When we wrote the main article on paintball tips and tricks, our team found that most of the newbies are confused to get the proper answer of Airsoft vs paintball. Since paintball vs airsoft is an ongoing debate ever since the games were developed because of the similarities.
There are somehow similarities because both are firearm games, still, there are some major differences, we will try our best to settle its debate. Without further wasting time let’s dive in.
Quick Highlights of Airsoft
- Ammo size: 6mm plastic/metallic
- Gun velocity: 200 to 600 FPS (400FPS is standard)
- Accuracy: Impressive
- Gun powered with gas, spring, and batteries
- Magazine capacity: 50 to 2500 pellets
- Realism: real-time military feel
- Gunpower: 1 to 2 jouls
Quick Highlights of Paintball
- Ammos size: 16 to 19mm spherical paint capsules
- Gun velocity: 300 FPS
- Accuracy: medium.
- Gun powered with: Co2 gas, Compressed air.
- Gunpower: 4 to 10 jouls.
- Gun mechanism: very strong
Pros And Cons Of Paintball
- There are fewer chances of cheating because of visible marks.
- More stylish clothes are available.
- Durable equipment
- More events and tournaments
- Colorful and modern paintball masks
- Reloading of guns is very easy
- Expensive.
- The accuracy of guns is less.
- Less popular nowadays.
- Operating of the gun is somehow difficult because of large hopper
- paintball is more painful if you don’t have safety equipment
- cleaning clothes is time taken
Pros And Cons Of Airsoft
- Less expensive
- Tremendous accuracy of guns.
- Real-time military fells
- More fps of guns
- Most popular firearm games.
- Cleaning of guns and cloths is very easy
- Operating a gun is very easy.
- More ammo can be load
- Large varieties of guns available
- Reloading is difficult.
- Guns are less durable.
- Fewer tournaments and events are available.
- Fewer varieties of masks available.
Difference Between Airsoft And Paintball
Before we start an in-depth analysis of airsoft vs paintball, first we have to know about the basics of both games, let’s start from the definitions.
First played in Japan in the 1970s
First played in New Hampshire in 1981
Now let’s get to the depth of Airsoft vs paintball
Age Differences Of Airsoft And Paintball
If we consider it in general we can see the majority of the fields allow 10+ years old players.
If we conclude it in general the majority of fields allow 10+ years old players, at the professional level a player must 18+ old.
Equipment Of Paintball vs Airsoft
There are some major differences in the equipment of paintball and airsoft, paintball equipment are stylish, however, airsoft equipment comes with realistic firearms look.
let’s discuss some major equipment in detail;
Paintball Mask vs Airsoft Mask
In airsoft you will have few choices because most of the players get their work done with ordinary goggles, they only need a mask when they have to play in a congested field where they can be shoot from very near.
Paintball Mask: paintball masks are more stylish with lots of modern features and ultra-durable in terms of built quality. Mask is mandatory in paintball, without mask most of the fields will not allow you to enter in the field. You have a vast variety to choose a paintball mask, different masks come with different styles, features, build quality, and comfort level, even you can get a paintball mask for glasses as well.
Airsoft vs Paintball Guns
In airsoft, You have a large variety of guns with different features shapes and built qualities. Also, you can get airsoft guns powered with batteries, gas, springs, and electric power (AEGs). Airsoft guns have a magazine loaded with pellets to shoot the opponents. The magazine has the capability to hold 400-2500 pellets which is amazing means you don’t need to reload faster.
In paintball you will also have large varieties of guns but not more than airsoft, paintball guns are powered with CO2 tanks or compressed air and a large hopper in which we have to load some paintballs to shoot a particular object. The paintball marker is able to hold 50-200 paintballs in the hopper.
Reloading of airsoft is a bit difficult and time taken process there for its magazine capacity is tremendous.
Reloading of paintball is extremely easy just you have to throw the paintballs in the hopper that’s it, even most of the players reload their guns during the match.
Also, pellets are not visible in the air because of their small size and high fps, most of the players do not have superpowers to see the small pellets in the air.
Moreover, they are somehow visible in the air.
Most of the players prefer guns with ordinary springs or batteries in order to reduce the ongoing cost. Gas-powered guns will cost you again and again.
Another major reason for being costly is, you have to purchase a hopper and paintball tank (CO2 or compressed air tank), to store some gas for emergency use.
Ammos
- Ammos of airsoft is very easy to carry because they have negligible weight you can easily carry a lot of ammo with you during the field. Your movements will never be distracted.
- You can buy pellets at very cheap, even 5000 to 6000 pellets will cost you around $15
- Best paintballs are somehow heavy we can’t move around the field with lots of ammo, still the paintball player is able to manage that hurdle.
- Secondly, paintballs are expensive as compared to the airsoft pallets, 2000 paintballs will cost you about $30 to $40. Though some fields offer special discounts still they are expensive.
Accessories And Clothing
Cleaning Of Guns Clothes
Sites, Events And Tournaments
Cost Of Fields
All most all Airsoft fields allow you to bring your own pellets, in paintball some fields can’t allow you because of some safety reasons.
According to our experience pack of 500 paintballs will cost you about $12 to $50 depending on the field.
Popularity Comparsion
Another major reason for the popularity of airsoft is its equipment is very similar to the real equipment, Even you can’t distinguish, from a certain distance.
Airsoft is dominating paintball because of cost and realism, still, these both are totally different you have to explore both.
Realism Of Paintball Vs Airsoft
Rules And regulations of Airsoft vs Paintball
400 fps is the standard velocity of pellets every player should not have a gun more than 400fps.
There is more chancing of cheating in airsoft as compared to paintball because the pellets are very small and there will be no visible marker on the player to identify whether a player got shot or not.
No one has a permit to go away from the boundary line, every player should be within certain boundaries. ALso,No one has a permit to climb on the trees as well because of some safety reasons.
There are very fewer chances of cheating in paintball because paintballs make a clear mark on the object, referees can identify it within some seconds. If you are not sure that you got a hit you will have the liberty to get surety from your teammates or referees, till that game will be paused.
Roles of players
Superman only has the task to eliminate opponents from far away. autocannons machines are operated by a heavy gun specialist, shoot guns are used to break the door, grenades and knives are used to eliminate the close opponents. Even sometimes they have a proper medical team in longer games, now you can observe the reality if a player injured the medical team rushes to get the first AID.
Airsoft vs Paintball Pain And Injuries
Though the FPS of airsoft is far more than paintball guns, still the size of ammo matters, if we compare both for the same distance paintball hurts more than airsoft, just because of its large size. Even some players didn’t felt like they got a shoot just because of the long-distance and proper thick clothes.
Though paintball guns have lower FPS as compared to airsoft, Still paintball hurts more.
Which is best for you paintball or airsoft?
Indeed both games are very interesting to check out our surviving skills, the final decision to select whether you want to go for paintball or airsoft is solely depending on the choice of players.
Airsoft is a more serious game with real-time military feels, large varieties of guns at cheaper cost; also you will have to pay less for fields.
Paintball is a game of enjoyment most of the players play at a low scale with their friends and family. If you are a color lover paintball is the best choice for you on the other hand if you are a military lover airsoft will be the best choice for you.
You can get some suggestions from here
Verdict
If you haven’t played any of the games please let's have a try at airsoft or paintball both are amazing to analyze your surviving skills. Being a city dweller when I won my first paintball game, I felt like solder 🙂 literally, I was like I am a military man no one will mess with me.
Ok, let us get you to the point, both games are really good for your fitness you have to make movements, running and walking, your whole body will participate in the game.
Let's make a schedule to give some time to yourself, your family, and your friends and make a match of airsoft or paintball with them.
Thanks for reading hopefully we have cleared your all queries about airsoft vs paintball, if you have further queries let us know in the comments we will try our best to resolve them.
Stay safe Stay happy
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Is Airsoft more dangerous than paintball?
No, paintball is more dangerous than airsoft because of ammo size, paintballs are heavier and may break your skin after getting it, however, pallets are tiny.
Is paintball or airsoft better?
Its depends, some player wants to play with paintball other want to explore the real rime military feelings, it's up to you both games are amazing to enhance your surviving skills.
Do airsoft bullets hurt?
Yes, it will hurt you definitely if you don't have protective gear.
Can airsoft guns kill?
Not at all, I didn't hear of the incident but exceptions are part of life, you have to wear proper protective gear.
Can paintball guns kill?
Maybe, I have seen lots of incidents but with proper protection, you can do paintball without even fear of minor injuries.
Do Airsoft bbs are heavier?
No, airsoft Ammos is tiny as compared to paintball and you can carry thousands of ammo.
Is it illegal to have a paintball gun?
A paintball marker is not considered a real firearm you don't need a fireman license etc. still if you will use this illegally you will be charged.
Will Airsoft break skin?
If you got an airsoft pallet with bare skin your skin maybe break. If you got an airsoft pallet with bare skin your skin maybe break.
Is airsoft an expensive hobby?
No, airsoft is not that expensive you can enjoy it at cheap, but paintball may be a bit expensive.
Do airsoft guns need orange tips?
According to s federal law, every airsoft gun should have an orange tip so that we can recognize the difference.
Do airsoft guns need CO2?
It depends, some guns purely work on spring technology however, some works on CO2 o get more accuracy and FPS.
What does FPS mean in airsoft?
FPS means the shooting velocity of guns.