10 Best Rotary Tattoo Machines

Rotary tattoo machines are far better than coil machines because of their smooth operation, lightweight design, ease of use, low vibration, and minimum noise. As a result, they make the tattooing process a lot easier for new and experienced tattoo artists. However, when the tattoo industry is filled with many low-quality rotary tools, it makes it hard to find the best rotary tattoo machine with all the necessary features. 

Typically, a good rotary tattoo machine should have features such as a lightweight and ergonomic design that allow for steady handling. reliability, solid build quality, ease of use, price, and compatibility with various sizes of tattoo cartridge needles are other important features. A powerful motor is another important consideration to look for so it can handle demanding tattooing work, including lining, shading, and packing.

Continue reading this review guide to find the best tattoo machines for your specific needs. Our review has focused on all of these aspects in products that we’ve recommended.

The Mast Tour Pro is a super short best tattoo pen machine that perfectly fits in your hand during long tattoo sessions. It is built with aluminum or metal, which gives it a smooth and lightweight feel. This ensures a steady sleeve grip, allowing you to create beautiful tattoo designs.

Tour Pro is installed with a custom coreless motor that provides stable needle movement and maximum torque during tattooing sessions. This is an all-in-one machine that can be used for lining, shading, and color packing to create various tattoo styles and techniques. This device also allows it to be set between a standard RCA cable or wirelessly.

However, this machine does not come with a battery pack, and it needs to be purchased separately. Nevertheless, it is compatible with all standard tattoo power supplies. The stroke of this machine is 3.6mm with 0 to 4mm needle adjustment, which is excellent for smaller needle groupings or doing a bit of everything. Regarding price, the Mast Tour Pro beats all other top-quality wireless tattoo machines. No other rotary machine offers such high-quality features in this price range.

This is the second professional rotary tattoo machine from the Mast brand on our list. This pen-style machine is designed to provide a smooth and comfortable grip to achieve desired results. Moreover, its design has no dirt traps, so you don’t need to worry about cleaning it. However, it’s difficult to fully break down the Mast flip to clean it, as this is also an issue with most rotary tattoo pens. Additionally, the clip grip is very tight and hard to unscrew. Therefore, those who prefer a smooth and easy screw grip should consider other machines.

Furthermore, as you know, it’s a battery-operated product that can be connected to the top of the device. However, if you’re going to connect long, heavy batteries, it will feel too tall to hold in your hand and may make your wrist tired. Therefore, it would be best to operate this machine via an RCA standard cable instead of using batteries.

One of the best standout features of this machine is its variable needle stroke length. These lengths include 2.6mm, 2.9mm, 3.2mm, 3.5mm, 3.8mm, and 4.0mm. This means tattoo artists can perform any tattooing work with a single machine. However, it would be a niche addition if they replaced the 2.6mm, 2.9mm, and 3.2mm stroke with a 4.5mm stroke length. This feature would make it the best wireless tattoo machine with more versatile and stand-out features for different tattoo techniques and styles.

Its operating voltage ranges from 5V to 12V without producing any extra noise and vibrations that vary depending on the input voltage. For example, when we ran it at 8V with a 2.6mm stroke length, it was silent and made low vibrations. However, it was loud when we ran it at 12V with a 4mm stroke length and produced extra vibrations. Therefore, whether it makes noise or vibrations depends on the input voltage. Let’s come to the favorite part of any tattoo machine: it is excellent for lining and shading.

For example, its 4mm length is suitable for solid lining work, but it is not as dedicated to lining as the Bishop wand. However, it’s perfect for color packing and blending as it has five different stroke length options. This means many customization options exist to create perfect tattoo designs. Also, this means that the Mast Flip will be great for shading and coloring.

The last two products that we discussed are some premium-quality rotary machines, which are undoubtedly expensive options. However, there is no need to worry for those on a tight budget. The STIGMA Pro Tattoo Kit is the best affordable rotary tattoo machine available for under $50.

This traditional-style machine consists of a powerful 10W motor that provides an excellent power supply to the gun. It also allows you to connect the power supply with a clip or DC cord. This means that the powerful motor is enough to push needle groupings with more precision and control. As result, it makes it possible to achieve solid tattooing work. 

Moreover, the voltage input is easily adjusted, and you can do so conveniently. But we noticed it ran perfectly at low speed, like 6v. It comes with 20 needles of different sizes, providing you with full versatility. Plus, STIGMA Pro is made with slider technology, which makes needle movement smoother. 

This kit comes with the best rotary tattoo kit that includes all the essential accessories you need to start your work, such as fake skin, gloves, tattoo ink, and needles. So, the kit is excellent for getting started with your tattooing work or practice. However, the package needs to include a guide on how to set up and use it properly. 

This is another low-cost rotary tattoo kit on the list. The Wormhole Tattoo Pen is both a super budget-friendly and beginner-friendly machine, which is excellent for beginner tattoo artists. Additionally, it has all the required accessories to get started as a starter. However, like the Dragonhawk Tattoo Machine Kit, most of its kit accessories are only good for practicing. 

Like most other rotary tattoo machines, the Wormhole Tattoo Pen also has a 3.5mm stroke length, suitable for performing versatile tattooing tasks. Also, the needle depth is adjustable between 0 to 4mm. However, the tattoo needle fits poorly in the center of the cartridge, which could be better for the lining. Need to mention, if you need the best tattoo machine for lining, check this list. But this machine is super great for shading work and color packing.

Overall, it’s great for performing a bit of everything. Moreover, Wormhole is equipped with a durable motor that performs well throughout the session with minimal vibration without causing discomfort in the hand. Its adjustable voltage range is between 5v to 10v. However, it makes a bit of loud noise even at voltage 6, though not as noisy as coil tattoo machines. The power supply is of decent quality and consistent; it does not cut off power like other cheaper tattoo machines.

Dragonhawk is an easy-to-use and best beginner rotary tattoo machine that will simplify your tattooing process as a starter. This is our favorite tattooing machine in our studio collection. Dragonhawk has both a sleek and ergonomic design that fits perfectly in hand and allows for steady use during long ink sessions. Its outer frame is made of space aluminum, making it lightweight (only 120g), easy to clean, and user-friendly.

Additionally, its construction is super reliable and durable, making it an excellent option for tattoo artists who enjoy traveling and want to keep their tools with them. Furthermore, its parts are also easy to replace. In case you want to replace any part, it’s very simple. We also appreciate how comfortable it is to unscrew the head of this device, unlike the Mast flip, which is very stiff to unscrew at the top.

 Moreover, its pen is so amazing that it gives a perfect and smooth tattooing experience and runs quietly. Plus, it provides consistent performance in lining and shading work, which is especially great for beginners.  It’s compatible with major tattoo cartridge needles, and the needle depth adjustment is very easy with a tight fit.

 It comes with a standard kit that includes some necessary accessories, but most of them are not professional-level, including needle cartridges and tattoo ink. The Dragonhawk Rotary Pen has a completely adjustable power supply, allowing you to set the voltage between 6V and 9V.

However, the power supply could be of better quality, and many online users claim it only lasts a while. It features a powerful, quiet, durable custom motor that performs stablely through the long tattoo session. Its speed is also very consistent, which helps to push ink into the skin smoothly. From a pricing standpoint, the Dragonhawk is the best budget rotary tattoo machine.

Read Full Review: Dragonhawk Tattoo Machine Review

This tattoo gun is different from the one we discussed earlier. It’s an old-style, simple, and beautiful rotary pen that is also the cheapest on the list. Its adjustable stroke length is relatively reliable but a little long. Overall, it’s okay. It allows adjusting the size from 1.5mm to 3.5mm, making it a good all-rounder. This well-made machine has an ergonomic design and is built with durable materials to last. Additionally, it runs smoothly at minimal noise levels and produces no noticeable noise, even at high voltages.

From a functional perspective, it is a versatile rotary tattoo machine that is great for performing various tasks. Furthermore, it has a solid motor configuration and a decent-quality power supply. However, the foot pedal needs to be better in terms of quality.

This is the first time we have reviewed a tattoo machine from this brand, and we were impressed with its superb features. This pen-style machine is very small in size and much easier to hold. Its pen is ergonomically designed and sturdy, which makes it comfortable for tattoo artists to carry during long tattoo sessions. It weighs 151g, which means it is lightweight but still a little heavier compared to the Dragonhawk Tattoo Machine Kit, which weighs only 120g.

The pen is compatible with all types of needles, and it also comes with 40 pieces of cartridge needles. Moreover, it includes a complete starter tattoo kit like ink, grips, and other important accessories to start tattooing work directly. The Romlon Tattoo Machine features an LCD showing voltage output and other settings. It also has a foot pedal switch for easy operation and anti-overvoltage and overload protection to ensure safety during tattooing operation.

Moreover, this power supply is compatible with most RCA cables. And voltage is also adjustable between 5v to 10.  However, we are not satisfied with the quality of this power supply, even through research we found some other online users also have reported that it stopped working. 

This machine is super affordable and has impressive features, perfect for all your tattooing needs. It’s our favorite machine on the list. From a functional perspective, it’s easy to set up and use without any complex steps, just like plug-and-play. It is also very lightweight and runs smoothly without making any noticeable noise. The rotary pen is amazing and easy to hold and use for long tattooing sessions.

It feels like you’re having a pen, making it perfect for beginners, especially when practicing on fake skin. However, the pen is a little bit fat, but not too bad. From a durability perspective, it feels very solid. The Arenahawk Black Queen is built with high-quality aluminum and steel, which makes it highly durable and long-lasting. As a result, this will likely last for a long time.

With its 3.5mm stroke, you can do nice shading and lining work. But it’s not too good to create solid lines. The motor also seems very powerful, but after some time, it starts heating. Besides heating, its power supply sucks, and many other online users also reported it stopped working. Furthermore, one of the things we like most about it is its battery performance. This battery pack can last up to six hours on a single charge, providing enough power for multiple tattooing sessions.

Dragonhawk S4 Wireless Tattoo Kit is compact and lightweight for any tattoo artist looking to get packed in style. It has a good build quality and plenty of features, which makes it a great option for professional tattoo artists. Its tattoo power supply features a powerful custom motor that provides consistent performance in the long run without any issues. The kit includes ink and 20 tattoo needles, allowing users to start working immediately without searching for the right needle.

 However, the ink that comes with the kit is not of high quality and can create a mess. The sleek design of the machine makes it simple yet classy. The cordless battery of this rotary machine allows you to move freely without the risk of tripping. However, its battery performance could be more impressive. Dragonhawk S4  is lightweight and travel-friendly, light enough to store in your bag without making it uncomfortable. The machine’s space aluminum frame provides stability and ease of use.

This product has many features not found in other rotary tattoo machines in such a pricing range. So overall, this machine is perfect for any beginner or professional artist who needs a machine that allows for more precision and control to work on any tattoo design.

Mast Flash Direct Drive Rotary Pen is a sleek, lightweight, durable, and reliable rotary machine exclusively compatible with all cartridge needles. It has an ergonomic design and an adjustable needle protrusion of 0 mm up to 4.5 mm. This machine also features an advanced gear system for a smooth, quiet operation perfect for easy healing and autoclave-safe. In fact, the advanced gear system works flawlessly to deliver smooth and soft operation while maintaining a quiet working environment.

But in running it creates more vibrations when working with high voltage; however, it can deliver clean lines using a lining grip. Normally when working on high voltage, it requires some time to get good control; however, once you get the hang of it, It is easy to get great results.  Moreover, it has an adjustable needle skirt that provides for comfortable tattooing. This machine comes with one package, including one RCA Cord, which functions smartly to allow hassle-free cartridge change.

Overall, this machine is lightweight and easy to store and transport, making it a good choice for individuals looking for a rotary tattoo machine that delivers efficient work and convenient features.

FAQs

Conclusion:

Choosing the best rotary tattoo machines can be challenging as there are many features to consider. However, we have done our best to help you find the best one for your tattooing needs. If you need a rotary machine with advanced and premium-quality features, go with Mast Tour Pro and Mast Flip. However, if you’re looking for an all-rounder performer machine in an affordable price range, Dragonhawk and Stigma rotary Tattoo machines are the perfect choices.