5 Best Airless Paint Sprayers for the Perfect Paint Finishes

3 / 5

If you’ve ever struggled to move around cumbersome paint sprayers and hoses, the frustration is finally over. The X7 model from Graco has a lightweight cart that is capable of supporting and transporting the machine, paint bucket and hose around the project area.

“The hook on the front of the X7’s cart makes moving the sprayer a 10-second job for one person,” writes Amazon five-star customer reviewer Curtis.

Pros

• Holds a one- to five-gallon pail
• Suction tube allows you to spray directly from paint buckets
• Can hold up to 100 feet of hose
• Connects with garden hose for easy cleanup
• Fold-down handle for storing

Cons

• Pump is not replaceable

4 / 5

Designed for small interior and exterior jobs, this battery-powered airless paint sprayer has no cords to deal with. Besides its obvious portability, the sprayer sets up fast—literally in seconds—so it’s perfect for objects too hard to paint with a brush or roller, such as shutters and lattices. The box includes the unit, two DeWalt 20V Lithium Ion batteries, a slim charger, four 32-ounce FlexLiner bags and a soft-sided storage case. Make sure you know the difference between a paint sprayer and roller.

Pros

• Comfortable trigger spray grip
• Batteries are included
• Drop-in replaceable pump eliminates costly repairs
• Cup liners are soft to squeeze out all the air

Cons

• Only holds one-quarter gallon of paint

5 / 5

You may not be a pro, but you can paint like one. Designed for professional painters and serious DIYers, this airless paint sprayer has a 0.07 horsepower pump and a maximum operating pressure of 1600 psi (pounds per square inch). It shoots out paint in a soft fan pattern for easy overlaps.

Amazon 5-star reviewer, Beardsaw‘s only complaint is he keeps painting. “I am a general contractor and don’t always do the painting on my remodels. When the job is smaller, I’ll do it to make a little more on the job. I spent several years as a full-time painter when I was younger. I’m familiar with all the fancy sprayers but couldn’t justify spending that kind of money. The problem with this thing is, it works so good, I keep doing the painting.”

Pros

• All-metal gun
• Encased in high-quality polymer
• Extendable hose
• 2-year warranty

Cons

• Hoses and connectors from other brands won’t fit

What to Consider When Buying Airless Paint Sprayers

When looking for an airless paint sprayer unit, it’s most important that it fits your particular needs. For instance, smaller units can save you money, but may not have the capacity to cover the entire exterior of your house. Too big a sprayer can also be a problem. When in doubt, less is more. Think like Goldilocks: choose an airless paint sprayer that’s “just right.”

NeJame also recommends looking for a paint sprayer that can easily be cleaned. That’s the key to having your sprayer last you through many paint jobs. Look for ones that disassemble for easy cleaning. “The easier it is for my painters to clean the sprayer, the more likely it will get cleaned thoroughly.”

So how do you determine which airless paint sprayer is appropriate for your purposes? Try asking yourself the following questions:

• How frequently do you plan to use it?
• How much money do you want to spend? (Don’t forget to figure in maintenance and repair costs!)
• What types of paints will you be using?
• Do you want a sprayer that has a replaceable pump?
• Do you need a paint sprayer with a variety of tips?
• Would you prefer a static- or swivel-style handpiece?

Lastly, think about how powerful a sprayer you will need. Most models on the market have pressure ratings ranging somewhere between 1500 to 3500 psi.

Types of Airless Paint Sprayers

Airless paint sprayers for residential use fall into several categories:

• Electric: Electric units plug into a standard socket, but have cords that can possibly get in the way or cause a tripping haazard.
• Handheld Cordless: Battery-powered/cordless models are more portable, but their run time can be rather limited.
• Stand- or Cart-Mounted: Stand-mount sprayers can be carried from place to place, and because they’re compact, they can be stored in tight places. Cart-style airless paint sprayers come with wheels, a hose hook and a paint bucket hook.

Why You Should Trust Us

Toni DeBella has covered many topics for Family Handyman and is an expert when it comes to reviewing products. She knows how to gather new items that the FHM audience will love, taking into account price, durability and customer reviews.

We consulted with Paige NeJame, the owner of CertaPro Painters to better understand what separates a high-quality airless paint sprayer from a low-quality one and learn more about why it’s such a great tool to have in your arsenal. NeJame has 18 years of first-hand experience in the painting industry and has painted over 30,000 homes and businesses around Boston.

How We Found the Best Airless Paint Sprayers

As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject-matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.

FAQ

Do airless paint sprayers use more paint?

Theoretically, yes. That’s because there’s a tendency for them to send paint in unattended directions—commonly known as overspray. To reduce the chance of wasting paint, be sure to aim the airless paint sprayer properly and use a low-to-moderate pressure setting.

Are airless paint sprayers easy to use?

Most airless paint sprayers are fairly easy to set up and operate. It usually takes the average person about 15 minutes or so to get the hang of them. “Practice first so you can get a rhythm and control of your spray pattern before spraying the project,” suggests NeJame.

What kind of paint is best for airless paint sprayer?

Airless paint sprayers can be used with most water- and oil-based paints (unthinned or thinned with water, mineral spirits or paint thinners), as well as varnishes, lacquers and other standard coatings. What you can’t use with most airless paint sprayers are solvents or thicker, textured emulsions.

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