Paintball player in padded pants sliding into cover during competitive outdoor play

Best Paintball Pants in 2026

What are the best paintball pants? The best paintball pants are the Bunkerkings V2 Supreme. The V2 Supreme features quadruple-stitched knee pads, an athletic fit with full range of motion, and a removable crotch pad for competitive players who need maximum protection and durability. If you are still putting together your loadout, check out our full guide on what to wear to play paintball for a head-to-toe breakdown. Bunkerkings V2 Supreme Bunkerkings V2 Supreme Pants Check Amazon Price Affiliate link The Bunkerkings V2 Supreme pants are a top-tier option built for competitive players who spend serious time on the field. They feature an athletic fit that sits close to the body without restricting airflow or movement. The waist uses dual elastic adjusters with a velcro-fly closure, giving you up to five inches of adjustment within each size. For the rest of the Bunker Kings lineup including the Supreme harness and CMD jersey, see our brand hub. ...

January 11, 2026 · Updated March 15, 2026 · 6 min · Modern Paintball
Paintball team with beginner-friendly guns and gear strategizing before their first match

Best Paintball Guns for Beginners in 2026

What is the best paintball gun for beginners? The best beginner paintball gun is the Planet Eclipse Emek 100. The Emek’s Gamma Core bolt system delivers smooth, reliable performance with virtually zero maintenance. Budget players should consider the Tippmann Cronus at under $130. If you are still learning how the sport works, start with our guide on how to play paintball before you invest in gear. What to Look for in a Beginner Paintball Gun Before diving into specific markers, it helps to understand what separates a good beginner gun from a bad one. You do not need the fanciest electronics or the lightest carbon fiber body. You need something that works every time you pull the trigger and does not punish you for being new to maintenance. ...

January 2, 2026 · Updated March 15, 2026 · 8 min · Modern Paintball
Two paintball players with electronic hoppers loaded on their markers ready for action

Best Paintball Hoppers in 2026

What is the best paintball hopper? The best paintball hopper is the Dye Rotor LT-R. The LT-R feeds 30-plus balls per second with minimal jams, runs on three AA batteries for over 80,000 shots, and breaks down without tools in under a minute. Electronic vs Gravity Fed Hoppers Gravity fed hoppers are the simplest design. Paintballs sit in a shell and rely on gravity to drop into the feed neck. No batteries, no motors, no moving parts. That makes them cheap, lightweight, and nearly indestructible. The tradeoff is speed. Gravity hoppers feed around 8 to 10 balls per second, which is fine for mechanical markers but nowhere near fast enough for electronic guns. ...

December 20, 2025 · Updated March 15, 2026 · 6 min · Modern Paintball
Close-up of a player wearing a top-rated paintball mask with thermal anti-fog lens

Best Paintball Masks in 2026

What is the best paintball mask? The best paintball mask is the Dye i5. The i5’s dual-pane thermal lens resists fog in nearly every climate, the e.VOKE system lets you swap lenses in seconds, and the GSR Pro Strap distributes pressure evenly for all-day comfort. Dye i5 Dye i5 Check Amazon Price Affiliate link The Dye i5 has held its place at the top of the market for years, and nothing about that has changed. Its e.VOKE two-stage lens change system lets you swap lenses in seconds without tools. The dual-pane thermal lens resists fog in nearly every climate, and the field of vision is wide enough that you rarely feel boxed in. ...

December 13, 2025 · Updated March 15, 2026 · 7 min · Modern Paintball
Player in camouflage aiming a pump paintball gun with precision during outdoor play

Best Pump Paintball Guns in 2026

What is the best pump paintball gun? The best pump paintball gun is the CCI Phantom. The Phantom has been in production since 1987 and remains the most iconic, modular pump marker ever made, with Nelson-valve simplicity and endless configuration options. For a smoother Autococker-based alternative, the Empire Sniper is the best all-around pick. If you are still deciding between marker types, read our breakdown of the three types of paintball guns first. Already know you want a pump? Keep reading. ...

December 11, 2025 · Updated April 22, 2026 · 9 min · Modern Paintball
Player handling equipment outdoors near an air fill station for paintball tank refills

How to Fill a Paintball Tank: CO2 and HPA Refill Guide

How do you fill a paintball tank? HPA tanks are filled using a fill station or scuba tank that delivers compressed air at 3,000 or 4,500 PSI. CO2 tanks are filled with liquid carbon dioxide from a bulk supply or exchanged at a sporting goods store. Both tank types require proper equipment, attention to pressure ratings, and a current hydrostatic test date. CO2 HPA Fill method Bulk liquid CO2 transfer or tank exchange Fill station (compressor) or scuba tank Fill pressure ~850 PSI (liquid weight determines fill) 3,000 or 4,500 PSI (depends on tank rating) Fill time 1–3 minutes 30–90 seconds Typical cost per fill $3–$5 $3–$5 Where to fill Paintball fields, sporting goods stores, welding supply shops Paintball fields, scuba/dive shops DIY at home Not practical (requires bulk CO2 tank) Possible with a scuba tank and fill adapter Overfill risk Tank rupture, burst disc failure Tank rupture, burst disc failure How to Fill an HPA Tank HPA tanks are the standard for most players. If you are unsure which tank type you have, check the label on the tank body. HPA tanks will be rated at either 3,000 PSI or 4,500 PSI and will say “compressed air” or “nitrogen.” For a full breakdown of the differences, see our CO2 vs HPA guide. ...

December 3, 2025 · Updated March 15, 2026 · 8 min · Modern Paintball
Two players with high-performance paintball guns under 500 dollars battling on the field

Best Paintball Guns Under $500 in 2026

What is the best paintball gun under $500? The best paintball gun under $500 is the Planet Eclipse Etha 3. The Etha 3 uses the same Gamma Core bolt system found in markers costing three times as much, delivering tournament-level shot quality, air efficiency, and reliability at around $450 to $550. Planet Eclipse Etha 3 Planet Eclipse Etha 3 Check Amazon Price Affiliate link The Etha 3 is the marker that makes the rest of this list nervous. Planet Eclipse took the already-excellent Etha 2 platform and refined it with a redesigned aluminum blade trigger, a quick-release bolt assembly, and a lower-profile aluminum feedneck. The result is a marker that shoots like something costing twice as much. ...

November 30, 2025 · Updated March 15, 2026 · 7 min · Modern Paintball
Player aiming a mid-range paintball gun under 300 dollars on an outdoor field

Best Paintball Guns Under $300 in 2026

What is the best paintball gun under $300? The best paintball gun under $300 is the Planet Eclipse EMEK 100. The EMEK’s Gamma Core bolt system delivers the smoothest, most reliable mechanical shot in paintball at around $280, with near-zero maintenance and superior paint handling. For electronic firing modes, the Dye Rize CZR and Empire Mini GS are the top picks in the $280 to $300 range. If you are still deciding between mechanical and electronic platforms, our guide to the three types of paintball guns breaks down how each system works and what it costs to own. ...

November 24, 2025 · Updated March 15, 2026 · 9 min · Modern Paintball
Paintball team in protective chest protectors and gear discussing strategy before a match

Best Paintball Chest Protectors in 2026

What is the best paintball chest protector? The best paintball chest protector is the HK Army Crash. The Crash’s dual-layered contoured foam covers the chest, ribs, and back, fits under any jersey without adding bulk, and typically costs around $50 to $65. HK Army Crash Chest Protector HK Army Crash Chest Protector Check Amazon Price Affiliate link The HK Army Crash is one of the most popular standalone chest protectors on the market. It uses a dual-layered pad system with contoured foam that wraps around your torso, covering the chest, ribs, and back. The padding is thick enough to noticeably reduce the sting from close-range hits without making you feel like you are wearing a bulletproof vest. ...

November 16, 2025 · Updated March 15, 2026 · 5 min · Modern Paintball
Industrial compressed air tank system used for filling HPA paintball tanks at a field

Best Paintball Tanks in 2026

What is the best paintball tank? The best paintball tank is the Ninja SL2 77/4500. The SL2 weighs just over two pounds, delivers 1,100 to 1,300 shots per fill, and the Pro V2 regulator provides the most consistent output pressure on the market. Ninja SL2 77/4500 Ninja SL2 77/4500 Check Amazon Price Affiliate link The Ninja SL2 is the tank most competitive players end up with, and for good reason. It is a 77 cubic inch, 4500 psi carbon fiber tank that weighs just over two pounds empty. That weight savings matters when you are carrying your marker for hours at a time, and it matters even more when you are snapping in and out of bunkers during a tournament. ...

November 11, 2025 · Updated March 15, 2026 · 6 min · Modern Paintball