We researched dozens of recommended airbrush kits to find the best ones, keeping usage, paint capacity, skill level, and value at top of mind. Our front runner is the Grex Tritium Series Airbrush Combo Kit comes highly recommended by artists and amateurs alike, provides a consistent application, and has an ultra-quiet compressor. But, it’s not the only airbrush kit that passed our test with flying colors. Here are the best airbrush kits, whether you’re looking to coat a model train in some pigment, work with acrylic paints, or want to up the ante on your watercoloring skills. Keep in mind that this kit is also on the pricier side; however, we think you really get what you pay for, which is a high-quality airbrush system that will last. Items Included: Premium Tritium Series airbrush in either top of side gravity feed, a mini compressor, airbrushing accessories The biggest downside to this kit is that it is expensive for a beginner. So, we recommend being sure you’re going to get a lot of use out of it before purchasing. Items Included: Airbrush, compressor, spray out pot, paints, airbrush cleaner, Iwata Medea Super Lube, thread sealer, nozzle wrench, LED magnifier, two cleaning brushes, washing brush, 50 pipe cleaners, storage case Items Included: Airbrush, compression, six Schmincke watercolors, two painting surfaces, a three-pack of 5 x 7 textured Ampersand Clayboard, eight sheets of watercolor paper, three watercolor brushes, palette, airbrush cleanser We selected this kit specifically for its acrylic usage, as the multiple airbrushes allow you to customize your stroke for all different types of projects. Its one main flaw is that even though it is beginner-friendly, it doesn’t have the most detailed instructions—so there can be a learning curve for anyone who is brand new to airbrushing. Items Included: Compressor, three airbrushes, water-based acrylic paint kit There’s one thing to watch out for, though: Some reports say it is automatically set on the medium setting, which can be a concern for those looking to start their confectionery decor on low. Items Included: Airbrush, compressor with three airflow settings, 12 airbrush food colors, user guide with design techniques Items Included: Airbrush, propellant, air connector, five clip caps, five dip tubes, five 1/4 ounce paints Items Included: Airbrush with hose, two 1/4 ounce bottles, two clip caps, two dip tubes, Aztec airbrush propellant, cleaning wire, pipette Items Included: Airbrush, rechargeable battery, three paint cups, five cleaning brushes
Paint Capacity
According to Olsen and Ott, you should always pay attention to the paint capacity of the airbrush in the kit. They note that projects that require a lot of paint will require a larger capacity. “Make sure the airbrush within the kit can accommodate your project needs,” says Ott.
Portability
Some airbrush kits offer portability, thus providing more convenience and flexibility with your projects. You’ll have more control and deal with less hassle without tubing in the way. Just keep in mind that these travel-friendly options normally run on a battery that’ll need to be charged more often than not and are best used on miniature projects.
Why Trust The Spruce Crafts
Contributing writer Jessie Quinn has a Bachelor’s Degree from Academy of Art University and is the daughter of a painter, so paint was the first artform she was introduced to. For this roundup, Jessie used her experience sourcing painting supplies and journalistic research skills to determine the best airbrush kits. Throughout her research, she also considered different types of uses—including watercolor and cake decorating—value, skill level, and customer reviews. As a result, she curated a robust list of airbrush kits for all of your painting needs and requirements. With that said, ventilation is extremely important. While they prefer airbrushing outdoors, Olsen and Ott say to open up the windows and utilize fans to “direct the paint fumes away so they are not inhaled” if you choose to paint inside. When it comes down to it, choosing gravity versus siphon airbrushes depends on the type of work you’re doing. “Gravity airbrushes are great for finer detail brushes and when you’ll be using a lot of different colors,” says Vacey. She adds that when working with a larger surface, siphon airbrushes are easier to work with.
