The 3 Best Electric Powered Paint Rollers for Walls and Ceilings

I don’t know about you, but I would have a hard time getting excited over the idea of a new painting project, even with years of experience under my belt.

My first thoughts when it comes to painting a room a new color is usually expensive purchases, time-consuming work, and big messes.

Still, as with many jobs, it can be an exciting and worthwhile investment, if you have the right information and the right kind of tools to get the job done.

An electrically operated power paint roller for walls is one among them that can make a huge difference when it comes to getting the job done right, and in a timely manner.

By upgrading your old, outdated rollers to a newer model that does half of the work at the push of a button, you can turn a daunting and tedious painting job into a relatively easy and, dare I say, fun project.

That’s right, you might actually enjoy painting for a change.

These simple do-it-yourself renovations do not have to be frustrating sources of stress if you have the right equipment for the job.

And in this article, we will help you compare the various products available, as well as explain how to use them to get the job done with the most professional look possible.

Read on to discover the best available electric power paint rollers on the market.

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*Last update on 2023-12-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

What is a Power Paint Roller?

Before we get into the different brands and features to choose from, let’s make sure that everyone is on the same page about what a power paint roller actually is.

Power paint rollers are simply a paint roller that never needs to be dipped and rolled in a tray of paint, so the chances of spills and drips are eliminated, and the extra equipment like paint trays are unnecessary.

This is a fantastically innovative invention that makes painting so much easier and more enjoyable than it once was.

Are they really worth it?

A standard paint roller is a wide cylindrical brush that attaches to a handle and applies paint by rolling against the wall.

In the case of a standard roller, you have to soak the roller in paint by rolling it in a tray first in order to apply it to the outside of the roller, then you roll it onto a wall.

With an electric power paint roller, the paint is held in a tube or container of some kind, and a pump is used to push the paint into the roller, and through small holes, until it leaks out and saturates the roller.

All of this is controlled by the painter with the push of a button. This means that the need for dipping the brush is completely eliminated.

Where a painting project with a standard roller might have taken days, a power paint roller can cut that job down to just a few hours.

A power paint roller is really worth your time and money because it’s more fun, easier to use, and requires less cleanup.

The 3 Best Powered Paint Rollers

There are scores of power paint rollers available on various websites and stores.

They sell in all different shapes and sizes, and for all different amounts.

With so many options, how can anyone narrow it down and choose just one?

Sure, we advise you to do some research yourself and make sure the one you choose fits your personal needs, but no one can be expected to spend hours upon hours at a computer, searching every possible brand and model.

That is why you are lucky that you found this article.

Here is a list of five of the best electric power paint rollers for walls available for a reasonable budget.

1- Graco 244512 Pressure Paint Roller

*Last update on 2023-12-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Graco 244512 is a highly versatile power paint roller (for painting houses) and it comes with various attachments.

The lightweight and easy-to-use design of this best power paint roller system make this a fine choice for any painting project.

The stainless-steel roller operates smoothly, without any uneven turns, providing a clean and professional coating every time.

The good thing about this power paint roller is it can be adjusted up to 20 inches, so you’ll be able to get to those hard-to-reach places very easily.

Pros	Cons
• Easy to set up and use • Great for larger projects • Provides even paint flow • No dripping and paint buildup • Can be used on airless spray guns with a 7/8″ thread	• A bit expensive • Heavy for non-professionals

2- Wagner 0530010 1-5 Gallons Paint Power Roller

*Last update on 2023-12-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

With a 1 to 5-gallon capacity, this power paint roller is ideal for even larger painting projects.

This electric roller by Wagner has a direct-feed delivery system, for an uninterrupted flow of paint which allows you to paint the walls without any breaks.

The good thing that I like most is its one-click pump attachment that fits very easily to most paint cans and containers with ease. 

Furthermore, there is a quick-release handle that allows you to easily remove the attachments and add new ones.

The only drawback of this particular Wagner electric power roller is its cleanup which can take a significant amount of time.

Plus, you also have extension cords and a plastic hose that requires special attention while using and cleaning.  

Pros	Cons
• Easy setup and usage • Cheaper than a paint sprayer • Provides fast and even coverage • No dripping of paint from the connectors • Saves much time, particularly for large projects	• Heavy to work at high ceilings • Tough and time-consuming to clean-up

3- Wagner Spraytech HomeRight PaintStick EZ-Twist

*Last update on 2023-12-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

With up to 64 inches of reach, this model is awesome for paint jobs with high walls, or high ceilings.

No need to balance precariously on a step stool or ladder, this roller has you covered with ease.

The claim of this particular model is that an 8’x8’ wall can be painted in a matter of minutes, and that is by a novice painter with minimal experience.

The handy twisting mechanism of this Wagner Spraytech HomeRight PaintStick EZ-Twist roller allows the painters to cover difficult corners and angles with minimal effort.

The cleanup of this EZ-Twist roller is also very easy when you are done with your project.

This only takes roughly ten minutes, which is amazing for those of us that don’t like that particular stage of the job.

Overall, this model lets even beginners paint like a pro so it’s worth adding to your list of most essential house painting tools.

Pros	Cons
• Easy to use • Lesser refilling • Better coverage • No dripping or messy surfaces • Easy to cover hard to reach areas	• Can be tough for first-time DIYers

Well, there are far too many power paint rollers available on the market to name them all here.

Some are good and a few others are not worth your time and money.

But if you are going to choose the one from the ones mentioned over here, I am sure you can complete your project pretty well.

Remember to do your research and find what you need for your own paint project.

The list above should help you narrow it down a bit, and make it just a little easier for you.

How to Use an Electric Paint Roller?

The working of a power paint roller may vary depending on the brand and model you choose.

In general, most rollers will have mounted paint buckets or paint cans along with a suction hose that is submerged in the paint.

This paint hose is connected to the motor and pump housing.

Once the auto-feed paint roller is powered on the paint from the bucket is siphoned to the pump from where it is pushed into the roller via a hose.

As soon as the paint arrives, the roller is soaked and the unit gets ready to paint the walls.

How to Use?

Although an electric-powered paint roller is fairly easy to operate, it is good to know how to use the equipment properly – for getting the best results without compromising on the quality and wasting your expensive paint.

Step 1 –

As a very first step, you will need to clean your walls thoroughly to remove all the grease, grime, and blackened soot if any.

Step 2 –

Then assemble your power paint roller by following the instructions and guidelines provided in the user’s manual.

Step 3 –

Once your roller is assembled, it’s time to fill the paint into the paint can/bucket of the roller.

Step 4 –

Now turn on the motor and pull the trigger provided on the roller so that the paint comes up to the tube.

Step 5 –

When you see the paint oozing out to the roller, push it against your wall and start the rolling process. 

Step 6 –

Pulling your roller from top to bottom you should paint your walls vertically in a way that the whole height of the wall is covered in a single stroke.

Try to continue painting (without stopping) until your entire wall is painted.

Step 7 –

While keeping the trigger pressed overlap the strokes and edges (on the wet paint you have already painted) for getting the right finish.

Remember, the paint will continue to flow as long as you keep the trigger of the roller pulled.

So, if it’s difficult for you to complete the entire wall in one round, choose a vertical section and paint it without stopping.

This will help you give a smooth finish without any dripping.

Cleaning-up the Roller

After you have used your electric paint roller system for walls and ceilings, it’s time to clean them properly so that you can store them right for your next usage.

Cleaning the electric rollers after the house paint is simple.

As a first step, roll the roller over the wall (without depressing the trigger) to remove the paint from the roller as much as you can.

For this, you can use the wall that is unfinished and still needs the painting or any other wall in your backyard that is not much visible.  

After clearing the paint, take off the tube and plastic lid from the paint bucket. Allow the excess paint to drip into the can.

Then clean the tube using water or mineral spirit depending on the type of paint (water-based or oil-based) you have used.

Just empty the roller and fill the unit with warm water (if you used water-based paint) or mineral spirits (if used oil-based paint).

As you pump the water/mineral spirit through the hoses the system will automatically clean itself.

Once you find that the roller is cleaned remove the liquid, drain the hoses and clean the roller cover.

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Different Types of Automatic Paint Rollers

For the most part, power paint rollers share a fairly similar design.

You will typically have a handle with some sort of extension mechanisms, and a roller at the top.

Also, you will have a delivery system of some sort.

The one major difference you will find between varying types is the delivery system they use.

There are power paint rollers that use a pump that attaches to a can or bucket of paint, and feeds a constant flow of paint until the container runs dry.

These types require a hose in order to transfer the paint from the container to the roller.

The other type has a reservoir built into the roller itself, which uses some sort of compression system to push the paint from the reservoir into the roller.

While this type of roller does not require a tube, it does need to be refilled more often than one with a pump.

When deciding between either a pump or a reservoir, consider the size of the project, the area you have to work with, and the angles and corners that you will be painting.

There are other variables in power paint rollers to look for.

For instance, the type of motor that each one uses can make a big difference in the quality and efficiency of the power paint roller.

Another few things that vary are the extension capabilities, the reservoir capacity, and the run-time on battery-operated models (like in Turboroll battery-powered paint roller).

The reservoir capacity is particularly important when you are considering the size of the job.

A larger reservoir means that you will have to refill it less, but it also means that the roller will be heavier and less easy to handle in awkward spaces and angles.

All of these variations should be considered when choosing the most appropriate model for your needs.

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What to Look for in a Powered Paint Roller?

Speaking for myself, I do have a tendency to get a little nervous when purchasing a new product for the first time.

Buying something that you have little or no experience with can be a risky investment.

There are a lot of questions that may occur to you before making the purchase.

What if you pick up the wrong brand? What if you overpay when you could have gotten a better price somewhere else?

Here are a few simple things to look for in a quality electric paint roller.

1- Price:

This is probably one of the first things that most of us consider, and that is for a good reason.

We do not want to overspend on a product, but we also do not want to spend too little and get a product that does not function properly.

Typically, a power paint roller will cost somewhere between $50 to $250.

Sometimes it stands to reason that spending more money will get you a better product.

But hopefully, this article will help you know what to look for so that you can choose the power paint roller that gives you the most quality for the most affordable price.

2- Suction:

Some electric power paint rollers have simple reservoir systems built in that can be refilled when you need it, but others use pumps that are attached directly to the paint can.

These pumps suck up the paint and feed it into the roller, giving you a continuous stream of paint so you can finish a whole wall with ease.

A quality power paint roller is going to have a high-quality pump.

In fact, it is not too much of a stretch to say that the pump is one of the most important parts of the power paint roller.

3- Noise:

When we compare sprayer guns vs automatic rollers for the sound they emit, paint rollers are the clear winners.

Some power paint rollers are however unnecessarily loud, and this can be a sure sign of a low-quality product.

Keep in mind that all of the power paint rollers will make some noise, but products with obnoxious buzzing or whining sounds should be avoided.

4- Attachments:

The most important thing is to get a power paint roller for painting walls that is of the highest quality for the most affordable price.

However, it does not hurt to look into the accessories that come with each product.

Certain attachments can make a painting job much easier, so it is worth taking into consideration when choosing a power paint roller.

5- Brand:

We have already discussed which individual brands seem to be putting out the best products above.

But for now, let’s just say that it is important to look into the brand and consider its history and popularity.

If they have overwhelmingly positive reviews, that is obviously a good sign.

On the other hand, if the reviews are mostly negative, you will need to look for a quality power paint roller from another brand that produces higher quality products.

So, be sure to do some research into each brand and version of a power paint roller before buying it.

Although this guide will help to narrow down the options for you, it is important to look into the products so you know which one will suit your needs the best.

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Power Roller Machine vs. Regular Roller for Painting

One of the most prominent reasons why DIY painters and contractors prefer using electrically powered rollers is they don’t need to use messy roller trays to keep filling the paint.

This means when you use the latest electric rollers for painting you need not worry about refilling and cleaning the paint roller and trays.

However, while using regular paint rollers you will essentially need to use the trays to keep dipping and refilling the fibers of the roller with paint, before applying the paint to the walls.

Long-lasting

Most high-quality powered paint rollers like Wagner are designed for long-term usage and can last for up to five to seven years, provided you maintain and clean them properly after each usage.

Easy cleaning

Automatic paint rollers are also easy to clean with plain water or mineral spirits.

This simply means you can complete the paint job without creating any mess within very little time compared to regular rollers.

Also, with a power roller, you will only have to stop when you are a bit tired and need to take a break.

The only downside of using power rollers is you have to clean and clear the paint cups and hoses before you can change to different paint.

Changing to new paint is however easy with regular rollers as you can do it just by changing the roller covers.

FAQs

Does a powered roller use more paint than a paint sprayer?

Compared to a regular hand roller, a power paint roller uses relatively more paint to cover the same area.

However, when compared to a sprayer electric paint roller consumes a comparatively lesser amount of paint and is far more economical.

What other accessories do I need to use with an electric paint roller?

The good thing about using an electric roller is you need not use many accessories (like a roller tray).

However, depending on your project you may need to use the paint supplies like drop cloths, protective gear, extension wands, cut-in brushes, etc.

The Bottom Line

Power paint rollers, when used properly and safely, can be a fantastic tool to add to your collection.

There are a lot of different options, and it can be difficult to narrow the search down to the ones that work for you.

However, with the great models we listed above, you are sure to get that new painting project done in no time at all, and you might even enjoy doing it for a change.

After taking the time to do the research, and figuring out which model is best for your own needs, get yourself a power paint roller, and take the stress out of a painting.