Best Tattoo Machine Reviews 2018

Have you ever wanted to learn how to tattoo from the comfort of your home? Are you looking to make a business from tattooing and need to hone your skills? If the answer is yes, you don’t have to worry as we’ve found 5 machines from some of the best tattoo machine brands out there that are easy to use and well designed!

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Type

Suitable for

Accessories

Weight

Extras

Our Top Choice

Dragon Hawk Complete Tattoo Machine Kit

Dragon Hawk is a professional tattoo supplier, founded in 2001, which distributes a large selection of tattoo kits, machines and accessories for beginners and professionals.

Suitable for beginners, this tattoo machine comes with instructions on how to tattoo. It is stable, reliable and easy to use. The foot pedal is made from stainless steel for durability.

The black ink it comes with is not very dark.

Liner and shader

Beginners and experienced

Needles, inks and more

3.4 pounds

Made in USA

Best Value

Getbetterlife Brass Tattoo Machine

Getbetterlife was founded in 2007 and since then has been selling quality products in the areas of tattoo kits and accessories, piercings, makeup and more.

The shader has 12 coil wraps and the liner 10 coil wraps. The heights of the coil are 28 mm each. They have a good weight and flow. The cooper coils have sparrow capacitors.

No power supplies or clip cords.

Liner and shader

Beginners

None

1.61 pounds

Carrying cases

Eyepower 6 Gun Tattoo Machine Kit

Eyepower is a popular company distributing tattoo supplies, machines and machine parts. Its products are known for their durability and ease of use.

5 guns are made of steel and one gun has a bronze antique finish. They have a smooth operation, making them a pleasure to use. A tutorial video for beginners is included.

The colors of the inks are not very strong.

Liner, shader, color

Beginners and experienced

Foot switch, inks and more

8.6 pounds

Sturdy carrying case

Monster Point Cast Iron Wrap Tattoo Machine

Monster Point is a tattooing products supplier popular for its innovative designs. It tattooing machines are affordable, durable and have a reputation for quality.

Moreover, it has a solid cast iron frame with a heat fired effect, phenolic washer and hardened springs. It can be professionally modified and works smoothly.

No inks or other accessories included.

Liner, shader, color

Beginners and experienced

None

0.55 pounds

Fully customizable

Solong Tattoo Rotary Tattoo Machine

Solong Tattoo is a tattoo and beauty company founded in 2006. It’s one of the largest tattoo product manufacturers and has a reputation for sturdy products.

It accepts standard grips, tubes and needles and has a zinc alloy frame. It is lightweight and has an ergonomic and pleasant design.

The RCA cord clip is not included.

Liner and shader

Beginner and experienced

None

0.48 pounds

Silent operation

(Updated September 7, 2017)

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How Do I Choose the Best Tattoo Machine?

In 1992, near the Austrian border with Italy, on the heights of the Alps, a man’s body was discovered. His clothes and equipment were well preserved by the ice and the archeologists estimated that he was more than 5000 years old. He was said to have lived around 3300 BC. As you can imagine, this was an extremely important discovery and one of the most amazing archeological finds of the century. The mummy was named “Otzi the iceman”.

We are sure you’re wondering why we tell you about this in a tattoo machine buying guide. Well, Otzi had around both his ankles and knees different signs that looked exactly like today’s tattoos. There were around 61 such drawings consisting of horizontal or vertical lines. Upon this discovery, historians appreciated that the tattooing technique was really common in those times. So, tattooing has a long history and it’s really popular nowadays.

5000 years ago, tattoos were made with a wood-handled tool that had a sharp point, but nowadays things have simplified. There are numerous tattoo machines and tattoo kits that can help you get into tattooing. Of course, you should also have some drawing talent, an eye for colors and attention to details. Maybe even compile your previous tattoo drawings into a padfolio that people can browse through. If you’re going to make a business from tattooing, you should always use single-use kits, wear sterile gloves and always tell your clients how to take care of their tattoo and how often they have to apply cream, covering the entire tattoo. These tips will help you become the tattoo artist everyone will want to know.

Price

Quality tattoo machines should be able to perform the tasks in the safest way possible. This is why it is always good to pay close attention to all its components and examine the one you decided to buy. Most tattoo machines are priced between $15 and $200 for the ones that come with accessories and are made of superior quality materials.

You need to know that even if you have great skills, you still need the right equipment to produce quality work and we all know that quality comes at a price. As always, we advise you to go against cheap tattoo machines as they are made from poor quality materials and are not as safe as they should be.

Features

Tattoo machines are considered the most important part in creating tattoos. It doesn’t matter if you have exceptional skills and plenty of imagination, if you don’t own a good quality tattoo machine, you won’t be satisfied with the final work.

When it comes to purchasing the right tattoo machine, several factors should be given a thought such as:

Type - There are multiple types of tattoo machines on the market. Some can be used for certain tasks, but there are also hybrid versions that can perform multiple tasks. You can choose between liners or shader tattoo machines. Depending on what you need, it is good to have all of them and to use them for their specific purpose.
Weight - The weight is an important factor as you’ll have to keep it in your hand many times a day and for most of the time. The tattoo machine shouldn’t be too heavy or too big for your hands and you should feel comfortable using it.
Material - Always look for sturdiness when purchasing a tattoo machine. It should be made of strong material like iron, brass or copper. Poor quality tattoo machines can cause different damages to your client’s skin and we are sure you don’t want to lose your reputation.
Accessories - Sometimes, you’ll be able to find package deals and, especially if you are a beginner, you should consider them. Package deals contain everything you need to start tattooing, such as inks, foot pedal, clip cord, needles, gloves and more. Check out the accessories that come with the tattoo machine and decide upon the one that suits you best.

Moving further, we will find out what are the construction and design aspects when it comes to tattoo machines.

Construction and Design

The material from which the tattoo machine is made is really important and must be considered every time. The material of the frame and its thickness will affect the machine’s vibrations. Basically, the thicker the frame, the less you’ll feel the vibrations.

Most tattoo machines run on alternating current that is produced by a capacitor and the coils. Some tattoo machines come with power supply included, but others don’t. If you won’t find the power supply in the package you’ll have to purchase it separately. The power supply shows you the amount of power that goes in the tattoo gun and allows you to adjust it whenever you need to.

When it comes to the design, you have to pay close attention to it. The most important feature of tattoo guns when it comes to design is how comfortable it feels in the hand. Always check its dimensions and decide if it fits well in your hand.

Let’s see the types of tattoo machines from a mechanical standpoint:

Coil Tattoo Machines - It is suitable for shading and intricate line work and offers more control. It uses electromagnetic circuits to drive the needles.
Rotary Tattoo Machines - It is quiet, does less damage to the skin and it’s easy to use regardless of skill level. These machines use an electric motor to drive the needles.
Pneumatic Tattoo Machines - Lightweight tattoo guns that are powered by an air compressor.

Performance and Ease of Use

Tattoo machines are easy to use if you have some skills. However, if you’re a beginner it’s better to choose a tattoo kit that comes with everything you need. Tattoo machines need to be treated with utmost care and you always have to sanitize your hands before assembling or using it, or wear sanitary gloves.

Another thing you should do is to familiarize yourself with the machine: hold it in your hand, make different moves and see if it feels comfortable. After you’ve set it up, try practicing on a fruit, like an apple or a pear and see if you damage them or they look good after you’ve finished. The skin on these fruits is similar to human flesh, so it’s great to practice on them.

What is the Best Tattoo Machine?

Tattooing is prevalent all around the world. When shopping for a tattoo machine, the model you choose should be based on your budget, experience and whether you need accessories with it. If you’re a beginner, we recommend tattooing kits as they come with everything required to make your job easier. To help in your buying decision, here are our top 5 choices, including a few tattooing kits with supplies included!

Our Top Choice

The Drawgon Hawk Complete Tattoo Kit is a Best Seller on Amazon and has 2 tattoo machines included, 10 color inks, foot pedal, clips cord, tattoo needles and more. If you want more tattoo machines for a good price, check out the Dragon Hawk Complete Tattoo Kit with 4 standard tattoo machines and included power supply, sterile needles and 20 permanent inks!

Dragon Hawk Complete Tattoo Kit – 2 Machine Guns with 10 Color Inks and Power Supply, Free Instructional CD Included

Dragon Hawk Tattoo Machine 11-85YMX

Features

With over 15 years’ experience in tattoo supplies and machines, Dragon Hawk is specialized in manufacturing products based on every need of its customers. Its product lines vary from tattoo machines and power boxes to inks, needles, foot pedals, tattoo grips and more. It develops all its products based on feedback and improvement recommendations from customers.

If you’re a beginner and passionate about tattoos and the art of tattooing, the Dragon Hawk Complete Tattoo Kit is a good choice as it comes with everything you need included in the package and 2 tattoo machines for lining and shading.

See more of its features:

1 skin and 1 transfer paper included
10 immortal inks made in USA included
Ink colors: orange, ice blue, gold, purple, black, white, brown, red, sky blue, yellow
Shading and lining needles included

This product is a Best Seller, so get yours while you have the chance and amaze your clients or friends with your tattoo skills!

Best Value

The Getbetterlife Danny Robinson’s Tattoo Machines set includes a liner and shader made of brass with a pure cooper frame. It comes in 2 dedicated presentation boxes, making an ideal gift. If you prefer a tattoo machine with an aluminum frame, check out the Getbetterlife Classical Tattoo machine for lining and shading.

Getbetterlife Danny Robinson's 2 Tattoo Machine Guns - Liner and Shader, Lifetime Warranty

Getbetterlife Tattoo Machine MCC01/ MCC02

Features

Getbetterlife is a popular brand selling affordable products made of quality materials. Apart from tattoo kits, this brand also sells tattoo arm / leg rests, stencil transfer papers, all sorts of needles, aprons and many more tattoo-related products. Getbetterlife also makes products for the burgeoning make-up tattoo market, and has multiple kits for eyebrows so you can find everything you need in one place.

The Getbetterlife Danny Robinson’s Tattoo Machines are visually the same; the way you set them up is different. The liner usually uses round needles for outlines and details. The shader uses more needles in a line, and it is used for shading and coloring.

More features:

Casting technology frame
Best working volt 7-8 V
Wing nut made of pure cooper
Thumb nut screw made of brass

Getbetterlife is popular for its tattooing machines. Check its other devices and see which one fits your needs the best!

The 6 Gun Tattoo Machines Kit from Eyepower is a complete ready to use kit that includes everything you need such as inks, tattoo machines, needles, power supplies and more. If you want more tattooing devices you can check out the Eyepower 8 Gun Tattoo Kit that has 8 tattooing machines included, needle, power supplies, foot pedal and more!

Eyepower 6 Gun Tattoo Machine Kit with Practice Skin and Instructional DVD – Carrying Case Included

Eyepower Tattoo Machine S-T06

Features

Eyepower entered the tattooing industry a while ago and sells multiple tattooing related products such as needles, power supplies, foot pedals and more. This brand sells almost everything you need to start tattooing, even if you’re a complete beginner. Its tattoo machine kits are popular and have everything included from needles, ink, and foot switches to rubber bands, grommets and much more. All come packed in a customized box, which makes them portable and easy to store.

The 6 Gun Tattoo Machine Kit comes with practice skin and instructional DVD which is helpful, particularly if you are a beginner. Best of all, you also get several types of needles to experiment and practice your skills as well as multiple types of inks.

Check out the strong points of this tattooing kit:

Professional power supply system
Inks colors: Black, White, Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Brown
Ink Holder included
Carrying case with lock and keys

Eyepower has multiple tattoo kits! Check them out and get the one you prefer!

The Monster Point Liner Shader Tattoo machine features 10 wrap coils and an interesting design. It is versatile and can be used as a liner, shader or for filling color. Looking for an adjustable liner? Check out the Monster Points Tattoo Machine Gun Liner that has a polished steel frame and is great at any speed!

Monster Point Tattoo Machine - Liner and Shader with Triple Coil, Cast Iron Frame, Fully Customizable

Monster Point Tattoo Machine – 10 Wrap

Features

Monster Points sells a multitude of tattoo machines and accessories on Amazon. This brand has multi-functional tattoo gun machines carefully designed for stability and durability. Apart from tattoo machines, Monster Point also sells clip cords, arm or leg rests, sterilized needles, power supplies, grips, tubes and more. Basically, if you’re a beginner, you can find anything you need to start tattooing at Monster Point.

The Monster Point Liner Shader Tattoo is an affordable choice if you are a beginner or a professional. It’s made of high-quality materials and has a pleasant finish. It’s easy to use and multifunctional as it can be used as a shader, liner or to color.

Check out more features:

Capacitor: 47uf 50V
Runs smoothly at 10 W
Solid structure
Double fin design

Not really what you had in mind? Check out the other tattoo machines from Monster Point!

The Solong Tattoo New Rotary Tattoo Machine is available in green, black red, and 5 other colors. It is silent and smooth and can be used as both a shader and a liner. Another option for you would be the Solong Tattoo Rotary Machine Gun which is CNC-machined from aircraft aluminum and accepts standard needles and grips.

Solong Tattoo New Rotary Tattoo Machine Gun – Shader, Liner with RCA Connection, 8 Colors Available

Solong Tattoo Tattoo Machine - Green

Features

Solong Tattoo manufactures multiple products and specializes in high-quality tattoo machines, needles, pigments and inks, tips, handles and make up tools and accessories. The Solong team designs at least 10 new products every month to keep customers satisfied and maintain its position in the market. Solong Tattoo also sells body piercing tools and jewelry pieces which are appealing and durable.

This Solong Tattoo New Rotary Tattoo Machine is available in multiple colors such as black, blue, green, purple, red, pink, silver and yellow. It has an ergonomic design that is stable to work with and tattoos smoothly. It can be used by both professionals and beginners.

Here are more of its features:

Strong 4.5w motor
Works with power supplies 0 -14V
Low vibrating
Allows long periods of tattooing

Not what you had in mind? Don’t worry! Solong Tattoo has multiple tattoo machines for you to check out.

Get the Best Tattoo Machine of 2018!

Shopping for the best tattoo machine to suit one’s preference can be an overwhelming task but we hope our reviews have proved useful. If you didn’t see what you wanted, you can also try looking at other models from our recommended brands.

Our Top Choice

Dragon Hawk Complete Tattoo Machine Kit

Best Value

Getbetterlife Brass Tattoo Machine

Eyepower 6 Gun Tattoo Machine Kit

Monster Point Cast Iron Wrap Tattoo Machine

Solong Tattoo Rotary Tattoo Machine