The 5 Best Tattoo Kits

Do you love body ink more than the average person? Maybe you regard tattoos as self-expression, an individual piece of art, or a personal political statement (or all three). Maybe you love the idea of honoring something or someone you love through body art. Or, maybe you just love the look of tattoos in any form, whether it's a dainty flower chain around the ankle or a vibrantly colored sleeve full of cool designs. Whatever your interest in tattoos is, a tattoo kit can provide all the essentials that you need to do your own artwork. Whether you're a seasoned, professional tattoo artist or a budding artist who wants to learn all about the art of tattooing, investing in your own tattoo kit is a wonderful way to either grow your business, refine your tattoo abilities, or simply get started as a beginner. Here, we've grouped all our favorite tattoo kits by category.

Dragonhawk Complete Tattoo Kit

The best of the best

The Dragonhawk Complete Tattoo Kit contains everything you need to succeed in the tattoo world.
Best Overall

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Featuring some of the highest-quality supplies available, the Dragonhawk Complete Tattoo Kit is an awesome option for anyone interested in learning more about the art of body ink, whether you’re a novice or hoping to start (or grow) your own tattoo business. This kit contains two tattoo machines for lining and shading, wrap coils, EO-sterilized needles and tips, ten different colored inks, and basically any other tattoo-making accessory you could think of. The guns are very sturdy and easy to handle, which is a crucial aspect of any good tattoo kit. If you’re looking to get serious about tattooing, this is the kit to get.

Pros:

  • Very easy to assemble.
  • Comes with virtually every tattoo accessory under the sun.
  • Guns are super sturdy and easy to handle.
  • Great set for beginners.

Cons:

  • The pedal can be a little tricky to operate at first.

ITATOO Complete Tattoo Kit for Beginners

Beginner artists will love this kit

For the true tattoo beginner, you can't go wrong with this tattoo kit from ITATOO.
Best for Beginners

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If you’re not sure what you need to begin your tattoo-making journey, you don’t have to worry about it when you purchase the ITATOO Complete Tattoo Kit. Specifically designed for beginners, this popular kit contains everything you need to get started: a lightweight, high-quality liner and shader machine, clip cord, foot pedal, aluminum grips, several tattoo needles, and more.

Pros:

  • The liner and shader machine, which is made of cast iron, is particularly high-quality. You can easily adjust the voltage from 5.5V to 8V for liner or shader.
  • Super easy to set up, and instructions are clear, detailed, and very easy to follow.

Cons:

  • You may have to go over the tattoo multiple times.

Pirate Face Tattoo Grinder Tattoo Kit

Chock-full of everything you need

This kit from Grinder Tattoo has a variety of cool, cutting-edge accessories that tattoo fiends will love.
Best Accessories

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With the Pirate Face Tattoo Grinder Tattoo Kit, rest assured that you’re getting all the best supplies and cool accessories you could possibly ever need to create your own body art. Each kit includes a sleek, black carrying case, four tattoo machines and grips/barrels, 50 sterile needles, seven types of tattoo ink by Radiant Colors, 27 disposable tips, eight stainless steel tips, and even a tattoo practice skin, disposable gloves, and ink cups. Particularly if you’re a tattoo apprentice or a professional who has an apprentice, this kit is a total steal.

Pros:

  • Comes with four powerful, lightweight tattoo machines.
  • Truly has all the best accessories; we’re talking 50 needles, stainless steel tips, disposable tips, and a huge mix of everything else you need to keep using your kit.
  • The instructional booklet is clear and easy to read.

Cons:

  • The power supply could stand to be a little more long-lasting.

Solong Tattoo Pen Kit Rotary Tattoo Machine

Hi-tech for the win

This Solong Tattoo Pen is a new kind of tattoo machine.
Best Wireless

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For a tattoo machine that gives you a little more freedom and flexibility, the Solong Tattoo Pen Kit and Rotary Tattoo Machine is an excellent product. The ergonomic shape of the pen gives you freedom of movement, and the low vibration and volume level make for a peaceful, comfy working environment. The pen is crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy, and it’s designed to give you the closest feel to an actual pen that you can get with a tattoo machine.

Pros:

  • The pen is easy to use, compatible with all other brands and tattoo suppliers, and pulls great lines when you’re tattooing.
  • Smooth, quiet vibrations = a peaceful working environment.

Cons:

  • The wireless power supply is not the best.

Rehab Ink Complete Tattoo Set

Get the most bang for your buck

Budget shoppers will love this Rehab Ink tattoo kit.
Best Value

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It’d be tough to find a better deal than the Rehab Ink Complete Tattoo Set, which comes at an affordable price point and contains all the supplies that beginners need to create their first body ink. This kit has two tattoo machines with assorted gel grip tubes and needles, along with a power supply, foot pedal, and seven bottles of half-ounce MOMs Millennium tattoo ink.

Pros:

  • Awesome value, considering that you get a complete tattoo equipment and supply set.
  • Machines function very smoothly.

Cons:

  • The instructional booklet isn’t the most clearly worded.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of tattoo machines?

There are two main types of tattoo machines: rotary tattoo machines and coil tattoo machines. A traditional coil tattoo machine utilizes an electromagnetic current to trigger and draw release of the machine’s armature bar, while a rotary tattoo machine has a small motor that moves the needle up and down.

What should I look for in a tattoo kit?

A good tattoo kit should always contain a sturdy gun, tips and needles, colored inks, and a good case to help prevent contamination. Especially if you’re a beginner, your kit should also come with an easy-to-digest manual or DVD that clearly explains how to operate the machine.