The Wireless Tattoo Machine is the new alternative for artists that need to take their work anywhere.
Finding the a wireless tattoo machine with the same performance as any standard one has now become easier.
While browsing on what independent tattoo artist are building, I have also seen that well-known brands (discuss in the buying guide section) are also evolving with a cordless idea.
With this in mind, I think it is important to see how each manufacturer is improving their machine and define which one could be the best wireless tattoo machine in 2020.
Best Wireless Tattoo Machine 2020
As you will see in this section, all the machines reviewed here are pen style. Why? Well, because of their design, it is easier to embed a battery inside the actual frame.
Inkmachines Scorpion Review – Best lightweight and versitale pen rotary
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Maybe not the most renown brand out there by some tattoo artist but as on of the pioneers with the cordless configuration, surely has a lot to offer.
Aside from the Scorpion model, they also offer the Stingray and Dragonfly series.
This wireless rotary tattoo machine impresses with its performance. It has the ability to operate very smooth and quiet.
What I like most about its design, is the possibility to add a RCA adapter, giving a more comfortable manipulation.
It is clip cord ready.
In terms of the specs, the Scorpion tattoo machine can operate between 5 to 12V. This is quite a range for a pen style model.
A common problem most rotary pen tattoo machines, such as the Cheyenne Hawk Pen, is the excessive weight.
This machine only weights 100g, including the disposable grip. Of course, it will get heavier when attaching the wireless battery.
The initial configuration was only operational with specific cartridges. Now, it can also accept standard cartridges, such as the ones commercialized by Cheyenne.
Lastly, this Ink Machine wireless configuration does not have the battery within the frame. This may be a deal beaker for some but worth testing.
Cheyenne Sol Nova Unlimited – Best voltage range
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It is not the most good looking but who cares, right? The Sol Nova Unlimited is the first pen rotary tattoo machine that Cheyenne has developed so far.
A little bit heavier (150 g) than the above model, this machine is outstanding with its even wider voltage range (4.7 to 12.6).
What makes it special is the incorporated battery. It will give enough power for approx 5 hrs, with only 3 hrs recharge time.
Looking at its overall configuration, it is quite similar to the Scorpion one. Nonetheless, I believe its competitor has a more complex inner structure.
This maybe be a good thing for Cheyenne, since the less things to worry, the better.
The Sol Nova will also have some downsides. It is not uncommon but this model will also accept cartridge needles.
Will I invest in this rotary machine? Maybe, if only was less heavy.
FK Irons Spektra Flux Review – Best Battery Life
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Another giant creating and launching a wireless machine, the FK Irons Spektra Flux.
Specs
Seriously, I’m impress with the final product. Lets see its main specs:
- It has a direct drive versatile stroke of 4 mm.
- With a centralized weight, it is around 178 g (6.3 oz).
- The voltage range is between 5 and 12V.
- What I find quite an advantage is the USB port. Basically you can plug the battery in any device that accepts this connection.
In terms of the design, I think it accommodates well in the hand but most importantly, the battery aligns with the machine body for good balanced.
Battery life
Changing voltage is very simple by using the up and down indicators. The only thing you must have is the Hover™ power supply.
This is mainly to read what voltage the machine is running.
This power supply is the brain of your FK Irons Spektra wireless tattoo machine. With it, you can access additional metrics to understand the machine performance.
To understand how much battery is left, you will have to look at the colors the LED indicator displays:
- Green: fully charged (60 to 100%).
- Yellow: 35 to 59 %.
- Orange: 15 to 34 %.
- Red: 0 to 14%.
Voltages identification
Identifying the voltage may not be so straightforward. For this, FK Irons decided to go as color coding.
You will see that each color represents a voltage number, which you will observe in the LED indicator.
Be aware that the voltage will go up or down as half numbers. In other words, from 5 it will go to 5.5 or from 10, it will go down to 9.5.
Having a blinking color means the voltage is half way thru (e.g, 5.5v), whereas a solid color means a round number (e.g, 6).
Darklab FK Irons App
This is not all yet. These guys also have gone a bit further than any other competitor. With the use of an app called Darklab tattoo supply, you can also change setting using your voice.
It is bit creepy but is good to reduce cross contamination between equipment.
What else FK Irons has innovated?
So far, the other competitors have only built specific models to run cordless. FK Irons sorted out things differently.
What they did was to have a different battery pack – lightningBolt that can power any of the FK Irons Spektra rotary tattoo machines.
This is pretty cool since if you budget is tight, you can always buy a different model of that series.
We suggest you check the FK Irons website if you need more details on how to operate the Spektra Flux cordless tattoo machine.
Dragohawk Mast Archer – Best Afforable
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We know Dragonhawk is all over the place when talking about affordable tattoo machines, but most importanlty, when a new technology is launched.
In general, the Mast Archer is a good machine that can perform good considering its price.
There is not much technology involved, copared of course with the Spektra one, but I guess the LCD screen is a good advantage.
The voltage is simple to read and the settings easy to change.
I would say they bet for an easy machine operation. If you are a beginner, this is good since there would be not much to worry about.
Nonetheless, I suggest to stay way from any wireless tattoo gun if you are just starting in the industry.
The Specs
- This machine will run between 5 to 12 v.
- It has a stroke of 3.5 mm, which is good for lining.
- It weight around 186 g (6.56 oz).
- Three (3) grips available for any person preferences.
The Dragonhawk Mast Archer could be the right wireless tattoo machine if you can’t afford a more specilized one and want to test how this configuration works.
Stigma Tattoo Machine Force – Best User Friendly
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The Stigma Force is the last on our list for the best wireless tattoo machines in 2020.
This is kind of a combination between what FK Irons and Dragonhawk have.
In this case, this machine has a very fancy inner mechanisim that will let the motor work smoothly without loosing the performance.
What I see that could benefit the tattoo artist is the variable stroke from 2.8 mm to 4.5 mm. Lininig, shadind and packing works are now easier.
As for the design, it looks very clean and smooth. Not only that is good, also that no elements are unbalanced that could complicated a job for extended hours.
I like having the LCD display plus the controllers at the end of the motor. This gives peace of mind that they won’t be obstructed when wraping the machine.
Lastly, I like the fact that the Stigma Force rotary pen tattoo machine comes compatible with RCA plug operation. This makes it versatile in case the artist wants to power it in a different way.
2020 Buying Guide Wireless Tattoo Machine
Tattooing is a highly specialized art. From people who start as hobbyists to professional tattoo artists, everyone who is into the industry has their own styles and preferences.
The choice of equipment is just as important as the artist when it comes to tattooing. If you’re new to the industry, in this guide we’ll introduce all the important aspects regarding this cordless technology.
What is Wireless Tattoo Machine?
As it name says, the term “wireless”, refers to a piece of equipment that can operate without the need of using a power cord.
In this case, a wireless tattoo machine will have the same principal by being operated with a power source (batteries pack) connected directly to the armor of the machine.
There is a couple of options you will find in terms of controlling the voltage system including:
- Using a battery pack that allows you to switch the voltage directly from the pack or,
- Operating a foot switch that will be bluethoot connected to the battery pack then adjusting the voltage.
Any of the two (2) options will give you the liberty of not using any cords, however there will be some advantages and disadvantages for each one of them.
I will discuss it in the coming sections.
This technology is relatively new within the tattoo industry and just a few brands are manufacturing their machines to make them compatible.
While cortless adapters have been in use for some time now, native wireless power supplies are hitting the market and have gained quite a lot of popularity.
As they say – no two snowflakes are alike, the same goes for the wireless tattoo machine. Each of them differs on the basis of their working and features. Thus, you must make the right choice while picking one.
Considerations When Buying a Wireless Tattoo Machine
If you have been in the market for some time or just starting to learn about tattoo machines, this new technology can be an option to consider.
Nevertheless, there are a few points I recommend you take into account before doing the investment.
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Battery range
The first thing you have to look for is the battery chemistry. This includes the battery lifespan, running time whilst in operation and the charging time.
From these three (3) points, I would say the most critical one is the running time (work for hours and not thinking about recharging the batteries).
It is paramount that you pay attention to any change in power while tattooing. This could be an indication that your battery is running low.
If this is the case, I recommend you connect a fresh charged battery set as soon as practical.
Depending on the chemistry, charging a battery pack from flat could take anywhere around 2 hour.
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Overall weight
A wireless tattoo machine provides you with increased dexterity and flexible usage as you no more have to deal with bulky cords.
The addition of a battery as power source will increase the overall weight of the machine.
If the wireless machine is going to feel heavy and make work difficult, it is not worth the extra bucks you are paying for it.
Look into the weight of the machine along with the battery and all the add-ons attached.
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Needle compatibility
Needles are usually sold separately and most machines have specific needle protrusion dimensions. This makes them incompatible to use with other types of needles.
This is not so different for cordless tattoo machines; this is clearly seen with the Scorpion model, which uses a magnetic feature to secure and operate the needles.
If you ended buying a machine that does not require a cord connection, I would recommend you include the set of needles compatible with that machine.
Ask your provider if there is other tattoo needles that are compatible with your new machine.
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Machine Compatibility
As well as needles, there is some specific machines that are only compatible with a wireless feature.
For instance, I tested one of my friends coil custom tattoo machines and got a little bit frustrated due to the low voltage response.
I’m guessing, a 10 coil machine was a bit too much for the battery pack we connected.
Most of the brands hitting the market are focusing their attention to modify their models and create a wireless configuration with rotary tattoo machines.
Lastly, if you are willing to test your current machine, take into account that the machine has to have a RCA connection.
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Wireless Tattoo Machine Power supply
As mentioned earlier, wireless tattoo guns are still evolving and several models vary on how they connect to a power supply.
As wireless models use batteries, the power supply unit can be more adaptable and easy to use.
Look into how your tattoo machine will connect to adapters and how easy it is to plug in and use it with batteries.
The most common models in the market are the one where you can change the voltage on the battery pack. This is something that can be handy however a couple of flip-sides I found is the potential cross-contamination and the overall weight.
On the other hand, only Ink Machines have manufacture a system that can offer the feature of controlling the voltage by using a different set of battery packs calibrated to operate at your selected voltages.
The wireless system will detect which battery pack will be used and the controller will give you real time readings while operating.
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Comfort
Wireless machines are only worth their money if they are more comfortable to use when compared to their wired counterparts. See if the machine fits your style, doesn’t compromise your hand speed and is a long term ergonomic fit.
An ergonomically designed machine with a proper grip will aid in better user experience.
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Wireless kit
Most cordless tattoo machines are sold as a complete kit that includes foot pedal, batteries, power supply, charging lines, adapters, tattoo guns, and compatible needle.
The price of the kit can vary depending on the components and their quality.
This could be a trade-off you will have to make when choosing a wireless machine. More cost with more functionality or less cost with necessary features alone.
Make the choice that works best for you but remember that not to compromise the quality of your work just for a few additional dollars.
Some Advantages and Disadvantages
Having a cordless tattoo machine can provide positive or negative aspects so you better think about them and balance the benefits of going wireless.
Some of the benefits we have found are:
- Less cords and connection to worry about.
- Portability so it can be carried anywhere with ease.
- Less elements to decontaminate.
- Not sure yet but it can reduce your electrical bill cost.
Surely there will be more advantages with this new technology however, there is a few downsides to consider too:
- You will have to have more than 1 battery pack to ensure you have enough power to finish the tattooing session.
- Additional weight to your tattoo machine. This is not ideal if the machine you want to use is already heavy (e,g., frame made of iron).
- If you let the battery pack run too low, it could impact the speed of the needle therefore affecting the quality of the tattoo.
The last disadvantage is the low number of machines that can operate wireless. This will change overtime as more brands see a way to sneak into the market.
Brands That Offer a Wireless Tattoo Machine Configuration
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Dragonhawk
Dragonhawk being a pioneer in the tattoo industry has an amazing wireless model under the name Dragonhawk Mast Rotary Tattoo machine. It has a wireless power supply and the kit also has 10 pcs of needle cartridges.
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Ink Machines
I can say that Ink machines could be called as the pioneer of the wireless tattoo machines. They have several stylish top models to choose from. These are the most relevant ones:
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Swiss Tattoo Machines:
The Swiss Tattoo machines have come up with a couple of alternatives that aim to give a powerful performance. From the two cordless models, the Unchained model is one of their top wireless rotary tattoo machine.
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Dragoart
Dragoart is another well-known wireless rechargeable rotary pen machine that deserves your attention. There is no much information too add to this model but still worth looking at it.
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Cheyenne Sol Nova Unlimited
One of the newest innovations launched by Cheyenne is the cordless model with the Sol Nova Unlimited. This pen style rotary tattoo machine has a lot of things to offer and surely will compete highly with other brands.
Read the Cheyenne Tattoo Machine Reviews 2020 to find more information about this wireless model.
Best Wireless Tattoo Machine Review and Buying Guide Wrap Up
With every passing day, the world of tattooing is only getting bigger with enhanced tools and new technologies. Cordless tattoo machines have undoubtedly made it easy and more comfortable for tattoo artists.
What I most like is the possibility of taking the tattoo kit anywhere I want.
The big downside to these otherwise amazing machines is their apparent high cost and additional weight. But newer models are making up for it and have provided well-designed tattoo machines that are both comfortable to use.
What are your views on this? Have you ever used wireless tattoo machines? How was your experience? Let us know in the comments below.
Some other cordless products for compatible tattoo machines:
