1. Dragonhawk Rotary Tattoo Machine
The Dragonhawk is the best rotary tattoo machine if you want a well-rounded entry-level product. It is durable and quite precise for what it is worth and is quite the bargain. We like this tattoo gun for its low noise level and stability.
Why do you need the Best Rotary Tattoo Machine?
As a tattoo artist, the most important thing is your tattoo gun. If you are an aspiring tattoo artist or new to tattooing, you should do a lot of research into buying your first tattoo gun. You should be looking at the type of tattoo machine you want to buy as well as, performance metrics, condition, and value.
Generally speaking, tattoo machines come in three types: rotary, coil, and pneumatic. Regardless of the type, they all move tattoo needles in and out of the skin and deposit ink into the dermis. However, they differ from one another based on mechanisms to move the needle.
With the best rotary tattoo machine, you can have a gadget powered by an electric motor and tattoo power supply. This makes it incredibly quiet and allows the machine to move the tattoo needle more smoothly than other types. It is much less harsh on the skin than coil or pneumatic tattoo machines. Finally, it tends to be lighter than the other types.
If you are going to get a rotary tattoo machine, make sure you set your budget straight because they can be very cheap or very expensive. The best rotary tattoo machine will allow you to be able to work at a uniform speed, draw smooth lines, easy to handle, lightweight, and quiet. Cheaper ones will still work, but they won’t give you full control over the tattoo gun. This means you may not be as precise as you would like in your artwork. Finally, you should also consider finish, durability, and looks. If you are going to be paying top dollar for a tattoo gun, you better make sure it is worth the premium.
Best Rotary Tattoo Machine
- Dragonhawk Rotary Tattoo Machine
- Thunderbolt Force Rotary Tattoo Machine
- Bishop Rotary Tattoo Machine
- Yosoo Dragonfly Rotary Tattoo Machine
- EZTAT2 Rotary Tattoo Machine
1. Dragonhawk Rotary Tattoo Machine
The Dragonhawk Rotary Tattoo Machine is the best rotary tattoo machine for those looking for a quality entry-level product. It is the perfect tattoo machine to learn on and forces you to learn more. It is definitely not a cheap Chinese knockoff that is poorly tuned. This machine is built pretty solid and won’t have screws coming loose or parts malfunctioning immediately. While Dragonhawk Rotary Tattoo Machine doesn’t have the craftsmanship of an extremely expensive gun, it is certainly viable for most operations.
Let’s move on to the specs. It has a space aluminum unibody design that is pretty lightweight. The length of the stroke is 3.5 mm and the entire unit weighs 4.15 oz. The Dragonhawk operates on 7-10 V DC with a lining voltage of 7V-8.5V and a shading voltage of 8V to 10V. We really like this tattoo gun for its long-lasting stability and rather low noise level. A nice thing is it comes out of the box assembled so you don’t have to do any heavy lifting. Overall, it is great for beginners to learn and lasts longer than most in this price range. You can get some pretty smooth lines out of this machine with enough skill and patience.
2. Thunderbolt Force Rotary Tattoo Machine
We would say the Thunderbolt Force is the best rotary tattoo machine for those looking for value. While it is not the most expensive machine out there, it is certainly not the cheapest either. It strikes a great balance between cost and performance. Sure you can pay $500 for a premium rotary tattoo gun, but at some point, you have to ask yourself is it really worth it? In other words, we think the Thunderbolt Force strikes the perfect point in tattoo guns where more expensive may not translate to better.
Let’s put it this way. The Thunderbolt Force is good enough for most tattoo artists and can consistently outline and shade. It runs great and is very durable. The unit is very stable and doesn’t feel like it is made of cheap materials. Additionally, the body is made of aircraft aluminum, which definitely feels premium. In terms of performance, this tattoo gun works at a uniform speed and makes very smooth lines without the need for steady hands. It also helps a bit in reducing damage to your skin, although that is more dependent on the tattoo ink.
3. Bishop Rotary Tattoo Machine
Ok, we are not going to lie. This is a very expensive rotary tattoo machine. However, if you are truly looking for the best rotary tattoo machine and don’t care what you pay, the Bishop Rotary Tattoo Gun is your best friend. This is probably the easiest rotary to work with for all types of techniques from color work to soft shading and saturation or packing. Since this is also a no give machine, you only need to increase or decrease the voltage.
The Bishop Rotary is beautifully balanced and light. There is some serious craftsmanship involved in making this tattoo gun. The cleaning and servicing is also very easy to manage. Although handspeed and technique play a role, these things are just made easy with the Bishop. We also like the way the Bishop feels as you grip it. It is comfortable and sturdy as well as quite a noise canceling. This is definitely a workhorse tattoo gun and belongs in any serious tattoo artist’s studio.
4. Yosoo Dragonfly Rotary Tattoo Machine
If you just want the cheapest possible tattoo gun, the Yosoo Dragonfly is the best rotary tattoo machine for you. This tattoo gun can be used in all situations such as a liner, filler, or shader. It is the perfect learning tool for those looking into getting into the art of making tattoos but doesn’t have the funds to splurge on a real tattoo gun. There is nothing wrong with the Yosoo Dragonfly. It is just not really the kind of tattoo machine you would brag about.
What we like about this tattoo gun is that it simply works. Although it doesn’t work great and won’t give you the exact precision that you want, it still functions. The Dragonfly produces low vibrations and is pretty lightweight, so it is rather easy to learn. It has a stainless steel shaft that allows it to rotate freely.
Sure there are some issues with long-term usage and durability, but you kind of get what you pay for. Like we said, it definitely works but just know that it may break down on you after a few months of solid usage. This is enough time to know if you want to seriously get into the game or not. Besides, it is also great as a backup device.
5. EZTAT2 Rotary Tattoo Machine
If you are a fan of rotary tattoo machines, then you may like the EZTAT2 Tattoo V2 Pen. It is the best rotary tattoo machine that feels close to an actual pen. This tattoo gun uses a great motor that is both low noise and stable. The pen itself is made of a space aluminum shell with a unibody lightweight design. When you hold it in your hand, it feels premium, durable, and definitely not cheap.
What we like about the EZTAT2 is that it hits hard and has no vibrations. You can get laser point accuracy with this tool and gets the job done every time. If you have heard of the Cheyenne, then this is basically a perfect replica for less. Each tattoo machine is handcrafted and quality controlled to ensure no errors. Its operating voltage is 7-15 V DC and a power input of 15 V switch frequency of 55 to 165 Hz. Although it is not exactly cheap, if you are in the market for a rotary tattoo pen and don’t want to shell out for a Cheyenne, this is the perfect answer.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattoo_machine
https://www.livestrong.com/article/117811-advantages-rotary-tattoo-machines/
