What is the Best Paint Sprayer for House Painting? [2023]

Curious about house paint sprayers but no idea where to start? In this mega article, we discuss what to look for when choosing the best paint sprayer for house painting, including features, brands and more.

Many women, like myself, love to play with our home environment. We can express our creativity with color and pattern, and switch the energy of a room simply with a coat of paint and a few decorative flourishes. But an obstacle to our goals is the equipment, and the ‘how to’ of making it happen. While paint rollers and brushes are easy to use, they are slow, so very slooow.

Paint sprayers are a great alternative to rollers and brush, and if you’re planning to paint your entire house and yard, then the equipment you choose is going to be more complicated than a simple handheld sprayer you picked up from Home Depot for $50.

While a good paint sprayer costs a fair bit, many homeowners find them highly worthwhile due to the time and effort spared when painting. Unlike cheap handheld models, a good quality airless paint sprayer is a long-term investment, a device that can last you for decades or even a lifetime across a variety of different projects and houses. But choosing the right one can be tricky, if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

So, if you’re in the market for a serious paint sprayer capable of handling serious house painting tasks, indoors and outdoors, then this is for you.

In this article, we discuss important factors to consider when shopping for house paint sprayers, such as style, versatility, weight and maneuverability. We also share a few recommendations for models that we consider to be the best paint sprayer for house painting tasks, and why.

Benefits of Using a Paint Sprayer

Paint sprayers have several advantages over traditional painting tools such as hand brushes and roller brushes. The benefits of using a paint sprayer include speed and efficiency, uniform coating and lower cost.

Speed and Efficiency

Paint sprayers are fast and efficient. Unlike hand brushes and rollers that require constant dipping into paint, paint sprayers do not need this. You just keep spraying as you move along. That saves time and allows you to cover larger areas in a short time.

The spray also covers more surface, unlike brushes and rollers that may not access crevices or divots on the surfaces. Paint sprayers can also paint corners, whereas brushes and rollers cannot do this efficiently. The ability to paint hard-to-reach parts makes paint sprayers a better option than traditional painting equipment.

Uniform Finish

Some projects require perfect finishing and coating. Brushes and rollers often leave brush strokes or texture from the roller head. The precision of paint sprayers ensures there are no such imperfections on your surfaces.

A paint sprayer gives a smooth finish ideal for furniture, doors, window frames and stairs. Ever seen a window frame that has had enamel paint applied with a brush? The brush marks are very obvious, and it looks amateurish. Paint sprayers give consistency and smooth finish, which is a requirement for professional painting and is much more aesthetically pleasing.

Less Paint

Traditional painting tools such as brushes and rollers waste a lot of paint. While you may try to limit the amount of paint dripping as you work, it is inevitable that you will still drip or spill some paint. Or you may apply the paint thicker in some areas (such as corners) than it really needs to be. Further, when you finish painting, there will be a lot of paint leftover inside your brushes and rollers, tins and trays.

That is a lot of wasted paint, which increases the cost of your project. Paint sprayers do not waste so much paint, and airless sprayers in particular have very good paint efficiency. They are more precise and hence save you money.

Versatile

Different jobs have different requirements, for instance, compare a large interior wall versus a fine woodworked chair. To get the best outcome for each, you need to do the painting a bit differently for each project, which can be achieved with different sprayer settings such as pattern and flow speed/pressure. However, brushes and rollers do not offer the same level of flexibility or adaptability.

And while you can use different types of paints with a roller and brush… would you use the same set of equipment to apply stain, varnish or even oil your deck? Probably not. But with a paint sprayer, you can. Most paint sprayers can handle a large range of fluids, not just paint.

Paint sprayers are incredibly versatile and adjustable to suit your project needs. Whether you are a homeowner or professional painter, sprayers allow you to efficiently complete your project without hassle.

Types of Paint Sprayers

The first thing to consider when looking for the best paint sprayer for your needs is what type of item you are mostly going to paint. Since you’ve stumbled on this article, we’re going to assume you are house painting. So, let’s have a deeper look into the best paint sprayer options for house painting. A good place to start is to know about the different types of sprayers.

There are 3 types of paint sprayers:

• Airless paint sprayer
• HVLP sprayer
• Compressed air sprayer

In our opinion, an AIRLESS paint sprayer is the best choice for house painting, both interior and exterior.

But first, what do you mean by house painting?

Before you settle on an Airless paint sprayer, it is worth pointing out that the term ‘house painting’ is very broad. In this article, we consider ‘house painting’ as a variety of interior and exterior walls, ceilings, plus decks/patios.

However, maybe your house painting project is not that large and extensive. Maybe for you, house painting means just the internal walls, doors and trims, or perhaps a combination of house walls, furniture and fixtures such as kitchen cabinets. On the other hand, maybe you’re going for a full house and yard refresh with shed, roofing, flooring and fencing included.

As you can see, ‘house painting’ is different for everyone. If your definition differs from ours, then a good place to start would be to think about precisely what aspects of your house you are planning to work on, and choose a sprayer type accordingly. Grab a piece of paper and pen, walk around your house and yard, and write down what needs painting or staining; now you’ve got a better start.

Next, we explain in detail what the different sprayer types are and what applications each one is best suited to.

Airless Paint Sprayers (Best Paint Sprayer for House Painting)

What are Airless Sprayers used for?

Airless sprayers are primarily used for:

• House Exterior and Interior Walls
• Large Projects, including painting, staining and oiling

In most cases, when choosing the best paint sprayer for house painting an Airless paint sprayer is what comes to mind. Airless sprayers can handle large scale projects like an entire house interior and exterior (plus decks, fences and floors). They are fast, and result in a high-quality finish which you generally want around the home. It is the best choice for exterior house painting tasks.

An airless paint sprayer also works well with latex paint as we discuss in this article, which is perfect for interior house painting tasks. However, you may have trouble using it for smaller pieces of furniture or fixtures such as kitchen cabinets, shelves or vanities.

How does an Airless paint sprayer work?

Airless paint sprayers suck paint from a hose, and push it through the nozzle of a spray gun to atomize the paint, resulting in paint spray. The spray gun of an airless paint sprayer has a pump that does not use any air. Instead, it uses high pressure to evenly distribute the paint on the target surface. The same technology is used for modern shower heads today. The main differentiating factor between Airless, HVLP and Compressed Air sprayers is that Airless sprayers do not use air.

For both Airless and HVLP, cleaning the paint sprayer with water after use is very important. Unlike HVLP sprayers which are pulled apart for cleaning, Airless paint sprayers have a special method of cleaning. This usually involves a connection with a garden hose that sprays water through the tube and the gun, allowing you to remove any paint this way.

Why choose an Airless paint sprayer?

Airless sprayers prioritize speed, professionalism and versatility. For instance:

• Variety of Liquids. Airless sprayers can easily handle thick paint such as latex, and industrial paints, as well as other liquids such as wood stain.
• High Speed. You can get the job done quickly if you decide to use an airless paint sprayer, especially if you’re working on something big. In the time it takes you to brush paint an inside wall manually, you can spray it with an airless paint sprayer at 10x the speed.
• Not Required to Strain Paint. Straining paint with an Airless sprayer is not a must unlike some other sprayers, however, for the best results, you wish to strain your paint anyway.
• Flow Control. You can adjust the pressure and spray nozzle to determine how much paint you need.

HVLP Paint Sprayers (Best for Furniture & Fixtures)

What are HVLP Sprayers used for?

HVLP sprayers are primarily used for:

• Furniture and fixtures such as kitchen cabinets
• Small, detailed projects such as woodwork and crafts

HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) sprayers are good to use if you’re painting something smaller and more precise like a kitchen cabinet or a door. They are suitable to use with a variety of fluids and thicker paints such as chalk paint, though you will need a good amount of money if you want to get your hands on good quality one that can handle the thickest and most challenging fluids.

You should prioritize an HVLP paint sprayer if you are going to work primarily on woodworked items, such as furniture and cabinets, because it can easily produce an even finish with minimal waste.

How does an HVLP paint sprayer work?

HVLP stands for High Volume Low Pressure. HVLP sprayers use air to suck paint into a gun, and send it out of a nozzle. They inject air into the fluid stream, which atomizes the paint as it leaves the gun, forming paint spray. HVLP sprayers do not use a hose to draw paint, instead, HVLP sprayers have a plastic or metal cup that you fill with paint, which attaches to a spray gun.

To keep your sprayer in working condition, it is very important to clean it well after use. HVLP paint sprayers can normally be taken apart, so that you can clean and rinse all the sprayer parts separately.

Why choose an HVLP paint sprayer?

HVLP sprayers are ideal for small, detail projects and beginner painters. For instance:

• Precise. HVLP is ideal for small projects, both internal and external, as it is precise. Airless sprayers are great on large surfaces, but if you are working mainly on small detailed jobs where care, precision and attention to detail is required then HVLP is a better choice.
• Beginner-friendly. If you have little experience with painting, HVLP sprayers are easy to learn and use. Airless sprayers on the other hand are a little more complex and therefore suited to advanced home DIY’ers instead.
• Affordable. HVLP sprayers come in a large range of price points, which means that if you are on a budget, you can pick up a cheap handheld HVLP sprayer for less than $80. Airless sprayers in comparison are generally over $300.
• Good Value. For their lower price, HVLP sprayers offer a good balance of features. HVLP sprayers have low paint waste, produce a reasonably smooth finish, and offer a good deal of control in the form of adjustable spray patterns and flow speed.
• Paint Straining. Some HVLP sprayers are compatible with un-thinned paints and stains, although you are still recommended to thin and strain paint while working with HVLPs.

Think an HVLP sprayer is the one for you? For further reading on how to choose the best handheld HVLP sprayer for your needs, check out our article here.

Compressed Air Sprayers

What are Compressed Air Sprayers used for?

Compressed air sprayers are primarily used for:

• Automotive refinishing
• Industrial and commercial projects

Compressed Air Sprayers are generally used for automotive, commercial and industrial applications, but less so by average home DIY’ers. While compressed air sprayers have the potential to produce great results when used correctly, they simply aren’t economical enough with regards to paint consumption for DIY house painting compared with Airless or HVLP sprayers.

As the name suggests, a Compressed Air Sprayer makes use of compressed air to apply paint to a surface. These are not the most efficient items because they tend to waste paint and they can also be a bit hard to control. Still, the finish you can achieve using a compressed air sprayer can be quite beautiful if you know what you’re doing.

The Best Paint Sprayer for House Painting is an AIRLESS Sprayer

For general house painting tasks, we consider Airless paint sprayers to be the best option.

Therefore, the remainder of this article will focus predominantly on Airless paint sprayers, including what features to look for when buying one, and recommended models.

If you are more interested in smaller HVLP sprayers, head over to this article on choosing a handheld HVLP paint sprayer where we discuss the same details but for HVLP sprayers instead.

What to Look For in an Airless Paint Sprayer

Paint Sprayer Features

If you’re reading this, we’re going to assume that you have decided to get yourself an Airless paint sprayer. Great! The next step is to know and look for the specific features that are going to make working with an Airless sprayer that much easier. Some features to look out for include:

Adjustability and Customization

You want a paint sprayer that offers adjustability with regard to paint pressure and spray patterns. Most airless paint sprayers will offer this, but you may have some choice as to how much adjustability each model offers.

Variety of Fluids. You want a good range of adjustable controls and nozzle/tip sizes if you foresee working with a large range of fluids (eg paint, stain, oil). In particular, look for a good number of nozzle/tip sizes, since tip size correlates with the type of fluid you use (small tips for thin liquid, large tips for thick liquids). Also look for power and pressure, as higher-powered models are better that spraying thicker paints.

Spray Patterns. Awkward spaces and irregular shaped objects are easier to paint with adjustable spray patterns. For instance, if you are planning to work on a ladder reaching around corners or into irregular ceiling areas, then having the option to change spray pattern will help you effectively and ergonomically spray those areas.

Flow Speed. You should be able to control the rate and pressure at which the paint is dispensed, to a slow flow speed or fast one, depending on the application. This is useful again if you are painting a variety of surfaces – a slower speed is better for tricky areas where more care is needed, and a fast speed is ideal for quickly coating large broad areas, such as walls and fences.

Ergonomics and Weight

Take the time to pick up the Airless paint sprayer you’re considering purchasing and see how it feels in your hands. Remember, you are probably going to be using it for hours at a time, so it is important that the sprayer feels right for your hand, arm and back. You obviously don’t want to strain yourself, so try to get one that has an ergonomically designed handle that is also not too heavy.

Ease of Cleaning

Finally, we all understand that working with paint can be a messy affair, and you will likely need to do a lot of cleaning once the project has been completed. One of the drawbacks of an Airless paint sprayer is that it can be a little messy to clean-up (especially while you’re leaning the process), but the time and effort spent cleaning can be minimized with a sprayer that is designed to be easy cleaning.

Latex Paint

Are you using latex paint? Latex house paint is most common when painting interior walls. If so, then you’ll also need to look for other more precise specifications when choosing a sprayer. Luckily, we have an entire article devoted to this topic.

For tips on what latex paint sprayer features to look for, have a look at our article on how to choose the best paint sprayer for latex here.

Brand Name

If you have read any professional painting forums, the Fuji brand has probably come to your attention. Fuji delivers exceptional sprayers for professional and commercial painting. However, if you are not painting multiple houses in a strict period of time, like a professional painter would, you should not buy a Fuji. We have listed a few Fuji models in this article, but for most home improvement jobs they are more than you actually need.

TIP: Fuji is an excellent brand for professionals, but not for home DIY painters

As a home DIY painter, you should instead opt for a more affordable paint sprayer designed for home and small project use. Graco and Wagner are excellent brands with various models suitable for non-professional home painting projects. Some paint sprayer recommendations from Graco, Wagner and other brands are below.

TIP: For DIY home painting projects, Graco is an excellent brand.

Best Paint Sprayer for House Painting

If you’re a home owner, there’s a good chance that you just want one sprayer that can do everything.

Paint your cabinets, your interior walls, your exterior walls, and maybe even stain your fence and oil the deck. We get it. You don’t have the cash or storage space to get multiple sprayers for each different task. If you are only doing a few random house jobs here or there, it makes sense to just want one device.

Unfortunately, there is no one sprayer that can do absolutely everything perfectly, but there are some that get pretty close, and we will share those sprayers with you here. We’ll start with our #1 favorite all-rounder, the Graco Magnum X5, but first a quick summary.

Model	Type	Best Application	Retail Price
Graco Magnum X5	Airless	Exterior, large projects	$399
Graco Magnum X7	Airless	Exterior, interior, large projects	$519
Graco Magnum ProX19	Airless	Exterior, interior, professional	$875
Graco Magnum Project Painter Plus	Airless	Interior, small-medium projects	$329
Graco Ultra Cordless Painter	Airless	Interior, small projects	$765
Wagner Control Pro 150	Airless	Interior, small projects	$329
Titan ControlMax 1700 Pro	Airless	Exterior, professional	$409
Fuji Semi-PRO 2	HVLP	Exterior, interior, professional	$529
Fuji Q5 Platinum	HVLP	Exterior, interior, professional	$1,679

Graco Magnum X5

Best Airless Paint Sprayer for DIY House Painting

• Brand: Graco
• Model: Magnum X5
• Type: Airless
• Retail Price: USD $399 (Source: Graco)
• Best Application: Outdoors, Large Projects

We’re kicking things off with our favorite and, in our opinion, best paint sprayer – the Graco Magnum X5. The Graco Magnum X5 is a high-powered, versatile painter for all sorts of outdoor coloring and coating tasks, yet it is not overly difficult to learn and use like many other airless paint sprayer models. Compared with other models, the price is also quite acceptable, as far as airless sprayers go. From home DIY painting projects to commercial tasks, it’s the ultimate tool. When speed and efficiency are vital to your success, this is the machine to get.

Power: The strength of the Magnum X5 is the power; crank it up if you really want to see what it’s capable of. No matter if you’re painting one or three-story buildings, you can cover a lot of ground in much less time. It’s the piece of equipment you want to bust out when you have plenty of surface area to paint, but not necessarily a lot of time to do so. Although powerful, you can of course moderate how much power and pressure is exerted depending on the project you are working on.

Fluid Handling: As you would expect for any good airless paint sprayer, the Magnum X5 can handle a great variety of fluids including latex, varnish and stain. It is excellent for latex paint, and in our article on the choosing a paint sprayer for latex paint we named it the best paint sprayer for the task. The best part is this: it uses un-thinned paint and it draws paint straight from the can. Yes, you heard that right – you can stick the hose right in the can of paint and start spraying. No thinning, straining, nada. That is really cool, considering many sprayers require you to thin the paint first which adds a lot of extra time and work to your project. The Magnum X5 can draw fluids from small one-gallon cans right up to five-gallon cans. You may still have a tough time trying to extract all of the paint out of the bucket, but that’s a minor inconvenience. This is available in most other Graco sprayers, too, so if this is an important feature for you, be sure to look at their other models as well.

Flow Speed & Control: What we also like about the Magnum X5 paint sprayer is that you can adjust the pressure to meet the needs of the job. It can spray over a quarter gallon of paint per minute, which is a steady pace for a paint sprayer, and gives you plenty of room for control. You can adjust how much pressure you want from low-spray to hi-spray, allowing you to regulate the flow of the paint to suit your coloring requirements.

Clogging: If your paint sprayer gets clogged by any chance, the RAC IV SwitchTip allows you to easily reverse the tip to keep on spraying. It’s not a long-term solution, more like a ‘let’s keep working, fix it later’ thing, but very convenient at times when you really don’t want to be interrupted to clear up a clog. On that note, some users have mentioned that this sprayer does have a tendency to clog; this is an issue more likely to occur with thick fluids such as un-thinned latex paint.

Ease of Use: As with most airless paint sprayers, out of the box the Magnum X5 is not the most intuitively designed piece of equipment, so you will have to pay close attention to the instructions before you get started. In saying that, once you get the hang of using this paint sprayer, you can expect to get your projects completed quickly and smoothly. Starting the machine is also easy, as it comes with a PushPrime switch and the motor is always primed, allowing you to start the device instantly without any fiddling around.

Ergonomics: The Magnum X5 spray gun has a very sleek and compact design, with a comfortable grip that is kind on your hands. This is a great feature to have as you’ll likely be spraying for several hours at a time, so with a comfortable grip you’re less likely to experience fatigue and aching hands.

Hose: At the time of writing, the Magnum X5 unit comes with a flexible 25-foot hose initially, but you can upgrade up to a 75 ft depending on your needs. The 25-foot hose is long enough to allow you the flexibility to maneuver around most projects as you spray, without needing to carry the entire device with you. If you are working on extra-wide surface areas or at heights, the 75 ft hose will of course give you even greater freedom in this regard.

Cleaning: With any Airless paint sprayer, you should expect that the clean-up process will take some time. Compared with other models, however, cleaning the Graco X5 is surprisingly straightforward. All you need to do is attach the PowerFlush adapter to any garden hose and rinse it with water. This is truly a great and clever feature that gives makes cleaning way less difficult than it needs to be.

Attachments: Included with this paint sprayer is an extended spray tip, which you can attach to the gun, allowing you to extend the reach of your sprayer. This allows you to spray hard-to-reach areas, in addition to spraying floors without having to kneel down.

Detail Work: Even with the adjustable settings on the Magnum X5, it’s not really designed for indoor use or crafty projects, so you are limited in that regard. You can use it for indoor painting, however it is intended to be an outdoor beast for broad areas and fast application, so you’ll have a tougher time locking in on details with this sprayer. That said, if you do want to rein in the power, that is something you can do to an extent. The flow rate is easily adjustable which allows for more precision when you’re working, but it’s still not at the same level as what you would get from a smaller sprayer.

Overspray: The only setback is the overspray. For outdoors this is less of an issue, but indoors it is a real problem. To overcome this issue indoors, we recommend putting down more painter’s tape and newspaper and protect any areas that you might suspect getting drips of paint on, such as the ceiling.

Pros

• Durable stainless steel construction
• High-powered motor
• Draws paint directly from the bucket
• No need to thin paint prior to use
• Long 25 ft flexible hose, can be upgraded to 75 ft
• Garden hose connection for easy cleaning
• Reversible spray tip eliminates clogging
• Compatible with multiple kinds of liquids (paint, stain, varnish etc)

Cons

• Less suitable for indoor painting and small projects
• May clog with thicker paints and lacquers
• Tough to reset when it gets clogged

Graco Magnum X7

• Brand: Graco
• Model: Magnum X7
• Type: Airless
• Retail Price: USD $519 (Source: Graco)
• Best Application: Outdoors, Indoors, Large Projects

The second of the airless paint sprayers from Graco, the Magnum X7 is considered a slight upgrade from the X5. It’s a powerful, commercial sprayer that has a stiff asking price, but its performance more than makes up for it. The Graco Magnum X7 sprayer is a quality sprayer fit for professionals, but in our opinion is overkill for most home DIY painters who would do just fine with the X5. One major advantage of the Magnum X7 is that it is suited to indoor projects as well as outdoor projects, which is a major consideration if you foresee working on both internal and external house painting.

Power: Compared with the Magnum X5, the horsepower on the X7 paint sprayer is a little more powerful. It can spray close to a third of a gallon a minute that can shave time off of your projects, and means the X7 is capable of spraying a bit more paint in a given time than the X5. Like the X5, it also features PushPrime, a unique technology for fast starting your machine.

Mobility: Aside from a bit extra power, you may be wondering what significant differences there are between the X5 and the X7. Here it is: the Magnum X7 is on wheels. That’s because the Magnum X7 is heavier, so it features a cart with wheels to allow for mobility and transportation. Portability is not an issue as it has a foldable cart that makes it easy to throw in the back of your car and drive to your next project. As a result, the X7 is much more convenient than the bulky and heavy X5, thanks to the robust wheels and balanced construction. The cart can also hold your paint bucket (five gallons only), allowing you to bring everything with you when you have to roll over to a new location.

Indoors: While most of the extra features of the X7 are not a big deal to most home DIY painters, the fact that it can paint indoors is the main point that will have you feeling torn between the X5 and the X7. If you liked the power and performance of the Magnum X5 paint sprayer, but you want the versatility to work indoors as well as outside, then you will want to upgrade to the X7 instead. This model comes with the same kind of motor, but it has more adjustable pressure settings so that you can tackle a wider variety of projects with ease.

Fluid Handling: Like the Magnum X5, the X7 is highly versatile in its fluid handling, suitable for all sorts of low and high viscosity liquids and paints including heavy latex and acrylics, stains and lacquers. As with the X5, the Magnum X7 also works by spraying paint straight from the bucket, from one- to five-gallon cans.

Hose: Like the X5, at the time of writing the Magnum X7 comes with a 25 feet which is long enough for most home projects, but is also compatible with a 100 feet long hose for extra-large projects or multi-story buildings.

Clogging: Like the X5, the Magnum X7 also has a reversible tip, so that if paint gets clogged inside the hose, you can easily switch the tip around and get back to spraying. The stainless steel piston pump also allows you to spray un-thinned paint at high pressure, with less risk of clogging.

Cleaning: Like the X5, this paint sprayer can also be connected to a standard garden hose for easy cleaning and washing all paint out of the device, making clean-up quicker and less messy than it needs to be.

Pros

• Self-standing cart with wheels
• Ideal for indoor and outdoor projects
• Durable stainless steel construction
• High-powered motor
• Draws paint directly from the bucket
• No need to thin paint prior to use
• Supports up to 100 feet of hose
• Garden hose connection for easy cleaning
• Reversible spray tip eliminates clogging
• Compatible with multiple kinds of liquids (paint, stain, varnish etc)

Cons

• Motor has been known to shut down unexpectedly
• May clog with thicker paints and lacquers
• Noisy compared with other models

Graco Magnum ProX19

• Brand: Graco
• Model: Magnum ProX19
• Type: Airless
• Retail Price: USD $875 (Source: Amazon)
• Best Application: Outdoors, Indoors, Large Professional Projects

Next, we come to the Graco Magnum ProX19, a professional-grade sprayer similar in many respects to the X7. In our opinion, we prefer the X5 and X7, but the ProX19 offers some additional upgrades again that are probably overkill for most home DIY painters but worth looking at if you anticipate working on multi-story or the occasional professional project painting project. The Magnum ProX19, like the X7, is intended for big projects such as fences, exterior walls and even interior walls.

Power: The performance rating of the ProX19 is slightly over one third (0.38) of a gallon per minute, a little higher than the X7. As mentioned earlier, extra power means greater speed, but how much extra time you’ll save might not be worth the price tag if you’re not working on the clock like a professional painter would be. The powerful motor also means that it can support a 150 feet long hose. That’s a lot of hose, and more than most painters would need, unless you’re working on multi-story buildings.

Fluid Handling: The Magnum ProX19 is particularly ideal for thick fluids such as latex or acrylic as it has a large tip. Like the other Graco models it can, handle a range of other fluids, of course, such as paint, stain, varnish and lacquer. Like the others, it also has a reversable tip that allows you to flip the nozzle in case it clogs during painting.

Mobility: Like the X7, the Graco ProX19 paint sprayer is very portable and comes with a wheeled cart, allowing for easy movement and transportation.

Pump: It has a ProXChange Pump Replacement System that makes it easy for you to change the pump without the need for other tools, which let’s face it, most home DIY painters will never even think about let alone need to do. It does however mean that you are investing in a machine for the long-term that can be repaired and serviced, if the need does arise.

Ease of Use: As you might expect for a powerful machine, it is noisy, which can be quite annoying for long periods of time if you’re not used to working with ear muffs in loud environments. The learning curve on this machine is also greater than others since it is designed primarily for professionals, so you may find it quite time-consuming and frustrating to set-up and run the first few times.

Pros

• Portable
• Low maintenance
• Easy to clean and repair
• High performance
• Can handle different thicknesses of paint

Cons

• Noisy
• Difficult to setup for the first time

Graco Magnum Project Painter Plus

• Brand: Graco
• Model: Project Painter Plus
• Type: Airless
• Retail Price: USD $329 (Source: Graco)
• Best Application: Indoors, Small-Medium Projects

The Project Painter Plus paint sprayer by Graco is a smaller and more affordable alternative to their aforementioned models. If you are in search of the best indoor paint sprayer without a high price point, this could be one. The Project Painter Plus sprayer has many of the features of their other models, but is more compact and lightweight. As such, it’s great for both indoor and outdoor painting, making it an ideal accessory for renovating homes for home DIY’ers who don’t need the professional features of their other models.

Power: What we like most about the Project Painter Plus is the power and performance that it delivers, which is just right for most DIY home painting projects. For indoor painting you will get more than enough pressure for the coverage you need. The motor is always primed, so you never have to worry about waiting for it to get started before you can paint.

Fluid Handling: Like the other Graco paint sprayers, you can draw paint directly from the bucket with its flexible suction hose, from a one-gallon to five-gallon bucket of paint. This ensures that your project gets done faster and that you can work uninterrupted for extended periods.

Cleaning: Like the other Graco sprayers, it also has garden hose compatibility with its PowerFlush adapter, making cleaning up easy and effective. Just connect a garden hose and flush out all of the paint. As well as making clean up quicker, this allows you to switch between different colors quickly.

Flow Speed & Control: The pressure and flow speed is fully adjustable, allowing you to customize and regulate the spray. Whether you want a good, forceful stream on a wall or a more gentle, controlled spray for smaller objects, you can make adjustments to do so.

Nozzles: Like the previously discussed Graco models, the Project Painter Plus also has a reversible tip, allowing you to switch the tip around in the event of a clog. It also has an extended tip for spraying hard-to-reach areas, and floors without bending down.

Paint Economy: Unfortunately, this sprayer is known to guzzle a lot of paint. You can end up expending more paint than you would like to, and you will not realize how much paint can be wasted with this paint sprayer until you compare its performance with another paint sprayer.

Indoors: Whereas the Graco models discussed earlier are designed for outdoor projects, such as painting the exterior of your home, this version is meant primarily for indoor painting. If you are planning to paint your living room, this model is perfect for the occasion.

Ergonomics: Unlike the others, this model is smaller and easier to move around. It even has a comfortable handle so that you can maneuver it around without any problems.

Storage: Finally, one unique feature of the Project Painter Plus is the onboard storage of your accessories. The other Graco models don’t offer any good storage solution, which can be a drag when packing it away. Fortunately, packing up and storage is not a problem with this unit.

Pros

• Lightweight and compact
• Inbuilt storage for all components
• Garden hose adapter for easy cleaning
• Uses paint right from the bucket
• Reversible nozzle to remove clogs
• Compatible with multiple kinds of liquids
• Suitable for indoor use

Cons

• Wastes more paint than other Graco models
• Clogging is a common issue
• In rare cases, the motor may stop working unexpectedly

Graco Ultra Cordless Handheld Sprayer

• Brand: Graco
• Model: Ultra Cordless Sprayer
• Type: Airless
• Retail Price: USD $765 (Source: Amazon)
• Best Application: Indoors, Small-Medium Projects

Finally, we come to the last Graco model in this list, the Graco Ultra Cordless Sprayer. If you’re looking for a paint sprayer designed for small to medium house painting jobs where precision is required, this is one to consider, alongside the Project Painter Plus. This beginner-friendly model is primarily designed for small-scale house painting projects, but not for large yard and house painting tasks.

Cordless: What makes this unit unique compared with the other Graco models, is the fact that it is battery operated. Not only that, but it comes with two batteries so that you can keep them in rotation, ensuring that you don’t have to stop what you’re doing and wait for a charge. Since these are lithium-ion, you can keep them charged and plugged in all the time without worrying about damaging the internal components.

Nozzles: The Graco Ultra Cordless Sprayer gives you an adjustable tip, allowing you to customize the size and shape of the spray as needed. Thus, whether you’re working on a furniture set or painting a wall, you can choose the option that is best for the situation. Not only that but the tip is easy to clean and comes with a brush so that you can remove clogs.

Repairs: No matter what kind of machine you buy, it will inevitably need repairs. However, many paint sprayers will have to be replaced as soon as one of the components breaks down. Fortunately, that is not the case with this model. Each part is either fully repairable or replaceable, which ensures that you don’t have to buy a new unit as soon as you start to experience problems.

Pros

• Cordless battery-operated device
• Adjustable spray tip
• Fully repairable model
• Good for precision spraying
• No thinning required
• Two batteries included

Cons

• Expensive given its limited features and capability
• Limited paint capacity

Wagner Control Pro 150

• Brand: Wagner
• Model: Spraytech Control Pro 150
• Type: Airless
• Retail Price: USD $329.99 (Source: Wagner)
• Best Application: Indoors, Small Projects

If you are looking for a reliable sprayer brand, in my mind, you cannot go too wrong with Wagner. And with that, the beginner-friendly Wagner Pro 150 Sprayer is worth a mention. It won’t offer you the power and advanced features of the Graco models, but if you are looking for a simple sprayer for the occasional small house-painting task then it is a good pick, and quite affordable too.

The Wagner Pro 150 airless paint sprayer is all about high efficiency, with low overspray resulting in a soft, consistent paint finish. It also has a durable pump and easy to use control knobs, allowing you to maintain control over the spray pressure. Although designed for interior house painting tasks, can be used on smaller exterior projects as well, with any un-thinned fluids.

As you would expect for a device on the more budget end, there are some drawbacks. Firstly, it is difficult to clean. Secondly, the suction power and performance is not nearly as good as other sprayers mentioned in this article, so you really are limited to small tasks for this sprayer or else risk getting frustrated and slowing your work down significantly.

Pros

• Beginner-friendly
• Affordable and simple
• Easy to use controls

Cons

• Difficult to clean
• Low suction power

Titan ControlMax 1700 Pro

• Brand: Titan
• Model: ControlMax 1700 Pro
• Type: Airless
• Retail Price: USD $409 (Source: Titan Tools)
• Best Application: Outdoors, Large Projects, Commercial Projects

When considering the best paint sprayer for household projects, one of the top models in our opinion is the Titan ControlMax 1700. This is a perfect machine for outdoor projects, but it’s more compact and easier to maneuver than the Graco Magnum models and rated for longer life as well. When you need a professional-grade sprayer that can last longer and provide you with the results you need over and over again, the 1700 Pro is a great choice.

Ease of Use: The first thing that we noticed and liked about this paint sprayer is its simplicity. Assembling the unit takes no time at all, and you’re ready to go in minutes. It is fast priming, meaning that start-up of the machine is quick. Unfortunately, it is a noisy machine, making it uncomfortable to work with for long periods without hearing protection.

Mobility: We also appreciate the fact that it comes with its own hand truck, which enables you to move around the job site swiftly and easily. Also, having a 25-foot flex hose adds to the agility of this machine.

Fluid Handling: Like the Graco Magnum models, you can draw directly from a one- or five-gallon paint bucket, and there is no requirement to thin your paints. The other fantastic thing about this system is that you can fill it with soapy water and get the insides clean in minutes.

Durability: Compared to other sprayers, this machine is built to last. First, it’s rated to work with up to 300 gallons per year, which is far above anything like the Magnum above. Second, you can replace the fluid section, which allows you to keep the sprayer in mint condition without having to buy a new machine when it breaks down.

Pros

• Portable, with cart included
• Draw directly from the paint can
• Fast priming for efficient operation
• No need to thin paint
• Durable, long lifetime

Cons

• Tip may clog easier than other models
• Noisy

Fuji Semi-PRO 2

• Brand: Fuji
• Model: Semi-Pro 2
• Type: HVLP
• Retail Price: USD $529 (Source: Amazon)
• Best Application: Outdoors & Indoors, Large Projects, Commercial Projects

Although most of the sprayers in this article are Airless, as we discussed earlier this style is not the best for projects that require attention to detail. However, many house painting projects do require precision, such as doors, trims, cabinets or furniture.

If you want a device that can handle all your house painting, from large wall expanses to cabinetry and precision work, then a high quality HVLP may be a good choice. And this is where the Fuji 2202 Semi-PRO 2 HVLP System steps in. While suited to large house painting projects including fences and external walls, it also offers you the ability to be specific and precise in your painting.

However, the convenience of having a high-quality all-in-one device comes at a high cost. As discussed earlier, Fuji is a professional brand intended for commercial use, and as such it comes with a price tag to match. For most home DIY enthusiasts, we would say skip the Fuji sprayers for this reason, however, for advanced painters and hardcore DIY’ers let’s indulge you with the details.

Controls: It has a fan control knob that allows adjustment to optimal paint dispersal patterns. This feature enhances the quality of your painting as you can adjust the shape of the spray pattern, as well as the diameter of the spray from small to large. You can also regulate the flow speed of the paint as you spray your surfaces. These are all basic features you should expect in a sprayer.

Power: Where it gets interesting, is that this sprayer has a 1200W 2-stage bypass motor that supports thick liquids. This means you do not need to thin your paint, as the 2-stage motor allows for the use of high-viscosity paints such as latex paint.

Quality: Fuji is designed for professionals, and professional painters need tools they can easily transport without damaging. This model has a steel casing that makes it safe for transportation, so you don’t have to fret over damaging it during transportation.

Ergonomics: The Fuji Semi-PRO2 sprayer comes with a long hose that allows you freedom as you work on your project. You get to enjoy 25 feet of hose for easier movement without moving the sprayer itself. You can work on big projects, including exterior walls and fences due to the range it provides.

Although it has great features, the Fuji 2202 Semi-PRO 2 HVLP Spray System has its drawbacks. First, it clogs often, meaning you will constantly have to disassemble it for cleaning. That may disrupt and slow-down your project. The cleaning process is also not an easy task, and you may find there is a bit of a learning curve to using this professional-grade device especially if you are new to paint sprayers.

Pros

• Fully-adjustable pattern control knob for precision and specific needs
• Long hose that allows for easier movement during painting
• Steel protective case that makes it durable
• Non-bleed function that ensures even coating and finish

Cons

• Clogs frequently
• Difficult to clean
• Can be noisy when using
• Expensive to acquire

Fuji Q5 Platinum

• Brand: Fuji
• Model: Q5 Platinum
• Type: HVLP
• Retail Price: $1,679 (Source: Amazon)
• Best Application: Outdoors & Indoors, Large Projects, Commercial Projects

The Q5 Platinum Spray System from Fuji is another high-quality HVLP sprayer designed for professional painters, which delivers high-performance results without a bulky or noisy machine. If you want to invest in a high-quality professional paint sprayer that can do all your house painting tasks, then the Fuji Q5 can handle it.

Like with the previous Fuji model and as discussed earlier in our section on brands, we would not normally recommend Fuji to the average DIY house painter. However, we understand that there are some serious DIY’ers who prefer the advanced features and power of a professional-grade machine, so here is an overview of the Fuji Q5 sprayer for those of you who fall in that camp.

Controls: What we like most about the Q5 is that you can fully adjust both the air speed and spray pattern. This ensures that you can use this model for a wide variety of projects. Whether you’re painting furniture or working on a whole room, this machine can handle each project with ease.

Noise: What we find interesting in this machine is how quiet it is. Even though the five-stage motor can process a ton of paint at once, you don’t have to wear earplugs to work. It’s whisper quiet and can be utilized in a variety of locations without issues.

Ergonomics: One of the side benefits of an HVLP sprayer system is that it uses less pressure to get the job done, meaning you can work with a smaller motor. This ensures that it is easy to carry wherever you want it and makes certain that you get the maneuverability you need.

Quality: Although it uses a relatively small paint cup, one great thing about it is that it’s gravity fed. This means that you get better atomization and dispersal of the paint without having to fumble with the settings too much. Also, you’re able to use more paint since it doesn’t have to draw from a bottom-fed cup.

If you want a small, easy to use and maneuverable commercial paint sprayer, the Q5 from Fuji is one excellent choice. It will make any paint job a breeze, no matter how big or small. There are very few drawbacks to mention, except for the high price tag (no surprise, since it is intended for commercial and professional use), small paint cup and a tendency of the nozzle to leak.

Pros

• Powerful five-stage turbine motor
• Variable control speed settings
• Extra quiet operation
• Adjustable spray pattern
• Gravity-fed paint cup
• Long-lasting stainless steel gun
• Quick connect couplings for convenience

Cons

• Small paint cup has to be refilled often
• In some circumstances, the nozzle may start to leak
• Expensive

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which type of paint sprayer is best for interior walls?

There are two kinds of sprayers that you can buy to paint indoor walls: Airless sprayers and HVLP sprayers. In regards to which type of paint sprayer is better for painting interior walls, it generally is the airless paint sprayer. Airless sprayers tend to cover larger areas such as walls, decks, patios and fences, whereas HVLP sprayers are more suitable for small applications like furniture and smaller surfaces. You can paint a wall with an HVLP sprayer, but it would take longer to do.

Is it better to spray or roll paint?

Roll painting gives a thick coating and is ideal for interior painting. However, spaying is faster and gives an even coat. It also reaches places that a roller may not be able to reach. Roll painting is better for interior painting, especially when you need to avoid painting on the floor. Moreover, it’s fast to prepare when using roller painting and guarantees accuracy. Conversely, spray painting is effective when working on larger walls, and when accuracy isn’t a priority.

Which is better – air or airless paint sprayer?

Airless and air sprayers are ideal for different types of projects. Therefore, each type would be better in one project while it performs less favorably in another. Their performance is dependent on the project. For house painting projects, we suggest an airless sprayer for many reasons mentioned throughout this article. Compressed air sprayers are generally used for automotive and industrial painting, and do not give the high-quality finish desired in house painting tasks.

How much does a good paint sprayer cost?

Different sprayers have different prices depending on the type. Top quality sprayers will cost between $300 and $700. These give the best service. You can also get good paint sprayers for $100-$250, suitable for occasional small house painting projects.

Is using a paint sprayer easy?

Once you set up the paint sprayer properly, using it is quite easy. It makes your job easy and faster. If you are unsure whether a paint sprayer is right for you, then you can always hire one from your local hardware store to try out, or read over our instructions for setting up and using a paint sprayer to get an idea of the steps involved and how complicated it is.

What paint do you use in a paint sprayer?

The type of paint to use in a paint sprayer varies. However, you need to understand the different types of paint to know which one best suits your sprayer and the project you are working on. Some of the types of paint you can choose from include vinyl, alkyd, lacquer, enamel, acrylic, latex, high-heat, oil-based, epoxy, plastic, and rust-preventive paint. For house painting tasks, you would mostly be looking at latex, oil-based or enamel paints.

How long does it take to paint a house with a sprayer?

The amount of time to spray depends on the size of the wall. However, it would take approximately 10 minutes to spray an average sized room with an airless spray painter. It takes approximately 2-3 days to spray an averaged sized home.

Conclusion

Finally, we reach the end of this mammoth article on the best paint sprayer for house painting! By the end of this you should now have a clear idea of the best paint sprayer types and models available to you. To recap:

• Best Paint Sprayer for House Painting Type: Airless
• Best Paint Sprayer for House Painting Model: Graco Magnum X5

After closely analyzing all the top paint sprayers across a range of DIY house painting tasks, the Graco Magnum X5 is our clear favorite. It is just the right balance of features and price to get the job done, even if you have a huge house and yard. It is powerful, ergonomic, fast, relatively easy to use, durable and adjustable enough that you should always be able to end up with the kind of finish you want. Although not specifically designed for it, it can even handle indoor painting tasks.

Other paint sprayers may offer more power, be more suited to interior painting, or have more this or that, but for the majority of home owners that is splitting hairs and the extra features are not necessary. Overall, the Graco Magnum X5 paint sprayer is fantastic allrounder that can handle most house painting projects very well.

To learn more about paint sprayers, we suggest you also have a look at our article on the best HVLP handheld paint sprayers, as that may give you some ideas of smaller sprayers that may fulfil your needs especially if your painting projects are smaller scale.

And lastly, don’t forget to check out our guide on how to use a paint sprayer once you do get your paint sprayer, to learn how to set it up and use the correct technique for painting.

Happy painting!

This article was originally written in November 2018 by Todd Davis, and significantly rewritten and updated in June-July 2023 by Sara Kooring.