Best Airless Paint Sprayers of 2022

Compressed vs. HVLP vs. airless paint sprayers

A paint sprayer can successfully replace the traditional roller or brush in most painting projects. You can choose from three types:

• Compressed air paint sprayers: Perhaps the most cumbersome model, it draws power from an portable air compressor and provides a smooth, even jet that’s ideal for painting furniture. However, this type is messy; it drips and uses more paint than the other two types.
• HVLP paint sprayers: Release the paint slower than all other types, which means less waste, and they are great for interior woodwork jobs, such as painting doors, cabinets, and large furniture. They have poor performance with thick paint products though and are the most expensive type of paint sprayers.
• Airless paint sprayers: Are designed to spray paint at high pressure, ensuring an even coat application. They are also designed to work with unthinned paint products and are ideal for large jobs including painting interior and exterior walls, fences, and decks. The spray pattern is hard to control though, that’s why they are hard to use for precision work.

Is an airless paint sprayer the right choice for you?

Buying an airless paint sprayer just because this type is popular may not be the wisest choice. If you need a tool for projects that require precision, such as painting furniture or small objects, an airless paint sprayer is not right for you.

For large paint projects or if you want to use unthinned paint, however, an airless paint sprayer is the best you can get.

Types of airless paint sprayers

You can choose between three types of airless paint sprayers:

• Handheld: Are small, compact units, typically made of plastic. They consist of a paint gun with an attached paint tank and are ideal for small-size projects. These sprayers can usually handle thinner coats, but you will have to refill the tank constantly if the project is sizeable.
• Stand: These mid-size units consist of a metal stand, a paint gun, and the main body which contains the motor attached to the stand. A system of hoses allows the tool to draw paint directly from a bucket. Thus you won’t have to refill the tank constantly. These sprayers are also more powerful than the handheld units.
• Cart: Are similar to the stand, but come on a wheeled cart instead of a stand. These airless paint sprayers are the most powerful, but also the heaviest. They work with most types of unthinned paint and are ideal to use for large or high-volume projects.

Airless paint sprayer horsepower

Airless paint sprayers have the power expressed in horsepower (HP), and the higher the number, the higher the spraying speed. However, just because the engine is bigger, it doesn’t mean it’s necessarily better.

When assessing how much power you need, it is recommended to match it to the type of coating you’re using and speed you want to get. This is essential because spraying a thin coat at too high speed could have disastrous results.

If the power is too low, on the other hand, you won’t be able to handle unthinned paint products.

In general, you will need:

What else to consider?

Besides horsepower, the flow rate and pressure also influence the actual capabilities of the tool.

Airless paint sprayer pressure

The pressure is usually proportional to the power, and you will typically need between 2,200 and 3,000 PSI, depending on the product you use and application.

Airless paint sprayer flow rate

The same thing goes for the flow rate. Home-use airless paint sprayers have a flow rate between 6.6 and 18 gallons per hour on average. A smaller flow rate is ideal for the handheld units designed for smaller tasks, whereas you’ll need a high flow rate to tackle a larger project effectively.

Nozzle size and spray pattern

Just like pressure washers, airless paint sprayers come with a variety of nozzles. Not all models are compatible with all tips though, and the power and PSI of the gun usually determine which is the biggest nozzle size that you can use on the tool.

What nozzle size you need depends on the paint products you want to use. As a rule of thumb, the thinner the paint, the smaller the nozzle. Below, the various nozzle sizes and types of coatings compatible with domestic-grade airless paint sprayers:

Commercial airless paint sprayers can also work with bigger nozzles between 0.021 and 0.035 inches designed for specialty coatings such as elastomeric paints, heavy latex, and block fillers.

Best paint sprayer spray pattern

The spray pattern defines the shape in which the paint comes out. Common patterns include round, vertical, and horizontal. But regardless of the actual pattern, what you should consider is the pattern width, which determines how fast you can cover the surface.

Pattern widths usually vary from 6 to 14 inches (15.25 – 35.5 cm) on average; as you can imagine, a narrower pattern is ideal for painting narrower surfaces, such as fence rails, framing, and trims, while wider patterns are recommended for large surfaces such as walls and ceilings.

If you want versatility, choose a sprayer with an adjustable spray pattern, which will let you switch a knob to narrow or widen it.

Suction tube or paint tank

Airless paint sprayers are of two types, with a suction tube or paint tank. The former are typically bigger and heavier units, usually stand or cart models. They have a suction tube that goes directly into the paint bucket, so you won’t have to lose time refilling paint containers.

The models with a paint tank are also called handheld and are very similar to the HVLP sprayers from an aesthetic standpoint. Due to the small size of the tank, they are usually suitable for smaller jobs, or you’ll have to refill the tank constantly.

Other features to keep in mind

The best airless paint sprayers also have a few other important features you might want to consider:

• Adjustable flow control: A gun with adjustable flow control is ideal if you want to use it with various paint products.
• Easy clean-up: Getting an airless paint sprayer that is easy to clean is crucial if you want to maintain the tool as new for longer. Improper cleaning may clog the gun, which could result in improper operation. Some models come with garden hose adapters which allow you to flush them with clean water once you’ve finished your tasks.
• Annual use recommendation: Most domestic airless sprayers are designed for a recommended annual usage of up to 50 gallons (190 liters), usually enough to paint your entire home once a year. If you need more than this, go for a semi-professional unit that can withstand up to 125 gallons (475 liters) per year.
• Gun weight: A lightweight gun is easier to maneuver for a longer period. Besides weight, also pay attention to the balance and grip.
• Gun material: Most handheld airless paint sprayers are made of plastic, whereas stand or cart models are made of metal. Metal resists for longer, but it’s also heavier. If you only plan to use the gun once in a while, plastic could be more convenient.
• Hose length: Another thing to consider is the length of the paint hose. You can usually pick between 25 to 100-foot hoses, and the longer it is, the easier to reach remote corners or confined areas.

Best Airless Paint Sprayer for the Money

Best value

Graco Magnum 262800 X5 Stand Airless Paint Sprayer

Best stand airless paint sprayer

Unique features and unbeatable price make this paint sprayer our favorite choice.

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