5 Best Spray Tan Machine for Home and Salon Reviews.

If you love the look of a good tan (and who doesn’t!?) a spray tan machine is a great solution. If you’re sick of paying the cost of a spray tan at a salon, or to start a mobile tanning business, a spray tan kit will allow you to get a gorgeous, safe, sexy tan any time of year.

In this article, we’ll review 5 of the best spray tan machine kits avilable, both for home and professional use. We’ve also got a detailed buyer’s guide that covers everything you need to know to use the machines.

We’ll start our reviews with a comparison table to get oriented, and then move onto our review of the Best Spray Tan Machine, the Maxi-Mist Lite Plus.

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Best Spray Tan Machines

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Best Spray Tan Machine (Home Use): Maxi-Mist Lite Plus HVLP Sunless Spray Tanning KIT

Key Points at a Glance

• Home-grade spray tan kit
• Includes everything you need to get started
• Compatible with other brands of spray tanner liquid
• The nozzle sprays vertically or horizontally
• Rated for 5-10 applications per day
• Covered under a 1-year warranty
• Weight: 18lbs

What’s Included

• Pop-Up Spray Tent (note: available in three color options)
• Spray Gun (SatinAire)
• Carry Bag
• Spray Tan Motor
• 3 Cups
• Tampa Bay Tanning Spray Tanner (3 Samples)

The Details

The MaxiMist Lite Plus is the best spray tan machine available. It’s the most complete kit on our list, and is the only one that includes the tent as part of the package.

With this setup, you get everything you need to get a beautiful spray tan in one simple, effective kit.

Note that if you want a different tent color, there are other options available.

The heart of this kit is the SatinAire spray gun and MaxiMist HLVP Turbine Motor. These work well for most non-salon uses. This kit is designed to be used at most  5-10 times per day. If you think you might be doing more than that, you should invest in a sturdier, quieter setup.

This spray gun is made mostly of plastic and is less robust than the metal spray guns found elsewhere on this list. There are not many metal parts in the spray gun. For maintenance, petroleum jelly is included for lubrication of the dials, knobs, and screw areas of the gun as needed.

This package includes three 8oz samples of Tampa Bay Tanning Solution in different darkness levels. These solutions are fine, and TBTS is used in salons around the world.

But this setup is compatible with virtually any airbrush tanning solution. Should you want to use a different spray like a Norvell Tanning Solution, you will be able to with this setup.

Some find that the spray in this gun comes out a bit spotty. If this happens to you, adjust the knob on the back of the gun and see if that helps. If it doesn’t, you may need to take the gun apart and clean everything and try again.

If that doesn’t work, it’s time to call the manufacturer for help.

MaxiMist is a reputable name, and this package is covered under a 1-year warranty. If you need an extra spray gun or a replacement, you can find one here.

The Bottom Line

The MaxiMist Lite Plus spray tan machine kit is the ultimate best spray tan machine for home users.

It contains everything you need, is covered under a 1-year warranty, is pretty easy to use for home users, and works well. It’s also positioned at a great price point, considering all the stuff you get!

This is the best spray tan kit for home-use.

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Also Great for Home: Norvell Sunless Spray Tan Kit

Key Points at a Glance

• Norvell Makes the Best Spray Tan Solutions on the Market
• Spray Gun has a Metal Nozzle
• Covered under a 1-year warranty
• “Norvell University” instruction package included
• Weight: 11.2 lbs

What’s Included

• M1000 Mobile HVLP Spray Tan Airbrush Machine
• M Series HVLP Spray Gun
• 10′ of Quick-Connect Hose
• Spray Gun Repair Kit
• 8oz Samples of Norvell Ultra Dark Cosmo, Venetian, and Dark Tanning Solutions
• Instructional Manual and “Norvell University” instructions included

The Details

Norvell is well known as an innovator in the spray tan industry. Their spray tan solutions are widely regarded as the best ones on the market, and they consistently look great on a wide variety of skin tones.

This package includes virtually everything needed to get started spray tanning, with the exception of a tent. You can purchase a tent separately, or you can stand in the shower in order to get your spray tan. Just keep the ventilation in mind if you’re spraying in the shower.

The spray gun on this model has a metal tip and is a bit more robust than the MaxiMist Lite Plus’s gun. Still, it’s mostly made of plastic, which is why I’ve classified this as mainly for home use, as opposed to salon use.

If you’re going to be using it more than about 10 times per day, you may want to jump up to one of the salon-grade models. You should give the machine at least 15 minutes of rest between people.

The motor is pretty similar to the MaxiMist Lite, and is an HLVP Turbine machine. The whole package weighs only 11.2 lbs, and is one of the lightest-weight options on our list.

The Bottom Line

The Norvell Kit is an excellent choice for light to medium use, and Norvell is one of the most well-respected names in the industry. The fact that the package includes three bottles of Norvell Solution is great, as you’ll be starting with the best tanning solutions on the market.

No orange goblin look, just a beautiful tan color on any skin tone!

The Norvell Machine is our runner-up choice for Best Spray Tan Machine.

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Best Spray Tanning Machine for Salons: MaxiMist Allure Xena Spray Tanning System

Key Points at a Glance

• Salon-grade spray tanning kit
• Rated for 25+ applications per day
• Used by many professional salons and spas
• Includes three spray guns/cups
• Twist and Lock Hose Connection
• Covered under a 2-year warranty
• Includes high-speed “blow dry” feature for rapid drying
• Runs at 72db noise level
• Weight: 10.4lbs

What’s Included

• HLVP Turbine Motor
• Xena Low-Clog Spray Gun with two extra spray heads
• Three 7oz Cups
• 3 Samples of Aussie Bronze Spray Tan
• 11.5 feet of hose

The Details

The MaxiMist Allure Xena kit is the first “salon-grade” on this list. It is rated for 25 or more sprays per day, which is enough for most salons or spas. The only thing not included in this package is a tent, which you may or may not need depending on your environment.

As the image above shows, you can see that the Xena Low-Clog spray gun is a mix of metal and plastic, though the nozzle is plastic. Regardless, this gun is a bit sturdier than the two “home” grade guns on the list.

It includes a Teflon needle which reduces the frequency of clogs and improves performance.

And even better, this package includes three different spray guns! If one gun breaks or nozzle clogs, you’ll have two backups. Sweet!

Should you find that you’re using this setup frequently,  you should jump up to an all-metal gun. Pick up the MaxiMist Pro Spraygun and Hose Adapter for use with this setup, and you’ll have better quality results and more reliability.

The MaxiMist Allure motor is once again an HLVP Turbine motor and is quite reliable. The motor runs at 72db, which produces a noise about as loud as a car driving by while you’re on the sidewalk.

Like the MaxiMist Lite Plus, you get three samples of Aussie Bronze tanning solution. That’s great, but you’ll burn through that quickly.

You can use any spray tan solution with this package. You may have to adjust the flow of the gun somewhat depending on the thickness of the spray tan solution you choose, but all types will work with this setup.

The Bottom Line

The MaxiMist Allure Xena tanning machine kit is the best spray tan machine for professionals (though you should pick up the Pro gun). The kit is covered under a two-year warranty, and the whole package is pretty solid, though it’s light-weight and easy to carry around.

Should you plan on using this setup professionally, pick up a MaxiMist Pro Spraygun to use as your primary gun. It is more reliable and produces better results. You can use the other guns as backups.

When you add the MaxiMist Pro Spray Gun, this becomes the best spray tanning machine for salons and mobile tanning professionals.

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Also Great for Pros: Belloccio Salon Pro Plus T200-11

Key Points at a Glance

• Salon-grade spray tanning system
• Covered under a 2-year warranty
• Metal gun and quick connect system

What’s Included

• 2-Stage Turbine Spray Tanning Machine
• Quick-Connect Pro Belloccio Spray Gun
• 4oz Sample of Belloccio Opulence Tanning Solution
• 1 Cup
• Instructional Booklet/Video

The Details

The Belloccio Salon Pro Plus Spray Tanning Machine is an extremely well-made spray tan kit with a high-quality spray gun and powerful, quiet 2-stage HLVP Turbine Motor.

The spray gun is made completely of metal and is comparable in quality to the MaxiMist Pro Spraygun. It is reliable, accurate, and efficient.

However, this kit only comes with one spray gun, so there’s no backup if the existing gun breaks down or clogs heavily. You can purchase extra spray guns, but they aren’t cheap!

The spray gun attaches to the 2-stage turbine motor using a quick connect hose. It’s pretty easy to attach and detach the gun, and it stays in place nicely.

Included in this package is a four-ounce sample of the Belloccio Opulence Tanning Solution. This is a decent tanning solution, though you’ll probably want to switch over to another solution like Norvell’s tanning solution if you’ll be using this regularly. You’ll probably need to adjust the gun a bit when you switch solutions, but it will work fine.

The Bottom Line

The Belloccio Salon Pro Plus spray tan kit is a high-quality, salon-grade package. Just keep in mind that you only get one gun with this setup. If you plan on using this reliably and professionally, you’ll need at least one more spray gun.

The whole kit is covered under a 2-year warranty, which is great. Also included is an instruction guide with spray tanning tips.

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Solid Professional-Grade Spray Tan Kit: Fuji Mini Tan M Model System Spray Tan HLVP

Key Points at a Glance

• Salon-grade spray tanning system
• Advertised as quiet-running, but it’s a bit on the loud side
• Covered under a 2-year warranty
• Weight: 20lbs

What’s Included

• Fuji miniTan Quiet Turbine Spray Box
• Fuji 7350 Tan Applicator
• One Cup
• Quick-connect Hose

The Details

The Fuji Mini Tan M Spray Tan System is an outstanding spray tan kit ideal for mobile or salon use. It’s on the expensive side, but the quality delivers. The whole package is built to last and will run day in, day out for years.

The heart of the kit is the Fuji 7350 Spray Tan Gun, an all-metal tanning gun that is powerful, accurate, and efficient. This kit comes with only one gun, unfortunately.

If you’re going to be using this spray kit professionally, you’re going to need a backup gun should one get clogged or otherwise break down. 

You can pick up a spare Fuji 7350 Spray Gun, but they’re not cheap! However, if you plan to use this professionally, you really need a backup gun. You can’t leave a customer half-sprayed!

The Turbine motor is housed in an all-metal case and is solid. The robustness of the choice of the materials is great, though keep in mind that this package can get on the heavy side.

Some may find the overall weight a bit too much to be schlepping around in a mobile spray tan setup.

No tanning solution samples come with the kit, and no tent is included. Any spray tan formula will work with this gun, though you will need to adjust the gun so that it sprays evenly and without splatter.

The Bottom Line

The Fuji Mini Tan M spray tan kit is a really high-quality spray tan kit aimed at professionals. It’s guaranteed for two years and is made of great components. It’s on the heavy side, and it’s not cheap, especially after you factor in the need for a second spray gun.

However, it does work very well and is a solid choice if you’re a fan of Fuji’s spray systems.

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Spray Tan Machine Buying Guide

Out of all the options for tanning, spray tanning is the healthiest way to get color. You can get a beautiful tan, dark to any shade you choose, and avoid the risks of skin cancer and premature aging.

Virtually all dermatology societies, including the American Academy of Dermatology, are in favor of using sunless tanners and spray tan solutions for tan skin, as opposed to outdoor tanning or tanning beds.

While there are benefits to outdoor tanning, it’s pretty clear that tanning beds are a poor choice for tanning.

While there are benefits to outdoor tanning, it’s pretty clear that tanning beds are a poor choice for tanning.

Keep in mind that spray tans don’t provide any UV protection. You’ll still need to wear sunscreen when outdoors to protect your skin.

This is especially true if you get a spray tan before going on vacation.

How Long Does a Spray Tan Last?

Most spray tans will last about one week. Lighter tans will start to fade in as little as three days, while darker ones can last up to 10 or so days. It’s pretty safe to figure 7 days as an average, and plan for re-application once every week or two in order to keep an even look.

Can You Spray Yourself?

I’m sure there are some people out there who can (contortionists?). But most people cannot spray themselves with a spray tan gun. And if they try to do so, they will get an uneven, bad-looking tan.

Especially on the back.

The vast majority of users will need a separate person to spray them to get a good spray tan!

Who Needs a Spray Tan Kit?

Spray tan kits are great for a variety of buyers.

• Home Use
• Mobile Spray Tan Technicians
• Spas
• Salons
• Gyms

If you’re just looking for home use or for family use, one of the less expensive kits will likely be fine for you. But many people who buy these kits use them to start a spray tan business! You can setup a mobile spray tan business, and visit clients to spray in their houses.

Or if you own a salon or spa, you can provide spray tanning services on site. Typically appointments last for about 30 min.

How to Use a Spray Tanning Machine

To start with, let’s look at a short Youtube Video showing spray tanning best practices.

Here are the basics of using spray tan machines:

1. Add Solution to the Cup (2.5 oz for an average-sized person)
2. Turn on the Machine
3. Ensure that the nozzle prongs are pointing in the horizontal position (vertical spray pattern)
4. Hold the Spray Gun about 6″ from the skin (12″ for delicate areas like the face, hands, and feet)
5. Aim just off the side of the body to start, and begin spraying
6. Move the gun in a smooth, even sweep across the skin in a horizontal motion
7. End the sweep of the arm when the spray has passed off of the body
8. Raise the hand a bit, and begin the next sweep back across the body
9. When you have completed an area, turn the nozzles so that the prongs are in a vertical position (horizontal spray pattern),
10. Begin spraying the same area using up-and-down arm strokes

You can choose whether or not you want to wear a bra. When the session is complete, you can store any excess tanning solution in an airtight container. It can be used within 24 hours, as long as the container remains airtight.

At the end of the day, clean the spray gun thoroughly, and let it air dry so that it will be ready for action on the following day.

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Spray Tanning Tips

Ventilation Requirments

Consider the ventilation of the room you’ll be spraying in. The active ingredient in most spray tan solutions is DHA, which has been shown to be safe in contact with the skin.

However, there are some questions when it comes to inhalation of DHA spray, so you want to be careful not to breathe in the spray.

This is especially important when spraying the face, chest, and the back of the neck.

You can just hold your breath while getting sprayed, but a better option is to pick up some Spray Tan Nose Filters to block any spray from being inhaled.

Spray Tan Area

The ideal option is to use a spray tan tent, and many of the kits include these tents. You don’t absolutely need a tent, but you do need a backing that you can spray solution onto.

Some people use a shower and then wash it down when complete. This is fine, but is a bit less convenient than using a spray tent.

Exfoliate the Night Before the Spray Session

Exfoliating the skin the night before the spray tan session is a good idea, and will help prime the skin for maximum impact.

How Much Solution Do I Use?

For an average-sized person of say 150 lbs, you’ll want to use 2-2.5 oz of spray tan solution.

Make Sure You Have the Spray Pattern Set Correctly

Most spray tan guns have two spray patterns: horizontal and vertical. You choose the spray pattern by rotating the nozzle at the front of the spray gun. Most guns have two prongs that stick out from the front of the nozzle that identify the spray pattern.

You can position the prongs either vertically or horizontally. Remember that, for most guns, the spray moves in the opposite direction from the prongs. For example, if the prongs are set vertically, the spray will spray in a horizontal pattern.

Another way to think about it is that you want to keep the prongs pointed in the direction you will be moving your arm.

You want to keep the prongs pointed in the direction you will be moving your arm.

Here’s an image of the two prong settings and resulting spray patterns on the MaxiMist spray gun. The black wedges are the prongs, and the black ovals represent the spray shapes.

Horizontal Prong Position

• Side to Side arm motion
• Spray will make a vertical spray pattern

Vertical Prong Position

• Up and Down arm motion
• Spray will make a horizontal spray pattern

How to Apply a Spray Tan

Here are some basic tips explaining how to apply the spray tan solution to various body parts, and the general concept of spraying tanning solution.

Criss-Cross Spray Patterns

When it comes to spraying the torso, back, hips, shoulders, and face, you want to spray the skin in two passes. You’ll be spraying in both a horizontal pattern and a vertical pattern.

Think of your spraying like weaving. This crisscross X-shaped or +-shaped pattern will ensure you get even coverage everywhere and don’t miss any spots.

The arms and legs are more easily sprayed with one motion per side, and it’s less critical to get the crosshatched X-shaped pattern.

When it comes to the breasts, use a U-shaped spray stroke to ensure even coverage of the cleavage.

Spraying the Face

Getting the face right is critical. If the person getting spray tanned has long hair, it’s a good idea to use a disposable hair cover. The hair net will ensure that the hair is out of the way and protected from overspray. Sure, spray tanning solution in the hair should rinse out. But it’s easiest to just get the hair completely out of the picture in the first place.

Once the hair is out of the way, it’s time to spray the face. As mentioned above, no one should be inhaling the spray tan solution. So you’ll either need Spray Tan Nose Filters or you can simply hold your breath.

For safety, the person getting sprayed will need to have a signal to alert the person doing the spraying that they need to stop. Either a stomped foot or waved hand are good choices. Just be sure both parties know the signal.

When spraying, keep the gun at least 12″ away from the face, and spray in a delicate crosshatched motion. Complete the face with a horizontal stroke across the brow where the forehead meets the hairline.

Spraying the Elbows

You need to take some extra care when spraying the elbows, as the joints can really show the spray tan lines if not properly covered.

Ensure that the arm is slightly bent at the elbow to about a 90′ angle, and make sure the palms are facing forward. You can then spray the outside of the arms and the elbows.

This position will ensure that the creases in the elbows look natural from any position, once the tanning solution has dried.

Spraying the Knees

The knees are one of the tricker spots to spray correctly. It’s a great idea to have a stool or block on hand during the spray session. When spraying the legs, the person getting sprayed puts their leg up on the block. They bend the knee to about 45′.

Spray the knee lightly, with the gun positioned about 8″ away from the knees, and don’t use too much solution.

This will ensure the knees look natural, with no weird streaking.

Spraying the Hands

Hold the hands in a claw-like pattern, in a relaxed position. This will elongate the skin of the hand and will ensure that the spray gets everywhere without over-coating any spots.

Don’t spray the palms at all, and try to avoid the fingernails.

Spraying the Feet

During the time the body is getting sprayed, the tops of the feet will get at least partially covered. A good deal of solution that wafts down from the other parts will land at the top of the feet.

For this reason, it’s best to wait until the end of the session to do the feet. And you often you don’t need to spray the feet at all.

If not protected, the soles of the feet can collect quite a bit of tanning solution. This results in an awkward and unnatural look. It’s always a good idea to use Spray Tanning Foot Pads for the soles of the feet.

Aftercare

Click here to learn what to wear after a spray tan. Sticking to loose-fitting clothing for about a day will ensure that the spray tan sets nicely.

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Spray Tan Machine Noise level

One of the factors to keep in mind is the overall noise level of the spray gun machine. Some of these machines can get pretty loud and can be annoying in an enclosed environment.

If you feel that excessive noise will be a major issue, you’ll need to keep the loudness of the individual spray machine you choose in mind.

Compatibility with Tan Solutions

The vast majority of spray tan kits available can be used with any solution on the market. That said, some solutions are thicker than others.

You’ll get more clogs with a thicker airbrush tanning solution which will require more frequent cleaning of the gun and filter.

Accessories

There are a few significant items that will help make the spray tan session go easier. Three helpful accessories are spray tan foot pads, nose-filters, and hair nets.

The last helpful body accessory is the silicone nipple cover. These disposable covers are ideal for those who want the look of a tan-line-free nude tan but don’t want to deal with tanning beds or nude beaches.

Additionally, if your spray tan kit doesn’t include a tent, having a pop-up tent available will make life easier.

And finally, a DHA Barrier Cream can make a spray tan look much more natural. Barrier cream will prevent the skin from over-darkening in certain spots.

When used as directed, a barrier cream applied to those difficult locations like the elbows, knees, knuckles, etc. will produce a more natural look.

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Conclusion: Best Spray Tan Machines

For most home users who plan to have their partner spray them for home spray tans, the best spray tan machine is the MaxiMist Lite Plus spray tan kit.

It strikes a great balance between price and quality, is covered under a 1-year warranty, and includes everything needed to get a great spray tan. It’s the best spray tan kit for home use.

For those who want to turn their spray tan setup into a business, the MaxiMist Allure Xena package is an ideal choice. The base setup is lower-priced than the other Professional models on our list.

But you’ll want to pick up the MaxiMist Pro Spray Gun and Adapter for professional use, which brings the price up in line with the other salon-grade kits on the list.

Still, you’ll end up with a total of 4 spray guns with this setup! And it’s all covered under a 2-year warranty.

Happy Spraying! And if you’re starting a spray tanning business, good luck!