Make quick work of cabinets, walls, ceilings and furniture.
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Paint is a staple in the DIY-er tool belt. But the bigger a project is, the messier and more time consuming it gets to use just a regular paintbrush or roller to get the job done. If you flip furniture, or you're looking to paint a big room, your house's exterior, or even just a large number of small objects, a paint sprayer could be your new best friend.
In fact, it's one of our favorite tools here at the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab — especially with our experts who are known to change paint colors often, whether they're painting cabinets or accent walls. To help you figure out which model best fits your needs, our pros reviewed more than a dozen paint sprayers to determine the best of the best, prioritizing models that are easy to use and deliver the smoothest results.
Paint sprayers can seem intimidating for the average DIY-er since they're often used by contractors and other home renovation pros, but they’re actually fairly simple to operate. "I've taught hundreds of people to use sprayers,” says Nick Slavik, a professional painter based in New Prague, MN and host of Ask a Painter Live. "Everyone is a bit intimidated at first, but remember: Paint goes in one side and comes out the other. It’s not more complicated than that."
After reading our reviews, head to the end of this article to learn what to look for in a paint sprayer and how to use a paint sprayer. Interested in other ways to renew your space? Check out our reviews of the best paint brands and our pro tips for painting a room quickly.
We think this handheld airless paint sprayer is the best choice for most DIY enthusiasts because it delivers smooth results across a wide range of surfaces from fences to furniture and interior walls.
With a lightweight design and no paint thinning required, it’s easy to operate, if a bit on the noisy side. “We also like that this sprayer can be used upside down — nice if you’re painting a ceiling,” says Rachel Rothman, chief technologist at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She adds that Graco has a proven track record for performance and reliability based on our paint sprayer tests.
The sprayer also comes with different tips, and they store neatly in the handle. The Graco’s corded electric operation means unlimited running time, though you’ll need an extension cord for most projects.
This high-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) sprayer costs less than other models in our roundup without much compromise in performance.
Our experts note its versatility, including its ability to spray stains and polyurethane in addition to thinned paint, making it great for painting cabinets and similar projects. The rotating air cap makes it easy to adjust the spray flow and focus — tight for detail work and wide when painting a large expanse of wall, fence or deck.
The Wagner features a 20-foot hose, so you can leave the stationary base on the ground while you work. Though the sprayer is well-designed, its mainly plastic construction isn’t as durable as all-metal paint sprayers intended for heavy-duty use. The sprayer also comes with two different sizes of cups — a 1-quart metal cup and a 1 1/2-quart plastic cup.
If you have experience with cordless power tools, say, a drill or a saw, you know how nice it is not being tethered to a cord. It’s the same with paint sprayers, which is why our experts chose this handheld Graco model. “This sprayer is the perfect pick if you already have DeWALT power tools at home since it runs on the same lithium XR batteries,” says Rothman.
The airless paint sprayer works with most latex paints, and it can also spray both water and mineral spirit-based materials, so you have more flexibility with the types of projects you can take on. One caveat: At about 11 pounds, it’s among the heavier handheld sprayers we reviewed, it may be ideal for smaller jobs like painting furniture to avoid arm fatigue.
Lightweight and ergonomically designed, this HVLP sprayer from HomeRight is the perfect fit for small projects, like painting furniture or touching up the deck. It’s simple to set up and operate and can be used with chalk paint, milk and latex paints, stains, sealer, lacquer and varnish, though you will need to thin paint before adding since thick liquids, like chalk paint, can cause clogging.
Our experts also noticed how easy it is to clean the sprayer — just fill the device with water and spray until it runs clear. That’s important because, as Slavik notes, “when sprayers malfunction, 90% of the time it’s because of improper cleaning.” The HomeRight earns solid marks on Amazon; those less-than-stellar reviews are often centered around the limited capacity of the sprayer, so consider another model if you’re looking to paint an entire room or take on bigger jobs.
A wheeled paint sprayer is a valuable workhorse for large-scale projects like painting house exteriors or fences since it stores up to 5 gallons of paint and makes it easy to maneuver from place to place.
Our experts like the oversize handle on this Graco airless sprayer, plus its ability to support 150 feet of hose. “The adjustable pressure control is another nice feature, allowing you to dial up for more precise pump output for the task at hand,” says Rothman.
The sprayer can crank out .38 gallons of unthinned paint per minute and its stainless-steel construction stands up to the rough-and-tumble activity of busy job sites. The sprayer also comes with a connection for your garden hose for easy clean-up.
If you're getting into a lot of intense projects like a full home remodel where a sprayer is going to see a lot of action over an extended period of time, the Titan has some pretty heavy-duty chops. It starts with its all-metal sprayer gun, which is more likely to survive drops than guns made of plastic.
Our experts also call out the model’s generous two-year warranty, compared with the usual one-year warranty, plus Titan’s ability to rebuild the sprayer’s fluid section (at a cost, of course). As for performance, the airless paint sprayer is built for speed, with a .6 horsepower pump that can apply paint or stain at a rate of .33 gallons per minute.
“The controls are very intuitive,” says Rothman, “including the control knob on the front of the unit for adjusting the flow output.” Its 30-foot hose provides impressive reach, which can be taken up to 80-feet with the addition of an extension hose, sold separately. Though hardly the cheapest air sprayer on our list, the Titan offers solid value for a machine of its overall quality and durability.
Our experts start by surveying the paint sprayers that you’re most likely to find at online and brick-and-mortar retailers. From there, they zero in on the brands that have performed the best and proven the most reliable through decades of paint testing at the Good Housekeeping Institute.
In assessing over a dozen specific models for this story, our experts in the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab determine how a paint sprayer will perform in real-world conditions. They look closely at factors like spray consistency and compatibility with assorted paints and stains. They also pay close attention to usability, evaluating ergonomics (weight, finger fatigue, overall comfort, etc.), as well as to whether a sprayer can be used upside down and more.
As part of our testing process, our engineers built this rig in the GH Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab, which allows testers to apply paint from a set distance and speed. They spray paint onto panels made of wood, metal and plexiglass to assess adhesion across various materials.
To match the best paint sprayers to your needs, think about what kinds of projects you plan to tackle. There are two basic categories: airless and high-volume, low-pressure (HVLP). Each type has its pros and cons.
✔️ Airless paint sprayers: These power sprayers usually run on electricity, either from a cord or battery pack, though there are some gas-powered models. Whatever the power source, they generate high pressure to pull paint from a container and out through the sprayer. They get the job done fast, and they work with most types of paint (without having to thin the paint with water), making them an excellent choice for big projects, like house exteriors, interior walls and ceilings. The tradeoff for all that power and speed is higher cost. Airless sprayers are also noisy and they tend to offer less precision, so they’re not ideal for more delicate projects, like refinishing furniture.
✔️ HVLP paint sprayers: These electric-powered sprayers use high-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) air to push paint out through the nozzle in a mist-like pattern. They’re not as fast as airless sprayers, but they deliver a smooth, concentrated finish, so there’s not a lot of wasted paint. They usually have a built-in cup for the paint, which is easy to use, but time-consuming since you need to stop for refills. HVLP paint sprayers are great for furniture and other small, intricate projects. Note, however, that while the sprayers can handle most types of paint, the paint usually needs to be thinned out with water, and they’re not suited to thick varnishes and lacquers.
✔️ Size and capacity: The size of your project determines what size and capacity you should look for. For big projects like exterior walls or fences, look for a larger capacity so you don't have to stop and refill constantly. For small projects, like painting a dresser or various crafts, you'll be fine with one that has less capacity so there won't be much leftover paint in the machine.
✔️ Paint type: If you know the kind of paint you'll want to use, that will determine the type of paint sprayer that will work best for you. Airless models tend to be the most versatile, working with oil and latex paints, as well as stains, varnishes and lacquers. Many HLVP models can’t handle viscous liquids, so varnishes and lacquers are out, and thick latex paints need to be thinned before use.
✔️ Accessories: This is another thing that separates top-of-the-line sprayers from the pack. Says Slavik, “I like paint sprayers with the ability to accept accessories such as hose extensions and many different types of tips for different applications.” These accessories are usually sold separately. We also prefer sprayers with adapters that connect to a garden hose for fast, easy clean-up.
✔️ Be safe. It's important to always protect yourself by wearing safety goggles and ear protection (especially with noisy airless sprayers).
✔️ Do a test run. If you're a beginner, it’s a good idea to get comfortable with the machine before using it for the first time. “Buy some inexpensive paint and practice in a safe area,” says Slavik. That will keep both you as well as any valuable surfaces in and around your home free of unintended overspray.
✔️ Master the technique. Using smooth, consistent strokes, apply the paint to your desired surface from a distance of about 6 to 12 inches. Make sure to keep the sprayer even and perpendicular to the surface.
✔️ Clean the sprayer. To prevent the tool from clogging and ensure it consistently works properly, carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleanup.
How do you know when to use a paint sprayer versus a plain old paint brush? It comes down to a few main factors: how much surface area you’re looking to cover, how smooth you want your finished product and how much you want to spend.
If you’re refinishing an entire set of kitchen cabinets, it makes sense to invest in a paint sprayer, because it will significantly reduce your work time and result in a flawless finish. For smaller projects where you don’t mind brush strokes, like repainting a piece of wood furniture, a top-quality paint brush that costs as little as $10 will do the trick.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement and Outdoor Lab provides expert reviews and advice on all things home-related, including paint sprayers. In his role as director, Dan DiClerico brings more than 20 years of experience, having reviewed thousands of products for Good Housekeeping, as well as brands like This Old House and Consumer Reports. He has also wielded all kinds of power tools, including paint sprayers, during his years working in the trades.
For this guide, Dan worked closely with Rachel Rothman, chief technologist and director of engineering at the GH Institute. For more than 15 years, Rachel has put her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics to work by researching, testing and writing about home improvement products.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
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