The 10 Best Texture Guns
Special Honors
EZ Pro Gun Thank to its compact, handheld body and powerful pneumatic design, you can deploy this nifty model for patching small areas, texturing entire rooms and completing projects that fall somewhere in between. Once you’re done applying your orange peel or knockdown finish, the tool will clean up quickly with only a small amount of water. ezprotexture.com
Benron 30-200 Even though this gun’s tip plate features four holes, it comes with bolts for plugging those openings if necessary, allowing you to tailor your spray pattern to the job at hand. For use in tight spaces, you can swap the full-length handle out for a miniature one to enhance maneuverability. benron.com
Editor's Notes
March 16, 2021:
We spent some time going through our existing choices for this category, and ultimately determined that these rankings were still in good shape, leaving us with no immediate need to make any new additions or omissions. From the Homax Touch up Kit – which might be a good choice for budgeted homeowners tackling simple projects – to the Graco TexSpray RTX – which is priced prohibitively for most, but will still be a boon to serious contractors, with its 13-gallon hopper and built-in air compressor – we felt that the last editor for this list put together a nice mix options, and so decided to leave it untouched, at least until the next time we revisit it.
For further paint-spraying possibilities, feel free to check out our lists of automotive paint guns and paint sprayers.
July 10, 2019:
As it was no longer available, we pulled the Generic Drywall Sprayer from the list. We also eliminated a few items for performance-based reasons, including the Homax 4630 Pneumatic, which reportedly lacks power, clogs easily, and is capable of covering only a small area at once. Discovered numerous complaints about how difficult the Neiki Sprayer is to use, so we removed that as well.
We made several new additions, including some options with versatile angled hoppers to keep the tool stable during ceiling work. Others feature multiple spray holes and nozzle heads to provide plenty of variation in terms spray patterns available, similar to some of the items on our paint sprayers list.
The Graco 288628 has satisfied those who value consistency and durability, though it does not come with a hopper, which could be a deal breaker for some. Those in search of an all-around workhorse will want to look at the Marshalltown Premier SharpShooter, which can efficiently apply heavy finishes and comes with a 45-degree elbow adapter for angled spraying. Users highlight this model as an excellent value that can deliver professional-looking results for both contractors and do-it-yourself enthusiasts.
A Simple, Versatile, And Stylish Approach
If you’re spraying a wall, it’s most effective to start at the top and gradually work your way down.
Building a home, remodeling a room in your house, or putting on an addition can be an overwhelming proposition that requires making a staggering number of decisions. Even individual aspects of the endeavor, such as how you’ll finish the walls and ceilings, have the potential to cause consternation.
Texture spraying is a simple, low-cost way to enhance the atmosphere in a room — whether it’s a blank slate or a tacky space in need of some tender loving care. In a home or building full of smooth, flat walls and ceilings, applying texture can add a new dimension, contrasting appealingly with existing surfaces. The same goes for outdoor applications like decks, patios, or external walls.
If you’re redecorating or remodeling, texture spraying is a clever way to subtly conceal imperfections and blemishes. For interior rooms, you can quickly produce attention-grabbing popcorn, orange peel, splatter, and knockdown textures on walls and ceilings. For exterior surfaces, you can apply acrylics, synthetic stucco finishes, and deck coatings.
It’s a gradual, messy process, but if you choose to do it yourself, you’ll save some cash and appreciate the results even more. To accomplish this, you’ll need a texture gun.
Before you get started, you’ll want to stage your working area with some key items: drywall compound, a bucket, a knife, masking tape, drop cloths, and a water source. You should also make sure to wear goggles and a dust mask for safety whenever you’re operating the spray gun.
Clear out as much of the workspace as possible and cover anything that remains with the drop cloths. Once that’s done, mix up the drywall compound in the bucket. Be careful with this — if your texture compound ends up with a lumpy consistency, you may clog the gun.
If you're a first-timer, make sure to familiarize yourself with the tool and practice a bit first. When you’re comfortable, load the compound into the hopper and position yourself three to four feet away from your target. Press the trigger to begin spraying.
As you work, move the nozzle from side to side to achieve complete coverage. If you’re spraying a wall, it’s most effective to start at the top and gradually work your way down. When you’re finished, use the knife to remove any excess texture before allowing the compound to dry.
Top Gun: Which Model Works Best For You?
Altering the makeup of a wall, ceiling, or exterior surface isn’t a monumental change, but it can make a significant difference in the aesthetics of your surroundings. If you’re going to take on a texture job, you’ll want to get it right the first time.
To do so, you’ll need to carefully consider the size of your project, the texture material you plan to deploy, and the surface to which you’ll be applying it. Focusing on these factors will help you find the right sprayer, a tool that comes in two primary styles: conventional and airless.
At this point, the substance hits the air and fragments into small droplets to form the spray pattern.
A conventional texture gun forces the substance through the sprayer using compressed air, atomizing the mixture as it exits the nozzle. These often feature a funnel-shaped hopper that feeds the material into the gun using gravity. Some models come with an air compressor and some don’t, so make sure you have one if it's not included.
For quicker, more efficient texture distribution, look to an airless texture gun. Unlike conventional models, these do not require a connection to an air compressor, and instead use a pump to push the material through the spray tip. At this point, the substance hits the air and fragments into small droplets to form the spray pattern. This style generates a more consistent stream, which helps reduce the amount of time a project will require.
Regardless of which style you choose, keep in mind that a lightweight gun is ideal if you’re worried about fatigue during long jobs. A large hopper is helpful for extensive projects, as well, as you won’t have to interrupt your work to refill it as often.
Short, compact gun nozzles work best for accessing tight spaces, and models with angled hoppers are useful for keeping the sprayer level when you have to move your aim from the floor to the wall to the ceiling. Guns with adjustable air pressure and air shut-off valves provide you with a greater level of control and precision for detailed jobs.
Add Character To Your Space
Applying an attractive, textured finish to otherwise mundane surfaces is an efficient way to spice up a room or an outdoor gathering place, but it’s certainly not the only method at your disposal.
If you’re drawn to the idea of adding texture, but hesitant to go the spray route, try installing shiplap panels for a rustic, old-school look, or use a special technique to paint a faux-brick pattern on your wall. Neither approach is overly complicated, and both can quickly improve a room’s appearance or inject some style into a porch or patio.
Neither approach is overly complicated, and both can quickly improve a room’s appearance or inject some style into a porch or patio.
When it comes to ceilings, putting in a skylight will instantly fill a room with bright, natural light. For those with refined tastes, a chandelier serves as an elegant centerpiece to a dining or living room. If those options seem a bit pricey, there’s nothing wrong with an old-fashioned ceiling fan, which offers the added benefits of air circulation and temperature regulation, as well.
Wooden molding is an effective yet subtle way to redefine your space, and there’s no shortage of ways to go about it — you can install trim around doors and windows, along baseboards and ceilings, and anywhere in between. Hanging simple wall decorations, like picture shelving, paintings, and mirrors, is relatively inexpensive and doesn’t require a lot of work.
If you’re feeling particularly creative, a sliding barn door is a space-saving piece of interior décor that’s both fun and functional. It’ll require a bit of work to set up, but it will add a unique element to your home that’s sure to spark conversations with guests. These come in a variety of styles, from modern to industrial.