The 7 Best Airbrush Kits
Airbrushing is a fantastic way to add smooth gradients and fine details to your art projects. In this post, we review the best airbrush kits available in 2024 for both artists and crafters.
Our favorite airbrush set is is the Grex Tritium Series Airbrush Combo Kit
Whether you’re a painter or a cake decorator, achieving a smooth and even color application is nearly impossible to do with the stroke of a brush—that’s where airbrush kits come in. Using an airbrush is the best way to get a seamless blend while also quickly covering a surface, giving it a level of efficiency and elevation.
We researched dozens of recommended airbrush kits to find the best ones, keeping usage, paint capacity, skill level, and value at top of mind. Our front runner is the Grex Tritium Series Airbrush Combo Kit comes highly recommended by artists and amateurs alike, provides a consistent application, and has an ultra-quiet compressor. But, it’s not the only airbrush kit that passed our test with flying colors.
Here are the best airbrush kits, whether you’re looking to coat a model train in some pigment, work with acrylic paints, or want to up the ante on your watercoloring skills.
U.S. Cake Supply Complete Cake Decorating Airbrush Kit at Amazon$150$90
Best Overall
Grex Tritium Series Airbrush Combo Kits
PHOTO: Amazon
What We Like
- Application is consistent, even at a lower pressure
- The compressor is quiet
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t include paints
Unlike some of the other kits available, this one doesn’t include a set of paints. But, since we prefer to choose our own airbrush paints, we don’t count this a big loss. Featuring all the parts you need to get started with the option to choose between side gravity or top gravity, plus a quiet compressor, this kit is high quality, provides an even and consistent paint (even at low pressure), and can be used for everything from painting scale models to canvas and more.
Keep in mind that this kit is also on the pricier side; however, we think you really get what you pay for, which is a high-quality airbrush system that will last.
Items Included: Premium Tritium Series airbrush in either top of side gravity feed, a mini compressor, airbrushing accessories
Best for Beginners
Blick Complete Airbrush System by Iwata
PHOTO: Blick
What We Like
- Great for beginners
- Comes with everything you need, including paints
- Versatile
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive for beginners
For a kit that has everything you need, this one is it. Curated to include a gravity feed airbrush, compressor, paints, and so much more, the Blick Complete Airbrush System by Iwata is a great option for all skill levels—including beginners—as it’s easy to use and incredibly versatile with the ability to work on both large projects and fine details.
The biggest downside to this kit is that it is expensive for a beginner. So, we recommend being sure you’re going to get a lot of use out of it before purchasing.
Items Included: Airbrush, compressor, spray out pot, paints, airbrush cleaner, Iwata Medea Super Lube, thread sealer, nozzle wrench, LED magnifier, two cleaning brushes, washing brush, 50 pipe cleaners, storage case
Best for Watercolor
Iwata Watercolor Airbrush Kit
PHOTO: Dickblick
What We Like
- Has everything you need to get started
- Good for beginners
What We Don’t Like
- Only includes one airbrush
- Expensive for beginners
One of the coolest things about airbrushes is that you can use them to create stunning watercolor paintings. Our top pick for this category is the Iwata Watercolor Airbrush Kit because it comes with everything you need to amplify your watercolor creations, including watercolors, clapboard, paper, brushes, and a palette. It’s also easy to use, making it an excellent beginner-friendly option.
Items Included: Airbrush, compression, six Schmincke watercolors, two painting surfaces, a three-pack of 5 x 7 textured Ampersand Clayboard, eight sheets of watercolor paper, three watercolor brushes, palette, airbrush cleanser
Best for Acrylic Painting
Master Airbrush Cool Runner II
PHOTO: Amazon
What We Like
- Easy to use and beginner-friendly
- Large range of application accuracy
What We Don’t Like
- Instructions aren’t very detailed
- Paints aren’t high quality
This airbrush kit comes highly recommended by nearly 5,000 Amazon customers for how easy it is to use and clean, plus the fact it has everything you need. The kit includes a range of items, including three types of airbrushes, a compressor that can withstand long periods of use, and paints. And, to top things off, it’s a great price, which adds to its overall value.
We selected this kit specifically for its acrylic usage, as the multiple airbrushes allow you to customize your stroke for all different types of projects. Its one main flaw is that even though it is beginner-friendly, it doesn’t have the most detailed instructions—so there can be a learning curve for anyone who is brand new to airbrushing.
Items Included: Compressor, three airbrushes, water-based acrylic paint kit
Best for Cake Decorating
U.S. Cake Supply Complete Cake Decorating Airbrush Kit
PHOTO: Amazon
What We Like
- Kid-friendly
- Includes a range of airbrush food colors
- Easy to clean
What We Don’t Like
- Automatically set on the medium setting
Using an airbrush for cake decorating is a total game changer. This one from U.S. Cake Supply was made with all skill levels in mind (including kids!), allowing you to take your cake, cookie, and cupcake decorating to new heights. With an airbrush, compressor, food coloring, and a user guide that includes design techniques and tips, the kit comes with everything you need so you can get started right away.
There’s one thing to watch out for, though: Some reports say it is automatically set on the medium setting, which can be a concern for those looking to start their confectionery decor on low.
Items Included: Airbrush, compressor with three airflow settings, 12 airbrush food colors, user guide with design techniques
Best Budget
Testors Easy Snap and Spray Airbrush Kit
PHOTO: Dickblick
What We Like
- Great for small and large projects
- Good for the occasional air brush artist
- Great for on-the-go use
What We Don’t Like
- Not ideal for more experienced artists
When in need of a budget-friendly airbrush kit, you’ll likely need to forgo all the bells and whistles—such as a compressor—but that doesn’t mean you can’t find something that gets the job done. From our research, this kit from Testors is a great choice, especially considering its price. It’s versatile enough to use on small and large projects and makes on-the-go painting even easier. The one thing to be weary of? It’s best used occasionally, so it might not be ideal for more experienced airbrush artists.
Items Included: Airbrush with hose, two 1/4 ounce bottles, two clip caps, two dip tubes, Aztec airbrush propellant, cleaning wire, pipette
Best Portable
fehrominger Portable Cordless Airbrush Kit With Compressor
PHOTO: Amazon
What We Like
- Can be used for virtually any medium
- Has a rechargeable battery
- Great for cake decorating
What We Don’t Like
- Better for small projects
- The battery isn’t long-lasting
Sometimes you just need to go cordless and, when that time comes, we recommend reaching for this portable airbrush kit from Amazon. The cordless airbrush system is ideal for any medium (including cake decorating) and comes with a rechargeable battery, which is highly appreciated. That said, it’s better used on smaller projects as the battery isn’t the most long-lasting.
Items Included: Airbrush, rechargeable battery, three paint cups, five cleaning brushes
What to Look For in Airbrush Kits
Usage
Before purchasing an airbrush kit, Anna Olsen, JOANN Crafted Content Trend Lead, and Valerie Ott, Editorial Director at JOANN Stores recommend considering what you will use the airbrush for. Having an idea of what you will use it for will help you determine what kind of airbrush feed method you’ll need. “Research the airbrush feed options available and choose your airbrush kit based on the result you’re looking to achieve,” explains Olsen.
Paint Capacity
According to Olsen and Ott, you should always pay attention to the paint capacity of the airbrush in the kit. They note that projects that require a lot of paint will require a larger capacity. “Make sure the airbrush within the kit can accommodate your project needs,” says Ott.
Portability
Some airbrush kits offer portability, thus providing more convenience and flexibility with your projects. You’ll have more control and deal with less hassle without tubing in the way. Just keep in mind that these travel-friendly options normally run on a battery that’ll need to be charged more often than not and are best used on miniature projects.
Why Trust Craft Ideas Blog Crafts
Contributing writer Jessie Quinn has a Bachelor’s Degree from Academy of Art University and is the daughter of a painter, so paint was the first artform she was introduced to. For this roundup, Quinn used her experience sourcing painting supplies and journalistic research skills to determine the best airbrush kits. Throughout her research, she also considered different types of uses—including watercolor and cake decorating—value, skill level, and customer reviews. As a result, she curated a robust list of airbrush kits for all of your painting needs and requirements.
