Best Tattoo Machines: Reviews and Complete Buying Guide 2023

Tattoo art has been around for ages. Although tattooing devices have developed significantly over the past few decades, the concept is pretty much the same as it was back then.

A tattoo is made by injecting the skin with ink by means of a needle. The ink is trapped in the dermis layer of the skin.

Tattoos are not always permanent as you can also get a disposable one if you will. And the type of ink plays a role in how fast a tattoo fades.

Back in the day, this practice was performed manually.

An artist would puncture the skin and inject the ink one step at a time.

Nowadays, tattooing has become much more practical thanks to the discovery of tattoo machines.

We can find a wide variety of tattoo guns with the ability to perform different tasks.

With such an automated system, we can complete a tattoo in a relatively short time.

The basic components of a tattoo machine are a needle and a motor to move it up and down.

Although tattooing has become easier, it needs to be done professionally.

It’s mainly because this practice is not hygiene especially when the equipment is used repeatedly.

As a professional artist, you need to make sure everything is sterile before the tattoo session starts.

The needles, for instance, are better disposable.

While it’s possible to reuse them, it’s not good from a health standpoint.

What are the best tattoo machines?

It’s not just the quality that matters. The type of gun is equally important to consider.

There are several different types, namely coil, rotary, and pneumatic tattoo machines.

Best Tattoo Machines

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1. Solong Tattoo Pen Kit Rotary Tattoo Gun Machine with Wireless Tattoo Power Supply 50Pcs Cartridge Tattoo Needles EM128KITPRD50-1

If you’re looking for a tattoo gun that runs quietly while still delivering power and stability, then this is the one for you.

This machine is built on CNC machining. The entire frame is aluminum alloy.

It’s not hard to find tattoo guns that resemble a pen, but some offer a very distinct pen-holding feel, this one included.

Coming with the package is a gun or a pen and 50pcs cartridge tattoo needles.

Since needles are an important component of a tattoo gun and they will get dull from prolonged use, it’s a good idea to find a kit that provides a bunch of needles.

This way, you don’t have to buy some more separately or at least not until you’ve run out of the stock.

Other accessories you can find in the package include a 1500mAh battery which can be recharged using power supplies by other brands.

Tattooing has never been easier as you don’t have to search for a power outlet.

The battery is enough to allow the machine to run for up to 3 hours.

2. Phoenixy Tattoo Machine Kit,2 Pro Dragonfly Rotary Professional Complete Shader & Liner 20+1 Assorted Tattoo Inks 50 Needles 50 Tips Motor Gun Kits Supply For Artists

The machine kit comes in handy because it includes nearly all essentials we need to do a tattoo.

Let’s start with the machines. They are the coil type, made of cast iron, and the coils have 10 wraps.

This device also boasts a composite material which provides incomparable sturdiness.

As opposed to that, the spring is very elastic.

If you want a device to work with for hours without suffering hand fatigue, you should get this one.

It already includes a foot pedal for power control. And then, there is also a clip cord to use with the power supply system.

For the long list of supplies, this kit doesn’t feel expensive, as you can get a shader, a liner, rubber bands, and many other complementary items.

3. BIGWASP Cartridge Pen Rotary Tattoo Machine Japan Motor for Artists

It’s worth-noting that this product only includes a machine.

If you expect a kit with multiple supplies, then look for another one.

In terms of appearance, this machine looks sleek with its space aluminum frame.

The frame houses a Japan motor, so there’s no need to question its performance.

The machine doesn’t disappoint for its price point. You can do more than just one tattoo technique with it.

Another thing you might like is the high level of accuracy and amount of flexibility provided.

Many rotary machines sport pen-like designs, so this doesn’t feel anything special. It’s not a bad thing, though.

The tool really exudes simplicity while still delivering epic performance.

Apart from the ergonomic design, it’s also compatible with different needles

4. Tattoo Machine Kit Set – Sotica Rotary Tattoo Machine Set Motor Gun Tattoo Needles Tattoo Cartridge Grip Tattoo Power Supply Tattoo Foot Pedal for Tattoo Kit Tattoo Supplies Tattoo Accessorise

A tattoo machine and other accessories may cost hundreds of dollars when bought separately. That’s why some prefer to buy products sold as sets.

If you don’t want to spend big bucks on tattoo equipment, then we suggest you buy this kit because it comes with many essential items.

The most important one is the tattoo machine, of course.

It looks modern and simple.

You can also find a cartridge grip in the package along with a power supply, needles, and a foot pedal.

There’s much more, just check out through the link above.

Speaking of performance, it’s quite a competent machine.

Perhaps, the most striking feature is its weight. It feels super comfortable in the hand and you won’t suffer fatigue from using it for long periods of time.

Another thing that we appreciate is the quietness.

It’s just all around satisfying when a tattoo gun can do its job well without making much noise

5. Mast Tour Tattoo Pen Machine, Dragonhawk 3.5 Inches Length Short Machine Custom Tattoo Motor- RCA Jack

Some products by Dragonhawk can easily make the list of the best tattoo machines ever because they are that good.

What’s special about the Mast Tour Tattoo Pen Machine?

The design is actually rather simple.

There’s nothing groundbreaking about its pen-like style, but this is more than just a pretty face.

It features a coreless motor that can inject ink smoothly.

Due to its compact design, it’s perfect for travelling.

Being small doesn’t put it at a disadvantage.

Not only does it make it easy to carry around, but it’s also lightweight, which is useful to prevent hand fatigue.

Don’t question its performance because this small item can do all kinds of stuff from color packing to lining with high precision.

6. Dragonhawk Horus Rotary Tattoo Machine Gun, Custom Mast Coreless Motor Stroke Length Changale Rca Jack

A tattoo machine should put more emphasis on performance instead of design although the latter is just as important.

This Dragonhawk product is an awesome machine that provides extraordinary accuracy.

While conventional machines are highly reliable, this one is made for those who need more precise results.

Another good thing about it is its versatility. It works with just about any cartridge grip.

The length strokes (1mm-5mm) give it even more flexibility to do different tattoo techniques.

Please note that this is just the machine. You will need to buy everything else separately.

What to expect from a tattoo machine

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It should start by asking what you expect from a machine. You must understand what a gun is capable of doing before deciding to buy it.

Besides rotary and coil machines, there is another type you probably haven’t heard, yet. It’s the pneumatic tattoo gun. How does it compare to the other types?

Pneumatic or neuma tattoo machines boast practicality and versatility, the reason being – they are compatible with premade needles and tubes. Though they’re known for being expensive, these machines are value for money.

1. Performance

It’s easy to feel disappointed when a high-budget machine doesn’t do its job well. However, expensive devices usually deliver terrific performance especially when they come from reputable manufacturers.

Pneumatic machines are known for their hefty price tags regardless of the brand. Investing in one is an awesome idea.

Why? It offers great performance for your tattoo work. This type of machine uses air compression instead of coils to move the needle.

They also have straightforward designs, very distinguishable from the conventional types.

2. Easy maintenance

When you own a tattoo machine, cleaning should be a regular thing. A device that’s not properly cleaned can open the door for infections.

For this reason, you should choose a device that doesn’t need much upkeep especially if you don’t have much time on your hands. Some products offer low maintenance.

They also don’t require taking components apart for regular cleaning. Just read the description of each product to ensure that the one you’re about to buy meets this criteria.

3. Not heavy

Some believe that the best machines are the ones with a solid feel in the hand. This is not always true because compact devices can also carry out tattoo work effortlessly. Besides, not all people can tolerate weighty machines.

If you don’t feel like holding a ‘hammer’ for hours, then look for one that’s lightweight, like a neuma machine. Neuma guns weigh less than the conventional types because they aren’t loaded with wiring and stuff.

Conclusion

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We all want to buy a tattoo machine once and use it forever. Unfortunately, we can only dream because any machine will go through wear and tear, and get broken eventually.

The best thing we can do is buy a quality product that lasts for years. Since there are so many choices, figure out your needs before shopping around. Find out if a machine can meet your requirements and allow easy customization.

The best tattoo machines come with varying degrees of capability. Some offer higher accuracy, better control, and more versatility than the others.