5 Best Tattoo Machines (coil, rotary & Wireless)
The best tattoo machine is one that meets your specific needs and preferences. However, getting the perfect machine is more challenging than you think because there are many features and specifications to consider.
So what is the Best Tattoo Machine?
Although the best tattoo pens depend on your personal needs, style, preference, and how you would like the tattooing work done. However, certain factors can define the quality of tattoo machines. These factors include:
- Type of machine
- Build quality
- Ease of Use
- Needle Compatibility
- Speed and Power
- Durability
- Weight and Ergonomics
- Stroke length
Based on my experience, by looking at these factors and specifications, the Ambition Soldier is the best wireless tattoo machine. This machine offers a stroke length of 3.5mm or 4.5mm and 5 to 6 hours of battery life. Moreover, it comes with a powerful Japanese coreless motor, an incredibly lightweight design, a wireless pen, and a digital display screen.
Besides the Ambition Soldier, this list consists of other machines with the exact required features and specifications. The list includes various types of devices, such as coil, rotary, and wireless rotary tattoo machines.
I am recommending these machines based on my experience after reviewing and testing them. Keep reading this review to find the tattooing tool that matches your needs.
5 Best Tattoo Machines Review
STIGMA OWEN Wireless Tattoo Machine
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
STIGMA OWEN is a top-quality wireless machine that packs many premium-quality features. Its ergonomic and super lightweight design gives you the best tattooing experience to create solid custom tattoo designs as a beginner artist. While the stroke length is 3.5mm, providing great punch to draw fine lines, it especially fits well for shading and colour packing. Plus, it supports 0 to 4mm needle length.
By having this adjustable length, the tattoo artist can control the depth at which the needle penetrates the skin during the tattooing process. In other words, you can customize a tattoo needle for precise lining, shading, coloring, and outlining. STIGMA OWEN has a powerful German coreless motor that operates at a slower speed. As a result, it provides smoother and quieter operation at minimum noise and vibrations during tattooing.
This tattoo pen machine especially has a linear direct drive system that powers the needle without additional components. The motor also allows you to adjust the voltage between 5v and 12v, which gives you complete control to adjust the speed at a precise level. Furthermore, this pen-style machine has a large storage battery. This 2000 mAh storage battery can give more than 10 hours of straight performance.
Having such excellent battery life means you can create large designs such as Viking tattoos, chest designs, or shoulder tattoos on a single charge. However, there is an issue with its charging port, which does not function properly. Besides this, the STIGMA OWEN Wireless Tattoo Machine has a digital display screen showing the battery’s remaining power.
This machine also has some other essential features, such as it can automatically shut down if you’re not using it for more than 180 seconds. Also, it has auto short-circuit protection that automatically turns off the machine when the motor is overloaded.
Ambition Soldier Rotary Tattoo Pen
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
Ambition Soldier is a top-choice rotary tattoo machine for professional tattoo artists due to its premium quality features. It’s a pen-style full wireless tattooing machine that allows you to do tattooing work at 360 degrees. In other words, you can move and rotate the machine without struggling with cords and cables. This unparalleled movement makes the inking process more precise and smooth.
Since the Ambition Soldier is made of an aluminium alloy frame that makes it super durable and corrosion-resistant, at the same time, it makes the machine lightweight, weighing only 210g. However, it’s a bit heavy compared to top rotary tattoo machines, including Mast Archer, Mast Lancer, and Dragonhawk Mast Rotary Pen Machine.
Moreover, this ergonomic design and well-balanced tattoo machine are super comfortable to hold steadily in hand. The Ambition soldier wireless tattoo machine comes with the Japan Coreless Motor with 9000 RPM speed. This machine also adjusts voltage between 5 and 12 to create custom tattoo designs.
However, while running, I noticed that higher voltages like 9v make some extra vibrations, which seem uncomfortable in holding. Due to this specific negative reason, this is not suitable for beginner tattoo artists. Furthermore, Ambition Soldier has two stroke lengths, 3.5mm and 4.2mm, with different pricing ranges. Tattoo artists can buy this wireless tattoo machine with their desired stroke length.
I purchased it with 4.2 strokes to do lining work. However, I mostly prefer coil tattoo machines for most outlining work. But after using it, I found that Ambition Soldier is the best tattoo machine for the lining.
The Ambition soldier has a 2400mAh storage battery, which lasts up to 6 hours in continuous running. Plus, it has a fast USB charging cable, capable of charging a full battery within 2 to 3 hours. Moreover, a bright LED display screen shows the voltage and the remaining battery information.
Read full review here: Ambition Soldier Tattoo Machine Review: Pros & Cons
Mast Archer Tattoo Machine
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
Mast Archer is another top-quality wireless tattoo machine with impressive features that perform well. In terms of functionality for tattooing work, it’s an all-rounder, equally suitable for various body artwork. Its ergonomic and lightweight design allows users to use this machine more comfortably in longer tattoo sessions.
In terms of weight, the mast archer is much lighter than the Ambition soldier, weighing only 186g. Its length and diameter are only 132mm and 32mm, respectively, which can easily fit in your hand.
Archer installed an impressive performer custom coreless motor that has 10500 RPM speed. This motor runs constantly and smoothly without being heated up in longer sessions. Moreover, artists can adjust the voltage at customized levels from 5 to 12v.
Since this is a wireless tattoo machine, it comes with a 2,000mAh storage battery that can last up to 8 hours, according to the manufacturer’s description. However, this battery timing can drain quickly on high voltage. So, to get better battery performance, you need to run the machine at 6 volts.
Moreover, Archer has a fixed battery, unlike the latest modes of Mast, such as Launcher, which can be a big problem if you like tattooing work on the go. In other words, you can not use a backup battery if a fixed one runs out of charge.
As I mentioned above, Mast Archer is an all-around tattoo machine because it comes with a 3.5mm stroke. This means that it’s perfect for various tattooing applications, including shading, packing, and even solid lining work. Moreover, its pen is compatible with major or best tattoo cartridge needles.
Also, tattoo artists can create different types of tattoo designs, like girly designs, shoulder tattoo designs, and Viking tattoos. However, this pen-style machine has a problem, such as not allowing needle depth adjustment.
Mast Lancer Tattoo Machine
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
Mast Lancer looks like the latest version of Mast Sabr and Archer. Unlike most Achers, Lancer has some impressive features and specifications. For example, it has a swappable battery and a well-balanced and ergonomic design.
As usual, this product has a mast coreless motor capable of running 10,500 RPM at a maximum of 12v. This motor is powerful enough to handle heavy tattoo work, such as pushing larger needle grouping. This is equally good to use as a liner and shader. Its advanced system smooths the tattooing experience without making extra noise and vibration.
As a result, it will make the inking process smooth and safe without causing any skin damage to your client. This professional tattoo machine has solid build quality, which seems durable and sturdy. Its ergonomics and well-balanced design make it super comfortable to hold.
This is a plus point for a tattoo artist who wants to use it for longer tattoo sessions. However, this pen-style rotary machine has a thicker grip, which is comfortable to hold with extra grips in long sessions. Furthermore, Mast lancer has a 3.5mm stroke, which is suitable for most tattooing work. Moreover, it is also compatible with most tattoo needles.
Unlike mast Archer, Lancer has two swappable 1900mAh storage batteries, which can last 8 to 12 hours on a full charge, depending on voltage adjustment. These batteries charge very quickly and have built-in overcharging and short-circuit protection.
Read full review here: Mast Lancer Tattoo Machine Review
Dragonhawk Mast Pen Rotary Tattoo Machine
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
Yet now, I was discussing premium quality but expensive tattoo machines. But if you’re looking for a budget-friendly tattoo pen, there is no better than the Dragonhawk Mast Rotary Tattoo Machine. Even being cheap tattoo machine on list, this tattoo pen has impressive features such as a super lightweight design, good quality motor, and consistent digital power supply.
This top-rated, quality rotary tattoo machine has a medium stroke length (3.5mm), perfect for most tattooing work. Unlike Mast Archer, the tattoo artist can adjust needle depth between 2.8mm and 3.5mm.
Moreover, it’s compatible with most tattoo cartridge needles. In other words, the Dragonhawk Mast Pen is equally suitable for various applications, including shading, packing, lining, and even permanent makeup.
While it is super lightweight in design and weight, weighing only 120g, it is the most lightweight rotary tattoo machine. However, there are better choices than this machine for artists who want to feel more weight while tattooing. However, in terms of control, this is the best tattoo machine for beginners.
Like most tattoo machines, the Dragonhawk Mast Pen also has a Mast motor with around 10,000 RPM, which is powerful and consistent in running. However, its motor starts heating after a long run. Furthermore, this affordable tattoo machine comes with complete tattooing accessories. So you can get started with body artwork without buying any additional items.
Read full review here: Dragonhawk Mast Pen Rotary Tattoo Machine Review
FAQs
Which type of tattoo machine is best for beginners?
A Rotary tattoo machine is the best choice for beginners, as these machines are lightweight, easy to control, and have an excellent beginner-friendly design.
Is a tattoo pen or gun better?
Although this depends on the individual needs and preferences of the artist regarding how they prefer tattooing to work. But a tattoo pen is generally better than a tattoo gun. This is primarily because tattoo guns are lighter and easier to use.
Conclusion:
The best tattoo machines depend on individual needs, preferences, and required features. Generally, a top-quality device should have a solid build quality, ergonomic design, precise needle adjustment, a powerful motor, and the length of stroke needed, and a powerful motor. With these criteria in mind, I have shared a list of machines that meet these requirements.
Flora Jones is a licensed professional tattoo artist with over 5 years of experience working at various studios in Arizona. In addition to her artistry, she enjoys sharing her knowledge and expertise on various tattoo-related topics through her writing.