Traditional paint rollers are still preferred by many home improvement enthusiasts and even professionals because of one simple reason: prep work is easier. Unlike when using paint sprayers and paint guns, you don’t have to tape or cover every surface in your home to prevent atomized paint particles from settling.
Paint rollers are also fool-proof. They are not complicated, and they don’t need to take some time getting used to.
They do, however, come with some drawbacks. They are often not the most efficient tools to use for painting. A simple paint project can take a long time to finish if you still use the traditional paint roller.
But all that has changed when the power paint roller entered the market. These are powered by electricity so there is no need to pour paint over a receptacle, dip your roller in and apply it on a wall. It functions like an airless sprayer, but rather than spraying the paint on the surface, the product expels paint and you back roll over it.
Compared to a traditional paint roller, the electrically-operated ones can cut down your work up to 2 times faster. So make sure you give this a try and see how much faster your DIY projects will go.
There are plenty of power paint roller options out in the market, but you would want to make sure that you are buying the best ones when it comes to efficiency, performance, durability and ease of clean-up. We checked out what products are out there and found those that fit the bill.
Our Recommendations on the Best Power Paint Roller
Make sure you keep an eye out on these amazing products:
- Graco 9-inch Jet Roller System
- Snowball Electric Power Paint Roller X37-A Pro Auto Feed
- Wagner Roll ‘N Go Power Roller
Learn more about what makes these power paint rollers the best choices out there.
1. Graco 9-inch Jet Roller System
Uncomplicated and straightforward. This jet roller system will appeal to people who don’t like a tedious set-up for their painting system and who cares a lot about quality results. This gives a professional finish to your painting jobs, ideal even for those who are working on bigger scale projects.
Pros:
The spray and back roll technique simplify the whole painting process. It’s so easy so learn even if this is your first time painting your wall.
A lot of customers also like how you can replace the roller cover with the ones from other manufacturers. If you are planning to save money on future roller covers, get this because it’s not limited to the ones produced by Graco.
It comes with a good extension, which should suffice in covering an entire wall. No need to prop yourself up with a ladder to get a good reach.
You really save a lot of time with this device. Although there is a bit of an overspray, according to some customers, preparation time is much less. When working indoors, especially near doors and windows, you would still want to tape those areas to prevent paint from spraying there. But otherwise, it’s a convenient product that gets the job done fast.
You don’t have to worry about paint viscosity. It works with even thicker and more viscous paint. You also don’t have to deal with clogs that usually happens with other types of painting systems, making way for a smooth-sailing operation.
Its spray system is properly distributed. You still get even results so there is no worry that you are spraying more paint product on one side. Customers actually like it gives them full control over its usage. They can easily predict what this product can do, thereby reducing mistakes while painting.
Clean-up is also a cinch. Customers didn’t have trouble getting rid of the paint and they can just replace the paint roller cover with something inexpensive.
Cons:
There is a customer who experienced sliding roller cover. Although it’s a minimal problem and did not happen that often, this can still present a challenge to some users.
Some people might find the price a little to steep for a power paint roller.
2. Snowball Electric Power Paint Roller X37-A Pro Auto Feed
Simplify your painting job with this mean machine. It’s a great ally for professional contractors and DIY-ers alike. A good mid-range power paint roller, this will not disappoint you when it comes to quality of end results and ease of use. We say get this if you are looking for a power paint roller that you will not throw away after just a few uses.
Pros:
The set-up is straightforward and the entire product is easy to use. The button is at the grip part of the machine, so you can spray and roll with no issues. It also comes with a Quick Release function where you can easily remove the roller or connect accessories without issues. Even someone not experienced in working with electric products like this will not find this daunting to use.
We like how this comes with a long extension hose. It allows users to reach higher areas.
You can change the flow of the paint with ease as it comes with a wireless controller. The Auto Feeding tool seamlessly allows paint to flow without obstructions, supplying you with the paint you need so you can get the job done fast. The wireless controller also ensures that you can adjust paint flow without stopping to reach the machine. Everything can be done remotely.
Customers also like how this can be used for a long time. It has a long power life – up to 8 hours if you charge it completely.
Directly connect the machine to the paint bucket. Leave it in one place and the hose will allow you to reach the areas you want to reach without having to inch the bucket closer to you.
Cons:
The length of the paint might cause leftovers so if you are only working on a smaller paint job, you might end up wasting a good amount of paint.
Some people might find cleaning the hose a bit tedious, especially with its length.
3. Wagner Roll ‘N Go Power Roller
Say goodbye to mess and stress when doing interior and exterior painting work. This is a highly recommended product for people on a budget. It has the ability to get small to medium-scale projects done. Get this if you are an occasional home improvement hobbyist but can also be durable enough for professional contractors.
Pros:
The design of this power paint roller is ergonomic. You can control how much paint is expelled through the use of your fingertips. As a result, you get the job done minus the strain.
It is powered by batteries and doesn’t need to be hooked up or plugged in. Even when there are power interruptions, your painting project won’t come to a halt. The batteries should also last long enough for you to paint multiple medium-sized rooms.
The machine itself is light in weight so it’s easy to carry around. The roller doesn’t weigh a lot, preventing shoulder and hand strain while using this. Since you only use your fingers to expel paint, it requires minimum effort to operate, making it a cinch to paint even bigger rooms.
It expels a good amount of paint, thanks to the multiple holes in the roller. The paint can easily get past the fibers of the roller cover.
Cons:
The batteries might come as a setback to some people. You will have to replace the batteries if you are working on bigger projects but shouldn’t be an issue for smaller jobs.
Some users said not all types of paint worked on this roller. The pump tends to slow down when pushing out more viscous paint so if you are working with this kind and consistency of paint more often, you probably should go for something else. The power is inadequate if you are using a thicker kind of paint.
It only uses Wagner roller cover. The roller also isn’t a standard size, so you definitely have to order the one from Wagner, otherwise, you won’t be able to use this.
Conclusion
So now that you know which power paint rollers are the best for different projects, you can now choose better. But let us help you make a good decision even further.
For small painting projects at home, we recommend the Wagner Roll ‘N Go Power Roller. It is an easy product to use, ideal for people who have no experience in doing paint work or who gets easily intimidated with tools. It’s not a heavy-duty one so don’t expect it to work for more serious painting needs but if you only have a couple of cabinets to paint or you need to paint the interior walls of your home, this should work just well for you. At its price, you can’t go wrong with it.
The Snowball Electric Power Paint Roller X37-A Pro Auto Feed is more heavy-duty and has the features that even professional contractors will like. The auto feed function makes it easier to siphon paint from a bucket, so you can use that roller without being weighed down by heavy paint. You will like its control and flexibility.
Graco 9-inch Jet Roller System is for the more serious DIY-er and people who does painting projects as a business. It has unbeatable power, so you can use different kinds of paint without experiencing issues.
Although more expensive, the ability to use generic roller cover makes this so convenient to have at home and in your workplace. It’s also durable and the manufacturer is known for their good customer service.
Buying Guide for Power Paint Roller
Buying a power paint roller can still feel intimidating, especially if this is your first time purchasing one. Use the following as a guide so you can make a better buying decision:
Suction System
One of the most important things you need to look for when buying a power paint roller is how good its suction system is. It doesn’t matter how popular the brand is or how long the warranty is. If it can only pick up specific kinds of paint, it might restrict the way you use it. If you often work with viscous paint and thick primers, check to see if the power paint roller can accommodate these kinds of coating. Otherwise, you will have trouble getting the paint roller to expel out the coating.
Ease of Use
Does it come with a long attachment that will allow you to reach higher areas? Check to see if the chord is long enough so you don’t have to keep on carrying the machine with you. Test the pump mechanism. If it requires a good amount of force just to expel paint, you might have trouble working with it especially on bigger painting projects.
Portability
Think about size and weight. A clunky power paint roller that is complicated to set up will just give you a lot of headache. Choose one that is more portable, so it isn’t awkward to use. Portability is also a good factor to consider if you don’t have a big space to store the product in.
Included Attachments
It’s important to check what attachments are included. Some manufacturers include accessories that will allow you to paint easily over tight corners or even near crown moldings.
Quiet Mechanisms
All contractors know how important it is to have a machine that performs without producing a lot of noise. If you are going to be painting for more than 5 hours a day, you definitely don’t want to ruin your eardrums by listening to the noise of a loud power paint roller. Good paint roller systems are equipped with machines that function with minimal noise.
What’s Next
Finding the best power paint roller requires careful assessment of your individual needs. Not everyone will have the same preferences. But you can start by checking out our recommendations and clicking on those product links to learn more about what the market has to offer. Make sure you also check out what other paint systems are out there. We have more reviews and product recommendations on our homepage.
