Best Coil Tattoo Machines Reviews & Buying Guide

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Tattooing is a unique craft, and to get top-notch results, you will need the best coil tattoo machines. With the advancement in technology, these machines have become more versatile, precise, and sturdy. There is a variety of beginner and professional coil tattoo machines available in the market, which can get you easily confused that which one of the best for you.

Here we have everything you need to know about this old-school beast and how you can pick the best ones.

10 Best Coil Tattoo Machines in 2023

Product ImageDetailsSpecificationsTypeWeight
(gm)
Wrap CoilsFrameVoltage
(v)
Editor’s Rating
Editor’s Choice


Dragonhawk-2pcs-Brass-Coils-Tattoo-Machine
Dragonhawk Brass Coil Machine

  • Standard tube fitting

  • Efficient performance

  • Less noise and vibrations

Shader and Liner725Shader: 10
Liner: 8
Billet brass7 – 8
4.9
/5
Best For Beginners


Solong-Tattoo-Complete-Starter-Beginner-Tattoo
Solong Complete Starter Kit

  • Foot Pedal to control voltage

  • Disposable accessories

  • All tattooing essentials are available in kit

Complete kit2998Shader: 10
Liner: 10
Aluminum10 - 12
4.8
/5
Best For Lining


One-Tattoo-World-Coils-Iron-Liner-Gun-Tattoo-Machine
One Tattoo World Liner Gun

  • Good for lining and color packing

  • Do not heat up

  • Easy tunning

Liner3265Liner: 8Iron6 – 8
4.7
/5
Best Kit


Wormhole-Complete-Coil-Tattoo-Machine-Kit
Wormhole Tattoo Kit

  • Fast speed for precise work

  • Low vibrations

  • Light weight

Liner and Shader1542Shader: 10
Liner: 10
Cast Iron5.5 - 8
4.6
/5
Best Affordable


Wormhole-Affordable-Coil-Tattoo-Machine
Wormhole Professional Tattoo Gun Kit

  • Power supply is dual control

  • Professional set up guide available

  • User friendly

Complete kit1446Shader: 8
Liner: 8
Iron5.5 - 8
4.8
/5
Best Liner And Shader


Redscorpion-coil-tattoo-machine-liner-and-shader
Redscorpion Tattoo Gun

  • Highly elastic and flexible

  • Less skin damages

  • Smooth and stable to use

Liner and Shader17Shader: 10
Liner: 8
Alloy6 – 8
4.7
/5
Best Lightweight


Thomas-Copper-Coils-Lightweight-Machine
Thomas Tattoo Gun

  • Vintage and beautiful design

  • Highly durable structure

  • Works well on low voltage

Liner303Liner: 8Brass3 – 5
4.5
/5
Best For Color Packing


HAWINK-Tattoo-Kit-for-Color-Packing
Hawink Tattoo Kit

  • Precise and fine line work

  • Vibrant color packing

  • Include all starter supplies

Complete kit1133Shader: 10
Liner: 8
Aircraft aluminum0 – 18
4.6
/5
Best For Shading


Wormhole-Aluminum-Coil-Tattoo-Machine-For-Shading
Wormhole Aircraft Grade Tattoo Gun

  • Highly durable carbon steel coil

  • Stable and quiet operation

  • Matches with all disposable and metal tubes

Liner158Liner: 10Aircraft Grade Aluminum5 – 10
4.7
/5
Best Portable


Redscorpion-Cast-Iron-Liner-Portable-Coil-Tattoo-Machines
Redscorpion Cast Iron Tattoo Machine

  • Accurate dimensions

  • Magnetic and electrical conductivity is excellent

  • Working speed is stable

Liner199Liner: 8Cast iron6 – 8
4.4
/5

What Makes Coil Tattoo Gun A Good Option

Sharp and clear contours are the reason coil machines are still the best. Compared to a rotary machine, the needle of the coil gun will stay in the skin for a longer duration. Therefore, pigment is properly distributed in the skin with these extra microseconds. Besides that, artists will not have to go over the design several times for proper color packing.

Benefits of using a coil machine

  • Some interesting benefits of utilizing a coil tattooing machine are.
  • Piercing skin is much easier and requires less effort.
  • Dense and fast shading for even large areas of the body.
  • Coil machines are more affordable than rotary guns because they have minimal components. Moreover, their manufacturing is cheap as well.
  • Stroke power and needle frequency have a specific adjustment.

How We Selected Our Top Coil Tattooing Guns

Here are some of the things we considered to shortlist our top picks.

  • Smooth movements
  • Precision
  • Ergonomic spring
  • The prominence of design
  • Durable material
  • No heat and no noise
  • Lightweight comfort

Top 5 Best Coil Tattoo Machines 2023 – Reviews

Here are our top picks with detailed reviews to help you select the best one.

1. Editor’s Choice: Dragonhawk Brass Coil Machine

“The tattoo machine will help you draw an amazingly perfect tattoo like a professional. You will become a master of your skill.”

Dragonhawk-2pcs-Brass-Coils-Tattoo-Machine

Our Rating:

What we liked:

  • The amazingly perfect results
  • Using this tattoo machine is quite easy
  • Usage with the help of magnetic coils

What we didn’t like:

  • For professionals but works great for beginners as well

Check Latest Price on Amazon

It is very important for professional tattoo artist to get a proper tool. If you are a professional and looking for a high-quality built tattoo machine, you might want to consider buying this one. It has a CNC cut billet brass frame fitted with a standard tube and shade running capacity 115-120Hz with 7-8V. Moreover, liner running capacity 140-150Hz with 7-8V.

2. Best For Beginners: Solong Complete Starter Kit

“The kit is a perfect fit for beginners looking for a high-quality and affordable solution to start their tattooing career”

Solong-Tattoo-Complete-Starter-Beginner-Tattoo

Our Rating:

What we liked:

  • Perfect for learning more about making tattoos
  • Handling this gun is super easy
  • Fewer vibrations provide steady performance

What we didn’t like:

  • Good for beginners but helps you improve your skills

Check Latest Price on Amazon

Are you a beginner and looking for a tattoo kit that would help you learn more about making tattoos? This beginner tattoo kit will play an important role if you buy it. Besides that, you get 4 pro tattoo machine guns in the package with shade and liner. Moreover, LCD digital tattoo power supply has a foot pedal and clips cord. As well as, you get 28 popular tattoo ink color bottles of 5mg.

3. Best For Lining: One Tattoo World Coils Gun Tattoo Machine

“The tattooing machine works like a magic wand in your hands which can do wonders.”

One-Tattoo-World-Coils-Iron-Liner-Gun-Tattoo-Machine

Our Rating:

What we liked:

  • It comes with a good liner frame
  • User friendly and easy to handle
  • Less vibrations

What we didn’t like:

  • Slightly pricey but worth your money

Check Latest Price on Amazon

If you know how to make a tattoo and now are looking for a tattoo gun that would help you make tattoos perfectly, you might want to consider these 8 wrap coils tattoo gun. Moreover, 8 wrap coils make a good frame and a good liner. Besides that, you have to tune the tattoo gun without much struggle, and the tube grip is great so you can have a firm hand on it.

4. Best Kit: Wormhole Complete Coil Tattoo Machine Kit

“The ideal complete tattoo kit has all the necessary items an artist desires.”

Wormhole-Complete-Coil-Tattoo-Machine-Kit

Our Rating:

What we liked:

  • A lightweight tattoo gun and make minimum vibrations while making a tattoo
  • It comes with a user manual, so a beginner can learn a lot by following it
  • You get everything you need in this tattoo kit

What we didn’t like:

  • So many items can confuse you at first, but it’s all you need

Check Latest Price on Amazon

It comes with a 2pcs coil tattoo gun and 10 coils suitable for liner and shader. Moreover, this tattoo kit comes with 2 tattoo guns, 1 tattoo power supply, 1 clip cord, 1-foot pedal, 2 tattoo grip, 2 tattoo tubes, 30 tattoo needles, and much more. Therefore, all these accessories will help you save money and work on your tattooing skills.

5. Best Affordable: Wormhole Professional Tattoo Gun Kit

“If you buy this tattoo kit, you won’t have to buy anything extra on your own.”

Wormhole-Affordable-Coil-Tattoo-Machine

Our Rating:

What we liked:

  • It would help you to make a perfect tattoo
  • All tattoo making products will be a part of the deal
  • Both liner and shader would run smoothly on the skin without making any noise

What we didn’t like:

  • Expensive but worth it

Check Latest Price on Amazon

We like that it has everything like a tattoo machine, tattoo powder, supply, tattoo inks, foot pedal, and all the required items for making a tattoo. Besides that, the 10 coils for both liner and shaders work quite silently on your skin. Moreover, we can connect the liner and shader machine simultaneously with the dual control power supply feature.

The Best Coil Tattoo Machines – Detailed Buying Guide 2023

Apart from the technical features, there are other specifications that you need to consider to find the best coil guns. A machine should be not only lightweight but also easy to handle. Besides that, its type, grip, durability, frame, and spring quality also require your attention.

What Is Coil Tattoo Machine?

The needle grouping works through an electromagnetic circuit in a coil tattooing gun. The current passes through two coils that create sound and vibrations. Thus, it triggers movement of the armature bar, which creates a hammer-like motion. It releases the springs, due to which needles insert the ink by smoothly poking into the skin.

How Does A Coil Tattoo Machine Work?

Coil machines have a very simple working mechanism which is fascinating. Various parts join together to form a coil gun. Here are a few of them.

  • Spring
  • Armature bar
  • Wrap coils
Electromagnetic current will pass through star-shaped coils once you attach your machine with a power supply. It will trigger an armature bar that will start the release and draw mechanism. Using hammering motion armature bar will tap the needle with a spring to allow the artist to draw tattoos.

What To Look For When Buying Coil Tattoo Machine

Here we have a list of things you need to look for before buying your first coil machine.

Frame: You need to pay attention to what feels right in your hand. If you need stable handiwork, it will be better to go for an iron or brass machine because of their heavy weight. At the same time, you can pick aluminum or zinc coil guns if you do not want your hands to tire. Besides that, the coil machine frame should have reliable heat diffusion to not heat it even when you have to use it for long hours.

Coil wraps: Always pick a coil machine with iron or bobbin core with 8 to 12 wraps. Moreover, the vertical force and speed of the machine are determined by the wraps of the coil. A high-quality machine will not have gaps in its wire. If there is opaque insulation in wraps or fewer coils, it indicates that the machine is not high quality.

Spring: The main difference between the shader and liner machine is the spring length. Besides that, the shader always has a longer spring than the liner. Therefore, you can pick one or both, depending on your tattooing style.

Grip: Always prefer an ergonomic grip because it is soft against the skin and easier to work with. Moreover, a comfortable grip will allow you to focus on your design without tiring your hands.

How To Use Good Coil Tattoo Machines

When using a coil gun for the first time, it is always better to follow the instructions given in the manual. Once you set up your device, here is how you can use it.

  • Adjust the voltage of your device according to your shading or linin requirements. Moreover, 7 – 8 volts will be ideal for contouring or lining. Besides that, 8 – 12 volts will be perfect for shading.
  • Once the needle starts moving, assure that you have a firm grip on the machine. It will allow you to get the best results every time.
  • While working, make sure you do not damage the machine’s coil. Besides that, do not let your device get wet in any form.

How To Setup Coil Tattoo Gun

There are two types of settings for a coil machine. Here is how you can manage it.

1- Basic Setup And Assembly

You need to carefully connect the pedal and power supply. Moreover, assemble the body of the machine with a holder. To secure the needle bar with a rubber band, tighten its screws. Besides that, adjust the tension screw so you can achieve a clean sound whenever you operate your device.

2- Fine Tuning

You will have to change the following specifications of your device to achieve fine-tuning.

  • The force of spring compression.
  • Stroke length.
  • Set balance point of gap.
  • Select accurate bandage gum for tension.
  • Adjust another air gap by tightening contact screws. This gap is between the bottom surface and the front coil.

How To Troubleshoot Your Tattoo Machine

Sometimes you will notice that it is getting hard to use your coil machine properly. You will need to find the issue and resolve it yourself in this situation. Your clients will not like to wait while trying to fix your device. Thus, to help you out here, we have some common problems and how you can quickly troubleshoot them.

Grip problems: Grips of machines are often loose. Chances are you did not tighten the hex bolt properly, or the thumbscrew is not in the right place due to improper tension. Therefore, add a washer that will help you tighten your hex bolt.

The needle is not moving: The back spring of your device may be creating some issues due to which the needle is not moving properly. All you have to do is adjust the back and front spring’s tension. After that, tune the armature bar and the needle will start working just fine.

Spring issues: If your device is working at a maximum voltage, you may deal with spring issues. There may be a problem with the unit or spring. Quickly disassemble your device and fine-tune it so you can accurately adjust tension get movements of springs back.

Configuration of voltage: Assure that tension between springs and armature bar is not too much. In such a situation, your device will heat up. Therefore, you have to tune it properly so when you are changing voltages, your device will not heat up, and you will not have to worry about losing power.

Our Verdict

DragonHawk Straight Shader Circle Liner is a brass coil tattoo machine loved by our editor. Its lightweight design and precise lining will provide you with extraordinary results that will amaze your clients. Moreover, low vibrations make it easy to handle and work with. Practice will help you master your skill and become the best artist.

The Coil Tattoo Machines – FAQs

Q: How To Differentiate Between Shader Or Liner Machine?

A: It is really simple to differentiate between a shader or liner machine. The machine with the longer front spring is a shader, while the shorter spring is the liner.

Q: Is It Possible To Use Shader As A Liner?

A: Yes, you can use a shader as a liner, but you may not get excellent results.

Q: Are There Different Types Of Coil Machines?

A: Three types of coil machines are available. These are shader, liner, and color packer.

Q: What Can I Do If Needle Is Not Working?

A: If the needle stops moving up and down, there are chances that back spring tension is not working properly. Thus, you have to tune it again to maintain proper bending tension in the spring so the needles can move accurately.

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