Paintball is the game that can be played in some indoor venues, but it is principally an outdoor sport. Most competitions are made up of two teams, generally with 5-10 people per team.
There are many different variations to the sport, with major ones a combination of hiding and seek, capture the flag, and tag. Some are played on an open field, with man-made obstacles, and others in wooded areas, using natural objects for protection and camouflage.
Our Personal Best Choice
Best Overall Model
MAddog Spyder MR100 Pro
Best Value Model
MAddog Azodin KAOS 2
Best Honorable
Mention Model
Tippmann Cronus Tactical
Best Overall Model
Walther PPQ
Best Value Model
JT ER2 Pump Pistol RTS Kit
Best Overall Model
Tippmann A-5
Best Value Model
Tippmann Cronus Tactical
Best Honorable
Mention Model
US Army Project Salvo
Equipment requirements are fairly basic. You will need a marker (this term goes back to the original use of paintball guns, marking cattle and trees), balls, gas cartridge, and a hopper or magazine for holding the paintballs. Personal protective equipment is paramount in this sport, due to the reasonably high muzzle velocity of the balls leaving the gun. The potential for serious eye injury requires the use of a full facial mask.
While being struck by the balls can be painful, the impact is not lethal. However, some players will also wear additional personal protective equipment, such as vests, knee or elbow padding, neck protectors, and the like. We’ll talk more about the equipment later in this review. Because many of these are exact replicas of actual firearms, they are restricted or even outright banned in individual states and municipalities.
Users should always carry them off-course in a case, as they could easily be mistaken for real firearms by law enforcement personnel. Brightly colored barrel plugs or bags are also recommended for additional safety.
Comparison Table
In this review, we will look at a total of fifteen paintball rifle markers; pistol markers; and paintball packages, containing all you need as a rookie paintballer in one kit.
| Product | Best Features | Rating (No. of Reviews) | Price Range | View on Amazon |
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Full Paintball Gun Sets |
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5 out of 5 |
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4.5 out of 5 |
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4.3 out of 5 |
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3.9 out of 5 |
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3.3 out of 5 |
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Paintball Pistols |
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4.2 out of 5 |
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4.0 out of 5 |
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3.8 out of 5 |
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Paintball Rifles |
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4.5 out of 5 |
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4.4 out of 5 |
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4.4 out of 5 |
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4.2 out of 5 |
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4.2 out of 5 |
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4.1 out of 5 |
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3.3 out of 5 |
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A Brief History of Paintball
The history of paintball actually has two different beginnings. Initially, over fifty years ago, paintball guns (or markers, as they are called within the sport) were used by loggers and ranchers. Loggers used them to mark trees to be cut down, while the ranchers used them from horseback to mark cattle for branding. These original paint guns used oil-based paint, for permanency of the markings, and were built by Daisy Manufacturing, known for their BB guns, soon to be followed into the marketplace by Crosman, also known for their air guns.
Paintball as a sport traces its origin to 1981. Three friends were debating the ability of a city person to survive in a wilderness-type environment being hunted by a country person. This argument and the discovery of a paintball gun in a farmer’s catalog led to the organization of the first paintball game. The game was held in June of 1981, with nine players in total, in a variation of “capture the flag“. More on this later.
Following the game, one of the players wrote an article on the game, which was published in Sports Illustrated. Another player saw a commercial opportunity and started selling a survival game package, which evolved into the paintball industry as we know it today.
As the game evolved, so did the equipment. By today’s standards, the early games had relatively crude guns and very limited ammunition. The guns were single shot, with a twelve shot maximum, and required cocking and loading after each firing, making for a prolonged game. Initial developments led to the introduction of pump-action for easier and faster cocking of the markers, and improvements in the gas systems used as propellants for the balls. The balls also developed from using oil-based paint to today’s formulations of a gelatin-based coating over vegetable oil, dyed for better spotting visibility.
Interestingly, paintball markers also have used in riot control and crowd dispersal, providing a non-lethal way for law enforcement personnel to break up hazardous situations. They can also be used for apprehending suspects in a non-lethal manner, as paintballs containing pepper spray are available commercially.
The first significant paintball tournament was held in Canada in 1983, only two years after the first paintball match. From those small beginnings, the Sporting Goods Association now estimates that as many as ten million Americans play paintball every year.
The diagram below illustrates how a paint gun works. While there will be some variation based on the type of gun, such as a pistol or rifle, the overall concept is the same. A hopper or magazine feeds the paintballs one at a time in the chamber of the gun. This feed can be either mechanical or a simple gravity feed. Pressurized air, typically either carbon dioxide (CO2) or high-pressure air (HPA) is held in a tank or cylinder. An airline connects the tank to the firing chamber, although in some cases, the airline is internal within the marker. Pulling the trigger mechanism allows air to shoot from the cylinder into the firing chamber. This sudden release of high-pressure air forces the paintball down the barrel, firing at the target.
Buying Guide
The purpose of this section is to give you some familiarity with the features, terminology, and specifications of paintball marker and related equipment. Having this information and understanding will help you to make a better buying decision. There can be wide variation within the same specification from gun to the gun so that a detailed comparison may be required, especially in those higher-priced items from our list.
When it comes time to purchase, we recommend that you classify these items and features in a type of hierarchy – I must have that, I don’t really need that, but would use it, or completely unnecessary for my use and application. This will help you get a greater value for your purchasing dollars.
We will try to keep these descriptions brief but still give you enough detail for understanding them. Further information can always be found on the manufacturer’s website, or in any of the paintball groups listed earlier in this article.
Paintball hoppers
The paintball hopper is a chamber that holds extra paintballs. These are typically seen on paintball rifles, as opposed to pistols, and give the additional capacity for ammunition without stopping to reload.
The hopper feeds the balls into the firing chamber of the marker. There are two different types of feeding systems – gravity and electronic, or motorized. The gravity hopper, as the name implies, uses gravity to drop the next paintball into the chamber. They are typically fairly slow to feed the chamber, and occasionally will plug up, but a simple shake will usually clear any plugging.
A simple mechanized hopper may have a paddle rotating inside it to keep the balls moving and not plugging. More complex loaders will force the balls into the chamber, giving increased firing rates, reaching as high as thirty balls per second.
Paintball magazines
As with a real pistol, a magazine will hold the ammunition and feed it into the firing chamber. The magazine will typically snap up into the grip of the gun, and use the gas system to push the balls to the firing chamber. Some rifle models also offer magazine feeding systems, either in place of or in addition to the hopper feed. A major consideration of the magazine is the capacity for paintballs. As the magazine is emptied, it will either require manual reloading while in the field or having spare magazines to exchange for the empty one.
Propellants
These markers all use some type of gas to force the paintball from the firing chamber down the barrel. Typical gasses used for this are carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen (N2), or standard compressed air. Carbon dioxide is the original propellant for paintball markers and is still commonly used today.
CO2 is stored as a liquid under pressure and changes to a gaseous form as released from the container. This pressure is what pushes the ball down the barrel. The difficulty with CO2 is that the pressure is subject to temperature fluctuation and may even freeze up in the marker if used continuously.
Compressed air, also known as high-pressure air (HPA), and nitrogen are the other primary propellants used. Their advantage is that they are stored as gasses in the cylinders, so you get a consistent pressure regardless of ambient conditions, and you can fire continuously with no issues. They use a regulator, tied to the gun’s air source adapter, to deliver a consistent pressure to the firing chamber. Their major disadvantage is that the tanks are heavier, larger, and bulkier.
Compressed air tanks will also have periodic retest requirements, typically between three to five years from the date of manufacture. Without a retest certificate, these tanks cannot be refilled. Both types of propellants can be used interchangeably.
Best Paintball Gun Sets Review
Just to recap before we look at the individual items, these packages are sold with the intent of giving the purchaser an “all in one” option to be immediately ready for paintball, rather than buying all the items separately. While you lose some flexibility in choosing your marker, you gain the convenience of one-stop shopping and having everything you need at once.
As noted earlier, we won’t list all the included items for each individual kit, as they have a high degree of overlap. The equipment that comes standard with each of these five package sets is a marker, full mask, four paintball pods, a hopper, an air tank (usually for CO2), a barrel squeegee for cleaning, and a paintball harness. We will note significant variations if the kits have more or less than this standard equipment.
MAddog Spyder MR100 Pro – Best Overall
You get a couple of extras with this package, in the form of an anti-fog mask, protective vest, fingerless gloves, and a neck protector. The marker is realistic looking, with an adjustable stock, front grip, and external gas line. The four included pods hold 140 rounds of .68 caliber paintballs each. The air tank is high pressure certified to 3000 PSI and is rated for about 1500 shots per tank.
MAddog Spyder MR100 Pro
Features and specifications:
- rifle is polymer construction, with an aluminum rail system and trigger frame
- hopper has a detent system to avoid double feeding of paintballs
- one-piece velocity adjustment
- braided, stainless steel gas line
Pros
- The high-pressure air tank is a nice upgrade
- Hopper has an electronic feed, up to 15 balls per second depending on shooting speed
- 5.0 rating, but only three reviews
Cons
- The major concern is a low number of ratings. Checked rifle individually on other sites, no ratings for the marker separately or in kit form.
MAddog Azodin KAOS 2 – Best Value
This is another kit from the MAddog line, this one featuring their Azodin line of markers, available in several color choices. The marker is smaller, with a 12” barrel, resulting in a lighter weight gun. Additional equipment includes two extra pods (six total), an anti-fog mask, and a small tool kit with some spare parts. It comes with a standard 20 oz. CO2 tank, rated for 800 – 1100 shots per cylinder.
MAddog Azodin KAOS 2
Features and specifications:
- marker is designed for .68 caliber paintballs, lightweight at two pounds
- adjustable muzzle velocity from 250 – 325 FPS
- hopper is gravity fed, holds 200 rounds. Pod capacity an additional 6x140 rounds
- HPA compatible, but tank not rated for HPA and must be purchased separately
Pros
- Extra ammunition capacity with pods and harness
- Highly rated as a beginner package, but under 20 reviews
- The shorter barrel should result in greater accuracy, higher FPS
Cons
- No rail system available for accessories
- A limited number of reviews on Amazon and other sites
Tippmann Cronus Tactical – Best Honorable Mention
This is the first of several markers from the Tippmann line and features the Cronus Tactical model marker. There is also a Tippman Basic marker package, but this review is for the upgraded Tactical marker. You get all the basics, plus an anti-fog mask, two extra pods, and a small tool kit. A standard CO2 tank is included, and the marker can be used with HPA with a separately purchased tank. It’s the number one seller in Amazon paintball packages, with a solid 4.3 overall review.
Tippmann Cronus Tactical
Features and specifications:
- standard 200 round capacity, gravity feed hopper
- .68 caliber paintballs, internal gas line, front grip, fixed front and rear sights
- barrel and canister upgrades available for separate purchase
- single rail available for mounting accessories
Pros
- Very high (4.6) rating for accuracy, beginners, and value
- Some extras included in the package
- Durable, military simulated body, adjustable stock
Cons
- Several complaints about customer service and leaking gas bottles
- Several negative comments about the quality of accessories in the kit
Tippmann US Army Alpha Elite Foxtrot
Another Tippmann, this one modeled after a US Army tactical rifle. The package is a top 25 Amazon seller, having all the standard equipment, plus a small tool kit, but missing the chest protector others have. It has a folding front grip, adjustable stock, and a carrying handle. The included tank is 20 oz. CO2.
Tippmann US Army
Alpha Elite Foxtrot
Features and specifications:
- top rail system for mounting scope or other accessories
- comes with “red dot” sight system for accuracy
- gravity-fed hopper, with electronic hopper system available as an upgrade
- goggle-type mask is (apparently, but not explicitly stated) anti-fog, with quick removal system for cleaning
Pros
- Almost 75% of ratings are 4- or 5-star
- Realistic replica, right down to bottom magazine that is for looks only, but doubles as a tool kit holder
Cons
- No chest protector included, as in other kits
- Several complaints about missing or broken parts, leaking bottles
- Red sight is blocked when the hopper is in place
Tippmann TMC MAGFED Silver
This kit carries the highest price of the five packages reviewed, yet the lowest quality rating. It’s unique in that the firing mechanism can be either hopper-fed or magazine-fed. The marker has a four-rail system, so it is adaptable for multiple accessories. It comes with adjustable front and rear sights for improved accuracy.
Tippmann TMC MAGFED Silver
Features and specifications:
- adjustable muzzle velocity from 250 – 325 FPS
- set includes two-20 round spring fed magazines
- standard CO2 tank capable of 800 – 1100 shots per cylinder
- anti-scratch, anti-fog lens
Pros
- Firing flexibility of the marker makes it suitable for various game situations
- Mostly positive reviews on the marker itself, but lower reviews on accessories
- One-year manufacturer’s warranty
Cons
- Quality of accessories rated low
- Price vs. rating
Before moving on to reviewing paintball pistols, let’s make a quick summary of the best packages’ reviews.
Best Overall Model
MAddog Spyder MR100 Pro
Best Value Model
MAddog Azodin KAOS 2
Best Honorable
Mention Model
Tippmann Cronus Tactical
It was tough to pick just one for the best value category, so I waffled a bit and chose two. The packages are virtually identical, as are the ratings and the cost. If you are looking for a solid starter set to get into paintball, either of these two will work just fine.
Best overall was a much easier choice. While this package is $50 more than the best value packages, you get additional equipment included. Add in the “purchased separately” prices for the vest ($23) and the HPA rated cylinder ($45), and you could make a good case for this package is the best value. As it is, this is a solid, high-end starter package, with my only concern being the low number of ratings for it.
Best Paintball Pistols Review
Walther PPQ – Best Overall
This is a fully licensed replica of a Walther pistol, using .43 caliber paintballs as ammunition. It comes with good safety features, realistic blowback, and weighs just under two pounds. It uses a standard 12g CO2 cartridge as a propellant and fits most standard holsters.
Walther PPQ
Features and specifications:
- functional trigger safety with two settings – safety and semi-automatic
- muzzle velocity is rated at 300FPS, resulting in a range of about 120 feet
- aluminum and nylon fiber polymer construction
- eight round magazine
Pros
- High user satisfaction for performance – over 80% five-star reviews
- Can also be used with rubber balls and dust balls (powder rather than liquid marking)
- Rail system for mounting accessories
Cons
- Eight round magazine is fairly small. Additional magazines expensive at almost $50 each
- Only 17 user reviews
JT ER2 Pump Pistol RTS Kit – Best Value
We move to the opposite end of the price spectrum with this pistol, costing only $30. This pistol uses .68 caliber paintballs, fed from a top-mounted hopper system of ten round pods. It works from standard 12g gas cartridges and comes with a barrel plug for safety.
JT ER2 Pump Pistol RTS Kit
Features and specifications:
- lightweight composite manufacture, features pump-action reloading system
- hopper pods (3 supplied) hold ten rounds each. Top mount for each changeover when empty
- comes with 2 – 12g CO2 cylinders
Pros
- Overall 4.0 rating, 4.3 ratings for ease of use
- Price makes it an easy start-up option
- Even with larger caliber paintballs, users claim muzzle velocity of 280 FPS
Cons
- Over 20% of ratings are one- or two-star
- Most complaints refer to CO2 seal integrity, hopper staying in place, durability
- No return policy
Tippmann TiPX
We move from the far and away lowest price pistol to the highest price pistol. This military-styled replica pistol uses .68 caliber paintballs, and comes with a maintenance kit and carrying case. It’s solidly built, weighs just under two pounds, and is a top-five seller paintball marker. The marker has a manual safety system, and textured grips.
Tippmann TiPX
Features and specifications:
- external muzzle velocity adjuster
- magazines have low tension spring systems to prevent jams; 8 rounds per magazine
- under-barrel CO2 system easy to load and change
- feed rate is eight balls per second
Pros
- Solid reviews for accuracy; over 85% 4- and 5-star
- Easy change gas system
- Two seven ball magazines included
Cons
- Most complaints are about gas leaking and making the gun unusable
- Once punctured, gas cylinders will leak out charge
Let’s look at a quick summary of the pistol reviews before moving on.
Best Overall Model
Walther PPQ
Best Value Model
JT ER2 Pump Pistol RTS Kit
The “best overall” was a fairly simple call for me. You get a highly rated marker, with solid construction and five-star reviews. The eight-round magazines are small, but they are still bigger than the other competitive pistol here. The Tippmann is not a bad pistol, but the higher price and lower rating push it down the list for me.
After a lot of hesitation, I put the “best value” tag next to the $30 ER2 pump. I have difficulty calling what is likely a throwaway gun a value, but if you want to start out with paintball, see if you have any target skills, and potentially move on to other equipment, this marker is a good place to start. The purchase price is probably not that far off the price of renting a gun at a paintball venue.
Let’s move on to the last review session and look at the seven rifle-type marker guns.
Best Paintball Rifles Review
US Army Project Salvo – Honorable mention
This .68 caliber AR-15 look-alike marker has an aluminum firing mechanism for durability, and an in-line bolt system for fast, accurate firing speed. The gun itself comes in at a mid-level price but is built so that it can easily be upgraded for improved performance. Upgrades include barrel, quick response trigger, and a high-speed loading system. The mock magazine is a storage compartment for the included tool kit.
US Army Project Salvo
Features and specifications:
- four rail system for mounting accessories like scopes, night vision, lights, carrying handle
- six position collapsible and folding stock, front and rear adjustable sights
- lightweight at less than one-pound weight (without hopper or balls)
- exterior, stainless steel gas line
Pros
- Highest rated marker at a mid-range price; also has a 4.5 rating on 46 reviews at ansgear.com
- Paintball gun can be custom upgraded to fit individual user preferences
Cons
- Limited information available on specs like muzzle velocity, firing speed, etc.
Tippmann Cronus Tactical – Best Value
This marker received our “best value” recommendation as part of the evaluation on starter packages for paintball. It’s the second-lowest price of all the rifle markers reviewed here, and it’s Amazon’s number one selling rifle marker. It has a four-rail system for easy addition or modification of features.
Tippmann Cronus Tactical
Features and specifications:
- high-impact composite body, internal gas line, fixed front and rear sights
- collapsible stock, vertical grip, and carry handle included
- in-line bolt design for enhanced firing speed and accuracy
Pros
- High ratings (over 4.0) for beginner use, accuracy, and durability
- 90% of ratings are 4- or 5-star
- Upgrades available for customization
Cons
- Limited information available on specs like muzzle velocity, firing speed, etc.
Tippmann A-5 – Best Overall
This is the second of four Tippmann marker rifles to be reviewed here. This marker has a shorter, 8″ barrel, and 20-inch overall length while weighing a hefty 3-pounds. The manufacturer’s two-year warranty reflects the quality of the gun. Like the other Tippman products, there are many upgrades available for separate purchase.
Tippmann A-5
Features and specifications:
- included high-speed, low profile air-driven hopper feeds up to 15 balls per second, with an 8 BPS firing rate
- external selector switch to change between safety and firing modes
- can operate on CO2, compressed air, or nitrogen
- front and rear sights, with a more extended front grip for firing stability
Pros
- Solid 4.4 rating, with 92% or reviews either 4- or 5-star; top 10 best seller
- Fast firing rate on semi-automatic mode
- Easily upgraded and customized
Cons
- Most users recommend upgrading barrel immediately
Tippmann TMC MAGFED
This Tippman marker was also reviewed earlier as one of our packaged paintball systems. The rifle has a dual feed option, either through the top-mounted hopper or the bottom-mounted magazine system. Its AR-15 styling comes with a four-rail system, aluminum firing mechanism, and integrated sling mounts. It’s a top twenty paintball marker seller on Amazon.
Tippmann TMC MAGFED
Features and specifications:
- like the other Tippman models, easily upgradable and customizable
- two spring-driven, twenty round magazines included
- internal stainless-steel gas line, collapsible stock, front and rear sights
Pros
- Built to add accessories or customize for your individual preferences
- Overall 4.2 rating, but 4.8 or above for value, accuracy, and weight
- Users claim FPS of over 200
Cons
- Many one- and two-star complaints about leaking gas, damage on receipt
- Price is relatively high for the corresponding rating
Empire Mini GS
This .68 caliber mini-marker is available in a wide variety of color combinations, and is compact, with a 12-inch barrel. The adjustable muzzle velocity has plenty of power, and large users claim the gun is an easy fit even given their size. It operates on either CO2 or HPA gas.
Empire Mini GS
Features and specifications:
- out of the box muzzle velocity of 250+ FPS
- microswitch trigger allows up to 8 BPS firing rate
- upgradable for personal customizations
- pistol-type grip, with additional front grip for extra firing stability
Pros
- Internal gas system so no hoses in the way
- Rubberized grips and weatherized housing for better handling and durability
- Rating of 4.6-stars for accuracy
Cons
- Most complaints concern air leaks, and variations in muzzle velocity FPS as a result
- Highest price gun on the list
Tippmann Cronus Basic
This marker is the little brother of the Cronus Tactical reviewed earlier in this section. You give up some of the niceties like trading the folding stock for a pistol grip, but you still get a durable, high-impact composite body and the Tippman name, all at a low $79 price tag.
Tippmann Cronus Basic
Features and specifications:
- multiple rail system for adding accessories
- internal gas line, vertical grip for stability, front and rear sights
- smaller size and lightweight for use in close-quarter situations
Pros
- Has standard Tippman in-line bolt system, same as more expensive models
- Highly rated beginner’s gun, user rated at about 280 FPS
- Low price but a respectable 4.1 overall rating; 4.5 on ansgear.com
Cons
- Same gun as the tactical model, but without some extra amenities
Azodin Blitz 3
This is the last gun of our review, and it’s a mini, much like the Empire we reviewed in this section. It comes in a wide variety of color combinations and comes with a newly designed, compact gas regulator. It’s at the lower end of the price scale, so probably a good beginner’s gun, but it also has a relatively low 3.3 rating. The composite construction weighs in at just over two pounds.
Azodin Blitz 3
Features and specifications:
- this mini has a 19-inch overall length, 12-inch barrel, almost 9-inch height
- can use either CO2 or HPA propellant
- four pre-set firing modes, ranging from 10 BPS to 20BPS, plus safety setting
Pros
- Nicely priced and functioning beginner’s gun
- Coated steel braided airline, fairly short to prevent tangles in wooded areas
- Light enough for younger users
Cons
- Gun is loud, with fairly strong recoil. Can be reduced by purchasing optional parts.
- Only 43% 5-star ratings, 23% 1-star ratings
Before we close off this review, let’s do a quick recap of the “best of” in the paintball rifle category.
Best Overall Model
Tippmann A-5
Best Value Model
Tippmann Cronus Tactical
Best Honorable
Mention Model
US Army Project Salvo
I liked the US Army Salvo paintball marker, but, frankly, was a little put off by the low number of reviews (16) and the lack of technical specifications everywhere I looked. It still seems like a reputable, good quality, reasonably priced marker, so it may be worth checking out in more detail if you like the looks of it.
The best value fell again to the Cronus Tactical, just as it did earlier when reviewing the all-inclusive paintball packages. At just over $100, it has solid ratings, and decent features and specs. Again, a little concern over the lack of technical details, but given the rating and number of reviews, it sold me.
Now, given that, I’d also recommend the Cronus Basic, pretty much the same gun as far as mechanism and make-up, but without a couple of niceties. If you’re looking to save another $30 on a beginner gun, this might be a good choice for you.
Best overall was a pretty easy choice. With the Tippmann A-5, you get a top ten seller, solid ratings, and solid performance and technical specifications. Factor in the two-year warranty, available upgrades, and the loading and firing speeds, and this selection was quite easy.
Conclusion
So, wrapping up, we’ve presented a pretty good cross-section of paintball equipment, whether you are a beginner, intermediate player, or seasoned professional. We hope this has been helpful to you and will make your buying decision a little bit easier. Happy hunting!
