The Best Tattoo Machines For Beginners
As a beginner tattoo artist, the best investment you can make is purchasing a high-quality tattoo machine. Besides your talent, it is the biggest deciding factor in how well you serve your clients. Picking up a tattoo machine as a beginner can be tricky, given that you must balance costs with your artistic style and the required features.
That's why we have prepared a detailed guide on the best tattoo machines for beginners today. We will explain their features, prices, and how they will fit into your workflow.
Best Tattoo Guns for Beginners on Amazon
Let's review the best tattoo machines for beginners on Amazon and help you cash in on the hottest tattoo trends of 2025.
Source: Dragon Hawk Tattoos
1. DragonHawk Tattoo Machine: The Mast Pen Rotary
If you are looking for a small yet powerful and quiet machine, the DragonHawk is one of the best choices. It’s simple setup and wireless functionality make it an ideal option for beginner artists. All you need to do is stick in a needle cartridge and show your talent on fake skin.
Whether you want to color, pack, or shade, the machine's 3.5mm stroke glides through the process. These precise strokes are crucial, for instance, when you are trying to explore the allure and symbolism of jellyfish tattoos.
Weighing only 120g (160g with the battery pack) and measuring just 4.6 inches, DragonHawk is light enough for long sessions. It is also easy to clean, as the head comes off easily.
Its powerful yet quiet motor operates at 10,000 RPM and smoothly transfers ink onto the skin. However, our testing indicated that the power supply needs some durability improvements. It gets hot after 4 to 5 hours of continuous use. This gun also has a wireless version with a 1300 mAh battery that provides approximately 6 hours of battery life, but it will cost a bit more.
Source: fkirons
2. FK Irons Spektra Rotary Machine
This fully wireless gun range offers artistic freedom, as there are no wires or cords to handle. It is a light and durable machine, thanks to its 6061 T6 aluminum construction, making it easier for beginners to handle. Then there is the impressive 4.5-watt motor that does shading, coloring, and linework without breaking a sweat. The best part is that you don't need any lubrication to start working with FK Irons Spektra—plug and play is the idea.
Spektra is available in various colors, making it one of the best tattoo machines for beginners. It is not just about aesthetics; the machine weighs 81 grams and comes with a 21 mm grip, which makes it an ergonomic delight.
The biggest downside here is that Spektra isn't a kit, so you'll need to shell out some bucks for accessories. In addition, it feels a bit expensive compared to other machines, but the 1-year warranty is a good enough reason to justify the higher price.
Source: microbeau
3. Microbeau Apollo SMP Tattoo Machine
If you are a power enthusiast who values precision and comfort, the Microbeau Apollo is undoubtedly one of the best tattoo machines for beginners. Its commendable voltage range of 4.0 to 9.5 V allows it to power through various inking sessions, whether the client demands extensive lining or shading.
As a beginner tattoo artist, control means everything; that is where Microbeau shines with its 2.33 mm stroke. With accurate pigment implantations, Apollo guarantees professional and accurate designs each time you get to work. It also has stabilizing rings that help you adjust the needle depth and let you adapt as you practice.
The grip of this machine feels like you're holding a pen. No wonder it is so comfortable when you're grinding those detailed projects. Even after spending hours on an extensive tattoo design, the pen-like grip doesn't fatigue you.
Source: Cheyennetatto
4. Cheyenne Sol Nova Unlimited
The Cheyenne Sol Nova Unlimited deserves a spot on this list because of its versatility and user-friendly approach. No need for frantic tool switching during tattooing anymore, as Sol Nova acts as both liner and shader, regardless of the tattoo design you are exploring.
The machine comes with two batteries, each taking around 3 hours to charge. The minimum runtime is 5 hours, and you can use one battery while the other charges. It is quite like its predecessor, with a brushless DC motor that generates minimum vibrations and a 0 to 4.0 mm needle depth.
Sol Nova is also one of the best when it comes to easy operation. With a single button and motion control, you get to choose what the machine does. By tilting the machine while holding the button down, you can adjust its frequency.
Source: Tattoo Machine Equipment
5. Hildbrandt Trainer Tattoo Kit
If you are looking for one of the best tattoo machines for beginners with a complete kit, this kit from Hildbrandt is a solid choice. Alongside the machine, you get a training guide in the form of a DVD.
There are two coil machines in the package. One is the 0.22 Rimfire liner with ten-wrap compact coils and shorty liner springs, used to draw lines and fill colors. The second machine is the .444 Marlin shader, with eight-wrap coils and a wide-angled frame. As the name suggests, it is meant for shading and coloring.
Another standout feature of this kit is its high-quality power supply, which operates between 3.8 to 5.5 V. Our testing showed that it offered a consistent power supply to the machine. When paired with a digital display, a toggle switch, and fine-tuning capabilities, beginners can expect a seamless tattooing experience from this machine.
With 32% of Americans sporting at least one tattoo, the market is ripe for more talented artists. By using these machines, you are more likely to create designs that inspire and help you grow your business.
How to Pick the Best Tattoo Guns for Beginners on Amazon
The compound annual growth rate of the global tattoo machine market is expected to be 5.90% by 2030, which is a significant increase. It means stores like Amazon will see a massive influx of new tattoo machines, but not all of them will be worth it. As a beginner, it is important to steer clear of the noise and pick what is best for you.
Although specifications for tattoo machines are pretty well-defined, saying what's “best” isn't as easy as just looking at the spec sheet. What works for you might not be ideal for someone else, and vice versa. One must consider various factors before spending a good chunk of money on a shiny new tattoo gun.
1. Accessories
Let's start with arguably the most objective measure, accessories. Not all tattoo kits are made the same. You may prefer a kit with accessories you already have, or something that comes with essentials only. Usually, the following are included in a kit:
Gloves
Rubber bands
Flash sheets
Inks
Needles
Motor
Decide which accessories matter most to you and check if they come with the kit.
2. Skill Level
Skill level is a critical consideration when purchasing a tattoo machine, especially for beginners. Don't buy a highly complicated machine that your skill level cannot match. Even if you buy it, creating quality designs using it will be almost impossible.
Some tattoo machines are designed to let the artists use different colors and techniques. Some might be more precise than others, a feature you need when creating tiny masterpieces.
While you certainly don't need the most complex machine as a beginner, buy something to handle the new tasks as your skills improve. The tattoo machines we have discussed are the best options for you.
3. Weight and Balance
The most common mistake beginner artists make is buying a machine that is too heavy or not ergonomic enough for long sessions. You might be using the machine all day, so buy something that remains comfortable for long sessions.
It won't be wrong to say that the tattoo machine becomes a part of you while working. You don't want your extension to be cumbersome or uncomfortable.
4. Battery Life and Reliability
When picking a battery-operated tattoo machine, make sure it lasts at least 3 to 6 hours to let you complete a long inking session. You could buy cheaper equipment, but remember that the battery won't last as long as the more expensive or better quality one.
Learn the Art of Tattooing at Aureo Roma
If you are starting from zero, you don't just need the best tattoo machines for beginners. You need a place that teaches objective principles of tattooing while polishing your innate artistic talents. That place is Alex Aureo’s Tattoo Academy, where we turn you from a novice into a world-class tattoo expert at your own pace. Even if you have some experience in this space, we are sure you will learn something valuable with us.
Whether you want to achieve precision, learn different tattoo techniques, create digital designs on Photoshop (PC) and Procreate (Tablet), or grow your social media presence and client base, our academy is the ideal place for you.
The best part? We are offering limited-time heavy discounts for our courses in 2025. Register today and give your tattooing career the push it needs with advanced knowledge of tattoo art top frame, meant for shading and coloring.
