Introduction
The market is saturated with airbrushes from brands such as Olympus, EFBE, Paasche, Harder and Steenbeck, and Badger. To help you narrow down your choice, we conducted in-depth research on some of the options available to bring you what we consider to be the best airbrushes on the market today:
Our Recommendations
- Iwata Eclipse Hp-Cs – Best Overall
- Badger Air-Brush Co. 100-5 (LG-F) – Best Multipurpose Airbrush
- Harder & Steenbeck Infinity CR Plus Airbrush – Best Easy-To-Use Airbrush
- Paasche TG#2L Airbrush – Best Dual-Action Airbrush
- Badger Air-Brush Co. Sotar 2024-2F – Best Multi-Patented Airbrush
Iwata Eclipse Hp-Cs
Intro
The Iwata Eclipse Hp-Cs is a gravity feed, dual-action airbrush. This brush is ideal for beginners, but professional airbrush artists can also use it. The airbrush enables artists to achieve their artwork using heavier acrylics and Medea Textile Colors, all while retaining their high-detail spray features. The 0.35 needle tip will facilitate airbrush artists to make paint/ink strokes that are between hairline to 2” (50-mm) round. Upon purchase, users receive a package containing an airbrush hose, Iwata lube, and com-art acrylic color in opaque ultramarine, an airbrush users guide, and a Medea airbrush cleaner.
Pros
- The 0.35mm needle is made of high-quality Spring-Steel, which ensures it does not break easily.
- It is easy to use, especially for beginners who are just learning the ropes of airbrushing.
- Users get a single-cutaway handle.
- It is effortless to clean
Cons
- The nozzle and needle get warped easily, which means you need to exercise caution to avoid any damage when using the brush.
- Replacing damaged parts of the Iwata Eclipse Hp-Cs is relatively costly.
- The 1/3 oz. sized cup is limiting as you can only hold so much ink.
- It is more expensive in comparison with its competitors.
Badger Air-Brush Co. 100-5 (LG-F)
Intro
The Badger Co.100-5 (LG-F) is a gravity feed, internal mix, dual-action airbrush ideal for fine artists, illustrators, and decorative painters. It is characterized by a fine needle/nozzle (.22 millimeter), 1/3-ounce mounted color cup, and can achieve a pencil-thin line of up to a 2-inch (51 millimeters) spray pattern. Equipped with a lager paint cup, The Badger Co.100-5 (LG-F) is available in fine thorough, medium, and heavy configuration tagged with the F, M, and H specifications. The parts of the airbrush can be used interchangeably between different models. My favorite thing about this particular airbrush is that it enables artists to really get close to their work, as well as change color effortlessly. If you are an artist who requires an airbrush that is multipurpose, then the Badger is something you should consider.
Pros
- You can use the different parts of The Badger Co.100-5 (LG-F) interchangeably on other badger airbrushes.
- Airbrush artists appreciate the cost-effectiveness of the Badger Co.100-5 (LG-F).
- The accessibility and easy operational capability of components make the Badger a great longstanding airbrush choice.
- The PTFE needle is self-lubricating, thus facilitating the proper and continuous flow of paint and preventing needle wear.
- Users get a one-year warranty on manufacturer defects alongside a lifetime warranty on the PTFE needle bearing.
Cons
- The airbrush heats up too quickly, and you must cut it off for a while.
Harder & Steenbeck Infinity CR Plus Airbrush.
Intro
One of the most recommended airbrushes of all time, the Infinity CR Plus airbrush by Harder and Steenbeck is a 2-in-1 gravity feed airbrush. The airbrush features self-centering 0.15mm & 0.4mm socket-type nozzles, triple coating of copper, nickel, and high-gloss exterior chrome plating, and an innovative long-life needle seal. It makes for an excellent tool to paint miniature or larger items thanks to its different-sized needles. It also utilizes an adjustable trigger mechanism which makes it easier for artists to maneuver using the brush.
Pros
- It is ideal for airbrush artists who suffer from nickel allergies, as well as those who experience issues with the oxidation of nickel alloys as a result of hand perspiration.
- The spare parts are readily available on the company’s website.
- The airbrush can be used with cellulose, enamel, acrylic, and many other paints types.
- Users don’t have to worry about air and paint leaks
- It is super easy to clean and reassemble
- It is perfect for fine-tuning and detailed work
Cons
- It is expensive.
Paasche TG#2L Airbrush
Intro
The Paasche TG#2L is a dual-action, gravity-feed airbrush that is ideal for detailed work and spraying fine lines from a hairline to 1-1/4-inch thickness. It is characterized by a head nozzle (.38mm), and a handle with a needle stop to aid with consistent paint release. The handle’s smooth trigger enhances the finish and builds the quality of an artist’s work. Artists can use enamel-based paints or other thicker paint mixes with this brush despite it being an airbrush for finer lines. Other bells and whistles of this airbrush include an anodized aluminum handle and a chrome-plated body, and a PTFE packing to facilitate the use of water or solvent-based paints. The Paasche TG#2L airbrush is ideal for fingernail painting, models, taxidermy, cake decorating, automotive graphics, tattoos, graphic arts, fine art illustration amongst others.
Pros
- The brush is durable, and with proper care does not require frequent spare part replacement.
- It is one of the most affordable airbrushes you can find, and given the outcome, it delivers. We can dare say users receive value for their money.
- It is easy to clean up, all you have to do is spray your paint cleaner through the airbrush.
- Users can achieve different spray patterns.
Cons
- According to some users, the pressure variation of the airbrush is not sufficient.
Badger Air-Brush Co. Sotar 2024-2F
Intro
Designed with a 1/12-ounce color cup to facilitate use over long periods, the Badger Sotar 2024-2 delivers one of the best spray-painting experiences we have come across. The brush is a dual-action, internal mixing, gravity feed airbrush ideal for fine and commercial artists. This is because regardless of whether an artist is using reduced paints, watercolors, inks, dyes, and low viscosity acrylics, they can still achieve finely pigmented artwork. It is equipped with an extra-fine needle/ nozzle that can accomplish a “hair” line to 3/4-inch (19 millimeters) spray pattern. The Sotar 2024- 2F boasts a multi-patented design that includes a rear needle release.
Pros
- The airbrush has a micrometer setting that allows artists to preset the desired spray pattern.
- Users receive a one-year warranty on manufacturer defects and a lifetime warranty on the PTFE needle bearing.
- As an internal mixing brush, artists do not have to worry about their artwork appearing grainy.
- Artists can deliver fine detailed work.
Cons
- The package does not include a cleaning brush.
Conclusion
Unless you are an airbrush guru, picking out a single airbrush can be confusing. Each type of airbrush has unique features and configurations.
However, airbrushes are typically categorized depending on the action performed, the feeding mechanism, and the point at which the air and ink mix. For example, an airbrush can be Dual action, single action, trigger action, and work through internal or external mixing. An excellent example of how airbrushes have different capabilities is how an illustrator’s airbrush, for example, is incapable of handling paint as it works better with ink. An artist’s technique (double-action airbrush technique or single-action airbrush technique) determines the airbrush that they prefer but how does one identify which one is best suited for them given the numerous options available in the market?
If you’re a beginner we would recommend that you opt for starter kits however if you are not keen on learning all the airbrushing ropes before you identify the brush for you, we would advocate that you opt for a gravity feed, dual-action, internal mix airbrush. And if you are one of those specific individuals that prefers using a single airbrush for every color setup, choose a siphon feed instead of the gravity feed.
As previously mentioned, your technique/purpose alongside your skill level will influence the brush that you choose. Nevertheless, it is vital that you make the right considerations when selecting the airbrush. Elements such as nozzle size, feed type, controls, i.e., paint flow and trigger as well as cup size, need to be given attention. Our list above offers you a variety of great brushes of varying prices from the top end to budget airbrushes. The Iwata airbrush is in our opinion the best out of the ones that have been mentioned because the materials used to create it and the quality assurance you get from the brand is unlike any other, we have seen before. Iwata has proven time and again to be the most reliable, proficient, and trustworthy brand over the decades. That being said, other brushes that deserve an honorary mention but did not make it to our list include Paasche – Millennium, Paasche – Raptor, Tamiya – SparMax 74802, Badger – Patriot 105 Xtreme, Grex – XGi, Hader & Steenbeck – Colani, , Iwata – Hi-Line HP-BH, Iwata – Hi-Line HP-CH and Iwata – Hi-Line HP-TH. We hope that our list was helpful in your search for the best airbrush and you find something that works for you and is within your budget.