It’s natural for you, as an airsoft gun enthusiast, to insist on going with only the best airsoft brands. That just makes sense, as you’re more likely to get full value for your money.
The trouble is that it won’t be a walk in the park to settle on just any brand, because there are so many of them. I’m not talking about having to choose among six or seven brands. I’m talking about having to check out dozens of airsoft brands. This is especially true when you go online to shop for your airsoft supplies.
How exactly can you determine the best airsoft gun brand with so many options to pick from?
The key here is to accept the reality of the situation, roll up your sleeves, and start researching by reading lots of airsoft brand review articles. The good news is that we’ve already created a handy primer for you for each of the more famous airsoft brands.
Start your search with our list, and then check out how each airsoft brand is different from the rest. We’ve listed them in alphabetical order, so that if you encounter a new brand in your research then you can quickly find the info you need for that particular brand.
Top Airsoft Brands
A&K AIRSOFT
The truth about this brand is that most of their airsoft products are mostly for beginners. For the most part, their weapons do offer above-par accuracy and performance. The internals are terrific, and most of the time you get an all-metal body. All their models sport a full-metal gearbox that’s reliable and durable, which is why some say this is the best airsoft gearbox brand. They also generally come with needed accessories like the magazine, battery, and charger.
But the brand made its mark with their fantastic LGM AEG weapons. Check out their all-metal M4 AEG, which will satisfy your need for accuracy and durability. This particular weapon can fire at least 420 fps right out of the box.
AGM
One of the nice things about the long list of airsoft brands to choose from is that these brands aren’t limited to either cheap or extremely expensive brands. There are plenty of midrange models to choose from, with quality that’s higher than your standard entry-level airsoft gun, but with a price that’s lower than the truly high-end brands. One of these mid-range brands is AGM.
This is a Chinese brand, and don’t be surprised that some of their models are unfit for serious play. If you get one of these cheap, low-quality AGM guns, you better just use them to pass the time plinking in your backyard.
But AGM also offers several good airsoft guns as well. Try out their full metal M16 and M$ and you’ll find nothing wrong with them. They offer high performance AEGs, shotguns, and bolt-action sniper rifles.
The brand even offers unique airsoft models that you may not find in the other brands. They offer cool replicas of the British MKII Stem SMG, the MP44, and the German MP40.
APS
This is strictly a budget brand, with affordable airsoft guns that are designed only for practice. This brand mostly proves the old adage that you get what you pay for. Yes, they’re cheap. As in, they’re really cheap.
No, you really shouldn’t use any APS airsoft gun in an actual game. They’re fit only for backyard plinking.
That’s true even of the APS M4s, which are not as bad as the others. APS also offers AKs, but you won’t really want to use them due to their excessively high rate of failure.
Surprisingly, the quality of the APS accessories is much better. Some of these accessories are interesting enough to attract the attention of even some airsoft vets.
BBTac
This is a fine brand you can go with if you’re a newbie. The brand offers a wide range of spring airsoft pistols, rifles, and shotguns along with AEGs that won’t break your bank account.
Plenty of people buy these weapons for their kids, as these airsoft guns are affordable. The quality can be hit-or-miss, so you better pray you get one without any defects. Don’t expect superior performance, and durability can be a problem as well.
But then again, you get what you pay for. You can even argue that with these low prices, the fun kids can have with these weapons may give you full value for your money.
Classic Army
Classic Army makes fine gas-powered weapons, but when it comes to their automatic electric guns they’re top of the class. Check out their AKs, M4s, and M16s, and you’ll realize just how good these guns are. The quality of the internals is just phenomenal, with motors and gearboxes that just won’t let you down.
The bodies are all sturdy as well, whether you get the full-metal or the ABS. Combined with the terrific internals and how these guns are all easy to carry and handle, you understand why these guns can command rather high prices.
Of course, some may say that some of the guns (especially in the mid-tier category) are simply too expensive for what they offer. The best guns in the Classic Army lineup can’t be beat in their reliability, but be prepared to pay up for the best quality airsoft brand.
Colt
With so many airsoft replicas of Colt weapons, it’s not surprising that some may think that Colt itself is an airsoft brand as well. However, Colt’s Manufacturing does have a longtime partnership with Cybergun, which is an airsoft manufacturer based in France.
You can find plenty of Colt airsoft replicas even in places like Walmart. Get a Cybergun .45-caliber 1911 pistol made by Cybergun, and you’ll find that it even comes with the famous Colt trademark inscriptions.
Just be careful with these things, as these Colt replicas can look too much like the real thing. You don’t to play with these things when there are cops around.
Crosman
Crosman sells airsoft rifles, pistols, ammo, and complete kits. They’re pretty famous in the industry for their many innovations, like the Nitro Piston break barrel powerplant and the first ever Big Bore airgun. They’ve actually renamed their company as Velocity Outdoor to emphasize the diversity of their products.
The Crosman brand still thrives, though. They’ve signed a license with the US Marines for airsoft products, and the proceeds from these go to the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programs for veterans. They’ve also acquired the license from Remington, so they’ve been able to produce terrific replicas of guns under the Remington, Bushmaster, DPMS, and Marlin brands.
CYBERGUN
It doesn’t take long when doing research on airsoft weapons that you realize how most of these brands are based in Asia. So, what’s a French brand doing in this industry? Cybergun is well-known for having licensing agreements with quite a few firearms makers. In other words, they’re authorized to make copies of real weapons. These relationships have made Cybergun among the largest airsoft makers in the world.
Most of their airsoft weapons look real, even when they’re made of tough ABS plastic. Be careful you don’t scare people with these things, since these airsoft guns feature the same logos and trademarks of their actual firearms counterparts.
These guns come with perfectly acceptable quality as well. They even sell real steel replicas for higher prices, and the brand sells optics and practice targets for newbies to improve their skills.
CYMA
This is a Chinese brand, so it’s not surprising that it’s one of the more affordable airsoft brands around. The quality control isn’t as stringent, which basically means you’re not supposed to expect this to last as long as its more expensive counterparts.
But for beginners, this is quite a find. What CYMA does is to make more affordable versions of the higher-end airsoft models out there. Newbies will like the lower price, and at the same time the lifespan isn’t as important. After all, if you’re a newbie than you’d want to replace your starter level airsoft gun eventually anyway.
Some of the CYMA guns are actually quite good, especially when you factor in the lower price. You can get AEGs featuring a full metal body, and with designs you can easily upgrade. CYMA offers plenty of parts and accessories you can use for their airsoft models.
Most of their airsoft guns come with chargers and batteries included, so you can use them immediately right out of the box.
Elite Force
This is an airsoft brand that’s actually under the Umarex umbrella, which has been able to obtain the right granted by the real firearms manufacturers to produce airsoft replicas for their weapons. Elite Force offers pistols and rifles, with different powering styles like gas, CO2, and AEG.
Plenty of experienced airsoft vets consider it among the best airsoft BBs brand options, with a high quality to more than match reasonable prices. Many of their airsoft guns are solidly built, though some complain that they “felt” cheap. In any case, with EF BBs you won’t be sorry and you can do worse than going with Elite Force exclusively for your BBs.
FN
The FN Herstal brand is actually a firearms brand. However, it has granted full licensing agreements with certain manufacturers for them to create airsoft replicas of their weapons.
One of these is the entry-level FNX-9, with a 120 BB capacity magazine. It’s powerful enough to fire are 300 fps. It’s also reliable in cold weather, while you can customize it using the lower Picatinny rail.
Even their replica rifles are reasonably priced, such as the FN Herstal SCAR-L Spring Powered Airsoft Gun. It’s not heavy with its polymer body, but it offers a velocity of 400 fps. You even get flip-up front and rear sights. In CQB situations, this can be a fun addition to your arsenal.
G&G
This Taiwanese brand also makes fine AEGs, and they’re also making a name for themselves with the redesigned V2 gearbox with its high performance. Check out their Combat Machine series, and pay particular attention to the M16. Even out of the box, that M16 is darn accurate.
Their guns tend to look intimidating, but they all come with solid bodies and compact designs. The pistol grips are fine, with retractable stock and rails or handguards that let you put in lots of accessories.
While this premium brand does offer terrific guns, not as many are enamored of their accessories, though. The brand also sticks to NiCad batteries, so you better replace those with LiPo or NiMH alternatives.
All in all, you should stick with the higher-end weapons here. They’re generally fast and accurate, with gearboxes that you can easily maintain. The weapons bodies are durable and solid, and they look fantastic to boot.
G&P
This Hongkong-based brand has never hidden their goal of producing the best high-end models they can. That’s why they make the effort to produce and finetune each weapon by hand. They use real-steel coating and make extensive use of CNC precision machining.
Their quality control standards are among the most stringent in the industry, though of course that means you can’t get these weapons cheap. But then again, these weapons look and feel like their real firearms counterparts.
They specialize mostly with medium-range or close-range weapons, though there are a handful of weapons for long range. Their AEGs are brilliant, and they have gas options and shotguns to offer. Heck, you can even get grenade launcher attachments from G&P.
ICS
This brand is based in Taiwan, and they’ve made a name for themselves with their constant new innovations. If you’ve ever tried out their AEGs, you’d understand why the people behind the brand regard their wares as game changers.
One of their innovations is the use of the split gearbox design. This feature boosts the power of their weapons, with many of them capable of firing at least 350 fps. These weapons can last a long time, and the split gearbox design even makes maintenance a lot easier.
Another advantage with ICS is that in many cases they’ll send you their airsoft weapons with the accessories you need for them. On the downside, ICS products don’t exactly mix and match well with other brands. Basically, with ICS you get all or nothing from them.
KWA
When it comes to serious credentials, KWA is among the top names in the airsoft community. It’s a highly regarded brand among soldiers and police offers, as the brand produces airsoft replicas for military and law enforcement personnel to train with.
KWA is also among the more innovative brands, with terrific reliability and performance resulting from their special NS2 Blowback system and the 2GX Mechbox. With their premium gearboxes, high-tech internals, and solid metal or ABS gun bodies, you really have nothing to complain about. These weapons are so fine that even out of the box they fire at a velocity of at least 400 fps.
They also use LiPo batteries for their guns, and these are better than NiMh and NiCad batteries.
Of course, if you’re nitpicky then you can complain about the lack of diversity in the KWA lineup, since the brand sticks only with the classic designs. You can also whine about the high prices, but this type of quality doesn’t really come cheap.
Lancer Tactical
Lancer Tactical is noted for offering newbies to airsoft better guns than the usual starter-level entry. Sure, as a beginner you probably shouldn’t go with advanced airsoft weapons. But that doesn’t mean you need to limit yourself with cheap guns for newbies.
Their airsoft guns generally come with good quality materials, and they’re expected to work more smoothly compared to newbie airsoft guns. Their guns tend to last longer as well.
Since their guns are better than the usual weapons for newbies, you should expect that the Lancer Tactical prices are somewhat higher than the other budget brands. They offer good heavy machine guns and bolt action springs, plus M4s. The brand also sells tactical and protective gear.
MAGCOMSEN
This is actually a sporting goods brand, as they’re known for their tactical jackets, trousers, and other types of outdoor gear. They also sell shirts, hats, belts, bags, gloves, and masks.
One of their best tactical jackets offers a Shark Skin soft shell fabric with a warm inner fleece. This jacket will protect you from the wind and rain, and it offers both thermal protection and breathability. It offers the utmost comfort, even as you go about in camouflage gear to take out the enemy. This jacket has pockets for everything, even your smartphone.
OneTigris
This another brand that specializes in tactical outdoor gear, which include specifically airsoft gear. Check out their Doom Tactical Vest, which is light and versatile. It’s also able to hold 3 mags.
The MANIA Tactical Integrated F22 Helmet with Removable Facial Protection is especially nice. It comes with a breathable mask and anti-fog lens. You can put on various lenses for different situations. It’s comfy and ventilated, with soft padding in the interior. A helmet is crucial for airsoft games, and this one does the job nicely.
You may also want to consider their Wild Voyager Shooters Mat, which keeps off the mud and dust. If you’re lying in wait for the enemy, you can just use this. You can even pin it to the ground in windy conditions. When you’re done with it, you can just roll it up easily. The best airsoft sniper brand won’t do you any good without a good mat.
OutdoorMaster
This is another brand associated with affordable outdoor gear. While the brand offers items for hiking and water sports, they also offer airsoft gear as well.
One of their bestselling gear is their Airsoft Face Cover, which is available in 4 designs and color schemes. Whichever design you choose, you look so bad-ass that you look like you’re about to go toe-to-toe with Batman.
This comes with mesh eye protection, and it basically protects your whole face. It offers a secure fit with 6 adjustable straps. It’s comfy too, featuring padding on the nose and forehead areas. The mouth and nose areas are also perforated, so you can talk to your buddies and also breathe normally.
Outgeek
It’s another outdoor gear brand, and for airsoft they offer this Airsoft Mask Full Face Mask with steel mesh. It’s so tough that it can withstand BBs shots at more than 700 fps. It’s basically unbreakable when in combat, and that’s why some say this is the best brand for airsoft face masks.
With this, you even get protection for your mouth and your ears. You can even wear eyeglasses with this mask, so you don’t have to go with contact lenses to play. It’s also extremely breathable, and very comfortable to wear.
Of course, you can always go with the more traditional half-face mask. The goggles are made of ABS, with the half-face masks made of low-carbon steel. This is lightweight, and offers superb ventilation. This can protect you from BBs under 310 fps even from a distance of 5 meters.
Redwolf Airsoft
Technically, Redwolf Airsoft isn’t really a manufacturer of airsoft products. But it’s one of the most famous airsoft brands in the world because of their role as an airsoft retailer. The brand is based in Hongkong, but they also have a UK branch to take care of orders from Europe and the US.
Redwolf Airsoft offers a wide range of products, from low-budget bargains to high-end guns and accessories. If you need something, chances are good that you’d find them the Redwolf Airsoft platform. They tend to offer only the best products for their price levels. The good news is that while their prices are generally reasonable, you will still need to pay a lot more for shipping.
Systema
This is one of the premium brands, and the quality they provide for their products are out of this world. They offer especially terrific MAX and Super Max designs, and some of their M90 guns are just fantastic. They use advanced computerized optical tech to come up with airsoft versions that look feel virtually the same as the actual firearms they’re based on.
These things are so real that in many training exercises for military and law enforcement units, you’ll find these Systema airsoft guns being used. They use real steel in their airsoft guns, and they work so much like the real thing that you can even use optics and holsters designed for the actual firearms.
Most of these airsoft weapons let you upgrade them. They also offer “challenge” kits, for which you’ll need specialized tools. But then you can assemble your own airsoft guns instead and save money.
You just need to make sure you can afford these babies. You can use lots of words to describe Systema guns, except for the word “cheap”.
Tactical Crusader
This is another outdoorsy brand, and they sell stuff like crossbows and knives. As you may have already discovered, these things can go nicely with your airsoft guns. They also sell protective wear and tactical gear, plus backpacks and bags. The brand started out merely as a distributor based in a garage back in 2012, to a full-fledged manufacturer of goods.
It’s still a small company though, and it’s based in Minnesota.
Taigear
This brand manufactures tactical gear, and they offer gear for military uses, outdoor sporting, and for paintball and airsoft. For airsoft fans they offer bags, packs, belts, pouches, and holsters. They also offer protective gear like helmets, plus pads for the elbows and knees.
If you’re using a pistol for a backup weapon, then you might want to try out their holsters. They also offer a MICH (Modular Integrated Communications Helmet) helmet for airsoft. It’s very comfy to wear, and it offers nice protection.
Taurus
Taurus is actually a firearms brand, but you can find airsoft replicas of some of their weapons. Popular Taurus weapons include the PT92, the famed Raging Bull revolver, and The Judge revolver.
It’s easy enough to find a PT92 airsoft replica, and it’s not all that expensive either. The one we found was made by Cybergun, and it offers great fun for the money.
Tokyo Marui
Survey any number of airsoft veterans for the first brand they think of when mentioning premium airsoft brands, and chances are that most of them will think of Tokyo Marui. This brand is to the airsoft industry in the same way that the Rolex brand is regarded in the wristwatch industry.
You can try to go for their spring guns, but you really should take a look at their fantastic GBBs and mighty AEGs. This Japanese brand ships worldwide, and you can find their wares in the more common online platforms like eBay and Amazon.com. Plenty of shops feature these guns as well.
Yes, these guns are pricey. They offer all-metal, ABS plastic, or a metal and ABS combo for their weapons bodies, and they’re all tough. They can take field conditions with no trouble. Add how these guns are all accurate and how their gearboxes allow for improvements, and the prices they command don’t seem so bad at all.
UK ARMS
Lots of people (especially airsoft vets), are armed with side pistols to back up their larger guns. If you’re a newbie, then you might want to check out this brand for your airsoft pistol. Some consider this the best airsoft pistol brand for newbies.
The UK Arms pistols are known for their low prices, as they’re generally made of plastic. What makes these pistols (and UK arms airsoft products in general) special is that they’re so darn durable. Often, cheap equals short lifespans for products. Apparently, UK Arms didn’t get the memo on that.
Just keep in mind that the body and the internal parts are plastic, so you keep your expectations realistic. Still, with prices hovering at the $10 level, the kind of durability you get with these guns are outstanding.
The brand offers a terrific line of protective gear as well, and you may want to check out their affordable spring airsoft guns too.
UMAREX
This is another brand that’s famous for manufacturing exact replicas of actual firearms. Check out their replicas of Berettas, Walthers, and Colts, and you’ll understand right away what we mean. Try out the Ruger and S&W replicas as well. They look so real. No wonder some people collect Umarex replicas. It’s just like having a real gun collection.
You do have a lot to choose from even when you’re limiting your options to the Umarex brand. You can begin your collection with any of their spring rifles. Then you can go with their gas-powered weapons and AEGs.
Their smaller pistols are affordable enough to qualify them as budget options. But this German brand is not exactly an exclusively budget brand. You’ll have to pay higher prices for their premium guns. At least there’s a Umarex USA subsidiary so these airsoft guns can be made in the US. That ensures good quality control, and customer support is simpler.
Valken
Valken Sports is a US brand with its HQ in New Jersey, with locations in both Colorado and California. They offer a range of mid-tier and entry-level weapons, including pistols and rifles.
Check out the Valken ASL+ Series AEG and you’ll see how it offers a lot for your money. This comes with the magazine, magazine adapter, and the cleaning rod, but it doesn’t come with the battery it needs. However, put in a 7.4V 1000mAh stick type LiPo (look for the best airsoft battery brand that sell this) and you’re ready to rock.
What’s the Best Airsoft Brand?
That depends a lot on your budget and personal preferences. But you can’t really go wrong with the famous Tokyo Marui brand. They’re just darn good, and they offer a wide range of weapons and accessories. These things perform well, and they’re built to last for a very long time.
Final Verdict
The clear winner here is simply Tokyo Marui. They sell just about everything, and everything is in great quality. Sure, the guns are pricey. But they’re meant to last so you get a bargain in the long run. Meanwhile, you get fantastic performance that makes your airsoft game play much more enjoyable. Of all the best airsoft brands, this is perhaps the most famous—and it’s famous for very good reasons.