Best Rotary Tattoo Machines 2023

No longer cramping in hands from long hours of tattooing. The best rotary tattoo machine will make your work pleasurable and faster due to comfort and practicality.

Tattooing is a highly entertaining activity for both parties, for the artist, as well as for the customer! Well, for the artist this activity is more disciplined and hard, because in tattooing precision and meticulous working is everything!

So, it makes sense that for a great tattoo, the artist needs to have a good machine that fits well in his hand, and all movements are unobstructed and comfortable. If you as an artist don’t have a rotary machine, could you do long hours of work? Probably yes, but more difficult and tiresome.

This is why we will cover several reviews of the most reliable rotary tattoo machines below, and assist you in choosing the one that’s right for you and your budget, as well as work needs. With a rotary tattoo machine, you will enjoy faster, smoother, and more flowing movements with the needle into the skin, and this is what every artist needs and wants!

So, let’s begin to discover the benefits and best picks for a rotary tattoo machine below.

These were the top 3 machines we listed for you initially. Have a closer look at each separately in the sections below, and discover all their best features that would make them a good pick for you.

Read also: Best Tattoo Starter Kit for Beginners

Why You Need the Best Rotary Tattoo Machine

We suppose that you are a tattoo artist since you are here researching rotary machines. And another guess we make is that you need comfort in your hand, not a machine that would cramp you up or cause working obstacles of other kinds. The rotary tattoo machines feel much lighter than the regular previous, coil machines. Nothing can replace the lightweight of something used for drawing for long hours. You would notice an immense improvement in your work, as well as hand posture with a rotary tattoo machine.

The rotary tattoo machine is a suitable one for all tattoo artists, and we recommend it for every single person involved in tattooing; whether professional long hours or less as an apprentice – works for all! Comfort is something that should be a default. You as a tattoo artist would need your hand to feel as rested as possible during and after the working sessions. And, the most trustworthy rotary tattoo machine would make a great addition to your equipment if you have lots of clients and lots of large tattoos scheduled especially!

Top 10 Best Rotary Tattoo Machines in 2022

1. Mast Tour Rotary Pen Machine

From the MAST TATTOO brand, we list our best overall pick which in fact, is a wireless tattoo machine! Sounds incredible so far, to not have a cord anywhere near you and remove any limits on the movements. This is a small size machine that is extra-convenient as a portable one too – if moving the equipment around is often your thing! It works gently and quietly, so you and the customer will enjoy pleasant and silent tattooing. You will notice the pen-design is amazingly comfortable in your hand too.

Package dimensions are 7.01 x 4.41 x 4.21 inches. And the package is also lightweight with just 1.94 ounces.

2. FK Irons Spectra Direkt2 Tattoo Machine

As our second pick, the premium pick, we chose the FK Irons brand. This machine is practical because you will not need special adapters for changing cartridges (grips). Also, you can create various setups with the stroke caps that are changeable here. The work will be silent and smooth at all times with its Hex Drive MotorBolt system.

When completely assembled, this aluminum rotary tattoo machine weighs just 2.88 oz., and it has stroke caps of various sizes; 2.8mm, 3.4mm, 4.0 mm.

3. Dragonhawk Mast Pen Rotary Tattoo Machine

And as our third, and budget pick, we chose the Dragonhawk brand. This machine comes packed in a large, spacey case and has several things included (pedal, power supply, 10 cartridges, DC cord). It has an affordable price and offers good quality. The material is sturdy and durable aluminum, and the total weight is 4 oz. The work will be vibrationless and quiet with this pen-design machine that’s also fit for all cartridges.

Package dimensions are 9.2 x 9.1 x 3.7, with a total weight of just 3.1 pounds.

4. Dragonhawk Extreme Rotary Tattoo Machine

We continue with another good suggestion by the same brand Dragonhawk. This is a rotary tattoo machine made of extremely durable material (carbon steel), so you don’t have to doubt the longevity here. The machine is not heavy and weighs just 6.17 oz., you won’t even feel it in the hand, since it’s ergonomic as well. It comes packed with a clip cord connection. You can do all sorts of tattooing with such a versatile machine (coloring, lines, shades, etc).

The dimension of the whole package is 6.5 x 5 x 2.1 inches, with a weight of 11.22 ounces.

5. Mast Archer Wireless Tattoo Machine

Now we have the MAST TATTOO brand with their stunning rotary tattoo machine. This one is wireless, so it instantly catches your attention! It has a neat LCD screen, and the voltage is quite easily adjusted as well. The weight of this machine is 6.5 oz., and it’s 132mm long, and 32mm in diameter size. You won’t even notice it in the hand because it is lightweight and practical.

It’s even more amazing that you can work with it for 6 to 8 hours, and charge it in 2 hours tops! No worries about tattooing styles; it is good for shades and lines both. Like all modern, rotary tattoo machines, this one is also quiet and goes smoothly on the skin. In the package, you get the wireless machine (Mast Archer), 2 grips, a USB cord, and a box.

Dimensions of this whole package are 3.94 x 3.94 x 3.94 inches, with a weight of just 1.55 pounds.

6. STIGMA Tattoo kit Rotary Tattoo Machine Pen

From the STIGMA brand, we recommend this rotary tattoo machine that comes with several things included. When you order, you will receive it with 2 batteries, 20 cartridges, a cohesive bandage, and more accessories. The pen is a pen-style design and very lightweight too. It is practical because you can always work with one of the batteries, and charge the second one! Plus, the pen is suitable for all types of cartridge. The manufacturer also certified this and gave a 1-year warranty.

Dimensions of the package are 3.23 x 9.06 x 10.83 inches. The total weight is 2.42 pounds.

7. YLONG ‘L’ Rotary Tattoo Machine

Our next suggestion is the YLONG brand with the tattoo gun fit for shading and lines foremost, but all else as well, of course. This rotary tattoo machine is made of aluminum, and it weighs just 4.05 oz. The design is practical and nicely rounded for extreme precision through a good comfortable grip. It is compatible with all cartridges, and in the shipment, you also get a needle cartridge, a connection line, and a tattoo pen too.

The package size and dimensions are 6.18 x 4.02 x 1.81 inches, and 9.59 ounces weight.

8. Hawick Rotary Tattoo Machine

As the next suggestion, we list the Hawink brand with this rotary tattoo machine. The motor here has great power and stability, and the design is comfortable and ergonomic. With a pen-design machine lightweight, tattooing will be easier and more pleasurable. The precision is on point, and the grip feels natural. The needle protrusion is 4mm, stroke is 3.2 mm, and the machine weight is 5.7 oz. This machine is compatible with all cartridges. The manufacturer recommends voltage not higher than 14V to avoid overheating.

The package is sizes 6 x 3.8 x 1.8 inches, with a total weight of 4.96 ounces.

9. Dragonhawk Atom Rotary Pen Tattoo Machine

Again we have the Dragonhawk brand suggestion, this time with a machine of lightweight 4.7 oz. you can easily adjust the depth for needles here, 0-4.5 mm, and it is also suitable for all cartridge types. It works with a stroke of 3.5 mm. This rotary tattoo machine is a pleasure to work with – silent, comfortable, simple, and durable too. The optimal working voltage is 5.15 V, and the motor is the supreme Japanese quality that softens vibrations.

The dimensions of this package are 7.2 x 5.3 x 2.3 inches, with a total weight of 13.62 ounces.

10. Ambition Rotary Battery Pen Tattoo

As of last (but not least) on our list is the Ambition brand with a stunning pen-design machine. This is another product featuring a Japanese good-quality motor that is durable and reliable and made of lasting aluminum alloy. This same motor is working with a top speed of 10800 rpm, works smoothly, and doesn’t heat up. The machine is 140mm long, and 7.4 oz in weight. It stands out because it’s super-easy to assemble and disassemble its parts.

The battery for this machine has 1800 mAh capacity (with 3 pieces of 600 mAh built-in battery). Long tattooing is not an issue here! The output (8V) needs 2 hours of charging after 6 hours of work. In the package, you get the rotary tattoo machine pen, 1 battery, and 1 USB cable for charging.

Dimensions of the package are 7.28 x 5.31 x 2.13 inches, with a weight of 8.99 ounces.

How did we pick and tested the rotary tattoo machines?

When we researched, we had in mind several factors that are crucial for tattoo artists. The tattooing machine is among the crucial tools an artist needs, so it has to have as many good features as possible. It must be practical in all aspects above all. And, certainly, all tattoo artists need as many good features combined in one rotary tattoo machine, so we paid attention to the following:

• Ergonomics / Pen-design
• Quiet working
• Durable material
• Need for adapters
• Suitability cartridges
• Precision
• Affordability

Read also: Best Tattoo Numbing Cream

Rotary Tattoo Machines Buyer’s Guide

Do I have to purchase a rotary tattoo machine and replace my old coil machine?

It is highly recommended that you get a rotary tattoo machine and slowly stop using the coil type. The rotary machines have advantages in many factors. To begin with, they are modernized in size and functionality foremost. These machines are much lighter, whereas the coil ones are heavier. It’s an important factor to consider, especially since you are tattooing with your hands all day long! Risking cramps or stiffness is the least you need.

Another thing is the noise factor. If a machine is modernized, it would make sense that it makes less buzzing sounds (the tattooing buzzing sound may seem strange for the customer, but for the artist, it’s a sound he hears all day long and may need a break).

So, as expected, the rotary tattoo machines are way quieter and less intimidating. The coil machines’ sound is similar to the dentist drilling teeth sound – unpleasant, and it could even frighten a customer.

The third obvious factor we will mention is the practicality of the rotary tattoo machine. The coil machines were not fit for two things at once; shading/coloring and outlines. If you had the chance to get tattoos in the past, you noticed how your tattoo artist took a break after the outlines of your tattoo? And then switched new needles into a new machine before you continued with the colors and shades?

Yes, that was the impractical coil machine with a loud buzz! But, with the rotary machine, now both things can be done. This is an artist’s best wish coming to life. Now, all there’s left to do is change a needle (size and type for shades) and continue with the same equipment.

What are the major benefits of switching to a rotary tattoo machine?

As we stated above, the benefits outweigh the ones on the coil machine. The rotary tattoo machine is modernized and updated, let’s begin with this. Working will be more silent and pleasant overall, the machine will have a ‘smooth’ flow movement over the skin, your hands won’t suffer, and you could use the same machine for all tattooing types (lines, shades, coloring…).

As a customer, what is the one sure way to know that my artist uses a rotary tattoo machine?

Even if you don’t ask the artist, you can know by one thing foremost (especially if you are not an expert, but a customer only). You will instantly notice once the artist steps on the pedal and you hear the sound of the machine. If the sound is almost muted and not to be heard even, this is good, because it’s a rotary machine! But, if the sound is like a dentist’s drill-machine (very loud), this is an oil type, coil machine.

Will tattoos hurt more with a rotary tattoo machine or with the coil type?

If your tattoo artist has a ‘heavy’ hand or grasp, or rough movements with pressure on your skin, he will ‘force’ the machine more onto your skin, which will cause pain (regardless of the machine type). The rotary tattoo machine may be quieter, but how it touches your skin depends on your tattoo artist. Sill, it would hurt less with a rotary machine because it allows for flexible hand movements, so you’d notice a good difference.

Conclusion

There are many advantages to purchasing a rotary tattoo machine, as we have seen above. If you decide to modernize your tattooing and make it more pleasant for the customers too, trust our reviews to make the right choice.

As a reminder, our best overall winner was the Mast Tour Rotary Pen Machine, practical and without a cord, so it won’t limit your movements while you create a flawless tattoo! Our second choice, the premium pick was FK Irons Spectra Direkt2 Tattoo Machine, which won’t require adapters for working. And as a budget pick, third was Dragonhawk Mast Pen Rotary Tattoo Machine, a durable and ergonomic machine to fit your budget.

Whether you choose based on side-equipment, other features, or price, we got you covered with all the most dependable rotary tattoo machines above.

Good luck shopping and tattooing!