Best airless paint sprayers for exterior house painting

Start here: Graco Ultra 495 XT Stand. For a whole exterior it's the pick — a stand-mounted airless with the flow and pressure to push heavy exterior latex through a big tip all day, and the build to survive more than one house.

Who the others suit:

• Graco Ultra 490 XT — same family, a step down in flow; right for a large house or a two-person crew on a tighter budget.
• Graco Ultra 390 — the sensible one-house machine: enough pressure for siding and fences without pro pricing.
• Graco X7 Cart — homeowner-friendly cart unit for siding, trim and fences.
• Graco Magnum 2800 psi — best value for a first exterior job; slower on big walls.
• Graco QuickShot II / Ultra handhelds — trim, doors, railings and touch-ups, not whole walls.
• Cordless and off-brand units — small jobs and quick recoats only; expect to refill often.