Paintball is such a fun game, isn’t it? Shooting others with colored paint pellets can never get old or boring. No wonder the game is famous across the globe. Of course, each country has its own set of rules.
A professional player knows the importance of owning and using the right gear to participate in a paintball game. However, you will need to use protective gear to keep yourself safe during the game no matter whether you are a beginner or a professional.
Paintball masks are the first and foremost protective gear you should think of. How else will you keep your eyes, nose, and ears from being hit? Paintball masks either look like helmets or ski goggles. Depending on the price, you can get paintball masks with internal guards for ears, mouth, and nose.
What if you wear glasses? You’ll need to pick a mask that can be used along with your eyewear. Anti-fog lenses, scratch-resistant lenses, padded interiors, etc., are just some of the features highlighted by the brands that sell paintball masks. So, how do you know which one to pick?
We’ve got it sorted for you. Take a look at the table below to see the five best paintball masks on the market. We have discussed their features and benefits in detail. We have also highlighted maintenance tips to keep your masks clean, since these are not use-and-throw models, and the factors to consider when buying a paintball mask.
Shall we go ahead and read more about the best paintball masks?
Table of Contents
- 1 Table of Contents
- 2 Quick Comparison Table!
- 3 The Best Paintball Masks For The Money
- 4 #1 Dye i5 Paintball Goggle - EDITOR'S CHOICE
- 5 #2 Empire EVS Paintball Mask / Thermal Goggles - Best for Big Heads
- 6 #3 Bunkerkings CMD Paintball Goggles/Masks - Best for Ventilation
- 7 #4 JT Spectra Flex 8 Full Head and Face Coverage Thermal Paintball Goggles - Best for Intermediate Players
- 8 #5 Virtue VIO Ascend Thermal Paintball Goggles/Masks - Best for Budget
- 9 Best Paintball Masks Buying Guide
- 10 Wrap Up: Our Choice
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table!
4.3
The Best Paintball Masks For The Money
#1 Dye i5 Paintball Goggle - EDITOR'S CHOICE
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
The first paintball mask on our list is the Dye brand i5 paintball goggle. This is a lightweight, anti-fog, scratch-resistant, and comfort-focused paintball mask that has been designed for professional paintball players. It is an expensive model and comes in a bigger size compared with the i4 model by the same brand. If your head is on the larger size and you find it difficult to wear regular-sized paintball masks, you will love this model.
Let’s look at its features in detail, shall we?
Features and Benefits
Design
The paintball mask covers your face from the eyes to the chin. The thermal, dual-pane, anti-fog, and scratch-resistant lens can be removed and replaced whenever you want. In fact, it takes just a few seconds to replace the lens with a new one.
The mask doesn’t cover your forehead or the back of your head, but it does cover your ears. It has soft padding to protect your ears without compromising on the sounds around you. You don’t have to worry about missing noises that will alert you to the presence of another player.
The mask comes in different colors. You can choose from 30 shades and visor variations. The soft padding and flexible material make this mask one of the most comfortable models on the market.
Key features
- The Dye i5 offers a field of vision of 290 degrees (both vertical and horizontal peripheral vision).
- The lens is clear and made of high-quality material and protects you from UV rays.
- The mask has a multiple-venting system so that there is plenty of airflow to prevent overheating inside the mask and you get a fresh air supply at all times.
- The strap uses the GSR strap system that makes it easy to adjust it as per your comfort.
- The mask doesn’t trap your voice or echo inside. Your voice doesn’t get muffled either. Your teammates can hear you easily.
- You can wear this mask over the glasses or with contact lenses.
Pros
- It is a lightweight model
- The thermal lens is fog-resistant
- The straps are easy to adjust
- The field vision is 290 degrees
Cons
- It is a bit expensive
- The mask doesn’t cover the forehead and the back of the head
#2 Empire EVS Paintball Mask / Thermal Goggles - Best for Big Heads
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
The Empire’s EVS is another high-end paintball mask that has been designed for safety and comfort. It comes in various colors and is a highly durable model. You can change the lens without much difficulty; you just need to twist and pull out the lens and fix it in the new one. That’s it. The ventilation system is another highlight of this mask. It allows you to breathe fresh air and doesn’t muffle your voice when you communicate with your teammates.
What else does this mask offer? Let’s take a look.
Features and Benefits
Design
The lower part of the mask is more flexible than the upper portion. This makes it easy to adjust the mask over your nose, mouth, and chin for more comfort and space. This mask is also suitable for people with bigger heads who find it somewhat restrictive in regular paintball masks. This means you can also wear your glasses inside the mask without any trouble.
The field of vision is 270 degrees and good enough for most paintball tournaments. However, we’ve noticed that the horizontal field of vision is much better than the vertical field of vision.
Key features
- The thermal dual-pane lens is fog-resistant and starch-resistant and protects your eyes from UV rays.
- The mask offers ear protection with extra foam padding to safeguard your ears from being hurt by paintball pellets.
- The head strap of the mask has been made with silicon. It is easy to adjust and provides a perfect fit at all times.
- Triple-density foam has been used to surround and protect the sensitive parts of your face without compromising your vision, your hearing, or ventilation.
- The foam also absorbs heat and sweat to keep your face cool for hours throughout the paintball game.
- The EVS masks are style, safety, and comfort rolled into one.
Pros
- Suitable for people with big heads
- Anti-fog and scratch-resistant thermal lens
- Spacious interiors for additional comfort
- Good ear coverage with foam
Cons
- The facial foam is initially stiff
- The horizontal field of vision is lesser than the vertical one
#3 Bunkerkings CMD Paintball Goggles/Masks - Best for Ventilation
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
The third paintball mask on our list is by Bunkerkings. Compared with other models from the same range, this CMD mask has the best ventilation system and offers 300% more breathability to users. The mask comes with a designer goggle bag to safely carry it to and from tournaments. Be it comfort or shock absorption, this model offers it all.
Let’s take a look at the other interesting features it has, shall we?
Features and Benefits
Design
The mask weighs slightly more than others, though it is still lightweight and not heavy at 1.2 pounds. The paintball mask has soft and flexible padding on the inside to protect your face from paintball attacks. The padding absorbs impacts and reduces their effect on you.
The geometrical shape of the mask prevents echo and allows distortion-free communication in the field. You will have no trouble hearing or speaking with the mask firmly in its place. Though the mask comes in only a select number of colors, we are sure you can pick one easily.
Key features
- The ultra VIO thermal lens is scratch-proof and reduces glare.
- The insides are fitted with microfibers that absorb sweat and heat. It allows you to stay cool even in hot conditions.
- The bounce flex zones take the impact of a hit and stop the jolt from affecting your senses. You won’t lose your focus for even a short while.
- There are tiny holes near the ear pads to increase hearing. The mask also has a protective lining to cover the ears from inside.
- The microfiber foam can be replaced with new material. You won’t have a buy an all-new paintball mask when you want to refresh the interior.
- You can wear glasses with the mask and adjust the silicon strap at the back for the perfect fit.
- What if you have a big head? No problem. This model works great for people with larger heads as well.
Pros
- This is a durable paintball mask
- It comes with an extra-wide silicone strap
- It provides 300% more breathability
- It is spacious and can be used with glasses
Cons
- The masks come in only a limited number of colors
- This model can be a bit expensive for beginners
#4 JT Spectra Flex 8 Full Head and Face Coverage Thermal Paintball Goggles - Best for Intermediate Players
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
Till now, we have looked at masks that cover the face or 3/4 of the face, but not the head. What if you need a mask that acts more like a helmet? A beginner or even an intermediate player might prefer more protection against paintball pellets. Also, it is safer to cover the entire head and face when kids are playing paintball. The Spectra Flex by JT is a perfect choice for such players. It is budget-friendly, useful, and comfortable for most people.
Check out the features in detail to find out more about this model.
Features and Benefits
Design
The paintball mask weighs one pound and has been designed for ultra coverage and protection. It provides a field of vision of 260 degrees. If you are worried about how it would feel to wear the mask throughout the game, you don’t have to worry.
The scream ventilation system, or dual-ventilation, allows the free movement of air. This ensures that the hot air generated inside the mask goes out and is replaced by fresh, cool air. Also, your words don’t get lost or muffled due to the mask. You can still easily communicate with your team members. Considering the features it provides, we’d say the Spectra Flex is worth the price and more.
Key features
- The mask offers zero distraction to its wearers.
- If you are playing paintball in a forest, you might find it convenient to use this model as it provides complete protection and camouflages your presence.
- The mask has a built-in sun visor that can be removed.
- The lens is anti-fog and doesn’t affect your view during long tournaments. However, you cannot easily remove and replace the lens in a few seconds.
- The straps at the chin and the back of the head can be adjusted to suit your requirements.
- If you wear glasses, you will find it uncomfortable to use this mask. It doesn’t give enough wiggle room for people with glasses.
- One advantage of this mask is that it can be used by players of all ages. This model is not entirely suitable for professional level paintball players as they prefer more sophisticated options.
Pros
- This is a pocket-friendly paintball mask model
- It is lightweight despite covering the full face and head
- It is for the people of all age groups
- The mask has a dual ventilation system
Cons
- Not entirely comfortable for players with glasses
- It takes time to change the lens
#5 Virtue VIO Ascend Thermal Paintball Goggles/Masks - Best for Budget
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
The last paintball mask on our list is the VIO Ascend by Virtue. The company has released a good number of paintball masks. This model may not be perfect, but it provides safety, has a good ventilation system and thermal lens, and is suitable for people with big heads. We could say that this is a mid-range paintball mask with some high-end features. For people who want a paintball mask that is neither simple nor complex, we’d suggest trying the Ascend.
Take a look at the features in detail below.
Features and Benefits
Design
The mask weighs less than 1.2 pounds, which is the shipping weight when you order the mask. We can easily call it a lightweight model. You won’t feel the least bit odd or uncomfortable wearing this mask. But, only if your head is not small in size. One thing users complain about is that the mask feels a bit too loose for people who have smaller heads.
The mask covers your face and ears, though ear pads are missing. It is durable and customizable. However, if you are looking for a bunch of color options, you’ll not find many.
Key features
- The dual-pane thermal lens is fog-resistant, has a scratch-proof coating, and an anti-reflection coating.
- You can easily change the lens and replace it with a new one. The lens also offers UV protection.
- The ventilation system is excellent and allows you to breathe and communicate without any difficulty or loss of information.
- The foam is multilayered and soaks up all your sweat so that you will feel comfortable wearing the mask for long durations.
- You can replace the foam on the inside with new material when it starts to lose its original condition.
- You can change the stealth fan, straps, and visor of the paintball mask. It allows you to customize the full paintball mask in the way you want it.
- You can also customize and use the same mask for speedball or woodsball.
Pros
- It is a budget-friendly paintball mask
- It is super easy to change the lens
- The ventilation system is very good
- The foam on the inside can be fully removed and replaced
Cons
- The mask could be a little too loose for some players
- The mask doesn’t have ear pads
Best Paintball Masks Buying Guide
We are guessing you are already eager to buy a paintball mask and plan a game with your friends. But, before you do so, let us tell you how to take care of your paintball mask. After all, you’ve got to wear it throughout the game.
Maintenance tips for taking care of your paintball mask
- Even with an anti-fog lens you will need to use anti-fog spray. You need to spray it onto the lens and let it dry before placing the mask on your face.
- Remember that glass cleaners cannot be used to clean the lens of your mask. The mask’s lens is made of polycarbonate which is incompatible with glass cleaner.
- No matter how scratch-resistant the lens is, it will still get marks on it. And these marks will make it difficult for you to keep your vision clear. If you plan to play paintball often, you will need to replace the lens once every year.
- It’s a part of the game for paint to hit the lens. That’s the reason you wear a mask, right? Don’t let the paint sit on the lens for too long. Clean the corners and nooks where the lens sits in the body frame. That’s where it starts to get rusty and dirty.
- Immediately wipe and clean the lens when you get off the playing field. The last thing that you want is a paint stain on the lens. Oh, yes.
- Carry a microfiber cloth and use that to clean the lens. A swipe of your hand will only mess it up further and harm the lens.
Would you prefer to buy a thermal lens? These are known for anti-fogging, after all. But thermal lenses need extra care. Two lenses are glued together with foam to create the dual-paned thermal lens. Now, if you dunk the lens in water, the foam will soak it up. That’s it. You will have to throw the lens away. Use a soft wet cloth to remove the paint from the outside. Take a microfiber cloth and wipe the lens clean on the inside.
Things to know when buying the best paintball masks
When buying a paintball mask you will need to think of certain factors that play a vital role in helping you make the final decision. Let’s take a look at them, shall we?
How comfortable is the mask?
A paintball game can last for an entire day, or at least a few hours. The first thing you should look for when choosing a mask is comfort. It should sit perfectly without being too tight or too loose. You can’t keep adjusting the mask every now and then during the game. How will you win if your concentration is more on the mask than on the game?
Ear protection
Your ears are a sensitive part of your face, just like your eyes and nose. Getting hit on the ear can cause pain and even dizziness in some people. A paintball mask that covers your ears would be a good choice. Some masks come with earbuds on the inside so that if you get hit on the ear, the echo wouldn’t hurt your eardrums.
Lens types
The lens is a significant part of the mask. This is something you cannot compromise on. The field of vision has to be around a minimum of 260-270 degrees so that you can see if anyone is attacking you from the side. Choosing a mask with a removable lens will be a better option for professional paintball players.
Mask weight
A mask that weighs 1-2 lbs would be a good choice. Remember that you’ve got to wear the mask throughout the game. Having something heavy on your face and neck will tire you faster. Lightweight masks are easily available on the market.
Mask durability
Just because we recommend a lightweight mask doesn’t mean you’ll compromise on the durability. Unless you play paintball once in a blue moon, you will need to invest in a mask that will last for a decent time. Also, the mask has to be strong enough to bear rough conditions on the field. It definitely shouldn’t break in the middle of a game.
UV Protection
When you are playing out in the open you may be exposed to harsh sunlight. UV rays can affect your eyes and skin. Pick a paintball mask that provides protection to your eyes from UV rays. You need to ensure that your vision doesn’t get affected because of your favorite sport.
Good air flow is a must
This is obvious, isn’t it? How else are you going to breathe? Breathing in the stale air inside the mask can, at worst, send you unconscious. Proper vents are necessary to allow cool air to reach you and constantly supply fresh air for you to breathe. Also, you can clearly communicate with your teammates.
Anti-fog please
Fogging is a constant issue with a paintball mask, irrespective of the season. It’s a good thing that you can find numerous fog-resistant masks on the market. We’ve listed some really good ones in our choices, right?
Scratch-resistant as well
A scratch-resistant lens is for your safety. You can’t have clear vision unless the lens is absolutely clean and spotless. If you have an older paintball mask, it’s time to ditch it and buy the latest one with more safety and comfort features.
Flexibility is a boon
While plastic masks are sturdy, they are not flexible or that comfortable. High-end paintball masks are made using soft rubber or premium-grade materials. The masks are flexible and stick to your skin without causing any sort of discomfort or inconvenience.
Straps
Not all paintball masks come with chin or head straps. Though the straps are detachable, you need to wear them if you want to play in a tournament. Chin straps offer additional safety.
Do you wear glasses or contacts?
Do we hear you groan? Wearing glasses or even contact lenses is such a hindrance in many sports, isn’t it? But, hey, you can buy a paintball mask that has been specifically made for people with glasses. It has more space in the front so that the glasses won’t dig into your skin and cause you all kinds of problems.
How much does the mask cover?
Children below 18 years must not play without full-coverage masks. Professionals, on the other hand, use special high-end masks that cover specific areas of their face. An intermediate player would need something in between. Choose a paintball mask with a coverage area that makes you feel safe on the field. Consider your age and your experience when choosing your paintball mask.
Wrap Up: Our Choice
Have you decided which paintball mask would be the best one for you? If you are seeking suggestions, we recommend the Dye i5 Paintball mask.
With a field of vision of 290 degrees, an easily changeable lens, good ventilation, and many other features, the Dye i5 Paintball mask is surely worth the price, even if appears to be a bit expensive.
