Living in a world where interior design is important for the majority of us, we tend to focus more and more on details that did not seem to matter that much in the past. Although we all like to feel comfortable and to be surrounded by visually pleasant environments, we don’t really know the effort, techniques, art and passion it takes to obtain those beautiful results.
Coating, painting and varnishing are just three of the techniques that make it possible for objects, walls and furniture to look that good. Technology has advanced a lot in this field, making it a lot easier to paint with precision. The airless paint sprayer is one of the often used tools that are preferred by professionals who want to obtain the best results.
What are the advantages of an airless paint sprayer?
Airless paint sprayers are essential for large projects. They have the ability to spray atomizes and break up the fluid into countless droplets. Compressed air is not necessary in this process, as the tool’s name suggests.
The entire airless system works using high pressure that pumps fluid through the spray tip. Depending on the size of the tip and the pressure of the sprayer, the flow rate is higher or lower.
As stated by the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America, airless paint sprayers save painters half the time and even more. Additionally, it has been proven that airless paint sprayers are four times faster that brushes and two times faster than rollers.
One of the main advantages of this tool is that it can finish the job in a shorter time and it requires less set-up work. Moreover, superior quality of the finish and smoother surfaces can be obtained when using an airless paint sprayer. Thick coats are always uniform and fewer coatings are required when using this tool.
Being able to control the amount of sprayed paint efficiently is another major advantage. Also, large projects require less people as it is easy to operate with the help of an airless paint sprayer.
An airless paint sprayer can be used for a variety of tasks, using coating materials such as lacquer, stain, oil base paint, latex paint, heavy latex paint, elastomeric and more.
What to look for in an airless paint sprayer?
Tips and Sizes
You should always choose the airless paint sprayer depending on the size you need. Thin and thick coatings, as well as coating types require different tips, which is why it is important to choose a tool that is compatible with a wide variety of tips.
Costs and Safety
An airless paint spray is always a useful tool to have in your garage, but you should make your investment depending on the frequency of use.
In the event that you will use the tool occasionally, it is recommended to buy a smaller one that does not require the same safety precautions as a larger one does.
Due to the large number of sprayers available on the market, we have decided to review the 10 best-selling and give you an idea about their pros and cons. When reviewing them, we looked at the overall customer satisfaction, at the materials, capacity, ease of use, sizes and tips, costs, warranty and more.
Here are the top 10 airless paint sprayers:
1. Graco Magnum 262800 X5
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If you are looking for an airless sprayer for occasional use, this is a great choice. This product can help you spray both light and medium coats and is great for furniture coating.
It comes with a metal gun, a full trigger and an in-handle filter. Its motor can be powered by a generator or a regular plug. It can spray up to 27 gallons of paint per minute and is compatible with tips up to .015. Good results can be obtained with minimal effort when using this tool.
What’s to like about Graco Magnum 262800 ?
- Has a metal gun
- Includes 221-515 tips
- Has ½ hp motor
- Has a cleaning adapter
- Is designed for periodic use
- Has stainless steel piston pump
What’s not to like?
- Doesn’t have wheels so it can be uncomfortable to move it around sometimes
- It has only 1-year limited warranty
- Price is a bit high for a product for occasional use
2. Wagner 0515077 ProCoat V2 Paint Sprayer
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This 26-pound sprayer can be used for both indoor and outdoor painting jobs. The paint is being drawn directly from the paint can, which means no container is required. It is easy to use as it just has to be plugged into an outlet and started.
It has a ½ HP motor on and it supports spray tips up to.015 inches. Its 1800 PSI pressure is suitable for most light and medium coatings and it can also be used for thick latex paints. It is easy to carry due to its handle and it can be easily cleaned.
What’s to like about Wagner 0515077 ProCoat V2 ?
- Has adjustable pressure
- Includes 515 tip
- Has a 0.24 gpm flow rate
- Is suitable for occasional use
- Has a metal spray gun trigger
What’s not to like?
- Only has 1-year limited warranty
- Its flow control could be improved
3. Wagner 0518080 Control Spray Max
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Wagner’s affordable airless sprayer comes with unexpected features and a small size that makes it easy to use for all projects. It only weighs 10 pounds and comes with a contractor grade, a metal cup and a larger cup for deck and fence painting.
From a technical perspective, Wagner 0518080 Control Spray Max HVLP Sprayer has a powerful turbine with two stages that makes it easy for painters to spray latex and lacquers.
It has variable air pressure and three spray patterns. It is easy to cover both large surfaces and tiny ones thanks to the variable flow control of this sprayer.
What’s to like about Wagner 0518080 ?
- Has a two-stage turbine
- Has variable air pressure, from 1.50 to 2.63 PSI
- Comes with three patterns
- Has variable flow control
- Package includes cups and user manual
- Is small-sized
- Is affordable
- Is lightweight
What’s not to like?
- Can take a lot of time to finalize large projects due to its size and coverage abilities
4. Graco 257025 Project Painter Plus
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Graco’s airless sprayer is suitable for interior and exterior projects and it is a medium-sized tool that can be used easily. It sprays directly from paint containers and it comes with a metal spray gun included, as well as a 515 tip and a 25 ft hose.
It is easy to connect the paint container to the sprayer thanks to a pail hook. Then, all you have to do is do your job while the container and the sprayer will move together.
This product is easy to clean and can even be attached to a garden hose.
What’s to like about Graco 257025 Project Painter Plus?
- Sprays directly from paint containers with 1-5 gallons capacity
- Included 515 tip
- Comes with a long hose
- Includes a start-up guide and a DVD
- has a cleaning adapter and storage fluid
What’s not to like?
- Construction is cheap and weak
5. Graco Magnum 261815 ProX7
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This is one of Graco’s high-priced paint sprayers. It comes with great features for almost $500, which is pretty expensive comparing to similar products on the market.
The sprayer is medium-sized, so it is easy to manage, has up to .34 gallons per minute delivery rating and up to 3000 PSI/inch operating pressure.
It can be connected to a power generator or 15 Amp outlet and it comes with a 150 feet long hose that offers the painter flexibility and freedom to move wherever he needs to.
Its 45 pound weight makes it more difficult to move around, which is why the long hose is great. The 1-year limited warranty is not that impressive, but this is a high-quality product overall.
What’s to like about Graco Magnum 261815 ?
- Is medium-sized
- Is easy to work with
- Has 150 feet long hose
- Includes SG3 metal gun
- Included 515 tip
- Comes with a foldable cart for easy storage
What’s not to like?
- Is quite expensive
6. Wagner 0515034 ProCoat
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This product is a powerful spray painter that comes with a ½ hp motor and 2800 PSI piston-pump. It can be used with thick latex, stains, sealers and oil-based paints. Also, it comes with a metal spray gun and a 515 tip included.
Its 25 foot long hose allows the painter to move freely. It provides smooth finish and is suitable for thick latex paints that do not require thinning. Wagner 0515034 ProCoat Stand Airless Paint Sprayer has adjustable pressure control and 0.24 GPM rate flow.
What’s to like about Wagner 0515034 ProCoat ?
- Is adjustable
- Is affordable
- Has a long hose to the sprayer
- Can be used for a variety of materials
- Included 515 tip
What’s not to like?
- Only has 1 year limited warranty
7. HomeRight C800879 Power-Flo Pro
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This airless paint sprayer from Power-Flo Pro is designed for professional use, although its specifications are similar to those of products that are created for occasional use. For less than $220 you get a sturdy painter with a long hose and ½ hp motor.
Unlike other products on the market, this one has sturdy legs that offer better stability. It includes a 515 spray tip, is easy to clean and has a ceramic inlet valve that is water resistant. Its 2800 PSI operating pressure is great for latex, oil-based paints and stains. Also, it’s a great thing that this sprayer has 2-years limited warranty.
What’s to like about HomeRight C800879 Power-Flo Pro ?
- Sprays 0.24 gallons in one minute
- Has 2800 PSI
- Comes with a gun handle swivel
- Includes 515 reversible tip
- Is easy to clean
- Has 2 years warranty
- Is affordable
What’s not to like?
- Is difficult to obtain perfect coverage for exterior paints
8. Wagner Spray Tech 0529011
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This is one of the most affordable airless paint sprayers the market has to offer. It comes in a small size and according to the manufacturer it can spray 8-10 feet in 2-6 minutes and most customers agree on that.
It is a great product for DIY projects, although it can get pretty heavy when loaded, despite its small size.
It can be used with latex paints, sealers, oil-based paints, stains and urethanes. Its X-Boost Power settings can be used to match each project’s needs, which is nice.
What’s to like about Wagner Spray Tech 0529011 ?
- Sprays up to 7.2 gallons per hour
- Has adjustable power
- Has adjustable patterns
- Comes with lock-n-go system for color change
- Has iSpray technology for smooth coverage
- Is inexpensive
- Is lightweight
What’s not to like?
- Is heavy when loaded with paint
9. Campbell Hausfeld PS261C
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Campbell Hausfeld’s airless sprayer really stands out of the crowd. With a compact design and no compressor, this tool is easy to use and manage thanks to its sturdy construction, long hose and large wheels that provide stability.
The great thing about this product is that its manufacturer offers lifetime warranty for the motor and pump. It is ideal for large projects and comfortable to use due to an ergonomic spray gun.
It can be used for all kinds of surfaces. Its ¾ hp diaphragm pump impresses through power and performance.
What’s to like about Campbell Hausfeld PS261C ?
- Has semi-pneumatic tires
- Includes a 25 feet long hose
- Has 3000 PSI
- Sprays 0.34 GPM
- Is compatible with tips up to 0.017
- Its motor and pump have lifetime warranty
What’s not to like?
- Is expensive
- Is heavy
10. Graco 16N673 TrueCoat Pro II
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If you are looking for a high-quality airless paint sprayer with an impressive design, this might be the perfect product for you. Not only does it look good, but it is also a powerful tool. It was designed for small projects such as wall, ceiling, doors, furniture or deck painting. It only weighs 10 pounds, which makes it easy to manage.
It can be used with oil-based paints, latex, acrylics, solid stains or enamels. This product comes with an innovative pendulum suction tube for full coverage. It comes with a 515 tip included and a 32-ounce cup. Also, the package includes 5 liners and a start-up tool.
What’s to like about Graco 16N673 TrueCoat Pro II ?
- Has a great design
- Is suitable for indoor projects
- Comes with a tilt-n-spray pendulum
- Is fully-repairable
- Included 515 tip
- Has 2000 PSI
- Package includes 5 liners, a start-up tools and a DVD
What’s not to like?
- Only has 1-year limited warranty
- Takes a long time to clean it
Conclusion
You are not sure how much you should invest in an airless paint sprayer? Although all the products above have their pros and cons, they all offer great value for money. Depending on your budget, you should take into consideration factors like the frequency of use, materials, paint and durability.
For what it’s worth, cheap airless sprayers are great for occasional jobs but they do not deliver professional results. In the event that you are looking to obtain impeccable results, you should always choose to invest in more expensive products which also happen to be more durable.
It’s amazing how technology has evolved in the painting field. One can paint furniture, walls, ceilings, exterior walls and many more in almost no time, reducing the normally required work force tremendously.
Still not sure what airless sprayer to choose?
The decision making process is not easy when you have so many options to choose from. Although you already know if you will use such a tool occasionally or on a daily basis or how much you are willing to invest, it might be difficult to come to a decision.
Here’s what we think:
If you are an occasional painter or you just want to have an airless sprayer in your garage, you should go for affordable tools that will do the job properly. In this case, that means that you will need a sprayer that offers good coverage, but has smaller capacity and power. For example, the Wagner 0515077 ProCoat V2 Paint Sprayer is ideal for newbies or painters who work on DIY projects. The Wagner 0518080 Control Spray Max HVLP Sprayer fits in the same category and is one of the products with the most positive customer reviews.
On the other hand, if you are convinced that you will be using the airless paint sprayer frequently, it is worth investing more money, as you will definitely be getting more value. Professional sprayers are more durable, sturdier, provide better coverage and come with more powerful motors.
In this case, the Graco Magnum 261815 ProX7 Hi-Boy Cart Airless Paint Sprayer, the Campbell Hausfeld PS261C 0.34 GPM Airless Sprayer with Quadraflow Spray Gunand the Campbell Hausfeld PS261C 0.34 GPM Airless Sprayer with Quadraflow Spray Gun are more than suitable for your needs, based on the product specifications and customer reviews.
