A Buying Guide To Help You Find The Best Paint Sprayer Around
There’s no way around it, if you’re a homeowner, you’re going to have to perform regular maintenance and make sure everything has a fresh coat of paint because there’s nothing as unsightly as chipping paint or faded stains.
There once was a time where you had to do these types of touchups by hand, but you don’t have to do that anymore. When you’ve found the best paint sprayer, those jobs become a piece of cake!
Now we know you’re probably wondering how do you know if you’ve found the best sprayer, right? There are a lot of products on the market and after reading reviews and descriptions for a while, they all seem to look alike.
You’re in luck because we are going tell you what you should look for in a paint sprayer, what could happen if you get the wrong size, and then also give you five mini-reviews of sprayers that we believe are worth taking a look at!
*Notice: On mobile devices, scroll right to see the entire table.
Product Name | Prices |
|---|---|
| Best Graco Paint Sprayer | |
| Winner | |
| Graco Magnum Stand Airless Paint Sprayer | Check Price on Amazon |
| Runner Up | |
| Graco Magnum HiBoy Cart Airless Paint Sprayer | Check Price on Amazon |
| Best Wagner Paint Sprayer | |
| Winner | |
| Wagner Control Spray HVLP Sprayer | Check Price on Amazon |
| Runner Up | |
| Wagner 0518080 Control Spray Max HVLP Sprayer | Check Price on Amazon |
| Best Alternative Paint Sprayer | |
| HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer | Check Price on Amazon |
Table of Contents
What To Look For In A Paint Sprayer?
When you look at sprayers on the market, you are going to see four types of sprayers:
Airless Sprayers
The airless sprayers pump air through a hose that connects the can to the spray gun and they can be used for stains as well as a thick latex paint. These sprayers will reduce the amount of overspray and they tend to be faster than an air driven sprayer.
They fan out the droplets of paint to coat the surface evenly and they are great options for exterior surfaces like decking, shutters, fences and the like.
Compressed Air Sprayers
The compressed air sprayer is going to be able to give you a smooth and even finish. These sprayers are going to be best for painting or staining furniture and cabinetry. Be mindful of these sprayers because they tend to be messier and create more overspray than other paint sprayers.
These also use a lot more product, so you’re going to spend more money on the actual paint. On the other hand, these sprayers aren’t nearly as expensive as the other two.
HVLP Sprayers
The HVLP (high volume, low pressure) sprayers work like the airless sprayer, except the paint is going to travel slower so the paint droplets can stick to the surface of the project, creating that smooth finish. These sprayers do not waste much paint, but they are going to be more expensive. These are best suited for indoor applications and they do not work well with lacquers, varnishes, or thick paint.
Cup Sprayers
The cup sprayer is an airless sprayer that is much more compact than other models. It is going to be easy to use, easy to afford, and it’s best suited for crafting, small projects, and touch ups. With this sprayer, you’re going to fill the small cup with paint and simply plug the sprayer into an outlet.
Some models will include a siphon where you can suck the paint directly from the can, making the whole chore that much simpler.
Other than what type of sprayer you want to purchase, you will want to keep a few factors in mind before purchasing:
- Horsepower / Pressure – Every sprayer you come across is going to have some kind of variation of the pressure that they create. When you think about the general applications at which you’ll be using the sprayer, you can then choose the sprayer with the right amount of pressure. For example, if you’re painting a house, you’re going to want more pressure than if you were just painting a small stool.
- Volume – When looking for the best paint sprayer, you’re going to want to keep in mind how many times you want to stop and refill the paint tank. Most sprayers that you’re going to find for home applications, they are going to be lightweight and only be able to hold up to 1.5 to 2 quarts of product. Sprayers for larger jobs will be able to take on much more than that, some as little as 1 gallon and up.
- Cleaning – Look for a sprayer that is going to be easy to clean, it’s that simple. No one wants to spend hours chipping off tried paint from their devices after already spending time painting! Most sprayers will have an attachment where you can hook the sprayer right up to your garden hose, which will then flush out the unit.
- Power – It’s important that you know how your sprayer is powered before you purchase it. Some sprayers use electricity while others will use gas.
- Portability – If you’re going to be painting projects around your home, you’re going to want a sprayer that is going to be lightweight and easy to move around. The small sprayers should be lightweight and easy to carry, whereas the larger and more professional sprayers should have a movable stand and handle to make the unit more portable.
- Flexibility – When we talk about flexibility, we are talking about the type of product you can use in the sprayer. The best paint sprayers are capable of handling thick latex paints, lacquers, stains, and even specialty paints with ease. Make sure you read the manufacturer’s recommendations of what kind of products can be used with the sprayer, and if you need to dilute any products with water
Best Graco Paint Sprayer
Now that we know what to look for in a sprayer, let’s take a look at some top quality sprayers on the market.
Winner: Graco Magnum Stand Airless Paint Sprayer
If you’re looking for the best paint sprayer that is going to make short work of a large job, then the Graco Magnum Stand Airless Paint Sprayer is going to be a great option worthy of your consideration.
Since this sprayer doesn’t work with an air compressor and uses your garden hose instead, you can clean the sprayer very easily. Also, you can put the suction tube directly into a 1 gallon or 5 gallon bucket of paint and go about your business with not problems at all.
Graco Magnum Stand Airless Paint Sprayer
When looking at what people had to say about the Graco Magnum Stand Airless Paint Sprayer, the customers had some great things to say about how the unit performs. Customers enjoyed how nice of a finish they were able to achieve with this device.
They feel that the lightweight design is a wonderful feature because they are able to use the sprayer for lengthy projects without getting fatigued.
With every good there will be some complaints, as customers found that the product was not good for novices who didn’t really understand how to control the paint flow, as they could very easily use too much paint if they weren’t careful.
Notable Features：
- Fully adjustable pressure to give you ultimate control of paint flow for any project size
- Stainless Steel Piston Pump allows you to spray paint unthinned at high pressure
- Flexible Suction Tube allows you to spray directly from a 1 or 5 gallon paint bucket
- Annual use recommendation is up to 125 gallons per year
- PowerFlush Adapter connects to a garden hose for fast and easy cleaning
- Can support up to 75 ft of paint hose giving you extra reach for your projects
- RAC IV SwitchTip allows you to reverse the tip when clogged to keep you spraying
- SG2 metal spray gun with in-handle filter blocks debris to prevent tip clogs
- PushPrime button for fast and reliable start-up
- Supports up to a maximum tip size of .015 inch
- Proudly made in the USA
- 1 Year manufacturer warranty
Runner Up: Graco Magnum HiBoy Cart Airless Paint Sprayer
Painting larger spaces is going to require a stronger paint sprayer that is capable of pushing out more paint. The Magnum x7 HiBoy is going to be the very thing that will make short work of a very large task.
The sprayer has been designed to cater to the needs of contractors who do remodeling, homeowners who want to renovate their home without paying for a contractor, and DIYers who refinish large pieces of furniture on a regular basis.
The easy flow action pump helps a variety of paints, stains and finishes flow through the unit evenly so that you are able to achieve a smooth and consistent coat each and every time.
Graco Magnum HiBoy Cart Airless Paint Sprayer
When looking at what people had to say about the Graco Magnum HiBoy Cart Airless Paint Sprayer, a large portion of customers had great things to say about the sprayer. People revealed that when they used this sprayer, they were able to tackle many jobs and it was one of the best paint sprayer for home use they’ve ever tried.
They liked that it was easy to use, it had a fast clean up, and it was able to give them an even spray every time they used it.
With every good there will be some complaints, as customers found that the product was that when they used the sprayer for any amount of time, they experienced frequent clogging. Some people even said that the sprayer clogged so quickly, they couldn’t get more than 8 passes before they had to stop so they could unclog it.
Another cause for concern some customers had was that it was too expensive in comparison to other sprayers on the market.
Notable Features:
- Fully adjustable pressure to give you ultimate control of paint flow for any project size
- Stainless Steel Piston Pump allows you to spray paint unthinned at high pressure
- Flexible Suction Tube allows you to spray directly from a 1 or 5 gallon paint bucket
- Annual use recommendation is up to 125 gallons per year
- PowerFlush Adapter connects to a garden hose for fast and easy cleaning
- Can support up to 100 ft of paint hose allowing you to spray second and third story homes
- RAC IV SwitchTip allows you to reverse the tip when clogged to keep you spraying
- SG2 metal spray gun with in-handle filter blocks debris to prevent tip clogs
- PushPrime button for fast and reliable start-up
- Supports up to a maximum tip size of .017 inch
- Proudly made in the USA
- 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty
Best Wagner Paint Sprayer
Now let’s take a look at some of the best products from Wagner.
Winner: Wagner Control Spray HVLP Sprayer
If you’re looking for a powerful little HVLP paint sprayer, then this handheld paint sprayer by Wagner very well may be the answer to your prayers. The unit is made from a lightweight plastic material, so even when the 1.5 quart sprayer cup is filled with your finish of choice, you can still use the sprayer comfortably.
You’ll find that if you have a large piece of furniture that needs painting or staining, this will hold enough finish to last the whole job.
Wagner Control Spray HVLP Sprayer
When looking at what people had to say about the Wagner Control Spray HVLP Sprayer, many of them had some really positive things to say. For example, customers thoroughly enjoyed how easy it was to use the paint sprayer.
They liked that it can handle paints (latex and even oil based paints) well, but also varnish and stains too. Customers did comment that they had to thin down the thicker materials, but it wasn’t too much of a problem for them.
With every good there will be some complaints, as customers found that the product wasn’t suitable for large projects. Customers were disappointed by this because they purchased the device to stain a deck or paint the walls in their home. Another thing customers commented on was that their sprayer stopped working shortly after they purchased the device.
Notable Features:
- Perfect spray tip adjusts to 3 positions
- Powerful, integrated air turbine
- Replaceable filters keep particles out of paint
- HVLP control sprayer for spraying thin materials such as deck stain, wood sealers, and more
- Maximum control, low overspray; 3 pattern shapes; variable flow control; 4 psi at 40 cfm
- Light plastic housing and reservoir
- Includes sprayer and 1-1/2-quart sprayer cup
- 1-year warranty
Runner Up: Wagner 0518080 Control Spray Max HVLP Sprayer
While the other Wagner paint sprayer was considered the best, this one is still a good option because it is a dual-stage turbine that is going to make short work of any paint or staining job. With this adjustable paint sprayer, you’ll be able to prime and paint your cabinets, stain your decking, and so much more.
Like the previous Wagner product, this unit is lightweight and it is going to be easy to setup as well. The viscosity cup can be used to measure how dense your product (paint, varnish, primer, or stain) is, and the spray nozzle will allow you to adjust the spray pattern.
With this sprayer, you can expect a smooth and even finish every time, thanks to the filter that stops dust from ruining your hard work.
Wagner 0518080 Control Spray Max HVLP Sprayer
When looking at what people had to say about the Wagner Control Spray Max HVLP Sprayer, people were raving about the results they were able to achieve with this product. One customer even said they were able to achieve “cabinet-grade results!” It’s no wonder why some people have stated that this was the best airless paint sprayer they’ve tried.
People have said that this sprayer was able to save them a lot of time when painting their furniture as opposed to painting the pieces by hand. Some people did point out that they needed to thin the paint a little bit for the sprayer to work properly.
On the other hand of the spectrum, customers still had a few issues with this particular product. The most pressing was that the paint came out “splotchy and pebbled,” which as you can imagine is not a desired effect. Customers who purchased this product were disappointed by the way the sprayer worked and felt that it was not suitable for refinishing or painting cabinetry.
Notable Features:
- Compact lightweight spray gun is ideal for hard to reach areas
- Professional Grade metal cup for smaller fine finish applications
- Variable flow trigger dials in spray pattern width from 1 inch to 10 inch
- Powerful Two Stage Turbine sprays latex, as well as thinner materials such as lacquers and stains
- Variable Air Pressure Control means less overspray with thin materials
- 20 Foot High Flex Air Hose extends your reach
- 3 spray patterns – select the best pattern for your job
- Variable flow control covers large spray surface down to detail work
- 1 Year Warranty
Best Alternative Paint Sprayer
Finally, let’s take a look at the best product of the alternative brand.
HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer
If you like to go to the flea market and pick up old pieces of furniture, you probably already know how time consuming it can be refinishing a project, especially if it has intricate details.
You can get that perfect finish with a paint sprayer like the HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer because you can adjust how the spray comes out, but also how forceful the spray comes out. With this sprayer, you’ll be able to get into those intricate details with no problem, but the overall finish of your project will be even, smooth, and brush-stroke free.
HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer
When looking at what people had to say about the HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer, folks had some really positive things to say. For example, one customer said that the unit was really easy to keep clean. They shared that while you are painting, take a Q-Tip or a cotton rag and wipe the nozzle every now and then to make sure that it is free from clogs.
Another customer revealed that they were able to use this sprayer to achieve professional results, which ultimately saved them thousands of dollars! They even said that it was the best paint sprayer for cabinets that they’ve tried.
With every good there will be some complaints, as customers found that the product was not able to handle all the paint types that the product description claims. One customer tried using the sprayer for chalk board paint and they could not.
Another customer also had problems with the sprayer not working once it was tilted no more than 45 degrees, making painting on a horizontal surface difficult.
Notable Features:
- Adjustable spray control enhances precision for improved outcomes
- Adjusts to three different spray patterns – horizontal, vertical, and circular
- Brass spray needle and housing for longer life and improved performance
- Leaves a finish that the pros would envy
- Sprays coatings on evenly and without brush marks
- 2 Year Limited Warranty
Our Recommendation
Choosing the best paint sprayer isn’t going to be easy, especially when you have to take into consideration what type of product you’re going to be using (paint, stain, varnish, etc.), but you also have to consider the size of your project.
You may purchase a product because it is labeled as the best home paint sprayer, but if you have only small things you need painted, it could be too powerful for you.
However, if you want the best paint sprayer for the money you’re going to be spending, we believe that the HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer is going to be the top choice. It’s affordable (under $70) and it comes with a 2 year warranty. While this may not be a contractor sized sprayer, it will get the job done!
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