Best Tattoo Machine Brands: Reviews and Buying Guide 2023
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Some of the best tattoo machine brands have been around for a long time.
Why does a brand matter? It is more than just ‘matters’.
It holds the utmost importance because well-known brands have an established image of quality in people’s mind.
If you don’t want to waste your time searching for a quality machine, then just buy it from a reputable supplier.
This is an instant way to get a product that has great quality.
Tattoo equipment is a growing market. There are quite a lot of big players in this niche.
You won’t have a hard time finding good products and brands.
So without further ado, here are some of our top picks:
Related: Types of Tattoo Machines | Tattoo Pen Machines | Rotary Tattoo Machines | Coil Tattoo Machines | Liner Tattoo Machines | Tattoo Power Supply
Best Tattoo Machine Brands
1. Dragonhawk
Dragonhawk is one of the leading companies in the tattoo industry.
Its products have been acknowledged by professional artists around the world.
Founded in 2001, the company has everything to support your growth as an artist.
It has a wide selection of machines, from coils to rotary machines. It also sells plenty of other supplies at competitive prices.
If you browse through Amazon especially the tattoo supplies section, you’ll come across many of Dragonhawk products and they usually earn amazing reviews from buyers.
In choosing a Dragonhawk machine, you should know what you’re looking for because its products are diverse.
If you need a coils machine, then focus on finding the right one.
If you want a rotary one, make sure it fits your budget and needs.
2. Stigma
Stigma is another reputable tattoo supplier that produces different types of tattoo machines.
The products have excellent quality, but there’s a much bigger appeal of this particular brand.
It proactively promotes the artistry of tattoo.
This puts the company ahead of its rivals. Besides, tattoo artists also look up to it for some inspiration.
Stigma has a great lineup of rotary machines.
This type has been gaining in popularity thanks to the practicality and versatility.
The company offers some of the most powerful rotary machines. It sells products in sets, too.
So if you need a tattoo machine along with its complementary elements like needles and a power supply, then browse through the company’s catalogue.
You’ll find quite a lot of tempting choices.
Rotary machines are suitable for beginners since they come with easy operation.
They can also perform different tattoo techniques, but in terms of performance, the coil varieties are more reliable.
Whenever you need a machine for practice, just check out all of stigma’s products. And one might spark your interest.
3. Solongtattoo
The Solongtattoo is the epitome of quality. Its products have been dominating the market for years thanks to their exemplary quality.
It strives to give a good first impression to anyone who just learned about tattoos or has been in the business for long.
Many people don’t want to have a tattoo for thinking that it’s a painful procedure.
But one thing to remember, the tattoo business has evolved by leaps and bounds in recent years.
There are many products that can help manage the pain that often comes with getting a tattoo.
The company also has products to ensure that the outcome is worth all the suffering.
There is a broad range of products that the company sells, such as machines, needles, grips, and other supplies.
Safety is another thing that the company never compromises on.
All the products from the machines to needles have been strictly sterilized to high standards of hygiene.
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4. Mast
The company prides itself in providing quality tattoo supplies.
Here you can find a wide variety of products, such as tattoo machines, traditional needles, cartridge needles, etc.
The machines have interesting designs and possess incomparable strength.
These features are among the most essential ones in selecting a machine.
Please find out what a machine is made of because each metal has distinct characteristics.
The MAst brand is well-known for its commitment to research and development, which has resulted in the introduction of tattoo machines with cutting-edge design features (such as various modern-looking rotary tattoo pens)
Nearly all tattoo machine products by this brand deliver working stability, which are key factors that determine quality.
There is no doubt that this brand will appeal to everyone, from novices to experienced tattooists..
5. Redscorpion
Redscorpion is known for its affordable solid tattoo machines.
The company sells rotary and coil tattoo machines with outstanding quality.
Make sure to read the specifications of a product prior to purchasing.
You need to know what material the machine is constructed from.
Different metals possess different hardness and resistance to wear and tear.
Broadly speaking, tattoo machines by this company are reliable. They offer uniform working speed and high stability.
This is important to prevent damage on the skin. They’re also quiet during operation.
However, not all machines provide this convenience. Rotary machines are usually the quieter ones.
The coil varieties, on the other hand, tend to produce significant noise outputs because that’s just how they’ve always been.
Their hitting power is stronger, though, which means the noise was there for a reason.
6. Bishop
Bishop was founded in 2008 by Franco Vescovi, a tattoo artist and machine engineer with more than 25 years of expertise in the tattoo industry.
Franco is fascinated with developing cutting-edge goods that instill confidence in Tattooists and enable them to perform to their fullest potential.
The company’s main focus is on rotary tattoo machines and other related tattoo supplies.
It seems that Bishop doesn’t have any coil machine product lines, so you’ll be dissappointed if you are a coil lover.
But with decades of expertise, incredible inovation, and product care/maintenance — yes, you will get a 1-Year Warranty as well as access to their specialized repair department — it’s no surprise that so many professional Tattoo Artists love Bishop products.
Who is this product intended for?
Given the product’s high price, Bishop’s target clientele mostly comprises professional or established tattoo artists.
However, if you have the financial means and are really committed to obtaining the finest gear for your tattooing profession, you can always purchase their incredible goods.
Related: Tattoo Kits for Beginners | Tattoo Kits for Professional | Tattoo Pen vs Tattoo Gun | Tattoo Guns for Beginners
How to determine the best tattoo machine brands
1. Ask your tattoo artist
Someone who has been in this business for long should know brands that many people use and trust.
Let’s say you’re working with a tattoo artist and want to have your own machine. Just ask him the machine he uses to create the art.
There are endless choices, but tattoo machines fall into two main categories, rotary and coil types.
Both have strengths and weaknesses. Just ask for advice from your artist especially pertaining to aspects of tattoo guns, including the types, materials, uses, etc.
2. Read reviews
Another way to determine a good machine is by looking at the rating.
On any marketplace where you’re looking for a product, it’s advised to take advantage of the search feature.
Sort products by rating, so that you get the highest-rated ones gathered in one page.
Reputable brands normally have products with excellent ratings.
Some may receive lukewarm reception, but it has to do more with the quality of the said products instead of the company as a whole.
3. Product lineup
Some companies specialize in providing certain tattoo supplies, while others are more varied in their offerings.
The number of products that a company has can be an indicator of its experience in this business.
It’s normal for a company that has been around for ages to have a wide selection of products because it keeps adding new ones to the lineup.
The ongoing innovation is the driving force behind its success.
If you find a brand with an extensive catalogue, chances are it had been founded even before had an interest in tattoos and still continues to advance innovation to meet the growing demand for tattoo supplies.
Top Tattoo Machine Brands Final Thoughts
Buying a tattoo machine is no different from buying any other tattoo equipment.
Being realistic will save you from major disappointment. As we know, tattoo machines come in all sizes and prices.
More expensive products usually offer more in terms of performance and overall quality.
Meanwhile, affordable guns can still get the job done, but they might not be the most favorable especially if you expect extraordinary quality.
The rule of thumb is, don’t hesitate to spend more on quality because price often goes hand in hand with it.
Whether you’re a novice or a professional, knowing the best tattoo machine brands is important as it will lead your way to find the most fitting product.
Companies are vying to increase their brand awareness. And when a company has reached this point, you can rest assured that its products are valued for money.
However, it’s also important to know your needs before buying a machine. Even in one company you can find products with different capabilities.
For example, a well-known brand could sell coil machines and rotary machines at the same time.
They are apples and oranges. It’s hard to compare the two because they have pros and cons.
If you need something to do intricate line work, a coil machine would be more suited for it.
But if you need a machine that doesn’t create a buzzing noise, the other type is the better option since quietness is one of a rotary machine’s selling points.