Best Paintball Hoppers in 2023

Last updated on October 15th, 2023

In this article, we will be taking a look at the 5 best paintball hoppers available in 2023. These hoppers have been selected after our personal experience based on their performance, durability, and overall value for the price. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, these hoppers are sure to help you improve your game and dominate the competition.

Below are the top 5 paintball hoppers that we will look into one by one:

Let’s get started!

1. Virtue Spire IR² Electronic Paintball Loader

Virtue Spire IR² Electronic Paintball Loader

Since I upgraded from the halo hopper to the Virtue Spire IR² Loader it has definitely improved my game and gave me an edge on the field.

Without exaggerating, this hopper is surely efficient as it feeds fast and smartly after sensing and I never faced any jamming in the field. Moreover, it is durable with a nylon shell that withstands even the rough handling of a player like me.

The 3 standout features of the Virtue Spire IR² are the 3 eye feeding technology, sensors, and flexible rubber fingers for consistent paint loading without breakage. This means you won’t have to worry about your paintballs breaking inside the hopper, which can disrupt your game and lead to frustrating delays.

In addition to its performance capabilities, the Virtue Spire IR² is also convenient to use as it is compatible with the N Charge Battery Pack for even more convenience. Being a player with big hands the splitting of the hopper into 2 parts made the cleaning far easier for me than the IR one. And with its smaller, lighter design, the Virtue Spire IR² is easier to use and more comfortable to carry than other hoppers in its class.

All in all Its durable construction, reliable performance, and soft touch on paint make it a top choice for players at all levels. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, the Virtue Spire IR² loader is sure to help you dominate the competition

Virtue spire IR vs IR2

Structure: Shell is almost similar in appearance. IR2 is completely split into 2 pieces so cleaning is much easier in IR2 as compared to IR where just the top lid is able to open.

Drive: Drive on IR is robust but IR2 has a slim and low profile which is also light in weight.

So overall the major difference is in shell disassembling like in IR2 there is a push button at the back and you can disassemble by just pushing it.

Rest the upgrades are all the same for IR2 except the color kits which will not go with the IR2

Pros

• Easy cleaning
• Lightweight
• Fast
• High quality

Cons

• Small capacity
• Little pricey from previous version.

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2. HK Army Paintball Speed Hopper Paintball Loader

HK Army Paintball Speed Hopper Paintball Loader

This innovative loader is designed to be lighter and faster making it the perfect choice for players who want to maintain a high rate of fire.HK Army Paintball Speed hopper holds up to 180 rounds of .68 caliber paintballs and feeds at 15-20  balls a second.

Another thing I appreciate about the Speed Hopper is its perfectly balanced center of gravity, which is located over the feed neck. This makes it easier for me to move and aim my marker, as the hopper doesn’t weigh me down or throw off my balance.

The feature that sets the Speed Hopper apart from other loaders is its upgraded “P” board, which increases the feed rate. This is a game-changer for me, as I can now maintain a higher rate of fire without worrying about my hopper jamming or running out of paintballs.

Overall, the HK Army Paintball Speed Hopper is smaller, lighter, and faster than any other loader I’ve used, and it makes any gun light on which it is installed.

So whether I’m playing in a tournament or just practicing with friends, I know I can count on the Speed Hopper to keep up with my high rate of fire and help me dominate the field.

Pros

• Lighter
• Amazing field of view
• Speed feed have rubber grip for secure fitting
• Cheap than other hoppers of this speed

Cons

• Deep cleaning requires a screwdriver as it doesn’t split into 2 halves like a spire.
• Lid is so light that it may fly open up while shaking the gun hard.
• Required two 9 volt batteries

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3. BUNKERKINGS CTRL ELECTRONIC PAINTBALL HOPPER

BUNKERKINGS CTRL ELECTRONIC PAINTBALL HOPPER

Bunkerkings CTRL Electronic Paintball Loader is one of the advanced hoppers packed with innovative features that make it a top choice for me. I paired it with luxe and planet eclipse 170R and with both of them it gave a swift performance without single jamming.

The hoppers’ compact size gives me a greater field of view, with a weight of just  14.4oz CTRL is the smallest and lightest 200-round loader giving me a huge advantage on the field.

What’s the game changer? The magnetic drive cone is, as it eliminates the risk of jamming and keeps my marker firing smoothly and consistently.

Another thing I appreciate about the CTRL hoppers is their convenience. They have a toolless disassembly feature, with a magnetic tray that makes it easy to take them apart and put them back together. 

The competitive edge is its customization as the simple programming menu built onto the tray is a major plus, allowing me to customize the hopper to my specific needs. Plus, with multiple color and style combinations to choose from, I can personalize my hopper to match my marker and gear.

Pros

• Proactive Feeding Logic
• Lighter and slimmer
• No jamming
• Soft on paints
• Angle indication

Cons

• Lower capacity than spire 3
• Little priceyLittle pricey
• On off button is little hard with gloves

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4. Dye LT-R Electronic Paintball Loader

Dye LT-R Electronic Paintball Loader

Dye LT-R was my first electronic loader and since the first day, this is my favorite buddy. The reason I’m impressed with the DYE LT-R Electronic Paintball Loader is, it functionally beats the expensive rotors at such a reasonable price. I’m using this in my professional tournaments and never faced any jamming or serious issues.

With almost 900 positive ratings on amazon, this hopper is not only mine but also the first choice of other members of my team. We tried it on Etha2, Axe 2, Mini GS, and Gtek 170R, and with all of them, it worked flawlessly and handled even the most fragile paints so efficiently.

One of the things that set the LT-R apart from other loaders is its patented Rotor technology, which provides smooth, consistent, and rapid feeding. With a feed rate of 30+ balls per second, the LT-R is sure to keep up with even the highest rates of fire.

In addition to its impressive performance, the LT-R is also incredibly efficient. It’s powered by just 3 AA batteries, which give it a shot count of 80,000+ balls. This is a major plus for me, as I can go longer between battery changes and focus on my game. Plus, with the interchangeable carrier/spring lid, I can quickly and easily change between the lid and optional DYE Quick Feeds.

With the DYE  LT-R loader, one can feel confident that they can count on the LT-R to keep up with the high rate of fire and help them dominate the field.

Pros

• Sleek profile and nice design
• Best for speedball
• Handles fragile paints so well
• Good battery life
• Reasonable price
• Tool-less disassembly

Cons

• loud and heavy as compared to its size.
• First time installation is little difficult.

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5. Virtue Spire IV Electronic Paintball Loaders/Hoppers

Virtue Spire IV Electronic Paintball Loaders/Hoppers

Spire always comes with the most advanced features and satisfies its users like no one else. Spire IV is another great hopper with all the top-notch features that’s the need for current gaming styles.

Features like wireless programming through an Apple or Android app, iFI integration, dual LED reload indicator and tool-less disassembly make it easy to keep my hopper running smoothly and efficiently.

Another thing I appreciate about the Spire IV hoppers is their durability. They have a single hinge-mounted unit for increased durability, as well as a magnetically attached drive assembly.

Worried about the sync issue?

Once you sync your gun with the loader then it will keep synced even if you turn it off, so don’t worry and be ready to set new records!

Finally, the Spire IV hoppers have upgraded cosmetics and injected Virtue logos, as well as numerous color options to match my gear. This helps me personalize my hopper and make it my own. Virtue prevails and makes me love them more with every purchase.

Pros

• Reload indicators are very cool
• Efficient Bluetooth feature
• Easy software Downloading through the app.
• Durable

Cons

• Stock lid is very fragile
• Sound sensor doesn’t function properly
• Sometimes loading issues.

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How To Make The Right Choice Of Paintball Hopper

When buying a paintball hopper, there are several key factors to consider in order to ensure that you are getting the right equipment for your needs. These include the hopper’s capacity, feeding rate, weight, and durability.

Capacity

Capacity refers to the number of paintballs that a hopper can hold at one time. A larger capacity hopper will allow you to play for longer periods of time without needing to stop and refill.

A perfectly designed hopper will easily hold at least 50 balls and the advanced hoppers can hold 100 balls all at once, which can give better consistency. 

Feeding rates 

Feeding rate refers to the speed at which a hopper can feed paintballs into the marker. A higher feeding rate will allow you to fire more rapidly, but may also increase the likelihood of jams.

Weight

Weight is another important factor to consider, as a heavier hopper will add more weight to your marker and may make it more difficult to handle. So it’s better to choose a lightweight hopper as it will be easy to move around with it.

Durability 

Durability is also important, you want to invest in a hopper that is well built and can withstand the rigors of a paintball game. Paintball hoppers are of different material for example; ceramic, aluminum, steel, polycarbonate fiber. Hopper made up of Polycarbonate fiber is the best choice for players because it gives best performance, but they are little pricey. If you are looking for some affordable hoppers, stainless steel hoppers are the good ones, easy maintenance, very durable and lightweight.

TYPES OF PAINTBALLS AND HOPPER COMPATIBILITY

There are several types of paintballs that are commonly used in the sport of paintball, each with their own unique properties and characteristics. The most common types of paintballs include:

Standard Paintballs:

These are the most basic type of paintball, and are typically made of a plastic shell filled with a water-soluble paint or gel. They are the most commonly used type of paintball and are compatible with most hoppers.

Low-Impact Paintballs:

These paintballs are designed to be less painful than standard paintballs and are often used in indoor and youth leagues. They are typically made of a softer shell and contain less paint, which makes them less likely to break on impact. They are compatible with most hoppers, but may be fed at a slower rate

First Strike Paintballs

These paintballs are designed to have a more aerodynamic shape, which allows them to travel farther and more accurately than standard paintballs. They have a pointed tip that allows them to have a better range, but are not compatible with most standard hoppers and require specific hopper that can handle its shape.

It’s important to note that the type of paintball used can also affect the hopper’s feeding rate and may cause jams if the hopper is not compatible with the paintball. It’s important to check the hopper’s compatibility with the paintballs you plan to use before making a purchase.

choose The Paintball Hopper For Your Competition level

When buying a paintball hopper, it’s important to consider the level of competition you will be participating in. Different hoppers are designed for different levels of play and may have different features that are better suited for specific types of games.

Beginner Level

If you are just starting or playing in a recreational league, a basic hopper with a moderate capacity and feeding rate may be sufficient. These hoppers are typically less expensive and easy to use.

Competition Level

If you are playing in a more competitive league, you may want to consider a hopper with a higher capacity and faster feeding rate. These hoppers may be more expensive, but can give you an advantage on the field by allowing you to fire more rapidly and for longer periods of time without needing to stop and refill.

Additionally, if you are playing in a tournament, it’s important to check the rules and regulations of the event as some tournaments may have specific rules about hopper capacity and feeding rate.

In short, when buying a paintball hopper, it’s important to consider the level of competition you will be participating in and ensure that you are getting a hopper that is appropriate for your needs and is compliant with the rules of the event you plan to participate in.