When starting out as a beginner tattoo artist after securing your apprenticeship, it can be difficult to choose a tattoo machine that meets all your needs. Do you choose a rotary or coil machine? Should you go for a wired or wireless machine? Or would it be better to get a tattoo kit or bundle rather than just a machine as a more cost-effective choice?

In terms of choosing between a rotary tattoo machine or coil tattoo machine, it really depends on your personal preference. However, rotary machines are often easier to use, lower maintenance, more lightweight and ergonomic, and offer more versatility. 

Being user-friendly means beginners can focus more on honing their tattooing skills rather than having to spend lots of time trying to understand the mechanics of the machine. The versatility in stroke lengths that rotary tattoo machines offer also means you can get more practice with various techniques and styles.

If you’re overwhelmed by the choices of machines available, fear not. We have created a helpful list of the best tattoo machines for beginners divided into low, mid and high price brackets!

Low Price Range Tattoo Machines

Dragonhawk aims to simplify the art of tattooing and creates equipment suitable for tattoo artists at all levels, including beginners, making them the perfect choice when you’re just starting out. The tattoo machines from Dragonhawk are often lower in price as well!

  • Dragonhawk Mast- The Mast from Dragonhawk is a light-weight rotary tattoo machine that has comfort in mind. It weighs just 120 g meaning you can practise tattooing for longer with less discomfort! 
  • Dragonhawk Mast Archer- This Dragonhawk machine is wireless, powerful and reliable. It also comes with a 3.5 mm stroke length making it perfect for beginners who want to try out a range of tattoo styles and techniques! 
  • Peak S1MP - Lightweight at just over 170 g with an ergonomic grip shape, the S1MP doesn’t come with lots of fancy extras - it’s just a solid, reliable 3.5 mm stroke length wireless machine that’s a great first machine or emergency backup!

If you’re thinking about buying other tattoo equipment as well, you could benefit from looking at our apprentice tattoo kits! Choosing a tattoo kit provides an easy and more affordable option to build up your equipment while you’re just starting out. They also often include practice skins so you can have an opportunity to get used to the tattoo machine and try out different techniques.

Our Build Your Own Dragonhawk Tattoo Kit gives you the option to choose different tattoo equipment and find out what you like best. You can pick from a range of Dragonhawk tattoo machines, different tattoo inks such as from World Famous Limitless, as well as tattoo cartridges, practice skins, tattoo ink cups, concentrated green soap, and disposable razors.

Shop Dragonhawk tattoo machines or kits today and find the perfect one for you. 

Mid Price Range Tattoo Machines

We also stock a range of tattoo machines from Dragonhawk and KWADRON that have a slightly higher price but are still relatively cost-effective and great for beginners.

  • Dragonhawk Mast Archer 2- This wireless pen-style tattoo machine comes with a 3.5 mm stroke length, making it perfect for practising a variety of techniques. It’s powerful and capable of providing reliable power for up to 6 hours of running time between 4 and 12 V. This is based on a 2 hour charge with the USB-C cable included.
  • Dragonhawk Fold Pro Wireless Pen Tattoo Machine - This is a highly versatile tattoo machine with an adjustable stroke length. Stroke length options range from 2.4 to 4.2 mm which allows for different tattoo techniques and styles. You also have the option to work wired and wirelessly.
  • Equaliser Proton MX Tattoo Machine - This reliable and lightweight pen-style tattoo machine comes from KWADRON. It has an advanced gear system made to last, making it cost-effective. There are also multiple stroke length options, including 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 mm so you can practise various designs in different styles!
  • EZ P3 Pro Turbo - The P3 Pro comes with stroke wheels for 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0 mm stroke lengths, making it a powerful machine for professional tattoo artists! Get it with one battery or get an additional battery.
  • EZ Evotech Pro - The EvoTech Pro is a little slimmer, with a straighter body and a fixed stroke length of 3.5 mm that’s perfect for soft shading and clean lines. The speed adjustment feature allows you to change your speed while keeping at the same voltage level, and the battery life is a little longer on the EvoTech Pro, lasting up to 7 hours compared to the P3 Pro Turbo’s 5.

High Price Range Tattoo Machines

FK Irons is one of the leading manufacturers for tattoo machines. They are continuously pushing to incorporate the latest technology into their machines to benefit tattoo artists of all experiences.

Whilst the prices are slightly higher than other machines, they have some cool features that you could benefit from as a beginner tattoo artist. If you’re looking for a more long-term investment, our top picks for beginners from FK Irons are:

  • FK Irons ONE - This high-quality and dependable wireless tattoo machine has been designed for tattoo artists at all levels, including beginners. You can choose from 3.0 mm or 4.0 mm stroke lengths, allowing you to experiment with different techniques, such as lining and shading. Designed with comfort in mind, the ergonomic shape has larger grooves to prevent rolling and enhance comfort while working. 
  • FK Irons Xion - The Xion is a great tattoo machine for beginners as it has an adjustable stroke length, needle depth and give, so you have complete control over your machine. The 3.2 mm and 3.7 mm stroke options provide versatility and the chance to try out different techniques. Comfort has also been a focus of the Xion with the ergonomic and light-weight design meaning you can practise tattooing for longer. 

Both tattoo machines by FK Irons are designed with user-friendliness in mind, featuring a simple user interface and minimal set-up requirements, making them some of the best tattoo machines for beginners.

The Cheyenne Hawk PEN is also a great tattoo machine with several benefits that those starting out will enjoy. It has an ergonomic design that is gentle on your wrist and allows you to tattoo with comfort during longer tattoo sessions.

The machine comes with a 3.5 mm stroke allowing you to practise different techniques.

Whilst on the higher end of the price bracket, the cool features and high-quality design of the Cheyenne tattoo machine make it a good long-term option for a beginner. 

No matter the cost of the machine, whether you choose a lower priced option or make a longer-term investment with a mid to high range priced tattoo machine, it’s still important to ensure they have the features you want and are good quality.

By investing in the right equipment, you can ensure a smoother learning curve and a more enjoyable tattooing experience. Choose machines that offer reliability, ease of use, and versatility, and you'll be well on your way to becoming a skilled tattoo artist. Happy tattooing!

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