
While most tattoo guns work off of electricity, pneumatic tattoo machines are powered by air. You hook them up to an air compressor and the air is what moves the needle. Many people like this because it means that the machine is less likely to experience “surges” like one hooked up to an electrical source.
A lot of people praise pneumatic tattoo machines for being lighter, easier to use, and versatile. Many clients report that they hurt less than traditional tattoo guns. While it is completely up to the artist’s preferences, these guns are gaining popularity.
Some pneumatic gun machines are also coming in a “hybrid” form. For artists that need to keep their options open, some of these are now coming with air and electrical hookups. This way an artist can plug their tattoo machine in no matter where they are.