CNC Kronos Tattoo Pen Review

CNC Kronos Tattoo Pen Machine – Our Review:

The CNC Kronos is a wireless pen-style machine from CNC Tattoo Supply with an adjustable stroke that goes from 2.7mm all the way up to 4.5mm across seven different settings. 

To put it through its paces, we tattooed a full design testing fine lines, thicker lines, smooth shading, and color packing.

Simple Machine That’s Easy to Work

This is really what stands out about the Kronos. It's just got three buttons: on, more voltage, less voltage. No confusing settings to figure out.

The screen shows your voltage, a battery readout, and a built-in timer that tells you exactly how long you've been tattooing. With the timer, you can tell exactly to the minute how long you've been working.

Heavy Machine With Weight in the Right Place

At 264 grams, the Kronos is on the heavier side for a pen machine. However, all the weight is in the front of the machine. 

When you hold it and try to balance it, it drops down into your hand. This works better because if you have a top-heavy machine (like some coil machines or other pen machines out there) that constant tugging on the top of your hand can lead to faster fatigue.

Seven Stroke Settings That Cover Everything

The adjustable stroke has seven options: 2.7mm, 3.0mm, 3.3mm, 3.6mm, 3.9mm, 4.2mm, and 4.5mm. That range means this machine can do everything - it's a true all-rounder that can handle lots of different jobs.

Here's a general guide for how we'd use the different settings:

Adjust the Stroke by Twisting the Battery

You change the stroke by holding the middle of the machine and twisting the battery. On most machines, the battery isn't connected to stroke adjustment, there's a separate section you twist. On the Kronos, the battery itself is what you rotate.

This design choice does affect how you wrap the machine. You have to wrap the battery section and the middle section separately so they can still move independently.

Technique Test: Lining, Shading, and Packing

Linework: Pushes Big Liners with No Issues

We tested linework on a 4.5mm stroke. For thicker lines, we were running it at about 8 to 8.5 volts. For comparison, on a standard fixed 5mm stroke machine, we'd usually run at 6.5 to 7 volts. We bumped the voltage up a little to compensate for the shorter stroke.

The machine pushed the bigger lines in with no problem. We used a 14 liner and it went in just fine. No trouble getting the ink in.

Shading and Packing Color

We also tested smooth shading and color packing to see how the Kronos handles across styles. For shading, we dropped the stroke down and worked with larger needle groupings.

By the end of the full tattoo - fine lines, thick lines, shading, and color - the machine held up well across all of it. The adjustable stroke made it easy to switch between jobs without needing a second machine.

Who the CNC Kronos Is (and Isn't) For:

This machine is a great option if you're just starting out and price is a concern. For under $200, we don't know of another machine that's as good at this price point. And the adjustable stroke means you don’t have to buy multiple machines for different jobs. 

If you're a beginner on a tight budget, this machine is a good option. The simplicity means you can focus on learning to tattoo instead of fiddling with settings.

If you're a more experienced artist looking for a professional-grade machine, the Kronos gets the job done. But if you've got the budget for something higher-end, you'll find machines with a more refined feel.

If you have smaller hands, the 1.6-inch grip diameter and 264-gram weight are worth factoring in. It's manageable, but it's wider and heavier than a lot of pen machines out there.

Get the CNC Kronos Tattoo Machine:

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