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When purchasing a paint sprayer, you first have to decide how much you’ll be using it, as prices vary greatly between the lower-end HVLP models and the higher-end Airless models.
Buying the wrong paint sprayer can be a messy mistake, both in time and money. Fortunately, we have plenty of experience using paint sprayers and know the value of picking the right model.
This buying guide will help you pick the best paint sprayer for your next painting project.
Best Paint Sprayer Reviews — The UK’s Top 3 in 2023
Are you looking to buy a paint sprayer for your next decorating project and beyond? If so, here are the best three paint sprayers available in the UK:
1. Wagner W100
- Works with all low-viscosity solvent-based and water-based materials
- Extra-fine atomisation for uniform coverage
- Separable gun for fast spray attachment changes
- Air jacket encloses spray jet for minimum masking work
- Includes 3-way adjustable paint jet
- Continuous regulation of material volume for precise painting
The Wagner W100 is a great all-around HVLP paint sprayer that works equally well on wood and metal surfaces. That’s why it’s won our award for the ‘Best Paint Sprayer in the UK‘.
The fully adjustable paint volume, three unique spray patterns, and click & paint handle make the W100 flexible and easy to use.
If you’re new to paint spraying and only plan on doing the odd job once in a while, you can’t go wrong with this cheap paint sprayer.
Pro Tip: Adjust the spray pattern according to the type of painting you are doing.
| Pros | Cons |
| Click & Paint handle lets you quickly change the paint pot/refill | Low power (280W) |
| Fully adjustable paint volume | Small canister capacity (800ml) |
| Three sprayer patterns — horizontal, vertical and detail | |
| Easy to clean | |
| Compact, lightweight and easy-to-use | |
| Inexpensive |
2. BLACK+DECKER HVLP200
- Side filling canister for quick refills or emptying
- Precise and easy spray pattern adjustment
- Fast and easy to use for painting projects
- The paint flow Indicator displays the current flow setting
The BLACK + DECKER model is suitable for all painting tasks, especially those involving large surfaces. It works particularly well with thin paints and stains and is even supplied with a mixing bucket for thinning paint when needed.
This sprayer is lightweight and a good option for ceilings or large areas. However, it also works well for detailed projects like painting furniture.
This model comes with a paint flow indicator which helps the painter achieve an even coating each time. The canister fills via the side, making it easy to load or empty.
Due to its flexibility, ease of use and low price, it’s recommended for home DIYers who don’t expect to do heavy paint spraying regularly. Its lack of power and paint capacity means it’s not a great choice for professionals.
| Pros | Cons |
| Powerful (400W) for the price | Question marks over durability |
| Large canister capacity (1200ml) | Slow paint flow rate |
| Side filling canister makes filling/emptying quick & easy | Paint requires lots of thinning |
| Paint flow indicator | |
| Precise and simple spray pattern adjustment |
3. Wagner Control Pro 250 M
- Works with water and solvent-based paints
- Also suitable for varnishes, wood preservatives, stains and oils
- High-efficiency airless technology with reduced spraying pressure
- Lightweight airless spray gun with a two-finger trigger
- Innovative nozzle technology
- Direct intake from the paint container
- 15m flexible paint hose
Note: the previous three paint sprayers are aimed at DIY enthusiasts. These next two models are aimed at professionals or DIYers who plan on doing a lot of paint spraying.
Our previous two picks are HVLP sprayers, but our final product is an airless model made by Wagner.
The 250 M model is compatible with all water and solvent-based paints, varnishes etc. You can even use it for anti-corrosion coatings.
The 250 M is small and lightweight, making it a great choice for serious DIYers who plan on doing a lot of paint spraying. Many professionals swear by the performance of the 250 M.
As with all airless paint sprayers, the paint is fed to the sprayer directly from its tin or a separate container via a hose. So unlike HVLP models, you don’t need to keep filling a canister.
This model features High-Efficiency Airless (HEA) technology, improving control, coverage and accuracy. This means less prep work and less wasted paint than other airless models.
The video below provides a great overview of the benefits of this model and High-Efficiency Airless (HEA) technology.
Pro Tip: The 250 M has a two-finger trigger which means less trigger pressure on your fingers and less recoil.
| Pros | Cons |
| Very Powerful (550W) | Expensive |
| HEA technology greatly improves control, coverage and accuracy | More suitable for pros, not occasional DIY users |
| Pulls paint directly from paint tins | |
| Excellent flow rate (1.25 l/min) | |
| Good spray pressure (110 Bar) | |
| Long hose length (9m) |
Best Paint Sprayer in the UK — 2023 Comparison Table
| Model | Type | Power | Flow Rate | Spray Pressure | Canister Capacity | Hose Length | Rating |
| Wagner W100 | HVLP | 280W | 110 ml/min | N/A | 800ml | N/A | 8.5 |
| BLACK+DECKER HVLP200 | HVLP | 400W | Unknown | N/A | 1200ml | N/A | 7 |
| Wagner Control Pro 250 M | Airless | 550W | 1.25 l/min | 110 Bar/11 MPA | N/A | 9m | 8 |
Paint Sprayers Buying Guide
There are two main types of paint sprayers, High Volume, Low Pressure (HVLP) and Airless.
1. HVLP Paint Sprayers
In an HVLP paint sprayer, air pumped from a turbine atomizes paint and pushes it through a narrow nozzle outlet. A fine airborne mist directly hits the surface, creating an even finish. Since more paint adheres during the first coat, less paint is wasted overall.
We recommend HVLP paint sprayers for interior decorating as they are excellent at covering trim and moulding.
HVLPs can be used with various paints, including solvents, emulsions, and wood preservatives and stains. You can use them to apply primer as well as topcoats. However, you shouldn’t use HVLP sprayers with lacquers and varnishes.
The higher the wattage, the more powerful the turbine. Generally, a more powerful turbine produces better paint coverage. So with this in mind, go for HVLP paint sprayers with the highest wattage in your price range.
The nozzle at the front of the sprayer determines how wide the spray pattern is. For example, you can buy larger nozzles for painting decking or smaller ones for kitchen cabinets.
All HVLPs need to be taken apart for cleaning. This isn’t difficult, provided you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
2. Airless Paint Sprayers
In an airless paint sprayer, a piston pressurizes the paint and pushes it through a narrow outlet. The combination of high pressure and a tight squeeze shear the paint into tiny particles.
Airless models can spray paint directly from their can or a separate container via a hose attached to the sprayer. Using this method, you can spray large areas very quickly, as up to 5 gallons of paint can be sprayed without reloading the sprayer’s canister (as you must with HVLP models).
You change the nozzle to spray various viscosities (thickness) of paint. Airless models spray various liquid viscosities, from thin wood stains and varnish to thick latex paint.
The downside to airless sprayers is that they waste more paint than HVLPs. As they spray so much paint at once, 20-40% does not adhere to the intended surface.
When painting outdoors, paint from an airless sprayer can become airborne and end up all over the place, including plants, cars or adjacent properties. Warn your neighbours before using an airless paint sprayer, and cover everything you don’t want to paint.
So which one should you choose — HLVP or Airless?
Only choose an airless paint sprayer if you’re a professional/semi-professional painter using thick paint or spraying a large area requiring minimal prep or cleanup.
For all other projects, especially ones that require fine detail, we recommend HVLP paint sprayers as they’re more economical with paint and offer more control within tight areas.
Technical Specifications — Paint Sprayers
Below is a list of key features you should consider when buying a paint sprayer in the UK. Remember to compare all these features for each paint sprayer on your shortlist.
- Power (Watts)
- Paint Volume/Flow Rate (litres per minute)
- Air Pressure (bar)
- Canister capacity (ml, HLVP only)
- Hose Length
- Viscosity range
- Spray patterns
- Easy, intuitive adjustments
- Tips/Nozzle size
- Paint Thinning (if required)
- Quick/Easy Cleanup
- Warranty
- Cost
Pro Tip: For one or two projects, spend £30-£100. For more projects and/or professional use, it’s worth spending £400-800.
Final Thoughts — Best Paint Sprayer in the UK
Having read these reviews of the top three paint sprayers in the UK, you should be able to make an informed decision on which is the best paint sprayer for you. If you’re looking for a good all-rounder that’s inexpensive, we highly recommend the Wagner W100.
If you want to learn more about using paint sprayers, check out this guide we put together: How to use a paint sprayer like a pro.