If you’ve been Googling “are automated spray tan booths good” or “automated vs hand spray tan,” you’re not alone. Automated booths are everywhere now, but the reviews online range from “best tan I’ve ever had” to “it was patchy and uneven.” So which is it? Here’s an honest breakdown based on what we see every day at TANNED TO in Toronto.
The Pros
Consistency is the biggest advantage. A machine applies the same pressure, distance, and spray pattern every single time. There’s no variation based on who’s holding the gun, how tired they are, or how rushed the appointment is. If your first tan looks great, your tenth will too.
Privacy is the other major draw. A lot of people — especially first-timers — avoid spray tans entirely because they don’t want to undress in front of a stranger. With an automated booth, you’re completely alone in a private room. No one sees you. That alone makes spray tanning accessible to people who would never book a hand-applied session.
Speed and cost round it out. The spray cycle takes about 4 minutes, and you’re in and out in under 15. Per-session pricing is typically lower than a hand-applied tan because there’s no technician labour cost built in. At TANNED TO, our membership plans bring the per-session cost down even further.
The Cons
Automated booths require you to do the work. You’re the one positioning your body for each stance, and if you don’t spread your fingers, lift your arms high enough, or turn fully to each side, you’ll get light spots in those areas. A hand-applied technician can see and adjust in real time — a booth can’t. That said, the voice-guided system walks you through every stance clearly, and most people nail it by their second session.
Contouring and targeted application isn’t possible. If you want your abs shaded or your collarbones highlighted, that’s a hand-applied job. Automated booths apply the same even coat everywhere, which is exactly what most people want — but not everyone.
The Verdict
For the vast majority of people who want a natural, even, streak-free tan with zero awkwardness, an automated spray tan booth is the better option. It’s faster, more affordable, completely private, and delivers repeatable results. If you need specialized body contouring or have very specific coverage requests, a hand-applied tan may be worth the extra cost. For everyone else — automated is the way to go. See how it works, check out our pricing and memberships, or book your first session.
