Best Tattoo Machines of 2026

"As a beginner, I find the design of this machine very user-friendly. It's lightweight and well-balanced, making it comfortable to use without straining the hand or wrist. I think the needle stroke is around 3.5mm and the single battery included lasts me about 7-8 hours. The practice skin provided is decent, although it tends to stain easily and it's difficult to remove ink once applied. Using a bit of Vaseline or a similar tattooing ointment can create a thin barrier, preventing the ink from soaking into the skin."

Overall, I believe this machine offers excellent value for money and I recommend it based on what's included. My only issue is that I ordered a kit with two batteries, but only received one. However, I decided to keep it as a spare."

"This machine offers great value for money and is of good quality. The needles included could be more varied to allow users to experiment and find their preference. My kit came with three needle liners and seven needle shaders, which was nice initially, but limited my ability to do actual tattoo work due to the lack of size variety. Despite this, the machine itself is excellent for the price. I've used pricier mag and rotary guns, and this one is comparable to a high-quality $800 rotary. If all it takes is spending $100 on a rotary gun like this to get started, I'd do it every time. I was initially concerned that the controller, foot pedal, and cords might break after a few tattoo sessions due to their somewhat cheap feel, but they've held up well and continue to function perfectly."

"The machine looks stunning. However, the package description was unclear. I received the machine, a cable, and two cartridges, but there was no power supply or foot pedal included. The needles provided were not great quality, suitable only for very small tattoos. I've been practicing on synthetic skin and the machine works smoothly. It's comfortable to hold, slightly larger than a magnum sharpie. It's worth the investment, but you'll need to purchase a power supply separately."

EDIT: The machine works impressively on real skin, creating smooth lines and beautiful shading. It's so comfortable to hold that you almost forget you're using a tattoo machine. I found it performed well at a lower voltage compared to a coil machine. I highly recommend it for beginners!"

"I really like this machine. It's excellent for lining and shading. I'm giving it four stars because it sometimes operates strangely for a few seconds. I'm unsure about the motor's longevity, but I like it so much that I'd probably buy a few more. Considering the price, it seems like a good deal. This was my first pen-style machine since I started using cartridge needles, and I really like it."

"The Dragonhawk machine is incredibly powerful. I use 11.5 to 12 volts for line work (the recommended range is 3-13), and 7 to 9.5 for packing/shading. I've never used a machine that works so well on all skin types. I believe the Dragonhawk's performance is as good as, if not better than, Broncs or other competitor machines. Save your money and invest in this instead. (Note: I'm not a paid or sponsored spokesperson...yet)."

"As a beginner, I found this machine to be incredibly user-friendly. I really appreciate the adjustable stroke, which lets me experiment with different styles all with one device. The battery life is fantastic and the indicator light is super helpful. Having an extra battery included means I never have to pause my sessions. The grip feels solid in my hand, and the practice skin that comes with the kit is better than most. For someone starting out, it’s the perfect all-in-one kit to test the waters without a big upfront investment."

"I've been tattooing for 6 years and I absolutely love this pen. It's quiet, lightweight, and extremely easy to set up. The performance rivals much more expensive machines I've used. For the price, it's absolutely worth every penny. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable machine!"

"The battery life is outstanding, lasting me through my longest 4-hour session with no issues. The fact that it's cordless makes it super convenient—I can easily reach tricky spots when tattooing myself. The machine is gentle on the skin when set up properly, and batteries charge quickly. Great for both practicing and working on friends and family!"

"I've just started using this pen and I'm genuinely impressed by its excellent battery life, comfortable grip, and overall build quality. The fact that I can charge the batteries using a standard phone charger is super convenient. It's a bit heavier than some other models, but the balance and smooth operation make up for it. The screen is clear, and there are plenty of adjustments for fine-tuning. For the price, it's a fantastic value."

"As a beginner, this tattoo machine has been a great choice for me. I really appreciate the variety of speed settings, solid grip, and the comprehensive starter kit that helped me practice and learn. While I don't have experience with other machines, this one is easy to use and feels reliable."

"I picked this model because of its unique snake design, but what surprised me was how lightweight, quiet, and comfortable it is, even after hours of use. The wireless battery lasts for 6-8 hours, which is perfect for long sessions. This machine is ideal for students, beginners, or anyone looking for a reliable backup without breaking the bank."

"As someone who's been tattooing for a while, I'm impressed by how quiet and consistent this machine is. The adjustable stroke lets me switch between lining and shading effortlessly, and the batteries last through long sessions without interruption. Having an extra battery and RCA adapter on hand is a huge plus. The build feels solid and reliable—honestly, it performs as well as machines that cost much more."

"I'm new to tattooing and this kit made it super easy to get started. All the essentials were included and setup was straightforward. The adjustable stroke helps me practice different styles, and the battery indicator is really helpful. The extra battery means I never have to pause my work. Even the practice skin is decent quality. I wasn’t sure I’d stick with tattooing, so the all-in-one value was perfect for me."

"I absolutely love this pen! It's lightweight, quiet, and has a quick setup, which is perfect for me since I tattoo myself and sometimes need to reach awkward spots. The battery lasts for hours and charges quickly, plus having two batteries is super convenient. For a beginner or hobbyist, this is hands down the best kit I could have picked."

"I’m really impressed with how the battery lasts for hours—I started a long session with over 70% and finished with plenty left. The adjustable stroke made lining and shading much easier, and I found color packing smooth. Compared to my old wired setup, this is a major upgrade. Definitely recommend it."

"As someone newer to tattooing, I appreciate how cost-effective and user-friendly this machine is. The screen showing battery, power, and timer helps a lot, though it's a little heavier than I’d prefer. Overall, it’s a great value, especially for beginners."

"I’ve had this machine for a while now, and the batteries truly go the distance—I’ve only had to charge them a couple of times. All my needle cartridges fit perfectly, and adjusting the depth or voltage is simple. I haven’t tried the pedal yet, but love that it’s an option if both batteries run out."

"As someone who's been tattooing for years, I can honestly say this machine is a fantastic value for the price. The adjustable stroke feature is precise, and the machine has a solid, comfortable grip. I love that it comes with an extra battery and RCA adapter, so I never have to interrupt my workflow. The motor is impressively quiet with almost no vibration, which is a game changer for longer sessions. Overall, I'm very happy with its performance and versatility."

"I'm a beginner and this kit has been perfect for learning. The stroke adjustment lets me try different styles without needing multiple machines. The battery life is excellent, and the LED indicator clearly shows when to switch batteries. Having an extra battery on hand is super convenient. Plus, the practice skin included was actually good quality compared to others I've tried. I'm glad I chose this kit to start my tattoo journey."

"After using this pen-style machine for a while, I've found it's lightweight and easy on my wrists. The battery lasts as promised and the LED display is bright and clear. My only minor gripe is that the machine seems to hit a bit softer, making it more suited for line work or fine lines, but it hasn't been a real issue for me yet. Overall, great value and performance."

"I've used many rotary machines over the years, and this pen holds its own against the premium brands. It’s super comfortable, lightweight, and works seamlessly with most cartridges. The balance is great, especially when using the battery, and the cordless feature is a huge plus. Performs just as well as my more expensive machines—highly recommend!"

"As an artist who needed a backup machine due to budget constraints, I found the Mast Tour to be exactly what I expected. It’s smaller and less powerful than my main machine, but it’s perfect for small tattoos and walk-ins. Reliable and serviceable—makes me feel confident having a backup on hand."

"The kit really surprised me in a good way. Very quiet, lightweight, and comfortable for long sessions. Great stability for both lining and shading. The equipment included is ideal for beginners and pros alike, and for the price, the quality is excellent."

"I was really impressed with this pen—the battery lasted several hours, it ran super quiet, and the screen was very easy to read. I like that both batteries were fully charged out of the box and you can use a regular USB-C charger. The option to switch grips made it easier for me to work on detailed areas. The weight feels substantial and well-balanced, definitely a quality product for the price."

"As someone just starting out, this tattoo machine has made a big difference for me. The grip is comfortable and the adjustable speed settings are really helpful. The kit included everything I needed to begin practicing, which made learning a lot less stressful."

"I bought this machine mainly for the snake design, but I ended up loving it for more than just the looks. It’s lightweight, super quiet, and barely vibrates. The wireless battery keeps going for long sessions, and the grip stays comfortable. Great value if you’re a beginner or just want a reliable backup."