What is the difference between an airless sprayer and an HVLP sprayer?

Airless Sprayers atomize coatings by forcing the product through a small tip opening at very high fluid pressure. The fluid pressures are commonly between 1200-3300psi, or higher. Airless sprayers are capable of spraying larger surfaces at higher speeds. Airless sprayers have more overspray than HVLP which is the amount of product that does not adhere to the surface you are spraying. These are typically used for house painting or large projects.

HVLP sprayers (High Volume, Low Pressure) are classified as a finishing tool. The pressure from the cup supplies paint to the gun, where a high volume of low pressure air intersects with the paint stream breaking the paint into small particles called atomization. Since the spray pressures are much lower, the atomized paint has less bounce back. This means less overspray and better control. These are typically used for fine finishing on small to medium projects.