Transforming an old item of furniture, such as a thrift or antique store find into a stunning piece that would cost a small fortune to buy, is so much easier than you’d think, as long as you have the right equipment for the job.
If like me, you’re a weekend warrior with a bit of a passion for interior design, you’ll have no doubt at some point tried spray painting a few pieces such as mirrors, tables, and chairs, etc with one of those hobby aerosol spray cans.
So forget everything you know about spray painting with a can or for that matter, painting with a traditional brush. There is simply no comparison when you use a professional spray gun.
They are so versatile too, with the right material and the right spray gun you can use them to paint just about anything, from walls to whole buildings, cabinets and other items of furniture, to table lamps and plant pots.
But trust me, if you have, you’ll know what I mean when I say they’re so disappointing. They give you patchy, poor coverage, and splatter when the can starts to run out, not to mention cheapen the look of the piece you’ve spent all that time trying to transform.
In fact, these days with the right spray gun you can spray makeup, body paint, spray tan or even spray food coloring for cakes.
With so many different types of spray guns now available, choosing the best paint sprayer for the job can be a little confusing.
Two types, in particular, are usually seen mixed together in the same category as each other when looking for a paint sprayer. So which one is better? Should you go for an airless paint sprayer or an HVLP paint sprayer, after all, don’t they look like they do the same thing?
Well, they do to a certain degree and neither is better but each does have its own area of expertise.
Airless Paint Sprayers
If you want to cover large flat areas, fast, like walls, ceilings or outdoor stuff such as fences, sheds, or barns, etc., you’ll need a good airless paint sprayer.
If you’d like more detailed information, we have a full guide to them here at Comfy Zen.
But in brief, they use a piston to pressurize and spray most materials including both high and low viscosity mediums at high pressure most often straight from the can.
They’re perfect for the job but do lack the control, precision and softer finer spray pattern coupled with the superior coverage that you’d need to get the highest quality finish on a beautiful piece of painted furniture.
HVLP Paint Sprayers
That’s where a good HVLP Paint Sprayer comes in. HVLP stands for high-volume, low-pressure. By definition, they spray at low PSIs of 10 or less and generally run on turbine motors rather than the now less common high-pressure air compressor systems that regular paint guns use.
HVLP sprayers are your ideal choice to paint and/or varnish furniture of all shapes and sizes being especially suitable due to the quality of finish, you get from the finer and more uniform shaped particles of paint that they produce.
Another great advantage of using an HVLP spray gun is the dramatically reduced amount of overspray and rebound airborne paint that they give out.
So whether you have just a few small pieces of furniture in mind that you’d like to spray, you’re a serious hobbyist or you’re looking for the best HVLP spray gun for your start-up business. We have picked the very best ones out there to help you choose the best one for you.
Editor’s Award | Brand |
Best for Serious Hobbyists |
Fuji 2202 Semi-PRO 2 HVLP Spray System |
Best for Weekend Warriors |
Wagner 0529021 FLEXiO 890 Stationary HVLP Paint Sprayer |
Best for Beginners |
Wagner Spraytech 0518080 Control Spray Max HVLP Paint or Stain Sprayer |
Best Budget Option |
REXBETI Ultimate-750 Paint Sprayer |
Best Budget Alternative Option |
HomeRight C800766, C900076 Finish Max HVLP Paint Sprayer |
To read our full reviews, click the links below to scroll to each section.
- Our Top Picks for the Best Paint Sprayer for Furniture
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Other HVLP Paint Sprayers We’ve Reviewed
Reviews of Our Top Picks for the Best Paint Sprayer for Furniture
Best for Serious Hobbyists: Fuji 2202 Semi-PRO 2
Best for Serious Hobbyists
Fuji 2202 Semi-PRO 2 HVLP Spray System
The Semi PRO2 by Fuji is ideal for the more serious hobbyists, business start-ups, or DIY enthusiasts.
This is just about the best HVLP paint sprayer you can get for furniture. It’s simply better designed than the cheaper models out there. It’s much lighter in your hand for a start, so it’s easier to control, and won’t make your arm ache while you’re spraying.
You see cheaper spray guns generally have a motor built into the back of the spray gun itself. This, added to the weight of the paint itself, makes them heavier and a little awkward to operate.
Additionally, the motors aren’t generally as durable or powerful, because if they were, they’d be too heavy to be practical and unfortunately this tends to leave them underpowered, reducing the fan quality of the spray and|or lowering the viscosity of the materials you can use.
Fuji’s Semi PRO2 and indeed the Hobby PRO2 which differs only in that it has a larger 1.8mm size tip, feature a super-powerful 1400 watt 2-stage bypass motor that can handle any type of coating. The motor sits on the floor allowing you to spray with ease and without feeling weighed down by the weight of the turbine.
The quality of the spray pattern produced by this machine is unbeatable. The spray gun is non-bleed and has a fully adjustable fan control knob from a 1″ small circular to a wide 12″ ova including all the increments in between.
We have featured the bottom feed spray gun here. I recommend bottom or bottle-feed spray guns as they are a little more adaptable to spraying at different angles than the gravity feed cup spray guns.
The feed tube inside the bottle of a bottom feed version can be turned so that it sits in the paint even if you are spraying from directly overhead as you would for a tabletop for example, or equally directly from underneath as for painting a ceiling. They can, of course, be turned sideways just as easily.
If you prefer a gravity feed PRO2 however, you can choose that one instead. Either way, the machine is easily adaptable from gravity feed to bottle feed so your decision isn’t set in stone.
The PRO2 cames with a 1.3mm air cap but can take additional air cap sizes from .8mm – 2.0mm.
You can take a closer look at the PRO2 in the video below.
What We Like:
Buying Factors to Consider:
Given that it’s not the cheapest of options, its price makes it more of a considered option unless you will be using it regularly. You may prefer to save yourself some bucks and choose one of the options coming up below.
If however, you’re looking for a professional high-quality HVLP paint sprayer then look no further. The PRO2 gives you real bang for your buck.
Check the latest price for the Fuji 2202 Semi-PRO 2 HVLP Spray System on Amazon.
You may also want to consider the Hobby PRO2 version with a wider 1.8mm size tip or the Gravity Feed Semi-PRO2 also from Amazon.
Best for Weekend Warriors: Wagner 0529021 FLEXiO 890 Stationary HVLP Paint Sprayer
Best for Weekend Warriors
Wagner 0529021 FLEXiO 890 Stationary HVLP Paint Sprayer
This one is much more budget-friendly than our first choice. It comes with two spray nozzles, one for spraying larger areas such as walls and fences and one detail finish nozzle for small projects and a finer finish.
Its spray pattern includes horizontal, vertical, and round making it perfect for a wide range of applications as well as a great option for spraying cabinets and other items of furniture.
Its design is similar to our top choice in that it too has a motor that sits on the floor, keeping all the weight out of your hands and firmly on the floor. As we’ve already mentioned, being lighter in your hand makes it much easier to control and that’s what sets this one apart from others out there.
A larger motor size than those with the motor built-in to the spray gun itself can be achieved by having the motor on the floor and this is another advantage of the stationary design and although this one is not as powerful as the PRO2 we’ve looked at, (this is reflected in its lower price tag) the FLEXiO 890‘s 600-watt turbine is more powerful than most. This means it can spray a wider range of paints, stains, and varnishes straight from the can including primers, latex and oil enamels.
Another great feature making it handy for storage is its unique toolbox style design. When you’ve finished spraying all your attachments including the 11.5-foot hose fit neatly into the integrated storage box.
You can see it in detail in the video below.
What We Like:
- Adjustable Settings | The level of air pressure is adjustable and you can also turn the material flow control to increase or decrease your paint flow.
- Comes with Two Nozzles | Making it a versatile option and suitable for wider areas or larger projects as well as being ideal for smaller or finer detailed work.
- Easy Storage | The integrated storage box complete with convenient carry handle makes it both portable and easy to store away neatly. That means keeping everything together in one place so you won’t end up having the attachments hanging around in a plastic bag.
- Stationary HVLP Paint Sprayer | That means you don’t have the additional weight of the turbine in your hand. The weight is all on the floor.
Buying Factors to Consider:
It’s not going to give you quite the same high-quality spray that the PRO2 will give you so if you’re considering spraying something ambitious like a dining table and chairs or you might want to invest in the higher-end machine.
That said it’s great for home use, for room and furniture makeovers as well as outdoor applications such as garden furniture, fences, and pergolas, etc.
Check the latest price for the Wagner 0529021 FLEXiO 890 Stationary HVLP Paint Sprayer on Amazon.
Best for Beginners: Wagner Spraytech 0518080 Control Spray Max HVLP Paint or Stain Sprayer
Best for Beginners
Wagner Spraytech 0518080 Control Spray Max HVLP Paint or Stain Sprayer
The Wagner Spraytech is another lightweight bottom feed HVLP paint sprayer, designed so that the weight of the motor is in the portable unit and not in your hand.
It’s also very affordable so it’s ideal for those on a budget.
The two-stage 570 watts motor is not quite as powerful as the Wagner FLEXiO 890 we’ve looked at above, but that’s reflected in the lower price tag. Its power is more in line with those you’d find in the handheld HVLP paint sprayers that have the turbine built into the air gun.
In real terms that means that you would be able to paint a wall within a shorter time with the more powerful Wagner 890 model than you would with this model, but only by a few minutes.
With the Wagner 0518080 model, you do get a super long, 20 feet air hose which is almost as long as the 25 feet one that you get with our high-end choice, the SemiPRO2. It also comes complete with two air filters that protect the paint finish from dust, two cups, one professional metal 1 qt. cup and one large 1 ½ qt. plastic cup.
This model is great for beginners. You can easily customize your paint flow with the pressure control dial which is adjustable between 1.50 to 2.63 psi reducing the amount of overspray, and in particular, it includes a handy viscosity cup with which you can measure the density of the material you’re using and adjust the spray pattern accordingly.
There’s also a material flow adjuster allowing you to paint with a wide range of materials from higher viscosity latex paints to thinner materials like stains with ease to a high standard of finish.
What We Like:
- Material Flow Adjuster | This greatly reduces overspray on lower viscosity stains and varnishes.
- Great for Beginners | Includes a viscosity cup to measure the density of the material you’re using so that you adjust the spray pattern accordingly.
- Comes with Two Cups | One large plastic 1 ½ qt. cup size for larger projects such as walls and fences etc and one smaller metal 1 qt. cup. for small pieces of furniture etc.
- Stationery Design | You aren’t holding the weight of the motor in your hand while you are spraying, it sits on the floor.
Buying Factors to Consider:
Its the cheapest model we’ve looked at so far but if you’re only going to be using it for a couple of projects or very infrequently you might just want to save a few more dollars and go for our budget option next.
Check the latest price of the Wagner Spraytech 0518080 on Amazon.
Best Budget Option: REXBETI Ultimate-750 Paint Sprayer
Best Budget Option
REXBETI Ultimate-750 Paint Sprayer
For a low price budget handheld HVLP sprayer with a motor that’s built into the spray gun, the REXBETI is lightweight weighing just 3.65 lbs and what’s more its 500-watt motor, means it’s powerful too.
This one is great for occasional use, for furniture, fences, and walls as well as hobbies and crafts.
It comes with 3-size different size nozzles a 2.0mm, for lower viscosity mediums such as varnishes and seals, a medium 2.5mm, and a larger 3.0mm for latex and chalk paints and each has an adjustable spray pattern, horizontal, vertical or circular.
You can regulate the paint flow with the flow control knob and there’s a generous 6.6-foot power cord to give you an easy reach.
What We Like:
- Low Price | This is a great option for those not ready to invest in a top of the range professional HVLP paint sprayer.
- Easy to Clean | The model assembles and dismantles very easily and comes with its own cleaning attachments.
- Includes 3 Different Sized Nozzles | For spraying different materials with minimal overspray.
Buying Factors to Consider:
As a first HVLP paint sprayer, you can’t really go wrong at this price. There is an alternative pick that you should check out below that has a couple of variations to this one that you may prefer.
Check the latest price of the REXBETI Ultimate-750 Paint Sprayer on Amazon.
Best Budget Alternative Option: HomeRight C800766, C900076 Finish Max HVLP Paint Sprayer
Best Budget Alternative Option
HomeRight C800766, C900076 Finish Max HVLP Paint Sprayer
This handheld sprayer is our alternative budget option. It’s similarly designed but there are a couple of differences between the two models.
Unlike the REXBETI featured above, this one only comes with one 2 mm spray tip and nozzle.
That said, the nozzle and tip are made from higher quality brass instead of plastic for a finer more precise finish. Brass nozzles are also more temperature resistant to warping and generally longer lasting.
It’s lighter too weighing just 2.76 lbs but the trade-off is the fact that motor is not as powerful on this one, being 400 watts instead of 500 watts.
What We Like:
- Higher Quality Brass Nozzle and Tip | Longer lasting and temperature resistant to warping.
- Low Price | This is another great option for those not ready to invest in a pricey HVLP paint sprayer.
- Easy to Clean | The model assembles and dismantles very easily and it also comes with its own cleaning attachments.
Check the latest price for the HomeRight C800766, C900076 Finish Max HVLP Paint Sprayer on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between HVLP and airless sprayers?
Airless paint sprayers use high pressure to spray materials of high- as well or low-viscosity including paints, stains, and varnishes. They can be used to cover large areas significantly faster than an HVLP sprayer would cover. As a general guide, you would choose an airless paint sprayer for anything you would consider using a roller for.
HVLP stands for high-volume, low-pressure. If you want to paint furniture or smaller pieces that require a finer, higher-quality finish with minimal overspray, you should choose an HVLP paint sprayer as they spray finer and more uniform shaped particles of paint or other materials than an airless paint sprayer.
What is a HVLP sprayer used for?
HVLP paint sprayers are great for projects that require a high-quality fine finish such as items of furniture, doors, cabinets and door jams, etc or for smaller garden projects including tables, chairs, and plant pots, etc., but they can also be used to paint walls, ceilings, and fences, and more.
Some HLVP paint sprayers are suitable for automotive projects and some can even be used for tanning.
What is better gravity feed or suction feed?
It really depends on your personal preference. However, while one isn’t better than the other, if you are a beginner, I would recommend you get a bottom or bottle-feed spray gun as they are a little more versatile in that they can spray at different angles as the material feed tube can be turned to anyway around to sit in the paint.
This means you could paint from directly overhead, onto a tabletop, for example, a position which you would find more difficult with a gravity feed or cup spray gun.
Some people also find the gravity cup blocks their view a little.
Can you spray latex paint with a HVLP gun?
You can spray most materials with an HVLP spray gun. Latex paint which has a high viscosity can even be sprayed by some (although not all) HVLP paint sprayers – unthinned.
Other HVLP 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:
Stationary HVLP Paint sprayer
Earlex HV5500 HVLP Spray Station Paint Sprayer
As you can see this one has handy built-in storage for the air hose.
Key Features:
- Powerful 650-watt turbine but feels lightweight in your hand.
- Sprays a good variety of materials including thinned latex, stains, lacquers, varnishes, sealers, oils, urethanes, shellacs, acrylics, and enamels.
- For easy reach, it has a 13 ft. hose and a 5.5 ft. power cord.
Spray Tent to Keep your Project Bug Free
Eurmax Full Zippered Walls for 10 x 10 Easy Pop Up Canopy Tent
It’s a good idea to set yourself up with a spray tent.
Key Features:
- PU coated CPAI-84 fire certification, UV protection, and water resistance.
- Roll-up door and bug screen window.
- Polyester fabric. To keeps boring bugs away and allow air to circulate.
Low Price Budget Option
Scuddles Paint Sprayer, 1200 Watt High Power HVLP.
This is a super low priced budget option.
Key Features:
- Includes 5 spray Nozzles.
- It requires zero assembly, so you can use it straight out of the box.
- It comes with several cleaning attachments.
Four Nozzle Sizes for Different Projects
A nice lightweight option. It weighs only weighs 2.8 pounds.
Key Features:
- Includes 4 Nozzle Sizes for different applications.
- Includes a viscosity cup to determine the nozzle and settings for your project.
- Free replacement and lifetime Warranty.
Stationary HVL Sprayer
Paint Zoom Pro Handheld Electric Spray Gun Kit
This is another great stationary HVLP sprayer.
Key Features:
- Powerful 925 watts turbine motor.
- It comes with 3 paint containers with screw top lids. Handy to line up your spraying medium and swap the containers out, as needed.
- 3-way dial spray for corners, as well as vertical and horizontal painting projects.
Benjamin Bevan says
Hi,
The paint sprays you mentioned, Which paint sperays better for me?
With which I can paint my house, furniture and other myself. It would be great for me if you could tell me a little bit.