Airsoft vs Paintball: 5 Important Factors to Help You Choose

Struggling to decide between airsoft or paintball?

Airsoft and paintball are both thrilling games that pit teams of players against each other with guns that shoot non-lethal projectiles.

Some of which look like real guns such as sniper rifles, pistols, and shotguns.

But what’s the difference between these two sports?

We’ve written a comprehensive blog post on airsoft vs paintball which explores their similarities and differences so you can decide which is right for you.

You will learn about the cost of all the equipment needed including guns, ammo holders, protective equipment, as well as how much pain the two sports inflict on your body.

Read our comparison blog now to find out more about airsoft vs paintball!

What is the Difference Between Airsoft and Paintball?

In the most basic terms, the main difference between the two is the type of projectile fired by each gun, with airsoft using small plastic pellets and paintballs using larger gelatin capsules filled with a colored dye.

Let’s get into some other details about these two sports so you can get a better idea of the differences between the two.

What is Airsoft?

Airsoft is a military simulation game featuring two teams who battle it out on an airsoft field with guns that fire small plastic pellets.

These pellets are usually 4.5 mm, 6 mm, and 8 mm in size.

Airsoft real steel guns range from simple spring-powered pistols to highly advanced electric or gas-powered models that can be set to full-auto.

Airsoft players are eliminated from the game when the opposing team hits them with a pellet, and they call themselves “out” using the honor system.

Pros

• Overall more affordable than paintball
• Guns are generally easier to maneuver
• Less pain after getting shot – smaller projectiles
• If players enjoy military simulation (milsim), majority of games are centered around milsim

Cons

• Sometimes difficult to tell when you are hit and eliminated
• Airsoft relies on the honor system – no visible mark left as visual proof of being eliminated
• Can be hard to see where your ammo is landing in order to make corrections to your shooting accuracy

What is Paintball?

Paintball is a team sport where players use gas-operated guns that fire gelatin capsules filled with paint to eliminate the opposing team.

These capsules are usually 0.68 caliber (inches in diameter), depending on the type of gun used.

A paintball gun can vary from basic pump-action models to more advanced semi-automatic and full-auto variants.

Paintball players are visually easier to see when they are eliminated – the paint leaves a mark on your clothes/gear as proof you’ve been shot, and there are referees that check this throughout the game.

There are several different types of play, including woodsball, speedball, milsim, capture the flag, and many others.

Pros

• More paintball game style variation
• Confirmation of a hit due to visible paint
• Longer range play – larger ammo

Cons

• Air tanks can and paintball hoppers make the paintball marker a bit cumbersome
• Can hurt more than airsoft
• High price tag for paintballs, field time, and air

Differences in Equipment

The first and most obvious difference between airsoft gear and paintball equipment is the gun itself.

Let’s take a closer look at the differences in equipment.

Guns

Airsoft guns are typically powered by springs, electric motors, or gas cartridges, while paintball markers are almost always gas-powered.

Airsoft guns have a much greater variety of styles from real firearms replicas to futuristic designs, and while paintball does have replica options, they may be less commonly used than in airsoft.

Paintball guns usually hold their ammo in a paintball hopper, unless the marker is magazine fed (magfed), in which case the reloading process is very similar airsoft.

The process of reloading a hopper is different, though, than just changing out a magazine.

Airsoft Ammunition

Airsoft projectiles are usually small plastic (but metal is available) pellets that come in several shapes, sizes, and weights. The most popular being 4.5 mm, 6 mm, and 8 mm.

Airsoft guns fire these pellets at speeds from 100 to 600 feet per second depending on the gun model and set-up used.

Airsoft ammunition is usually more affordable than paintball ammo, and the pellets do not leave tell-tale marks when they hit their target.

Airsoft also uses launchable grenades and other large blast radius ammunition that burst airsoft pellets in all directions.

Paintball Ammunition

Paintball ammunition consists of gelatin capsules filled with water-soluble paint. These capsules are usually 0.68 caliber (inches in diameter), depending on the type of gun used.

Paintballs travel at a velocity of 250 to 300 feet per second, depending on field rules.

The capsules burst upon impact, leaving a visible mark on the target.

This helps players know they were eliminated and can help referees identify hits during gameplay.

Other types of paintball ammo include first strike rounds, which resemble a bullet instead of a ball. 

You can also find paintball grenades, rocket launchers, mines, and other pyrotechnic ammunition in paintball.

Accuracy

Compared to airsoft, paintball markers use high air pressure to propel heavier paintballs, making it a superior option for accuracy.

With some adjustments, it is possible for airsoft guns to shoot equally as accurate as a paintball marker.

Head Protection

Airsoft generally only requires goggles, while paintball requires a full face paintball mask for the safety of its players.

Some airsoft rules do require full-face protection, though.

Head protection is of utmost importance when playing paintball, as there is risk to injuring your eyes, mouth, and ears.

Player Roles

In paintball, depending on the type of gameplay, the roles will boil down to the strategy of the game.

In speedball, you could have players dedicated to lanes between bunkers, or laying down cover fire.

In other types of paintball games, people may be assigned to defend or attack, do reconnaissance, or use paintball sniper rifles.

Airsoft roles will generally be based on type of weaponry.

Depending on the nature of the gun the player is using, there are many additional roles that are not found in paintball.

For example, long airsoft rifles are used by snipers, assault rifles and grenades are used by assault troops, shotguns are used to breach rooms and in close quarters.

Machine guns are used by heavy weapons specialists.

There may also even be team medics in longer scenario battles.

Cost Differences

When it comes to paintball, the cost to play is usually higher than an airsoft game.

If you’re buying your own mid-level paintball gear (including a marker, air tank, mask, field fees, paintballs, and air) and going to a field, you could expect to spend about $300.

You could also rent your paintball equipment at a field, pay for paintballs and air, and come out at around $100 for a day.

On the other hand, a day of rental costs at an airsoft facility will cost about $100 – which includes a gun and a sidearm, magazine, airsoft bbs, mask, and a battery.

If you were buying your airsoft outfit, you could start for around $100 to get everything you need, including the battery powered airsoft gun.

Really, you can spend as little or as much as you like on either paintball or airsoft gear, depending on how high-tech you want to go – reaching into thousands of dollars for gear in either sport.

While the costs here may seem similar, the main cost difference is in ammunition.

It costs about $13 to get 2000 rounds of airsoft ammo, while 2000 rounds of paintballs will cost about $45.

It’s nearly 60% cheaper to buy ammunition for airsoft games!

Pain and Injuries

From a physics standpoint, paintball hurts more than airsoft.

Force = Mass x Acceleration

Airsoft guns and paintball guns both shoot at roughly the same velocity, but paintballs have about 10 times more mass than airsoft bbs.

So paintball pellets will have about 10 times more force when they hit you compared to airsoft pellets.

Of course, at close enough range, an airsoft bb will definitely cause pain, but the size of the injury will certainly be smaller than if you were to be hit by a paintball.

The force will also decrease for both projectiles due to drag of the air and due to gravity.

So keep in mind that the farther you are away from either type of ammo, the less it will hurt because the projectile will decrease in speed.

Wrap Up

Airsoft and paintball are both fun sports that offer different experiences to the players.

Paintball has the advantage of a wide range of game types and small or large fields, but airsoft has the advantage of typically being cheaper due to lower ammunition cost.

Safety gear also slightly differs between the two games, with paintball requiring a bit more specialized head protection and airsoft requiring eye protection no matter the distance.

Ultimately, it is up to the player to decide which game suits their preferences best.

No matter what your choice is, both sports offer quality indoor and outdoor entertainment that can be enjoyed by all ages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is airsoft better than paintball?

That depends on the preferences of each individual player.

Airsoft is more affordable when it comes to ammunition and can also be played in closer quarters due to the lower force of a pellet compared to a paintball.

Paintball is more accurate and typically hurts more when hit due to the heavier balls. Ultimately, it’s up to the player to decide which sport is best for them.

Whichever one you choose, make sure that you practice safety protocols such as wearing protective gear and following proper etiquette.

Is paintball harder than airsoft?

It really depends on the individual player’s skill level, physical fitness, and the environment that they are playing in.

Paintball generally can be played from longer distances, longer games depending on the scenario, and there are a lot of variations in the types of paintball games you can play.

On the other hand, airsoft can be played in closer quarters and indoors due to its lower force which means it can be enjoyed in a variety of environments.

So it really depends on what each player is looking for out of their experience.

Make sure you do your research before deciding which one is best for you!

Is airsoft more sore than paintball?

No, airsoft is typically not more sore than paintball due to the lower force of a pellet compared to a paintball.

Paintball has about 10 times more mass than airsoft bb’s which means it will have about 10 times more force when it hits you.

At close enough range, an airsoft pellet can still cause some pain, but the size of the injury will certainly be smaller than if you were hit by a paintball.

Which is safer airsoft or paintball?

Airsoft typically requires only eye protection due to the lower force of a pellet compared to a paintball, but paintball usually requires more specialized head protection for your ears, nose, and mouth.

Overall, airsoft could be considered safer.