Like most hobbies or sporting activities, airsoft implies a cost to get started. While some might argue that airsoft is very expensive, I think it is one of the more affordable hobbies you can get into. You can still have fun with basic gear and if you decide it’s something you want to enjoy long-term, there are plenty of opportunities to spend your hard-earned cash. The best part about this sport is that it has come a very long way since its inception in the 1980s. Airsoft guns have gotten more reliable and more affordable over time, while the range of models you can choose from is certainly in the thousands.
Airsoft is an expensive hobby if you just look at the upfront costs of buying a replica and the mandatory protective gear. However, the cost of playing airsoft is low compared to other hobbies as the consumables and entry fees are very affordable.
The best part about airsoft is that you can experience the action with minimal costs. If you would like to try out this sport, you can do it without buying any gear. The only costs would be an entry fee for the airsoft venue, renting a replica and protective gear, and buying some ammo. Depending on the location, this can end up costing under $75. In the following paragraphs, I will break down the costs of airsoft to show you that you can have fun on a limited budget.
Airsoft is Expensive For New Players
This is both true and false. First-time players rarely have their own replicas so they either rent one or borrow one from a friend. This is the perfect way in which to try out airsoft. If you don’t enjoy the sport after your first couple of games with rental equipment, you can avoid spending money on a replica and safety gear.
Here is a quick rundown of estimated costs for renting airsoft gear for a day. Depending on the quality of the replica, location, and consumables, prices can range from 10 to 50 dollars. Here are a few examples:
- Mission Airsoft offers rental guns starting at $25 for the day, with additional costs for accessories such as BBs, CO2, and dead rags. [1]
- VIP Airsoft has an online prepaid rental package for $12.98 that includes an AEG rifle, a full face mask, and a basic chest protector. [2]
- Team Airsoft offers rental packages starting at $40 for the day, which include a rental M4, a full face mask, a high-capacity magazine, and 1000 rounds of BBs. [3]
- Tac City Airsoft has rental rifles starting at $20 for HPA rifles and $30 for high-performance rifles such as Specna Arms PDW, Krytac Trident PDW, Krytac CRB MKII, and Krytac Vector SMG. [4]
Please keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and are only accurate as of early 2023. If you’re thinking of trying airsoft for a day, your best bet is to check the venue’s website for more information about rental costs.
Exploring the Cost of Airsoft: Is it as Expensive as You Think?
You can use the following table to get a rough idea of what you can expect to spend when you decide to purchase your own gear. Keep in mind that I put this list together to help out newer players so I’ve stuck to the lower end of the price ranges. I’ve explained all you need to know about each piece of equipment in the paragraphs below so make sure to check them out.
| Piece of Gear or Equipment | Notes | Average Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Replica (airsoft gun) – AEG (powered by batteries) | I only included AEGs in this category as they are more affordable and a bit easier for beginners to operate | 150 – 300 |
| Replica Shotgun | The cheapest option to get into the sport. Mostly suited to CQB games. Remember to buy extra shells! | 70 – 100 |
| Eye Protection | Mandatory. Getting an ANSI rated pair of glasses or full-seal goggles should be your main concern. You won’t be allowed to play without these. | 15 – 35 |
| Lower Face Protection / Mask | Mandatory on some fields. Will prevent costly dental bills. | 10 – 20 |
| BBs | Your main consumable. I don’t recommend buying anything under 0,25 grams. Your best option would be 0.28 gram. | 10 -15 |
| Extra magazines | I recommend buying 2 to 3 midcaps for your AEG or a pack of 5 shells for your shotgun. | 30 – 50 |
| Batteries for your AEG | Make sure you get the right connector for the battery so it matches the one on your AEG replica. | 30 – 40 |
| BB Loader | While you can borrow one from other players, it’s best if you get your own. | 10 – 15 |
| Chest Rig/Plate Carrier | Not mandatory. You need something to carry your spare magazines and other pieces of equipment. Read below to find out what sets them apart. | 20 – 50 |
| Airsoft Helmet | Not mandatory. Nice to have for added head protection. | 40 – 50 |
| Gloves | Not mandatory. Good for protecting against scrapes and cuts. | 10 – 20 |
| Optical Aiming Units | Not mandatory. I recommend basic red dot sights because they are cheap and reliable. Magnified optics should only be used on sniper rifles or DMRs. | 30 – 50 |
| Dead Rag | Not mandatory. Will save you from shots while walking back to the staging or respawn area. | 2 |
| Sidearm | Not mandatory. If you can afford it, get a GBB pistol and don’t forget to buy a holster. | 100 – 150 |
If you find that you do enjoy playing, then you’ll probably need to consider buying your own gun and equipment. Fortunately, as airsoft has become more popular around the world, there are plenty of affordable replicas you can choose from. You can get a good entry-level gun for around $150. For another $50 you can get a decent pair of airsoft goggles that are ANSI Z87+ rated and a mesh mask, the basic pieces of protective equipment. Some fields will let you play without lower face protection, but most require you to have a mask that covers your nose and mouth.
Besides the replica and the protective equipment, you will need to buy consumables. These include ammo and gas (if you use a gas gun). In terms of ammo, you can expect to pay 10 to 15 dollars for a bag of 4000 bbs. The price varies depending on the brand you choose and the weight of the bbs. The standard recommended weight is either 0.25 or 0.28 gram bbs as these will work with most guns, especially those that a beginner might purchase. A pack should last you for an entire day of play. Even if you do run out, most airsoft sites have a shop where you can resupply. However, I recommend buying your bbs online as you generally get them cheaper than those bought from airsoft venues.
The other consumable I mentioned is gas. If the gun you have rented/borrowed is powered by compressed gas, you will need to buy a bottle of green gas (propane mixed with silicone oil) to fill up the magazines. There is a lot to discuss in terms of gas and I have covered this topic in another article (types, pressures). You can get a can of green gas for around $17. This should be enough for 30-60 fills of a regular gas magazine. Again, this will vary depending on the replica you are using and its gas efficiency.
All in all, if you do your research well and manage to find some discounts, I would say that you could get basic airsoft gear for $250 to $300. This should include an electric rifle or SMG (also known as AEGs), a battery and charger, full face protection (goggles and mask), a few spare magazines, a BB loader, and a few bags of BBs. Depending on your preferences, you could even get all these pieces of kit for less, but at some point, more savings has diminishing returns. Cheap replicas such as LPAEGs (low-power automatic electric guns) are ineffective and will likely break after just a few hours of use.
Cheaper options like springer pistols and other low-budget airsoft guns do exist, but they are only adequate if you plan to use them to shoot in your backyard. These can’t handle airsoft games so don’t even bother to show up to a venue with one of these. The only exception is spring-powered shotguns. These work great in a CQB environment as most models can fire 3 to 6 bbs at once at a decent range.
Airsoft shotguns are one of the most affordable ways in which to get into airsoft. They are relatively cheap and each shell holds around 30 bbs. For example, a good 3-shot shotgun can be had for $65 , while a pack of 6 shells is $16. Cyma and Double Eagle make reliable replicas, so for around $80, you can go enjoy a day at any indoor field (you still need to pay the entry fee). If you want to know more about shotguns, check out my review of the Cyma CM353.
The Realities of Airsoft Pricing: What You Need to Know Before You Buy
Now that you know more about what it would cost to rent or buy the basic equipment, I’m going to give you a rundown of other accessories which you might need to enjoy the sport. These are spare magazines for your replica, a carrying system for these magazines (chest rig or plate carrier, a sling for your rifle), spare batteries, a good battery charger, BB loader, and other pieces of protective gear (mask, helmet, gloves), an optic, a sidearm, a dead-rag, clothing, and footwear.
Extra Magazines
No matter what gun you buy, you will still need an extra magazine for it, just so you can carry more ammo on you. Most AEGs, rifles or SMGs, come with at least one magazine, which is usually a high-capacity magazine. This can hold approximately 300 BBs for M4 style mags and around 500 BBs for AK style mags. While this can be enough for short games, you will struggle with longer games or if you are especially trigger-happy. Some of the more expensive replicas may come with two mid-capacity magazines. These can hold around 100-120 BBs for M4 magazines and around 150 BBs for AK magazines.
If your budget is tight, two to three high-cap magazines will work fine and you should have enough ammo on you even for longer engagements. If you can afford to spend a little more, I would recommend getting four to five mid-cap magazines because they just feed better, you don’t need to wind them constantly and, most importantly, they don’t rattle when you move. For more info on types of airsoft magazines, check out my detailed guide.
How to buy airsoft magazines? My advice is to check whether the manufacturer of your replica offers packs of magazines. This guarantees that they will fit your gun and the price will generally be discounted. You can expect to pay around $50 to $120 for a box of 5 magazines.
Small piece of free advice: if you end up buying an E&L AK, don’t buy E&L mid cap magazines. I made this mistake and bought a box of 5, none of which worked well. To read about this “adventure” read my review of the E&L AK 105 gen 2.
Chest Rig or Plate Carrier
Now that you’ve bought your magazines, you need something to carry them on your person during the game. Now, if you only have one spare mag, a pocket on your pants or jacket can work however, this isn’t optimal. The magazine may just fall out as you’re running, or even if it is safely secured, you may find it difficult to get it out of your pocket, especially when you’re hiding behind cover. This is where chest rigs and plate carriers come in. They represent the best way of carrying extra magazines in battle.
A plate carrier, as the name suggests, looks like a vest that is designed to carry two ballistic plates, one in the front and one in the back. For airsoft purposes, the plates are either made of plastic or foam as these provide sufficient protection against BBs. The carrier rests on your shoulders and straps around your upper body, therefore everything that is attached to it is within easy reach. Having your extra magazines on the front of the plate carrier is the norm as this makes reloading and re-indexing magazines very convenient. You can also attach other pieces of equipment, such as hydration pouches on the back, dead-rag holders, radios, patches, and extra pouches for utilities (first aid kit, spare batteries and others)
How much does an airsoft plate carrier cost? Well, the cheaper ones can start at around $40, like this Emerson Gear Carrier and while this may be a good option for a beginner, I wouldn’t trust the stitching to last for more than a few games, depending on the way you treat it of course. As with most things, the more you pay, the more you get. I would recommend spending 80 to 100 dollars on a plate carrier as in this price range you get more accessories, a better fit, more padding on the shoulder straps, and other quality-of-life details that will make gameplay easier for you.
Here is a picture of my first plate carrier, the JUMP PLATE CARRIER CUMMERBUND from 8Fields. As you can see, it was very cheap (around $40) and it shows. The shoulder straps have some wear and tear, but other than that it has held up ok. If you would like to learn more about it, here’s my full review of it.
Chest rigs are the cheapest option when it comes to carrying extra magazines. The reason I prefer them is that they are lighter and offer better breathability. As I tend to play fast and furious I get really hot and I’ve found that I sweat and overheat way more while wearing a plate carrier. I will admit however that plate carriers look cooler (most professional armies wear them). Getting back to rigs, they have plenty of magazine capacity and most models can be customized for your particular needs. Everything you need is easily accessible and if you do need extra carrying capacity, you can attach an extra fanny pouch.
Here is the model I am running, the COMPACT MULTI-MISSION CHEST RIG from 8Fields in multicam black. What I like about it is that I can change the insert so it accommodates either three M4 or AK magazines, four MP5 magazines (most SMG mags fit), or two M14/SCAR H/SR 25 magazines (the .308 style mags). Other than that, I have space for two pistol magazines and I use the pouch in the front to hold my car keys, my phone, and a spare battery for my rifle. On the shoulder straps, I’ve attached a dead rag and sometimes I will clip on a radio. This is plenty of carrying capacity since I also run a battle belt. This can cost around 20 to 50 dollars.
How much should you spend on an airsoft chest rig? As much as you want as they are way cheaper than plate carriers. Chest rigs are a matter of preference and you can get one as cheaply as $20 for the Surplus Chicom rig or you could go as high as $200 for one of these.
Spare batteries and battery charger
This part is a bit more difficult to explain. Some replicas come with a battery and charger, but most don’t. You should definitely check this when ordering your first AEG so you don’t end up without a means of powering it. If your gun came with a battery and charger, you’re all set. All you need to do is buy a similar battery so you have a backup when the first runs out.
The main issue with using the included battery charger is that these units are generally of poor quality and they won’t allow you to take care of your batteries properly. That is why I recommend buying a smart charger which should cost $50 to $70. Most models have a series of functions that will prolong the life of your batteries. For example, they will stop charging when the battery is full. The best part about smart chargers is that they allow you to charge different types of batteries such as NiMh, LiPo, Lion, LiFe, and others.
If the replica you chose doesn’t come with a battery, you will need to purchase one separately. To get this right, you should check what the store or the manufacturer of the gun recommends. Some guns can’t handle the high discharge rates of LiPo batteries, so you might have to pick up a NiMh battery. That being said, expect to pay around $30 for a NiMh battery and a bit more for a LiPo battery. The prices varies significantly depending on the form factor, power output, and capacity.
BB Loader
While you could, in theory, load the BBs into the magazines by hand, I wouldn’t recommend it. Not only is it tedious to do, but it also might affect the performance of your replica. Handling the BBs with dirty or sweaty hands can affect their performance. Because the BBs are very light 0,2 to 0,4 grams even small particles of dust and grime can destabilize their flight trajectory. In addition, any dirt that you introduce in your magazines can lead to feeding issues. Your replica can also be affected because the accumulation of dust in the hop-up unit and the inner barrel will affect its accuracy. In the long term, this will cause wear and tear and even stoppages.
A good BB loader will save you time and possibly money (that you won’t need to spend on repairs). There are many models available on the market, the most common being the pistol-size mag (affiliate link), which holds around 100 BBs. Other loaders are shaped like M4 magazines and can hold 300 to 500 rounds, while the higher capacity ones like the Odin Speedloader can hold up to 1600.
You should be able to buy a basic speed loader for under 10$, but you can expect to spend more for higher capacity ones. Personally, I run a loader like this one (around 20$) because it can be conveniently stored in a rifle magazine pouch and carries enough BBs to fill at least two M4 or AK magazines.
Gun bag
You will need a bag for your replica (affiliate link) as in most states, it’s against the law to expose your replicas in public. A good bag will be able to store most of your gear needs for a day of play. Depending on the gun you go for there are plenty of options in terms of size and multitude of compartments. To give you an idea of the cost, I would say a decent bag can range between $20 and $40. Here is a picture of mine on game day.
Protective Gear
Other than the mandatory safety glasses or goggles, the other main piece of protective gear you should focus on is a good airsoft face mask of some kind. As I mentioned above, some fields won’t allow you to play without lower face protection. Others may allow this, but you should still consider buying a mask because it can save you a lot of pain and even some medical bills. To find out more about airsoft injuries, check out my full guide here.
You should be able to find a lower-face airsoft mesh mask (affiliate link) for under $20. It will ensure that your teeth are protected from BB impacts. Some models even extend over your ears (affiliate link) to give added protection. All in all, I thoroughly recommend a mask, not only for safety considerations but also because it gives you more confidence to make risky plays.
Another optional piece of protective gear that you might consider is a helmet. Personally, I don’t run one (I have tried) because I just get too hot while running, but I do get their appeal. Even cheap airsoft helmets (affiliate link) can save you from bumping your head on obstacles and provide more than enough protection against BBs. As an added bonus, they are great for attaching other pieces of gear like facemasks, goggles, GoPros, and earpieces for radio communication. Expect to spend around $40 for a decent helmet, but of course, pricier options are available with more features and attachments. If you want to know more about them, check out my complete guide for the best airsoft helmets.
A good pair of airsoft gloves (affiliate link) is my next recommendation for protective equipment. Now, I know they aren’t going to be a priority for everyone’s shopping list but hear me out. Gloves are amazing at protecting your hands against all kinds of scrapes and bruises you might get on the airsoft field. Also, getting shot in the knuckles is really painful and it can sometimes even draw blood.
The reason I wear gloves is that I mainly play in two environments – a forest and abandoned buildings. Each of these has its hidden dangers. When I play outdoors I will often rest my hands on fallen trees, branches, and shrubs to stabilize my rifle. The gloves protect my hands from splinters, rough bark, thorns, and plants that might sting. They are also great against bug bites.
When I play at my CQB field, which is an old abandoned farm, there are plenty of sharp edges from old farming machinery and even bits of broken glass. As you can imagine, in the heat of battle I might not be as careful of my hand placement so I need to make sure I am protecting my hand against cuts and lacerations. I’ve been using the same pair of gloves from Armored Claw for 2 years now and they’ve held up fine, even during the winter (even if they are designed for hot weather). As you can see, they aren’t expensive at around $18, but I managed to find a sale so I bought two pairs.
Optics
You don’t need optical aiming devices to play airsoft, but they sure are useful. They allow you to acquire targets faster and they make the guns look cooler. If you’ve played any shooter games, you’ll know that a red dot sight will give you better ADS (aim down sights) speed, which can give you an advantage on the playing field.
Most replicas come with basic iron sights which are perfectly fine to use. As a beginner, you’ll probably want to practice with these for a while as you get to know your gun. Once you feel comfortable switching between targets and making longer-range shots using just the basic sights, adding an optical aiming device will take your game to a whole new level.
I prefer red dot sights because they are reliable, they come in many different shapes and sizes, the battery life is good and I don’t feel the need for an optic with magnification for airsoft purposes. Granted, if you are playing with a bolt-action sniper rifle or a DMR, a magnified optic may offer an advantage. However, for basic AEGs and normal engagement distances, a red dot is the perfect solution. You can get a decent red dot sight for as low as $30. Of course, more expensive models are available.
I have also tried a reflex sight, an Eotech clone made by Theta Optics, and while it did look cool, I found that the lenses were of poor quality. While playing outdoors, in a forest environment, where there were both sunny and shady spots, I had trouble locating targets. All I could see was a mirror-like reflection and the reticle. It turns out reflex sights are a bit more complicated to get right and I wouldn’t recommend one unless you are prepared to spend over $100.
Sidearm
Another piece of gear that is nice to have, but you can certainly play without one. I didn’t actually buy a sidearm for the first two years of my airsoft journey. I didn’t feel like I needed one as I played exclusively in a massive forest, where the engagement distances were quite long and it was hard to sneak up on people so much that you would go inside the MED (minimum engagement distance) of 5 meters.
After I started playing on a CQB field, I did buy a GBB pistol so that I could play inside the buildings. What can you expect to pay for a sidearm? Well, you can get a good GBB pistol for around $100, the Action Army AAP-01 (affiliate link). As I didn’t really like the looks of the AAP, I went with the popular HiCapa platform and bought a Tokyo Marui HiCapa 4.3 and a KJW KP-05 (which is basically the same, only a longer barrel). I paid $120 for the KJW and bought the TM secondhand (with two extra magazines and a holster) for $130.
What you also need to consider when purchasing a sidearm is that you will need a holster so you can carry it and a few extra magazines. This adds to the cost, especially since GBB pistol magazines can cost $30 to $50.
Dead Rag
This is just a piece of cloth that you pull out when you are eliminated from the game. This will signal to other players that you are “dead”. Wearing a dead rag in a visible spot will prevent you from getting shot while you are walking back to the respawn point. They are very cheap, around $2 and I highly recommend getting one. I should also mention that some airsoft venues and events require you to have this piece of equipment.
Airsoft Clothing and Footwear
As a beginner, you shouldn’t worry about buying airsoft-specific clothing. You will manage well enough in a t-shirt or a hoodie and a pair of jeans or joggers. These will work just fine and offer sufficient protection from BBs. What I also recommend is that you wear layers. This will allow you to undress when you get too hot from all the action.
If you decide that airsoft is the sport for you, then spending money on uniforms and pieces of combat apparel is quite like going down the rabbit hole. You can get military surplus gear as the most affordable option, or you can go big and get the latest uniforms from Gucci brands like Crye Precision.
Regarding footwear, you can wear whatever you want, but I highly recommend wearing some type of boot, the best option being hiking boots. A boot will be able to better support your ankles and provide decent protection for your toes. Keep in mind that one of the most common airsoft injuries is sprained ankles. This happens because most of the time you are more focused on tracking enemy movements instead of watching where you place your feet. Also, slipping on used BBs is a thing in some indoor airsoft fields.
Is Airsoft More Expensive than Paintball?
As airsoft is often compared to paintball, this is probably the best example I can give to show you that “expensive” is a relative term. The upfront cost of paintball is significantly higher than that of airsoft because the markers and ammo are more expensive. As with airsoft, you can get cheap paintball markers under 150$, but with there you’re just wasting your cash. A good marker from a reputable brand like Tippmann will set you back about $300, but you could easily spend up to $1000 on high-end models. Meanwhile, a good airsoft replica can be had for under $200. Airsoft BBs are also a whole lot cheaper than paintballs. You can expect to buy 5000 BBs for around $15, while a pack of 2000 paintballs will set you back at least $40.
As with airsoft, there are a lot of venues that are ready to rent out equipment for new players. Just by doing some quick research, I’ve found that you can expect to pay between $30 and $100 depending on the field and the equipment you get. For example, Hollywood Sports Paintball & Airsoft Park in California will charge you $65 for the basic kit you need to play, excluding the paintballs themselves, which are $53 for 1600 rounds. Another venue in California, The Paintball Park will charge you $55 for the basic equipment and 200 rounds. Of course, if you do decide to rent more protective equipment and buy more paintballs, you could easily go over $100 for a day of playing (prices accurate as of April 2023). If you would like to find out more about the costs of playing paintball, this article covers the topic in detail.
Having tried both sports, I would say that the costs of paintball are significantly higher. The markers tend to be more expensive, while the ammo costs are definitely higher. As with most hobbies, you can easily find yourself spending thousands of dollars when you decide to upgrade most of your gear and this is true for both sports.