Find the best airbrush for miniatures in 2025 with top picks for Warhammer 40k; compressor tips and accessories that keep painting fast and smooth.
Updated October 10th, 2025, by Rob Baer with new information and links to relevant content.
Looking for the best airbrush for miniatures without wasting paint or time? This guide ranks the best airbrushes for miniatures at every budget and shows what actually works for Warhammer 40k.
You will also find the compressors and accessories that keep your setup running clean.
Best Airbrush for Miniatures and Warhammer 40k: Editor’s Picks
Now, let’s clear something up: airbrushing isn’t some sacred skill that only the “brush gods” can touch. You don’t need to prove your worth with ten coats of edge highlights and a handshake from Duncan Rhodes to start. Yes, it’s different.
Yes, it takes some getting used to. But so does assembling that one model with 57 pieces and zero sense. However, when you get down to it, it is just air and paint at the end of the day!
Here’s a quick list of links to the top airbrushes we recommend so you can pick one or compare models yourself from the product pages and our reviews below. Snag a good airbrush for miniatures from our handpicked list of models, and give us a high-five in support!
Every qualifying purchase helps Spikey Bits keep the lights on and the fun going.
- #10 Badger Air-Brush Co. Sotar 2020-2F
- #9 Badger – Renegade Krome
- #8 Harder & Steenbeck Infinity CR Plus
- #7 Harder & Steenbeck – Infinity Solo
- #6 Iwata – Custom Micron CM-B
- #5 Iwata HP-CS
- #4 Badger Patriot 105
- #3 Monument Hobbies Pro Air TG
- #2 Harder & Steenbeck Evolution AL
- #1 Harder & Steenbeck Ultra 2024
Additionally, there are some great deals available, as well as options for anyone wanting to take their hobby (and long painting sessions) to the next level. We also cheated and put a whopping 12 high-quality airbrushes in this post! Hey, there’s nothing wrong with two extra airbrushes to look at!
Image Credit Next Level Painting
Airbrushes are among the most effective tools in a miniature painter’s arsenal. They can be used for various purposes, from applying base coats to miniatures to ensuring perfectly even paint jobs over large surface areas and for effects such as color blending, masking, and fine detailed work.
You can even use the same paints from brush painting in the airbrush if you thin them appropriately (well, except Army Painter Fanatic Metals, they will clog.) However, getting a quality kit is important, as subpar airbrushes can break quickly or make learning the skill very frustrating.
Top 10 Best Airbrushes for Miniatures
Airbrushes have really started catching on for the Warhammer hobby, so here are all our favorites we recommend to anyone who wants to get started painting miniatures with them!
#10: Badger Air-Brush Co. Sotar 2020-2F:
Looking for razor-thin highlights and panel lines on characters and vehicles? The Sotar is built for fine control. Swap between 0.2, 0.3, and 0.5 needles and keep the paint tight. A solid pick if you want the best airbrush for miniatures, focused on detail work.
#9: Badger – Renegade Krome:
A smooth trigger and reference stop make steady lines easy. The Krome’s 0.21 or 0.33 setups handle thin acrylics well. A good airbrush for miniature painting if you want control without overspending.
#8: Harder & Steenbeck Infinity CR Plus
Pro feel with an adjustable quick-fix dial for repeatable lines. Run 0.15 for detail or 0.4 for coverage. If you chase blends and glazing on Space Marines and monsters, this is one of the best airbrushes for miniatures.
#7: Harder & Steenbeck – Infinity Solo:
A precision tool for highlights and edge fades. The 0.15 setup atomizes smoothly once your thinning is dialed in. Great for Warhammer shoulder pads, helmets, and weapon casings where control matters.
#6: Iwata – Custom Micron CM-B
Micron atomization means silky fades and pin-sharp dots. The 0.18 needle rewards perfect thinning and cleaning. Not a beginner pick, but a top airbrush for miniatures if you want elite detail.
This is not an airbrush for a beginner, as the needle size is very unforgiving.
#5: Iwata HP-CS
The hobby workhorse. A 0.35 needle sprays thicker paints reliably, and parts (like the needle and nozzle) are easy to find. A good airbrush for miniatures when uptime and easy maintenance beat extreme precision.
#4 Badger Patriot 105:
Forgiving spray pattern with a 0.5 needle that loves primers and basecoats. Simple to strip and clean after long sessions. Excellent air brush for Warhammer armies and terrain.
#3: Monument Hobbies Pro Air-TG Pistol Grip Airbrush
Pistol grip comfort reduces hand fatigue during batch painting. The 0.3 needle and on-brush PSI valve give fast tweaks mid-spray. A recommended airbrush if you want trigger feel and control.
#2: Harder & Steenbeck Evolution
Half the weight of a typical brush with 0.2 and 0.4 options. Precise, easy to clean, and kind to your wrist. One of the best airbrushes for miniatures as a daily driver for armies and characters. You can find out more about it in our review article.
#1: Harder & Steenbeck 2024 Ultra:
The best budget start for an airbrush for miniatures and an airbrush for Warhammer 40k. A 0.2 setup that is forgiving, quick to clean, and easy to keep running. Upgrade to 0.4 when you want more coverage.
- Ultra 2024 is ideal for beginners with three important engineered innovations to help learning to paint successfully with the airbrush.
- Start control trigger design – a full double action trigger system, but engineered to eliminate common beginner mistakes. Colour control – a five step system giving perfect trigger settings for priming, basing and glazing, and the three stages of highlighting. Clog control system – a headset which enables you to see the needle tip, clean the needle tip, but always keeping it protected from any damage.
- Durable triple chrome plating and solvent proof seals ensure ease of use for years to come. Ultra 2024 is a gravity feed, double action airbrush enabling you to adjust the spray volume from background to fine detail work.
- German engineered with professional-grade materials, designed for superior weight, balance, feel with a self-centering nozzle that automatically aligns itself and can be used with various needles and tips for different applications. The ultra 2024 is fitted with a 0.45mm nozzle but can take interchangeable parts from 0.15mm, 0.2mm or 0.6mm H&S nozzle sets.
- A superb gift for artists, illustrators, and model hobbyists – packaged in a sleek black gift box, this airbrush starter kit is a versatile, quality-made tool for artists and hobbyists to expand their skillset, experiment with new techniques, and achieve professional results flawlessly. Give this air brush paint sprayer set as an artist airbrush kit, watercolor airbrush set, or an air brush for painting model kits.
Last update on 2025-10-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Honorable Mention #1: Harder & Steenbeck Colani
Ergonomic handle and wide nozzle range from 0.2 to 1.2. Great for tanks, knights, and large terrain where coverage and comfort matter. A solid Warhammer airbrush for big projects.
Find out more about it in our review article or by watching the video below.
Honorable Mention #2: Harder & Steenbeck – Evolution CRplus:
Chrome finish, PTFE seals, a reliable paint cup, and solvent resistance for heavy use. Runs 0.2 or 0.4 without drama. A premium airbrush for miniatures that stands up to frequent cleaning.
Best Airbrush Compressors for Miniatures
Harder & Steenbeck Evolution Airbrush (left) and Colani (right) REVIEW ARTICLE: High-End Airbrushes
A steady, quiet compressor matters more than brand hype. For smooth coats on armies and vehicles, pick a tanked unit that holds PSI in the 15 to 20 range and runs cool for longer sessions. We tested budget, mid, and premium models that pair perfectly with the best airbrush for miniature painting and the best airbrushes for Warhammer 40k projects.
- Budget pick: compact tanked unit for small spaces and great for airbrushed models
- Mid pick: quiet, reliable workhorse for weekly painting
- Premium pick: ultra-stable PSI for long sessions
Read the full guide: Best airbrush compressors for miniatures.
Best Airbrush Accessories for Painting Miniatures:
The right accessories keep a good dual-action airbrush for miniature painting spraying clean. A quality flow improver, a gentle cleaner, a light lubricant, and proper masking save time and reduce clogs so your Warhammer airbrush stays reliable.
See our full checklist: Airbrush accessories for miniature painting.
FAQ: Airbrush for Miniatures and Warhammer 40k
Q: Is an airbrush for Warhammer 40k worth it?
A: Absolutely. It makes quick work of armies, vehicles, and terrain while giving you smoother gradients and faster results. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to rattle cans.
Q: What makes a best airbrush miniature painting setup?
A: You want steady PSI, a reliable compressor, and a brush that handles thinned acrylics without clogging. Pair those with a little patience, and you’ll get pro-looking base coats every time.
Q: How hard is it to learn an airbrush for miniatures?
A: Easier than you think. Start with dots and lines on a test piece, learn how far to pull the trigger, and keep it clean. Practice for an hour and you’ll already be spraying smoother than a rattle can ever could.
Q: What’s the best airbrush for small models and fine detail?
A: A dual-action gravity-feed brush with a 0.2 mm needle usually wins. It gives tight control for faces, highlights, and smooth blends without over-spraying. Once you get used to it, you’ll wonder how you painted without one.
Image Credit: Next Level Painting
Q: How much upkeep does an airbrush need?
A: Not much if you treat it right. Rinse after every color change, do a full clean at the end of your session, and a drop of lube on the needle keeps it running like new.
Q: Can I use the same paints I already have for airbrushing?
A: Yep, just thin them properly and avoid heavy metallics that can clog. Most hobby acrylics spray great once mixed with thinner or flow improver.
Image Credit: Next Level Painting
Q: What’s the secret to avoiding clogs?
A: Keep your paint thin, spray in short bursts, and clean often. Clogs usually mean the paint’s too thick or drying on the tip. Fix that, and your brush will love you forever.
Q: Any tips for getting started on a budget?
A: Get a reliable starter kit with a tanked compressor and a good entry brush like the Ultra 2024. It’s affordable, durable, and easily upgraded later as your skills grow.
Q: Can I use an airbrush indoors?
A: Sure, just ventilate. A spray booth or even a box fan with a filter works fine. Acrylic overspray is mild, but your lungs will thank you for the airflow.
Q: What’s the biggest mistake new painters make?
A: Over-thinning or blasting at too high a PSI. Keep it light and slow, patience beats power when you’re learning to control a best airbrush and see the paint flow.
What is a Good “Beginner” or Cheap Airbrush for Painting Miniatures?
Dollar for dollar, the Harder and Steenbeck Ultra 2024 is probably one of the best airbrushes for painting miniatures.
I was shocked when I learned H&S had an airbrush for around $100 on the market! This, IMHO, is one of the best airbrushes in this price range today for Warhammer or any miniatures. This is the airbrush I truly wished he had learned on FIRST. I am very sure that the new features and upgrades available for this brush, like the .20 needle set, will last a very long time for any hobbyist!
Final Thoughts on Airbrushing
Keep it simple. Choose one of the best airbrushes for miniatures above, add a tanked compressor, and practice dots and lines for ten minutes. For Warhammer 40k armies, the Ultra 2024 is a reliable air brush for Warhammer that gets you painting fast.
Learn More About Airbrushing Miniatures
