The Best Tattoo Pen Machines in 2023 - AuthorityTattoo (2025)

The Best Tattoo Pen Machines in 2023 - AuthorityTattoo (1)

  • Written ByDan Hunteron February 02, 2023
    Last Updated: October 7, 2023

One of the first things you will do as a beginner tattoo artist is to find the perfect tattoo machine for you. The tattoo machine that you buy will have a significant impact on your success as a tattoo artist, so you must choose the right one.

There is a vast range of tattoo pen machines available, and innovative designs are being updated all of the time. The wide variety can be overwhelming, especially when you’re starting out. A tattoo pen machine gives you the feel of a pen in a tattoo machine, which means it could be ideal for those starting their tattoo career.

We have reviewed the best tattoo pen machines to make your choice a little easier. We will also share with you our buying guide to help you understand what you should be looking for.

Below are the best tattoo pen machines available on the market right now:

Best Tattoo Pen Machines Reviewed

HAWINK Tattoo Kit Rotary Tattoo Pen—Best Value for Money

The HAWINK tattoo pen machine gives you great value for money. It’s a lightweight, ergonomically designed wireless tattoo pen that gives you a comfortable grip and the detailed precision that you need.

You don’t just get the tattoo pen machine; you get everything you need to start tattooing. As well as the tattoo pen machine, the kit includes; tattoo power supply, tattoo needle cartridges, foot pedal, and tattoo grip.

Users like everything about the HAWINK tattoo pen machine, and you can see some of the comments that we found online below:

Man, I really like this pen! I got it together with a wireless battery pack and I love the portability! It’s lightweight, easy to hold for the duration of the session, and I love that the color just says “I mean business!” Because every time I bust it out and hook up my battery pack, I get that look on people’s faces that says “damn this guy knows what he’s doing!” Thanks for making a good pen.”

“OMG, the best tattoo machine ever. Super easy to use, precise, light, and wireless! Gonna get some more for my parlor!”

Specifications

Material: Aircraft Aluminium alloy.

Motor: Powerful rotary motor.

Weight: 141 grams.

Tattoo Style: Line work, shading, and color packing.

The HAWINK tattoo pen machine is a great addition to your tattoo kit. It has a powerful motor and is an ergonomic design that’s comfortable to hold. It gives you great value for money and is a wireless design, so you’re able to use it when you’re on the go.

It’s a lightweight tattoo pen that can be used for many hours without any issues or fatigue. You need to be careful to keep the operating voltage between 7 and 11 volts. If you take it higher than this, there is a possibility of overheating.

Pros

  • Great value for money.
  • Wireless connection – ideal for smaller spaces.
  • Lightweight and comfortable to hold.
  • Durable aircraft aluminum frame.
  • Precision detail for line work.

Cons

  • Chance of Overheating if used over 11 volts.

Dragonhawk Mast Pen Rotary Tattoo Machine—Best Overall

The Dragonhawk Mast tattoo pen machine is a powerful tattoo machine with a solid frame that will last for years. The ergonomic design is lightweight and quiet. It gives out minimal vibration and is compatible with all cartridge needles.

The powerful custom motor has a working voltage of 6 to 9 Volts that can be adjusted and powered by the foot pedal. You don’t just get the tattoo pen machine; you also receive a power supply, 20pcs needle cartridges, foot pedal, dc cord, and a carry case.

Customers love all elements of this tattoo pen machine. You can see some of the comments that we found online below:

“This thing is AWESOME! I love it! My kit came with 30 cartridges size 4RL 9RL and 7MI – I think, a small mag anyway. Carry case with a lock. Pretty sweet deal.”

“I have been a tattoo artist for over 16 years and over that time I have worn out my hands and back from long nights in the shop. This machine has been able to give me longer tattoo times than the conventional machines I worked with. It runs smoothly and all my clients love the work that can be done with it. The needle setup is amazing and makes the change seamless so there is no need for multiple machines out.”

Specifications

Material: Space Aluminum frame.

Motor: Custom Japanese Mast rotary motor.

Weight: 120 grams.

Tattoo Style: Line work, black and grey shading, solid color packing.

This tattoo pen machine is a great all-round option that gives you stunning results from a powerful tattoo pen. It’s affordable and includes everything that you need to start your tattooing career.

The frame is solid and durable, as well as being lightweight and comfortable. The easy-to-handle design will enable you to work for hours without any issues.

Pros

  • Powerful custom made Japanese motor.
  • Minimal noise and vibration when working.
  • Ergonomic comfortable design.
  • Durable space aluminum frame.
  • Suitable for all kinds of tattoo styles.

Cons

  • Some users reported that the power cord supplied was not durable.

Solong Tattoo Pen Kit—Best for Comfort

The Solong tattoo pen is a well-designed tattoo pen that fits comfortably in your hand and is easy to handle. It has a powerful motor that runs smoothly with minimal vibration and noise. The tattoo pen machine remains cool and doesn’t overheat even on the longest tattoo sessions.

The tattoo pen machine gives you the best of both worlds and can be used as a wireless tattoo machine, or it can also be connected to a power supply. This constant supply means that you’ll never run out of power.

The Solong tattoo pen gives you precise, detailed line work and can also be used for permanent make-up as well as tattooing.

Users enjoy the Solong wireless tattoo pen, and you can see a couple of the comments that we found online below:

“Nice product.Very smooth and good performance. Very good for shading and line works.

“I love this product. It has been a game changer and it feels light as a feather. Business is booming, it’s easy to set up and break down. My clients are very happy with the way the colored ink sticks so well. Great machine, I’ll recommend it to anyone in the tattoo industry.”

Specifications

Material: CNC machined aircraft aluminum.

Motor: Rotary motor from Taiwan.

Weight: 300 grams.

Tattoo style: Line work, shading, and color packing.

The Solong tattoo pen is just like holding a pen, giving you a natural feel for the tattoo machine. The ergonomic design allows you to complete the precise details for many tattoo designs and also permanent make-up.

The tattoo pen machine is comfortable to hold, and it doesn’t overheat when using it for long tattoo sessions. The tattoo kit includes lots of different needle cartridges suitable for all styles of tattoos.

Pros

  • Ergonomic design is comfortable to hold.
  • Can be used wirelessly and with a power supply.
  • Remains cool when used for long sessions.
  • Can be used for permanent make-up.

Cons

  • Heavier than other tattoo machines.

Stigma Rotary Tattoo Machine Pen Kit—Best Lightweight

The Stigma wireless tattoo kit includes everything you need to get you started with your tattoo career. The tattoo pen machine is a wireless rotary machine that’s ideal for those tattoo artists that work on the go rather than in a tattoo studio.

The tattoo machine is shaped like a pen and is lightweight, so it is easy to handle. It’s comfortable to use and can be used on long sessions with no signs of fatigue. It’s also very quiet when operating with minimal vibration and is great for those precise, intricate details.

The Stigma tattoo pen machine comes with two batteries, which means that you will be able to charge one battery while you use the other. You’ll never be without power for your tattoo machine.

Users like everything about the Stigma tattoo machine pen, and you can see some of their comments below:

“This kit is awesome, the pen machine works great, correct adjustment, two tattoo batteries supports tattooing all day. Everything is perfect. I recommend it.”

“Absolutely love the rotary pen, it’s easy to use and I also like the idea of no wires trying to work around. Would definitely recommend it for all levels of tattooing!!!!!.”

Specifications

Material: Space aluminum.

Motor: Japanese rotary motor.

Weight: 112 grams.

Tattoo style: Line work, shading, and color packing.

The Stigma tattoo pen is a great tattoo machine that gives you a powerful, strong pressure along with precision lines. The ergonomic design and lightweight feel make it easy to handle and control. This helps to reduce fatigue on extended tattoo sessions.

The tattoo machine needles move smoothly and quickly, giving a precise line. It works quietly with minimal noise and vibration, which helps improve the environment of the tattoo studio, and puts your customers at ease.

Pros

  • The Rotary motor moves the needles smoothly.
  • Quiet performance with minimal vibration.
  • Lightweight and comfortable to hold.
  • Compact and wireless.

Cons

  • Some users reported batteries malfunctioning after a while.

Mast Tattoo Tour Wireless Rotary Pen—Most Versatile

The Mast Archer wireless tattoo machine is a versatile tattoo pen machine that’s cordless, meaning that it’s perfect for use in small areas. It’s also ideal for those tattoo artists working on the go.

The tattoo pen has a large battery capacity that allows it to run for up to 8 hours on one charge, and it charges quickly, with a full charge taking just two hours.

The Mast tattoo pen machine is compatible with all brands of needle cartridges, and the stainless steel spring inside the tattoo machine gives you a powerful, precise line. The tattoo pen is perfect for line work and is also soft enough to provide you with great shading and color packing.

Users like using the Mast Archer wireless tattoo machine, and you can see below just some of the comments that we found online:

“I was so excited about getting this machine and I wasn’t disappointed. I love it. It was a good price, arrived fast and came fully charged.”

“I’m a licensed tattooist and usually use Bishop rotary machines. I’ve used this once so far and am IN LOVE. I don’t think I’ve ever been so comfortable tattooing! Crisp clean lines, amazing color packing, easy to use, love not being tied to a power supply! Tattooed for about an hour 45 and still had 85% battery life.”

Specifications

Material: Stainless Steel Spring mechanism.

Type of machine: Japanese cordless rotary motor.

Weight: 186 grams.

Tattoo style: Line work, shading, and color packing.

This wireless tattoo pen machine is powerful and is precise for detailed line work. It’s also soft enough for shading and color packing. The battery is long-lasting, and it has a backlit LED display that allows you to see the voltage information and make adjustments to the power to suit the tattoo style you’re using.

It has a choice of four different colors which means that you can choose a color to suit you.

Pros

  • Precision for lining and softness for shading.
  • Long lasting battery.
  • LED display.
  • Wide voltage range.

Cons

  • Some users have reported the screen being difficult to read.

BRONC Premium Quality Rotary Cartridge Tattoo Machine—Best for Noise and Vibration

The BRONC premium tattoo pen machine gives you all the power you need and still works very quietly, giving out minimal vibration when using. It’s a solid and durable tattoo pen that will stand up strong against many hours of tattooing, so it will last a long time.

It’s lightweight and is comfortable to use; you’ll feel just like you’re holding a pen when using it. It has a powerful Swiss-made motor that gives you a powerful performance, but it remains quiet throughout.

Customers that have bought the BRONC tattoo pen machine enjoy using it. Below are some of the comments that we found online:

“Ok, first of all I’d like to say that I’m freaking amazed by this machine. I was skeptical at first being the price range and all, but man did this blow me away. The lines are solid, it’s very quiet, with the smoothest grey washes I’ve ever accomplished, and it packs color seamlessly.”

“Ok ok ok. Straight up game changer. This machine is amazing with no vibration. The Swiss made motor is the smoothest out there. Packs in color like no other. Nicely balanced cartridges in and out with no hassle. This machine is pure quality. I highly recommend this pen above all. This is definitely a top professional grade. I give it an A+ rating.”

Specifications

Material: Aircraft Aluminum frame.

Motor: Rotary Swiss Motor.

Weight: 154 grams.

Tattoo Style: Line work, shading, and color packing.

This tattoo pen machine helps to keep both you and your customer relaxed, with its smooth performance and very little noise. It gives out minimal vibration, which will help keep the calm environment as sometimes the noise and vibration can be distracting.

The tattoo pen machine is also available in six different colors, so you can choose a color to suit you.

Pros

  • Minimal noise and vibration.
  • Lightweight tattoo pen machine with ergonomic design.
  • Available in a range of colors.
  • PowerfulSwiss made motor.

Cons

  • Some users reported that the strength of power is intermittent.

Best Tattoo Pen Machines Buying Guide

There are many things to consider when choosing your tattoo pen machine, as this will be a crucial part of your tattoo kit. Make sure that you select the most suitable tattoo pen for your requirements.

People come to you for a perfectly stunning tattoo that they can show off to all of their friends and one that they will be proud of for years to come. This is down to your art and tattooing skills as well as your tattoo pen machine, so you need to make sure that you get it right.

We’ll let you know just what to look for when choosing your liner tattoo pen machine below.

Beginner or Professional?

You need your tattoo machine to suit your requirements, whether you’re a beginner or a professional tattoo artist.

A tattoo pen machine is great for all types of tattooists and is suited to both beginners and professionals. It’s easier to handle than a coil tattoo machine, and it allows you to complete precise details when doing line work or filling in the tattoo with shading.

Material

The material used to create the tattoo pen machine frame needs to be strong and durable as you will be using it for many hours throughout the day. However, the material also needs to be lightweight for the same reason.

Many tattoo pen machines are made from stainless steel, carbon steel, or aluminum, as these metals are the most durable, lightweight, and give you a steady, comfortable grip.

Type of Tattoo Pen Machine

There are two different kinds of tattoo pen machines available. These are wireless tattoo pens or tattoo pens that are powered through a power cord.

Wireless Tattoo Pen Machines

A wireless tattoo pen machine is excellent for those tattoo artists that have limited space as you don’t have to have power cords about, taking up space. It’s also an ideal option for tattoo artists that travel for work and tattoo while on the go. This removes the need for a power supply while you’re out and about.

However, you need to make sure that you have a long-lasting battery pack or a spare battery that can be used while your other is charging. Also, a wireless tattoo pen machine may weigh more than a wired tattoo pen as it has the battery pack included. The extra weight may cause fatigue or pain when tattooing for long sessions.

Wired Tattoo Pen Machines

If you have a wired tattoo pen machine, you need to have it connected to the power supply at all times. This may mean that you have messy power cords taking up space in your tattoo studio. The good thing is that you’ll never run out of power or have reduced power as you’ll have a constant supply.

A wired tattoo machine pen doesn’t have a battery pack attached as all power will come through the power cord. The cord running from the machine will reduce the weight of the tattoo pen machine and will make it more comfortable to handle. This is ideal for those lengthy tattoo sessions.

Comfort and Weight

You will be working with the tattoo machine all day, every day if you are a professional tattoo artist, so you want your tattoo pen machine to be comfortable. It should also be easy to handle as you will be completing intricate details on your tattoo designs, and you want these to be perfect.

Comfort is vital when tattooing, as you will get the best results when you’re comfortable. You will find it difficult to concentrate if you’re uncomfortable or in pain, and this isn’t ideal for you or your customer.

It helps if your tattoo pen machine is lightweight, as this reduces the amount of fatigue or pain in your hands or wrist during lengthy tattoo sessions. The weight of your tattoo pen machine needs to be high on your priority list, as this will make your job a little easier.

Durability

As you will be using your tattoo pen machine for long periods, you will need it to last a long time. Choosing the right material will make sure that your tattoo pen machine is sturdy and will stand up to many hours of use.

Tattoo machines can be expensive, so you need to look at your purchase as an investment and the secret to your success as a reputable tattoo artist.

Safety

With all the considerations when choosing a tattoo pen machine, you also need to consider the safety aspect of tattooing. By selecting the most suitable tattoo pen machine for you, you can improve the safety elements of the procedure. If you can handle the tattoo pen machine properly, this will reduce any accidents or damage to the skin.

However, you need to remember that tattooing can be dangerous as you’re penetrating the skin with needles. You must be properly trained by a professional before even starting to tattoo people.

You are responsible for your customer’s health and safety, so you must know what you’re doing at all times. There are many courses out there where you can learn about blood-borne pathogens and cross-contamination. By completing these, it will help you to understand the process and the dangers if done wrong.

Price

Tattoo pen machines can cost as little or as much as you want to pay, and you can spend hundreds of dollars on some models. It’s good to remember that you generally get what you pay for, so the cheapest option isn’t always the best. However, just because you’ve spent a lot of money, it doesn’t mean that your tattoo pen machine will be the best.

The best way to find out about a tattoo pen machine and how good it is is to check out reviews or speak to professional tattoo artists to get their opinion on the tattoo pen machines you’re looking at buying.

By doing this, you will make sure that you get the right tattoo pen machine for you without splashing out unnecessarily.

Conclusion

As the world of tattooing grows and becomes more popular, the choice of tattoo machines and innovative designs increases.

It can be overwhelming when looking to choose a tattoo pen machine that suits your needs. As this will be a vital element of your tattoo kit, you need to ensure that the tattoo pen machine that you buy is the right one.

Our favorite among the best tattoo pen machines is the HAWINK Tattoo Kit Rotary Tattoo Pen. This tattoo pen machine gives you great value for money and has a wireless connection, so it is ideal for those tattoo artists with limited space or who work while on the go.

Our runner-up would be the Dragonhawk Mast Pen Rotary Tattoo Machine. This is a great all-round tattoo pen with a powerful Japanese motor. It offers a quiet operation with minimal vibration and a solid and durable frame.

We hope that you found our review of the best tattoo pen machines helpful, and it gives you a clearer understanding of the benefits and features of a tattoo pen machine. Now all you need to do is get out there and start tattooing!

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