The 10 Best Rotary Tattoo Machines of 2021

Choosing a tattoo machine is not an easy task as you can find a lot of different machines on the market. With that many options, many machines will seem similar and will be quite a tough job to determine which one is of better quality. Less experienced people would end up getting stuck at the decisional phase due to the astonishing resemblance of some machines.

The tattooing process is dependent on different factors. The key factor being the tattoo machine. It is not uncommon, especially among non-experienced peoples, to go wrong and choose an unreliable tattoo machine because it wasn’t paid a proper amount of attention to the details. Choosing wrong may lead to poorly done tattoos or even to skin harm or damage.

Top 10 rotary tattoo machines

 

1.CNC-Q1 Hawink Rotary Short Pen Tattoo Machine

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CNC-Q1 Hawink is a tattoo machine powered with a German Faulhaber motor. It is suitable for the artist that prefers to work in quieter environments as they can have a better focus. The machine does not produce loud buzz noise and is easy to handle. Because the pen-like shape of CNC-Q1 Hawink and the aircraft alloy enclosure it is a good fit for long term usage as it is really light. Due to its shape and the small grip, the machine does not fail in imitating the feeling of a real pen. It has an operating voltage between 5 and 10V, anything higher can produce motor overheat and mechanical wear. Its smooth and gentle way of working, makes CNC-Q1 Hawink perfect to use on all skin types. It is suitable for beginners that are looking for top-notch quality straight from the start.

Specs:

• Style: Pen Tattoo Machine
• Motor: German Faulhaber Motor
• Stroke: 4.0mm
• Operating Voltage: 5 – 10 V
• Weight: 128 g

Pros:

• Lightweight design
• Low noise
• Great quality
• Easy to maintain
• Does not overheat in long time usage
• Beginner-friendly
• Easy to handle

Cons:

• May be a bit pricey for some people

2. Mast Tour Rotary Pen Machine

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Mast Tour tattoo machine is one of the best choices for female artists. Its 82 grams weight brings closer the sensation of using a pen. The machine is easy to handle and it is suitable for works like precise line works, black and gray shading and solid color packing.
It is powered by a Japanese coreless motor that lets you feel a noise-less experience. Mast Tour Rotary Pan has a lifetime of at least 3000 hours (if properly used). The wireless battery gives you the freedom you need as you are not surrounded by wires anymore. However, if you feel like the wireless battery is not for you, you can simply not use the wireless option.

Specs:

• Style: Pen Tattoo Machine
• Motor: Japan coreless Motor
• Stroke: 3.5 mm
• Operating Voltage: 6 – 11 V
• Weight: 82 g
• Needles Depth: 0 – 4.0 mm

Pros:

• Really light design
• Easy to set up and use by beginners
• Good fit for smaller persons with smaller hands as it has 25mm grip
• High-quality product
• Wireless battery
• Low noise output
• Good price-quality balance

Cons:

• The pedal cannot be used as it has a button to change the voltage

3. CNC-M-P5-2 Hawink Rotary Tattoo Machine

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This Hawink pen successfully combines power, weight distribution and sound cancellation. The machine has a coreless motor and it is able to run up to 14 volts while being quiet with low vibration output. Being built with a proper weight distribution the machine remains stable even when operating at high power. It properly imitates the feeling of a real pen and allows the user to feel comfortable while doing precise line works. Hawink pen is easy to handle and can be a good choice for new starters. Its small grip makes it a good choice for peoples with smaller hands, especially females.

Specs:

• Style: Pen Tattoo Machine
• Operating Voltage: 5 – 14 V
• Stroke Length: 3.2 mm
• Needle Protrusion: 4mm
• Grip: 28 – 32 mm
• Weight: 162 g

Pros:

• Easy maintenance process
• Can be operated at a higher voltage
• Suitable for persons with smaller hands
• Good fit for beginners
• Great quality-price balance
• Good for long time usage
• Can be used for large-scaled tattoos
• Compatible with all cartridges needles types

Cons:

• A bit heavier than similar products (but still pretty light)

4. EZTAT2 Astral Rotary Tattoo Machine

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EZTAT2 Astral comes with a lightweight design that makes it a perfect fit for long time usage. The material used for its build is aircraft aluminium alloy. It has hard / medium / soft plunger bar interchangeable system. The machine is available in four colors : Black, Silver, Red and purple and you can also choose the grip color as it comes in either black or dark gray. It is able to perfectly operate for lining with a voltage between 7 V and 8.5V. Color packing and shading can be done at 6V – 7.5V. Operating the machine at voltages higher than 9V can lead to mechanical wear and overheat.

Specs:

• Style: Gun Tattoo Machine
• Motor: Japan Motor
• Operating Voltage: 6 – 9 V
• Weight: 75 g

Pros:

• Lightweight built
• Customization options
• 1 Year warranty
• Buzz noise ( A pro for some artists )
• Sturdy built

Cons:

• Buzz noise ( A con for some artists)
• Quite pricey

5. Dragonhawk Extreme Rotary Tattoo Machine

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A perfect machine for works like a heavy black filling, light black and gray filling and color packing. Dragonhawk Extreme is powered by a japan motor it operates at 7.5 – 8.5 volts for color packing and shading works and at 8 – 9 volts for lining works. Its oily slider ensures a lower noise output. Dragonhawk Extreme is compatible with traditional needles and cartridges. The machine is easy to set up and operate, therefore it can be a good pick for a beginner. It is recommended to regularly add lubricant to the tattoo machine during maintenance to keep the performance at an optimum level.

Specs:

• Style: Gun Tattoo Machine
• Motor: Japan Motor
• Operating Voltage: 7.5 – 9 V
• Stroke Length: 3.5mm
• Maximum needle size: 50 mag
• Maximum tube diameter: 8mm
• Weight: 174 g

Pros:

• Low noise output
• Beginner-friendly
• Sturdy carbon steel frame
• 3 available colors (Black, Red, Green)
• Low price

Cons:

• Quite heavy built
• Maintenance may be a bit tricky

6. Dragonhawk Extreme X2 Rotary Tattoo Machine

 

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A sturdy tattoo gun with a low chance of breaking down due to vibration and shocks, Dragonhawk Extreme X2 is made out of solid pure brass. Powered by a Japan motor, its increased torque with less voltage system makes it a good fit for works like lining, shading and large-area coloring. The frame is specially designed for a lower noise output and a non-existent stalling effect at low voltage usage. Hits power can be adjusted with the know (hard to soft). Dragonhawk Extreme X2 is designed to operate with both standard and cartridges needles. It is a good choice for a practice machine as well due to its increased durability.

Specs:

• Style: Gun Tattoo Machine
• Motor: Japan Motor
• Operating Voltage: 6 – 9 V
• Stroke Length: 2.5 – 4. 2 mm
• Weight: 135 g

Pros:

• Sturdy brass frame
• Lightweight design
• High-quality product
• Easy to handle
• Low price

Cons:

• May be a challenge for beginners
• Maintenance may take longer compared to pen-like machines

7. 102YMX Dragonhawk Mast Pen Rotary Tattoo Machine

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Dragonhawk Mast Pen is a pen-like tattoo machine with a space aluminum frame. It is a good fit for beginners as it is easy to set up and handle. Its lightweight built gives you a closer feel to a pen rather than a tattoo gun. Dragonhawk Mast Pen is specially designed to improve accuracy and control. Powered by a Japanese motor makes it suitable for precise works with low vibrations and low noise output. The motor can reach 9000 – 10000 R / minute and can operate at up to 9 volts. It has two interchangeable gears for lining and shading strokes. It is suitable for all skin types due to its gently and smoothly operational process.

Specs:

• Style: Pen Tattoo Machine
• Motor: Japanese Motor
• Operating Voltage: 6 – 9 V
• Connection: DC
• Size: 11.7 cm Length
• Weight: 120 g

Pros:

• Easy to maintain
• Suitable for beginners as it is easy to set up
• Perfect for precise lining
• Easy to handle, lightweight
• Smooth running
• Space Aluminum alloy
• Great quality
• A quite low price

Cons:

• May overheat at a long time usage
• Some customers complained about weight balance

8. Romlon Pen Rotary Tattoo Machine

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Romlon tattoo machine is a small-sized pen-shaped machine, suitable for females due to its dimensions. It has an aircraft aluminum alloy frame that defines its lightweight characteristics. This product is more suitable for permanent make-up tattoo and it works perfectly as a liner and shader. It has a smooth running with fewer vibrations and less sound compared with classic tattoo machines. It is a good fit for any beginner as it is easy to handle and the feeling of handling it is close to an actual pen. It also has a non-slip design that makes it a perfect choice for precise line works.

Specs:

• Style: Pen Tattoo Machine
• Operating Voltage: 4 – 8 V
• Stroke Length: 3.2 – 3.7 mm
• Needle Protrusion: 0 – 4.5 mm
• Size: 122 x 25 x 28.5 mm

Pros:

• Decreased weight due to the light aluminum frame
• Easy to use
• Low maintenance requirements
• Not pricey at all
• Reduced sound and vibrations
• Suitable for make-up
• Works well as a practice machineCons:
• May not be as good as expected for large scale tattoos
• May overheat on long time usage

9. Atomus Rotary Tattoo Machine

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As a budget-friendly tattoo machine, Atomus exceeds the expectations. It has a sturdy zinc alloy frame that makes it durable and a good pick for long time usage. Also, during the operation process the user benefit of a boost of focus due to the low noise output and low vibration system. Atomus Pen works great as a liner and shader. The needle’s length can be adjusted by rotating the pen. The tattoo machine can reach speeds of 9000 R / minute. Operating it at voltages higher than 9 V can lead to overheating and mechanical wear.

Specs:

• Style: Pen Tattoo Machine
• Operating Voltage: 6 – 9 V
• Stroke Length: 3.5 mm
• Needle Protrusion: 0 – 4.5 mm
• Weight: 125 g

Pros:

• Easy maintenance process.
• Beginner-friendly
• Relatively low price
• Really light design, easy to handle
• Low sound and vibrations output
• Great practice machine

Cons:

• Some customers experienced power loss

10. Hommii Professional Rotary Tattoo Machine

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No products found.

If you are looking for a budget-friendly – good quality tattoo machine, then Hommii Professional may be for you. The gun is able to lay the ink evenly and smoothly without failing. It has a lightweight built with low vibration and low noise output. It is a perfect fit for the ones that prefer quieter environments while focusing on the work. Suitable for lining, shading and coloring. This machine is a perfect choice for beginners as it is easy to handle and control. It can run at up to 8V, a higher voltage can lead to mechanical wear and overheat. If you are looking for an even lower vibration output, you can decrease the vibration output by wrapping the tattoo motor gun with a rubber band.

Specs:

• Style: Gun Tattoo Machine
• Motor: Assorted Motor
• Operating Voltage: 6 – 8 V
• Stroke Length: 3.5 mm
• Weight: 150 g
• Size: 2.5 cm x 8.2 cm

Pros:

• Lightweight aluminum frame
• Beginner-friendly
• Easy to handle
• Budget-friendly
• Great as a practice machine

Cons:

• Some may find the setup process a bit tricky
• May overheat at a long time usage

Questions & Answers

 

Are rotary machines better than coil machines?

A rotary machine can be a better choice as it can create both lines and shades by simply changing the needle and it is easier to set it up. Also, the rotary machines are much lighter as it does not need to hold the iron rods and the coils. However, most people would prefer the rotary machines as the machines are easier to handle, but that does not mean that the machines are better as you can make astonishing tattoos with coil machines as well. Therefore it is more a matter of preference in deciding which one is better.

Is a rotary machine better for beginners?

Yes, compared to a coil machine, a rotary machine is easier to set up and it is also easier to use. It is also suitable for long time practice as its build is lighter, therefore it will get your hand tired harder compared to a coil tattoo machine, and you can also find a pen-like shaped rotary machine that gives you a more natural feeling close to real pens. Also, the maintenance process is way easier and takes less time. Therefore, it can be a good idea to start by using rotary tattoo machines and you can switch to coil ones when you gain some experience.

Do rotary machines hurt more?

No, both hurt the same. However, different parts of the body have a different sensibility (like armpits and shoulder, by pitching both your armpit and shoulder with the same strength, you can experience more pain on armpit area due to its sensibility) therefore is quite hard to tell if rotary or coil ones hurt more (which is quite doubtful) as different areas have a different sensibility. Due to the quieter operation mode of a rotary machine, it is able to fool the mind with a less sound – less pain effect. Therefore most of the people would be tempted to say that rotary machines hurt less.

Are rotary machines suitable for tattoo practising?

Yes. The rotary machines are recommended for beginners and as you may expect, beginners need a lot of practice. Anyway, both coil and rotary machines can be used for practice but this depends on what type of machine are you going to use further. If you are planning to use rotary machines just for practice and then swap to coil ones then it may not be a good idea as the machines differ quite a bit. Therefore, both machine types are suitable for practice as long as you use the same type in the future.

Are rotary machines suitable for make-up?

Yes, most of them are suitable for make-up, especially pen-shaped ones as most of them are lighter than classical gun-shaped ones. The light design provides better handling making it suitable for precise line works. Also, rotary machines are more suitable for sensitive skins making them a good choice to use on female customers.

Choosing right:

This step is the hardest one to take. As no one wants to end up with poor quality products, it is essential to do a bit of research about a product before using it. You have to be sure that the product is the perfect fit for you and it is worth the money. In order to decide that it is worth the money you have to look after a few of its features such as:

The material the gun is made of

The vibrations made during the tattoo process represents a high-risk factor for the machines. If the machine is built with a low-quality material, there is a chance of it breaking down and this can even lead to harm for client or user, or even for both. The reliable machines are made of sturdy materials. Most of the well-known brands build their machines out of brass or iron as the chance of breaking the machine is way lower. Sometimes the machines are made of aircraft aluminium alloy for weight reduction making them suitable for a longer-term usage without getting your hand tired.

The machine size and weight

You will never unleash your full potential if the machine does not fit you. You have to consider, or even try, different types and sizes of machines in order to find the one that suits you the best. It is not uncommon among tattoo artists to use several machines instead of depending on one machine. Most female artists tend to use rotary machines because are lighter and easier to handle, especially pen-like shaped ones.

Consider the price

Depending on what are you looking for, the price can vary pretty much as most of the professional artists tend to pay more than 400$ for a tattoo machine, sometimes even 1000$. If you are looking for a practice machine you may not want to pay that much. Or maybe you just want a good quality machine within a budget. Regardless of what are you looking for, firstly you should set your budget. After the budget is set remember to look at the machine’s price just after you are sure that it reaches the quality you are looking for. Otherwise, you may be tempted to lose your time or buy a lower quality machine just to save money because it was below your budget. As most of the times cheap products won’t last long, it won’t be a good idea to buy a machine based on its price and not on its features.

Conclusion

As you may be expected, every feature may work as a double-edged sword. For example the machine weight and its sturdiness offered by the frame material. If you are opting for aluminum alloy instead of iron you gain more control, easier handling and weight reduction, but you also lose some of its durability as iron is way more durable. And also for the price, you may think sometimes that you are getting a good deal but unfortunately the overall quality drops. However, cheap tattoo machines are a good deal for practicing as you may not want to break your expensive machine due to lack of experience as overheating it and mechanical wear are pretty common “disasters” among non-experienced users. Anyway, you cannot be sure about a machine true quality and potential until you touch and feel it. You can’t be 100% sure that you will get a bad or a good deal only through research without actually testing/using the machine (needle on the skin).