Best Professional Tattoo Machines

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Best Professional Tattoo Machines

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How to Choose the Best Professional Tattoo Machines

In the market for a professional tattoo machine but aren’t sure where to start? There are so many choices, it’s hard to know where to start. Well, worry no more. We put in a lot of time researching some of the best-selling products and most popular brands to put together this list of ten professional tattoo machine reviews. But before we jump right in, let’s take a closer look at some of the features you need to know about before shopping.

Best Professional Tattoo Machines

Material: The material the frame is made of is the biggest factor when it comes to the weight of the tattoo gun. The ones on our list are made of a variety of metals, like steel, brass, cast iron, and aluminum.

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Voltage: Whether you’re using a liner or shader will determine how much voltage your machine is going to use. Generally, shading will use a lower voltage than lining does. In guns that do both, voltage varies from about 3 to 10.

How to Choose the Best Professional Tattoo Machines

Wrap Coil: Coil machines are one of the newer types of tattoo guns that have developed. They work by using electromagnetic energy moving through coils to propel the tattoo needle, pushing and pulling it into and out of the skin.

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Type: There are 2 types of gun in our reviews. Liners and shaders. Liners are for outlining designs and require a little more power. Shaders, on the other hand, are used to fill after the outlining is done.

Best Professional Tattoo Machines

Weight: Our picks vary in weight a little, from 3.2 to 13 ounces. The biggest thing to keep in mind is that you should use a machine that is light enough for you to be in good control.

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Rotary: Rotary machines are the other type of machine we reviewed, in addition to coils. The very first tattoo machines ever were rotary machines. But don’t worry. They’re been tweaked and fine-tuned and have come a long way since then.

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Now that you know more about the key features to look for when buying professional tattoo machines, we can move into our reviews. If you’re running short on time, check out our top and budget picks first. They’re the first 2 items on our list and will give you a great idea of what to expect. Stick around if you can and learn more about the other awesome items rounding out our reviews. Ok, are you ready? Let’s get going.

Danny Robinson's Tattoo Machine

Danny Robinson's Tattoo Machine
If you’re looking for high quality tattoo kits, you can’t get much better than this set from Danny Robinson. You might be wondering, who’s that? He’s a popular tattoo artist based in Blackpool, England who had a hand in developing this set of tattoo machines. Yes, this is a set! You get a liner and a shader, both of which are made with a copper frame. They have a little weight to them, which we have to admit, we like. These are coil guns. The liner works really well, consistent without getting bogged down. The shader is a reliable tool, too. They actually perform just as well as other guns that are a little pricier. Plus, they look really cool, too. And here’s the kicker: these machines come with a lifetime warranty.
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Yosoo Dragonfly Tattoo Machine

Yosoo Dragonfly Tattoo Machine
Looking for professional machines for tattooing on a budget? We have a great machine for you. This tattoo gun from Yosoo is a rotary gun that is really easy to use? It’s made of stainless steel and is lightweight for better control. Because you can use this machine as either a liner or a shader, it’s really convenient. You don’t have to buy 2 machines when this one will do. All you have to do is make a few adjustments and you can easily go from liner to shader and back again. Another great thing about this tattoo gun is that it doesn’t vibrate a lot during use. That means that it’s pretty quiet as well as easy to control. Here’s our favorite part: it’s available in 6 different colors.
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Dragonhawk Tattoo Machine

Dragonhawk Tattoo Machine
Dragonhawk has a great rotary machine, too. Rotary machines are the oldest type of tattoo guns. They’ve evolved over the years as they’ve been improved and fine-tuned, but using this kind of machine is a bit of a throwback to how tattooing all started. We think that’s pretty awesome. This machine can be used for both lining and shading so it’s super versatile. Because it’s crafted from aluminum, it’s also really durable and lightweight. One of the great things about this machine is how quiet it operates, whether you’re using it as a liner or shader. It’s also really quick and efficient and ready to go right out of the box. Choose from a black, gold, green, or blue frame! Ready for the best part? Dragonhawk offers a money back, satisfaction guarantee!
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INKSTAR Halo Tattoo Machine

INKSTAR Halo Tattoo Machine
We really dig the funky appearance of this tattoo machine from INKSTAR. It’s shiny, it’s gold, it’s eye-catching. The coils are housed in a black and yellow checkerboard cover that plays well with the shiny metal. Basically, this tattoo machine just pops. But there’s a lot more to it than just looking cool! This is actually the 3rd generation of this design. What does that mean for you? INKSTAR has had a lot of time to listen to feedback and fine-tune these guns to be just right. The coils and liner springs are short and compact to help keep it lightweight without sacrificing performance. To top it off, it’s energy efficient and runs on only 6 volts of power. This machine is a solid performer that’s smooth and works like a charm.
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BRONC Tattoo Machine

BRONC Tattoo Machine
BRONC has a cool little machine to offer here. It’s a pen-style rotary cartridge. Why does this matter? It’s designed to give you a whole different experience when tattooing. Instead of feeling like a tattoo gun, this one is made to make you feel like you’re using a simple pen to do your tattoos. It’s made of aircraft aluminum and is really lightweight while also staying durable. Because it feels like something familiar, this is actually a really good machine for beginners. It’s powered by a Swiss motor that’s reliable and will last a long time. And that’s not all, it’s really quiet, too. One more thing: they offer a no hassle satisfaction guarantee. Just return it if you’re not happy to get an exchange or full refund.
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Yilong Coil Tattoo Machine

Yilong Coil Tattoo Machine
For a lightweight, compact machine that basically fits into the palm of your hand, check out the Yolong Coil Tattoo Machine. Believe it or not, it only weighs 3.2 ounces! How does it manage to be so durable and small? It’s made of high-quality low-carbon steel. Another great thing about this machine is how good it is a maintaining a good temperature. It gets rid of built-up heat really effectively and can be used up to 8 hours at a time. It comes with the things you need for maintenance and adjustments: 3 different sizes of Allen wrench, caps, rubber bands. Oh, and we just really like the look of it, too. The frame is dark greenish blue and is accented but the bright green of the coils.
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Hommii Tattoo Machine

Hommii Tattoo Machine
If you prefer a rotary gun, this Hommii Tattoo Machine is going to make you very happy. This is a versatile rotary machine that functions as both a liner and a shader. We love that fact that the frame is made of space aluminum alloy. Aluminum is a lightweight but durable material which means that this machine is also lightweight and durable. Great care is taken when these machines are put together. All the little bits are made precisely and accurately. And get this. It’s assembled by hand. That way, they can make sure that everything is adjusted and is exactly as it should be. This machine runs pretty quietly, too. It’s great at temperature control and keeps cool so you can use it for up to 5 hours without worrying about overheating.
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Bolayu Tattoo Machine

Bolayu Tattoo Machine
This rotary tattoo machine can be used as a liner or shader and really makes a great tool for professionals. For one thing, it’s just really comfortable to use. Why is that the case? Because it’s ergonomically designed to fit into your hand just right. That makes it easy to hold and use while also preventing pain and discomfort during and after long tattooing sessions. You can adjust the force from hard to soft easily to switch between lining and shading. This machine is compatible with most standard supplies, like needles, grips, and tubes. Plus, we love how quietly it runs. If you’re looking for a machine that comes in a fun color, never fear! Bolayu gives you 10 different ones to choose from, including hot pink, blue, red, gold, and purple.
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York Tattoo Coil Machine

For a powerful tattoo machine that’s meant for lining, there’s this one from York Tattoo Mall. Why do we say it’s powerful? Because it has 12 coils. The more coils there are, the more powerful and stable the tattoo machine is. For example, an 8 coil gun can run fast but it won’t have as much power behind it as this one will. The frame of this one is made out of high-quality brass. Get this: it can work for up to 4 hours without getting hot. This machine is for lining only, but it’s really good at what it does. Here’s the kicker: every machine sent out by York Tattoo Mall is adjusted by the artist first. It will be at its best right out of the box.
For a powerful tattoo machine that’s meant for lining, there’s this one from York Tattoo Mall. Why do we say it’s powerful? Because it has 12 coils. The more coils there are, the more powerful and stable the tattoo machine is. For example, an 8 coil gun can run fast but it won’t have as much power behind it as this one will. The frame of this one is made out of high-quality brass. Get this: it can work for up to 4 hours without getting hot. This machine is for lining only, but it’s really good at what it does. Here’s the kicker: every machine sent out by York Tattoo Mall is adjusted by the artist first. It will be at its best right out of the box.
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Dragonhawk Complete Tattoo Kit

Looking for something a bit more complete? How about a whole kit that gives you some awesome tattoo machines and a bunch of supplies to go with it? These Dragonhawk tattoo kits actually come with 2 different guns - a liner and a shader, both coils. But that’s not all. You get 10 different colors of tattoo ink, too, all made in the USA. This kit also contains a power supply, foot pedal, and clip cord. If you want to practice your skills, you can do that with the included tattoo needles and practice skin. And when you’re ready to move on to real skin, there’s transfer paper to get your design right before you get started. You also get a few things you need for maintenance and to make adjustments, including a set of Allen wrenches.
Looking for something a bit more complete? How about a whole kit that gives you some awesome tattoo machines and a bunch of supplies to go with it? These Dragonhawk tattoo kits actually come with 2 different guns - a liner and a shader, both coils. But that’s not all. You get 10 different colors of tattoo ink, too, all made in the USA. This kit also contains a power supply, foot pedal, and clip cord. If you want to practice your skills, you can do that with the included tattoo needles and practice skin. And when you’re ready to move on to real skin, there’s transfer paper to get your design right before you get started. You also get a few things you need for maintenance and to make adjustments, including a set of Allen wrenches.
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About the Author

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Kimberly Graf

Expert Researcher and Writer

Kimberly Graf is a researcher and writer for GeekWrapped.com. She covers kitchen, cooking, and home products.

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Article last updated on:

September 30, 2019

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Danny Robinson's Tattoo Machine

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