern between either horizontal, vertical, or round.
Equipped with a variable trigger to control the material flow.
Features a two-stage indoor and outdoor rated air turbine for a continuous flow of material and air.
Features a variable spray width from 1/2 inch up to 9-inches wide.
Offers the ability to be quickly set up and cleaned when done.
Best Value: HomeRight C800971 HVLP Paint Sprayer
The HomeRight C800971 offers the ability to deal with thicker paints to reduce the need for thinning.
Includes three different spray tips to provide a customized solution based on the project.
Features brass spray tips and nozzles for durability and consistency.
Equipped with a large 39 fluid ounce container to reduce the number of refills while working.
Features a self-contained design that does not require a compressor.
Features an easy-to-clean design to help make life easier at the end of a project.
Best Budget Option: RexBeTi Ultimate-750 HVLP Paint Sprayer
The RexBeTi Ultimate-750 features three interchangeable nozzle options for flexibility when working on a range of projects and surfaces.
Includes a flow control knob that allows for circular, horizontal, vertical spray patterns by simply rotating the nozzle.
Offers an easily detachable container for quick refills and cleanup.
Includes a 1000ml paint container.
Features an ergonomic grip design.
Best Premium Option: Graco 17G180 Magnum ProX19 Paint Sprayer
The Graco 17G180 Magnum ProX19 paint sprayer is equipped with a suction tube the offers the ability to pull paint straight from the bucket.
Equipped with an adjustable pressure system to customize the flow to the task.
Features an aluminum wheeled cart to easily move it around when painting.
Offers the ability to support up to a 150 feet hose for flexibility while working.
Equipped with a pump that is designed to spray at high pressure with unthinned paint.
Includes an adapter to quickly clean the unit with a standard garden hose.
Designed to spray up to 500 gallons of paint per year.
Best Pneumatic: Astro 4008 Meditool Pneumatic Paint Sprayer
The Astro 4008 Meditool features pneumatic operation for use with a compressor.
Features a two-piece construction with an air valve design.
Features an adjustable fan size up to 11 inches for large area coverage.
Offers the ability to hold the gun at any angle without spillage or losing suction.
Includes a one-quart capacity dripless cup.
Equipped with a 1.8mm nozzle.
Best Cordless: Graco Ultra Max 17M367 Airless Paint Sprayer
The Graco Ultra Max 17M367 features a lightweight cordless and airless design for the ultimate painting flexibility.
Features stainless steel and carbide components that bonded with high strength polymers for long-lasting durability.
Equipped with a consistent pressure control system to reduce fluctuatoins while working.
Offers the ability to spray up to one gallon per charge.
Compatible with any DEWALT 20V Lithium-Ion battery.
Features a 35 minute charge time.
Best for Small Projects: HomeRight C800766 Finish Max HVLP Paint Sprayer
The HomeRight C800766 features an HVLP system for a range of painting tasks.
Features three spray pattern settings: vertical, horizontal, and round.
Equipped with an air cap that creates a concentrated air flow for effective paint distribution.
Uses a brass spray tip and nozzle for long-lasting durability and a consistent spray pattern.
Features a lightweight design to reduce hand fatigue while using.
Includes a paint container with a 27-ounce capacity.
I hope this list of the best paint sprayer was helpful.
If you think I left out one that is important or have a suggestion for a future article, let me know in the comments below.
Brandon Hubbard, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
