Our Top 11 Picks for 2023
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Looking for the best woodsball paintball gun? You can’t go wrong with our top pick. (But you can go broke with #2.) Compared to speedball, woodsball is a slower, more strategic game that demands players be flexible. You need to be just as comfortable stalking your prey from across the field as you are rushing in frenzied close-quarter combat. That’s why you need a reliable woodsball marker.
Actually, scratch that. That’s why you need the best woodsball marker. Luckily for you, that’s exactly what you’ll find here.
The Best Woodsball Paintball Guns
Product Reviews
#1: Empire Axe 2.0
Best for: Anyone
- Shockwave board offers multiple adjustable firing modes (Semi, Ramp, Burst, Full Auto)
- Relay venting ASA regulator with On/Off lever
- Push button bolt removal system for tool-less engine maintenance
- Lightweight and accurate Driver XX two-piece barrel
- 10% Weight savings over previous the generation Axe
- Marker Type: Electronic
- Loader: Hopper
- Propellant: Compressed air (HPA)
The Empire Axe 2.0 is a smooth, accurate, reliable, and lightweight marker that sits in the mid-to-high price range. It’s a better out-of-the-box marker than guns like the Tippmann A5 (which is always highly recommended) but it doesn’t have the sky-high price tag of the true “best woodsball paintball gun” appearing next on our list.
#2: Dye DAM Assault Matrix
Best for: Mr. Moneybags
- Switch from a Magazine Fed system to a Loader Fed system with the flip of the On-The-Fly Switch
- Semi-Auto, Three Round Burst, and Full Auto Firing Modes
- Picatinny Rails and gas-through frame standard
- Quick Release bolt system, built in Hyper regulator, clamping feedneck, and competition-style trigger frame.
- Compression formed hard case, two additional magazines and repair kit included.
- Marker Type: Electronic
- Loader: Hopper and mag-fed
- Propellant: Compressed air (HPA)
If you thought the Empire Axe 2.0’s price tag was high, shield your eyes when you click on the product button below. At nearly $1,500 – yes, you read that correctly – the Dye DAM is triple the price of the top-ranked Axe 2.0 above. Of course, that price tag buys you what’s truly the undisputed “best paintball gun for woodsball” with an aluminum body boasting seemingly infinite customizability and compatibility with myriad paint calibers and shapes.
#3: Planet Eclipse Etha 2 PAL
Best for: Beginner/intermediate players who want something better than the basics
- Marker Type: Electronic
- Loader: PAL-enabled hopper
- Propellant: Compressed air (HPA)
The Planet Eclipse Etha 2 isn’t the cheapest woodsball gun, but it’s Planet Eclipse’s best option for players with intermediate or beginner skill who want a high-performing electronic marker without paying up for Planet Eclipse’s top-end Geo series. The Etha 2 is easy to disassemble for cleaning and powers through nearly 1,000 full-velocity shots before needing a refill. This model comes with a PAL-enabled hopper, which is a faster-loading gravity-fed hopper that helps you catch up with the rapid load speeds of electronic hoppers.
#4: Planet Eclipse EMF100/MG100
Best for: Intermediate players who want a reliable mechanical marker with tons of versatility
- Marker Type: Mechanical
- Loader: Hopper and mag-fed
- Propellant: Compressed air (HPA)
Planet Eclipse is a major name in paintball – they’re dominating these rankings – and the EMF100/MG100 might be their most revolutionary marker yet. It’s one of the best woodsball paintball guns because it offers the ability to switch from hopper to mag-fed loading (and vice versa) at a moment’s notice, all while delivering Planet Eclipse’s usual high-performing play.
#5: First Strike Tiberius Arms T15 PDW
Best for: Intense close-quarter action
- 2 Piece Cast Aluminum Construction
- 1-to-1 AR Rifle Design
- First Strike and .68 Caliber
- Aluminium Quad Picatinny Rail Hand Guard
- 13/3000psi Tank/Stock Combo
- Marker Type: Electronic
- Loader: Magazine
- Propellant: Compressed air (HPA)
Compact and rugged with an awesome MilSim design, the First Strike Tiberius Arms T15 PDW is an ideal marker for close-quarter combat. It has a 7″ handguard, collapsible carbine stock, and mimics the look and feel of a real AR-15.
#6: Tippmann US Army Alpha Elite
Best for: Serious MilSim players
- Realistic tactical look
- M-16 Style Collapsible Stock, Shroud, Carry Handle & Magazine
- All Aluminum receiver
- Tippmann’s proven inline bolt system
- Manufactured by Tippmann
- Marker Type: Electronic
- Loader: Hopper with mock magazine for storage
- Propellant: Compressed air (HPA)
The Tippmann US Army Alpha Elite is designed for a realistic MilSim experience right down to its authentic real-weight feel (10 lbs) that mimics the US Army M4 small arms rifle. Most other contenders for best woodsball marker weigh under 4 lbs with some as light as 2.2 lbs. The only real knock on this gun, realism-wise, is the mock magazine, which functions as storage and not for loading.
#7: Tippmann X7 Phenom
Best for: Tippmann fanboys (or fangirls) who want a fully-customizable, high-end woodsball marker
- Three position selector switch
- Military-style marker that can be customized to over a 1,000 different looks including M-16, MP5, MP5-SD, G36, AK-47, UMP and Assault versions
- Three position Selector Switch changes from electronic to mechanical operation on the fly
- FlexValve Technology allows operation under 300PSI, reduces recoil and improves air efficiency
- Magnetically activated Hall-Effect Electronic Trigger provides 5 firing modes including: Safety Full-Auto, NPPL, PSP, Response and Semi-Auto
- Marker Type: Electronic or mechanical with three-position selection switch
- Loader: Hopper
- Propellant: CO2 or compressed air (HPA)
Tippmann markers are synonymous with two things: reliability and customizability. The X7 Phenom is no exception (in fact, it may be the best Tippmann woodsball marker out there). This .68 caliber marker has a 9.5″ barrel and 5 firing modes (including PSP, Response, and NPPL) with a Cyclone feeding system that allows up to 15 bps firing.
#8: Planet Eclipse Emek 100 PAL
Best for: Beginners looking for equal parts performance and value
- Marker Type: Mechanical
- Loader: Hopper
- Propellant: Compressed air (HPA)
If you liked the 3rd-ranked Planet Eclipse Etha 2 PAL or 4th-ranked Planet Eclipse EMF100/MG100, then take a long look at this Emek 100 PAL by the same industry-leading brand. It’s lightweight, easy-to-use, and comes with the faster-loading, PAL-enabled hopper at a more palatable price point.
#9: Tippmann A5
Best for: Beginners or anyone who wants to load up on aftermarket parts
- Cyclone Feed System can Fire 15 balls per second without batteries
- Can be field stripped in less than 60 seconds without tools
- Enhanced ergonomics with a longer front grip, lighter weight body and easier to Remove push pins
- Marker Type: Mechanical
- Loader: Hopper
- Propellant: CO2 or compressed air (HPA)
Google “best paintball guns” and you’ll come across a bunch of articles giving high praise to the Tippmann A5. Heck, I’m guilty of it too. That’s because Tippmann knows their markers, and while they don’t make tip-top, high-end paintball guns, they make reliable and customizable guns. The Tippmann A5 is their signature model and one of the best woodsball paintball markers ever.
#10: Tippmann Cronus Tactical
Best for: Budget-conscious paintballers looking for a reliable, AR-15 style woodsball marker
- Semi Auto Action Mode
- High-impact composite body construction
- In-line bolt design
- Internal gas line
- Front and rear fixed sights
- Marker Type: Mechanical
- Loader: Hopper
- Propellant: CO2 or compressed air (HPA)
Sticking with Tippmann, the Cronus Tactical is their budget-friendly woodsball marker with an AR-15 design that scores above average marks across the board.
#11: Azodin Blitz 3
Best for: True budget shoppers
- Marker Type: Mechanical
- Loader: Hopper
- Propellant: CO2 or compressed air (HPA)
Look, I won’t sugarcoat it. The Azodin Blitz 3 isn’t the best paintball gun for woodsball. It isn’t the best woodsball marker by any stretch of the imagination. But it’s very inexpensive and will get you on the field with either CO2 or compressed air compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best woodsball gun?
Our pick is the Empire Axe 2.0
What is woodsball paintball?
A paintball game format where you play outside in a natural environment or in the re-creation of a town.
How is woodsball different from speedball?
Woodsball is more spread out, slower, and more strategic than speedball. If you’re an action junky then speedball might be for you. Read our paintball games article to learn more.