What is Empire Paintball known for? Empire is one of paintball’s longest-running mid-range brands, best known for the Mini GS marker, the Axe 2.0 tournament marker, and the Halo and Prophecy hopper lines. Founded in the early 2000s as part of KEE Action Sports, Empire has supplied affordable competitive gear to mid-tier tournament players and serious recreational players for over twenty years.
For comparisons, see best electronic paintball guns and best paintball hoppers.
The Empire Lineup
| Product | Type | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini GS | Electronic marker | Mid-range tournament, all-around | $400–$500 |
| Axe 2.0 | Electronic marker | Tournament-grade competitive | $850–$1,000 |
| Sniper | Mechanical pump | Pump tournament play | $300–$400 |
| Halo Too | Hopper | Mid-range force-feed | $90–$120 |
| Prophecy Z2 | Hopper | High-rate force-feed | $120–$160 |
| EVS Goggle | Mask | Tournament players | $150–$220 |
| Vents Avatar | Mask | Mid-range mask | $80–$120 |
Brand History
Empire emerged in the early 2000s when KEE Action Sports consolidated several smaller paintball brands under a single label. The Mini, originally produced as the Empire Mini, became one of the best-selling tournament markers ever made and shipped millions of units globally. The Axe followed and gave Empire a flagship-tier presence.
KEE Action Sports went through ownership changes including its acquisition by GI Sportz, the 2020 GI Sportz/Tippmann Sports bankruptcy, and subsequent restructuring. Empire products are currently produced under the new corporate structure that emerged from that bankruptcy. Production and distribution continued through the transition.
The Mini GS
The Empire Mini GS is the marker most associated with the brand. It uses a poppet-valve design that delivers consistent shot quality at a price point well below flagship markers. The Mini GS competes most directly with the Planet Eclipse Etha 3 and Dye Rize CZR.
Strengths:
- Light weight, around 2 lbs without air
- Simple internal layout that is easy to maintain
- Wide aftermarket support including replacement parts and upgrade kits
- One of the most affordable tournament-capable markers on the market
Weaknesses compared to the Etha 3 are slightly louder shot, less air efficiency, and a stiffer trigger feel out of the box. Many Mini owners replace the trigger with an aftermarket option to address the last point.
The Mini GS appears in our best paintball guns under $500 and best electronic paintball guns roundups.
The Axe 2.0
The Axe 2.0 is Empire’s flagship electronic marker. It uses a refined poppet-valve system, a more advanced trigger frame, and better build quality than the Mini. It targets the same tier as the Planet Eclipse Gtek 180R and lands at a slightly lower price.
The Axe is less common than the Mini in the wild because tournament players who can afford an Axe usually stretch their budget to a Planet Eclipse LV2 or Dye M3+. It is a strong marker but does not have the brand prestige to dominate its tier.
The Sniper
The Empire Sniper is the brand’s pump marker and is one of the most popular pump-class markers in tournament play. It runs reliably, is well-built, and has a deep aftermarket. See our best pump paintball guns breakdown for context.
Empire Hoppers
Empire’s Halo and Prophecy hopper lines are among the longest-lived in paintball. The Halo Too is a mid-range force-feed loader that competes with the Virtue Spire and Dye Rotor at a lower price. The Prophecy Z2 is a higher-end force-feed loader with faster feed rates and integrated sound activation.
Both are reliable, easy to maintain, and well-supported with replacement parts. They lack the aesthetic polish of newer Spire or Rotor designs, but they perform.
For full hopper roundups, see best paintball hoppers.
Empire Masks
The EVS goggle is Empire’s tournament-tier mask. It uses a dual-pane thermal lens, GSR-style strap, and ear pieces that come off easily. The Vents Avatar is the entry-level option and is one of the most popular budget masks at fields. Both compete on price more than features and are favorites among players who do not want to spend $200+ on a Dye i5.
For mask comparisons, see best paintball masks.
Why Players Pick Empire
- Price. Empire products consistently come in 10–25% below comparable Dye and Planet Eclipse equivalents.
- Aftermarket support. Mini parts are available from dozens of suppliers because of the volume Empire shipped.
- Reliability. Empire markers and hoppers are known for being workhorses rather than stars.
Empire vs the Competition
Empire competes with Planet Eclipse and Dye on the marker side, and Virtue and Dye on the hopper side. Empire wins on price almost universally, ties on reliability, and loses on shot quality and prestige. For players where budget is the deciding factor, Empire is often the right call.
Who Should Buy Empire
Buy Empire if you want competitive performance at the lowest realistic price. The Mini GS is the best entry into electronic tournament markers under $500. The Halo Too is the best force-feed hopper under $100. The EVS is a strong tournament mask if you do not want to spend Dye money.
Skip Empire if you want flagship shot quality, peak resale value, or the latest design language. Those belong to Planet Eclipse and Dye.
Empire Paintball FAQ
Is Empire Paintball still in business?
Yes. Empire products continue in active production under the corporate structure that emerged from the 2020 GI Sportz/Tippmann Sports bankruptcy. The Mini GS, Axe 2.0, Halo Too, Prophecy Z2, and EVS goggle are all currently available.
What is the best Empire paintball gun?
The Mini GS is the best Empire marker for most players because of its price-to-performance ratio. The Axe 2.0 is the best for players who want flagship-tier features at a lower price than Planet Eclipse or Dye flagships. The Sniper is the best pump option in the lineup.
Is the Empire Mini GS good for beginners?
The Mini GS is acceptable for new players who already know they want an electronic marker, but the more common beginner pick is a mechanical Tippmann or a Planet Eclipse EMEK. The Mini’s poppet valve and electronic trigger work better for players with at least a little field experience.
Are Empire hoppers as good as Dye Rotors?
The Halo Too and Prophecy Z2 are reliable mid-range hoppers but do not match the Dye Rotor or Virtue Spire IR2 on aesthetics, feed rate consistency under high BPS, or modern features like quick-release pods. They cost significantly less and feed well within recreational and mid-tier tournament use.
Where are Empire paintball products made?
Empire products are designed and engineered in the US under the parent corporate structure, with manufacturing split between US operations and contract partners in Asia.
