Best Beginner Paintball Guns of 2023

In an effort to get more people into paintball, more and more companies have been making fantastic entry-level paintball guns. In the past, it could be a daunting task for new players to choose their first marker, but now there are several options that come in at a very inexpensive price while still being of fairly high quality. This article will highlight some of the best paintball guns on the market for people new to this sport that want a marker that can grow with them and won’t break the bank.

List of Best Beginner Paintball Guns

What is a Paintball Gun?

A paintball gun, in simplest terms, is a tool used in the game of paintball. It propels balls of paint that mark the opposing team members when hit. Paintballs are made up of gelatin shells surrounding an oil based paint fill and compressed air or nitrogen for propulsion.

What to Consider When Buying Beginner Paintball Guns?

When choosing a beginner paintball gun, it’s helpful to keep in mind that there are many different types of markers available. There are manual guns that require the user to manually pull back on the rod each time they want to fire which can be discouraging when players aren’t able to achieve sufficient accuracy.

Then there is the semi-automatic marker which is powered by an electric motor that propels the paintball for you, but it fires until the trigger is released or the air runs out. This type of marker has more appeal to new players because it is less complicated and will typically be easier for new players to use.

On top of that, there are varying degrees on how much effort is required to maintain your marker. There are guns that come in with the paintball loader built into them and there are ones that require you to buy and attach it separately.

This means that if you’re not mechanically inclined, it would be a good idea to choose one that comes with its own loader built in because it may be very difficult or even impossible to attach a loader after you bought the paintball gun.

Types of Paintball Markers

There are three main types of paintball markers available on the market for beginners to choose from.

Pump Markers

These are either manual or semi-automatic and they get their name from the pump action that players need to perform to fire them; this is one of the reasons some people find them intimidating because it requires some muscle behind every shot. They are typically made up of a basic cylinder and firing mechanism with the pump grip located on the front or side of the marker.

Pump markers have been around since paintball started and they come in both manual and semi-automatic varieties.  They’re usually very basic but maybe a good choice for someone who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money and wants to focus on the sport itself rather than high end accessories.

Electro-Pneumatic Markers

This type of marker has an electronic air valve that fires the paintball and is powered by either batteries or compressed air. They come in both semi-automatic and fully automatic varieties, with the latter being ideal for the experienced player that wants to dominate the field.

Most paintball markers fall into this category and they’re typically more expensive than manual or pump types, but also offer a great deal of power, accuracy, and control.  They do require regular maintenance as well as a degree of mechanical aptitude which is why some people prefer to buy them pre-built and avoid the hassle.

Hybrid Markers

Hybrid markers combine some of the best features from each type of marker and they’re meant to be easier for new players; but, as this is a design that has only been around for a few years, they tend to be more expensive than other types of paintball guns.

The most popular type of hybrid is the electro-pneumatic because it combines an electronic air valve with a mechanical trigger that ensures that players maintain a reasonable rate of fire while also being able to achieve good accuracy.

Can Beginners Use Semi-Automatic Markers?

Although manual and pump markers are always going to be simpler to use, it doesn’t mean that semi-automatic markers aren’t suitable for beginners.

These guns typically don’t require players to pump after every shot and they’re easier than fully automatic ones in the sense that the rate of fire isn’t as high or uncontrollable.

For people who want a marker that’s going to be easy to maintain and which doesn’t need a lot of fine motor skills, semi-automatic markers are a viable option.

Furthermore, many brands have developed the technology to make the firing mechanism as easy as possible for inexperienced players and it’s very rare that any beginner is going to have trouble with one.

When Is an Automatic Marker The Right Choice?

Although most beginners will be fine with a semi-automatic marker, there are some instances when an automatic paintball gun can really come in handy.

For instance, if you’re playing tournament paintball, there’s usually a minimum rate of fire that players need to achieve for their team to stand any chance of success.  Without an automatic marker, you’re likely to be at a significant disadvantage against your opponents.

Another reason to use an automatic marker is if you’re playing on a very large paintball field where covering the maximum distance in the shortest time possible is important for survival.  This isn’t something that beginner players are going to need but it could be useful if you’re leveling up to intermediate or even professional level.

Conclusion

Although there are benefits to all types of paintball markers, it’s always a good idea for new players to go with semi-automatic models because they’re easier to set up and maintain.

The majority of companies have designed their firing mechanisms so that they require less skill than in the past which is why this type of marker is suitable even if you’ve never played the sport before.

If you don’t want to spend a great deal of money, there are many semi-automatic models available for under $200 which would be an ideal choice if you’re on a budget.

Ultimately, it’s always best to do some research beforehand so that you have an idea of how much you’re willing to pay, what features you need, and what type of gun would be best for your skill level.

Of course, beginners aren’t the only players who can benefit from semi-automatic markers so if you’re experienced with paintballing, it might be worth upgrading to one because they offer a higher degree of accuracy compared to other types.