What is the best airbrush for beginners? (Beginner's guide/tutorial)

For beginners just starting out with airbrushing, durability, ease of cleaning, and user-friendliness are the most important criteria when choosing their first tool. You don't need to aim for the most expensive professional models, but you should definitely avoid cheaply made products to prevent frustration.

Here are some practical tips for choosing an airbrush for beginners:

1. Choose a "Double Action" airbrush

This is the mainstream choice and a necessary step for beginners.
Flexible control: The operation logic of this type of airbrush is "press for air, pull for paint." You can adjust the amount of paint sprayed at any time with the pressure of your finger. Although it requires some practice to master the feel, once you learn it, it can handle everything from large area coloring to fine line drawing.

2. Choose "Gravity Feed" paint supply

Look for a small cup on top of the airbrush; that's a gravity feed system.
Paint-saving and easy to clean: The paint flows down naturally by gravity, requiring less air pressure, resulting in smoother atomization, and saving a lot of paint. For beginners, this structure is very convenient for changing colors and cleaning; simply pour cleaning solution into the cup and rinse.

3. Recommend a 0.3mm or 0.35mm nozzle size

This is the most versatile "golden size."
Good balance: A 0.2mm nozzle is too fine and easily clogs if the paint is slightly thick; a 0.5mm nozzle is too coarse and difficult to draw fine lines with. A size around 0.3mm can be used for large-area spraying on model surfaces and can also handle some details, making it an ideal starting point for beginners.

4. Several reputable entry-level series

If you are choosing a brand, you can focus on these recognized "beginner-friendly" options:
Iwata NEO series: This is a series specifically designed for beginners, with an affordable price and inheriting the brand's first-class workmanship. Its atomization effect is very stable, and it's the first airbrush for many people. GSI Creos PS-289: This airbrush offers excellent value for money, features airflow control, durable parts, and a simple disassembly and cleaning process. It is highly regarded among model enthusiasts.
U-STAR and other entry-level sets: If you have a tight budget, some older, basic models from domestic manufacturers are also good for practice. Although the feel might be slightly inferior, you won't feel bad if they break, making them suitable for practicing disassembly and cleaning.