Best Tattoo Gun of 2024
A research based guide for beginners to choose best tattoo gun: Brands like Solong, Ambition, DragonHawk, Stigma, Hawink and EZTAT2 were studied to determine which tattoo gun is best for beginners.
The tattoo industry is growing with each passing day in the US and outside the US. Youth takes immense interest in the art of tattooing by expressing their idea of life on their body. Tattoo parlors and shops have become the magnets for this audience. As the number of people aspiring to get a tattoo is increasing, the population of tattoo artists is also growing parallel. Opting a career as a tattoo artist is not only a passion, but also a great responsibility. The beginners in this industry not only need to have the skills but also awareness of using the right equipment like tattoo guns and its accessories. It’s a gradual process of learning. A physician cannot conduct a complex surgery in the beginning of his career, same holds true with a tattoo artist. Initially, you start with simple ideas and with easy to handle equipment however with the time, practice and patience; you craft your skills and get mastered for complex tattoo machines. The skill level of a tattoo artist must match with the tattoo machine he operates, to produce effective results. So, for beginners, the best option is a machine which they can hold like a pen with a friendly grip. For this, tattoo guns or tattoo pens are the best choice to start the journey.
Which machine you should use as beginner tattoo artist?
- The friendship between you and your equipment is essential. You should be easy with your machine. Consider your tattoo machine like a pen in your hand. If you are not easy holding your pen, it will definitely affect your handwriting. You cannot draw neat and well-shaped lines/strokes with this pen no matter how master you are in your calligraphy skills.
- The next important thing for a learner is affordability. An affordable tattoo gun in the start of your practice/learning years is somewhat a divine help.
- It should be less noisy so you can be more focused
- It should not be very complex to assemble or de-assemble.
- If the machine is wireless and battery operated, make sure its battery life is good. The machine should not get drain its battery in the middle of your work so keep this point in your mind if you want to choose best wireless tattoo machine. Be wise in choosing battery packs for long tattooing sessions.
- If you want to purchase a tattoo gun with a cord without chargeable battery, make sure it has lengthy cord so that the artist movement is not restricted during his performance.
- The weight of the machine should not make your hand tired because you need long hours of working with it.
Considering all the points mentioned above, the type of tattoo machine fits best for a learner is Pen Type Tattoo machine. Here are some of the deep researched tattoo machines by companies for the beginners tattooists.
|
Company
|
Model
|
Kit
|
Wireless
|
Recommendation
|
Details
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
EK128B
|
Yes
|
No
|
Best for those with very low budget and do not have any accessory, need a non-wireless, good for practice
|
||
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Best for low budget, already having some accessories and want a wireless option, good for practice
|
|||
|
Soldier
|
No
|
Yes
|
Best for those who already have some experience, good for personal and professional use
|
||
|
Mast Archer
|
No
|
Yes
|
Best for those with medium budget, not require any accessories, good for personal and professional use
|
||
|
Atom
|
Yes
|
No
|
Best for low budget having some accessories already and want a non-wireless option, good for practice
|
||
|
HWP6KITP155
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Best for those with very low budget and do not have any accessory and want a wireless option, good for practice
|
||
|
Mast Tour
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Best for those with medium budget, having already some accessories, good for personal and professional use
|
||
|
EZP3Pro
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Best of all time but expensive
|
||
|
EM149
|
No
|
Yes
|
Best for medium budget having already accessories, good for personal and professional use
|
||
|
EM122PB20KIT
|
Yes
|
No
|
Best for medium budget wanting a non-wireless option
|
Best choice for Beginners
If you are a beginner, it is advisable to explore the options in which complete kits are available. These kits contains tattoo pens along with its accessories like inks, cartridge, needles, inks, practice skin, transfer paper, gloves etc. (depending upon what you select). These kits are perfect for those artists who are at a zero level and not sure about the compatibilities of the related products e.g. which needle is used with what type of tattoo pen. For artist who already have knowledge and required accessories, can purchase single tattoo machine and continue their practice. Here we give both the options for the beginners
For tattoo artist, stroke length is a very important factor. Generally these strokes are categorized depending upon their length and function. In general, medium stroke length is recommended for beginners.
For the convenience of beginner artists, characteristics of 10 selected tattoo gun after intense search are summarized in the table below:
|
Brand
|
Tattoo Gun
|
Wireless
|
Needle Lenght
|
Output Stroke
|
Battery
|
Operating Voltage
|
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Material
|
Length
|
Diameter
|
Weight
|
Motor
|
RPM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Solong
EK128B
|
Aircraft Aluminium
|
157mm
|
51mm
|
317g
|
Taiwan
|
8V -8k
|
No
|
3.3 mm
|
0-4.0mm
|
_
|
_
|
|
Solong EM128KIT
PRD50-1-US
|
Aircraft Aluminium
|
157mm
|
51mm
|
367g
|
Taiwan
|
8V -8k
|
Yes
|
3.3mm
|
0-4.0mm
|
1500
mAh
|
7-12V
|
|
Ambition
Soldier
|
Aluminium alloy
|
148mm
|
32mm
|
210g
|
Japan
|
12V – 10.5k
|
Yes
|
Adjustable
|
4.0mm
|
2400mAh
|
5-12 V
|
|
Mast Archer
|
Aluminium alloy
|
132mm
|
32mm
|
186g
|
Mcore
|
12V-10.5K
|
Yes
|
Adjustable
|
3.0mm
|
2,000mAhs
|
5-12V
|
|
Atom
|
Aluminium alloy
|
_
|
_
|
135g
|
Japan
|
8V -8k
|
No
|
0-4.5 mm
|
3.5 mm
|
_
|
5-15V
|
|
Hawink
|
Aluminium alloy
|
_
|
_
|
_
|
_
|
8V-8k
|
Yes
|
3.5-4.5mm
|
3.5 mm
|
1600mAh
|
5-12V
|
|
EZ P3 Pro
|
Aircraft-grade aluminium
|
135mm
|
32-39mm
|
247g
|
Swiss
|
12v-10k
|
Yes
|
0 - 4.5.0mm
|
2.0 - 4.2mm
|
1600mAh
|
5-12V
|
|
Mast Tour
|
Aircraft-grade aluminium
|
85mm
|
25mm
|
139g
|
Mcore
|
8v-9k
|
Yes
|
Adjustable
|
3.5mm
|
1200mAh
|
5-8V
|
|
Stigma EM149
|
Aluminium
|
133mm
|
31, 32.5mm
|
215.5g
|
German
|
_
|
Yes
|
0-4mm
|
3.5mm
|
2000mAh
|
5-12V
|
|
Stigma EM122
|
Aircraft grade aluminium
|
_
|
_
|
_
|
German
|
8v-8k
|
No
|
0 - 3.5 mm
|
3.0 mm
|
_
|
7-12V
|
SOLONG EK128B
SOLONG EK128B
This kit is a great option for low budget artists to begin their journey. Kit include all the essential things including rotary tattoo pen (model: EM128), power supply, practice skin, transfer paper, foot pedal, gloves, cups, RCA cord, tattoo ink set, tattoo cartridge needles etc. Gun itself, made of aircraft aluminum alloy is light, portable and compatible with almost cartridge needles on the market. Its output stroke is 0-4mm with needle protrusion of 3.3 mm. It is non-wireless tattoo gun of 157mm length supplied with a power supply (Input voltage: 100-240V 50-60 Hz; output voltage: 0-13.0V. You can also purchase a wireless tattoo battery to gain connectivity versatility.
- A very economical option to initiate your tattooing journey
- A complete starter kit: Great for beginners, almost everything you need to get started is in this kit
- Wide range output stroke (use safe stroke level as beginner)
- Super quiet
- One piece tattoo gun
- Not wireless
- Single needle stroke length
SOLONG EM128KITPRD50-1-US
SOLONG EM128KITPRD50-1-US
This kit is a wireless option of EK128B (above) provided with a wireless rechargeable 1500mAH battery by Hawink®. In both these kits, EM128 tattoo machine is included but this kit is with less accessories. The battery is lightweight design (50grams) but obviously it adds some weight to the tattoo machine as compared to the above package. The battery has 5 levels of control voltage 4.5V, 6V, 7.5V, 9V, 10.5V. Battery has indicator lightings which represents the voltage level and the current electricity capacity. The package includes tattoo gun, battery, USB cord and cartridge tattoo needles.
- Cheaper option for starter
- Gun is easy to go
- Can adjust the depth of needle
- Easy to clean
- Battery with USB cord
- A separate battery adds slight weight to the gun but at the same time it is an advantage that the battery can be dissembled from gun easily
- Only 5 levels of voltage adjustments
- No digital display
AMBITION SOLDIER
AMBITION SOLDIER
Ambition Soldier is a light weight (210 g) and thin diameter (32mm) tattoo gun made of aluminum alloy with a Japanese motor and 4mm stroke cam. You can adjust the needle length by rotating the grip. It is both for beginners and professionals. Machine is provided with an extra battery while each battery builds by 3x 800mAh lithium with 2400mAh capacity. The LED display battery shows the remaining power, and the full power will display 4 divisions. Fast charging mode by USB data cable enable full charging in 1.5-2 hours.
- Lightweight and thin
- Japanese motor
- Easy adjustable voltage with pause and resume button
- RCA adapter to use it with a power supply
- Battery life is good with 2 batteries
- LED display
- Needle depth is adjustable
- Slightly expensive
- Single output stroke length
- No accessories are included
MAST ARCHER
MAST ARCHER
It is wireless rotary tattoo gun with digital LCD voltage screen and easily adjustable voltage. The machine is a one piece body with 186g net weight and 32mm diameter that makes it perfect for easy handling. It has a standard 3.5mm output stroke length that is perfect initiation point for beginners to practice liner and shader. Depth of the needle can be adjusted by clockwise and anticlockwise action. The Mast archer can be used wireless or cabled with USB-C fast charge cord.
- Wireless, quiet, low vibration
- LCD display with easily adjustable voltage
- Adjustable needle depth
- Easily adjustable voltage
- USB-C fast charge cord
- Light weight and Easy grip (2 disposable grips)
- No accessories included like ink, skin, gloves,
- Single output stroke length
DRAGONHAWK ATOM
DRAGONHAWK ATOM
Dragonhawk Cartridge Tattoo Machine Kit 1013-7 US is provided with rotary tattoo gun with DC Clip Cord, Power Supply, cartridge needle, foot pedal and carry case. The tattoo pen is light weight (135g) with a standard 3.5 stroke that is idea for starter get easy tattoo lining and shading and permanent makeup work. The needle depth is adjustable from 0mm to 4mm. Cartridges are super easy to use. The kit includes a 145g LCD portable mini tattoo power supply. The Input voltage of power supply is 100 – 230V AC，50～60Hz with an over voltage protecting feature.
HAWINK
HAWINK
It is an economical and cheap option with all essential tools required by a beginner artist to start his art journey. The kit is supplied with tattoo machine (Atom), RCA cord, ink set, battery, tattoo needles, tattoo cups, rubber gloves, grip cover tape, transfer paper and practice skin. The tattoo gun is thin and has s standard stroke output of 3.5mm. The wireless lithium battery (1600mAh) with an LED digital display is available with five different voltage outputs from 4.5V-10.5V with an increment +/-0.5v.
Note: This kit displays a warming: It is starter tattoo kit and is only used for practice. Please do not tattoo on human skin if you are not a professional tattoo artist.
- Portable LED display mini battery
- RCD module
- Type C fast charging interface
- Compatible with most brands of power supplies and tattoo needles in the market
- A complete package/kit for beginners
- Only five output voltage adjustments are available
MAST TOUR
MAST TOUR
MAST TOUR by Dragonhawk is highly recommended pen tattoo machine for beginners for its easy grip, light weight and M-core motor. The gripping diameter (25 mm ) and weight (139 g) makes it possible to use it like a pen. It can be used for lining, shading and color packing. The frame of the machine is made up of high-quality aluminium and is provided with RCA module so it can be connected with power supply too. Two batteries each with 1200 mAh and LED light are enough for a whole day art work. Another highlight feature is that the length of needles can be adjusted by rotating battery.
- Wireless and easy handled grip
- RCA module furthers facilities to adapt the connectivity option
- Type-C charging cord
- 2 batteries: charging time of each battery is about 3 hours, and the usage time is about 6 hours (2×6)
- Good for line work, black and grey shading, solid color packing
- Memory function to remember the last voltage used
- Needle lengths are adjustable
- No pause button
- No digital display
- Single stroke length
EZ P3 PRO
EZ P3 PRO
This kit includes wireless tattoo machine pen (EZ P3 Pro), a battery, tattoo needle cartridges, grip bandage, ink cups, practice skin, black tattoo ink, type-C charging cable and tattoo gloves. Tattoo gun is a smart easy grip machine with 247g weight and 32- 39 mm diameter (depending upon which grip you chose and its availability) with Swiss motor. The kit is suitable for both: the beginners and the professional artist. The highlight of the machine is its ability to adjust six different stroke lengths: 2.0, 2.4, 2.8, 3.3, 3.7, 4.2 mm that makes it suitable for tattooing, permanent makeup and SMP. It suit for precise line work, black and grey shading. The battery capacity is 1600mAh with a digital display showing operating voltage and remaining power.
- A complete package for beginners
- Adjustable Stroke Length
- OLED screen shows operating voltage and remaining power
- Compatible with most of cartridges in the tattoo industry.
- Easy adjustable Voltage
- Memory Function
- Bulit-in Timer
- Bluetooth and App function will release in future to control your P3 Pro to perform various operations.
- Expensive
STIGMA EM149
STIGMA EM149
EM149 Wireless tattoo machine or formerly known as Stigma Owen won the ‘2022 Excellent design of China Tattoo’ is a wireless tattoo pen with German motor. Fully charged machine lasts for 8 to 12 hours. The main advantage of the machine is its 3 grip functionality. Ultra short pen grip for delicate and fine lining, short pen grip for small mag shading and coloring, long pen grip for big mag shading and coloring. The gun is provided with 3.5 mm stroke length with 0-4.0 mm needle protrusion. The lithium polymer battery of this machine has 2000 mAh capacity and does not support removal.
Bluetooth function is reserved inside the machine to support wireless pedals in the later stage of expansion.
- LCD Digital display
- Easy voltage adjustable
- Pause button
- 3 different handles suitable for different pen holding length
- One piece assembly
- Slightly expensive
- Do not have all accessories included in kit
- Battery is not replaceable
- Single 3.5 stroke output
Stigma EM122PB20KIT
STIGMA EM122PB20KIT
This kit is provided with Stigma Rocket Pro Tattoo Machine Pen (model: EM122), power supply with foot pedal, RCA connector cords, tattoo cartridges, gloves, tattoo strap, disposable covers etc. The tattoo gun is made of aircraft aluminum provided with German motor and standard 3.0 mm needle stroke size. The supported needle protrusion ranges from 0 to 3.5 mm. The power supply has input voltage of AC 90-240V, DC 12V and output voltage of 2-12V. This Pro Power supply is CE Certified with Safety Certification Adapter.
- Economical
- A complete package for beginners
- Power supply with a digital LCD
- Non-wireless
- Single standard stroke
CONCLUSIONS
There are no hard and fast rules of deciding the tattoo gun on the basis of pros and cons. It is all about priorities of the artist using it. Sometime the advantage of one tattoo machine becomes disadvantage for the other users. We can understand it by the following example
Some artists prefer to use single body tattoo pen to avoid hassle of assembly/disassembly of the machine. However, in tattoo machines with separate wireless battery, frequent assembling of machine with battery makes the connections loose with the passage of time. But at the same time, it is easy to clean them. In separate batteries, you can also utilize the option of changing battery.
Of course different tattooists have found different experience with any of the above mentioned brands. Remember, these are all electronic items whose durability and functionality is also dependent on who is using it (one of the factors). Sometime, pre-mature artist found a gun not easy or even less durable but the same gun is handy for a professional one.
This starter tattoo kit is only used for practice. Please do not tattoo on human skin if you are not a professional tattoo artist. If there are no professional prepared working and professional aftercare, the wound may be infected and damage the skin.
Note: Please read our Affiliate Disclosure and Affiliate Disclaimer policy carefully.