Best Paintball Guns Under $400 (2023 Picks)

It’s no secret that to be competitive at any level of paintball you are going to need a high quality marker. And it’s also not much of a surprise that these markers don’t come cheap.
But if you’re looking for the best value in terms of performance, reliability, and durability- your search might end right here with the following list of paintball guns under $400- that are not only up to the task but will help you step up your game.
Our Top Picks of Best Paintball Guns Under 400 Dollars
Preview | Product | Rating | |
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Empire Mini GS Paintball Gun w/ 2 Piece Barrel - Dust Aqua/Dust Orange (17391) | Buy on Amazon |
What To Look Before Buying a 400$ Paintball Gun?
Just like any other product, the best value for your money is usually found in mid-range products.
That being said, you should be carefully examining all aspects of the marker before making your purchase. This way you are likely to get the most performance for your dollar.
General Tips & Advice
The first thing that I would recommend doing is checking the warranty. Paintball markers come with a standard 1-year guarantee if you purchase from an authorized dealer. If it’s under warranty, they will fix any problems at no cost to you!
Secondly, make sure to check if your marker is compatible with aftermarket upgrades. This way you can modify and upgrade your gun as time passes and your needs change.
Some of the features that you should consider before making your purchase are the ability to use CO2 or compressed air, accuracy, and durability. If possible it would be best to try out the gun before buying it. This way you can get a feel for how you like to play and make sure it’s a good fit for your hand.
Full-Auto/Semi-Auto Firing Modes
The firing modes are basically the rate at which you can shoot your marker. Usually, markers under $400 will have either a 4+1 Semi Auto mode or 3+1 Burst mode. It’s not much of a problem if you play in close quarters and don’t need a wide spray pattern.
However, if you play outside or at large arenas, or simply want to cover more area with your shots- then a Full Auto firing mode which usually gives you up to 8+1 firing modes might be what you need.
Magazine/Hopper Capacity
Another thing that I would recommend checking is how many shots you can shoot before needing to reload. The ideal range for a marker with a standard hopper and magazine should be around 20-30 rounds. However, if your hopper is external (not built into the gun) the number of shots before needing to reload will increase.
The internal magazines usually hold about 10-15 rounds which is a good amount for a single refill, while the hoppers can hold anywhere from 100 to 200 rounds which makes refilling in the middle of a game pretty quick and easy.
Weight & Ergonomics
Depending on your playstyle you might need a heavier or a lighter marker. Some players prefer a solid, heavy gun so that their shots have more impact on the target. Others might want a lighter less cumbersome model to maintain speed and agility throughout the game.
Also, make sure that you like the ergonomics of your gun and that it’s easy to carry around all day. Check if there are any sharp edges or excessively bulky parts- most manufacturers will fix this in newer models but it doesn’t hurt to check before buying. If possible try out a friend’s marker so you can see how it feels to hold and fire it.
Refilling Method
This doesn’t apply only to markers that run on CO2 cartridges, but rather any kind of marker that can be refilled during a game. Before making your purchase make sure you know what gas the gun uses and how many shots you can expect from one refill. The last thing you want is to start running out of gas in the middle of a firefight and not be able to continue playing.
A Final Word:
No matter what your budget might be, the best value for your money is usually found in mid-range products. The more you spend, the higher quality product that you are likely to get.
However, if you try and search for the cheapest paintball markers on the market, you might end up with a low quality marker that does not perform well in terms of durability and accuracy. And this is definitely NOT what you want!
For more information about the best paintball gun under 100 check out our article here.