Best Paint Sprayer UK: Airless And HVLP Sprayers For Decorators

An airless sprayer pumps paint at high pressure through a small tip. The models here are listed at 110 bar (Wagner), 207 bar (Graco A30 ProPlus) and 227 bar (Graco Ultra 495 XT) at the pump. It suits walls, ceilings and large areas, where flow matters most.

An HVLP (high volume, low pressure) sprayer uses a turbine to move air. Graco describes its FinishPro HVLP range as built for a smooth, even finish on small to medium jobs that need extreme control, and says the turbine delivers more air flow and pressure for higher production with less thinning of the material. That is the set to look at for doors, skirting, cabinets and furniture.

Wagner's HEA (High Efficiency Airless) models reduce the working pressure and say this gives up to 55% less overspray than conventional airless spraying. That is Wagner's own claim, and it applies to its Control Pro range.

Control Pro 250 M (2371053) is listed at 1.25 l/min and 110 bar, with a 550 W motor, a 9 m hose and a stated weight of 7.6 kg. It takes paint directly from the container, and the box includes 311 and 517 HEA reversible nozzles for high and low viscosity liquids and a filter kit. Wagner lists emulsion and latex, enamels, vinyl, matt, silk, gloss, varnishes, acrylics, wood preservatives, stains, primers and undercoats, and says it is not for flammable materials. The page describes the sprayer as compact, with a carry handle, designed for experienced DIY users.

Control Pro 350 M (2371058) steps up to 1.5 l/min at 110 bar, with a 600 W motor and a 15 m hose, on a cart with a telescopic handle. Wagner lists the same range of materials, positions it for medium to large objects, and also describes it as for experienced DIY users. It quotes surface coverage of 15 m² in 2 minutes.

Both are a reasonable way to try spraying before you commit to contractor kit, as long as you treat the maker's DIY positioning as a limit on daily use.

Magnum A30 ProPlus (25V402) is the UK-plug, 230V model: 1.02 l/min, 207 bar maximum, a maximum tip size of 0.015 inch, a hose up to 22.5 m and a weight of 7.5 kg. Graco says it is ideal for interior projects and for exterior projects such as decks, siding, fences and small houses, and to choose it when you paint on a quarterly basis.

Ultra 495 XT (19D529) is the stand-mounted 110V UK unit. The page lists 3.0 l/min, 227 bar maximum, a maximum tip size of 0.027 inch and a weight of 14.1 kg, with a 1.7 HP Xtreme Torque motor. Graco files the Ultra range under contractor.

For a step up, the Ultra 695 XT ProContractor (19F730) is a 110V UK Hi-Boy unit at 4.0 l/min, 227 bar, a maximum tip size of 0.031 inch and 55 kg, with a 2.1 HP motor and a hose reel for up to 90 m of hose.

Graco's FinishPro HVLP range comes in Standard and ProContractor packages. The UK page lists a 6 m air hose for the Standard series and 9 m for the ProContractor series, a remote cup that can be pressurised up to 1.7 bar, a 1.9 litre cup that converts to 0.95 litres, and the Edge II spray gun. The family page does not give per-model power or flow figures, so ask a stockist for the data sheet of the exact package.

For small jobs, Wagner's W 590 FLEXiO is a hand-held turbine sprayer with two spray attachments, one for low and one for high viscosity materials. It is listed at 630 W with a 1300 ml cup for wall paints and 800 ml for lacquers and varnishes, and Wagner says it sprays almost all conventional materials undiluted. It sits in Wagner's DIY range, so it suits touch-up and small projects rather than daily trade use.

• Emulsion on walls and ceilings: use an airless machine. Wagner names emulsion and latex for both Control Pro models, and Graco says the A30 ProPlus sprays unthinned paints.
• Gloss, satin and trim: Wagner lists enamels, silk, gloss and varnishes for the Control Pro range. For door and furniture finishes, use the HVLP route, and check the paint maker's datasheet for the nozzle or tip it recommends.
• Interior: Wagner lists wall and ceiling and wood and metal paints for both Control Pro models.
• Exterior: Graco's A30 ProPlus page names decks, siding, fences and small houses. Thicker coatings need higher flow and larger tips: compare the maximum tip sizes of 0.015 inch (A30 ProPlus), 0.027 inch (Ultra 495 XT) and 0.031 inch (Ultra 695 XT).

• Who the maker built it for: the Wagner Control Pro and Graco Magnum pages say DIY. If you spray daily, look at the contractor range.
• Flow: the models above run from 1.02 to 4.0 l/min. More flow covers a large area faster.
• Maximum tip size: it limits how thick a coating the machine can pass.
• Power supply: the Ultra 495 XT in this guide is the 110V UK unit, the Ultra 695 XT (19F730) a 110V UK unit, the A30 ProPlus the 230V model. HSE says limiting the supply voltage is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of injury, that 110V portable tools are readily available, and that 230V equipment should have an RCD. Check the voltage and plug on the part number you order.
• Material: confirm the paint is listed. Wagner says its Control Pro sprayers are not for flammable materials.
• Weight and hose length: 7.5 to 14.1 kg for the stand and carry models here, and hoses from 9 m to 22.5 m.

For the rest of the van, see the best tool bag for painters and the best wallpaper steamer for decorators. For cover, see painter and decorator insurance.