Tattoos have been a part of major cultures and civilizations around the world for centuries. From the Ancient Egyptians to the Japanese, to the modern tattoos that we are used to, there have been many variations of designs and how they are done. But since 1891, the world of tattoos had its revolution that we are still feeling today with a new tattoo machine invention called the coil tattoo machine.
100 years later, we got another new tattoo machine in the rotary tattoo machine. That brings us to the most hotly contested debate between tattoo artists and enthusiasts alike: coil or rotary tattoo machines. So let’s take an in-depth look at the coil vs rotary tattoo machine in 12 features and see their key differences to see which one is the best out of the two!
Key Takeaways
- Tattoo machines were invented in 1891 and over the years two major tattoo machines became prominent: coil tattoo machine and rotary tattoo machine.
- There are 12 key comparisons that a coil and rotary tattoo machine has which sets them apart.
- The key differences between the machine make the debate on which one is better more interesting because both are great.
- At the end of the day, you should try both of them and see which you prefer.
Evolution of Tattoo Machines: A Brief History from 1891 to Today

Before we get to the comparison between the two tattoo machines, I think it is important that we take a brief look at the history of tattoo machines since the invention of the coil tattoo machine. It was invented by Samuel F. O’Reilly and patented on the 8th of December in 1891. I will get into more detail on how they work but basically the coil tattoo machines use electromagnetic fields in order to move the tattoo needle up and down. O’Rielly also made the first delivery system of ink for the tattoo as well.
It was a revolution in the tattoo industry that previously saw tattoos being done primarily with the poke-and-stick method. The new coil tattoo machine used electricity for the first time and was inspired by the work of Thomas Edison and his electric pen some 15 years before Reilly patented his work. Since Rielly’s coil tattoo machine was a single coil, it was not as powerful and smooth enough. But soon enough Alfred Charles South invented the dual coil tattoo machine which is what is used today. But back then, it was so heavy that it needed to be suspended from the ceiling with springs! That is something that modern tattoo machines don’t have to face.
But in 1978, Manfred Kohrs built a new tattoo machine that utilized a motor to move the needle instead of coils. It was the first invention since Reilly and South that came to revolutionize the tattoo world. With that came the debate about which one is better as well. Today, there are a total of 2 other types called the pen tattoo machine which is similar to rotary tattoo machines and the pneumatic tattoo machines but they have yet to gain the notoriety that the coil and rotary counterparts!
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Coil vs Rotary Tattoo Machines: 12 Comparisons and Key Differences
Since these tattoo machines are the most sought-after and tattoo artists around the world use either one of the two in their professional setting, let’s see how they compare against each other. When comparing the two types, I have gone for comparing the Dragonhawk 2pcs Brass Coils Tattoo Machine Straight Shader Circle Liner[1] for the coil tattoo machine and the Dragonhawk Extreme Rotary Tattoo Machine Carbon Steel Machine[2] for the rotary tattoo machine.
Design and appearance: traditional vs modern

The design between the two can be what I describe as a traditional design and a more modern one. The coil tattoo machine has the coils in a case. It is what the old-school tattoo machines used to look like with a hint of modern touch added to it. The brass feels quite nice and you can see the armature bar on top that will hit the tattoo needle to move it up and down. It also has a more exposed appearance with a single-frame brass frame to still give it that weight that comes with coil machines.
Unlike that, the rotary tattoo machine has a more encased look. All the moving parts are inside the case so you don’t get to see how the motor actually works. It has a more modern look that goes for functionality rather than as an eye candy (but the coil tattoo machine has a reason for the more exposed frame that I will get into in a bit). Out of the two, the coil tattoo machine definitely looks like the tattoo machine that you would be more familiar with.
Operational differences: How they work

Right into the grits of things. The function of the two types of tattoo machines might be using electricity and a foot pedal to control the voltage, but they work on a completely different fundamental basis.
As I have said previously, the coils in the coil tattoo machine are responsible for moving the armature bar that moves the needle up and down. It works through the magic of electromagnets. Without sounding too nerdy about it, basically the coil connects and disconnects at a very fast rate. When the current flows in, the needle moves down into the skin. When the current flow stops, the needle is pulled out of the skin. Again, this is the layman’s explanation I can give about how it works.
In stark contrast, the rotary machine doesn’t rely on the magic of electromagnets. Instead, the case holds a small but powerful motor that helps to move the tattoo needle up and down. The motor goes around in a circle and depending on the position of the motor, it either pulls or pushes the tattoo machine.
Weight: heavy vs lightweight

We can’t talk about the two tattoo machines without mentioning the elephant and the mouse in the room: the heavier coil tattoo machine versus the lighter rotary machine.
The reason that the coil machines are heavier is that it has to use magnetic coils to work. These metals are pretty dense so they add to the overall weight of the tattoo machine. But what many people forget about this is that the coil tattoo machines are usually a single-frame and hollowed out to lower the overall weight of the machine.
Rotary tattoo machines are lighter because they don’t need metal on the casing. The only heavy part is the small motor that moves the tattoo needles and it can be placed inside a plastic case which makes it lighter than the coil machine.
Some people prefer the weight of the coil machine saying that it brings a level of stability while others say that working longer hours is more possible with the lighter rotary machine.
Noise level and vibration: tiny hammer vs soft buzzing

Probably my favorite part about the debate between the two tattoo machines is the noise level and the vibration that comes with it.
The coil tattoo machine has a tiny hammer on top that hits the armature bar to move the tattoo needle up and down. A tiny hammer may not seem that noisy at first, but when you take into account that this tiny hammer is hitting at a rate of almost 8000 hits per minute in some cases, you can imagine how noisy it gets. The same thing with the vibration because it will feel like you have a tetanus condition when you work with the tattoo machine close to your ears!
On the other hand, you have the softer humming and buzzing noise of the rotary tattoo machine that comes from the motor of the machine. Some might get loud but overall the noise level is considerably less than that of its coil counterpart. The same thing can be said about the vibration since the moving parts in the motor are not as harsh as the coil so it moves around a lot less.
This also comes down to a personal preference matter where some tattoo artists like the noise and vibration that comes with the machines while others would prefer a quieter environment to work in with less vibration in the hand to keep the hand steady.
Versatility and adaptability: multiple machines vs one machine

Now we are getting to the juicy part of the debate. If you are a beginner tattoo artist then this would interest you the most because either you need 10 to 12 different machines for just one tattoo or just two would suffice! That is the difference between the two machines.
The coil tattoo machine is the winner when it comes to owning many tattoo machines. This is because you need a different machine for a different needle and whether you are lining or shading you need a different one again! The coil machine needs to be completely opened to change the individual parts like the needles and such. That is why to take away the hassle, multiple machines are set up to prevent waiting 10 to 20 minutes to change the needles.
The good news is that with the rotary tattoo machine, a single tattoo machine can do either shading or lining where you might want to have two so you are getting a specific tattoo machine for lining, shading, or packing ink. This is because you can simply switch out the cartridge from the machine and switch fairly quickly. With some, you could do both so it makes the rotary tattoo machine more versatile as a result and the more adaptable out of the two.
The heavier coil tattoo machine also means that it isn’t as portable as the rotary tattoo machine. You are kinda fixed where you are when you are working with a coil machine because of how it is all need to set up so you will have to change from one tattoo machine to another. The rotary tattoo machine is the complete opposite where you can set it up and switch between machines very easily!
Motion quality and precision: choppy vs continuous movement

Both the tattoo machines vibrate to a certain degree but which one causes the most movement of your hand while tattooing? Well, it is pretty safe to say that the motion of a coil tattoo machine will be a lot more choppy while the rotary tattoo machine will have a continuous movement to it.
The reason for the choppy movement of the coil machine is because of the constant connection and disconnection due to how the electromagnets work to send the current. This can make the machine vibrate a lot more and make for a choppy situation. With the rotary tattoo machine, it is the movement of the motor which flows in one continuous motion so you get smoother motion quality.
However, the thing is that old-school tattoo artists really do like the choppy movement and says that it actually makes for smoother work than the rotary machine. So again, all down to the personal preferences of the artist when it comes to the precision and motion quality of the machine.
Needle range: shaky vs steady

With motion quality also comes the question of needle range. This basically refers to how far the needle moves back and forth. This is quite the same for both coil and rotary tattoo machines. The only notable difference is when you are moving it around. Shaders are much easier to pull along the skin as the voltage rating is much lower making for a steady experience.
When it comes to lining work, the coil tattoo machine tends to be a bit shakier than the rotary tattoo machine. However, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing when tattooing because it is all about the experience and control you have. In fact, you might even get better lining because the needle range is just a bit more from a coil tattoo machine which makes for a great experience when it comes but you definitely do need the expertise to do so.
Ease of use and skill level: challenging vs easy

If you take into account the out-of-box experience, then I would have to say the coil tattoo machine poses more of a challenge than the easy use of the rotary tattoo machine.
This is because you need to set up a coil tattoo machine by adjusting all the little moving parts in it to your tuning before you get to work on it. This makes for a challenge for newer tattoo artists who start using coil tattoo machines as this can be a hassle and does not ease the use. Not to mention the weight and vibration of the tattoo machine will take getting used to. It is not an easy machine to learn right off the bat. But those who master it means that they have the necessary skill to tackle the most difficult of tattoo designs!
Rotary machines are much easier to use and set up. All you have to do is hook up the foot pedal, get the ink cartridges in, and set up the needle. The rest can all be done by the motor itself and you don’t necessarily have to tune it to your specification to work on it. It takes a lot less skill to use and learn the rotary tattoo machine meaning it’s more beginner friendly and makes the overall experience of tattooing a little bit more about actually tattooing rather than setting up and fine-tuning.
Customization: many mods vs little to none

Even though the coil tattoo machines are a bit more intricate when it comes to setting them up, there is a whole new world of modification that you can do with it than on a rotary machine!
For the coil tattoo machine, you can replace all the parts! This means the coils themselves, the armature bar, the springs inside, weights, and even the frame if you so wished. It might be tricky to do it on your own and I would say leave it to a professional to fine-tune it for you but the mods you can add just add another dimension to the fun of having a coil machine!
The same cannot be said for the rotary tattoo machines since they are assembled in a way that you can’t really change much of anything without needing to change everything inside. There is also the case that you can easily replace spare parts for the coil tattoo machine while the rotary machines need you to replace the whole thing if one part fails. They are built to last but in the off-chance that you break it, it means that you have to cough up your wallet for a new one.
Maintenance and cleaning: time-consuming vs relatively quick

The maintenance and cleaning of coil tattoo machines make for a time-consuming effort when you compare that to the fairly quick cleaning and maintenance you get from rotary tattoo machines.
The main reason for this is that the coil tattoo machine is fixed in place. This means that you need to clean and maintain the different parts of the machine individually! That can be a very time-consuming effort indeed! You cannot even autoclave the machine and have to do it with a disinfectant and wipe down your tattoo machine. Maintenance is also another hassle because you will need to tune to your needs so you are left with the need to adjust and readjust even during a tattoo session!
Rotary tattoo machines have that modern build which takes a lot less time to clean and maintain. For some models, you can even autoclave it and the less moving parts mean that cleaning it is a lot easier! The maintenance is almost a non-factor because all the moving parts are inside. A good clean and you are good to go with the rotary tattoo machine! Just remember that you need to wrap your machines with plastic so that you are putting yourself and your client out of harm’s way.
Speed of work: faster vs comparatively slow

This is a bit subjective because it really depends on the skill and technique of tattoo artists, but I can say that you need a little less time to finish a tattoo with a coil tattoo machine. This is mainly because of the higher speeds it can rhea when compared to the rotary tattoo machines due to having stronger coils than the motor.
This does not mean that rotary machines are slower just because it works slower. It just means that your shading will be a lot easier and quicker with a coil tattoo machine because of the speed of the needles. Again, this comparison really boils down to a user and their skills. But if a tattoo artist is equally skilled at both machines, you can be faster with the coil.
Price and spare parts: Inexpensive vs whole replacements

The great thing about coil tattoo machines is that spare parts are abundant and readily available! The bad news is that the price will rise very quickly because of how many machines you need when you compare that with a rotary tattoo machine.
A premium coil tattoo machine will cost you a little less than rotary ones, but for rotary ones, you can just buy one or two for different purposes. With coil tattoo machines, you need one for every type of needle you are using! Let’s say that one coil machine cost around $300 to $500; you are easily spending about $1,500 to $2,500 if you want to work with 5 different needles!
In contrast, a premium rotary tattoo machine is more costly per machine because of the motor and frame. However, when you need only 1 or 2 machines for tattooing, your prices won’t rise that much at all! However, the prices of spare parts would almost equal the price of one machine so it is just better to replace your old one instead.
The initial one-time cost of buying is way more expensive for a coil tattoo machine but when you buy one you can easily change the individual parts with spare parts. You just can’t say the same for the rotary tattoo machine since you need to buy a whole new machine.
Summarizing the Differences Between Coil and Rotary Tattoo Machines
While you might be interested to know all about the coil and rotary tattoo machine differences, I can understand you might not want to get such an in-depth view of it. So here is a table to help you see the differences and comparisons between the two tattoo machines at a glance.
Differences in | Differences in | Rotary Tattoo Machine |
---|---|---|
Traditional and open | Design and appearance | Modern and closed |
Electromagnets | Operational differences | Motor |
Heavy | Weight | Lightweight |
Loud and vibrates a lot | Noise level and vibration | Low noise and less vibration |
Needs many machines | Versatility and adaptability | Needs at most 2 |
Choppy | Motion quality and precision | Continuous |
Shaky | Needle range | Steady |
Steep learning curve | Ease of use and skill level | Easy to use and beginner-friendly |
Everything customizable | Customization | Little to no customization |
Difficult to maintain and clean | Maintenance and cleaning | Easy to maintain and clean |
Faster | Speed of work | Comparatively slower |
Cheaper but needs more machines | Price | Expensive but need only a few machines |
Readily available | Spare parts | No: need to replace whole machine |
Dilemma in Choosing Between Coil and Rotary Tattoo Machine

Now we come to the big decision: which one are you going to choose between a coil and rotary tattoo machine? Since I have used both for considerable amounts of time, here is my take on the matter.
I started my tattoo journey with a coil tattoo machine. It was definitely difficult at first but it was definitely a machine I loved using! But over the years the constant ringing followed me at home and my wrists were definitely starting to pain a lot more over the years. I had a lot of fun with the settings and tuning but it was a nightmare when doing tap-outs sessions or very detailed gothic designs and such.
One carpel tunnel scare later, I decided I needed to change to the lighter rotary machines. I know this would sound a bit disingenuous but the rotary tattoo machine was definitely something I needed to change a long time ago! Don’t get me wrong, the feel of a coil tattoo machine made me feel like a tattoo artist I looked up to. But to me, it just was not feasible enough to work long hours and risk my health in the process.
If I had to choose, I would go for the rotary tattoo machine. However, that is the dilemma because coil tattoo machines are so much more precise and faster than working with one has made me feel like the tattoo came out perfectly. Ask any tattoo artist and they will tell you a different answer because at the end of the day, it is the preference of the artist more than the machine. One could help you more than the other but if you do not try it you will never know!
However, I will have to say that you can go from a coil tattoo machine to a rotary tattoo machine. I cannot say the same for the other way around. The skills and control that you have from using a coil tattoo machine are definitely transferable to a rotary tattoo machine. But go the other way, you will be struggling a lot more!
FAQs
How many types of tattoo machines are there?
There are 3 types of tattoo machines; coil, rotary, and pneumatic tattoo machines. A pen tattoo machine is a variant of the rotary tattoo machine so it is not really its own type of tattoo machine.
What is the best tattoo machine to start learning with?
Rotary tattoo machines would be easier to learn with because it is much easier to handle. However, you can also start with a coil tattoo machine and completely master the art of tattooing as well! In the end, it is all about preference than saying that one is better than the other.
How many volts does a tattoo machine need to work?
There is a voltage range that a tattoo machine can work in which is usually anywhere from 6 volts up to 12 to 15 volts. The amount that you need will depend if you are lining or shading.
What is the difference between a liner and a shader in a tattoo?
The main difference is how the needles are arranged and how powerful they are. A liner has needles arranged in a straight line while a shader has the needles shaped in a circle or multiple lines.
Does lining hurt more than shading in tattoo?
Lining hurts more than shading. However, you can expect shading to hurt more when doing larger surfaces as the skin needs to be constantly shaded to pack the color correctly. This means that you are in contact with the needles more meaning it will get more painful over time.
Final Thoughts
In my final thoughts about this whole debate, I would have to say that I am glad I started out with the coil tattoo machine first. It definitely helped me become a better tattoo artist overall and the switch helped me stay a better artist altogether. Would I say the same to you if you are starting out? Absolutely not! Try out both and see which one you are comfortable with because at the end of the day, it is all about your preference! The coil tattoo machine does seem more intimidating but it has a certain charm to it. The rotary machine might seem like it is not for professionals but it is! Go out and explore both options because they are both great in their own unique way.
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