Which Airbrush Starter Kit Should a Beginner Buy for Gunpla and Scale Models?
Buy the Master Airbrush Cool Runner II kit if you want a complete first setup, per its listing: per its Amazon listing it comes with three airbrushes — a 0.3mm and a 0.2mm dual-action gravity-feed pair plus a 0.8mm siphon-feed brush — and TCP Global's pages for the kit and its TC-320 compressor state a true diaphragm regulator with gauge, a water trap filter, two cooling fans and 25 liters per minute of air. Buy the X ARTY HUB kit if you would rather own one dual-action brush with 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5mm nozzles and the most itemized cleaning set on its listing, and buy the Timbertech AS18-2K for the simplest one-brush, one-nozzle start with a regulator and gauge, a water trap and an overheat protector stated on its listing. All three give you a 0.3mm nozzle, so the real decision is how many brushes and nozzles you want on day one and how each compressor lets you set pressure.
Updated October 2026.
We did not test this product ourselves; this review is built from the manufacturer's published specifications and Amazon's product listing.
From the shop
Browse the shop →Original designs from this site, made to order.
A note on sources
Only one of these kits has a manufacturer page behind it. Master Airbrush products are sold through TCP Global's site, which has a page for this exact Cool Runner II kit and a page for the TC-320 compressor inside it; the compressor figures for the Master kit come from those two pages, because the Amazon listing's bullets don't state airflow, pressure or noise. No manufacturer page for the Timbertech AS18-2K or for the X ARTY HUB kit was available to read, so everything stated here about those two comes from their Amazon listings alone. Where a listing is silent on a figure, the table below says "not stated" rather than filling the gap.
What a first kit needs for Gunpla
A first airbrush for plastic kits is a dual-action, gravity-feed brush with a 0.3mm nozzle. Our 0.3mm versus 0.5mm nozzle guide makes that case in detail. Around the brush you need a compressor whose pressure you can set and read, something that catches moisture before it reaches the paint, and enough cleaning gear to strip the brush at the end of every session. Setting up a first airbrush covers the pressure and thinning routine once the box is open; this page is about which box to open.
The three kits, one at a time
Timbertech AS18-2K Basic Start Kit
Per the listing, the compressor is an oil-less piston type, maintenance free and portable, quiet (47db), with a built-in carry handle. Per the listing its air flow is 20-23L/Min, with Autostart at 3Bar and Autostop at 4Bar. Those two pressures are in bar rather than psi; no psi figure appears anywhere on the listing. Per the listing it has a regulator with gauge, a water trap and air filter, a pressure relief safety valve and an overheat protector. That is the longest list of compressor protections on any of the three listings.
The airbrush, per the listing, is a "Basic Double-Action Gravity Feed Airbrush with 0.30mm Nozzle/Needle", and the kit also has a 6ft air hose, a mini filter, a cleaning brush and 5 paints. Model painting and modellers are among the uses on the listing. Per the listing, the compressor "is only fit for airbrush, not for spray gun or other air tools". No paint cup size for the airbrush and no air storage tank appear on the listing.
Check the current price of the Timbertech AS18-2K kit on Amazon
X ARTY HUB Airbrush Kit with Compressor
Per the listing, the compressor is a "3-Stage Adjustable Airbrush Compressor": one button lets you switch between Low, Medium and High pressure, and the max output is 55 PSI. The listing doesn't mention a regulator dial or a gauge, and it doesn't state airflow, noise or hose length.
Per the listing the airbrush is dual-action with a detachable paint cup on a threaded connection, the kit comes with an oil-water separator, and the nozzle set is 3 interchangeable sizes — 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5mm — which you swap with the included wrench. The listing's own line on that is "Changing needles is the most effective way to adjust line width". Per the listing the cleaning kit includes a cleaning pot, a golden needle, assorted brushes and needles, 4 × 4.05 fl oz of airbrush cleaner and an angled squeeze bottle for flushing the cup.
Model painting, fabric design, artwork and DIY crafts are the uses on the listing, which also calls the set "designed for both starters and seasoned artists". No air storage tank and no paint appear on the listing.
Check the current price of the X ARTY HUB airbrush kit on Amazon
Master Airbrush Cool Runner II Kit with 3 Airbrushes
Per the listing, the compressor is the Master Airbrush Model TC-320 Cool Runner II, a 1/5 hp single-piston compressor with two cooling fans for a longer continuous running time without overheating, and it includes a dual airbrush holder. Per the listing the 3 airbrushes are the Model G22 dual-action with a 1/3 oz. gravity feed fluid cup and 0.3mm tip, the Model G25 dual-action with a 1/16 oz. gravity feed fluid cup and 0.2mm tip, and the Model E91 single-action siphon feed with a 0.8mm tip and 2 - 3/4 oz. siphon bottles. Per the listing the kit also includes a quick start guide, an airbrush resource center access card, a double sided color mixing wheel and a cleaning brush set, and the G22 and G25 are "commonly used for: hobbies, crafts, auto graphics, temporary tattoos, cake decorating, fine art, nail art and more".
TCP Global's page for this kit supplies the compressor figures the Amazon listing leaves out: 0.8 cfm and 25 ltrs/min of air flow, an air pressure adjustment range of 0 to 57 psi with automatic turn off at 57 psi, super quiet operation at 47 db, a 6 foot braided air hose with 1/8" fittings, a compressor-mounted holder for 2 airbrushes, a 5 piece mini cleaning brush set and a 4" color mixing wheel. TCP Global's page for the TC-320 compressor on its own adds automatic turn-on at 43 psi and a "true diaphragm pressure regulator with gauge and water trap filter". An air storage tank isn't mentioned on either TCP Global page or on the listing.
Check the current price of the Master Airbrush Cool Runner II kit on Amazon
Side-by-side
| Spec | Timbertech AS18-2K | X ARTY HUB kit | Master Cool Runner II kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sources read | Amazon listing | Amazon listing | Amazon listing + TCP Global pages |
| Compressor | Oil-less piston, maintenance free (listing) | 3-stage Low/Medium/High, one button (listing) | TC-320, 1/5 hp single-piston, two cooling fans (listing) |
| Air flow | 20-23L/Min (listing) | Not stated | 25 ltrs/min, 0.8 cfm (TCP Global) |
| Pressure | Autostart 3 bar, autostop 4 bar (listing) | 55 PSI max output (listing) | 0 to 57 psi range; auto off 57 psi, auto on 43 psi (TCP Global) |
| Pressure control | Regulator with gauge (listing) | Three preset stages; no gauge mentioned (listing) | True diaphragm regulator with gauge (TCP Global) |
| Moisture and filtering | Water trap and air filter, plus a mini filter (listing) | Oil-water separator (listing) | Water trap filter (TCP Global) |
| Heat protection | Overheat protector (listing) | Not stated | Two cooling fans (listing and TCP Global) |
| Noise | 47db (listing) | Not stated | 47 db (TCP Global) |
| Airbrushes | One double-action gravity feed, 0.30mm (listing) | One dual-action, detachable threaded cup, 0.2/0.3/0.5mm nozzles (listing) | G22 0.3mm with 1/3 oz. cup; G25 0.2mm with 1/16 oz. cup; E91 0.8mm siphon with two 3/4 oz. bottles (listing) |
| Hose | 6ft (listing) | Not stated | 6 foot braided, 1/8" fittings (TCP Global) |
| Cleaning supplies | Cleaning brush (listing) | Cleaning pot, golden needle, brushes and needles, 4 × 4.05 fl oz cleaner, squeeze bottle (listing) | Cleaning brush set (listing); 5 piece (TCP Global) |
| Paints | 5 paints (listing) | Not mentioned | Not mentioned |
| Extras | Built-in carry handle, safety valve (listing) | Wrench for nozzle changes (listing) | Dual airbrush holder, color mixing wheel, quick start guide, access card (listing) |
| Air storage tank | Not mentioned | Not mentioned | Not mentioned |
Best for
| If you want… | Pick |
|---|---|
| One brush, one nozzle and a gauge to set pressure by | Timbertech AS18-2K |
| To change line width by swapping nozzles rather than brushes | X ARTY HUB kit |
| The most cleaning gear in the box | X ARTY HUB kit |
| A dedicated 0.2mm detail brush alongside the 0.3mm | Master Cool Runner II kit |
| A siphon-feed brush for broad coats | Master Cool Runner II kit |
| Compressor figures published by the maker | Master Cool Runner II kit |
| Stated thermal protection for long sessions | Timbertech (overheat protector) or Master (two cooling fans) |
| Paint in the box to practice with | Timbertech AS18-2K (5 paints) |
Which one should you buy
For most beginners building Gunpla: the Master Airbrush Cool Runner II kit. It is the only one of the three with a manufacturer spec page available to read, so its airflow, pressure range, noise and regulator are on record, and it is the only one that gives you a separate 0.2mm brush with its own small cup, which, in practice, lets one brush stay loaded while the other handles base coats. The siphon-feed E91 is a bonus rather than a reason to buy; gravity feed versus siphon feed makes the case for gravity feed over siphon feed. Check the current price of the Master Airbrush Cool Runner II kit on Amazon.
Pick the X ARTY HUB kit if you want one brush that changes size. Per its listing, the 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5mm nozzles swap with the included wrench and the paint cup detaches on a threaded connection. Of the three boxes, its listing itemizes the most cleaning gear. The trade-off is pressure control: three adjustable stages, with no regulator or gauge mentioned on the listing, and no stated airflow or noise figure.
Pick the Timbertech AS18-2K if you want the simplest start and a gauge. One double-action gravity brush at 0.30mm, a regulator with gauge, a water trap and air filter, a safety valve, an overheat protector and 5 paints, per its listing. It is the kit to buy if you want to learn one brush well before adding nozzle sizes.
Sources
- TCP Global — product page "Cool Runner II Airbrush Kit with Dual Fan Air Compressor, 3 Airbrushes, Cleaning Brushes, Holder, Color Mixing Wheel & How-To Air Brush Manual", accessed October 2026.
- TCP Global — product page for the Cool Runner II TC-320 airbrush compressor, accessed October 2026.
- Amazon product listing for the Timbertech Airbrush Kit With Compressor AS18-2K Basic Start Kit (title, brand and feature bullets).
- Amazon product listing for the X ARTY HUB Airbrush Kit with Compressor, 55 PSI (title, brand and feature bullets).
- Amazon product listing for the Master Airbrush Cool Runner II Airbrush Kit with 3 Airbrushes (title, brand and feature bullets).
From the shop
Browse the shop →Original designs from this site, made to order.
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Questions builders ask
Which airbrush starter kit should a beginner buy for Gunpla and scale models?
The Master Airbrush Cool Runner II kit for most beginners: three brushes including 0.3mm and 0.2mm gravity-feed models, on a compressor whose figures TCP Global publishes. The X ARTY HUB kit if you'd rather have one brush with swappable 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5mm nozzles and a full cleaning set; the Timbertech AS18-2K if you want one brush, one nozzle and a gauge.
Do all three kits include a 0.3mm nozzle?
Yes, per their listings: the Timbertech brush is a 0.30mm nozzle and needle, the X ARTY HUB brush includes a 0.3mm among its three nozzles, and the Master kit's G22 carries a 0.3mm tip.
How loud are these compressors?
The Timbertech listing says quiet (47db); TCP Global's page for the Master TC-320 says 47 db. The X ARTY HUB listing doesn't state a noise figure.
Do any of these kits have an air storage tank?
None of the three listings mentions one, and neither TCP Global page for the Cool Runner II does either.
Which kit includes paint?
Per its listing, the Timbertech kit includes 5 paints. The X ARTY HUB and Master listings don't mention paint.
