5 Best Handheld Paint Sprayer Reviewed in 2021: Which One Should You Get?

1. Graco 17D889 TrueCoat 360 VSP

Our choice for the top handheld model is the TrueCoat 360 VSP from Graco. It has an ergonomic design with a more extended grip that can accommodate a wide range of hand sizes and a trigger that you can squeeze with just one or two fingers. Its variable speed design changes the speed at which the motor operates based on how firmly you pull that trigger.

Two spray tips come included in the packaging, and you get a smaller tip for working with thinner materials and a more extensive tip for working with thicker liquids. Both points have a reversible design that allows you to reverse and flip one over when a clog forms. Those tips do an excellent job of preventing clogs too.

Graco gives you four liner bags with this model as well as a storage case. That case keeps the sprayer, and all included accessories safe from dust and damage until you need to color again. You also get a manual that shows you how to use all the features and gives you some tips.

The TrueCoat 360 VSP has a pump made from stainless steel that lets you use thicker products at a high velocity. It also features VacuValve technology that prevents leaks when spraying upside down or at an angle.

2. Graco 17A466 TrueCoat 360 DS

Our number two choice for the top product is the TrueCoat 360 DS, which is quite similar to our top-ranked model. It has an adjustment feature right on the side that lets you select the speed that you want to use. You can choose a lower setting to give yourself more control over the liquid when doing detail work, but you can also select a higher one that provides more coverage when working on a more massive project or coloring a wall.

VacuValve technology gives you the freedom to use this product in any direction and at any angle. You can even turn the entire thing upside down and keep spraying without worrying about any liquid spilling out.

The FlexLiner bag makes cleanup easier too. Instead of emptying out a cup and then rinsing and drying that cup, you can pop a liner bag in the tool and throw it away once you’re done. You may need to purchase extra bags though for larger projects.

It also comes with a reversible spray tip that helps you keep coloring. This point reverses when a clog forms to let you finish the project without pausing to remove and clean that tip first.

3. HomeRight C800971.A Super Finish Max Extra

4. TACKLIFE SGP16AC

If you like the clean and even finish that comes from using a commercial model but don’t want to spend hundreds on a product, this TACKLIFE professional model is an excellent choice for you. Though it mimics the design of pro models, the manufacturer used lighter weight parts to keep the weight down. You’ll have no problem carrying it from one floor to the next and using it anywhere around your home or outside.

A 6.5-amp motor makes this one run more efficiently and works faster. It also allows the unit to release more than one quart of liquid every minute. It also increases the distance of the spray to let you use it closer to or further away from the surface as you color.

TACKLIFE gives you three different nozzles that let you pick the size that you need based on your project. It also comes with two spray tips that change the texture of the liquid as it comes out to make the liquid finer and to remove the particles that can cause clogs.

You have the choice between three different spray patterns too. The manufacturer even gives you two different cups that let you use more or less coloring on a project.

5. Wagner Spraytech 0518050 Control Spray Double Duty

Some DIY enthusiasts think that they need to spend hundreds of dollars on a sprayer before doing any coloring at home, but you can do all the jobs you want to do without using a lot of money because of excellent options like this sprayer from Wagner. It comes with filters that weed out impurities and debris from the liquid to keep those particles off your walls, furniture, and other surfaces, and you can replace those filters, later on, to continue using the tool. Lock-n-Go technology designed by the manufacturer makes utilizing this model easier because you can lock and set it to use the same steady stream and other settings until finishing your job.

Its variable trigger is probably one of its best features. This trigger lets you adjust the flow with just one hand or a few fingers. Simply changing your grip changes how quickly fluid the  comes out and the coverage that you get.

With three patterns to choose from, you’ll have no problems with this model. It has a round spray pattern as well as horizontal fan and vertical fan options.

This Wagner sprayer comes with a paint cup that can hold up to 1.5 quarts of paint. You can use it indoors and outside and with paints, stains and similar materials.

And the Ultimate Winner is…

1. How Much Can the Cup Hold?

Unlike commercial models that require you hook up a hose to your can or bucket, handheld models feature a cup that attaches to the tool. This cup provides a steady stream of liquid to the unit. Checking to see how much it can hold and the size of that cup is smart.

Smaller cups keep the weight of the tool down and are easier to use when standing on a ladder or working on an angle. Larger cups can hold more liquid and are suitable for more extensive jobs.

You should also look at how it attaches to the sprayer. Many manufacturers use screw-on cups that you can screw onto the base, but others require that you use more force to snap or lock the cup down.

2. Can it Handle All Materials?

3. Are There Different Spray Patterns?

It's important to look at the spray pattern options that each product provides too because you will want to use different patterns for different projects. Most have a vertical and/or horizontal fan pattern that makes it easier to color from one side to the next or in an up and down orientation. You may find a round pattern helpful when coloring a larger surface because this pattern allows more liquid to come out with each squeeze of the trigger.

4. Is There a Warranty?

Unless you have years of experience, you should look at whether the unit comes with a warranty and how long that warranty lasts. The industry standard is a single year, but many companies offer a two-year warranty. Take a look at what the warranty covers and what you need to do to take advantage of it as some manufacturers will require that you send the tool in for repairs.

4. Does the Motor Have Different Speeds?

Some cheaper models have a motor that works at just one speed, which can extend the length of time it takes to color a wall or stain a deck. The top models have variable speed settings that you can adjust via the trigger or with some type of dial/knob. Variable models let you pick the perfect speed necessary for different projects.