best paint sprayer in the UK

Best Paint Sprayer in the UK — 2024 Reviews & Buying Guide

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After many hours researching and testing the top paint sprayers, we found that the Wagner W100 is the best paint sprayer in the UK for 2024. 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.


Paint Sprayer Reviews — The UK’s Top 3 in 2024

Our Top Pick
1. Wagner W100

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.

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.

ProsCons
Click & Paint handle lets you quickly change the paint pot/refillLow power (280W)
Fully adjustable paint volumeSmall canister capacity (800ml)
Three sprayer patterns — horizontal, vertical and detail
Easy to clean
Compact, lightweight and easy to use
Inexpensive

Best Budget Paint Sprayer
2. BLACK+DECKER HVLP200

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

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.

ProsCons
Powerful (400W) for the priceQuestion marks over durability
Large canister capacity (1200ml)Slow paint flow rate
Side filling canister makes filling/emptying quick & easyPaint requires lots of thinning
Paint flow indicator
Precise and simple spray pattern adjustment

Also Great
3. Wagner Control Pro 250 M

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

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.

YouTube player

Pro Tip: The 250 M has a two-finger trigger which means less trigger pressure on your fingers and less recoil.

ProsCons
Very Powerful (550W)Expensive
HEA technology greatly improves control, coverage and accuracyMore 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 — 2024 Comparison Table

ModelTypePowerFlow RateSpray PressureCanister CapacityHose LengthRating
Wagner W100HVLP280W110 ml/minN/A800mlN/A8.5
BLACK+DECKER HVLP200 HVLP400WUnknownN/A1200mlN/A7
Wagner Control Pro 250 MAirless550W1.25 l/min110 Bar/11 MPAN/A9m8

Paint Sprayers Buying Guide

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


HVLP Paint Sprayers

parts of a HLVP paint sprayer

In HVLP 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.


Airless Paint Sprayers

parts of an airless paint sprayer

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.


HVLP 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.


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, HVLP only)
  • Hose length
  • Viscosity range
  • Spray patterns
  • Easy, intuitive adjustments
  • Nozzle sizes
  • Paint thinning (if required)
  • Quick and easy cleanup
  • Warranty
  • Price

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.