Dragonhawk Tattoo Machine Review

As a tattoo artist with over 7 years of experience, I’ve tested dozens of tattoo machines ranging from high-end coil models to ergonomic rotary pens. The Dragonhawk Mast Tattoo Machine caught my attention for its budget-friendly price and growing popularity among beginner tattoo artists.

Over the past month, I tested this rotary tattoo machine through 10 tattooing sessions, totaling over 40 hours on real and practicing tattoo skin. This in-depth Dragonhawk Tattoo Machine Review explores its real-world performance, features, pros and cons, and how it compares to similar models on the market.

Features and Specifications of Dragonhawk Mast Tattoo Machine

• Powerful mast motor with advanced gear system
• Space aluminum outer frame
• Weight: 120g
• Pen length: 4.6 inches
• Adjustable voltage: 6v to 9v
• 20 pcs WJX cartridge needles
• Stroke length: 2.8mm to 3.5mm 
• Compatible with major’s brand’s needle 
• Shell design needles 
• Versatile usage
• Package includes 1 rotary pen machine, 20 pcs needles, power supply, carry case, kit box, DC cord, and foot pedal.

Complete Mast Tattoo Machine Review

Design And Build Quality

The Dragonhawk Mast Tattoo Machine features a lightweight space aluminium frame, weighing only 120g, which reduces hand fatigue during long sessions. Its 4.6-inch length fits comfortably in the hand, and its pen-like shape allows for a natural grip. The wireless version, which includes a 1300mAh battery, remains light at around 160g.

Compared to the Roman Tattoo Pen, Mast Archer, and Ambition Soldier, the Mast Pen is noticeably lighter and more ergonomic. The machine’s components are easy to disassemble for cleaning or replacement, and the head unscrews easily without sticking—a thoughtful detail.

Motor And Speed

This Dragonhawk tattoo machine is powered by a 10,000 RPM custom Mast motor. It operates with minimal vibration and noise. The adjustable voltage (6V to 9V) ensures flexibility across different tattooing techniques. During testing, the motor was smooth and quiet and delivered consistent ink flow.

However, after longer sessions of 4-5 hours, the motor began to heat up noticeably. This may affect comfort and durability over time. The included power supply also struggled to maintain consistent voltage, especially with higher needle groupings. The wireless version performed better, offering up to 6 hours of runtime on a single charge. This makes it a convenient option for travelling artists and conventions.

Needle and Cartridge Compatibility

The Dragonhawk Mast Pen is compatible with most major cartridge needle brands and comes with 20 WJX cartridge needles. These tattoo needles are known for their shell design, improved ink absorption, and ink storage capacity. They are favoured in many professional setups. In practice, the pen accepted WJX, Kwadron, and Wormhole cartridges without issue.

Wide Tattooing Applications 

The Mast Pen’s adjustable stroke length (2.8mm–3.5mm) allows it to handle lining, shading, color packing, and even permanent makeup. While the 3.5mm stroke is versatile, it may lack the punch for solid lines with large needle groupings. If you need a solid machine for lining work, check out this list of the best liner tattoo machines.

Based on personal testing and community feedback:

Best for:

• Beginners and intermediate artists
• Shading, blending, and color packing
• Mobile/convention use (with wireless version)

Not ideal for:

Heavy lining with magnum or large round liner groupings

What’s in the Box?

The Dragonhawk Mast Pen Kit includes the following:

• 1 rotary tattoo pen
• 20 pcs WJX cartridge needles
• Power supply (wired or wireless, depending on version)
• DC cord
• Foot pedal
• Carry case and kit box

Missing items: Tattoo ink, ink caps, and practice skin. Competing kits like the STIGMA Complete Tattoo Kit offer a more tattoo beginner kit all-in-one setup.

Price and Value

Version	Price Range	Includes
Machine Kit	~$75	Pen, power supply, case, 20 needles
Wireless Kit	~$85	Same as above, with 1300mAh battery
S5 Wireless Kit	~$110	Higher-end wireless kit with improved grip design

Similar models, such as the Mast Tour Pro (~$160) or Ambition Soldier (~$130), are more expensive, though they offer better build materials and battery life.

Comparison Table

Name of Machine	Dragonhawk Mast	Mast Tour Pro	Ambition Soldier
Price	~$75–110	~$160	~$130
Weight	Weight 120g	135g	152g
Wireless Option	Yes	Yes	Yes
Stroke Length	2.8–3.5mm	3.0–4.0mm	3.5mm
Battery Life	~6 hours	~8 hours	~10 hours
Needle Compatibility	Universal	Universal	Universal
Best Use Case	Beginners	Pros/Travel	Advanced Users

Testing Methodology

• Duration: 10 sessions over 4 weeks
• Environment: Studio + home setup
• Skin Types: Synthetic skins, citrus peels, live skin (3 clients)
• Techniques Used: Lining, color packing, shading, blending
• Cartridges Tested: WJX, Kwadron, Wormhole

Community Feedback

“Surprisingly smooth operation for such a cheap pen. Great for learning the ropes.” — Reddit user u/inkjunkie1992

“I used this at my first convention, and it handled 4 hours of shading like a champ. The power supply isn’t perfect, though.” — YouTube comment by @TatTooTribe.

“It’s a solid budget pen. But don’t expect it to punch through heavy-duty lining sessions.” — Comment from Tattooing101 Forum

Critical Analysis Of Dragonhawk Tattoo Pen Review

The Dragonhawk Mast is a lightweight, well-crafted tattoo pen machine that is incredibly easy to use. Its stroke length of 3.5mm makes it ideal for both lining and shading work, ensuring smooth results. However, 3.5mm is not powerful enough for large needle grouping,  which is unsuitable for solid lining work. But it’s excellent for color packing and blending. Furthermore, its pen is also of premium quality and perfectly fits in my hand like an actual pen. 

This rotary tattoo machine is configured with a 10,000 RPM custom mast motor. This motor seems powerful enough to punch the needle smoothly without creating any extra noise and vibration. However, as I continued running, it got hot. Also, the power supply could be better quality to provide consistent power. Fortunately, the machine also comes in wireless mode, featuring a 1300mAh battery and a working voltage of 6v to 9v.

In addition to this, it is compatible with major brands’ needles and comes with 20 WJX cartridge needles. Overall, the Dragonhawk Mast is excellent for beginners, as it is easy to use and affordable. It’s fair to call it the best affordable tattoo machine available at a much more reasonable price.

Conclusion

The Dragonhawk tattoo machine is an excellent choice for beginners and intermediate tattoo artists looking for a budget-friendly, easy-to-use rotary machine. While it falls short in terms of long-session durability and power supply quality, its comfort, wireless option, and overall performance make it a standout at this price point.

If you’re starting or want a reliable backup machine for travel, the Mast Pen delivers substantial value without breaking the bank. However, if you’re looking for quality wireless tattoo machines with good battery timing, check out here. 

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