The Best HVLP Spray Gun — Buyer’s Guide, Reviews, and Comparisons
For the ultimate in cost-saving, perfect finish, and ease of operation, it has to be an HVLP spray gun. Available in both pneumatic and turbine-powered varieties, these machines utilize low pressure while maximizing volume delivery — leading to less waste, reduced overspray, and minimal bounce-back. Suitable for both home DIY and pro applications, these multi-medium compatible sprayers are ideal for woodwork, indoor and outdoor wall painting, furniture upcycling, and even automotive respraying. From small and compact handheld units through to mighty compressor powered guns, there’s a model to suit every power-painting job.
Featuring Wagner’s proprietary X-Boost turbine and capable of variable power output, this machine is as happy propelling low-viscosity mediums as it is dense paints. Boasting a lengthy 11.5-foot non-kinking hose, there’s little need to relocate the base unit.
Coming complete with two nozzle tips, the FLEXiO 5000 can deliver both a fine finish and rapid coverage, depending on your current project. And, when you’ve completed your work for the day, you can safely store the gun, hose, and mains lead in the turbine case.
- Upgraded version of the respected iSpray nozzle.
- Adjustable material flow control.
- Tailorable spray fan width.
- Lock-N-Go system permits rapid dismantling and easy cleaning.
- Arrives with 0.85 and 1.5-quart paint cups.
Top HVLP Products from Each Category
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Best Pneumatic HVLP Guns
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HVLP Spray Gun Reviews and Buying Guide
Requiring little set-up and no priming, unlike their airless counterparts, these machines can be used straight out of the box. HVLP units minimize overspray, bounce-back, and wastage.
What Is an HVLP Paint Sprayer?
HVLP stands for a high-volume low-pressure paint sprayer.
While standard pneumatic guns demand around 90 psi, and airless units knock out a remarkable 2000-plus pounds per square inch (psi), HVLP painters need just 10 psi or less. That is, they utilize a high air volume to propel the medium, not high pressure, hence their moniker, HVLP.
These sprayers have existed since the 1930s when they were nothing more than a vacuum cleaner running in reverse. However, it was the appearance of turbine-driven HVLP machines in the early 1990s that popularized the format.
For the first time, powered-painting was in reach of the general homeowner and DIYer — negating the need for an enormous and expensive compressor, allowing the keen home decorator to plug in and go.
As a quick aside, it’s important not to confuse an HVLP sprayer with an LVLP (low-volume, low-pressure) unit. My HVLP vs LVLP article explains the difference in application, usage situations, and the pros and cons of each system.
Types of HVLP Comparison
What Is an HVLP Paint Sprayer Turbine?
The turbine HVLP machine is the original high-volume low-pressure sprayer — consider it the granddaddy of them all.
These sprayers utilize a fan, or series of fans, to propel your coating medium through the gun tip where it is atomized and then delivered onto your surface. The more fans the turbine has (known as stages in the painting world), the greater the power output, which allows the unit to handle more viscous liquids.
The original machines incorporated a floor-standing housing that contained the fan and motors. A lightweight gun connected to this powerhouse via a hose. Today, these external turbine machines, such as the mighty Wagner FLEXiO 5000, remain popular with tradespeople and hardcore DIYers. Anyone who demands a rapid delivery of thick paints onto expansive projects opts for a turbine HVLP.
However, while boasting impressive grunt, the downside is that they’re somewhat bulky.
To satisfy home users who sought more compact units, manufacturers developed handheld turbines, like the Finish Max. These incorporate the fan/s into the gun itself and negate the need for a separate power unit.
While undoubtedly more convenient for the casual and intermittent DIYer, the in-built turbine can make the ‘shooter’ heavier to wield. With the size of the gun restricting the number of turbine stages, they typically deliver lower output than their external turbine cousins — making them less suited to viscous mediums and larger-scale work.
What Is an HVLP Spray Gun for Compressors?
But with the appearance of HVLP turbines, homeowners could access the previously closed powered-painting arena. What’s more, this novel high-velocity low-pressure paint sprayer system, with its low-overspray and minimal wastage characteristics, wasn’t available for pneumatics.
This made the exclusive fraternity of compressor-using aficionados somewhat displeased.
So, to appease this select group (trust me, there’s snobbery even in painting circles), manufacturers developed HVLP guns (a high-volume low-pressure spray gun) to run off pneumatic powerhouses. The issue was that the pressure knocked out by the compressor was excessive — in contradiction of the very definition of HVLP painting as the output needs to be low.
To overcome this, power tool companies used innovative baffles, chambers, and valves inside the gun housing to step-down the pneumatic unit’s force while elevating the volume delivery. While remarkably versatile machines, many internal components make these tools significantly more expensive than a standard compressor spray gun.
What Is an HVLP Sprayer Capable of Delivering?
While not exhaustive, here’s a list of the most common mediums delivered with HVLP tools:
Clear Coats
The staple of the automotive brotherhood, clear coats are ideal for use with HVLP machines. The medium’s low-density allows it to be propelled by even single-stage turbines.
When it comes to vehicle painting, many pros believe that fan-powered units don’t deliver the consistent finish and fine-atomization needed for topcoats — many opt for pneumatic HVLP guns instead. Perhaps the best HVLP spray gun for clearcoat would be the Eastwood Pro Concours.
Shellac
Spraying shellac with an HVLP spray gun is possible, but due to its semi-viscous nature, it requires a little more grunt than other wood coatings demand, such as stains and lacquers.
If you’re planning on spraying shellac with an HVLP unit, opt for an externally powered machine with a minimum of three stages, such as the Earlex 6003 Spray Port.
Stains and Varnishes
Typically the thinnest of the common coating mediums, spraying stain with an HVLP spray gun is achievable with the most basic power-painting machines, like the Control Spray 250. Equally, you can use a basic single-stage turbine for spraying varnish with an HVLP spray gun, such as the Tacklife SGP15AC.
That said, some heavy-duty machines, for example, the FLEXiO 690, feature variable turbine power and an additional finishing nozzle — allowing you to step-down the power and use a suitably fine tip for spraying varnish with HVLP units.
Polycrylic
Spraying polycrylic with an HVLP spray gun isn’t difficult, but you need to take a little care.
While denser than stains and varnishes, a quality two-stage turbine machine can adequately handle the wood-finishing medium; units such as the Control Spray Max are an example of this.
However, under no circumstances thin this coating.
While you can dilute other water-based paints such as chalk and latex, thinning Polycrylic interferes with the product’s precise chemical formulation, which hinders preventing the characteristic ‘film’ provided by the coating from forming. Hence, I wouldn’t suggest spraying polycrylic with HVLP units that have a single stage.
Oil-Based Paint
Spraying oil-based paint HVLP mediums, such as enamels, urethanes, and lacquers, is straightforward. Typically requiring no thinning, these coatings can be propelled by single-stage handheld sprayers and pneumatic guns.
That said, when spraying lacquer with HVLP, due to its low-viscosity, I’d suggest using a unit with variable pressure, such as the FLEXiO 3000. This allows you to bring down the grunt — preventing overspray, bounce-back, and wastage that can occur with seriously low-density liquids.
Latex Paint
As one of the densest mediums, you require an HVLP sprayer or gun with some serious power to propel this paint without thinning. For turbine units, at the very least you should choose a two-stage unit. For pneumatic guns, look for a machine with a wide nozzle and variable flow control, such as the DeVilbiss FinishLine 4.
Pros and Cons of HVLP Spray Machines and Guns
Here are the pros and cons of these impressive power tools:
HVLP Sprayer Pros
Reduced Overspray Compared To Other Machines and Guns
By reducing overspray and bounceback, an HVLP-type paint sprayer puts paint exactly where you want it — on the project you are focused on.
All of this means, of course, that you use less paint than usual when completing your work.
Reduced Material Consumption
Transfer efficiency, which I cover further down, calculates the effort and accuracy required when using a paint sprayer. And, due to the low-pressure technology, an HVLP paint sprayer is by far the transfer efficiency leader.
What this means for commercial paint experts and all-star DIY homeowners is simple:
You’ll spend less money on paint than you would with a standard compressor or airless machine.
Decreased Waste
And what’s even better than less cleanup time? Being good to the environment.
Reduced Pollution With an HVLP Sprayer
Portable and Compact
Unlike some commercial painting equipment, turbine-powered HVLP machines are portable and compact, as well as being easy to use.
Their small size in comparison to other sprayers makes an HVLP easy to clean and maintain. Taking a moment to rinse liquids from your spray cup after each project will go a long way toward preserving your equipment for the next use.
Disassembly is straightforward, as is maintaining the interior parts. Every manufacturer provides clear and simple directions on reassembly as well.
Ideal for Special Projects
An HVLP sprayer is unparalleled when it comes to precision and surface coverage in comparison to other products.
For certain types of windows, cabinets, doors, and fences, this family of paint sprayers offers the best option.
Since this type of paint sprayer is adaptable to a wide range of paint and stain products (depending upon the model), a typical HVLP machine will work with acrylics, alkyd paints, oil-based stains, interior wood stains, and lacquers.
From a single piece of wood to stenciling projects, bikes, tables, and other furniture, HVLP users report great results.
Easy to Control
Great for Cars
Due to the precision and transfer efficiency of an HVLP, the equipment delivers a pleasing coat and professional appearance. Usually, trade contractors and pros opt for a pneumatic HVLP spray gun as opposed to a turbine machine due to the former’s greater accuracy and finer atomization.
You’ll Fall In Love With Your HVLP
Trust me, you’ll find yourself painting anything that doesn’t move.
Lower Cost
Because an HVLP Sprayer is incredibly precise, it’s unmatched in terms of transfer efficiency.
By weighing your HVLP before and after any paint application process, you can easily see the increased transfer efficiency this equipment offers over other types of paint sprayers.
Increased transfer efficiency means:
- Using less money on wasted paint.
- Spending less time painting.
- Decreased pollutants.
You work less (for better results and lower costs) when using an HVLP paint sprayer for your commercial projects and DIY tasks. Not only are HVLP type paint sprayers easy to use, but they’re also straightforward to store and carry.
Cons of an HVLP Sprayer
Slower Application Than Traditional Sprayers
Yeah. Just one solitary downside — HVLPs don’t provide the rapid coverage an airless machine or standard pneumatic sprayer offers. Due to the lower pressure, you’ll need to factor in more application time.
For seriously large surfaces, an HVLP Paint Sprayer may not be your best bet — I’d suggest checking out airless machines instead.
That said, with increased precision and less waste, some of your time will be refunded in the control your new sprayer allows — reduced bounce-back and overspray means less cleanup time.
How to Choose the Best HVLP Spray Gun and Sprayers
Here are some of the key factors you should consider when choosing the best HVLP paint gun or spraying machine.

HVLP Turbine Sprayer or Pneumatic Gun
If you already own a compressor, a pneumatic HVLP gun may be a sensible choice. These units offer the ultimate in atomization and clean finish — the reason why they are the choice of the professional.
Alternatively, investing in a compressor and HVLP gun may be worthwhile if you’re planning on completing frequent garage-based projects, such as respraying cars or upcycling furniture.
However, for most home DIY projects, turbine HVLP machines — both handheld and external — are the best choice. They’re more affordable, portable, and easier to use than their pneumatic cousins.

HVLP Spray Gun Tip Size
Typically, the larger the nozzle, the greater the viscosity your machine or gun can handle.
As a general guide, HVLP painting tips with a diameter of 1.6 mm or above are ideal for dense paints such as latex. Smaller sized tips are best suited to thin mediums like stains and sealers.
That said, some powerful turbine units, such as the 1400-watt Fuji Semi-Pro 2 can propel dense paints through its relatively small 1.3-mm nozzle, due to the high output its motor offers.

Paint Container
While all turbine HVLP units are bottom-fed, many HVLP pneumatic guns are top-fed. These HVLP gravity feed spray guns are considered by trade professionals to deliver the finest atomization with minimal wastage. Although, they’re not as compact as bottom-feeding units and can be harder to use in confined spaces.

Adjustability
The best HVLP spray system and pneumatic guns allow you to alter the spray pattern, width, and volume flow. Adjust your unit to suit both your coating medium and the base material to get the best results.
Furthermore, look for the ability to change the power setting. The best HVLP sprayer machine will feature a variable speed turbine, like the Wagner FLEXiO 4000. Equally, a high-quality HVLP gravity spray gun will boast both a power control dial and inline pressure gauge — for example the Ingersoll Rand 270G Edge — enabling you to crank up or down the output dependent on your needs.

Additional Considerations
- Warranty length — a good HVLP spray gun or system from a respected manufacturer will be backed by a solid guarantee.
- Additional accessories — does the electric HVLP paint sprayer or compressor gun come with a case, funnel, extra needles, or a viscosity cup?
- DIY, professional, or budget — the higher the grade, the more features and greater durability, although this comes at a cost.
Handheld Turbine HVLP Sprayers Comparison Table
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Our Picks of the Best Handheld Turbine HVLP Sprayers
Handheld turbines are the most portable, compact, and affordable machines in the high-volume low-pressure category — making them among the best inexpensive HVLP spray gun types.
With models to suit both power-painting newbies and serious users, these machines are particularly adept at small to medium-sized projects such as staining shelving, crafting, upcycling furniture, and coating cabinets. Handheld turbines can also handle light-duty fence work, decking, and wall coverings.
Faster than a brush and offering a cleaner finish than a roller, these units save both time and effort and can be used with little to no previous HVLP experience.
Pros
- Powerful turbine delivering 400-watts.
- Robust brass metal spray tip.
- Variable material flow control.
- Choice of three spraying styles.
- Ergonomic handle.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Pros
- Powerful turbine delivering 400-watts.
- Robust brass metal spray tip.
- Variable material flow control.
- Choice of three spraying styles.
- Ergonomic handle.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Six-foot power cord.
- Lock-N-Go system enables rapid cleaning.
- Compatible with sealers through to acrylic paints.
- Container with 25 square feet coverage capacity.
- Interchangeable filter.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Six-foot power cord.
- Lock-N-Go system enables rapid cleaning.
- Compatible with sealers through to acrylic paints.
- Container with 25 square feet coverage capacity.
- Interchangeable filter.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Twin turbine speeds.
- Choice of three fan spray designs.
- One of the best HVLP spray guns for the money.
- Adjustable spray width.
- User tailorable medium flow control.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Twin turbine speeds.
- Choice of three fan spray designs.
- One of the best HVLP spray guns for the money.
- Adjustable spray width.
- User tailorable medium flow control.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Three spray fan choices.
- One of the top rated hvlp spray guns online.
- Complete with a storage case.
- Material flow control.
- A low pressure spray gun with a 1.5-quart paint cup.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Three spray fan choices.
- One of the top rated hvlp spray guns online.
- Complete with a storage case.
- Material flow control.
- A low pressure spray gun with a 1.5-quart paint cup.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Knocks out 4.9 fluid ounces every minute.
- Two paint cups: 1 and 1.5-quarts.
- Stamina-enhancing handle.
- Cord protector.
- Removable filters.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Knocks out 4.9 fluid ounces every minute.
- Two paint cups: 1 and 1.5-quarts.
- Stamina-enhancing handle.
- Cord protector.
- Removable filters.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- A relatively cheap HVLP spray gun for the infrequent DIYer.
- Three spray fan options.
- Cord protector.
- Removable filters.
- A wide availability of spare HVLP parts.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- A relatively cheap HVLP spray gun for the infrequent DIYer.
- Three spray fan options.
- Cord protector.
- Removable filters.
- A wide availability of spare HVLP parts.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Removable HVLP spray gun filter.
- Twin turbine speeds.
- Complete with two paint containers.
- Around 20 percent lighter than most HVLP machines.
- Ergonomic handle.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Removable HVLP spray gun filter.
- Twin turbine speeds.
- Complete with two paint containers.
- Around 20 percent lighter than most HVLP machines.
- Ergonomic handle.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Robust brass metal spray tip.
- One fill will cover an area of 100 square feet.
- Three HVLP spray gun tips.
- Little overspray.
- Low noise.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Robust brass metal spray tip.
- One fill will cover an area of 100 square feet.
- Three HVLP spray gun tips.
- Little overspray.
- Low noise.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Impressive ventilation to extend turbine life.
- HVLP nozzle is ideal for wood projects.
- Durable construction.
- Little bounce-back.
- Wide availability of HVLP spray gun parts.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Impressive ventilation to extend turbine life.
- HVLP nozzle is ideal for wood projects.
- Durable construction.
- Little bounce-back.
- Wide availability of HVLP spray gun parts.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Includes two HVLP paint gun tips.
- Detail nozzle for precise work.
- X-Boost turbine.
- Compatible with low-viscosity and dense paints.
- Complete HVLP electric spray gun kit.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Includes two HVLP paint gun tips.
- Detail nozzle for precise work.
- X-Boost turbine.
- Compatible with low-viscosity and dense paints.
- Complete HVLP electric spray gun kit.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Novel turbine and pump design.
- 8.8 gallons per hour throughput.
- Twin-speed motor.
- Fuss-free cleaning.
- Can deliver latex paints.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Novel turbine and pump design.
- 8.8 gallons per hour throughput.
- Twin-speed motor.
- Fuss-free cleaning.
- Can deliver latex paints.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
External Turbine HVLP Sprayers Comparison Table
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Our Picks of the Best External Turbine HVLP Sprayers
As the motor is housed in a ground-sitting case, weight is removed from your spray gun, making it incredibly easy to manipulate — ideal for those with low arm strength or seniors. Furthermore, external turbine units usually incorporate multi-power turbine settings, you can adjust the output to perfectly propel your coating medium and address the base material.
Pros
- The best external turbine in this HVLP paint sprayer review.
- Adjustable volume flow dial.
- Lock-N-Go feature for rapid dismantling.
- Choice of spray fan widths.
- Complete with two HVLP spray gun cups of 1.5 and 0.85 quarts.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Pros
- The best external turbine in this HVLP paint sprayer review.
- Adjustable volume flow dial.
- Lock-N-Go feature for rapid dismantling.
- Choice of spray fan widths.
- Complete with two HVLP spray gun cups of 1.5 and 0.85 quarts.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Two paint containers.
- Complete with an interchangeable Detail Finish nozzle.
- Lock-N-Go feature for fuss-free cleaning.
- Positive online HVLP paint sprayer reviews.
- Perfect newbie turbine sprayer machine.
- Suited for inside and outside projects.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Two paint containers.
- Complete with an interchangeable Detail Finish nozzle.
- Lock-N-Go feature for fuss-free cleaning.
- Positive online HVLP paint sprayer reviews.
- Perfect newbie turbine sprayer machine.
- Suited for inside and outside projects.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Turbine delivers three psi.
- Control Finish and iSpray nozzle.
- 15-foot hose.
- Hails from the mighty Wagner brand.
- Ideally suited to larger projects.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Turbine delivers three psi.
- Control Finish and iSpray nozzle.
- 15-foot hose.
- Hails from the mighty Wagner brand.
- Ideally suited to larger projects.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Mighty 15-foot hose.
- Carry handle for easy transportation.
- Excellent HVLP systems reviews in the external turbine category.
- iSpray head is compatible with unthinned mediums.
- CQuieter operation than comparable models.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Mighty 15-foot hose.
- Carry handle for easy transportation.
- Excellent HVLP systems reviews in the external turbine category.
- iSpray head is compatible with unthinned mediums.
- CQuieter operation than comparable models.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- The user-friendly design is ideal for newbies.
- Clean finishes.
- Two paint containers of 1 and 1.5 quarts.
- Varnish compatible.
- Lightweight for a powerful machine.
- Best HVLP gun for the money with an external turbine.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- The user-friendly design is ideal for newbies.
- Clean finishes.
- Two paint containers of 1 and 1.5 quarts.
- Varnish compatible.
- Lightweight for a powerful machine.
- Best HVLP gun for the money with an external turbine.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Removable HVLP filter.
- Can be used with unthinned paints.
- Turbine housing doubles as a storage case.
- Output of 8.4 gallons per hour.
- 11.5-foot hose.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Removable HVLP filter.
- Can be used with unthinned paints.
- Turbine housing doubles as a storage case.
- Output of 8.4 gallons per hour.
- 11.5-foot hose.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- The best hvlp paint gun for the money for car applications.
- Two paint cups.
- Lightweight.
- Choice of two nozzles.
- Kink-free 39-foot hose.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- The best hvlp paint gun for the money for car applications.
- Two paint cups.
- Lightweight.
- Choice of two nozzles.
- Kink-free 39-foot hose.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Ideal for artwork and hobbyists.
- Small size permits easy home storage.
- Includes handle for portability.
- Adjustable material flow control.
- Robust build.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price
Features
- Ideal for artwork and hobbyists.
- Small size permits easy home storage.
- Includes handle for portability.
- Adjustable material flow control.
- Robust build.
- Design
- Functionality
- Price