Looking for the best LVLP spray gun? We've got you covered!
In this ProPaintCorner Article, you’ll learn:
- What is an LVLP Spray Gun
- How an LVLP Spray gun works
- How to choose the best LVLP spray gun for your budget
And more!
You've heard of HVLP Spray Guns, and you're heard of airless paint sprayers. Now it's time to discuss the best LVLP Spray Guns you can find for your money.
An LVLP spray gun is a great option if you want to have low air consumption and use a lower strength air compressor, saving yourself some money and allowing you to jump into the world of DIY painting, or even semi-professional paint jobs quickly and cheaply.
There's a lot to learn about this different type of paint sprayer, but it's very useful information to learn, especially if you want to get into painting with as little expense as possible. So let's get started!
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Top Pick
| Our Top Pick | Astro EuroPro Forged LVLP Spray Gun
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| View on Amazon |
| Best Budget
| Best Budget | SPRAYIT LVLP Gravity Feed Spray Gun
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| View on Amazon |
| Best High End
| Best High End | SPRAYIT LVLP Gravity Feed Kit
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| View on Amazon |
|
| AEROPRO USA R500 LVLP Gravity Feed Spray Gun
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| View on Amazon | |
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| Astro Pneumatic Tool Spray Gun
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| View on Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated On May 19, 2023
If you're planning on buying an LVLP spray gun, there is no better choice than the Astro EVOT14 EuroPro LVLP Spray Gun. With every high-end feature imaginable, this product takes the cake as the Cadillac of LVLP spray guns.
The obvious benefit of being a one-piece lightweight aluminum body machine makes it far more durable and easy to clean than other spray gun kits, meaning you'll be using this paint sprayer for years to come, and enjoying low maintenance work at the same time.
It is durable and rugged, meaning it is corrosion resistant and will stand the test of time, and the test of elements in case you accidentally leave it on the back of a work truck one afternoon.
Top 5 Best LVLP Spray Guns
In a hurry? Check out our Top 5 picks below! Keep reading to learn more about these LVLP spray guns!
What Are LVLP Spray Guns?
We've discussed HVLP guns and airless paint sprayers several times, but it may come as a surprise that there are paint sprayers out there designed to provide a low pressure at the nozzle, as opposed to the high pressure of an HVLP gun.
LVLP stands for Low Volume Low Pressure, and it is a type of spray gun that provides a consistent spray and fan pattern from the nozzle with a much lower applied pressure. While HVLP spray guns receive much higher pressures, they also require powerful air compressors.
An LVLP spray gun has the benefit of not needing such a powerful air compressor, meaning you can use these devices without quite as significant an investment and still receive some quality work.
The power behind an LVLP gun is lower and there is significantly less air consumption, meaning you can work with these lower working pressures and still end up with a high-quality finished project in the end.
Read More >> How Do You Thin Paint For A Spray Gun?
An LVLP spray gun allows you to create good pieces without the higher pressures of an HVLP gun.
There are a couple of major benefits to an LVLP spray gun compared with HVLP and airless spray gun kits.
First and foremost, an LVLP spray gun has less overspray. As you use those higher pressure spray guns, the paint is mixed with so much air and expelled with such force that it ends up traveling through the air without much direction.
The excess paint floats off in every direction, wasting your paint and money.
The second major benefit is that the higher pressure tools can be less safe. As you lower the pressure, you make these tools safer to work with, protecting yourself and others.
What Are the Different Types of LVLP Spray Guns?
When you're looking to buy an LVLP spray gun, there are several different options for your consideration. These different types typically work pretty much the same, so it is just up to your preference. There are, however, a few differences of note between them.
First of all, there are gravity fed spray guns and siphon feed spray guns.
These just use a different system to get the paint into the air stream and generate a paint spray pattern. These different options each do high-quality work, so the quality will not suffer.
However, because the hopper in a gravity-fed system is above the gun, there is a bit higher chance of clogging and a higher degree of cleaning needed.
As the paint pools when it is running down into the gun and fluid tip, there is a chance for some additional build-up and clogging, which means you'll have to clean it a bit more thoroughly.
Read More >> What Are The Best HVLP Spray Guns?
However, suction fed systems may have a difficult time drawing paint into the spray, which can cause sporadic spots without paint, risking giving you a less precise application.
Finally, there are some differences in the quality of material used for these spray guns. A higher-quality sprayer will be made of lightweight aluminum and be corrosion resistant. These tools are longer lasting and more durable than their counterparts, which are typically made of plastic.
The aluminum body LVLP paint sprayers will last longer and be more durable, making them a better investment in the long run, but they are more expensive if you're just looking for a cheap product to do a DIY job quickly.
How Do LVLP Spray Guns Work?
All pneumatic spray guns work according to the same principles. Using some sort of air compressor, air pressure is built up to create airflow.
Once it has been built up sufficiently, that air is released and allowed to flow through the hoses in the spray gun kit to create a stream that will pass through the gun.
Depending on whether you are using a gravity-fed system or a suction fed system, the paint will travel a little differently. It will either be drawn directly down using gravity into the air stream or the low cross pressure created by the flowing air will draw the paint into the stream itself.
Atomization occurs when the paint mixes with the air and becomes an aerosol. This allows the paint to be sprayed through the nozzle easily. It does introduce air bubbles during the atomization process, which can create defects.
However, the higher pressure process of an HVLP introduces more in general, meaning LVLP guns can produce fewer defects. An LVLP gun works by using a lower pressure and a thinner nozzle.
Read More >> What Are The Top HVLP Spray Guns For Cabinets?
This thin nozzle allows the paint to travel out of the spray gun just as fast as an HVLP spray gun would, but it produces a much lower volume of paint spray.
Because of the lower volume of paint being used, these LVLP spray guns take longer to paint larger jobs, and they do not produce as thick of coats of paint.
They are very effective for small projects and are great options if you don't have a powerful air compressor to use with your spray gun.
What To Look For in an LVLP Spray Gun
As with all spray gun kits, you'll want to look for a few very important things. The pressure and volume are going to be lower, naturally, on these LVLP spray gun kits than on an HVLP spray gun kit, so you won't be searching for as high a CFM.
Don't worry too much about strength, because these are naturally going to be weaker. However, pay attention to the fan pattern and whether these guns can produce a good, low volume spray that has a good transfer efficiency.
Transfer efficiency is probably the main thing to watch for in all spray guns, because it tells you if you have too much overspray or if the maximum pressure is too low, meaning you don't have enough paint actually reaching the surface of the paint project.
Check that you can easily adjust the air pressure to ensure that you have a quality spray and can produce a good amount of paint every time you use it.
In addition to the actual functionality of the spray gun, you need to make sure that it is easy to clean. A one-piece spray gun has fewer components to clog and will make your life easier when you're trying to use a cleaning kit to get all the paint from the inside of the gun.
If it has more components, make sure that they are easily detachable so that you can properly clean every piece after use. Cleaning is one of the most important parts, and you should flush the lines after every use at a minimum.
Finally, look for durability and construction. A lightweight aluminum gun body will be more sturdy and last longer than a plastic one, so you'll have this solid product for longer. It costs more, but the investment is worth it, especially if you plan on using it frequently.
Read More >> How Do You Clean A Paint Sprayer?
Our Reviews of LVLP Spray Guns
Pick #1: Astro EuroPro Forged LVLP Spray Gun
For a higher quality product that costs a bit more, the Astro EVOT14 LVLP spray gun is an impressive piece.
With a forged body made of lightweight aluminum, this solidly constructed device is one of the sturdiest on Amazon.
It is designed for long tool life and is corrosion-resistant, meaning you can trust this spray gun for any project for years to come.
This device is made with some of the best amenities an LVLP paint gun can have, making it one of the highest quality products on the list.
To name just a few of the impressive features, this device features an air curtain spray design, which is highly efficient and minimizes overspray as much as possible.
Additionally, it has a soft trigger, making it easy to use and reducing fatigue as much as possible.
This product is an absolute delight to use, and it will give you some of the best quality of any product on the list, whether you're spraying latex paint or lacquers.
You can easily use a smaller air compressor with this tool and not have to worry about any issues with transfer efficiency.
Pros
Cons
Pick #2: SPRAYIT LVLP Gravity Feed Spray Gun
The gravity feed system gives it a bit more power behind the spray but may require additional cleaning in case it gets clogged, but the construction and strength of this low-pressure spray gun are impressive and hard to beat.
It consumes up to 39 CFM at 30 PSI, while working with a maximum pressure of up to 60 PSI and having a working pressure up to around 45 PSI, meaning it can produce a good solid spray without drawing too much excess pressure.
It is perfect for working with a lightweight or portable air compressor.
This spray gun has excellent transfer efficiency and will deliver a slick finish for your paint job with very low air consumption.
Better yet, an adjustable fluid fan pattern means you can customize the spray pattern and air consumption used for every paint job you plan on working. This durable product is a great choice for your next painting project.
Pros
Cons
Pick #3: SPRAYIT LVLP Gravity Feed Kit
A relative of the SP-33000K, this kit is a bit larger and has several more components as well as a wider range of options to choose from, including the air consumption and adjustable fluid fan pattern.
Another one-piece aluminum body product, the SP-33500K is a very sturdy product with multiple different plastic cup sizes so you can change out different paints and volumes with ease.
The air regulator knobs allow you to select different volumes and spray configurations.
The adjustable fan patterns are some of the best available, with a range as narrow as 4 inches wide all the way to nearly 11 inches, you can create different spray configurations to customize every single one of your projects.
This is one of the most dynamic products, giving you a huge range of different options.
With a one-piece forged body, this device is much easier to clean, and the available options for different plastic cups and fluid tips mean you can change out pieces in the middle of a paint job and keep working while the others are being cleaned out.
SPRAYIT has some of the best products on the market, and this one is definitely top of the line for the price you'll pay.
Pros
Cons
The Aeropro LVLP Gravity Feed Spray Gun is a solid option for a budget pick.
It is not the highest quality product on the market, but it gets the job done admirably with the low air consumption and low overspray, meaning it does exactly what it's designed to.
This product has a stainless steel needle and lightweight aluminum construction meaning it is sturdy and can accommodate all sorts of types of paint and other products.
The fluid needle helps it thin out and spray lacquers, latex paints, and other products without issue.
For your smaller DIY projects, this is a very good quality product that can handle mid-range adhesives for surface coatings and some fine detail finish work.
Unfortunately, it is not a one-piece designed product, meaning it may be harder to clean.
This spray gun is great for what it does, but it is not the easiest to use nor to clean on the list.
While it has low air consumption and provides a very good spray pattern on the outlet end, it is lacking in comfort and it doesn't provide as fine a finish as many of the other products.
This is a good product for middle coats or pieces that do not require smooth or slick finishes
Pros
Cons
The only siphon feed spray gun on the list is the Astro Pneumatic Spray Gun with Cup.
The problem with LVLP spray guns is that the lower pressure makes it difficult to create proper siphon-feed systems.
These products need to provide sufficient airspeed to pull paint into the air stream.
Without that suction, the siphon-feed won't work properly, and you'll have spotty functioning for your project.
The Astro Pneumatic product is a great option if you are looking for a Siphon Feed LVLP paint sprayer, as it is efficient enough to create strong airflow and draw in a smooth paint spray on the other end.
This product has a solid aluminum body and is made to be sturdy and durable.
Being a suction fed system, it is easier to clean than a gravity feed product as there is little risk of pooling.
This is a great benefit when you're finished working and want to speed up the cleanup process as much as possible.
Regardless of what you're working on, this is a great quality product that will give you a good paint job that you can be proud of.
Pros
Cons
Our Top Pick: Astro EuroPro Forged LVLP Spray Gun
With a soft trigger for comfortable use and an air curtain adjustable spray pattern to maximize transfer efficiency and minimize overspray, this has the best high-quality performance of any product and delivers an impressive, sleek finish with low air pressure for any material - whether you're working with lacquers, urethanes, latex paints, or something else.
You can't go wrong with the precise application from the one-piece aluminum body construction on the Astro EVOT14 EuroPro.
Plus, it’s an excellent value for the money! Check the low price now on Amazon.
Final Thoughts on LVLP Spray Guns
An LVLP Spray Gun is a great tool to get into the world of painting. When you're starting out and can only afford a low-pressure air compressor, using a spray gun kit that deals with low CFM is much easier than investing in an HVLP system.
Whether you're planning on doing automotive detailing, finishing woodworking projects, or just doing a variety of small DIY paint jobs, LVLP guns are great options for beginner sprayers.
Take a look at the impressive options available on this list and you'll be sure to find a high-quality product for your next paint job.
Read More >> How Do You Fix Uneven Spray Paint?
