I realize everyone starts at different points in their airbrushing journey. This is for those of you who are at the first steps of your journey or looking to upgrade your equipment and set up to something better.
Below, you will find three starter kits that I recommend. These are hand-picked by me. You will also notice there are three categories: Good, Better, Best. I did it this way to help everyone at all levels of cost. I am a firm believer in “you get what you pay for.” I’m also a believer in “don’t spend money you don’t have.”
For those of you on a limited budget, understand this: Airbrushing is a hobby you grow into. This means you can get a good setup to start airbrushing and you will be able to do great things. But the best part of this hobby is you can upgrade over time with different tools and gear.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ = Absolute Must
⭐⭐⭐⭐ = It Will be Difficult Without it
⭐⭐⭐ = Something that You’ll Use for Sure.
⭐⭐ = Really Nice To Have
⭐ = Not Nessary but Helps
#Safety Gear (The Musts for All Set-Ups)
*Since prices are constantly changing, the cost listed could change depending on sales or price increases.
| Gear | Cost | Need | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hearing Protection | $9 | ⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3UZI9ea |
| Respirator | $33 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/4bAgfwt |
| Respirator Filters | $28 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/450Izp3 |
| Gloves | $13 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/454eXra |
| Safety Glasses | $3 | ⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/451UC5C |
#Good Starter Kit List
*Since prices constantly change, the cost listed could change depending on sales or price increases.
| Gear | Cost | Need | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbrush | $40 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/4bWp4jJ |
| Compressor | $67 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/4aKxoCe |
| Air Line | $10 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3yZVU5h |
| Spray Booth | $100 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/4aEb5hp |
| Spray Pot | $13 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/4bC4d5G |
| Paint Strainer (reusable) | $7 | ⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3Vm8xAp |
| Stir Sticks | $8 | ⭐ | https://amzn.to/4e0IWUF |
| Shot Glasses (Mixing Cups) | $23 | ⭐ | https://amzn.to/3UV6Wjs |
| Pipettes | $8 | ⭐ | https://amzn.to/3KnG5ri |
| Syringe | $3 | ⭐ | https://amzn.to/44ZxXGY |
| Cleaning Kit | $12 | ⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3V41NWa |
| Squirt Bottle | $5 | ⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3UZlm1V |
| Airbrush Cleaner | $12 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/4aV9F2x |
| Snips | $7 | ⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3yHUz2Y |
| Basic Acrylic Paint Set | $26 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/4aEv1kk |
| Basic Paint Brush Set | $6 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/4bY4j7u |
#Better Starter Kit
*Since prices constantly change, the cost listed could change depending on sales or price increases.
| Gear | Cost | Need | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbrush (Two in One) | $ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3Ro3FIA |
| Compressor (GT-918) | $110 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://www.gaahleri.com/collections/all-air-compressors |
| Air Line | $10 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3yZVU5h |
| Spray Booth | $170 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3KGMqOS |
| Quick Connects | $9 | ⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3yWtFUV |
| Spray Pot | $13 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/4bC4d5G |
| Paint Strainer (reusable) | $7 | ⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3Vm8xAp |
| Stir Sticks | $8 | ⭐ | https://amzn.to/4e0IWUF |
| Shot Glasses (Mixing Cups) | $23 | ⭐ | https://amzn.to/3UV6Wjs |
| Pipettes | $8 | ⭐ | https://amzn.to/3KnG5ri |
| Syringe | $3 | ⭐ | https://amzn.to/44ZxXGY |
| Cleaning Kit | $30 | ⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/4bTPVgJ |
| Squirt Bottle | $5 | ⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3UZlm1V |
| Airbrush Cleaner | $12 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/4aV9F2x |
| Snips | $7 | ⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3yHUz2Y |
| Basic Airbrush Paint Set | $49 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3V40l6e |
| Basic Paint Brush Set | $6 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/4bY4j7u |
| Airbrush Holder | $26 | ⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3xf2Xq8 |
#Best Starter Kit
*Since prices constantly change, the cost listed could change depending on sales or price increases.
| Gear | Cost | Need | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbrush .5 Nozzle | $70 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/45nHeZy |
| Airbrush .3 Nozzle | $75 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/4bWMmXl |
| Compressor | $520 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/4efFAgJ |
| Air Line | $10 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3yZVU5h |
| Quick Connects | $9 | ⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3yWtFUV |
| Spray Booth | $270 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://www.gaahleri.com/products/gaahleri-waterafall-spray-booth-set |
| Spray Pot | $13 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/4bC4d5G |
| Paint Strainer (reusable) | $7 | ⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3Vm8xAp |
| Stir Sticks | $8 | ⭐ | https://amzn.to/4e0IWUF |
| Shot Glasses (Mixing Cups) | $23 | ⭐ | https://amzn.to/3UV6Wjs |
| Pipettes | $8 | ⭐ | https://amzn.to/3KnG5ri |
| Syringe | $3 | ⭐ | https://amzn.to/44ZxXGY |
| Cleaning Kit | $30 | ⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/4bTPVgJ |
| Airbrush Tool Kit | $71 | ⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/4aWGUCl |
| Cleaning Mat | $26 | ⭐ | https://amzn.to/3z6CtYh |
| Squirt Bottle | $5 | ⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3UZlm1V |
| Airbrush Cleaner | $12 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/4aV9F2x |
| Airbrush Paints | $138 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3R7ciXU |
| Airbrush Holder | $26 | ⭐⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3xf2Xq8 |
| Surface Primer | $15 | ⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3VDVL0g |
| Precision Tip Cotton Swab | $10 | ⭐⭐ | https://amzn.to/3x4rIFB |
My Favorite Airbrushes
Beyond the Good, Better, Best list, I thought I’d give you some more of my thoughts on some airbrushes on the market. When it comes to airbrushes, there are a few brands I lean towards. That being said, I’m not saying some of the brands I don’t use are not good by any means. I just started with a few brands, and I like them, so I don’t stray too far from their product lines since they have always performed well. So, let’s go through some of my favorite airbrushes.
GAAHLERI
This company came out of nowhere. Gaahleri is a new company, and I was blown away by the quality they produce at such a good price point. I have a few of their airbrushes, and honestly, I love them all in different ways. I have found their airbrushes are reliable and comfortable to hold for hours. Truth be told, their airbrushes are becoming my favorite brand due to their quality and cost.
Gaahleri Airbrush Kit, Airbrush Gun with Dual-Action, Gravity Fluid Cup 1/4 oz, Air Brush Kit, Needle Sets 0.38 & 0.5 mm
This was the first airbrush I tested from Gaahleri, and within a few months, it became my go-to airbrush. The nice thing about this one is it comes with two needles, so you can use the .5mm to lay down some paint and get general detail work, and then use the .38 to get great details. In my opinion, it’s like having the Badger 105 Patriot and Sotar 20/20 in one.
You can get it here on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3z6oiT6
Get it on Gaahleri Site with Promo Code: https://www.gaahleri.com/collections/all-airbrushes
Promo Code: ItsMeaDMaDe
Gaahleri Airbrush Kit, Airbrush Gun Dual Action Gravity Feed Set, 0.38 & 0.5mm Needles
This airbrush is probably my most used airbrush. It’s one of the most comfortable things to hold, and with the .5mm needle, it just lays down paint. Truth be told, I really don’t even use the 0.38 needle; I just keep this as my priming airbrush with a .5mm needle. It’s so great to use for priming and laying down paint for your base coats. Once I get my main colors down, then I switch to a more detailed airbrush. The precision and control of this airbrush are good but not great due to the trigger action, but for how I use it, it’s amazing.
You can get it here on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3XjXdWT
Get it on Gaahleri Site with Promo Code: https://www.gaahleri.com/collections/all-airbrushes
Promo Code: ItsMeaDMaDe
Gaahleri Airbrush Premium Series Mobius 0.3mm
I’ve saved the best Gaahleri Airbrush for last. This airbrush is the newest one I have, and I have only about a dozen hours on it as of now. But everything about this is quality. It’s my go-to precision airbrush right now because it can get incredible detail and control. The thing I love about it most is how comfortable it is to hold. I have more expensive airbrushes, and this feels like I’m holding them. The price point of this is amazing because once I’ve used it, I would pay double to have it. I truly love it that much.
You can get it here on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4aXCXxq
Get it on Gaahleri Site with Promo Code: https://www.gaahleri.com/collections/all-airbrushes
Promo Code: ItsMeaDMaDe
BADGER AIRBRUSHES
Badger airbrushes were some of my first airbrushes, and I hold a special place for two models in particular since I spent countless hours holding them and creating some beautiful works of art with them.
Badger Air-Brush Co. Model 105 Patriot Fine Gravity Airbrush, Stainless Steel
This was my first good airbrush, and man, I just loved it. I still use it today. It’s a great beginner airbrush that gives great control for some detail work and allows you to just lay some paint down when you need to.
Note: If you get this, you will need the coupler since they don’t use a standard connection size.
You can get it here on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3xgrj2J
Badger Air-Brush Co. Sotar 2020-2F Large Gravity Feed Fine Airbrush
Once I was airbrushing for a little while, I realized the 105 Patriot couldn’t get the details I had progressed to in my skill level. So, I upgraded to the Sotar 20/20. I was so happy that I waited to hone my skills before I got this airbrush because once I started using it, I saw that my paint jobs jumped up to the next level due to how precise this airbrush could get. I was painting details I would never be able to achieve with the 105. It’s a solid airbrush for those wanting to take the next step in their detail work.
Note: If you get this, you will need the coupler since they don’t use a standard connection size.
You can get it here on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4b7K9Hq