Best Paint Sprayer in the UK — 2023 Reviews & Buying Guide

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After many hours researching and testing the UK’s top paint sprayers, we found that the Wagner W100 is the best overall paint sprayer. We like it so much that we used it during our recent decorating project.

We especially like its versatility, click & paint handle and price. However, there are better options if you frequently paint large surfaces, so read on to see which model works best for you and your DIY projects.

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Best Paint Sprayer Reviews — The UK’s Top 3 in 2023

The Wagner W100 is a great all-around HVLP paint sprayer that works equally well on wood and metal surfaces.

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 occasionally, you can’t go wrong with this inexpensive HVLP paint sprayer.

Pro Tip: Adjust the spray pattern according to the type of painting you’re 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

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This BLACK + DECKER model suits all painting tasks, especially those involving large surfaces. It works particularly well with stains and comes with a mixing bucket for thinning paint.

The HVLP200 is lightweight and a good option for ceilings or large areas, but it also works well for detailed projects like painting furniture.

This model comes with a paint flow indicator, helping you achieve an even coating each time, and the canister fills via the side, making it easy to load or empty.

Due to its flexibility, ease of use and low price, we recommend it for DIYers doing occasional painting projects. 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

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Our first two models are HVLP sprayers, and they’re aimed at DIY enthusiasts. This Airless sprayer is aimed at professionals or DIYers who plan on doing lots of painting.

The Wagner 250 M is compatible with all water and solvent-based paints, varnishes and stains. You can even use it for anti-corrosion coatings.

The 250 M is small and lightweight, making it a great choice for serious, heavy-use DIYers or professionals — many pros swear by the performance of the 250 M.

As with all airless sprayers, paint is fed to the sprayer directly from its tin or a separate container via a hose. So unlike HVLPs, you don’t waste time refilling a canister. 

This model features High-Efficiency Airless (HEA) technology, improving control, coverage and accuracy. This means less prep work and wasted paint than other airless models. 

The video below provides a nice overview of High-Efficiency Airless (HEA) technology and the benefits of this model.

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)

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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

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Paint Sprayers Buying Guide

There are two types of paint sprayers, High Volume, Low Pressure (HVLP) and Airless.

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1. HVLP Paint Sprayers

In HLVP sprayers, air pumped from a turbine atomizes paint and pushes it through a narrow nozzle outlet, producing a fine airborne mist. This paint mist hits the surface, creating an even finish. Since more paint adheres during the first coat, less paint is wasted. 

You can use HVLPs with solvents, emulsions, wood preservatives and stains, but not lacquers and varnishes. We recommend using HVLPs for interior decorating as they’re excellent at covering trim and moulding.

Turbine power is measured in watts (W). Generally, a more powerful turbine produces better paint coverage, so look for HVLPs with the highest wattage in your price range.

The nozzle at the front of the sprayer determines the spray pattern width. Larger nozzles work better on bigger surfaces such as decking, whereas smaller ones are more suitable for kitchen cabinets and furniture.

All HVLPs must be taken apart for cleaning. This job isn’t difficult, provided you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

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2. Airless Paint Sprayers

In airless paint sprayers, 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 spray paint directly from the paint container via a hose attached to the sprayer. This allows airless models to spray large areas without frequently reloading the sprayer’s canister (as you must with HVLP models).

Changing the nozzle allows you to spray various paint viscosities (liquid thickness). Airless models can spray viscosities ranging from thin wood stains and varnish to thick latex paint.

The downside to airless sprayers is they waste more paint than HVLPs. I.e. they spray so much paint at once that 20–40% does not adhere to the intended surface.

Furthermore, when painting outdoors, paint from airless sprayers can go all over the place, including plants, cars or adjacent properties. So warn your neighbours before using an airless paint sprayer, and cover everything you don’t want to paint.

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HLVP or Airless?

Only choose an airless paint sprayer if you’re a professional painter or you’re a serious DIYer who frequently paints large areas with thick paint.

For all other projects, especially ones that require fine detail, we recommend HVLPs, as they’re more economical and offer better control in small areas.

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Technical Specifications

Below is a list of key features you should consider when buying a paint sprayer.

• 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
• Nozzle sizes
• Paint thinning (if required)
• Quick and easy cleanup
• Warranty
• Price

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Final Thoughts

If you’re a regular DIYer looking for an inexpensive all-rounder, we highly recommend the Wagner W100.

However, if you frequently paint large areas with thick paint, it’s well worth paying the extra and getting the Wagner Control Pro 250 M.

If you want to learn more about paint sprayers, check out our guide to using a paint sprayer like a pro.