Painting the interior walls of your house is never something you look forward to. It’s one of those jobs that, while it needs doing, you will put it off as long as you possibly can.
You might want to simply paint a wall, one that is looking a little dirty, or you may want a change of décor. Whatever you want to decorate, the will to actually do the job is often somewhat lacking.
Introducing an Interior Paint Sprayer
So, what is the alternative? An interior spray gun (if you’re new to the idea, learn more about types of paint sprayers here).
So what’s so great about home interior paint sprayers? Well, to begin with, they do away with the need for slow, outdated brushes and rollers (read more on paint sprayers vs roller), plus those awful trays, and the cleaning that goes with them.
Then, they make the job a lot easier and far quicker than it normally would be when applying indoor paint (commonly, latex paint), no matter the size of the area you are coating.
They are versatile and can be used on a wide range of different projects so you can take on any job in the home and get it done with no problem at all.
The market for spray guns is a hard-fought one, so you will find that you have a lot of research to do, which is why we have put together not only this guide but also some in-depth paint sprayer reviews that will help you make the right decision.
So let’s get straight into it and have a look at our top 5 list.
Best Interior Paint Sprayers for Painting Walls
It’s worth noting that we are not featuring $1000+ top of the range models here that are suitable for contractors or commercial use, these are around-the-house devices that will tackle any home DIY job with ease, and with greater efficiency than a brush and roller approach.
If you need something which can be serviced, customized and will work as a professional-grade machine, check out our airless paint sprayer reviews.
1. Wagner Flexio 890 Turbine HVLP Sprayer
Known as a HVLP paint sprayer (High Volume, Low Pressure), the best part about this technology is that it has adjustable pressure and easy to control and provides you with a high quality finish and is easy to use when interior paint spraying, and it can also spray materials that don’t need to be thinned (such as latex paints).
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It comes with a variety of accessories including a detail nozzle that is perfect for smaller applications, is powerful enough to cover decent areas – an 8x10ft wall in 5 minutes is the manufacturer claim – and is surprisingly portable and light so is perfect for use in and around the home or the garage and a multitude of other painting projects.
The paint sprayer tips within the gun can also be rotated to produce multiple spray patterns, such as narrow and round and the main Wagner iSpray gun comes with a 1 and a half quart cup that sits on the end of an 11.5 foot air hose.
The best part about HVLP paint sprayers like the Wagner 890 is that they’re quiet, easy to use and easy to clean and this one comes with the guarantee of Wagner quality.
So if you’re looking at electric spray guns for occasional jobs around the home, this one is rated at 10x faster than brushes and rollers and is simple to change colors and types.
Compared to brushes and rollers, for the investment, this gun is worth its weight in gold, just bear in mind that the paint cup needs to be refilled regularly.
2. Wagner Spraytech Handheld Paint Sprayer
Whilst it may be a little limited in its capacity as it is designed to be a handheld paint sprayer that can be used for smaller jobs, it is perfect as a small interior paint spray gun and is great for detail work or spraying latex paint.
As for how to use it, Wagner made it really simple. It comes with three spray settings, vertical, horizontal and narrow round and it also comes with a control flow knob which can be easily adjusted for different types of materials.
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Unlike airless paint sprayers, it’s easy to use, so you will have no trouble using it indoors as well for any outdoor painting project. It’s a good, well-made and surprisingly cheap model, but may not be the most suitable on the list if you have regular decorating needs.
One thing in favor of this spray gun is that it is very light and there’s no air hose, and it can also be cleaned very easily, so you can use this one for occasional work and have it ready for the next job in no time at all. Unfortunately, it doesn’t has adjustable pressure, so you are very much stuck with one speed setting.
One thing to note, is that this paint sprayer has quite a short power cord out of the box, so you will need an extension lead if you plan to use it over larger distances.
3. Graco Magnum X5 Airless Paint Sprayer
The Graco Magnum range is one of the most popular of all for outdoor and interior paint spraying and is one of, if not the best paint sprayer for interior walls, and their airless spray guns are both hugely impressive and massively popular among DIY’ers and professionals.
It’s a well-built, cleverly designed and popular spray painter that combines excellent features with sensible and easy to use functional controls.
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The Graco X5 airless interior paint gun uses airless technology (unlike HVLP sprayers) which is the fastest spray technology currently available (this particular model can spray approx 0.24 gallons per minute). Electric airless sprayers are powered by an electric motor that uses internal pressure to atomize and spray – so it does not need a compressor.
Airless sprayers provide a fine mist that is fully adjustable by using a different spray tip in the gun and can be tuned for different spray patterns, spraying of different fluids, including the best indoor paints, and latex paints.
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It is reasonably light but does require some setup so isn’t the easy to use on this list. It is designed for occasional use (rated at 100 gallons per year over various painting projects) and is likely a bit too advanced for those simply wanting to spray the odd room once every 2-3 years.
If you’d like to learn more about this model, read our in-depth Graco X5 review.
The X5 is designed for people that have larger than normal requirements, whether it’s a full renovation or large outbuildings that need regular protection against the elements.
The X5 paint sprayer is a very popular model with a sensible capacity as it can suck straight out of a large gallon bucket (rather than using a paint cup like HVLP paint sprayers). It’s extremely quick, designed to cover large surface areas, and with some practice can coat a mid-sized room in under 15 minutes.
With a maximum hose length of 100ft and a max flow rate of 0.27 GPM, the adjustable pressure knob allows you to cover small or large surface areas as slow or as fast as you please.
If you’re not you’re typical DIY’er and are looking to invest in a model slightly above the budget range, it’s a very strong contender and better than many Wagner models when it comes to the best indoor paint sprayer.
4. Graco Magnum X7 Airless Sprayer
The Graco X7 is a sprayer we’ve reviewed before, and is the last sprayer on our list and thus, the most capable (and most expensive). Whilst it’s part of the Graco ‘Project’ range, many professionals also use this machine for regular work which means it’s highly reliable.
It’s probably the best airless sprayer for interior walls (in the semi pro market anyway) thanks to its clever design that combines all the attributes of Graco paint sprayers with added versatility: it is transported via a clever cart system that everything can be packed away in, and so it can be taken anywhere you want easily and without hassle.
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Nevertheless, it is still lightweight with a plastic outer shell so it is still easy to move around, and is designed to perform for long periods of time on multiple projects both indoors and out.
The X7 can spray 0.31 gallons per minute and can use a spray tip up to 0.017 thou. You can also get away with not thinning your paint if it’s not too thick, which saves a bunch of time.
Far from being the cheapest of sprayers for interior walls, it’s one of the best and can accommodate a five-gallon tub that will provide a large area of coverage.
When it comes to putting it away, it has a 7.5-meter hose length that simply wraps around the cart handle, and the whole thing can be stored out of view.
5. Wagner Control Pro 150 Paint Sprayer
The Wagner Pro 150 is certainly one of the higher-end options on this list. Not only is it capable of most indoor and outdoor DIY projects, but it can also serve as a useful back-up tool for semi-professional painters and contractors.
With a .55 horsepower high-efficiency motor and up to 1500 psi, it is capable of spraying unthinned material at .29 gallons per minute using a max spray tip size of 0.015″.
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Moreover, the Wagner Control Pro 150 is able to draw from a 1 to 5-gallon tank of unthinned material which makes it a perfect option for large scale projects. Compared to airless sprayers that only utilize an integrated quart paint cup, you won’t have to constantly stop and refill throughout the project.
Though it comes with a 25 foot spray hose, its motor is powerful enough to work with up to 75 feet. The pump is particularly durable and features a rebuildable fluid section which helps extend the sprayer’s lifespan up to 3x longer then its competitors.
Wagner also makes it incredibly easy to adjust paint flow with a well-marked and hardy pressure control knob. Additionally, the Wagner 150 comes with an integrated storage system which makes it easy to organize spare tips and parts.
Perhaps the most attractive feature of the 150 is that it is built to be especially efficient. It has up to 55% less overspray for indoor paint than competing models and is capable of a soft consistent finish. The combination of decent power and a lot of control makes it an ideal choice for those with more detail-oriented work.
The Wagner 150 can be expected to make fewer mistakes and leave a more professional result.
The Control Pro 150 is a great choice for a DIYer looking for more balance between power, consistency, and detail for their painting project. It’s higher price is worth it for the control and versatility over other Wagner paint sprayers.
Buyers Guide For The Best Indoor Paint Sprayers
Graco and Wagner are by no means the only names to look for; you might also want to consider others who may also have an excellent range of sprayers.
However, from my own experience, we can say that we consider these two brands to be the leaders in affordable DIY paint spraying equipment for indoor paint.
We’ve done our best to provide you with a range of types and models that are some of the best paint sprayers for interior walls that you will be able to find online at sensible prices.
For frequent indoor – and generally, for outdoor use, we strongly recommend that you take a closer look at the many airless sprayers on offer such as the Graco X5 & Graco X7.
These exterior paint sprayers and interior paint guns combine portability and efficiency with ease of use, low maintenance, and simple cleaning, and they are highly adjustable and can be used to produce an excellent finish that – with a little practice – can reach professional standards.
Airless spray guns really are a revolution in the world of home decoration and DIY, and you will find they make the job not also easier, but far more enjoyable than with a brush or roller or using a budget sub $100 handheld system. Sprayers are also much faster than using roller methods.
The Main Types of Indoor Paint Sprayers
When it comes to indoor spraying, there are three main types of paint sprayer that you need to know about: airless sprayers, HVLP sprayers, and handheld spray guns.
Each type of interior paint sprayer has pros and cons, so it’s worth your time learning more about the different types of spraying technologies so you can decide which type is best suited for the particular job at hand.
Airless spraying technology is the much more efficient version and has become the one preferred by DIY users and nearly all professional decorators and contractors.
There are some models that are surprisingly powerful which are more geared towards the professional indoor paint sprayer market, but there is also a wide selection of interior paint sprayers that are cost-effective and perfect for occasional indoor spraying.
Which Is The Best Indoor Sprayer For You?
Easy To Use, Quickest Setup
If you are looking for an interior sprayer that you can ‘plug and spray’ without any real setup or fuss, and that can use anywhere indoors (or even outdoors) then one of the turbines, HVLP paint sprayers or handheld sprayers are the ones to look for.
These spray gun for painting walls are not built to last years, but will get smaller jobs done for very little money. If your requirements are low and you’re simply looking to save yourself a few additional days labor, then the results you can achieve with the cheap indoor paint sprayers can be just as good as the more expensive machine.
Best Results, Quality Equipment
If you’re happy to spend some time learning how to use a semi-professional spray gun and have the money to invest, we’d highly recommend looking at one of the more expensive airless systems.
Even at the entry-level price points, they still provide a much superior machine that can be used properly to achieve professional results. You’ll also find that professional-grade setups such as the Titan 440 are much better backed up by manufacturer warranties compared to a $50 throwaway sprayer.
How To Paint Interior Walls (In a Nutshell)
Spray painting interior walls is not a difficult task but there are certainly some steps you need to follow to ensure you get the job done properly.
The full process is a bit beyond the scope of this article, but it’s something we will be covering in a separate article soon.
P.s – If you’re wondering can you use exterior paint inside, yes you can, but you need to read some guidelines on doing so.
A summary of the process for decorating indoor walls is along the lines of:
- Purchase a suitable indoor spray gun.
- Buy the best indoor paint and protection equipment such as masks for your needs.
- Remove all furniture from the room and cover all floors.
- Correctly mask all windows, lights and any other fittings.
- Ensure you prepare the walls for painting
- Spray the interior walls and allow air to circulate for the walls to dry
And that’s all there is to it, in a nutshell… 🙂 Once again, here’s our top 3 favorites:
- Trusted Wagner Brand
- Quality HVLP Finish
- Fully Adjustable Control
- Walls, Cabinets, Fencing
- Trusted Graco Brand
- 10 Years of Development
- Built for Home Owners
- Rated Up To 125gl a Year
- Trusted Wagner Brand
- Handheld for Portability
- Incl. Fine Finishing Gun
- Walls, Cabinets, Fencing
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers may seem obvious to many, but here are the answers to most commonly asked questions about indoor paint sprayers.
Can I use a paint sprayer for interior walls?
Yes, you can. Paint sprayers are becoming more and more common in the average US home and the demand for them continues to grow. They are estimated to be around 10x faster than traditional brush and roller methods.
Should I roll or spray my walls?
Whether you should roll or spray your walls depends largely on the size of the wall you’re looking to paint. If it’s a small room, setting up a paint sprayer can be more hassle than using a roller. However, sprayers provide a much better paint finish.
Are paint sprayers worth it?
Paint sprayers are worth it for nearly all medium to big painting projects but can be overkill with single smaller rooms. If the painting work is going to take longer than 1-2 days, then a paint sprayer could half the time needed as they can apply many more gallons per minute than a roller.
Also consider the cost of having a contractor complete the work, versus buying a paint sprayer and doing the work yourself.
What is the best paint sprayer?
The best paint sprayer is the one that sprays the paint you’re using, at a cost you can afford. DIY users have entirely different requirements compared to professionals, and one user may have completely different needs than another.
There is no single ‘#1 paint sprayer’, it’s a case of finding the ‘paint sprayer that suits the job’.
