You will find different airbrush brands on the market with each brand featuring unique functions. Nonetheless, you need to identify the airbrush that meets your needs. As such, the airbrush has to have a well-combined needle and nozzle system, the right feed capacity etc.
We have taken the pleasure of researching and picking out only the best airbrush for models and miniatures. We considered the usability of the airbrushes, their price range, and the functions they offer. Besides the list of airbrushes, this article will also help you learn about the important features that you need to look out for in airbrushes!
Best Airbrush for Plastic Scale Models And Miniatures 2018
| Product | Feed | Nozzle | Action | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iwata Eclipse HP-CS (Editors Choice) | Gravity | 0.35 mm | Dual | Check Price |
| NEO for Iwata CN (Best for Beginners) | Gravity | 0.35 mm | Dual | Check Price |
| Harder & Steenbeck Infinity Solo | Gravity | 0.15 mm | Dual | Check Price |
| Badger 150 (M) | Siphon | 0.5 mm | Dual | Check Price |
| Iwata Revolution HP-CR | Gravity | 0.5 mm | Dual | Check Price |
| Paasche H-SET (Budget-Friendly) | Siphon | 0.45 mm, 0.65 mm, 1.05 mm | Single | Check Price |
| Iwata High Performance HP-C Plus | Gravity | 0.3 mm | Dual | Check Price |
| Harder & Steenbeck Ultra X | Siphon | 0.4 mm | Dual | Check Price |
| Iwata Eclipse HP-BCS | Siphon | 0.5 mm | Dual | Check Price |
| Hansa 381 Chrome | Gravity | 0.3 mm | Dual | Check Price |
Iwata Eclipse HP-CS – Best Multipurpose Airbrush
If you are looking for precision while spraying heavy or premixed paints, then this is the right airbrush for you. It is highly versatile since you can rely on it for a variety of uses.
It is designed with a 0.35mm needle alongside a drop-in self-centered nozzle for efficiency. This is complemented by the 1/3 oz. gravity feed cup whose capacity is pretty reliable. This makes it an internal mix airbrush.
The gravity feed cup is made with a new funnel style that ensured the flow of paint is at its optimum level. This shape also allows you to clean the cup with ease after use.
- This airbrush is easy to use, which makes it a perfect choice for beginners.
- It is highly durable if well maintained.
- It can be used with multiple types of paints.
- Smooth spray.
- Gentle linear trigger pull.
- Not suitable for extremely fine lines or too wide surfaces
NEO for Iwata CN – Best for a First Time User
This airbrush has a 0.35mm needle whose ability is enhanced by a uniquely designed nozzle. This is further complemented by the medium-sized spray pattern that will ensure the spraying process is well detailed.
This gravity feed airbrush is designed to work efficiently under minimal air pressure. This gives your spraying great detail for quality results. You, therefore, can use it between 5 and 35 psi. The manufacturer recommends that you use small air compressors whose maximum pressure is 20 psi.
- It is highly affordable.
- Includes two cups that can be quickly changed.
- Works well with small air compressors that produce a maximum of 20 psi.
- Well-balanced
- Requires correct paint thinning and careful care to avoid clogging issues.
- Not suitable for extremely fine lines or too wide surfaces
Harder & Steenbeck Infinity – Best for Professional Use
This is a high-tech airbrush that allows you to meet excellent design standards since it features multiple intelligent functions. It is made by Harder and Steenbeck, a top Germany airbrush manufacturer that is well known for its quality standards.
The airbrush will come with a gravity feed cup of a capacity of 0.068 oz. This allows you to fix your spray design quickly without having to make refills often. It has a 0.15mm nozzle that works efficiently at low pressure to produce detailed spray results.
- The Infinity airbrush is ergonomically built to help professional artists meet their design needs and preferences.
- It features innovative functions that enhance the spraying efficiency, thus the superior quality design results.
- Quick fix with scale allows more accurate paint flow control.
- Perfect fine line.
- Compatibility with other H&S airbrushes. You can use some spare parts from Evolution, Ultra and Grafo airbrushes.
- Interchangeable cup.
- It requires technical know-how to be able to spray paint with this airbrush. This means that the airbrush is not suitable for first time use.
- The nozzle is too small for most paints unless thinned perfectly.
- It may be necessary to purchase an additional nozzle set for wider surfaces.
- May be expensive for casual model builder.
Badger 150 (M) – Best Broad-Range Application Airbrush
This versatile dual action airbrush is the perfect option for you if you are looking for a classic tool. It has an internal mix and the sprayed paint is fed into the cup by siphoning. The needle has a medium nozzle whose diameter is 0.5 mm, implying that it will efficiently and effectively spray a pattern of within 1/32 inch and 1/2 inch.
It will perfectly spray the acrylics that have been well reduced, acrylic enamel, lacquer, ink, fabric color, watercolors, dyes, gouache, and various airbrush-ready paints.
- This airbrush model has been on the market for over 30 years, and its quality has been well embraced.
- It can be used with multiple types of paints.
- Quick color changing.
- Spare parts are easily available.
- It’s not as easy to clean as newer models.
- Siphon feed requires more compressor pressure, and therefore, it’s harder to get the fine line.
Iwata Revolution HP-CR – Best Dual Action Airbrush
This airbrush has an internal mix and a dual action that gives out excellent spray designs. It is a top-feed tool that has an ergonomic handle design so you can use it to spray easily. Revolution HP-CR comes with a gravity feed cup of a 1/3 oz. capacity.
It is designed with a large nozzle that works hand-in-hand with the 0.5 mm needle for efficiency. This combination makes it possible for you to use the airbrush with thick or heavy paints. This enhances its usability and efficacy.
- It allows consistent airflow so your spray designs are flawless.
- It is easy to clean and has no clogging problems.
- Iwata Revolution HP-CR offers great value for your money.
- It can be used with multiple types of colors. For example, it works well with metallics.
- Good coverage.
- Not suitable for extremely fine lines.
- Some practice of thinning paint and adjusting air pressure will be required for very fine lines.
Paasche H-SET Airbrush Set – Best for Quick Spraying
Paasche single action airbrush is made with a chrome plated body that gives it a sleek look and guarantees its durability. It is easy to use, which makes it perfect for a beginner. You can also rely on this H airbrush if you want to spray quickly.
It is easy for cleaning, you only need to spray the paint cleaner into the airbrush.
- Great quality.
- Simple to use.
- It can be used with multiple types of paints.
- Easy cleanup.
- Affordable.
- The parts are easily accessible and cheap.
- Single action trigger.
- Siphon feed requires a higher PSI range.
- Not suitable for lines finer than 0.8 mm.
- Greater paint consumption with frequent color changes.
Iwata-Medea High Performance HP-C Plus – Best Total Control Airbrush
It is made with larger threads around the nozzle so that it can fit the airbrush securely. Moreover, the nozzle will be well centered so you can focus on your design better.
Users love the single-piece auxiliary lever that works alongside the needle-chucking guide for ease of tool assembly.
You can use this airbrush with pretty much any type of paint like automotive paint, stencil etc. However, you need to ensure that they mix well in the gravity cup for the best results.
- It produces a controlled flow of paint that limits the cases of clogging that would otherwise slow down your work.
- Iwata HP-C Plus operates smoothly so you can get exquisite designs after spraying.
- Pre-set handle lets you control how much you can pull the trigger.
- HP-C Plus is forgiving of color consistency mistakes.
- Сut-away lets you clean the airbrush faster.
- Still, some practice of thinning paint and adjusting air pressure is required.
- It’s not cheap.
Harder & Steenbeck ULTRA X – The Best Bottom Feed Starter Airbrush
For some users, getting an airbrush that has a gravity feed cup can be too much of a challenge for them. As such, they opt for the alternative, which is a siphon feed. The siphon feed allows for ease of paint refills as well as cleaning.
The airbrush has a chrome-plated finish that enhances its sleekness as well as longevity.
The feed comes with a cap that is easy to undo as well as tighten for safety. It has a dual action mechanism but is pretty simple to operate and clean.
- The airflow through this airbrush is consistent and reliable.
- It is of premium quality and is available at a friendly price.
- Easy to care for.
- Siphon feed requires more compressor pressure, and therefore, it’s harder to get the fine line.
- Greater paint consumption with frequent color changes.
Iwata-Medea Eclipse HP-BCS – Best Bottle Feed Airbrush
This airbrush comes with a 0.5 mm needle that allows you to use thick to medium thick paints. It also has a drop-in self-centering nozzle combination for a consistent flow of paint.
What’s more, you can spray paint in a round pattern from the hairline to about 2 inches. The bottom feed bottle holds a capacity of 2 oz.
These features make the airbrush ideal for pre-mixed as well as heavier types of paint. It is a perfect choice for painting activities that require precision while spraying. You, therefore, can rely on it if you are spraying moderate to large amounts of paint.
- It covers a wide range of uses where heavier and premixed paint is needed.
- It allows a precise flow of paint, which gives you consistent spraying.
- The feed bottle has a large mouth that allows you to connect it easily to a paint bottle directly, thus avoiding time-consuming refills.
- Good for touse who don’t like the cup on top of the airbrush, as it interferes with the sight line.
- Сut-away allows you to clean the airbrush faster.
- Requires more compressor pressure than gravity feed airbrush, and therefore, it’s harder to get the fine line.
- Siphon feed airbrush waste more paint.
Hansa 381 Chrome – Best Airbrush for Thin Paint
This airbrush features a superior design that comprises of a controlled double action such that when the lever is pulled in one direction, the paint is mixed with air automatically so that spraying can begin.
Hansa 318 is made with a 0.3 mm nozzle size that can easily be adjusted to other nozzles like 0.2 and 0.4 mm (sold separately). It has a gravity feed cup with a capacity of 5ml. It also has a lid for safe storage of paint.
You can use this airbrush with a mixed paint since the nozzle is small enough for thin paint.
- It has a handle quick release tail that is adjustable for controlled painting.
- It is highly durable if well maintained.
- The gravity feeder has a large capacity for uninterrupted paint spraying process.
- Easy clean-up.
- Not cheap, but quality is worth the money
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Right Airbrush
As you embark on your shopping spree for an airbrush for models and miniatures, you need to look out for specific essential features.
Type of trigger: single or double action
The double action means that the lever is pushed in one direction and the airbrush system will allow the paint and air to mix automatically. Air will come out after the first push and paint the second lever push. However, it may cause complexity in learning how to use it. A dual action airbrush, therefore, is only ideal for professional artists and design experts.
A single action trigger, on the other hand, requires only a single push for the paint to flow out.
Size of the needle
So, what type of paint will you be using to spray your models and miniatures? Is it heavy, medium-thick, premixed, thin, or other types? Remember, the bigger the size of the needle, the more consistent it will be at releasing heavy paint. However, you want a smaller needle if you are looking to create a finely detailed design. Furthermore, it is impractical to get a large needle for small models and miniatures. If you don’t know what size to choose, take 0.35 mm.
Feed
There are three basic types of feeds commonly featured in airbrushes: gravity, side, and siphon feed. Gravity feed relies on gravity to allow paint flow in the airbrush. Siphon uses air pressure while side uses partly gravity and swiveling mechanism.
Gravity feed airbrushes are easier to find and more efficient for miniatures and small models.
Brand
The brand you choose will also determine the quality of your design. After a thorough research, we can confidently say that Paasche, Iwata, Badger, and Harder & Steinbeck are the leading brands. We, however, cannot dictate on which of the brands you should choose. It is up to you to read the customer reviews for each brand and make your decision.
Needle adjustment screw
Although not every airbrush has this, it is essential if you want precise and consistent spraying action. Adjustment screw allows you to pull the trigger up to where you want accurately.
Pistol grip
If you want to hold the airbrush comfortably before and after pulling the trigger, then you must go for one with a pistol grip. The pistol grip, however, does not affect the performance of the airbrush whatsoever.
Compressor
Although most airbrushes are not sold with a compressor, you need one to operate it. As such, you have to choose between a tanked or tankless compressor. For better performance and consistency, the tanked compressors are best. However, they go for a much higher price; you must be willing to go deeper into your pockets to acquire one.
How easy is it to clean the airbrush?
Some airbrushes are sold with a cleaning brush that you can use to thoroughly remove the paint inside. The best airbrush should be easy to clean and maintain.
Summary
An airbrush is not only a good tool for artists and other design experts who play around with paint; it is worth noting that it is a big investment. You, therefore, should consider the factors and features that define airbrush quality so you can get the best one as per your needs.
BA says
The ‘cons’ section is worthless, and having ‘made in the U.S.’ as a pro is ridiculous, no mention of the drawbacks of bottom feed on low pressure work, and claiming any of these as the best whilst ignoring super premium options like the micron c+ loses you credence. The line up is perfect, the information provided is however, entirely superfluous in this case.
Peter Melville says
Thank you for the feedback. I rewrote the pros and cons of each model. Now they are more substantial.
I know that Iwata Custom Micron CM-C+ is one of the best airbrushes in general. It gives excellent results with watercolors or inks. But so far I do not have enough evidence that it is the best for model builders. As soon as I receive a confirmation that it is as good at working with modeling paints, I will add it to this list.
Also, I want to say that this post is constantly changing and updated. The goal is the most useful information. And I will be thankful for all the comments.