Best Paint Sprayers for DIY Projects, Tested and Reviewed by a Painting Pro

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Best Overall Paint Sprayer

Graco Magnum X5 Paint Sprayer

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The Graco Project Series sprayers are perfect for DIY homeowners and handy people looking to complete small to midsize jobs quickly and efficiently. With the Magnum X5, you get a cost-effective, high-speed solution for both indoor and outdoor projects like decks, siding, fences and small homes. The package includes everything you need, such as the SG2 Metal Spray Gun, RAC IV 515 Switch Tip, 25-foot Duraflex hose, and helpful tools like the PowerFlush adapter for easy cleanup.

This sprayer is ideal for tackling large jobs. It is designed for projects up to 10 gallons in size. The fully adjustable pressure control allows you to spray paints or stains unthinned, giving you full control over your project’s finish. With a flexible suction tube, you can spray directly from one- or five-gallon buckets, and the sprayer supports up to 75 feet of hose for easy access to hard-to-reach areas like second stories.

I’ve painted several home exteriors with the Magnum X5, and most were over 10 gallons, which Graco advertises as the high end for this sprayer. The sprayer has never failed to meet my expectations and so far has performed as well as sprayers two to three times its cost. It’s quiet, and the small size allows me to easily move it and a five-gallon bucket of paint around the work site. This airless sprayer is economical and ready to take on your wildest paint projects.

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Best Budget Paint Sprayer

Yattich HVLP Paint Sprayer

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The Yattich HVLP paint sprayer offers versatility on a budget. Its three adjustable spray patterns—horizontal, vertical, and circular—allow you to tailor your technique to different surfaces. It also comes with five nozzle sizes (1.2 millimeters to 3.0 millimeters) to suit a variety of projects, from furniture and cars to fences and interior walls. This flexibility ensures optimal performance on both large surfaces and intricate details.

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Designed for ease of use, this sprayer is detachable for quick cleaning and features a flow control knob to adjust paint output. The 6.6-foot power cord provides ample range for maneuvering around larger work areas. High-quality copper nozzles offer durability, resist clogging, and create a smoother, more uniform spray, while double-layer insulation materials ensure safe operation.

I tested the Yattich by applying a water-based sealant to a plywood ramp that I was building. This sprayer is so economically priced that my expectations were a little low, and I was pleasantly surprised when it worked so well. This sprayer delivered one of the most even and easily applied finishes of all the sprayers tested. Cleanup was simple: remove the nozzle and cap and rinse.

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Best Paint Sprayer for Furniture

HomeRight Super Finish Max Paint Sprayer

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The HomeRight Super Finish Max paint sprayer is perfect for a wide range of DIY projects, from small to large. Whether you’re painting fences, decks, furniture, or cabinets, this sprayer delivers a smooth, professional finish every time. Its versatility makes it a go-to tool for both beginners and experienced DIYers looking to tackle various projects.

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The sprayer has adjustable settings, allowing you to choose between horizontal, vertical, or round spray patterns to suit your task. You can also fine-tune the material flow with a control knob, making it easy to adjust output on the fly. With 450 watts of power, the Super Finish Max can handle a wide variety of materials, from latex paint to polyurethane, ensuring it’s equipped for nearly any painting job.

I tested the HomeRight again while painting a shed using inexpensive acrylic-based exterior paint. The sprayer came with 3 nozzle tips: 4-millimeter, 2-millimeter and 1.5-millimeter, but I opted for the 4-millimeter red tip, as recommended for a large spray pattern using latex paint. The sprayer was ultralight, with about the only weight coming from the paint itself. After making a few adjustments to the flow control, I effortlessly produced a smooth, even finish.

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Easiest to Use Paint Sprayer

Wagner Flexio 3500 Paint Sprayer

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The Wagner Flexio 3500 paint sprayer allows you to apply coatings up to 10 times faster than a traditional brush, providing a consistent, smooth finish on various interior and exterior projects like fences, decks, kitchen cabinets, furniture, walls, and ceilings. The X-Boost turbine delivers ample power to spray unthinned paints and stains directly from the can, including paints, primers, solid stains, and sealers. Its compact, lightweight design minimizes user fatigue, making it easier to handle during long spraying sessions.

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This sprayer offers multiple adjustable settings to accommodate different project needs, such as adjustable flow control, spray width, spray pattern and a variable speed power dial. It also comes with two versatile nozzles: the iSpray nozzle, ideal for covering large surfaces like walls and siding, and the Detail Finish nozzle, perfect for achieving a smooth, fine finish on smaller projects like cabinets and furniture. Cleanup is a breeze with the included cup liners and easy-to-clean parts, which can be quickly disassembled and rinsed.

I painted a shed with this sprayer and inexpensive acrylic-based exterior paint. I used the iSpray nozzle with the “X-boost” set to the middle of its range for broad, textured strokes. The coating was even at both the beginning and end of the stroke—perhaps a testament to the HEA technology. The amount of paint used was spot on for the estimate given by the manufacturer, and the finish was great. You can read my full Wagner Flexio paint sprayer review for more details.

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Paint Sprayer With the Best Storage

Batavia 700W Power Electric Spray Paint Gun

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The Batavia paint sprayer is perfect for a variety of DIY projects. It delivers 700 watts of power for faster, more even coverage. It works well on projects large and small, from home interiors and exteriors to furniture, fences, and cabinets. This sprayer makes it easy to achieve a professional finish on surfaces like walls, doors, ceilings, and decks.

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Capable of spraying a wide range of materials, the sprayer handles paints and stains with up to 150DIN viscosity. It supports everything from chalk paint and latex to lacquers and varnishes, ensuring versatility for any project. With a split design, the sprayer offers up to 13 feet of movement and a working range of 530 square feet, while the lightweight handheld part (just one pound) reduces user fatigue.

My favorite part of the Batavia sprayer was the storage system. The space-age styling allows for the fairly long cord to be stored and also has a nice wrap-around system for the hose and a “gun” holder. This is by far the easiest sprayer to store and transport without a storage case. The machine delivered a great finish (in this test, I used polyurethane) and was simple to clean since there were only two parts to the tip of the sprayer.

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Best Paint Sprayer For Large Projects

Titan ControlMax 1900 Paint Sprayer

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The ControlMax 1900 Pro Airless Paint Sprayer allows users to apply coatings three times faster than a roller, according to the manufacturer specifications. It’s perfect for large projects like home exteriors, decks, and fences, helping you achieve professional results with ease. The sprayer uses High-Efficiency Airless (HEA) technology, which reduces overspray by up to 55%, ensuring better control and a consistent, even finish.

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With a max operating pressure of 1600 PSI, this sprayer can handle up to 500 gallons of paint per year. The all-metal gun, 50-foot hose (extendable to 100 feet), and 0.70 horsepower pump let you spray unthinned paints and stains at up to 0.40 gallons per minute. Its portable cart design, equipped with wheels and a long hose, ensures easy movement around large areas and high surfaces. A nice touch, the free ControlMax app helps you manage settings, get support and track your painting projects.

I absolutely loved working with this paint sprayer. There’s a hook on the front of the machine for attaching the handle of a five-gallon bucket, the kind from the hardware store. As a solo worker, I was easily able to move this equipment around my worksite with the 5-gallon bucket rolling along. The 50-foot hose was plenty of length for me, but it was nice knowing that it could be extended to 75 feet. I was able to paint approximately 400 square feet of exterior in well under an hour which was almost too fast because I was enjoying myself so much.

What to Look for When Buying a Paint Sprayer

To ensure you choose the best paint sprayer, consider whether you’ll be working on interior or exterior spray painting projects. You should also think about the type of paint you plan on buying for your projects and ensure the paint sprayer is compatible to avoid clogs. Keep in mind that some paint sprayers require paint to be thinned before use.

Size and Capacity

According to Rodriguez, sprayer size and capacity are dependent on the type of paint to be sprayed and the size of the project you are working on.

He advises, “Always remember to read the manufacturer’s instructions for specific guidelines on selecting the right size sprayer and capacity, as well as associated accessories. ”

Typically, larger cart sprayers are more effective for big projects like exterior home repaints. Paint sprayers that offer a siphon for 1-or 5-gallon paint buckets work well for interior rooms. Smaller 30—to 40-ounce paint sprayers are more appropriate for painting furniture and cabinets.

Paint Type

“The paint viscosity and finish will determine the type of sprayer that should be used to achieve the recommended results,” says Rodriguez.

Sprayers with larger nozzles are better for thick, viscose paint types like latex. A smaller nozzle is more appropriate for thinner paints and stains.

Project Type

Rodriguez mentions that the project type defines the amount of paint needed, the preparation and clean-up required, the material or surface to be painted, the speed of application and the end result. Some paint sprayers shouldn’t be used indoors or might require ventilation. Always read the manufacturer’s technical/product data sheets for specific guidelines on selecting the right sprayer for each project type.

Tip Size

Understanding the types of tips with regard to orifice size, fan width and material may impact your painting. While some paint sprayers have smaller orifices, others have considerably larger ones, allowing for more coating to be applied when sprayed. If you plan on using your paint sprayer on a large surface, consider a tip with a larger width. However, if you’d like to paint a smaller surface, tips with narrower widths will do the trick.

Types of Paint Sprayers

• Compressed or pneumatic: Air-based paint sprayers use air compressors to atomize and apply large volumes of paint quickly. These paint guns tend to be more affordable, but they typically produce a great deal of overspray and require paint to be thinned before use.

• Airless paint sprayers: Airless paint sprayers are typically electrically powered and apply paint at high pressures up to 3,000 pounds per square inch (psi). The paint travels through a hose and comes out of a tiny hole at the gun’s tip. Airless paint sprayers are well known for their glass-smooth finish. Although these machines will expedite a painting job, you should consider the potential overspray, especially when working on outdoor projects.

• HVLP paint sprayers: HVLP paint sprayers spray high volumes of paint using low pressures. They tend to be more expensive, as professional painters and finishers often use them. These paint sprayers are available in five stages, and the more stages they’re equipped with, the more powerful they will be when it comes to applying thicker paints.

Why You Should Trust Us

I’ve been painting for contractors for 40 years and genuinely enjoy painting as a hobby. Over the years, I’ve seen and used countless sprayers, brushes and rollers, so I know what works. Now, I professionally review equipment to help everyday consumers make informed choices, and I’m committed to giving honest, helpful recommendations based on my hands-on experience.

To ensure we were looking at the right specs for these best paint sprayers, the Family Handyman team consulted Alberto Rodriguez, senior technical service advisor at Rust-Oleum. He provides crucial support for research and development. With a focus on technical application and testing for product trials, Rodriguez’s expertise ensures that professionals and enthusiasts alike achieve optimal results with Rust-Oleum products.

Other Sprayers We Tested

The Vevor is an airless paint sprayer with a similar profile to the Magnum X5. It’s advertised as 7/8HP, 650W and 2,900 PSI and comes with an extension rod and 25-foot hose. Its economical price point hovers around $130, which is virtually unheard of for an airless paint sprayer.

I was eager to get testing on this sprayer but found it difficult to prime. I tried to prime it and re-read the directions multiple times. I messed around with the knobs and prime button. The knobs had stickers on them for settings, and the stickers did not seem to be oriented correctly.

I have a number of tricks up my sleeve for priming finicky paint sprayers. They weren’t working, but I still feel confident that I could have primed this machine, and once primed, I feel pretty sure that it would have worked well. However, I wouldn’t expect you, a consumer, to have to endure this hassle, so I removed it from the test pool.

How We Found the Best Paint Sprayers

When we set out to find the best paint sprayers, we focused on meeting the needs of many users and job types. We considered over a dozen paint sprayers, carefully narrowing it down to the ones that offered the best performance across different tasks and price points. From there, we tested the sprayers over several weeks and on multiple projects to see how they performed in real-world conditions.

We wanted to make sure each sprayer could handle a variety of projects, from large exterior jobs to smaller, detailed work. During testing, we looked for key factors like spray control, ease of use, and how well they handled unthinned paints. We also paid close attention to industry standards, such as adjustable settings and hose length, to ensure each product met practical requirements.

Throughout the process, we evaluated products not only on their specs but on how they felt in hand during long painting sessions. Each sprayer was judged on its ability to provide a smooth finish and how easy it was to clean afterward. This thorough testing helps us recommend only the best sprayers for both professionals and DIYers.

We Painted Exteriors, Applied Stains and Sealed Wood

We tested paint sprayers by focusing on real-world tasks, including painting exteriors, applying stains, and sealing wood surfaces. Each sprayer was matched to the type of project it excelled at, whether it was covering large areas or handling detailed work. This allowed us to see how well each model performed under different conditions.

To evaluate versatility, we used various types of paints, including latex and oil-based, and observed how well each sprayer handled them. We also tested for precision by applying stains and sealers on wood surfaces like fences and decks. This helped us gauge the sprayers’ ability to produce even coverage without wasting product.

Additionally, we took into account the ease of adjusting settings for different tasks. We looked at features like spray patterns, flow control, and nozzle sizes to ensure each sprayer could adapt to various project needs. This hands-on approach allowed us to find the best sprayer for both small detail work and larger surfaces.

Finally, we paid attention to cleanup and maintenance, testing how easily each sprayer could be disassembled and cleaned. Quick cleanup is essential after painting, and a sprayer’s design plays a big role. The sprayers that were easiest to maintain scored the highest in our testing process.

FAQ

What type of spray gun is best to paint a house?

An airless paint sprayer is most likely your best bet for painting the exterior or interior walls of a house. Airless paint sprayers can typically paint from a gallon can of paint or a 5-gallon bucket. It’s for this main reason that they are the top pick for larger projects.

However, I’ve heard of many people painting entire homes, interior and exterior, with an HVLP sprayer. HVLP sprayers are typically handheld and have a paint container attached to the spray gun. The containers usually hold 1/4 to 1/3 of a gallon of paint. It’s primarily for this reason that HVLP sprayers are not ideal for large projects because of the frequent need to refill the container. Additionally, HVLP sprayers don’t typically have as wide of a spray pattern, but that will not daunt a dedicated DIYer.

What paint sprayer do professionals use?

House painting professionals almost exclusively use high-end airless paint sprayers. The needs of a professional are significantly different from those of a DIYer, even if you are an enthusiast. Probably the biggest difference has to do with the mechanical aspects of the sprayer. Pros use their equipment nearly all day, every day, and therefore need heavier-duty equipment.

With this in mind, note that sprayers intended for home use often work just as well as those geared for professionals. You can get the same results as the pros using any of the sprayers found in this review.

You may wonder if professionals ever use HVLP sprayers or even air sprayers (not reviewed here). They do, but you’re more likely to find them used by woodworkers, metal workers, or cabinet makers.

What are the disadvantages of an airless paint sprayer?

The price point is probably the biggest disadvantage of an airless paint sprayer for the average DIYer. Airless paint sprayers are usually a couple hundred dollars and upward, while an HVLP sprayer is often under a hundred dollars.

Airless paint sprayers also create more overspray and, therefore, use more paint and require more preparation to prevent paint from going where it’s unwanted. They require priming, whereas an HVLP sprayer “just works” when the button is pressed. Airless paint sprayers also use more space for storage, and clean-up is usually more cumbersome.

Conclusion

Choosing the right paint sprayer depends on the types of projects you plan to complete. Consider factors like spray control, versatility, and ease of cleaning. With careful selection, a quality sprayer can make your painting tasks quicker and more enjoyable.

Paint sprayers offer a fast and efficient way to tackle both large and detailed painting projects. Whether you’re painting exteriors, sealing wood, or applying finishes, there’s a sprayer suited for every task. With the right sprayer, you can achieve professional-quality results and save time on any job.