Before you get yourself another paint roller and brush set and prepare to hole yourself up in a room for a couple of days while you paint with an increasingly aching shoulder, you should get yourself the best airless paint sprayer.
Airless paint sprayers are suitable for any application that you’d use a roller for. They are perfect for walls, ceilings, windows, doors and door jambs, casings, trims, and baseboards as well as all manner of outdoor painting applications. They use high pressure to spray high- as well as low-viscosity paints, stains, and varnishes including both water and solvent-based media.
Understandably, it can be a little confusing to know which one to pick and it’s kinda hard to tell which are airless.
With that in mind, we’ve picked the very best airless paint sprayers out there. So whether you are a weekend warrior, a DIY enthusiast or a painting professional this guide will help you choose the right one.
If you want to paint furniture or smaller pieces they can do that too although an airless paint sprayer may not your best choice if you need a lighter, softer spray. For that, you’ll need an HVLP paint sprayer.
Reviews of Our Top Picks for the Best Airless Paint Sprayer
Editor’s Award | Brand | Click Image to Read Review |
Best Overall Airless Paint Sprayer | Graco Magnum 262800 X5 Stand Airless Paint Sprayer | |
Best Airless Paint Sprayer for Interior Walls | Wagner Airless ControlPro 250 | |
Best Cart Airless Paint Sprayer | Graco Magnum 262805 X7 | |
Best Handheld Airless Paint Sprayer | Wagner Spraytech | |
Best Professional Airless Paint Sprayer | Graco 17G180 Magnum ProX19 Cart Paint Sprayer |
Click below to jump to each topic in this guide.
- Best Overall Airless Paint Sprayer
- Best Airless Paint Sprayer for Interior Walls
- Best Cart Airless Paint Sprayer
- Best Handheld Airless Paint Sprayer
- Best Professional Airless Paint Sprayer
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Other Airless Paint Sprayers We’ve Reviewed
Best Overall Airless Paint Sprayer: Graco Magnum 262800 X5 Stand Airless Paint Sprayer
Best Overall Airless Paint Sprayer
Graco Magnum 262800 X5 Stand Airless Paint Sprayer
This is a great all-round and very affordable airless paint sprayer. It’s suitable for a wide range of outdoor projects including fence, siding, shed, garage, deck, wall, and porch, painting as well as indoor home improvement projects such as walls, ceilings, jambs, casings, trims, and more.
It’s perfect for DIY and home decorating enthusiasts as well as painting professionals and that’s the reason it made our top pick.
The paint sprayer operates via a powerful 1/2 horsepower stainless steel piston pump that lets you spray thinned and unthinned water-based, and solvent-based paints including emulsions and latex paints, enamels, vinyl, gloss paints, stains and more at high pressure, directly from a one or five-gallon paint bucket.
It comes with 25 feet of paint hose as standard but can take a hose up to 75 feet, which is great if you need to extend your reach further, such as, for example, if you have a really long fence you want to paint or if you need to reach the second story of a building. Also great for garden and yard projects that don’t have a power supply nearby.
It offers a fast and consistent spray pattern which is adjustable all the way up to 3000 psi, giving you maximum control to suit whatever project you are working on.
It’s very easy to clean too. You can attach it to your regular garden hose to flush it out.
It also features a useful reverse-a-clean spray tip that easily clears any clogged paint. You simply reverse the tip with a twist and you can keep on spraying.
The parts included are a metal spray gun with a .015 tip, 25 feet of paint hose, pump armor storage fluid (which helps protect your airless paint sprayer pump against freezing and corrosion when not in use), a power flush adapter, a quick start guide, and a user manual.
What We Like:
- Excellent Durability | It’s a high-quality US-made machine with an annual use recommendation of up to a whopping 125 gallons per year. That means it’s suitable for handymen, DIY enthusiasts, remodeling contractors, and painting professionals and well as regular home improvement and decorating hobbyists.
- Good Value for Money | It has a very affordable price tag making it both a money-saver as well as a great time saver.
Buying Factors to Consider:
If you need more portability, for example, if you’re working outside, painting a fence where you need to keep moving you may prefer the cart version of this model. In which case the Graco Magnum 262805 X7 we’ll be looking at shortly, maybe your better option.
Check the latest price of the Graco Magnum 262800 X5 on Amazon.
Best Airless Paint Sprayer for Interior Walls: Wagner Airless ControlPro 250 M Paint Sprayer for Wall & Ceiling
Best Airless Paint Sprayer for Interior Walls
Wagner Airless ControlPro 250 M Paint Sprayer for Wall & Ceiling
The Wagner ControlPro 250 M costs more than our top pick but it does feature new, high-efficiency airless technology (HEA) which is capable of delivering the same paint flow rate and consistent spray pattern as traditional airless paint sprayers but at reduced pressure.
At this point, you may be wondering why this should matter but it minimizes overspray by up to 55%. It, therefore, saves on paint and reduces the amount of masking needed, making it ideal for a wide range of interior decoration projects.
Like or top pick, it can spray all manner of high and low-viscosity liquids including both water and solvent-based media such as emulsions, and latex paints, varnishes, acrylic paints, wood preservatives, stains, primers, undercoats and more.
It also uses direct intake from a paint bucket making it easy to keep going without having to refill or decant the machine.
We particularly like the carrying handle design which makes it easier to grab and move around than the Graco we looked at above.
The unit comes with 29.5 feet of air hose, and a hybrid spray gun filter tip set consisting of a 517 tip, perfect for emulsion, and a 311 tip, ideal for lacquers, etc.
What We Like:
- High-Efficiency Air Technology (HEA) | It’s capable of delivering the same paint flow rate as a regular airless paint sprayer but at reduced pressure. Thereby reducing overspray by up to 55%.
Buying Factors to Consider:
It does cost more than our top pick. So it’s more of a considered purchase for the home DIY enthusiast.
Check the latest price for the Wagner Airless ControlPro 250 M on Amazon.
Best Cart Airless Paint Sprayer: Graco Magnum 262805 X7 Cart Airless Paint Sprayer
Best Cart Airless Paint Sprayer
Graco Magnum 262805 X7 Cart Airless Paint Sprayer
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a DIY expert, if you’re working on larger outdoor projects you may find a cart airless paint sprayer more useful.
This one is similar to our top pick, it’s by the same US company, but it’s much more portable and although it comes with a standard 25-foot paint hose, it’s capable of taking a 100-foot hose, allowing you to spray second and even third story buildings as well as larger outbuildings such as barns or garden constructions such as pergolas, etc. or indeed any project that doesn’t have a nearby power source. It’s also great for super long fences.
Although it is similar to our first choice in most respects, there are a couple of distinctions between this one and our top pick, apart from the ability to give you an extra-long reach, which makes this model more suitable for larger projects.
Firstly, it has a slightly more powerful 5/8 horsepower motor and it also comes with a 0.017 instead of a 0.015 tip for one-pass superior spray coverage.
What We Like:
- Affordable Price | This one costs less than the Wagner model and considering its capability of accommodating a long reach hose, and its sturdy cart construction it’s good value for the price.
- Cart Design | The wheels make it easy to pull around and being off the floor, it’s within easy reach to turn off or adjust without having to bend down.
Buying Factors to Consider:
This one is great for mid-size projects around the home. If you need to paint a larger house you may wish to opt for the Graco 17G180 Magnum that we’ll be looking at shortly.
Check the latest price for the Graco Magnum 262805 X7 on Amazon.
Best Handheld Airless Paint Sprayer: Wagner 0525027 Power Painter Plus Airless Paint Sprayer Spray Gun
Best Handheld Airless Paint Sprayer
Wagner 0525027 Power Painter Plus Airless Paint Sprayer Spray Gun
The Wagner 0525027 is a small handheld and extremely versatile paint sprayer and a good budget option for those who don’t want to spend too much.
It’s perfect for all kinds of smaller to mid-sized home or outdoor decor projects and can be used to paint furniture such as cabinets, tables, benches, playsets, pergolas, and more, as well as larger surface areas such as interior and exterior walls, windows, doors and door jambs, fences, and sheds, and other outdoor constructions, etc.
Unlike our other picks, this one doesn’t directly draw paint from a bucket so, with this one, it works more like a regular single-action gravity-feed airbrush but on a large scale, so you will need to refill the 1-quart sized paint caddy (bottle) when you run out of paint.
It does, however, feature an exclusive EZ tilt flexible suction tube which will allow you to spray at any angle you need to without any loss of coverage.
It also features Wagner’s Optimus dual atomizer tip. This helps to create a wider spray pattern and gives you more coverage with each pass.
This airless paint sprayer can be used with stains, sealers, and oils as well as latex-based paints and can be adjusted to match the material you are using. Simply turn the material select lever to paint for thicker coats or stain for spraying thinner coats.
What We Like:
- Good for Smaller Projects | It’ll also take up less storage room in between painting projects.
- Budget Price | It’s the most affordable airless paint sprayer of all the ones we’ve looked at so far.
Buying Factors to Consider:
You will just need to keep the paint from drying and clogging the tip. But that’s not a fault with this particular spray gun it would still be true for any small handheld spray guns.
Check the latest price of the Wagner 0525027 Power Painter Plus on Amazon.
Best Professional Airless Paint Sprayer: Graco 17G180 Magnum ProX19 Cart Paint Sprayer
Best Professional Airless Paint Sprayer
Graco 17G180 Magnum ProX19 Cart Paint Sprayer
The Graco 17G180 is a big step up from our other choices. It’s suitable for serious or regular DIY enthusiasts, those who spend a lot of time working on various medium to large scale projects such as property remodelers, new builds or general contractors and of course painting professionals.
It has a super-powerful 7/8 horsepower motor which will support up to 150 feet of paint hose (it comes with 50 feet as standard). It also has a larger 0.019 tip capable of spraying much heavier latex paints than the lighter models in the range, so with this model, it’s possible to paint multi-stories, large constructions, or indeed any projects that would otherwise be too far away from a power source.
Another stand out feature of this model is its ProXChange pump replacement system which is useful for cleaning and maintenance. It allows you to easily replace the pump with no tools, mid-project.
Like Graco’s other models, the pressure is adjustable allowing for maximum paint control over whatever the project, large or small.
It’s also easy to clean connecting to a regular garden hose to flush the paint out.
What We Like:
- Cart Design | For maximum portability on larger or further afield projects. It also means you don’t need to stoop down to adjust or turn the machine off.
- Professional, Commercial Standard Machine | Great for large scale new house constructions or regular DIY garden projects and it’s especially suitable for self-employed painting and decorating professionals.
Buying Factors to Consider:
Unless you are going to be using an airless paint sprayer on a regular and frequent basis or need one that will take on large painting tasks this one will be more than you’d need.
It’s powerful so you will need to prep any indoor living spaces well to avoid any airborne particles of paint from landing where they shouldn’t.
It is, however, an amazing tool for the trade. With this machine, you have the means to make a living as a professional painter. Maintain it well and clean the pump after every use and you’ll be rewarded with a quality machine that will last you for years.
Check the latest price for the Graco 17G180 Magnum ProX19 on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use an airless paint sprayer indoors?
Airless paint sprayers are suitable for both outdoor and indoor use. They are great for painting walls, ceilings, doors, door jambs, casings, trims, windows, and baseboards.
The key is to prep the area well, and mask anything that you don’t want to get paint on. That includes kitting yourself out with a mask and protective clothing.
Working in an empty room is preferable because fine airborne paint particles will take some time to land.
Do airless sprayers create overspray?
All airbrushed paint, including airless paint sprayers, do create overspray to some degree and some airless paint sprays create more overspray than others.
Those that use high-efficiency airless technology (HEA) are capable of delivering the same paint flow rate and spray pattern as traditional airless paint sprayers but they do so with reduced pressure. Lower pressures create less overspray and indeed these machines produce up to 55% less overspray than regular airless paint sprayers.
Does an airless sprayer use more paint?
Although each pass will lay down a superior coat to that of a roller or brush, airless paint sprayers do use more paint than traditional rollers.
Overspray will cause a certain amount of paint to end up either on the drop cloth or other masked off areas. Technique will play a part in how much paint wastage you’ll have but you can expect to lose around 1/3 of your paint to wastage.
Do I need to thin paint for an airless sprayer?
Airless paint sprayers work with high pressure and they can push both high and low-viscosity paints through, in most cases, without the need to thin the paint first.
Paint can be sprayed thinned, however, and in some cases thinned material may be preferable. On new plaster, for example, paint should always be applied thinned for the first couple of coatings to seal the plaster which will allow the top coating to adhere.
Other Airless Paint Sprayers We’ve Reviewed:
These are the products that didn’t quite make our top picks, but they’re still pretty good so you might like to take a look:
Affordable Option for Weekend Projects
This is a good little budget option to rival our top pick.
Key Features:
- Powerful 5/8 HP motor.
- Adjustable working pressure up to 3000 psi.
- 25-foot long paint hose.
Another Good Option for Smaller to Mid-Sized Projects
Himalaya Airless Paint Sprayer Spray Gun
This is another affordable budget option.
Key Features:
- Powerful 5/8 HP motor.
- Working pressure up to 3000 psi.
- 25-foot long paint hose.
High-Efficiency Airless Paint Sprayer Using HEA Technology
Titan Tool 0580009 Titan High-Efficiency Airless Paint Sprayer
This technology decreases overspray by up to 55%.
Key Features:
- Operates at a lower 1500 psi without compromising on coverage.
- comes with a 30-foot hose that can be expanded to 80 feet.
- 515 spray tip which is ideal for latex paints.
Good for Beginners
Goplus Electric Paint Sprayer Spray Gun
This one provides a steady pressure of between 2200psi and 3000psi it’s easy to use and so good for beginners.
Key Features:
- The spray gun features a reversible tip to prevent clogs from holding you up.
- Manageable spray width of 6”- 8”.
- The spray gun has a lock knob to prevent accidental spraying.
Great for Small Garden Projects
Graco 16Y385 TrueCoat 360 Paint Sprayer
This small handheld airless spray gun is another little gem from Graco.
Key Features:
- It features VacuValve technology which creates an airtight vacuum allowing you to spray in any direction even upside down.
Benjamin Bevan says
Hi,
I like your description of this splitter Graco Magnum.
I am waiting for the next strong spray and Your website is very beautiful. I like it, thank you.