Wagner Control Spray 250 Review

Wagner Control Spray 250

Editor Rating: 4.6/5

Great Product

Wagner Control Spray 250

Reviewed by: Timothy Henderson

Last modified: Dec 1, 2023 @ 2:25 pm

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

Control Spray 250 Review Summary:

With its stylish and ergonomic design, rapid paint emission, and a choice of nozzle settings — the Wagner Control Spray 250 is the consummate power tool for the dedicated home renovator and serious DIYer who demands precision.

This HVLP (high-volume low-pressure) unit obliterates the need for a cumbersome and noisy air compressor — and instead cranks out an impressive 1.25 liters per minute flow rate from its internal motor.

Additionally, this delivery can be adjusted to suit your working medium — whether that’s solid stains, or furniture paints — ensuring that you achieve optimum results without saturation or under-coverage.

An easily-adjustable nozzle enables you to tailor spray patterns for your target material — meaning that this machine is equally at home addressing cast iron garden railings as it is revitalizing tired furniture.

And, when you’ve finished your project for the day — this unit’s bespoke Lock N Go feature allows for easy dismantling — enabling you to effortlessly clean the separate parts of the sprayer — increasing longevity.

The 250 machine hails from the mighty Wagner SprayTech stable — a company with over 70 years of experience in paint application and removal. This model features mid-way in its Control series range — making it perfectly suited for light-to-moderate scale projects.

Admittedly, it’s not the most pocket-friendly unit on the market — but for reliability, durability, and the DIY-kudos of the Wagner brand — it’s one serious sprayer.

Pros:

N
Impressive warranty.
N
1.25 liters per minute flow rate.
N
Fatigue-busting handle.
N
Easy to clean.
N
Choice of three spray patterns.
N
Suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
N
Lacquer, paint, and varnish compatible.
N
0.85 quarts (800 ml) cup for 72 square feet of coverage.

Cons:

N
Not ideal for expansive jobs.
N
Relatively noisy.
N
Premium price for a premium product.

Features and Benefits of the Wagner 250 Control Spray


Coming from the paint-spraying behemoth brand Wagner — you’d expect this machine to be as versatile as it is practical. But, does the name belie the actual usefulness of this sprayer?

Let’s take a look beneath the hood to see exactly what this unit has to offer.

Spray Setting Adjustment


You wouldn’t use a hammer on a Pozidriv screw — nor would you apply a screwdriver to a nine-inch nail (well, unless you’re my wife). You need the correct method of address for the job in hand.

Hence, it’s pleasing to see that the Wagner Control Spray 250 handheld HVLP paint sprayer offers a choice of three spray settings — allowing you to adjust the paint delivery for optimum results.

Turning the nozzle cap’s ‘ears’ enables you to choose between round, vertical, and horizontal patterns — which you would, for example, use respectively for tackling railings, walls, and panel fences — replicating the directional strokes of a handheld brush.

Perhaps the only downside is that this unit doesn’t come with a variety of nozzle sizes — which can be beneficial for mediums of different viscosity. That said, you can purchase additional cap-ends for this unit separately.

Flow Rate


The Control Spray 250 from Wagner knocks out a satisfyingly generous flow rate of 1.25 liters per minute — allowing you to cover an eight by ten-foot area in less than two minutes. But happily, you can bring it down a notch or two if required.

Sure, it’s tempting to keep it cranked up to eleventy-stupid — but on some projects, this will deliver a veritable torrent of liquid — leading to pools, dripping, and an unsightly finish to your work.

For large surfaces such as decking or walls — by all means, go hell for leather on the maximum setting. However, for jobs that require a somewhat more precise approach — like corners or spindles — simply turn the flow knob counterclockwise to bring down the paint emission.

Lock N Go and Cleaning


Let’s face it — no one likes cleaning.

Actually, that’s not exactly true. There’s something rather rewarding about pressure-washing your car, followed by an intense wax. However, rinsing painting tools post-project has less of a satisfying appeal.

Despite all of Wagner’s impressive tech in this sprayer — self-cleaning ain’t an option. However, they have made the process as simple as possible.

Their bespoke Lock N Go feature allows you to rapidly detach the nozzle and cup from the main gun effortlessly. Furthermore, the nozzle itself easily breaks down into four separate parts — enabling you to remove any paint residue trying to hide itself away and secretly planning to ruin your next job.

Comfort


While it can be gratifying to hold an impressive and substantial tool in your hand — when it comes to sprayers, size isn’t everything.

A hefty unit can make accessing confined areas troublesome and increase the chance of wrist and hand fatigue. Hence, I welcome the compact design of the 250 paint gun — enabling you to address those harder-to-reach places effortlessly — and the three-pound weight will allow for extended use.

Furthermore, the ribbed design of the handle should increase traction and therefore elevate grip. Thus meaning that perspiration, paint penetration, or working with gloves shouldn’t detract from the stability of this unit in your hand.

Turbine Filter


This sprayer incorporates a rear-mounted turbine filter — to ensure that detritus doesn’t enter the machine housing and potentially damage the precious components.

Furthermore, it prevents airborne contaminants from entering the unit — and then being propelled onto your working surface — meaning you don’t have to endure a lifetime of looking at a mummified mosquito embedded into your resprayed tabletop.

Replacement is straightforward — one quick click of a top-mounted button and the rear of the unit detaches — allowing you to exchange the filter.

What Users Say About The Wagner 250


In my eyes, this machine is a durable and robust power tool for DIYers looking to complete precise small to medium-scale projects. But, I’m not using this unit on a regular basis.

Hence I researched a plethora of Wagner Control spray 250 reviews — to fully explore what owners of this machine think about its practicality and usability.

Happily, the opinions expressed were generally positive. Users of this machine lauded its easily-adjustable spray settings, praised its fatigue-busting design, and loved the tailorable flow rates.

That said, a few owners indicated that they would have welcomed a larger cup, while others mentioned that including some additional nozzles would be a bonus. However, both these downsides can be addressed by purchasing a more substantial cup, and extra cap ends separately.

Alternatives to Wagner Control Spray 250


Despite its feature-packed build, it may be that this unit isn’t getting your spraying juices flowing. That being the case, consider these impressive alternatives.

Rexbeti Ultimate 750


Rexbeti Ultimate
If you’re loving the idea of an HVLP machine, but find that the lack of additional nozzles in the Wagner model is a downer, then this unit could be the solution.

The Rexbeti comes complete with three extra cap ends — 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0mm — making this sprayer ideal for a variety of liquids, from sealers through to latex-based. Furthermore, at a lower price point than the Wagner 250 — it may suit those DIYers looking for a more budget-friendly machine.

  • Larger cup — 1.05 quarts as opposed to the 0.85 for the Wagner.
  • Longer cable — 6.6 feet instead of the six feet of the Control Spray 250.
  • Unlike Wagner, Rexbeti isn’t a paint specialist — just a general tool manufacturer.

Wagner Spraytech FLEXiO 590


Flexio 590
Should the Control Spray 250 lack the heavy-duty nature you require — this machine, also from Wagner, may address your intense demands.

The Flexio 590 is ideal for expansive projects — such as walls and ceilings opposed to the more small-to-medium application of the 250 model. A larger paint cup and a proprietary X-Boost turbine ensure extended operation without refills and paint delivery without pre-thinning.

  • Harder on the wallet than the Control Spray 250.
  • Includes two extra nozzles — none are included with the Wagner 250.
  • Ten selectable flow settings as opposed to the arbitrary selection on the 250 model.

Scuddles Paint Sprayer


Scuddles
Have no inclination for buying accessories and simply want a complete kit straight out of the box? This machine may stimulate your paint spraying erogenous zones.

Unlike the Wagner 250, which comes with no additional extras — the Scuddles HVLP unit includes five nozzles, a funnel, and a cleaning needle. Thus making it an ideal package for the spraying newbie with no current equipment or ideal as a gift for the enthusiastic DIYer.

  • 1.05-quart capacity — larger than the Wagner 250 Control Spray.
  • Like the Wagner, it offers three spray settings.
  • More budget-friendly than the 250 model.

Conclusion


For the ardent DIYer or fanatical home-improver that demand reliability, durability, and the kudos of a ‘big-boy’ brand — the Wagner 250 delivers.

Its choice of three adjustable spray settings allows you to tackle the majority of small to medium projects with the ideal application method. An adjustable flow rate means you can tailor your delivery suited to your working material — and an effortless Lock N Go system takes the headaches out of post-job cleaning.

Admittedly, this unit isn’t ideal for larger-scale jobs — unless you have a lot of patience.

Yet, for those users who require a robust and precise machine for furniture recoating, shelf staining, or railing painting — the Wagner Control Spray 250 gives you spatter without the splatter.

Wagner Control Spray 250 FAQs

Q: Are Wagner Paint Sprayers Any Good?

Yes. Wagner is a specialized manufacturer that only deals with paint application and removal tools. With over 70 years of experience in the industry, it’s products are renowned for their durability and reliability.

Q: Can I Use the Wagner 250 to Paint the Inside of My House?

Not really. The Wagner Control Spray is more suited to smaller projects, such as restoring furniture or staining trim. Furthermore, this unit will not deal with latex paints without thinner. If you’re looking at completing large scale jobs, instead, I’d suggest checking out a Wagner machine from the Flexio range, such as the 590 model.

Q: Does The Control Spray 250 Require an Air Compressor?

No. This handheld HVLP sprayer has an internal turbine, negating the requirement of an additional compressor.

Q: How Much Does the Wagner 250 Control Spray Cost?

The Wagner 250 sprayer is a durable and robust machine that should provide years of trouble-free use. To check out the current cost of the Wagner 250.

Q: Uses for the Control Spray Wagner 250?

This machine is ideally suited to small-to-medium projects, such as applying lacquer and stains to:

  • Household furniture.
  • Shelves.
  • Railings.
  • Picket fences.
  • Spackle.
  • Tabletops.
  • Outdoor furniture.
  • Small areas of decking.
  • Children’s toys.
Q: What Liquids Can the Wagner 250 Spray?

This machine can cope with a wide variety of spray materials, including:

  • Solid stains.
  • Decorative paints.*
  • Sealers.
  • Latex and oil-based paints.*
  • Urethanes.
  • Lacquer.*
  • Furniture paint.*
  • Transparent stain.
  • Semi-transparent stain.

* Thinning of materials may be required.

Q: Is the Wagner 0518050 Control Spray the Same as the Control Spray 250?

No. The Wagner 0518050 Control Spray double duty paint sprayer offers a higher flow rate and a larger paint cup than the 250 model. This makes the Wagner 0518050 more suited to heavy-duty work such as coating walls and ceilings.

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