What qualifies as the best Airsoft gun for you depends on a few factors, including your experience level, how you like to play, what role you like to play, and even how you would like your airsoft gun to perform.
If you are just getting into airsoft, you might have already noticed that Airsoft Guns are not like paintball guns. Instead, best airsoft guns are built in the exact likeness of real firearms, giving players a more authentic experience on the battlefield.
Regardless of whether you are an advanced competitive airsoft player or someone just getting into the game, you will need to review the important features found in an airsoft gun, including how it is powered, the size, and even the design. Getting started in the hunt for the best airsoft gun does not need to be overwhelming.
In this guide, we will take you through the 10 top airsoft guns of 2018 and walk you through all of the important features in each gun, helping you find the perfect airsoft gun for you.
Different Types Of Airsoft Guns
While there are endless types of airsoft guns to choose from, there are three basic types of power: electronic, gas, and spring powered guns. One type is not better than another, but instead each has its own purpose and function. The type you need will depend both on your type of gameplay and your role.
AEG (Automatic Electronic Guns):
An AEG, or automatic electronic gun, is a battery-powered gun with a fully automatic operating rifle. The battery is usually rechargeable and the rifles themselves have multiple modes to choose from, including semi-automatic and full-automatic, letting you operate your airsoft rifle like a machine gun. An AEG is the most popular style of airsoft gun for airsoft enthusiasts who like the automatic function. They work when the gears turn inside the gun, compressing the piston and creating a blast of air to launch the BBs. These guns usually can fire anywhere from 600 to 900 rounds a minute, mimicking a live ammo machine gun.
Gas Powered Guns:
Gas powered airsoft guns use compressed gas, usually CO2, to drive the shooting mechanism. They do not operate in the same way as the AEGs. Before the introduction of the AEG-styled rifle, gas power was the way that most players preferred to go. Gas can be affected by the weather, however, and they do not have the same full-automatic shooting power that you can get with the AEGs. Gas power is usually the preference for the smaller guns, where having an electric board doesn’t make sense. Regardless, some airsoft players still prefer gas over electric.
Spring Powered Guns:
Spring powered airsoft rifles are definitely the least complex of the three types of guns. They do not need the fuel or power in order to operate like the other types. This also means, however, they do not have the same shooting power that you can get from a gas powered or electric rifle. For beginners or snipers, however, having a simple rifle to test out how the game works might be a good idea. You also need to rely more on accuracy with a spring powered gun since the BBs will not shoot as quickly.
What To Look For In The Best Airsoft Gun
Plastic vs Metal Body:
One of the biggest considerations when choosing the best airsoft gun is the type of material that the body is made out of. Plastic or polymer airsoft guns are naturally lighter while still being durable. They do not have a very realistic appearance, however. Metal guns are also durable and provide a more realistic feel, but they are also very heavy to carry around. The material you need or want depends on the type of game you like to play.
FPS and Accuracy:
FPS, or feet per second, is how fast your BB flies form the barrel to the target. Having a great and quick range is a great goal to have, but you should also remember that the gun needs to be able to fire accurately as well as quickly. The speed you need will depend on what your role on the team is and the type of gun you like to play with.
Accessories & Upgrades:
While many of the best airsoft guns on the market come with a great quality that is good to go for many people, some players will need modifications, add-ons, or upgrades. Accessories can usually be added with a picatinny rail system, allowing you to add a flashlight, scope, red dot, or a different sight. You can upgrade pieces of your gun to better suit your needs, including the barrel, trigger, and hop up.
Top 10 Best Airsoft Guns Of 2018
Brand | Type | Role | Weight | Rating | Check Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Lancer Tactical M4 Editor's Choice | AEG | Rifleman/ Support Gunner | 6.5 lbs | 100% | |
2. JG AK47S Rifle Budget Friendly | AEG | Rifleman/ | 7.75 lbs | 97% | |
3. Kalashnikov AK47 Editor's Choice | AEG | Rifleman/ | 9.5 lbs | 99% | |
4. Beretta ARX160 | AEG | Rifleman/ | 7.2 lbs | 96% | |
5. Tippmann Army High Performance | AEG | Rifleman/ | 8.5 lbs | 99% | |
6. Golden Eagle PP-19 | AEG | Rifleman/ | 6.0 lbs | 95% | |
7. JG X47 AKM Rifle | AEG | Rifleman/ | 8.0 lbs | 94% | |
8. KJW KC02 Sniper Designated Marksman | Gas | DM/ | 5.25 lbs | 98% | |
9. CYMA M14 DMR Sniper Rifle | AEG | Sniper | 10.3 lbs | 98% | |
10. Cybergun FN SCAR | AEG | Rifleman | 6.83 lbs | 92% |
1. Lancer Tactical Full Metal M4 Commando CQB
Best Airsoft Gun Overall (Editor's Choice)
Our choice for the best airsoft gun is the Lancer Tactical Full Metal M4 Commando CQB. The Lancer M4 Commando is an AEG rifle that works well in close quarter combat (CQB).
Design:
The Lancer Tactical Commando is a replica of the M4 assault rifle. This model is built with a metal receiver and outer barrel, giving you a more realistic look and feel than you would get from a polymer gun. This gun also has full metal upper and lower receivers as well as a full metal reinforced Version 2 gearbox, ensuring that the gun is going to hold up for a long time. The outer barrel itself is 11-inches, making it a shorter barrel. Because it is shorter, it is a great choice for those who might fight their battle in close quarters.
The weight is on the lighter side, even though it is a full metal gun, weighing only 6.5 pounds. The overall length is 26.5 inches when the stock is folded in or 29.75 when it is fully extended. It’s lightweight and compact design make it easy to manoeuvre from spot to spot quickly while still giving you the fire power you would hope for.
Fire Power & Accuracy:
The Commando has a high magazine capacity, holding 300 rounds of ammo. This makes sense considering the gun is an AEG, allowing you both semi-auto and full-auto capabilities for firing. It has a great muzzle velocity, firing at 420 feet per second. This gun also comes with iron sights that will help most players achieve the accuracy that they would hope for.
Best Use:
Because this is such a great replica of a real M4, the Lancer Tactical Commando M4 is a great choice for players who are hoping to have a more realistic experience on the battlefield or those who enjoy military simulation strategy games. Role-wise, this would be a great choice for many different roles, including the rifleman and the support gunner. It is also easy to use, so it would work well for both beginning and more advanced airsoft players.
2. JG Full Metal Gearbox AK47S
Budget Friendly
The best airsoft gun on a budget is the JG AK47S with a full-metal Gearbox. It brings with it the reliably, durability, and accuracy that you need to be competitive in airsoft with all of the power you want from an assault rifle. As an added bonus, this gun will stay within your budget.
Design:
This is a heavy-duty AK47 with a polymer receiver and an all-metal gearbox. Despite the fact that this is not an all-metal design, this AK47 replica still has a more realistic appearance being made from polymer. Really, the only pieces made from the polymer plastic are the grip and forestock, meaning the internal pieces are still full-metal. The JG AK47S is 34 inches in length and has a 455 millimetre inner barrel. The tactical metallic rear folding stock allows the gun to adapt to your style of play. This AK47 is a little heavier than other guns due to its metal body, coming in at 7.5 pounds.
Fire Power & Accuracy:
The JG AK47S has a muzzle velocity of 380 to 410 feet per second. The magazine is a gear-wind up design with a 600-round capacity, making it one of the highest magazine capacities that you will find with an airsoft gun. As most AK47s are, the JG can operate both semi-auto and full-auto as it is an AEG. This gun also comes with a precision polished tight bore barrel that improves the gun’s overall durability, but also improves accuracy since it has no possible catches internally.
Best Use:
One of the best features that you will find with the JG AK47S is that it is a versatile gun. That means that it can work well for beginners or advanced players alike. The gun is adaptable to suit your needs and your style of gameplay, making it the best airsoft AK47 that you can get. Role-wise, this would be a great choice for support gunners who need to provide cover or even riflemen who would like a little more power. It is not a great choice for snipers or anyone who would not appreciate the firing capabilities.
3. Kalashnikov AK47 RIS Airsoft AEG Rifle
Editor's Choice
Without a doubt one of the best airsoft guns that you can possibly find, the Kalashnikov AK47 RIS is a 60th anniversary replica of the famous and popular AK47.
Design:
The Kalashnikov AK47 RIS is designed to mimic the original AK47 to the best of its ability. It has a metal receiver and a metal outer barrel, really giving you the appearance that this is the real deal. The rifle is heavier than others, weighing in at 9.5 pounds, so this might not be a good choice if you are not prepared to hold it up throughout the entire battle.
The tactical folding rear stock will also give you the best tactical versatility that you can find. This gun also comes with a molded grip to give you a solid hold while keeping your hand from getting too tired.
Fire Power & Accuracy:
The magazine capacity for the Kalashnikov AK47 is 550, making it one of the higher capacity magazines out there. The muzzle velocity is also excellent, shooting at 400 feet per second. This is an AEG gun, which means that it has the capability of shooting either semi-auto or full-auto as you would prefer. This AK47 replica also has a great accuracy rating due to its tight-bore, full-metal barrel. This gun also comes with an ultra-high torque motor to give you speed.
Best Use:
This is a great choice for players who like to get a more realistic feeling when they are playing airsoft, really trying to recreate the look and feel of the original AK47 in the form of an airsoft gun. This edition especially is a wonderful choice for players who enjoy mil sim setups or who just appreciate a more authentic experience on the battlefield.
Even though this is a heavier gun, the weight is also part of its authenticity, making it a good choice for those looking for that type of feel from a gun. Just like other assault rifle replicas, this is a good choice for riflemen or support gunners, but would not be a good choice for snipers or scouts.
4. Elite Force Beretta ARX160
One of the most high performance and best airsoft rifles, the Elite Force Beretta ARX160 is an accurate replica of the Beretta used by the Italian armed forces.
Design:
The Beretta ARX 160 is designed to look and act like a real Beretta. With ambidextrous features like a front and rear sling mounts, bolt release, and fire selector switch, this rifle works great no matter what is your dominant hand. There is also a full metal QD outer barrel that can come off to expose both the outer and inner barrel easily. The retractable stock can fold in when you want it to.
The Beretta ARX160 also has picatinny rails to allow you to add on optics and remove the iron sights. The gun is a middle weight, coming in at 7.2 pounds, meaning there are both lighter and heavier guns out there. The railed handguard has a removal lower section to allow you to get the perfect fit for your needs.
Fire Power & Accuracy:
With the electric blowback system, the Beretta ARX160 gives you a very realistic feeling when you fire. The trigger has a micro-switch as well which increases the trigger response. The quick change spring system allows you to control the muzzle velocity. The velocity can be set from 350 to 400 feet per second. This Beretta also has a full metal tooth piston, allowing it to withstand even higher speeds. The magazine capacity of the Beretta is 300, which should last you for either an entire game or at least a good portion of one depending on how you are shooting.
Best Use:
The Beretta is a high powered, high performance rifle. This would most likely be too much for a newer player to handle due to the high speeds and the intensity. Players who prefer a more realistic battlefield experience would be happy with the Beretta ARX160 as well. On the field, the support gunner would work well with this rifle, but also a rifleman or DM (Designated Marksman) might also have fun with it.
5. AY UXR3 RIS CQB M4
High Performance
If you are looking for one of the best airsoft guns that is also a high performance gun, the AY UXR3 RIS M4 might be a good choice for you.
Design:
The AY UXR3 RIS M4 is an AEG that works well in close quarter battles. The gun is one of the heavier choices out there, weighting 8.5 pounds. It has a retractable crane stock, which is 26.3 inches when folded in or 30.8 inches when it is extended. This is an assault rifle replica of the M4. This has a metal receiver, but the motor grip is polymer.
This is a great choice of guns if you are fighting in close quarters. This gun also has a RIS, also known as an airsoft rail interface system, which will allow you to add on attachments to the gun. There is also a folding front and rear sight on it for better accuracy, but the RIS allows you to add on a better scope if you need to.
Fire Power & Accuracy:
The AY UXR3 RIS M4 has a magazine capacity of 300 rounds, which is kind of middle ground for capacity size. It has the ability to operate semi-auto and full-auto as well. The muzzle velocity is 370 feet per second, making it more middle of the road as far as speed goes. This gun is better designed for CQB, meaning it works well close up, but is not a great choice for far away. The effective range on this gun is about 90 feet, which is not very far on the airsoft battlefield.
Best Use:
This M4 is a better choice for airsoft enthusiasts and would not be a great choice for players who are just getting started in the game. Because it is an AEG with semi-auto and full-auto modes, it is a good choice for riflemen as well as support gunners, but like other AEGs, it would not be a good choice for snipers. Because it is a CQB gun, however, this could still work well for scouts who do not need a bulky weapon to run around with.
