Iwata Eclipse HP-CS vs Badger Patriot 105 Airbrush

The Iwata Eclipse HP-CS is the better choice for miniature painting. Its 0.35mm nozzle enables the smooth gradients and fine detail control that 28mm scale demands. The Badger Patriot 105 is more durable and easier to clean, but its 0.5mm nozzle is too large for fine gradient work on small models.

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At a glance

Spec	Iwata Eclipse HP-CS Airbrush Check price on Amazon	Badger Patriot 105 Airbrush Check price on Amazon
Price	$140-$175	$90-$120
Our rating	4.8 / 5	4.6 / 5
Best for	Painters ready to invest in a serious, long-term airbrush that will not need replacing as skills improve.	Beginners who want a robust, American-made airbrush for terrain and base coating that does not demand fine-tuning.
Nozzle size	0.35mm, ideal for 28mm detail	0.5mm, better for terrain/basecoat
Control	Higher, finer spray pattern	Lower, more forgiving for beginners
Durability	Long-lasting with proper care	USA lifetime warranty, very robust
Cleaning	Standard disassembly	Easier to disassemble fully

The two options in depth

4.8 Amazon

Iwata Eclipse HP-CS Airbrush

The gravity-feed, dual-action benchmark for miniature painting, with a 0.35mm nozzle and a large 7ml cup that handles both fine detail and broad basecoating.

Best for Painters ready to invest in a serious, long-term airbrush that will not need replacing as skills improve.

0.35mm nozzle is the ideal size for 28mm scale workGravity-feed cup reduces paint waste on small batchesIndustry-standard durability with readily available replacement parts Higher upfront cost than entry-level airbrushes

$140-$175 Check price on Amazon

4.6 Amazon

Badger Patriot 105 Airbrush

American-made gravity-feed dual-action airbrush with a 0.5mm nozzle, built for durability and an excellent balance of control and ease of cleaning.

Best for Beginners who want a robust, American-made airbrush for terrain and base coating that does not demand fine-tuning.

Exceptionally durable construction with a USA lifetime warrantyEasy to disassemble and clean without special toolsLarge 0.5mm nozzle is forgiving for beginners 0.5mm nozzle is too large for fine detail work on 28mm miniatures

$90-$120 Check price on Amazon

Which should you buy?

Buy the Iwata Eclipse HP-CS for miniature painting. The 0.35mm nozzle is the correct tool for 28mm scale work, enabling the blending and detail work that makes airbrush painting worth the investment. The Badger Patriot is a better choice if you primarily airbrush terrain and large vehicles at scale where the 0.5mm nozzle is appropriate and the durability priority is high.

Common questions

Can the Badger Patriot 105 do detail work on 28mm miniatures?

Not well. The 0.5mm nozzle produces a spray pattern that is too broad for fine gradient work on 28mm scale. It works for solid basecoating and terrain, but the Iwata Eclipse's 0.35mm nozzle gives substantially more control for the blending and soft transitions that miniature airbrushing is used for.

Which airbrush is easier to start with?

The Badger Patriot is more forgiving for beginners because the larger nozzle clogs less easily and the brush is simpler to disassemble for cleaning. However, the Iwata Eclipse is not difficult to learn and the nozzle size advantage on 28mm work outweighs the slight learning curve on cleaning. Most painters who start on the Patriot upgrade to the Eclipse anyway.