Do we have any paintball lovers reading this post? Oops, that’s a silly question. Why else would you check out this blog? No matter whether you are a beginner, an intermediate player, or a professional, you will know that paintball requires a lot of gear and equipment.
We aren’t just talking about safety equipment. You will need paintball pistols, snipers, barrels, hoppers, tanks, and whatnot if you are going to play in paintball tournaments. There’s no way your paintball gun will last long without extra support, and you just cannot afford to have an empty paintball gun in the middle of a game.
That’s why paintball tanks are used. You attach the tank to the gun (yeah, it gets heavier and bulkier) so that you can continue to fire paintballs at your opponents without worrying about the lack of power to use your pistol.
A small search on Google will show you countless results. Who knew there would be so many paintball tanks available? Considering the popularity of the game across the world, it’s not entirely surprising. But it does make things challenging when choosing one.
How are you going to identify the best paintball tank? What’s the difference between CO2 tanks and HPA tanks? Which one should you pick? Will a heavier tank affect your shooting abilities?
Sigh! Too many questions, right? Don’t worry, readers. We have got the answers to all your questions in this post. You can see our list of the top five best paintball tanks on the market, followed by a detailed buying guide that’ll tell you all you need to know. Let’s gain some knowledge and also have some fun planning a super cool paintball game with friends. Shall we start?
Table of Contents
- 1 In a Hurry? Here's Our Choice!
- 2 Table of Contents
- 3 Quick Comparison Table!
- 4 The Best Paintball Tanks For The Money
- 5 #1 Empire Carbon HPA Ultra Tank 80ci 4.5K with Basics - EDITOR'S CHOICE
- 6 #2 Tippmann Empire Basics 48ci 3K Paintball Tank - Best Entry-level Tank
- 7 #3 Ninja Paintball 4500 PSI Carbon Fiber HPA Tanks w/ Regulator - Best for Professional Players
- 8 #4 Ninja Paintball Compressed HPA Air Tank w/Adjustable Regulator - Best for Functionality
- 9 #5 Maddog 20 Oz Refillable Aluminum CO2 Paintball Tank - Best CO2 Tank
- 10 Buying Guide for the Best Paintball Tanks
In a Hurry? Here's Our Choice!
Are you still not sure about which paintball tank to choose from? We would recommend Empire Carbon HPA Ultra Tank 80ci 4.5K with Basics for its capacity, optimal output pressure, and lower weight.
We already know about the features and benefits of this model, right? We can say that the Empire Carbon HPA Ultra Tank 80ci 4.5K with Basics is a worthy model and offers great value for the price.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table!
4.3
The Best Paintball Tanks For The Money
#1 Empire Carbon HPA Ultra Tank 80ci 4.5K with Basics - EDITOR'S CHOICE
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
Empire’s HPA ultra tank is a premium model that delivers the performance it promises. It is relatively large in size at 80 ci and can power a whole lot of extra shots. The company has designed the tank to weigh 30% less than other models. Yep, this paintball tank is less than two pounds in weight and can be easily used with the gun during paintball tournaments. Let’s read more about this model.
Features & Benefits
Design
The Empire Carbon Ultra paintball tank has been made in the US and is approved by Dot/ TC. Though it is a little expensive, you will realize that the tank is worth the price you pay for it. The carbon fiber outer material is highly durable and reliable.
We noticed that the quality of construction is very good. Also, it is super easy to refill the tank with compressed air. The cylinder is made of aluminum, while the other fittings are made of brass.
Key features
- The paintball tank comes with a regulator to adjust the air pressure during the game.
- It also has a built-in repeater pin valve that makes it easy to connect the unit to the gun.
- One filling can power around 1,500 to 2,000 shots. Imagine that! You can easily use this in a professional paintball tournament without any worry.
- Of course, the size can be a bit of a bother if your physique is on the small side, but considering the lower weight, we are sure you’ll be able to manage it quite well. That said, it’s tough to find a cover for a tank of this size.
- The biggest advantage of this tank is that it can be used by any player. Even beginners will find it easy to use this tank.
Pros
- Can be used in rough conditions (sustains wear and tear)
- Lightweight—weighing less than two pounds
- Has an eight-cubic-inch cylinder
- Comes with a regulator
Cons
- Expensive compared to other models
- Not easy to find a cover for this tank
#2 Tippmann Empire Basics 48ci 3K Paintball Tank - Best Entry-level Tank
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
The second paintball tank on our list is from Tippmann. It is an entry-level model that is perfect for beginners. It is also a pocket-friendly model that will not put pressure on your budget. And, since this is an HPA model, you can be sure that it’s going to deliver excellent results in the field.
If you are wondering about how Tippmann and Empire—which are two competitive brands—have their names connected, let us put you at ease. Empire acquired Tippmann a few years ago. That said, this model still has the same standards and benefits as Tippmann usually provides. Here’s more about this tank.
Features & Benefits
Design
The tank is made of aluminum and weighs a little over three pounds. This is the only aspect that some people don’t like with this model. We do wish it weighed a little less, but, hey, the features it offers more than make up for the weight.
The Tippmann Empire paintball tank has a fill capacity of 3,000 psi and an output of 800 psi. This is a universally accepted/ compatible pressure. You can use this tank with just about any paintball marker. It also comes with a regulator fitted at the top to adjust the pressure.
Key features
- You will get up to 500 shots for a full tank. Of course, this will also depend on the gun you use, but that’s the approximate number.
- The build is solid (though made of aluminum) and can last you for a decent time.
- It is also a reliable model and can be used in friendly paintball games by beginners.
- The user-bonnet of the tank can be replaced if needed.
- The paintball tank is easy to maintain and store when you are not using it.
- The tank can easily be attached to the paintball gun when required. This is one of the best basic models with HPA.
Pros
- Up to 500 shots per tank
- Budget-friendly, entry-level paintball tank
- Globally certified model
- Comes with a regulator fitted to the tank
Cons
- A wee bit heavy
- Professionals prefer a higher capacity
#3 Ninja Paintball 4500 PSI Carbon Fiber HPA Tanks w/ Regulator - Best for Professional Players
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
The third paintball tank on our list is by one of the more famous brands, Ninja. This expensive model has been designed for professional use. At the same time, the tank is not too heavy. It weighs about two-and-a-half pounds and can be easily attached to the paintball gun. The size of the tank is quite small and compact. Don’t you think it should get a bonus point for this reason? Here’s a little more about this model.
Features & Benefits
Design
This paintball tank is made of carbon fiber, and the quality is evident in its build and construction. It is one of the leading models in this category, according to many paintball players.
The tank comes with a regulator that lets you adjust the air pressure between 450 psi and 850 psi to suit the paintball marker you are using. Adjusting the output pressure to anything inside that range is sure to give you optimal performance on the field.
Key features
- The paintball tank has 4,500 psi and can sustain you through two to three rounds before you need to go for a refill.
- The HPA tank comes in two sizes. You can choose the one you would be comfortable with.
- Since the tank is available in a variety of colors, you can have a lot of fun customizing it to suit the rest of your gear. We love customizations, don’t you?!
- Also, it is very easy to store the tank when not in use. You don’t need to find a large space to store it. However, some users complained that this tank can get dented in rough conditions.
- Though the construction is sturdy and durable, you might want to be extra careful when using the paintball tank. Safeguard it with extra care, and things should be perfect.
Pros
- Does not need to be refilled often
- Choose from different sizes
- Regulator is easily adjustable
- Solid build and construction
Cons
- Expensive
- Prone to denting with rough use
#4 Ninja Paintball Compressed HPA Air Tank w/Adjustable Regulator - Best for Functionality
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
It shouldn’t surprise you that we have another paintball tank by Ninja on our list. The company is famous for manufacturing some of the best tanks, after all. Be it design, color choices, durability, or usability, Ninja tanks are sure to live up to expectations. Of course, this model is expensive, just like the previous one, but it also has a lot to offer. Shall we take a look at the features in detail?
Features & Benefits
Design
This paintball tank is made of carbon fiber and is robust in its design. The company took care to keep the weight in check so that players will not have too much trouble carrying the tank through the paintball location.
The tank capacity is 68 ci, and it has a fill pressure of up to 4,500 psi. This is also an HPA tank and has been made for professional paintball players. The tank comes with a regulator that allows you to adjust the output pressure between 450 and 850 psi, depending on what your paintball gun requires.
Key features
- The build of the paintball tank is compact so that it would be convenient to use during an intense game.
- Each filling can last for a decent time of two to three rounds before you will need to get the tank refilled with compressed air.
- The tank is NSF certified. It comes in different colors and sizes.
- Just as with the previous model, this one also is prone to denting if you are too rough with it.
- But it is still reliable, durable, and offers great value for the price. Beginners, intermediary players, and professionals can all use this paintball tank with the same efficiency.
Pros
- Smaller compared to other models in the same range
- Output pressure can be adjusted from 450 to 850 psi
- Made of carbon fiber
- Can last for a long time
Cons
- Prone to denting
- A bit costly
#5 Maddog 20 Oz Refillable Aluminum CO2 Paintball Tank - Best CO2 Tank
- Quality
- Price
- Our Rating
If you are pondering why we haven’t yet listed a single CO2 tank, here it is now. The Maddog refillable aluminum CO2 paintball tank is one of the best CO2 models on the market that comes at an affordable price. It is made of aluminum and is a lightweight model. The tank has a five-year retest cycle so can last for a long time. But, make sure you use it with a little care. Let’s read a little more about this model, shall we?
Features & Benefits
Design
Maddog is famous for manufacturing high-quality paintball tanks. This model is no exception. Weighing around 1.7 pounds, the tank is reliable, sturdy, and has a solid build. The tank capacity of 20 ounces ensures that you can shoot about 800 to 1,000 paintballs without going for a refill. That means you will need to refill the tank only once per game. It will last throughout the day.
Key features
- The tank comes at an affordable price. We see many beginners and intermediate players preferring this model if they choose to use CO2 tanks.
- Maddog has gained fame for constantly maintaining a supply of fresh paintball tanks. You can be sure that you will get the latest model rather than an old one.
- Since CO2 is the cheapest way to refill a tank, you will hardly need to spend any money.
- Maintenance and storage of this tank are also easy.
- Some players complained that the pin valve starts to leak if the tank is heavily used. It’s better to be careful to avoid such conditions.
Pros
- Powers 800-1,000 shots per fill
- Lightweight
- User-friendly and safe
- Affordable
Cons
- Pin valve tends to leak at times
Buying Guide for the Best Paintball Tanks
Now that we’ve looked at both HPA and CO2 tanks, let’s find out more about how they differ from each other. And before we move on to the factors to consider when buying a paintball tank, let’s get answers to some regularly asked questions by beginners and even professional paintball players.
Types of paintball tanks
CO2
CO2 or carbon dioxide filled paintball tanks are common on the market. These have been in use for a long time and are still preferred by many players. The two mains reasons to use CO2 tanks are one, the lower cost of the tank and two, the ease of refilling each time the tank gets empty.
Of course, considering that it contains CO2, we have to keep in mind the influence of changing weather conditions on the performance of the paintball tank. If it’s too cold outside, you won’t get enough pressure to play your natural game. Sometimes the CO2 can freeze in the tank and not work at all. Extreme heat will also, naturally, mess up its performance and yours in the process.
But, if you don’t live in regions with drastic temperature changes and want to stick to a budget, CO2 paintball tanks are the best choice.
HPA
HPA is short for high-pressure air. Though these paintball tanks were not that popular to start with, we see more and more professionals opting for HPA tanks in recent times. You’ll have figured out by now that these are costlier. Yep, they are.
However, HPA tanks deliver consistent and reliable output. Those who often play in paintball tournaments will find it beneficial to invest in HPA tanks. You can’t compromise on quality all the time, right? And since many paintball arenas are offering free air refills to players, you can surely cut the refilling cost. That’s cool, isn’t it?
Things to know about paintball tanks
Size
One question every paintball player asks is about the size of the tank. How big or small should it be? A bigger tank will let you play for a longer time. But can you carry it along with the gun and run, hop, crouch, hide, and shoot for hours at a time? Erm… that might get rather tough, right? The ideal size of your paintball tank would be one which reaches your elbow crease. Of course, it also depends on how you play paintball, for example some people like to shoot and shoot while others will prefer to ensure their comfort first.
Date
Every paintball tank comes with a date on it. What does this signify? It denotes the time when you have to get the tank hydro-tested. The average period for hydro-testing is between three and five years. This will ensure that you can continue to use your paintball tank for an extended period without often having to buy a new one. That said, the average lifespan of a paintball tank is about five years.
CO2 in compressed tank
Another repeated query by paintball players is whether they can fill a compressed tank with CO2. The answer is yes. However, you will need to be cautious and fill only up to 900 psi. Considering that paintball tanks carry 3,000 to 4,500 psi and more, 900 psi is hardly going to help. What will happen if you fill more than that? Well, there would be too much pressure, and you might end up with serious injuries when trying to use it. So, the secure thing to do would be to not mix things up.
Factors to consider when buying the best paintball tank
Finally, we come to the main factors you will need to keep in mind when buying a paintball tank.
Tank’s material
Why does the tank’s material matter when it’s the pressure that’s more important? We’ll get the answer to this question right here.
If the paintball tank is made of inferior quality material, how will it deliver the results you expect? If the casing is not sturdy, the tank might develop a crack, a leak, or even explode due to excess pressure generated inside. Paintball tanks are usually made using two types of materials, namely aluminum and carbon fiber.
Aluminum paintball tanks are lightweight, less expensive, and mostly preferred by beginners and intermediate players. Professionals use them in shorter paintball games or keep them as spare equipment. Though these are quite popular and in demand, you have to be careful when using them on the field. Aluminum dents easily and can result in damage if not careful. Also, these tanks do not have a capacity of more than 3,000 psi.
Carbon fiber tanks are a recent invention and have become an absolute favorite of professional paintball players. That’s because these tanks are durable, lightweight, easily portable, and can handle up to 4,500 psi capacity. However, carbon fiber tanks are expensive. Beginners are generally advised to start with aluminum tanks and then invest in carbon fiber tanks as they gain expertise.
Pressure—high vs. low
Paintball tanks are filled with high-pressure air/ CO2. Most paintball guns are equipped to handle the high-pressure delivered by the tank. However, some electronic markers cannot take pressure beyond a certain level. This is, of course, monitored and adjusted using a regulator (we’ll look into those next), but our concern here is the operating pressure recommended for your paintball gun.
The tank you buy should have no more than 500 psi over the operating pressure of the gun. If your paintball gun has an operating pressure of less than 150 psi, you will need to buy a low-pressure tank to match its requirements. Following the recommendations of the marker’s manufacturer is the safest option to avoid unforeseen accidents.
Regulator
A regulator is a knob that allows you to control the output pressure of the paintball tank. There will be times during the game when you’ll want more pressure for a powerful shot or vice versa. The regulator lets you adjust the amount of air the tank will release to power the gun. It is better to buy a tank with a regulator, though you can buy it separately and fix it to the tank. This will also ensure that the tank doesn’t generate excess pressure and cause trouble.
Durability
We’ve already seen that the lifespan of a paintball tank is around five years. But that doesn’t mean that any tank you buy will last that long, right? Paintball games are played outdoors, in open fields, or rough terrains, in jungles, and other such locations. You will need to buy a tank that can sustain rough usage and survive the wear and tear you plan to inflict on it. Read what the existing users say about the paintball tank you are considering to know how sturdy and durable it is.
Weight
Well, the weight of the paintball tank is linked to its size. We’ve seen how to measure its size.
But what if you are ordering online? You can’t measure the tank with your hands, right? You have to make your decision based on the specifications provided by the manufacturer. The tank’s weight will be provided in two ways, namely with and without CO2/ air. It is usually around one to five pounds (with and without air). Some manufacturers have specifically designed lightweight paintball tanks (we’ve seen one in our list) that weigh less than two pounds.
A pro tip: 48/3,000 and 68/4,500 are the two most preferred sizes in paintball tanks. When in doubt, pick one from these two.
