Top 10 Best Paintball Guns for the Money (MUST READ before you buy) in 2024
Paintball is growing in popularity, buoyed by several benefits of the game such as full body workout, improved muscle strength, focus and endurance, stress relief, and team building.
But as the sport spreads, so is the number of paintball gun and accessory manufactures rushing to cash in on the growing market.
Some of the paintball markers are of questionable quality and will break down after the first combat.
The most interesting thing is that it doesn’t matter whether it is cheap or expensive: either of them can be trashy.
As a beginner or mid-level player, you may not afford a top of the line paintball gun, and it may not make sense having it either. When it comes selecting the best budget paintball gun, the issues to consider include your play interests, experience level and the type of propulsion.
We researched and tested tens of paintball markers until we came up with the 10 best paintball guns under 200 that you can buy today.
Without further ado, here’s is our review of the best paintball guns for the money in 2024.
Tippmann is a new paintball gun with an option for Magazine feed besides the traditional loader, thus providing you better convenience in one package.
Features
The paintball marker can work with a range of accessories thus giving you more unique capabilities for tactical games.
Dual feed option: it comes with two 20 round spring driven magazines and a dummy mag that you can use if you are feeding with a hopper.
Unbelievable comfort: a nice but sturdy rubber grip snuggly fits in the hand such that it feels like a glove.
A built-in 4 sided Picatinny rail system provides for tons of customization. In addition, a more reliable in-line bolt system in a new body structure provides the marker with a more balanced feel.
A fully functional charging handle ensures that the marker is safely cocked while you attach the air supply and when you are firing.
Finally, it comes with a 1-year limited no-charge replacement or repair warranty for the marker and 90-day guarantee for Tippmann accessories.
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Customers praise its accuracy and the fact that it can hardly break a ball
The Tippmann Cronus is an intermediate level Paintball Gun that combines excellent performance with unbelievable durability in a milsim body.
Features
The paintball marker mega set includes an anti-fog paintball mask, an empty 20 ounce CO2 tank, 6 plus 1 paintball harness complete with 6 140 standard round and heavy duty pods/ tubes, 200 round gravity fed hopper, a 21-inch orange squeegee and a 1-ounce gold cup oil.
A Picatinny rail system lets you accessorize by attaching components such as the red dot illuminator, grips, flashlights or laser.
Heavy duty paintball marker and accessories ensure that the speedball gun will last until you become a pro and you can start renting it out to other amateurs.
Also, you can readily customize it with new barrels, canisters, compressed air and so on, and it is thus a great marker to start you off and grow with as well.
The incredible price also makes it the go-to choice of paintball gun for several beginners and intermediates.
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<center>What Reviewers Like<center>
Several customers praise its high accuracy
Price friendly
Highly durable marker
<center>What they Don’t Like<center>
Included accessories are not as high quality as standalone ones
If you are looking for the lightest but a rugged paintball marker that will withstand anything thrown at it, then look no further than the new Azodin Blitz 3 Paintball Gun.
Features
At just 2.05 pounds, Azodin Blitz is less than half the weight of the other markers. You can carry it all day without tiring yet it is sturdy enough for excellent efficiency.
The more focused gun has a new compact feather regulator and a screw-lock feedneck that matches its zealous milling.
A super-sensitive trigger fires at lighting speeds thus giving you an advantage in the field.
A streamline design merges form and function that is the best in every measure.
The electric paintball gun can work in three modes: pump action, semi, and full.
With a dozen accessories to upgrade and modify, Tippmann 98 Custom is the perfect gift to any of your friends, from a beginner to a journeyman.
Features
The semi-automatic beginner paintball gun set comes with an empty 3Skull 20 oz pin valve CO2 Tank, GXG XVSN mask with anti-fog lens and a visor, 6 – 140 Round Heavy Duty Tubes, 3Skull 6+1 paintball harness, a gold cup with1 oz oil, a 3Skull 21 inch orange jerk squeegee, and a 3Skull 200rd Black Hopper.
The receiver has a split design to provide you with an easier access to the internal components so that you can easily install grip upgrades and do modifications.
The power tube is easy to remove and it features a self-locking/sealing gas line to secure the valve in place. This eliminates the two bolts of previous designs.
A universal Picatinny rail system provides you with a number of customization options, such as adding a red dot sight for fast target acquisition.
Full Depth ASA pockets also do away with the need for you to loosen the ASA bolts.
The best mechanical paintball guns can be either CO2 or HPA powered. The tank is large but not heavy, which lets you play all day without worrying about refilling.
The mask is not only incredibly cheap, but it also works like charm. It snuggly fits your face while shielding you from being hit by a paintball at whatever angle. It also stands well to wear and tear.
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Fair price
Ease of use for beginners
Easy to upgrade as you gain skills
2-year warranty
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Some customers haven’t liked the quality of some accessories
Tippmann US Army Alpha Elite is one of the most classic guns you will ever find and it is a favorite of many users for woodsball, speedball and indoor recreational games.
Features
The trademark Army means that the marker’s performance and reliability are in a class of its own, yet it is awesomely affordable.
The Alpha Black Elite now allows performance upgrades such as semi-automatic e-grip, electronic response trigger kit, and a cyclone feed system (insert amazon link) that will make you unbeatable in the field.
Besides the most reliable paintball gun, the package includes GXG XVSN mask with anti-fog lens and visor, 3Skull 200rd black hopper, an empty 3Skull 20oz pin valve CO2 tank, 6+1 harness, 6 – ultimate paintball heavy duty clear tubes, 3Skull folding foregrip as well as a red dot sight.
It also features an M-16 style shroud with a Picatinny rail for adding aftermarket accessories such as tac flashlight or tripod stand.
If you feel that third-party accessories are of better quality, most of the components such as sights and scopes are replaceable with aftermarket parts.
The magazine can also double up as a removable tool storage kit.
Finally, all the accessories are a source of additional weight but you will love the milsim experience.
Spyder is a high quality semi-auto paintball gun that leads the pack in pro-military style markers.
Features
A longer barrel and a robust stock provide additional accuracy whether you need it for milsim or self-defense.
In order to ensure safety and efficiency to you the player while conserving the environment, Spyder best budget paintball gun, comes with a patented EKO valve technology. It provides the market’s best air source technology. While it realizes great savings in the cost of play, it achieves an incredible average of 1,600 shots/ 20 ounces of CO2 compared to the standard 800 shots of other guns without this technology.
A one-piece velocity adjuster comes with an anti-double speedball detent and also a steel braided hose that can operate on both CO2 and compressed air.
Multiple Picatinny rails provide for tons of customization options and easy stripability for while on the go cleaning and maintenance.
A two finger trigger matte makes the marker versatile for speedball or milsim, bolstered by the longer range barrel.
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Most efficient air valve system
Longer and more accurate barrel
Multiple side Picatinny rail mounting system enhances customization
Lightweight
<center>What they Don’t Like<center>
It is mechanical thus may be slow for fastball
Some customers have complained about the o-ring in the CO2 tank failing easily thus it needs frequent oiling
GOG has exhausted its creative genius to bring fast and smooth pneumatic trigger and spool valve technology within the affordability of a first time user, thus giving you value for your money.
Features
A full pneumatic design eliminates the need for hammer, sear and metal-on-metal points. The pneumatic trigger is short, crisp and fast pull and your shooting feels as smooth as silk. You don’t expect a non-electronic marker to be this smooth. And what is more, it frees you the worry about battery charging or replacement characteristic, of electronic paintball markers.
A vertical gas pressure regulator stabilizes the gas pressure providing smooth operation. The eNMEy runs at 160 PSI nominal, providing smooth and consistent operation with hardly any recoil.
The system is fully CO2 compatible. An integrated pressure relief valve shields the valve components from CO2 pressure spikes.
eNMEy is a simple maintenance design- you can easily remove the main valve and bolt, clean, inspect and reassemble in a jiffy while on the go.
A machined aluminum receiver with a protective polymer shell makes the best starter paintball gun both lightweight and durable.
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High effective pneumatic trigger and spool valve design
If you prefer the easier to use and fast but accurate electronic paintball guns and you want the best of them at the friendliest budget, then Spyder Fenix fits these criteria.
Features
Spyder Fenix continues Spyder’s tradition of market leadership in the beginner to mid-level paintball marker manufacture, bringing you all the features of costly e-markers at an affordable price.
Like the Spyder MR100, it features the air efficient EKO valve system that spikes up to 1,600 shots/20oz of CO2
It has a fire BPS rate of 25 and three modes of operation: semi-auto, ramp millennium and ramp PSP.
Also, the marker can use both CO2 and HPA and though not a deal breaker, the on/off ASA for easy gassing and degassing the marker.
At $149.95 for an electronic paintball gun, Spyper Fenix is incredibly cheap thus it is the best rental paintball gun since it takes a few weeks to recoup your investment.
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Lightweight
Powerful EKO valve system
Great for first time experience with electronic markers
Just like the Spyder technologies, Spyder Victor Marker Gun (0.68 calibers) has been greatly improved for stress-free use and maintenance.
Features
The paintball gun set includes a mask with anti-fog lens and visor, 20 ounce empty tank with pin valve, 6 paintball clear tubes, 1-ounce gold cup oil, 21 inch orange jerk squeegee and a 200rd premium hopper.
Spyder Victor paintball gun has a brand new look and feel that is 10 percent shorter and 15 percent lighter thus providing you better convenience.
A high impact double polymer trigger enables versatile use, whichever type of game you wish to play.
An inline bottom line ASA works well with both CO2 and compressed air
Finally, you don’t have to carry tools when you have this gun. They have developed the striker plug in such a way to eliminate the need for tools during basic maintenance.
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<center>What Reviewers Like<center>
Tool-free design
Shorter and lighter than previous models
Cheap speedball gun
<center>What they Don’t Like<center>
Heavier than other paintball markers
Some users complain that it chops off paint
A buyer’s guide for the best paintball guns for the money
There are many paintball markers out there with varying styles and functionality and we can’t claim to know them all. Thus to help you make better choices, we’ll share our frame of mind that we used when selecting the best paintball guns for the money.
i. Your style of play
It wouldn’t make sense to have top of the line paintball guns yet you are a onetime casual player or a cheap paintball gun yet you want to go to pro circuit. Your paintball gun purchase decisions must largely depend on your interests in paintball. The major types of paintball games are woodsball, speedball, milsim and recreational balls.
Woodsball
Woods paintball involves natural outdoor combat, out in the woods. With that being the case, you would want a paintball marker with a long barrel for long range shooting. It should also allow customization with accessories such as an extendable stock and a red dot/ telescopic sight for enhanced long range accuracy.
Paintballs that fit these criteria include Tippmann US Army Alpha Elite, Tippmann 98 Custom and Empire BT-4.
Speedball paintball guns
In speedball, the playing field is smaller than woodsball and success mainly comes from the speed of firing against the opponent as opposed to accuracy. You also need to be a hard target to the enemy, which means you need a short barrel paintball marker and the ability to fire at different angles.
Small, fast paintball guns with adjustable firing modes include GOG eNMEy and Spider Fenix that is electronic with robust EKO valve system.
Recreational paintball
Recball may combine some of the elements of the other play types, but it tends to be less tactical. However, when there are structures and bunkers involved, you may want a paintball gun with an option to attach a stock for additional stability around corners.
All in all, recball is a fun game mostly meant to introduce beginners to paintball. The best paintball markers include Tippmann 98 custom, Tippmann Cronus and Azodin Blitz 3.
Milsim
Milsim simulates military combat where there are more tactical requirements and more rules. You thus need a hardcore paintball gun that will stand the impact and make you agile. The best match is US Army Alpha Elite.
ii. Experience level
It wouldn’t make sense to have the best long-range paintball gun yet you are green about paintball or a cheap beginner paintball gun yet you are aiming for pro circuit.
As a beginner, it is better to learn the game with the best paintball gun for beginners. Some of the best speedball gun for beginners include Tippmann 98 custom and Tippmann Cronus. Of note is the fact that they are also upgradeable as you grow your skills.
iii. The type of paintball
There are three types of paintballs; pump, mechanical and electronic, each with desirable and undesirable features
Pump paintball guns
These were the first type of paintball guns and are manually operated. The time taken to operate a pump shotgun makes them slow but they are accurate and very reliable.
Mechanical markers
Mechanical paintball guns are also some of the oldest designs. They use either CO2 or compressed air for firing the paintball out of the gun. Pulling the trigger releases a spring-loaded hammer which hits the valve open sending the paintball flying out.
As easy as that, mechanical paintball markers tend to be unsophisticated and easier to use and maintain. All the moving parts are metallic, making them easy to disassemble and clean. They are no batteries to worry about recharging either.
Electronic paintball markers
Electronic paintball guns are the latest. They are high-tech and have been expensive but the price has been coming down to the common user affordability. They fire using a circuit board controlled solenoid valve that is powered mostly by a 9V battery.
They are also fast and automatic and the less moving parts mean that minimal maintenance is required.
iv. Price
In many products rogue, manufacturers are now hiding in the high price segments, paintballs included and thus a high priced product may not always mean quality and efficiency.
A number of manufactures especially those of electronic paintballs have been trying to optimize performance while pushing the price down. Thus, you may still enjoy the features of a top of the line paintball markers at a low segment price as long as you know how to find them out.
Conclusion
A good paintball marker doesn’t have to break your bank. You can find an affordable paintball gun that you can customize with a range of accessories, to support your different game needs as well as your level experience, from beginner to pro. Our list of best budget paintball gun is fully tested by our team of experts in order to cut to the chase for you.