While airbrushing used to be a style reserved for the artistic world and painters only, today, it has become popular among bakers, designers, makeup artists, and even others.
If you want to create a professional-looking cake, an airbrushing gun will allow you to reach a whole new level following frosting, piping, and others.
We have selected the top best airbrushes for cake decoration on the market, suitable for newbies and professional bakers alike.
Also included are some tips which can help you select the right airbrush gun and kit for your specific needs and skill level so that you can produce stunning cakes every time.
What to Look for When Buying an Airbrushing Kit?
Although airbrushing is not as complicated as it looks, you should still know some of the basic features and components of airbrushing kits which you should consider when picking the most suitable equipment or gun for your needs.
Compressor
The device that pumps air into the airbrushing gun is the air compressor. The air is what propels sprays and spreads paint.
Choosing an airbrushing kit with a strong compressor is crucial. By doing this, you can be sure that your cake or other baked items will have an even distribution of all the colors.
Investing in a compressor with adjustable pressure is the best choice. This will let you adjust the parameters to suit your needs.
Controls
Airbrushing kits can be single-action or double-action.
Single-action controls are more straightforward. They have a single button that will allow you to turn the airbrush on and off. The intensity of the flow is adjusted separately via a knob. This is the better variant if you are a newbie.
The double-action controls will allow you to turn the pressure on and control the intensity of the paint sprayed as you go.
This is a better variant but is more suitable for people who have experience with using an airbrush.
Mixing
This feature is all about where the mixing between the paint and airstream happens.
Airbrushes with internal mixing allow for smoother paint because the paint gets mixed better inside.
External mixing means that the mixing happens outside. It is a better option for larger paint jobs or those which require thicker layers of paint. It is also easier to clean after use. The problem is that it is not that suitable for more delicate painting jobs and detailing.
Feed
This is the method used for getting the paint to the airbrush. The feed can happen via a siphon, gravity, or side.
Siphon feed airbrushes require higher air pressure. They are more suitable for larger painting jobs rather than for detailing.
Gravity feed uses gravity to take the paint to the airbrush, and as such, doesn’t require so much pressure. This means that it is suitable for painting smaller details and painting jobs. It, though, is harder to clean, and the paint bottles are pretty small.
Side feed airbrushes have the paint bottles placed on the side. These combine siphon and gravity feeds. Side feeds allow for using larger paint bottles and also provide greater freedom of movement at all angles. They, though, are harder to clean after use.
The Top 8 Best Airbrushes for Cake Decorating
Now that you know the essential features to look for and have decided which ones are more suitable for your skillset and your needs, we present you with our top picks for the best airbrushes for cake decorating for the year.
Master Airbrush Pro Set
This versatile and reasonably priced airbrush kit has everything you need to start, especially if you are a beginner. Then again, it is an excellent choice for experienced decorators and artists too.
It has a dual-action gravity feed and internal paint mixing.
The set includes three nozzles sized 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4mm, along with the needles, fluid tips, and air caps for them.
This airbrushing kit is suitable for cake decoration and design, makeup application, and automotive design and painting.
You can easily adjust it and use it to apply a coat of paint on large surfaces and complete the tiniest and most intricate details.
The viscosity can be adjusted to three levels too.
The gravity paint cup is 1/3 oz., and you can easily adjust the paint flow via the control knob.
This top-rated airbrushing kit for cake decorating includes a nozzle wrench, a quick disconnector coupler, a plastic storage case, and detailed instructions.
Overall, we love its versatility, its ease of use, as well as its very reasonable price.
Master Airbrush Multi-Purpose Kit
This is a high-performance airbrush that you can use not only for creating unique cakes but also for all other professions, crafts, fine art, automotive graphics, and hobbies that require the use of such a tool.
Best of all, it is easy to use, so you don’t need to worry even if you are a complete newbie, including a detailed manual for airbrushing and an added access card to the Airbrush Resource Center for information and guides for mastering the technique.
The set has three different nozzles sized 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4mm. These will allow you to complete the tiniest details or spay 2-inch wide spray for larger painting jobs.
The airbrush comes with a 1/3 oz fluid cup with gravity feed, a 6-foot long braided air hose, an airbrush holder, a 0.3 mm fluid tip, and a 1/5 single-piston powerful air compressor.
The compressor has two cooling fans, which will allow you to use it continuously for longer, and handle larger projects faster.
Best of all, the manufacturer offers a 5-year complete money-back or replacement satisfaction guarantee.
PointZero Airbrush Decorating Kit
Unlike many of the other airbrushing kits on the market, this kit by PointZero is made explicitly for cake decorating. It includes three professional-grade airbrush guns.
The first is a single-action and external mix one for larger painting jobs. The next one is a dual-action airbrush with an internal mix and a 0.35mm nozzle, perfect for creating the most delicate details. The third airbrush in the kit is dual-action and internal mix one with a 0.3mm nozzle which too is excellent for sharp detailing.
The 1/5 HP compressor is powerful and yet works quietly at less than 55 dB. It weighs a mere 8 lbs. and is oil-less, making it very portable and easy to maintain.
This bestselling kit also includes 12 premium edible Chefmaster food coloring paints in 0.64-oz bottles, so you can start working on your cake immediately.
Also included in the kit are color cups and two glass bottles, pipettes for the paint, nozzle wrenches, a tabletop stand, a 10-foot braided air hose, an instructional DVD, and 7 different airbrushing guides.
It is an excellent option for beginners and experienced bakers and cake designers alike.
Timbertech Airbrush Kit
This airbrush kit by Timbertech can be used for cake decorating. But you can also use it for painting, crafts, making temporary tattoos, applying makeup, nail art, and more as well.
The set includes a gravity feed airbrush with an installed 0.30mm nozzle and three additional nozzles and needles sized 0.20, 0.30, and 0.50mm. There is a 1.90m air hose, a ¼-oz fixed metal paint cup, a ½-oz pipette, and a useful storage box for all parts.
Also included is an oil-free piston on-demand 1/6 HP compressor, which is powerful yet portable and quiet. It has an auto-stop function, a pressure regulator, a water trap filter, and a carry handle.
This tool kit is suitable for people of all experience levels and is easy to clean, adjust and use.
Paasche Airbrush Set
Even though this airbrush kit by Paasche is not explicitly made for cake decorating, it is still among the best options to pick if you want to create unique birthday, wedding, and other cakes and baked goods.
This multipurpose kit works with all kinds of pain, including edible food paint.
It includes an airbrush with three nozzles sized 0.45, 0.65, and 1.05mm. Also included are a 1-oz storage bottle, a 10-oz fluid bottle, a ¼ oz metal cup, a 6-foot braided air hose, a nozzle wrench, a hanger, and a detailed manual plus additional lessons in a booklet.
The siphon airbrush is versatile and easy to use for all needs, including cake decorating, crafts, hobbies, art, body art, makeup and tanning, and more applications.
Thanks to the sturdy and anti-clogging stainless steel needles, your decorating job will be smoother, and so will the cleanup afterward.
The airbrush gun is chrome-plated and is also very easy to clean.
The airbrush set is made in the USA and is affordable but doesn’t include a compressor.
U.S. Cake Supply Decorating Airbrush Kit
Our following selection provided by U.S. Cake Supply is another dedicated cake decoration airbrushing kit which contains everything you need to get started with your cake art right away.
The set includes a professional precision single-action airbrush, a compressor with three adjustable pressure settings, 12 vivid food colors, a helpful guide for using the airbrush, and lessons for mastering the techniques.
The package includes a 6-foot long hose, an airbrush holder, and a gravity feed paint bottle with a 1/16-oz cup.
We love this cake decorating set because it is straightforward to use and contains everything you need to start airbrushing and decorating those yummy cakes, cupcakes, cookies, or chocolates right away.
A lifetime money-back guarantee backs it.
Master Airbrush Portable Kit
Another top-rated product, the Master Airbrush Multipurpose Airbrushing System Kit, is a high-quality toolset that will help you design the most beautiful cakes with the highest precision.
The dual-action airbrush has a 1/3-oz gravity-feed bottle and is easy to use, control, and adjust the air pressure and paint intensity as you go without the need to stop your work and creative process. Its fluid tip is 0.30mm.
Also included in this set are a mini compressor, a 6-foot air hose, an airbrush holder, and a guide for use, maintenance, as well as valuable ideas and airbrushing tips.
The manufacturer offers a 2-year satisfaction guarantee for the kit for peace of mind.
Master Airbrush Pro Cake Decorating Set
If you want a professional range airbrushing kit for cake decoration, then this Pro Cake Decorating Set by Master Airbrush could be the best option for you.
It has three professional precision airbrushes, a 4 airbrush holder, a powerful 1/5 HP single-piston compressor with 2 cooling fans, an airbrush holder mounted on the compressor, a 6-foot long hose, a set of 12 different cake colors, a mini cleaning brush set, and a quick start guide.
The first airbrush is a dual-action 0.20mm tip, gravity feed airbrush with a 1/16-oz cup. The second brush is a single-action siphon-feed with a 0.8mm tip and a 2 3/4 oz bottle.
And the third airbrush gun in the kit is a dual-action, gravity-feed airbrush with a 1/3 oz cup and a 0.30mm tip.
We love that there are some stunning metallic food colors included, such as gold and silver. They come along with another 10 amazing colors such as midnight black, super red, Hawaiian blue, and canary yellow, allowing you to make professional-looking desserts.
With a pro kit like this, you will be able to create some fantastic decorations easily right away.
It is backed by a 5-year warranty.
FAQs
What is the best PSI for airbrushing?
PSI or compressor air pressure is essential for all types of airbrushing. The reason is that if the compressor is not powerful enough, you will not be able to achieve the results you want.
The most suitable PSI range to look for when choosing an air compressor for cake airbrushing is from 18 to 25 PSI. It will be even better if the pressure is adjustable.
How do you clean an airbrush gun?
Always follow the instructions of the manufacturer for cleaning your airbrush gun and kit.
In most cases, you will only need some warm water and a cleaning brush.
Make sure to use clean water added to the fluid cup to rinse out any leftover paint after each use.
You may need a cleaning brush if it has become clogged with paint.
Some of the airbrush guns require special cleaning fluids, which are often included in the kits.
Further Reading: Does Food Coloring Expire?