A good airbrush for a beginner (cheaper than $200)

susiehowardx

Young Tutorling
Hello. I wanted to conduct a survey to understand which airbrush is better in this price category. I based my selection on reviews from a Google search (for example, this article).
Here is my selection:
  1. Badger Air-Brush Co. Sotar 2020-2F (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BROVIO/) - read a lot about him in this thread https://airbrushforum.org/threads/badger-sotar-2020.3724/#post-47060
  2. Iwata-Medea Eclipse HP (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BQKFAI/) - an honorable second place.
  3. PointZero (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010TQCOEE/) - this device is in my selection because of the cool kit. Bought and go, embodying creative ideas and fantasies.
I feel now the heat will begin in the branch :glasses:
 
If you want a work horse go with the IWATA Eclipse.
But you may also want to look into https://spraygunner.com/gsi-creos-mr-airbrush-procon-boy-ps-267-0-2mm/
Not a fan of the point zero parts seem to be made cheaply and does not hold up over time. My Eclipse is over ten years old and still sprays as well as day one.
Badger does make a great product as well and Ken stands behind all his airbrushes.
Now if you would be so kind Welcome dragon.jpg

Introduction not only let us know how long you have been airbrushing but also at least what country or state you live in so when you ask for opinions like this we can guide you to a local dealer or at least an airbrush you can get parts for quicker then waiting on the mail.
The Iwata Eclipse are sold ar Hobby Lobby as well as parts like the needle and nozzle, pistol grip water traps . But that is only if you live in the USA.
 
My advice if you have any shops near that stock them.Go handle them see how they feel in the hand.I would recommend the Iwata Eclipse.It will give years of service and easy to clean.
 
I just finished writing this response to someone else asking the exact same question - I know it does not follow you list, but it is written from a few decades of experience, and a good working knowledge of more than a few airbrushes - including multiple examples of the brushes you do have listed.

"...OK, my personal list would be something like this- Absolutely the best bang for the buck would be a Creos Procon PS270 or 289. Which ever you choose, you can covert it to the other size .2 to .3, and back again with simple parts exchange. Built like tanks, and really well performing brushes. An Iwata Eclipse is one that would/could last a lifetime - also built like a tank - and relatively forgiving with newbie abuse. Cost more up front, though... There is a Badger Patriot 105. Another one that is built like a tank. Not as refined or well made as the Japanese brushes, but they do what they are supposed to do. You can add the Xtreme head parts and needle later on to increase the brushes range, and versatility. I recommend the 105 over the 105 Xtreme as a base because that silly screw they added to the bottom of the brush to act as an air control valve is a piss poor attempt to compete with what other brands have done. Buy a MAC valve for you hose if you want that sort of control. I do have a MAC valve at my hose end. I also do have all the brushes I have mentioned, and several more... feel free to ask additional questions if you have them."
 
I've got two airbrushes. I got the badger patriot 105 a few years ago, but only recently started using it for actually painting of what we will call 'attempts at art'. It got replaced when a seal went in the handle (going to send it to get fixed) and replaced with a new Iwata Eclipse (because I can get it serviced locally, I have to ship the badger to the US to get it fixed.) And I like the Iwata a little bit better. The paint seems to flow a little better, and I don't have as much of a problem with spiders (overly saturating one spot on the paper), though I expect when I get the Badger back, and I have a little more experience that they will both be equally good brushes.

From one Newbie to another. Listen to the folks on here, they really know their stuff.
 
If you want a work horse go with the IWATA Eclipse.
But you may also want to look into https://spraygunner.com/gsi-creos-mr-airbrush-procon-boy-ps-267-0-2mm/
Not a fan of the point zero parts seem to be made cheaply and does not hold up over time. My Eclipse is over ten years old and still sprays as well as day one.
Badger does make a great product as well and Ken stands behind all his airbrushes.
Now if you would be so kind View attachment 61622

Introduction not only let us know how long you have been airbrushing but also at least what country or state you live in so when you ask for opinions like this we can guide you to a local dealer or at least an airbrush you can get parts for quicker then waiting on the mail.
The Iwata Eclipse are sold ar Hobby Lobby as well as parts like the needle and nozzle, pistol grip water traps . But that is only if you live in the USA.

mmm, thanks for the recommendation.
 
My advice if you have any shops near that stock them.Go handle them see how they feel in the hand.I would recommend the Iwata Eclipse.It will give years of service and easy to clean.

By the way, I did not think about this. Comfort of use is also an important point. Thanks.
 
It would be a good idea to pop on the introduction page and introduce yourself unless you’ve already done that.Give us an idea your location so we can help
 
My recommendation be the Iwata Eclipse.
Firstly, it’s the only one of the mentioned brushes that I have had personal experience with and secondly because it is a very forgiving brush to use. It’s also built really tough so it soaks up Noobie mistakes while cleaning. I can speak first hand about this too as I made many!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Hello. I wanted to conduct a survey to understand which airbrush is better in this price category. I based my selection on reviews from a Google search (for example, this article).
Here is my selection:
  1. Badger Air-Brush Co. Sotar 2020-2F (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BROVIO/) - read a lot about him in this thread https://airbrushforum.org/threads/badger-sotar-2020.3724/#post-47060
  2. Iwata-Medea Eclipse HP (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BQKFAI/) - an honorable second place.
  3. PointZero (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010TQCOEE
    Hello. I wanted to conduct a survey to understand which airbrush is better in this price category. I based my selection on reviews from a Google search (for example,
    this article).
    Here is my selection:
    1. Badger Air-Brush Co. Sotar 2020-2F (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BROVIO/) - read a lot about him in this thread https://airbrushforum.org/threads/badger-sotar-2020.3724/#post-47060
    2. Iwata-Medea Eclipse HP (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BQKFAI/) - an honorable second place.
    3. PointZero (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010TQCOEE/) - this device is in my selection because of the cool kit. Bought and go, embodying creative ideas and fantasies.
    I feel now the heat will begin in the branch :glasses:

    /) - this device is in my selection because of the cool kit. Bought and go, embodying creative ideas and fantasies.
I feel now the heat will begin in the branch :glasses:


First off, tell me what you want to use this airbrush for. That’s critical to buying the right gun as if you’re doing automotive detailing a SOTAR 20/20 with a 0.2 mm nozzle and thimble sized color cup is not a great choice but is stellar for doing fine detail work in illustration, etc.

Of the three options you listed there, I’ve never seen or heard of PointZero but I suspect the old admonishment of you get what you pay for applies well. There are a lot of Chinese made products flooding the market that offer a cheap price at the expense of inferior quality*. I can attest for the Eclipse and SOTAR guns; they work really well and, while initially more expensive, are going to cause you less headaches throughout their service lives.

*there have been a few cases where I have been pleasantly surprised with the quality of an economy product.
 
As an owner of both an Eclipse and a SOTAR, I recommend the Eclipse, hands down.

The SOTAR sprays very well for fine detail, but it is specialized for fine detail, and doesn't handle other sorts of jobs as well. The Eclipse, on the other hand, is a very good "all 'rounder". It can do everything, including fine detail.

The Eclipse's fit and finish is also much better/cleaner/smoother, and parts are much more durable. The SOTAR has some areas that are a pig to clean because Badger cuts cost on finishing in more or less all areas not directly related to the nozzle and needle. SOTAR parts are smaller and more complex, while Eclipse parts are more robust and K.I.S.S. in design.

I'm not saying the SOTAR is a bad brush, mind you. It sprays very well and reliably. It's just that it has a lot of trade-offs. It's a great "budget" high-detail brush, but it's not what I'd consider either a beginner brush or a "general use" brush.

The Eclipse, by contrast is an almost perfect beginner brush (makes learning super easy, and is easy to take care of), AND a legitimately good "does everything" workhorse that can continue to be your main if not only brush at any skill level.
 
Hi Susie, its a big thing picking your first airbrush especially now with the choices available.

Personally I wouldn't go near the point zero.

I have a Sotar and it sprays a super fine line very nice and light and small to hold, however it is quite finicky with paint thickness so takes a lot more thought and refinement to get it working to it's full potential. It takes too much messing about the get the paint right even for an experienced airbrusher. So not recommended for a beginner

I would recommend the Iwata Eclipse, easy to use and clean, sprays most paints out of the bottle, good workhorse, you can get fine detail with practice as well as being able to hose the paint on when needed.

The Procon Boy/Mr Hobby airbrushes are also recommended. Like DaveG said the PS270 or PS289 cheaper than the top brands but with excellent quality and parts availability.

Lee
 
In case most haven't notice Susie has not been on since Jan 16 2020 , That is her last activity on here but there is a lot of good recommendation in this thread for other newbies looking into what is a good affordable airbrush.
 
In case most haven't notice Susie has not been on since Jan 16 2020 , That is her last activity on here but there is a lot of good recommendation in this thread for other newbies looking into what is a good affordable airbrush.
You right, you right
 

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