Last updated on November 8th, 2023

10 Best Paintball Guns in 2023 –
Beginners to Pro Buying Guide

Quick Summary

• Best High-end – Planet Eclipse Geo4 Marker

“With the high-end features like efficient IV core, SFR, the Shaft FL Aluminium barrel for accurate shot and special double helix hole in the front for quite shooting sound is undoubtedly best marker for professional play”

• Best paintball gun for speedball play – Empire Axe 2.0

“Highly remarkable performance with the features of adjustable firing modes and a poppet engine capable of controlling pressure”

• Best Entry-Level Woods ball – Tippmann Stormer Elite

“It is incredibly accurate with a military look and a first choice for most of the beginners”

• Best Woodsball Gun for Beginners – Tippmann A-5

“Offers a rapid-fire, utilizing the patented cyclone feed system and could be easily switched from left to right-handed shooting”.

• Best Professional – Dye Rize CZR

“The FL-21 bolt system that works in two stages and features like ultra-low sound signature, ramp solenoid and anti-Chop eyes give the Rize CZR outstanding performance.”

• Best intermediate Speedball – Empire Mini GS

“It is light weight and user-friendly gun with the e-trigger and integrated pressure gauge.”

• Best Paintball Gun For Beginners – Tippmann Cronus

“A High-Impact marker with composite body having low weight. The nominal price makes it a favorite gun for new and young players. The vertical grip made the handling so comfortable”

• Best Rapid-Fire – Tippmann TMC MAGFED

“Both hopper and a magazine fed are unbelievably comfortable to hold as it comes with a nice rubber grip that fits perfectly even to a big hand.”

• Best Magfed – Valken M17 Magfed

“With higher accuracy having a special blow forward operating system for increased accuracy.”

• Best Paintball Gun Under 300 $ – Planet Eclipse Etha2 PAL

“Highly Accurate and high end features like PAL Loader System at such a reasonable price.”

This guide has been reviewed as of October 2023 to ensure the guns covered are still the best on the market. As new markers come on the market, we will include them in this review guide if we find appropriate.

Top Pick #1

Planet Eclipse Geo4

In the world of paintball markers, GEO 4 brings advancement in performance and features. Being a paintball player, you might already know that GEO has set its standard as one of the very reliable markers. It has a track record of unmatched victories and now the launch of GEO 4 comes up with a promise of giving a noteworthy performance.

Worth the Hype?

Over the years planet eclipse has modified and improved its spool valve guns starting from geo 1 to GEO 2, GEO 3, CS1, CS2 and now GEO 4. GEO 4 is the sixth spool valve gun and  as expected in high end markers

It has all electronic firing modes and decent lcd screen on the back makes it more appealing. You can use an optical sensor or micro switch just to get a real physical feel while shooting.

Geo 4 offers the latest features and the updated body. The IV core is the key feature that most of the players are waiting for. With the IV bolt system you can shoot paintballs more precisely even the most fragile ones. SFR (Solenoid Flow Restrictor) is one of the remarkable features of GEO 4 that changes the speed of bolts forward stroke making it efficient in different environment conditions.

For instance, if it’s cold outside you can increase the SFR to make it better adaptable to weather. You can read out our Planet Eclipse GEO 4 Full Review Here. So, The less SFR means less paint breakage and more smooth shoot.

How does it differ from CS2 and CS1?

Structure – CS1, at first glance we came to know that it’s not a gun for a person with shorter hands. It’s so huge with large grips that it felt like holding a rifle. As compared to CS1 geo 4 is a more compact gun.

Foregrips – Cs1 foregrip is more taper so it’s difficult to hold it securely. the hand gets slipped whereas CS2 foregrip has a nice shape giving nice holding. On the other hand, GEO 4 has a very steady grip being a little wider at the base and possessing an angle in the middle for a perfect control.

Trigger – CS2 has adjustable rake bladder trigger and is the same in GEO 4  but don’t expect the solid trigger like CS2 as it is so soft in GEO 4  that it doesn’t give a satisfying feel. It should be a little firm.

CS2 has the mechanical frame option while GEO 4 does not. Other than this it has  the same frame angle, same rear grip, same ASA and same feedneck.

• Features

• IV Core Drivetrain w/Breech-Sensing Technology
• Spool valve operation
• Quick-release bolt mechanism
• Hoseless air transfer system
• 135psi operating pressure
• Next Generation Soft Touch Bolt
• Adjustable SFR (Fully Adjustable Bolt Speed Control)
• Blade Trigger w/Interchangeable Trigger Shoe
• 5 point adjustable trigger
• Tool less Detent Access
• Tool less grip removal
• 2 x AA batteries
• Revised SL5 inline regulator
• Shaft FL barrel system with Aluminium tip
• POPS ASA
• Weight 1.96lb
• Length 21.5 inches including barrel
• Solenoid voltage 3V

Pros

• Softer shot than gamma core.
• User adjustable SFR (Solenoid Flow Restrictor)
• Very quiet – will give an edge in fields.
• lightweight
• Easy to maintain and clean.

Cons

• Like other GEOs it will release air from solenoids onto the hands making it uncomfortable.
• Trigger is so soft that it doesn’t feel that much real
• Little pricey from previous versions.

Check Todays Price

Top Pick #2

Empire Axe 2.0

In its own way, The Empire Axe 2.0 paintball marker is the perfect player marker offering a smooth and highly accurate shoot. Its anti-chop eye system is the remarkable feature that makes it stand against other markers of the same price range.

As someone who have always been looking for high performing markers We found this marker the most accurate paintball gun that has 2 piece machine honed barrels for an uncompromised accuracy.

Unlike the previous axe generation, this one is 10 times lighter! Very soft micro-switch style trigger to get you the increased rate of fire with minimal effort. You can read out our Empire Axe 2.0 Full Review Here. This marker also has a tool-less disassembly for easy maintenance to get you back in the game faster. With the 3 modes of firing from semi-automatic to fully automatic it would be a great choice for speedball play.

Best suited for:

Intermediate to Experts

• Features

• 2 Piece 14 inch barrel
• .68 calliber
• ON/OFF ASA 
• Anti-Chop eye system
• Aluminium main body construction 
• Adjustable trigger 
• Low Pressure Operation 
• Single push button power switch 
• Pressure controlled poppet engine for proven, reliable performance 
• Externally serviceable, break-beam anti-chop laser eyes 
• Shockwave board offers multiple adjustable firing modes (Semi, Ramp, Burst, Full Auto) 
• Push button bolt removal system for tool-less engine maintenance 
• Lightweight and accurate Driver XX two-piece barrel 
• Low pressure operation is gentle on fragile paint

Empire Axe 2.0 vs Etha 2:

We believe Empire Axe 2.0 and Etha 2 both are great markers and the final decision boils down to personal preferences of ergonomics. The main factor of comparison between these two would be ergonomics.

The hand grip on Etha 2 feels a little better and it has a feel of more stretched marker having a longer length while Axe has a more compact feel. Some players said the bolt engine on Etha 2 are better while others disagree. We believe the differences are minor and both are more or less same. Whether its Etha 2 or Axe, none of them breaks any paint.

Tips to increase performance:

Upgrade the barrel to a complete barrel kit like the Freak or Freak XL if you want full control over the paint to barrel match. If you decide you don’t like the stock barrel, you’ll need to look for Auto-cocker threaded barrels.

Pros

• Non slip foregrip
• Accurate
• Lightweight
• Tool less disassembly 
• Adjustable trigger

Cons

• Little pricey

Check Today’s Price

Top Pick #3

Tippmann Stormer Elite

Tippmann clearly understands people’s demand, hence stormer elite is one of the coolest editions of Tippman Paintball Guns.

There is no compromise on the accuracy of the gun as it is incredibly accurate even at a distance great for all forms of play like speedball or woodsball. So we can call this one of the  most accurate paintball guns.

Tippmann Stormer ELITE DUAL FED Paintball gun marker is also a hopper fed setup because it has the hopper adapter so just install a dummy magazine and you are ready for hopper play. But I personally like magazine fed.

It is safe to say that it is the most reliable marker I have ever owned. Comfortable rubber grip and Flip up sights are good in it which makes it highly customizable.

What we really appreciate about this gun is the pricing, weight and surely durability, equipped with a High-Performance Barrel. So it is a good choice for players looking for a good performance gun but with a uniqueness from the basic markers. The 6 Position Collapsible Stock gives the military look making it a good pick for players to topple the opponents.

Best For Home Defense

Apart from paintballing it is a great option for home defense also. For home defense you can use Pepper balls and I can surely say it will jack up an intruder and could cause serious injury depending upon the site of fire and distance. Smoke from pepper balls lasts for 20-30 mins and its enough to run him off. Being lightweight and having a good accuracy It’s been my go to home defense weapon since past year.

Best suited for:

Beginners

• Features

• Caliber .68
• Semi-Automatic
• Power CO2 or HPA
• Magazine capacity 150+
• CO2 capacity 250+ shots per (standard) 9 oz. cylinder
• Cycle rate 15+BPS
• Barrel Length 8.5″
• Weight 3.5 lbs
• Effective Range 150+ ft
• 20 Round Paintball Magazines
• 250-325 FPS

Tips to increase performance:

Don’t use CO2 as it is becoming outdated and effects your marker’s durability by causing the o-rings to disintegrate. We would highly recommend looking at getting a HPA tank. They are much easier, less expensive to fill and treat your marker carefully.

Pros

• Accurate
• Mags are very reliable
• Easy to clean and take apart as it has 98 internals

Cons

• Can’t shoot rubber balls and jam them because the springs are not strong enough for rubber balls

Check Latest Price

Top Pick #4

Tippmann A-5

Tippman Paintball guns steals the light when it comes to performance and reliability. Tippman A5 is a good option particularly for beginners or intermediate level players who want a reliable marker that can keep them in the game against even more experienced players and is fun and easy to use.

We can’t overstate how efficient the cyclone fed system is. Without batteries it feeds 15 balls per second. We have shot it 5000 times and it didn’t even chop even once. Unarguably, it is one of the high performance paintball markers and so intuitive that you can rely on this marker for victory in every tournament

Unlike Spyder’s paintball guns, it uses less Co2 even with the air-powered carousel. It does not care whether you are left handed or right it’s very easy to switch from left to right-handed shooting. Moreover if you’re fast at pulling the trigger it works almost like an automatic.
It would be a real danger to opponents if you just do a few cheap modifications like offset hopper and double trigger.

Best suited for:

Beginners to intermediate players

• Features

• 0.68 caliber and semi automatic firing action with open bolt blowback
• CO2, compressed air, or nitrogen powered
• Weight 4 pounds
• 200-round hopper
• 15 BPS feed rate and eight BPS firing rate
• Standard trigger
• 8.5-inch barrel
• 20-inch total length
• 3.1-pound weight
• 150-foot effective rang

Tips to increase performance:

• We recommend you to put a cheap red dot sight on the rail so you can get quicker target acquisition for your engagements 
• Use foregrip

Pros

• Sturdy 
• Customisable
• Good power
• Repair parts readily available
• Does not chop
• Easily upgradeable

Cons

• A bit Heavy 
• Louder than other Tippman guns 

Check Latest Price

Top Pick #5

Dye Rize CZR

Dye Rize CZR is an affordable and fully loaded with premium features. It’s easy to get hooked on this gun considering the performance it offers. It is specifically designed for top-level performance.

It is an electric paintball gun that has four modes: Semi auto, 2 modes of ramping and full auto. Features like Rize Fuse bolt, ramp solenoid and anti-Chop eyes give the Rize CZR remarkable performance. 

It’s adjustable cam lock lever allows you to securely lock the loader onto your gun without tools. The DYES’s trademark muzzle port design is another key feature that gives DYE barrels unparalleled accuracy and an ultra-low sound signature. Read Rize CZR Full Review Here

Best suited for:

Intermediate to Expert

• Features

• 2pc 14” barrel
• 0 .68 caliber.
• Adjustable aluminium trigger
• Internal Anti-Chop eyes
• Color-Coded O-rings 
• Sticky grips

Dye Rize CZR vs Mini GS

Dye Rize steals the light when it comes to maintenance and the eye pipe systems, in comparison ton Mini GS. If you’re someone who likes to clean the marker at the end of practice, DYE Rize is definitely for you. Unlike Mini GS, you don’t need to take apart the whole marker to clean the eyes.

Talking about the feel, Mini GS is more compact. Quickly switching hands and not to hit target is difficult. On the other hand, if you like a standard size, then CZR just fits better in your hands. Minis GS on the other hand, would be better for snake play where you can leverage the compactness.

CZR had a few trigger adjustment issues. If you let the trigger go back too far there are chances of it getting stuck in micro switch. However, overall, CZR is absolutely amazing stock barrel.

Pros

• Durable 
• Can shoot 4000 rounds
• Easy maintenance 
• Reliable battery

Cons

• The E-trigger being plastic made is a little more lightweight which makes finger adjustment difficult.

Check Latest Price

Top Pick #6

Empire Mini GS

The word that best defines Empire Mini is “precision” because of the Pressure controlled poppet engine. It challenges competitors markers with performance at such a reasonable price. It is fully programmable, accurate and a reliable option for beginners.

If you are a new and young player and want an efficient but light weight  gun at a reasonable price then definitely it’s the best gun for you. It is the best beginner speedball gun that works best in all temperature conditions without a single break.

Talking about efficiency with 68/4500 Tank it has estimated 1400 Shots and with 48/3000 it has 1000 Shots. Cleaning is also trouble-free, all you need is just 2 Allen keys for rapid cleaning. So overall, from performance to maintenance, Empire mini is a user-friendly gun.

Empire Mini GS vs Empire Axe 2.0.

There is not much difference in operating engine and psi but few differences in build. Empire Axe 2.0 is called the big brother of Empire Mini because it is bulkier and bigger than Mini. Empire Mini size is considerably small so it might be too small to fit in large hands while Axe is longer than mini GS and has more room for grip frame.

Feature to facilitate the beginners in Mini GS  is gauge feature, best for beginners but not in Empire Axe. Also Rubber foregrip in Mini GS gives the best grip even with the gloves on.

Cleaning is not easy as in empire 2.0 Axe because you have to completely disassemble Mini for cleaning. Eye cover is also easily accessible from outside in empire Axe and you can easily clean your broken paints as compared to mini you have to disassemble major parts.

Empire Axe has a push button to get the bolt out while in mini you have to screw.

Tip: Never over grease the o rings as it may cause paint break.

Best suited for:

Beginners to Experts

• Features

• Compatible Air: HPA(Compressed air)
• Weight: 2lb 
• Barrel Length: 14” 2 pc Barrel 
• Rate Of Fire: 10-25 Balls Per Second 
• Pressure controlled poppet engine for outstanding performance
• Integrated break-beam anti-chop eyes
• Wrap-around foregrip for protection from elements and increased grip
• Venting ASA regulator with On/Off lever
• Uses through-grip air transfer for no external air hoses
• Fully Automatic Electronic .68 Cal Marker
• Adjustable from 250-325 FPS

Pros

• Lightweight
• Pressure controlled poppet engine
• Wrapped foregrip
• Double trigger 

Cons

• Not accurate for long-range shooting

Check Latest Price

Top Pick #7

Tippmann Cronus

If you just got into the sport of paintball then this would be a brilliant purchase for you, as it is a basic yet highly accurate paintball gun. It is semi-automatic, highly customisable with a marvellous accuracy, easy to assemble and shoots fairly straight with stock barrel. The adjustable stock is very comfortable and gives a good feel of a gun.

Most importantly one of the features that we really enjoyed while playing is the vertical grip which is quite comfortable even with bulky gloves on. Tippman cronus has the ability to upgrade with a stock, carrying handle sight and suppressor like item that goes over the barrel. Read Tippmann Cronus Full Review Here

Best suited for:

Beginners

• Features

• 0.68 caliber
• Barrel 8-10 inches long
• The marker is described as made of “high quality composite material” which is a high impact plastic like materialSingle Trigger
• 6 lbs weight
• 50 – 75 feet per shot. Much of the accuracy will be dependent on the paint that you are using as well as the barrel.
• Fps about 280 – 300 

Tips to increase performance:

We recommend getting a longer barrel of 12 or 14 inches for accuracy and range especially great results with a Tippmann 12 oz tank. Moreover, We recommend a HPA (High Pressured Air) Tank as this type of tank can be used/filled at all paintball fields whereas CO2 tanks are being phased out.

Pros

• Trigger pull is decent, crisp and not too light.
• Highly customisable
• Vertical grip
• Reliable 

Cons

• Barrel length is relatively small

Check Latest Price

Top Pick #8

Tippmann TMC MAGFED

Tippman combines performance with the uniqueness as you can either play a mag fed or a regular loading option, both will give a high accuracy. The TMC paintball marker comes with two magazines and one dummy mag that is needed when using a hopper. It fires as fast as you can pull, making it very efficient.

What we really enjoyed about this marker is the grip, it is unbelievably comfortable to hold as it comes with a nice rubber grip that conforms neatly to even a big hand.

Beauty about this marker is that it reloads like a champ! Plus it has plenty of rail space for accessories so you can customize it according to your desire. Extremely well-made for the money and being very solid all the way around. 

The barrel is well polished (98 threaded) and it is 1 inch in width to fit the shroud. If you buy an aftermarket barrel that is thinner, you will need to bust out the electrical tape to make the barrel thicker where it touches the shroud otherwise your shroud will wobble.

Best suited for:

Beginner to intermediate (price sensitive buyers)

• Features

• Proven high performing in-line bolt system
• Full pneumatic marker 
• Includes two 20 round spring driven magazines
• Dual feed option: can be hopper or magazine 
• Easy-pull trigger 
• Over moulded rubber grip 
• 12″ high performance barrel 
• Bottom mounted asa 
• Front and rear adjustable sights 
• Built-in Picatinny rails

Tips to increase performance:

• If you want more accuracy with this gun you will have to buy an under-bore barrel or a freak barrel with inserts to match the paint to the barrel. We talked to some other players who were running the tmc and they agreed.
• 4 mags would probably be good for smaller games but if you in a medium to large game and tend to stay in longer than most players you should carry 6 mags.

Pros

• Light weight
• No ugly gas line protruding from the gun
• Really identical to and AR/M4 feel
• Magazine are cheap and strong
• Nice sturdy but keeps the smooth feel

Cons

• Does not take rubber balls that are 7 grams. It jams up in the mag because the spring isn’t strong enough

Check Latest Price

Top Pick #9

Valken M17 Magfed

Valken M17 mechanical is a beauty with a high-performance that leaves you to sing its praises even after the end of game. Valken’s M17 is a magazine fed gun so it doesn’t require any batteries which is the actual worthiness of this gem. Moreover, the special blow forward operating system fires the paintball with great accuracy.

M17 Valken comes with an extendable stock, 1 magazine, iron sights and Allen keys for installation but you have to purchase a tank. As per our use it shoots about 130 shots out of a 13ci/3000 tank.

M17 is a good option even for novice players and you can easily switch from semi-automatic to fully automatic paintball gun. The magazines are larger than other markers and standard AR mags. They do however fit perfectly into a 100-140rd pod pouch so no need to purchase mag pouches, just use your old pod carrier.

To summarise it is well built having a tactical magazine and AR- style pistol grip which would be a great mechanical paintball gun for serious paintballers.

Best suited for:

Intermediate to Experts

• Features

• Fires .68 caliber paintballs or First Strike projectiles
• Semi or fully-automatic mechanical firing modes
• Operation: Mechanical firing system – no battery required
• Ambidextrous magazine release
• FPS adjustable from 250-325
• Accessory rails for mounting lights, lasers, fore grips
• Up to 300 Fps

Tips to increase performance:

• Change the barrel to increase accuracy.
• Don’t go over 300 fps because this may leak the air out of the pressure relief valve. You can just remove the screw inside the tube and replace it with a m8 socket screw or remove the whole tube and replace it with a m10 screw.

Pros

• No batteries required
• Good accuracy
• Customizable
• Comfortable ergonomics

Cons

• Somewhat lacking in range but barrel change will fix this issue

Check Latest Price

Top Pick #10

Planet Eclipse Etha2 PAL

For years, Planet Eclipse has been serving its players with outstanding performance with guns like Etha and Etha2 and now the innovation of PAL Loader System is something that the players will enjoy at such a reasonable price.

Battery free PAL loader system makes it a great pick for every enthusiastic player that’s so easy to program and maintain.

It is best to play woodsball with it as it has a composite body with an aluminium interior specially designed to keep performing even in harsh environments. Moreover, disassembling is so quick that cleaning is not an issue.

How does the PAL work?

This system used the pressure built during the firing to agitate the paintballs inside without any batteries or external shaking to provide a continuous flow of paintballs. This way it feeds the paintball faster compared to the gravity-fed hopper. As it does not require any kind of batteries so it’s safe to use in bad weather or rainy weather.

So it gives the higher feed rates without worrying about batteries.

Also, it is made up of high-end glass-reinforced nylon so it’s super lightweight than any of the other electronic markers. Moreover, it doesn’t cost an arm and leg you can enjoy the full performance without worrying about budget

Best suited for:

Intermediate to Pro

• Features

• PAL Enabled
• Powered by the Gamma Core spool valve drivetrain
• GRN composite outer bodySmooth shooting
• Aluminium inner body coreReliable
• Hose-less air transfer
• POPS ASA
• Lock n’ load 9V battery system
• Tool-less grip access/removal
• Wire-less frame to body connectivity
• DefTek offset feed
• Ambidextrous LED status indicator.

Pros

• Fore grip spacing is perfect
• Lightweight
• Natural balance
• Smooth shooting
• Easy disassembling 
• Reliable 

Cons

• A bit pricey

Check Latest Price

Comparison Chart – Best paintballs markers

	MARKER NAME	BEST FEATURE	PRICE
	Planet Eclipse Geo4	User adjustable SFR Lightweight, Easy to maintain and clean	Check on AmazonCheck on Ebay
	Tippmann Cronus	Highly accurate Vertical Grip	Check on AmazonCheck on Walmart
	Tippmann Stormer Elite	Hoper Fed system Most accurate	Check on AmazonCheck on Ebay
	Tippmann A-5	Excellent cyclone fed system Suitable for both right & left handed shooting	Check on AmazonCheck on Ebay
	Tippmann TMC MAGFED	Great rubber grip good for even big hands Reloads like a champion	Check on AmazonCheck on Ebay
	Empire Mini GS	Pressure controlled poppet engine for high precision 14″ 2pc Barrel Light weight	Check on AmazonCheck on Ebay
	Empire Axe 2.0	Single push button power switch Micro switch style trigger Excellent battery life 3 modes of firing	Check on AmazonCheck on Ebay
	Dye Rize CZR	Light weight plastic trigger Four firing modes Ultra low sound	Check on AmazonCheck on Ebay
	Valken M17 Magfed	Mechanical firing system No battery required AR style pistol grip	Check on AmazonCheck on Ebay
	Planet Eclipse Etha2 PAL	Battery free PAL loader systems Aluminium interior Smooth shooting	Check on AmazonCheck on Ebay

Our Paintball Gun Buyer’s guide – 2023

With so many top of the line paintball markers out there, which one to buy is a question that drains a lot of your energy in researching. That’s exactly why our team has made a simple buyers guide for quick decision of getting a paintball gun that best suits you on the battlefield! 

So here are 5 primary factors you should be considering when purchasing a paintball gun:

1. Game type a.k.a preferred style
2. Marker type
3. Tank (HPA or co2) 
4. Player (Beginner, intermediate or Pro)
5. Budget

Picking the Best Paintball Gun Based on Style

Woodsball

With its natural settings and emphasis on field strategy, woodsball is one of the most exciting formats of paintball. Choosing the right marker is key to upping your game in the woods. When selecting a woodsball gun, focus on accuracy, range, reliability, and ergonomics.

For hitting distant targets, you need a paintball marker with a long-range barrel. Barrels over 12 inches dramatically improve distance and precision. Look for two piece barrels with porting and rifling for straighter shots. The Valken Blackhawk and Planet Eclipse EMEK 100 are excellent choices with 14-16 inch barrels ideal for woodsball.

Your woodsball marker also needs to be rugged and reliable. The rough forest terrain is hard on gear, so build quality matters. The Tippmann 98 has a time-tested durable design perfect for the woods. The Empire Mini GS is another sturdy mechanical gun. For electros, the Planet Eclipse Etha 2 withstands any beating.

Ergonomics like a stock, offset hopper, and light weight help you maneuver through the forest and aim accurately. The Tippmann TMC Magfed shines here with its AR-15 styling. The Planet Eclipse EMEK also balances lightweight with an offset hopper.

Finally, consider a camo finish or olive drab color scheme to blend into the natural surroundings. Stay away from bright colors that stand out. A tactical look complements the woodsball mindset.

Our recommendations for woodsball:

• Empire Axe 2.0
• Tippmann A-5 
• Planet Eclipse ETHA PAL 2
• US Army Alpha Elite 
• Spyder MR100
• Tippmann 98 Custom 

Speedball

Speedball is an intense, fast-paced format of competitive paintball. With games lasting just minutes, you need a high performance paintball marker built for speed. When choosing a speedball gun, prioritize rate of fire, accuracy, lightweight, and ergonomics. For rapid firing, electronic markers with advanced firing modes are a must.

Top choices like the Dye M3+ or Planet Eclipse CS2 can hit 15-20 balls per second on full auto. Their hair triggers and ramping modes allow for blazing fast shooting once you start pulling. These electros use batteries to power solenoids that cycle at extreme speeds. Barrel quality heavily impacts accuracy during speedball. Two piece 14 inch barrels with porting reduce sound signature while optimizing precision.

The Deadlywind Fibur and Dye Ultralite barrels excel here. A quality loader like the Dye LTR or Virtue Spire IR keeps paint feeding smoothly. Ergonomics and lightweight design also aid in speedball maneuverability. The Planet Eclipse Geo 4 and Dye M3+ weigh under 2 lbs and have streamlined grips. The offset hopper placement on guns like the Empire Syx shifts weight for easier handling.

A smaller body size helps move swiftly down the field and between bunkers. The DLX Luxe Ice is extremely compact while still delivering speed, accuracy, and reliability.

Choosing the right paintball gear for speedball gives you a competitive edge. Look for electronic guns with high rates of fire, two piece barrels, force fed loaders, ergonomic designs, and lightweight construction. With these speed focused markers, you’ll dominate the field.

Our recommendations for speedball:

• Empire Axe 2.0
• Empire Axe 
• Empire Mini GS
• Dye Proto rail 
• Tippmann stormer Elite

Milsim

Gearing up for your first milsim event? The paintball marker you choose can make or break the experience. Sure, you could grab any old gun and call it a day. But taking the time to find the perfect tactical companion will help you dominate the battlefield in style.

First, let’s talk firepower. In milsim, you need range and accuracy to outmaneuver the enemy. That means a barrel length of 16-20 inches should do the trick. This gives your paintballs the velocity they need for long-distance shots. Now for the ammo – .68 caliber is the gold standard. These balls fly straight and true, unlike those flimsy .50 cals that curve off course.

Next up is looks. Half the fun of milsim is feeling like a real soldier in combat. So skip the flashy space guns and go for hardcore military replicas. The T15 from First Strike is a popular choice that perfectly mimics an M4, complete with magazine feeding. Nothing gets your adrenaline pumping like popping in a fresh mag during a firefight!

You can also customize your marker with authentic accessories. Scope? Check. Foregrip? Roger that. Collapsible stock? Affirmative. Decking out your paintball gun with mil-spec parts will get you in the tactical mindset.

Internally, opt for compressed air tanks rather than CO2. Air delivers consistent velocity shot after shot. It also requires less maintenance than finicky CO2 systems. And make sure your marker body is made of rigid aluminum or composite. You’ll be diving and crawling during those intense missions – plastic just won’t cut it.

Semi-auto mode is ideal for ammo conservation and precision. No need for wasteful ramping during tactical maneuvers. But if your budget allows, upgrade to a high-end electro-pneumatic marker loaded with bells and whistles. We’re talking quick-change barrels, anti-chop eyes, and other cool features for next-level milsim.

Our recommendations for milsim:

• Planet Eclipse Geo4
• Project Salvo or US Army Alpha Black.
• Tippmann TMC Magfed
• Dye DAM Assault Matrix 
• First Strike T15

Recbal

When choosing a paintball gun for recreational play, there are a few key features to consider:

Barrel Length – A longer barrel, around 14-16 inches, will provide more accuracy at longer distances. For rec play, a 12-14 inch barrel is a good compromise between maneuverability and range.

Weight – Look for a lightweight gun under 3 pounds. This will reduce fatigue over long days of play. Composite materials like aluminum alloys help reduce weight.

Firing Mode – Selectable firing modes like semi-auto, burst, and full-auto allow flexibility for different game scenarios. Semi-auto only is fine for beginners.

Loader Type – Gravity fed loaders are cheaper but can jam more often. Force fed loaders are pricier but feed more reliably at high rates of fire. For rec play, a gravity loader is likely sufficient.

Air Source – CO2 is cheaper but inconsistent in cold weather. High pressure air is more consistent but requires a tank fill. Either will work for recreational play.

Maintenance – Look for guns with quick disassembly and basic maintenance like barrel swabbing. This will make cleaning after a long day of play quicker and easier.

Ergonomics – Try holding the gun in store for comfort. Look for rubber grips, adjustable stock, and a comfortable trigger size and pull.

Buying from an established brand like Tippmann, Empire, or Spyder and sticking to mid-range models around $200-$300 will get you a solid and reliable starter paintball gun perfect for casual recreational play. Prioritize barrel, weight, and a good loader, then upgrade other features over time as your skills improve.

Our recommendations for recbal:

• Tippmann Cronus 
• X7 Phenom 
• Tippman 98 Custom

2. Type of paintball gun

Mechanical Paintball gun

Mechanical paintball guns are those that use a spring to fire the paintballs. These are typically less expensive and can also be less accurate and less powerful.

Electronic Paintball

Electronic marker uses a battery to fire the paintballs. They are typically more accurate and more powerful than mechanical ones and hence a bit more pricey than the mechanicals.

3. Tank Type

High Pressure Air (HPA)

HPA tanks use compressed air to fire the paintballs. They are little expensive but no leakage issues as they are highly compressed and no pressure inconsistency as they have a special regulator with them.

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

CO2 tanks use pressurised carbon dioxide. They are cheap and do not required an adapter. However, you may face problems like leakage, inconsistent output pressure as temperature changes etc. Co2 Tends to fluctuate more than HPA tanks, which can lead to less accurate shooting.

HPA vs CO₂ – Which one is better ?

Ultimately, the type of tank you use in your paintball gun is a personal preference. In our team, we have some players that prefer the consistency of HPA tanks, while others find that the fluctuations in CO2 tanks do not affect their accuracy.

4. Budget

An expensive gun doesn’t make you a better player, however a really bad gun can limit you as a player. The first important thing is to buy yourself a Mask. You can’t play if you cant see. Your first concern should be a good quality mask with anti-fogging and dual-pane.

Now for Paintball Marker, If you’re a beginner we would recommend not to spend something more than $300. Try to start playing with a basic marker. Once you know your preferred playing style, air source and skills then go for an advanced marker.

Now that you understand the primary factors for decision making of purchasing a paintball gun, time for some Pro Tips.

Pro tips for buying best paintball markers

• If you’re just getting started with paintball, start with a basic gun that is easy to use and affordable. Being expensive doesn’t mean the right fit. However, If you want to play professionally, then jump to a more advanced gun. Looking for a simple, affordable gun that is still relatively accurate and powerful ? A mechanical paintball gun would be the best option. Looking for a more accurate and powerful gun? An electronic paintball gun would be the right choice. Moreover, If you are a beginner then don’t buy a pump action gun but try looking for a semiautomatic gun. 
• If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, speedball is the game for you! For speedball playing you don’t have to be accurate while the major concern is rate of firing so if you want to compete in a tournament we recommend you to buy an electronic paintball gun, and if it is HPA compatible then it means higher shots per tank and greater success rate.
• For Woodsball, accuracy has a significant importance. Therefore always search for a marker with a long barrel and stock. Therefore, If you’re looking to get into the exciting world of Woodsball, be sure to check out the Tippmann Woodsball markers. With a Tippmann marker, you’ll be able to take your game to the next level!
• Prefer a paintball gun with rail hence, you can customise it according to your needs.
• Decision of HPA or CO₂ compatible gun should be taken according to the availability of filling in your area and if both are available then we recommend you to go for HPA tank because they are more reliable and give high performance. If CO₂ is only available then search for CO₂ compatible mechanical paintball gun or an electronic guns because not every electric marker is efficient with CO2.
• If you want a sniper rifle paintball for recreational games, Our suggestion is to choose a gun that has barrel length above 14 inches i.e, 16 or 18 inches and it should also have a rail so you can attach a telescope.
• Magfed paintball guns are the best option if you want a real look, with a magazine belt on your waist, that is also accurate and durable to satisfy all you Milsim paintball needs. Magfed has the ability to shoot first strike rounds hence can also work as a sniper rifle.

Our Recommendations

For Woodsball

• Empire Axe 2.0
• Tippmann A-5 
• Planet Eclipse ETHA PAL 2
• US Army Alpha Elite 
• Spyder MR100
• Tippmann 98 Custom 

For Speedball

• Empire Axe 2.0
• Empire Axe 
• Empire Mini GS
• Dye Proto rail 
• Tippmann stormer Elite

For Milsim

• Planet Eclipse Geo4
• Project Salvo or US Army Alpha Black.
• Tippmann TMC Magfed
• Dye DAM Assault Matrix 
• First Strike T15

For Recball

• Tippmann Cronus 
• X7 Phenom 
• Tippman 98 Custom

So what are you waiting for? Go out and start shooting some paintballs! Wait, Remember that a Good Mask, being one of the most important paintball equipment, is equally important. Don’t forget to check our Top Rated Mask buying guide

Best Paintball Gun Brands in 2023

Just like no single best paintball marker, There’s no single Best Paintball Gun Brand. The decision of which brand is the best, boils down to their product reliability, functionality, pricing and customer support.Most of the top tier brands are producing extremely reliable markers with tons of features.

Therefore, this is not a final list, you could reasonably include a few other brands. We are just listing some of our personal favourites that we have been using since 2010 and have found them reliable.

Planet Eclipse

Planet Eclipse a.k.a Planet paintball, formed in 1991 – based in Manchester UK, has been manufacturing paintball markers, clothing and protective gears. They have been known for their quality, easy tech and super smooth markers. There are many fans out there that love PE for their experience with it. Even their low end markers would give that impression of quality. They are well built and are designed to go through rough conditions.

One of our teammates have PE 06 ego, used it heavily for years, and it works well to the date. We loved how their markers come in a beautiful hard case with room for lube, barrel kit and sock alongwith with those stocked spare part bags. We still have etek 3, ego 7, 11 which are more than 7 year old and they still shot great.

Talking about cons, their markers are a bit pricey compared to other markers in that range. Moreover, their markers are usually out of stock and it’s a bit hard to find them in local stores. 

DYE

DYE a.k.a DYE Precision, a California based company founded in 1994, having headquarters in Germany and Taiwan.  It’s is known for their high quality products and best building material. With so many marker companies in the market, still DYE has fantastic markers. DYE gives you the confidence that it won’t disappoint. 

In the past, they had no OLED which resulted in very thin grip. But after acting upon customer feedback they introduced OLED into the m2 and their fame skyrocketed once again. They now have one of the best OLED screens and programs.

M3+ and DSR are one of the few examples of their finest markers that offered very unique and interesting features. We still own a DSR, having a gentle, reliable and efficient bolt, with lots of upgrades. We love its sweet shooting. The M3 on the other hand along with good shooting has better ergos, trigger and finish.

Talking about DYE’s cons , their products are a bit costly. Although they have improved their pricing. But back in the days, they were quite expensive just like the Luxes. But still, compared to cheap markers in the market, We experienced that DYE markers are mechanically superior and have better ergonomics. Another downside is that their products are sometimes hard to find in local or online stores.

Tippmann

An American manufacturer, founded in the 1980s, known for its best customer support. They have always come through with us in terms of their best customer support. Whenever we had an issue with their marker, we called them and they didn’t care what the marker had been through or how old it was. They just told us to send it and they had taken care of it pretty well. And most of the time they wouldn’t charge for the repair.

We won’t say that Tippmann have the best products, but they definitely stole the show when it comes to Customer Support and durability. Their paintball guns are very durable and rarely break.

However, talking about their lower tier guns, they are harder to assemble/disassemble and hence a pain to thoroughly clean. But they require farless maintenance, and that’s one of the reasons why a lot of fields use them as rental. On the other hand, We haven’t witnessed any such problems with their higher end markers.

Spyder:

Spyder a.k.a Kingman, founded in the 90’s, best known for their lightweight, cheap and reliable semi auto. Their fair pricing model is what attracts players the most. Their markers are fairly simple, easy to field strip, clean and require basic maintenance mostly. They are usually easily available online or in the local US market.

On the other hand, their markers are a bit hard to upgrade. For their low end guns there have been complaints about being wobbly, making the ball go sideways and some leakage issues. Apart from that, some loading issues have also been reported for the low end guns.

Beware of Spyder clones as the market is flooded with them. Always purchase from a verified store.   

Empire

One of the first paintball manufacturers, a New Jersey based company, producing great markers. Apart from exceptional quality markers, the Empire is known for its remarkable arms pads, paintball mask and under armours. They are also known for their top quality goggles.

We had great experience using Empire 2.0 and Axe and it’s still one of our favourites. Empire markers are really easy to clean with all the disassembling/reassembling and you could take advantage of removing the tank easily. Accuracy is one of the key factors you would wanna look for in a brand. Empire markers have high precision and accuracy. We never had any wobbling issues with them

Empire Vanquish, Empire 2.0, Mini GS and SYX are some of their best paintball markers. But since Vanquish, the Empire hasn’t come out with the next big thing yet. People are waiting for updated EVS or the revival of Vanquish. Lately they have been just re-releasing Empire Axe or mini or have been giving upgrades with the Mask.

Talking about the Cons, some people find their markers pricey. But still they are value for money. 

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