10 Best Tattoo Power Supply 2024: Ultimate Buying Guide

If you’re looking for equipment for your tattoo studio and aspiring to become a distinguished tattoo artist, know that your tattoo machine won’t work without a power supply. Luckily, this article will teach you everything you need to know about quality power supplies for tattoo machines. Additionally, you’ll get to learn about the 10 best tattoo power supply units for the tattoo machines and understand how they rank.

Best Tattoo Power Supply: Quick Summary

If you’ve created a list of things that you need to buy to make your tattoo studio complete, but something is missing, make sure it’s not the power supply. The power supply is one of the most essential tools in the studio.

It provides a source of electrical energy that will power your setup. You should never be greedy on this device and look for cheaper and used alternatives, as this device must be reliable and trustworthy. It provides optimal performance for your setup, by outputting a steady amount of power.

In the past, it was extremely difficult to find a functional power supply. Many tattoo artists powered their setup through different types of power supplies, which wasn’t always safe. Luckily, the industry has grown so much, especially thanks to people growing more interested in getting a tattoo done.

Now, there are power supplies designed specifically for tattoo machines, along with a lot more equipment being available to consumers. There’s no doubt that these devices will continue growing and developing, and the near future may present something for tattoo artists to make the tattooing process more convenient.

• Best Tattoo Power Supply Overall: Eikon EMS420 Power Supply – If you want a power supply powerhouse that will power multiple machines and provide stable output, this is the way to go.
• Runner Up: BRONC Professional Tattoo Power Supply – A little more affordable option in the market with impeccable performance and support for coiled and rotary machines.
• Best Budget Tattoo Power Supply: Dragonhawk LCD Dual Tattoo Machine Gun Power Supply – If you’re a beginner who is restricted on budget, this is a good way to start.

Things To Know Before Shopping For Best Tattoo Power Supply

Before we directly head into the reviews of the best tattoo power supplies in the market, we provided a detailed buying guide that will simplify the shopping process. If you already lacked knowledge about certain components, here you can learn more about these devices.

Understand The Types Of Power Supply

Tattoo power supplies come in two main types – analog and digital types.

That shouldn’t confuse you too much. Nearly every device has its analog and digital version. However, when it comes to tattoo machines you can work with both. If you know how to read electrical values, and naturally have experience handling analog electrical devices while wanting to save up, an analog power supply will come in great handy at providing steady reading output to your machines in tattoo studios.

However, if reading different voltage and power values seems difficult to you, you want to check the power and voltage while your tattoo machine is powered off, and want more professional and accurate equipment in your tattoo studio, you should go with the digital power supply.

Many different digital power supplies come with a touch LCD screen which makes settings and reading the power output much more intuitive than it’d be with the outdated models.

It’s worth noting that the market hosts both unregulated and regulated tattoo power supplies. Digital power supplies are available both among the regulated and unregulated models. However, purchasing a regulated model is much more expensive, but still recommended to ensure you can flawlessly check the voltage while you’re working, instead of focusing on the screen while you’re inking someone’s tattoo.

Besides the regular analog and digital tattoo power supplies, there are also wireless options, which come in handy when there are a lot of wires and you work in a limited area of your tattoo studio, which looks like a mess.

They grow in popularity, but in most cases, they can’t achieve heavy-duty performance, like hooking more than two machines to them. Nevertheless, they are a great option for people who want to work conveniently while saving space.

Lastly, there are dual power tattoo power supplies, which are made for pure professionals. As their name suggests, it can support more than one machine working simultaneously within the session. That usually involves separate lining and shading tattoo machines.

Voltage

When it comes to choosing a tattoo power supply, the voltage it uses is also super-important. The voltage determines how much power you’ll get. It’s also important when powering more tattoo machines. With higher voltage, you can afford to hook more than one tattoo device, but more about that later.

All tattoo machines sport a variety of volt outputs for you to choose from. Some super-compact power supplies can host as little as 1.5 to 2 volts, but some, that may be just enough. On the other hand, more powerful power supplies can run from 10 to 15 volts. The strongest machines will run around 18 to 20 volts.

If you don’t use multiple tattoo machines and don’t have too much power-hungry equipment, you can use a power supply with a lower voltage option than others available on the market. Remember that higher voltage also means that your client could potentially feel it if the machine malfunctions.

It’s important to keep the safety standards high by taking a reasonably powered machine that is regulated in the process.

Understand That Your Tattoo Machine Matters Too

It’s of utmost importance to remind tattoo artists that each power supply machine is designed for a special type of tattoo machine.

That being said, some tattoo power supply units will function just right on coil tattoo machines, but not on the rotary machines. Analogically, rotary power supplies will work on rotary machines and not on those coils operated.

This is extremely important to consider, as you may spend a lot of money or even cause a malfunction or hazard that can be hard to earn back. Always check the purpose of the tattoo machine and what type it’s powered by.

Also, while we’re talking about the machines, ask yourself about how many tattoo machines you want to hook up. Some tattoo artists work great with only one machine to perform both lining and shading, but some don’t. Instead, they get a power supply that will suffice the demands of machines designed to do separate actions.

That’s why some power supplies should see how many spots for plugging they have. After that, you can easily add your both tattoo machines and switch between them with ease when working on an amazing tattoo of your client. We believe that resorting to this option is also beneficial to clients who aren’t too eager on staying in the tattoo studio for too long.

Price

The tattoo market is strange when it comes to the price of tattooing kits. That’s because some power supply units can be found as little as $25, while some units may go as high as $500. That’s because there are different types of tattoo power supplies, as we mentioned earlier. More importantly, there are unregulated and regulated devices.

Unregulated devices are more affordable and available to people who’ve already used them. But they’re not the safest option, they don’t help handle power fluctuations that happen. On the contrary, regulated tattoo machines compensate for the fluctuations that happen during the operation of the machine.

It’s your decision on what budget you plan to use to invest in a tattoo machine. But, unless you’re aiming for a super-portable machine, you should get as a reliable and regulated machine that you can. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself in a trap.

Portability

Even though not everyone is fond of portable machines, they can be quite handy to tattoo artists who work in limited space tattoo studios. Moreover, many tattoo power supplies are wireless(like this one we’ll mention later), which helps preserve the space even more and avoid weird messing of different cables that you don’t even know what they work the best with.

Screen

A lot of devices like power supply come with a screen, although some older models may not. All in all, that screen can either be just a readable screen or a touch display using an LCD or a LED panel. Regardless of what choice you make, using a touch screen on a tattoo power supply is a great opportunity for people who face difficulties with tattoo power supplies and their readings.

10 Best Tattoo Power Supply (Detailed Review)

We went through the key features to consider when shopping for a tattoo power supply. Now with this knowledge, we’re able to compare and review different types of tattoo power supplies. Dig in with me, and find the best option for your tattoo power supply.

Best Tattoo Power Supply Overall: Eikon EMS420 Power Supply

• Price: $$$
• Type: Digital
• Warranty: 1 year
• Works with: Rotary and coil machines

If you’re looking for a reliable machine that can power you through a high number of tattoo sessions, while providing reliability for both rotary and coil machines, look no further. Eikon EMS420 power supply designed by a Canadian company Eikon exceeded all our expectations.

It works smoothly, reliably, and quickly. Thanks to the touch screen, you can easily adjust the voltage you need to conduct your inking processes. In addition to that, it has a new firmware that simplifies the use and makes you get used to it in no time. You can have more than a single display reading, which is good if you want to run multiple machines.

If you’re unsure about the right voltage and the right time to change it, there is an option for four voltage presets, which allows you to swap the settings. Additionally, the footswitch mode helps with the intuition while using a device like this. Thanks to it, you can use the footswitch as an on-off switch.

Finally, there is a built-in stopwatch, as well as the runtime, which helps users control how long it has been running to prevent overheating or a certain malfunction.

Editor’s notes: We must note that Eiken’s power supply, although super-popular, comes with a quite high price tag. Still, it only boasts one year warranty. Many users say that the power supply lasted much longer than designed, which is great for its durability. Nevertheless, the short warranty is discouraging for this price range.

Runner Up: BRONC Professional Tattoo Power Supply

• Price: $$
• Type: Digital
• Warranty: 1 year
• Works with: Rotary and coil machines

If you’re looking for a more affordable option that can perform as well as the above option, look no further. This one comes with a large and intuitive screen with a lot of readings and other options that can help you utilize your tattoo machines to the max.

It’s also a multi-practical machine. You can connect more than one machine at the same time. In the process of that, you can also use both rotary and coil machines in your tattoo studios. What’s also interesting about the screen is that there’s a screen protector that makes sure no dust or scratches damage your screen.

Also, a great thing is that it supports a wide range of input voltage, with 0-3A output current expected with great accuracy. What’s also good about this model is that it has a good output current overload protection and great temperatures.

Editor’s notes: This device also has only one year warranty, which may discourage many tattoo artists who want to invest in a fully working thing that will last for a long time. However, the good part is that this device is significantly more affordable than the aforementioned one.

Best Budget Tattoo Power Supply: Dragonhawk LCD Dual Tattoo Machine Gun Power Supply

• Price: $
• Type: Digital
• Warranty: No
• Works with: Rotary and coil machines

If you want to buy a quality tattoo power supply without breaking the bank and without worrying about any performance issues, the Dragonhawk LCD Dual Tattoo Machine power supply is worth looking into. It’s power-efficient and it can function with both rotary and coil tattoo machines. More importantly, intuitive use allows you not to switch between the machines at all.

The machine is reliable, runs quiet, and is quite lightweight so the portability between different machines won’t be a problem. It also comes with an anti-fatigue mode for protection and one Dragonhawk foot pedal as well as the clip cords that are necessary for hooking to the machines.

If the aesthetics matter to you, it’s worth noting that this machine comes available in two colors, black, and gold.

Editor’s notes: The only drawback is that there’s no warranty at all. Also, it’s worth noting that it can only be connected to one machine at a time. More high-end models allow multiple-use, but this one doesn’t. Nevertheless, it’s super-affordable and a great value for the price.

Best Dual Power Supply: Pirate Face Tattoo Dual Digital Tattoo Power Supply

• Price: $
• Type: Digital
• Warranty: No
• Works with: Rotary machines

It was a dead race between the Pirate Face and Dragonhawk tattoo machines as they’re both inexpensive options to run your tattoo machines. The benefit is that this power supply can run both liner and shader machines, at the same time, but if your rotary machine is stronger, you’ll have difficulties powering them up.

This model has a sleek and upgraded flat foot pedal that is covered with stainless steel. That makes the use much more comfortable than with the old-fashioned machines. It also works in countries outside the USA, as it can support the voltage option from 110-220V.

Editor’s notes: Besides the power problem and lack of warranty, it also has difficulties running with traditional coil machines. That’s why we only listed Rotary machines as the supported and preferred option.

Best Wireless Tattoo Power Supply: Mast U1 Tattoo Battery Wireless Power Supply

• Price: $$
• Type: Digital
• Warranty: No
• Works with: Rotary machines

Available in multiple colors, MAST U1 is one of the best wireless power supply batteries available on the market. They work with the vast majority of RCA rotary tattoo pen machines and assist tattoo artists around the world, where they can enjoy portability and ease of use.

Using it is quite simplified and easy. All you have to do is press and hold the power button located at the top of the device. When you start it, it’s automatically set to 10V but you can change that to suit the needs of your machine, as it operates from 6V to 11V. You can change the voltage with 1V increments or decrements.

Editor’s notes: There’s no information about the warranty. You will likely have to buy an entirely new battery in case of malfunction. Nevertheless, they are durable and can last for a long time.

Best With Touch Screen: Tattoo Power Supply-BIOMASER TP-5

• Price: $$
• Type: Digital
• Warranty: 1 to 2 years
• Works with: Rotary and coil tattoo machines

This is one of the best tattoo power supplies with innovative and easy-to-use touch screens. This one even comes with a protective panel that will prevent unwanted scratches or stains from the screen itself. You can choose to keep it on as it won’t hinder your performance or remove it.

When it comes to performance the TP-5 exceeds all our expectations. It uses DC/19” socket to connect to the rotary and traditional coil machines and uses a digital microprocessor to regulate the voltage levels. It will work with the vast majority of tattoo machines available on the market.

It also comes with a powerful protection system that will prevent short circuits and other hindrances. Lastly, it’s equipped with the memory modes that allow you to switch the mode between shading and outlining, which is perfect for lazier artists who want to run two in one.

Editor’s notes: It comes with different warranty options. Unfortunately, for the most part, it’s a one-year warranty.

Best Compact Tattoo Power Supply: Cheyenne Compact Power Supply

• Price: $$$
• Type: Digital
• Warranty: 1-year warranty
• Works with: Rotary and coil tattoo machines

If you’re looking to work with super-small and compact machines, with great ergonomics, but you aren’t ready to start working with the wireless tattoo batteries, this is a great option. They are designed for the intuitive operation that is compatible with Cheyenne SOL-family tattoo machines and you can use it in two profiles – latched and momentary.

Editor’s notes: For limited support for Cheyenne tattoo machines, and such a huge price, this machine is not a good choice unless you have a tattoo machine that supports this one.

TATELF Tattoo Power Supply

• Price: $
• Type: Digital
• Warranty: Lifetime warranty
• Works with: Rotary and coil tattoo machines

If you’re a beginner tattoo artist, we can say that this power supply machine has the most feedback. It uses DC power support and comes with an intuitive LCD digital display. The controls are intuitive and easy to tweak.

It uses dual precision power dials and is quite adjustable and customizable. You can use it with both Rotary and coil machines. However, we’ve observed that they perform better with rotary machines. It comes with a Satisfaction Guarantee, which means they’ll return money if you’re not satisfied with it. It also has great customer service.

Editor’s notes: It’s a great power supply for beginners. However, it’s not always accurate and requires being super cautious when tweaking it.

Cheyenne Tattoo Machine Power Supply

• Price: $$$
• Type: Digital
• Warranty: 1-year warranty
• Works with: Rotary and coil tattoo machines

This super-premium power supply is compatible with Cheyenne Hawk machines, as well as all the standard coil and rotary machines. It has a touch screen display that allows better customization and navigation.

Additionally, it has a cable chip which helps with the jump-starts of the tattoo machines, with great stroke frequency regulation, of 60 to 160 strokes per second. It’s also compact, so it’s easy to transfer it through the different places in the tattoo studio.

Editor’s notes: Unfortunately, this machine works only with one machine at a time, so you can’t combine your outliner and shader machines to work together. Additionally, the warranty lasts only one year. For this price range, that’s super expensive.

Dragon Art Dual Digital Tattoo Power Supply

• Price: $
• Type: Digital
• Warranty: Lifetime warranty
• Works with: Rotary and coil tattoo machines

With easy and intuitive controls, everyone will love this tattoo power supply, especially the beginners. It also comes with some accessories like two clip cords and a sleek and lightweight foot pedal. It’s quite portable, so you can change its position easily.

More importantly, it has a sturdy metal build that is durable and will last you for many years. It has an adjustable control panel, where you can use the dual precision power dials. Also, similarly to one of the options, it comes with a Satisfaction Guarantee.

Editor’s notes: It occasionally changes voltages while the tattoo gun is working, so it won’t always be a reliable option if there are power fluctuations.

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