If you think of opening a tattoo shop or want to master tattoo art, then the first thing you will need is a tattoo machine. The well-equipped tattoo artist will produce extraordinary results, and the customers will rely on such a tattoo artist for further tattoo making. A tattoo is an art, and you need to do the art on the skin. If we lack proper tools, then the art may be hampered.
A tattoo pen machine can serve this purpose skillfully. The pen machine looks mostly like a pen, and handling such a device is quite easy. The seamless experience makes your art precise and neat. Without hurting much, you can deliver desired results to all your customers. I know if you are a newbie, you are full of creativity, enthusiasm, and confusion.
We are here to clear all your confusion and help you figure out the best tattoo pen machine you should opt for. We will not let you be driven by unnecessary information; rather, let you know about everything very clearly so that you can actually choose the one suitable for you.
If you are an experienced tattoo artist and searching for a new device, you already know the importance of a proper tattoo pen machine. We will help you choose the best tattoo pen machine at a reasonable price. Just relax and take the journey with us. We will help you to reach your destination. So let’s get started!
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THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHILE TATTOOING:
Being an apprentice:
Tattoo artists need expertise and training to get a license for being a professional tattoo artist and deliver your work with utmost precision. Making a tattoo is piercing through the skin to keep the skin inked for a lifetime. Doing such a difficult and intricate job needs rigorous practice and expertise to a great level. If you hurt someone while getting a tattoo, it will take a toll on your career and make you the least reliable to the customers.
Practicing over fake skin:
Artists nurture their skills through rigorous practice. People often tend to perform their art in the medium they are supposed to do. So, it is also necessary for any tattoo artist to practice over the skin before starting and establishing a career as a tattoo artist. For that, you need to opt for fake skin made of pigskin, silicon, rubber and others. Pigskin is ideal in this regard and can give you realistic skin feels.
Learning basic skills of tattooing:
You have to learn the basics of making a tattoo—the terms associated with the art. Learn about things like lines, colors, shades, letterings etc., of making a tattoo. First, you have to learn to form the basic outline and then learn to use various colors for applying over the tattoo. Shading with black ink is also another art that needs special understanding. The lettering and the spacing need to be taken care of. Make sure the tattoo is reaching the exact depth of the skin. Learn the aftercare techniques so that you can help your customers with them. There should be an angle of 45 degrees while inserting the needle.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF TATTOO MACHINES:
Tattoo machines come in a plethora of varieties, and you need to understand each type to choose the one suitable for you. If you do not understand all the tattoo machines’ working principles, you won’t understand how to operate them or which type you are looking for. The tattoo machine should be easy for you to use. So, let us check the various types of tattoo machines.
- Rotary Tattoo Machine: This is one of the most common varieties of the tattoo machine. It was invented back in 1978 and used the original tattoo machine technology. This type of machine uses an electric DC motor which drives the needle attached to it. They move up and down. They are very simple to use. The machines are usually lightweight, cause less finger cramping, and have very low noise output. The variety of the tattoo machine can do both the purposes of lining and shading. They are the most common variety and require very few adjustments.
- Coil Tattoo Machine: This is another very common variety of tattoo machine. As the name suggests, a coil entirely controls it. The buzzing noise generally comes from these types of machines. It is very versatile, and there are liners, shaders and colour packers coil tattoo machines. They have dual coils having 8 to 10 wraps. It offers resistance which drives the machine, and there is an armature bar used for injecting ink into the skin by moving up and down. You can easily regulate the power and the speed and have interchangeable parts. You can complete faster, and the machines are a little heavier.
- Pneumatic Tattoo Machine: The Pneumatic tattoo machines came to the picture much after the other two varieties. This tattoo machine uses an air compressor for driving the needle. Sterilization is an autoclave that can be easily done for this variety. It is able to take up any kinds of needles and tubes that exist. There are three varieties of pneumatic tattoo machine: Neuma Hybrid, Neuma Electric and Neuma Hybrid Electric. Both the purposes of lining and shading can be served. The movement of the needle is in up and down motion, and the machine is extremely lightweight.
PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS AND QUICK REVIEWS (Top 10 Product Review)
So, after taking a look at the nook and cranny of the varieties of tattoo machines available, we have finally come up with the best tattoo pen machines available in the market. Some features may be ideal for you, and the cost may be a hindrance in some cases. Do not worry because you are going to find the product matching the list of specifications you have. So, let us start checking the products and their reviews.
1. Mast Tour Rotary Pen Machine

Review:
This is an amazing tattoo pen machine by Mast Tour. It is a Rotary pen machine that is sleek and has low sound output. It is wireless in nature and is supported by a battery. It is small and has a grip of 2.5 mm, and is small and travel friendly. It is equipped with a Japanese coreless motor which has a lifetime of at least 3000 hours. It is very simple and classic and gives fine linings.
You can perform black and grey shading with this. The pen machine gives a solid color packing. 3 hours of full charging can make the pen machine operate for 6 hours at a stretch. It has an easy connection. It comes with a rotating battery for adjustment of the needles.
It displays the battery working, and you can easily switch voltage. It comes with type C charging. The depth of the needles is 0 to 4 mm. It is extremely durable and flexible.
Product Dimensions: 7.24 X 4.29 X 4.17 inches
Product Weight: 0.18 lbs
Pros
- It prevents any sorts of extreme trauma on the skin.
- Liner, color packer and shade are three ways in which they can be used.
- The pen tattoo machine is rotary, quiet and wireless—great longevity with excellent and comfortable portability.
- It provides 6 hours of continuous use with 3 hours of full charging.
Cons
- The battery-powered wireless pen machine may not be liked by all who would prefer the wired ones.
- Expensive than many other varieties.
2. Dragonhawk Atom Rotary Pen Tattoo Machine Japan Motor for Tattoo Artists

Review:
Dragonhawk has presented to us an amazing pen tattoo machine which is a rotary tattoo machine. Available in multiple beautiful colours. It has a stroke of 3.5 mm. Adjustment of needle depth can be made between 0 to 4.5 mm. It has an RCA connection. It consists of a Japanese motor, which gives continuous operation.
The tattoo machine has low noise output and is extremely durable. The pen machine is lightweight and unibody. The operating voltage of the device ranges between 5 and 15 V DC. The RPM range is 8000 rpm per minute and the Stitches per second is 8 to 800 stitches per second.
It is very powerful and reliable. The pen machine does not produce any sorts of vibration. Both shade and liner functions are performed by the pen machine. It is a battery operated wireless tattoo machine.
Product Dimensions: 7.2 X 5.3 X 2.3 inches
Product Weight: 0.30 lbs.
Pros
- The pen tattoo machine comes with a Japanese motor, which is strong and sturdy.
- Lightweight and has a very high tolerance.
- Quite cheap variety.
Cons
- There may be little problem with overheating, and maybe uncomfortably hot in some cases.
- Some people may prefer to have a grip tape for perfect gripping.
3. BIG WASP Cartridge Pen Rotary Tattoo Machine

Review:
Bigwasp produces an excellent tattoo pen machine that is rotary and supports excellent quality Japanese motors. It has an aluminum frame that is strong, sturdy and lightweight. It is well designed and has a perfect grip. You can seamlessly make tattoos using this device.
It makes you have a grip of a perfect pen which helps you draw better. The pen machine has an ergonomic design, and the motor is very powerful. It is a reliable device without any sorts of vibrations. The voltage is 5 to 8 volts, and it is compatible with all cartridge needle types.
The Assembly of the pen machine is swift and takes very little time. The stroke is 3.5 mm. It is equipped with an RCA cord. You can easily adjust the needles and give excellent results.
Product Dimensions: 6.06 X 3.66 X 2.09 inches
Product Weight: 7.55 Ounces
Pros
- It is equipped with a Japanese motor which is very durable and powerful.
- It is equipped with an aluminum frame which has great features of being lightweight and sturdy.
- You can seamlessly make tattoos with this pen machine.
- The product is quite cheap and delivers extraordinary results.
Cons
- Some of the cartridges may not work fine with this.
- There is a rattling sound which all may not prefer.
4. Dragonhawk Mast Pen Rotary Tattoo Machine full kit

Review:
It is an entire kit with a Dragonhawk Mast pen tattoo machine which is rotary in nature. Amazing kit any tattoo artist would prefer to have. If you are a newbie and are searching for a proper kit with the best tattoo pen machine, this can obviously be a choice. It is made up of an entirely aluminium frame which is great, and has a custom mast motor.
The motor is powerful, and it has a very quiet operating sound. The operating voltage ranges between 6 to 9 volts. The design is ergonomic and lightweight. The pen machine is equipped with WJX branded cartridges, increasing the ink’s storage and facilitating faster ink absorption.
The kit includes a pen tattoo machine, power supply, cartridges (20), carry case, DC cord, foot pedal and the box. It has a 10000 rpm speed and does not produce vibrations.
Product Dimensions: 9.1 X 9.1 X 3.7 inches;
Product Weight: 3.1 pounds
Pros
- It is steady and prevents trauma on the skin due to smoother edges.
- Very durable with an aluminum frame and has a pen-like flexible design with excellent gripping.
- Shading can be easily done with this pen machine.
Cons
- The product may be a little expensive though it contains a lot of items.
5. ATOMUS Tattoo Pen Style cartridge Machine Gun

Review:
Atomus provides us with an excellent Pen Tattoo machine which is rotary type. It can be used both ways for shading and lining. It has excellent pen style gripping. The speed of the pen machine is 9000 rpm which is extremely strong and very powerful. The voltage operates between 6 to 9 volts. The pen machine is equipped with a DC cord.
It is made up of zinc alloy, and the machine is very stable and long-lasting. It has low noise output. The lightweight structure makes it easy to grip and ergonomic. Portable and has an excellent user experience. It comes with a DC clip cord for convenience of usage. The needle length is 3.5 mm.
Product Dimensions: 14.76 X 6.77 X 2.17 inches
Product Weight: 9.17 ounces.
Pros
- It is made up of zinc alloy with excellent stability and a sturdy design. Ergonomic with excellent grip.
- Hassle-free usage
- Very cheap and affordable.
Cons
- There can be overheating problems with some people.
- Durability may be questionable.
6. BRONC Premium Quality Rotary Cartridge Tattoo Machine Gun Professional Kit

Review:
BRONC is another brand producing excellent Rotary Pen Tattoo machines. The motor equipped with the pen machine is extraordinarily powerful and strong. You will feel like holding an actual pen while making the tattoo. The body is made up of aircraft aluminum.
It is quite long-lasting and durable. The motor is reliable and is a Swiss motor. The machine is lightweight and produces very less noise. The voltage of operation of the pen machine ranges between 5 to 7 volts DC. It comes with an RCA cord connection. The length of the stroke is 3.5 mm.
Product Dimensions: 6.22 x 4.06 x 3.11 inches
Product Weight: 14.92 Ounces
Pros
- It is made up of aircraft aluminum which is durable and lightweight.
- It has an excellent grip.
Cons
- The fix of the needle may give you a little trouble.
7. Ambition Rotary Tattoo Pen Machine

Review:
Ambition has gifted us with an excellent Pen Tattoo machine which is rotary type. It comes with an aluminum alloy frame and is CNC carved. It can be entirely detached and is very easy to assemble altogether. It is equipped with a Japanese Coreless motor of 10 V and has a speed of 9000 rpm. Very durable and long-lasting.
It is wireless and hence is powered by a 1950 mAh battery. It needs just 1.5 to 2 hours for full charging and can be used for 5 to 6 long hours. It works as both liner and shade and is equipped with USB fast charging. There is a screen on the pen which has a screen protector. The screen displays power, timer, output voltage and has switched to adjust voltage and has a power key.
Product Dimensions: 7.28 X 5.31 X 2.31 inches
Product Weight: 8.99 Ounces
Pros
- There is a screen displaying power, timer and voltage for easy accessibility.
- Wireless and can be operated for 5 to 6 hours.
Cons
- May produce noises that are louder as compared to many other varieties.
- The price of the product is on the higher side as compared to many others on the list.
8. Hawick Rotary Tattoo Pen style machine

Review:
Hawick has presented us with the rotary Tattoo pen machine made with an aircraft aluminum alloy frame. It is equipped with a strong and powerful motor that produces very little noise and has operating voltages ranging between 5 to 10 volts.
It gives you an actual pen feel and is easy to grip. Very stable with an excellent lightweight design is the specialty of the pen machine. It comes with an RCA cord and the least vibrations. The pen machine has an ergonomic design and causes the least irritation on the skin.
Product Dimensions: 6 X 3.8 X 1.8 inches
Product Weight: 4.48 Ounces
Pros
- There is super stability in the device.
- Ergonomic in nature
- Durable, lightweight and easy to handle.
Cons
- One of the most expensive products on the list.
- It could be causing problems after prolonged usages.
9. Stigma Tattoo Kit Rotary Tattoo Machine Pen Black

Review:
It is a tattoo kit by Stigma containing an excellent tattoo pen machine that is rotary. The pen machine is classic and has a DC connector. It is equipped with a powerful and strong Japanese motor and comes with an aluminum frame that is durable and lightweight. The pen has excellent gripping with an ergonomic design.
The motor has an advanced gear system which makes it reliable and is quiet with low noise output. Thus, there are two batteries in the pack and thus can be used interchangeably and backed up with a warranty period of 1 year.
The operating voltage ranges between 5 to 12 volts, and the needle can protrude between 0 to 3.5 mm. It can be charged in just 3 hours and remains charged for 3 to 6 hours. It is wireless and can be used hassle-free. The speed of this machine is 8000 rpm.
Product Dimensions: 10.55 x 9.13 x 3.31 inches
Product Weight: 2.38 pounds
Pros
- The pen machine is equipped with lithium batteries as it is wireless.
- Aluminum framing makes it lightweight and durable.
- There are five different voltage adjustments, and the package has 20 cartridges.
Cons
- May produce louder sounds after prolonged usages.
- The battery longevity is a little questionable.
10. Romlon Tattoo Kit-Complete Tattoo Pen kit

Review:
This is a perfect tattoo kit for beginners, which comes with an excellent tattoo pen machine by Romlon. The machine is simple, classic and has an aluminum alloy frame with an RCA Jack. They are ergonomically designed to give comfortable gripping. Prolonged and continuous usages do not let the device overheat and hurt the comfort of using it.
The pen machine is rotary and is operated by an excellent motor that produces very little sound. It comes with 40 pieces of mixed cartridge needles, gloves, a tattoo power supply with a digital LED screen, pen covers, tattoo cups, inks and many more.
The complete kit is extremely helpful, and you will have an excellent pen machine with it. The speed of the device is 10000 rpm, and the stroke is 3.5 mm. The needle protrusion ranges between 0 to 3.5 mm.
Product Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.43 x 1.65 inches
Product Weight: 5.61 Ounces
Pros
- You can easily use this tattoo kit to serve all your purposes.
- The tattoo pen machine has an aluminum frame making it durable and lightweight.
- Ergonomic design with comfortable gripping.
Cons
- It is a little expensive due to so many items clubbed together to form a complete kit.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHILE BUYING TATTOO AFTERCARE PRODUCTS: The Buyer’s Guide
Check which type of tattoo pen machine you want:
It is extremely important to figure out the type of machine you want, whether you want a rotary one or a coil one. Pneumatic tattoo machines can opt only if it is a personal choice and favored for usages. The pen machines we use are generally rotary and are very common. Using a rotary machine can be easier and makes you more confident while making the designs.
The tattoo pen machine should be comfortable on hands, and rotary ones usually have less noise. The motor used for the pen machine should be powerful and stable—wired and wireless varieties of pen machines available for you to use.
You would obviously need batteries for wireless ones, and they should be working fine for longer periods of time, and you can have a seamless tattooing experience.
Check for the tubes, needles and ink:
The needles, tubes and ink are the three major driving equipment of any tattoo pen machine. The pen should be compatible with multiple needle varieties, which makes the work flexible. The machine should be capable of adjusting the depth of the needle.
The tubes help the needles to be in place while penetrating into the skin. The needles and the tubes can be reusable or disposable. You should also consider the ink holding capacity of the tattoo machine.
A reasonable amount of ink holding is better, and people should not buy something huge that may be very heavy on their hands.
Material and condition should be checked:
Check for the material of the tattoo machine with which it is made. The material should be durable and sturdy so that you can use the same machine for longer periods of time. The inbuilt quality should not be flimsy. You should be very aware of the condition of the tattoo machine you are using. Any damaged or worn out tattoo machine can pose a harmful threat.
Examination of the tattoo machine closely before usages is what you should do.
If the condition of the tattoo machine is not proper, then there can be safety issues, and there can be injuries. Buy a superior quality product and also check the power requirement by the machine.
Check the price of your product:
Budget is something none of us can ignore because it all depends on the budget what we can afford. The tattoo machine you are planning to buy should be well within your limits without compromising the quality.
There are many safety issues linked with tattooing, so buying a good quality product is important. If you buy a sturdy material, then it is going to stay for long. Remember, it will be an investment that will help you grow your career and reputation altogether.
FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. How about getting a liner or a shader tattoo machine?
Being a tattoo artist, you should have both the liners and the shades. There are tattoo machines used as liners and shades just by adjusting the voltage a little bit.
Though they are not available under a single machine, the types of liners and shades are quite different as you use the liner for making the outline or the structure of the tattoo and use the shade to shade the tattoo or maybe add color.
Most of the tattoos only require liners, and shades are less frequently used. So, having a liner is much more important, lighter than shades, and has fewer needles.
Q.To become a tattooist, how many minimum pen machines should I have? What is the penetration depth of the needles?
You have first to find out the exact type of pen machine you actually require, whether you need a liner, shade or color picker. Being a professional tattoo artist, you should be well equipped with all the varieties of tattoo pen machines. And the majorly used device is the liner.
You should at least have two liners so that you don’t just rely on a single tattoo machine while tattooing, and you can always have a backup. There are tattoo machines that may support multiple purposes. In such cases, you may not need different varieties of machines separately.
If you want to know about the level of penetration of the needle while making a tattoo, then that is actually 1 to 2 millimeters deep. The target of the needle is the dermis layer.
If you get deeper, your customer may bleed and develop an infection, and also, there are huge chances of tattoo blowout. A tattoo blowout is a situation where the tattoo becomes smudged, and the tattoo gets blurry due to penetration into the fat layer.
Q. What are the things I need for starting my career as a tattooist, and how often should the pen needle of the tattoo machine be replaced?
There are multiple pieces of equipment that you would require while tattooing. Apart from the tattoo machine, you would need a power supply or batteries, needles, tubes, ink, grips, stencils. The major thing you would require to establish yourself as a tattooist is a license and expertise. You should also have gloves while making a tattoo.
Professionally you should not use a single needle twice as it may not be good. The tattoo pen machines are equipped with single-use needles that are replaceable. There can be the transfer of bacteria and viruses if you use a needle twice for two different customers.
CONCLUSION
Well, now that you have reached the end of the article, you would have got a lot of clarity about what you exactly wanted to know. We are happy that we could keep you engaged through the entire length of the article, and it imparts some information to you. If you are still feeling confused, then do not worry because reading an article once will not make things clear. Get the points you got from the article and jot them down.
Then hop into the reviews to match the specifications with the features of the tattoo pen machine you are opting for. The one with the most matched specifications will be the exact one for you. It will really take a lot of effort from your side to decide amongst such vivid options. Remember, the prices are not the only thing that determines the quality.
There may be great products at cheaper ranges. Having a good quality tattoo machine can boost up the graph of your career and make you confident. A good pen machine will be handy, flexible to use and give a seamless tattooing experience to all customers. The customers will rely on you if they receive great services. So, be wise and choose the correct one today. Happy Tattooing!
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