We researched and tested the best paint sprayers on the market, evaluating ease of use, durability, and overall value. Our top pick, the Graco Magnum 262805 X7 Cart Airless Paint Sprayer, is an easy-to-use machine that works well for big projects and can be used with a hose length of up to 100 feet. Here are our nine favorite paint sprayers for a variety of DIY projects. Our product tester used this paint sprayer at his home to stain a deck and some outdoor planters. He commented that while the air sprayer is easy to assemble, there is a bit of a learning curve to using it. However, he did feel that once mastered, the tool performed well, providing an even coat of stain and greatly reducing the time required to finish this normally lengthy task, saying, “Despite some gripes with the time to set up and hassle of moving it around, we took solace in knowing that staining our deck took less than half the time it might’ve had we used brushes or rollers to get the job done.” This airless paint sprayer can siphon directly from a 1- or 5-gallon bucket, and the 0.625 horsepower pump is intended for spraying up to 125 gallons of paint per year. The Graco Magnum X7 is compatible with a 0.017 tip, so you can use a larger tip for heavier coatings to prevent clogging. Easy to use and easy to clean, thanks to the PowerFlush garden hose adaptor, you’ll be very happy with the time savings and convenience of this carted paint sprayer. Price at time of publish: $558 This airless paint sprayer has been used by professionals and DIYers alike. We sent it to our product tester’s home, where he used it to paint a deck and some outdoor planters. He reported that while considered an “entry level” paint sprayer, this model’s performance was every bit as good as those of higher-end tools, and the sprayer saved him considerable time as compared to painting with a brush or paint roller. He added, “There’s no doubt that the Project Painter Plus saved us hours versus brushing our deck with stain, but it’s worth noting that the cleanup (as well as the aforementioned setup) is significant.” The Graco Magnum Project Painter Plus is lightweight, easy to use, and sprays latex and oil-based paints and stains with ease. It’s often recommended for painting the exterior of houses, though it can provide quick and even paint coverage for interior walls or staining fences. It comes with a 25-foot hose, but you can upgrade to a 50-foot hose if desired. Its recommended annual usage is no more than 50 gallons of paint per year. Price at time of publish: $269 What you’ll like most about this airless paint sprayer is its ability to smoothly apply even unthinned paint. While it does produce some overspray (as airless sprayers are known to do), it is one of the fastest ways to paint large surfaces, like walls, siding, and fences. For best results and the longevity of the sprayer, you must follow the manufacturer’s setup and cleanup processes. This sprayer is rated for up to 125 gallons of paint per year. Price at time of publish: $432 The sprayer has an adjustable flow rate up to a maximum of 800 ml/minute. You’ll need to thin most types of paint, and like most paint sprayers, there’s something of a learning curve. But once you get the hang of it, you can achieve smooth, even results in a fraction of the time it would take you using a paintbrush or roller. The device is easy to disassemble and fairly easy to clean once your project is finished. The paint reservoir holds up to 1 liter (a bit more than a quart), which is enough for many small projects. The sprayer comes with cleaning accessories and detailed user directions. Price at time of publish: $70 One thing that sets this version apart is its brass spray tip, which resists corrosion and wear. Easily adjust the nozzle to one of three spray patterns (horizontal, vertical, and round) to apply paint, stain, sealant, and other coatings. You can also increase or decrease the flow of material easily on the spray gun itself. The overall design and function of this model is easy to master for users new to painting with a spray gun, but it also offers quality results that meet the needs of more seasoned and serious DIYers. Its recommended annual usage is no more than 50 gallons of paint per year. Price at time of publish: $110 The Wagner Spraytech is an HVLP paint sprayer that performs best with relatively thin formulas such as wood sealants, stains, and varnishes. It may be possible to use it to spray latex paint, but you will need to thin the formula considerably. A regulator on the handle allows you to increase or decrease the flow, and there are three spray patterns: horizontal, vertical, or round. The biggest advantage of a paint sprayer for decks is the even application of the stain. Unlike brushes or rollers that may leave marks or lay down uneven layers of product, the Wagner Spraytech makes it easy (and fast) to apply deck stain or sealant evenly. It includes two separate paint cups: a 1-quart cup for smaller jobs and a 1.5-quart cup for tackling larger projects. Price at time of publish: $100 This HVLP spray gun is ideal for projects that include metal, like spraying paint or clear coat on car fenders, motorcycles, metal fences and doors, and metal furniture, for example. And once you’ve finished, it’s easy to clean the cup and sprayer body. With proper maintenance this spray gun will offer consistent performance and even application of primers, enamels, lacquers, and more. Note that you’ll need an air compressor that provides at least 4.5 cubic feet per minute at 40 psi to power the paint gun. Price at time of publish: $70 The paint sprayer includes three tips—1.5 millimeter, 1.8 millimeter, and 2.2 millimeter—and has a flow control knob and three spray patterns to choose from. At full flow, you can spray up to 3.2 gallons of paint on one charge. When empty, the paint sprayer weighs 4.4 pounds, but remember that it will weigh more once loaded with paint. The kit includes the paint sprayer, battery, charger, three tips, viscosity test cup, and cleaning tool. Price at time of publish: $169 This model has a 1.3 millimeter tip and includes options to fine-tune the application of light-to-medium-viscosity car coatings. You can adjust the spray pattern to suit your purpose, and a fully adjustable air regulator allows you to find the right setting within a range of 29 to 51 psi. Keep in mind that to complete the setup, this paint sprayer for cars will need to be paired with a high-pressure hose and air compressor. Price at time of publish: $99 Airless paint sprayers are powered by electricity, either from an electrical outlet or from a battery. This means you don’t have to own or bother with an air compressor to paint. These paint sprayers work at very high pressure and get the job done faster than the other two types. They work with just about any paint or stain, whether thick or thin; however, it can be tough to precisely control the spray pattern, meaning you’ll get overspray, and these paint sprayers tend to be noisy. Rob Abrahams, co-founder of COAT Paints and DIY expert, explains, “Airless paint sprayers can be used on walls and ceilings, woodwork, and even radiators and other metal objects. Because sprayers apply paint in a light mist, you get a thinner, more uniform layer of paint versus brush or roller application.” Large airless paint sprayers usually have a small tube that draws paint directly from the paint can, but some smaller models, often called cup sprayers, have an attached cup to hold the paint. Airless paint sprayers are the best type for large projects or exterior painting, such as walls, fences, big decks, ceilings, or lattices. You’ll get the best results spraying paint from a distance of around 12 inches. HVLP paint sprayers run on either electricity from a wall outlet or a battery or else must be attached to a separate air compressor for power. Typically, these sprayers have a built-in cup to hold the paint, rather than drawing paint from the paint can. They are slower than airless paint sprayers but create a smooth coat of paint without much waste or overspray. Most HVLP paint sprayers can easily handle stains and paint but don’t do so well with thick lacquers or varnishes. HVLP paint sprayers are a good choice for smaller projects, indoors or out. They are especially good for painting furniture, cabinets, trim, moldings, and doors—all surfaces that require very smooth coats of paint for the best appearance. For the best results, spray from a distance of 6 to 8 inches. Compressed paint sprayers require a separate air compressor for power. They are easy to use, typically cost less than the other two types but use a lot more paint, are prone to overspraying, and are messy. Still, compressed paint sprayers produce a smooth, even coat of paint, making them a good choice for painting furniture, cabinets, or trim. Often, you’ll need to thin the paint before using it with a compressed paint sprayer, and these aren’t the best choice for thick coatings like lacquer or varnish. Most compressed paint sprayers have an attached cup to hold the paint and are best used from a distance of around 12 inches.
Paint type
Different paint sprayers are better suited for certain types or sheens of paint. For example, airless sprayers can handle paints of all thicknesses, including lacquers and varnishes, while thicker paints may clog up an HVLP sprayer. Says Lisa Rickert, CEO and creative director at Jolie Home, “I especially like spraying doors and cabinets because they have such a large surface area and are often painted with a semigloss finish, which would show any texture from brushstrokes. Plus, if your home is fully furnished and you don’t want to bother covering everything, you can take the doors off the hinges and spray them outside.”
Coverage area
Are you painting the whole exterior of your home or just a piece of furniture? The area you have to cover will dictate which product is best—for instance, paint sprayers with longer extension cords, larger paint cups, and longer hoses are ideal for larger projects, while lightweight handheld units are useful for small paint jobs.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was edited and updated by Michelle Ullman, the tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs. The type of finish you need on your painting project, along with considerations regarding overspray and budget, will determine which type of paint sprayer is best for your project. For this roundup, she considered dozens of paint sprayers, evaluating each for basic features, extras, and product tester as well as customer feedback. She also received advice and suggestions from Lisa Rickert, CEO and creative director at Jolie Home and Rob Abrahams, co-founder of COAT Paints and a DIY expert.
