It comes as no surprise that the airsoft M4 is easily the most popular type of airsoft gun out there. Being modeled after the M4 Carbine which is itself a variant of the classic AR platform, the ‘Black Rifle’ is an iconic American rifle both in terms of military service but the sheer quantity of civilian models available, making it not only a highly adaptable and ergonomic rifle, but one with great cultural significance and popularity. This significance carries onto airsoft as well, with countless models of airsoft M4 carbines populating the entire breadth of brands, model configurations and methods of propulsion ranging from AEG airsoft M4s to realistic airsoft M4s that use gas. Alongside the AR 15 airsoft gun, airsoft M4s come in a stunning variety of models and prices and in this blog we’ve come up with a selection of the best airsoft M4 and best airsoft AR rifles for you to choose from.



HOW WE CHOOSE THE BEST AIRSOFT GUN

There are a number of important factors we considered when compiling our list of Best Airsoft M4s, these include:

FUN FACTOR – Airsoft is a hobby so airsoft guns must be able to generate joy. We look at recoil, sound, design, optional accessories, and overall awesomeness that make the gun interesting. Non-shooting models can also be fun, like a beautiful revolver with realistic ammo that you can load into a rotating cylinder. We rate each of our picks on how much pleasure you can derive from ownership.

REALISM – What makes Airsoft guns attractive for so many is that they replicate real guns. While many manufacturers try their best to recreate the details and feel of a real gun, some succeed while others fail horribly and end up with something more akin to a toy. We rate how real each of our top picks feels and looks.

PERFORMANCE – Power measured in feet-per-second (FPS), range and accuracy are the key metrics we use to determine the best airsoft gun. From there, we also prioritize airsoft guns with an adjustable hop-up and high-quality buckings to ensure that they give the consistency and accuracy you need. All FPS ratings are universally based on 0.2 gram BBs.

BUILD QUALITY – We look for good quality construction, materials and refinement not only in the external components but also internally. The fit tolerances, discernable wobbles and rattles, smoothness of operation, durability of components, etc are all considered.

VALUE – Affordably priced airsoft guns that rank highly in all the above categories are prioritized over more expensive airsoft guns that offer the same, as "bang for your buck" is an important consideration for most airsoft players.  This criteria rates if you are getting more for your money compared to similar guns in the same class, meaning is it a good deal. For more information on how to determine the value of an airsoft gun, check out this article on what goes into the cost of an airsoft gun.

COLLECTABILITY – Sometimes an Airsoft gun stands out simply because it is unique either because it’s not produced by anyone else or holds enough of a cultural or collectable value to make you want to have a piece of history regardless of its utility. This criteria rates whether the gun is a must-have for collectors. Some rare or limited edition Airsoft guns even appreciate in value in the secondary market and we rate their investment value where applicable.

1. GHK M4 GBBR

FUN★★★★★
REALISM★★★★★
PERFORMANCE★★★★
Fun rifle to shoot with very strong recoil, a very realistic external appearance with solid selector switches. It's as close to owning a real AR 15 rifle as you can get in airsoft.
BUILD QUALITY★★★★
VALUE★★★★
COLLECTABILITY★★★
Good quality materials with good fit and finish. GHK guns are pricey but offer great quality. This is also the only gas blowback AR 15 that works with CO2.

Good quality materials with good fit and finish. GHK guns are pricey but offer great quality. This is also the only gas blowback AR 15 that works with CO2.

The GHK M4 GBBR is the most realistic airsoft M4 gas blowback rifle for many years counting and still stands supreme with authentic field-stripping and attention to the smallest details. Though VFC is closing the gap in recent years and Marui's MWS might have a slight edge in cold weather use. GHK's ability to use both green gas and CO2 magazines still puts it a step above the rest for use in places with distinct seasons and large temperature differences. Has very strong recoil and lots of accessories for upgrades.

Pros

  • Extremely stable and reliable blowback system
  • Very realistic construction & field stripping
  • Can use CO2 magazines which is perfect for cold weather


Cons

  • Hard to find magazines
  • Hop-Up bucking requires more break in time than many others

2. RWA BATTLE ARMS DEVELOPMENT 556-LW AEG AIRSOFT RIFLE

FUN★★★★
REALISM★★★★★
PERFORMANCE★★★★
Aggressive weight-saving cuts throughout the receiver translate into an eye-catching rifle. Faithfully replicates the details of the real BAD rifle Programmable ECU trigger even offers a binary mode for ultra-fast semi-auto for CQB fields.
BUILD QUALITY★★★★
VALUE★★★
COLLECTABILITY★★★★
Good fit and finish with sharp and clean cuts. Unique look makes for a worthy collector piece, although it comes at a price.

With an eye-catching design with superior attention to detail and offering a feature-packed electronic trigger control unit that offers a binary mode for ultra-fast CQB semi-auto shooting. The RWA BAD LWA 556 AEG is easily one of the lead contenders for best airsoft M4 out there. It also features a special airsoft M4 stock design to accommodate Titan Lithium-Ion batteries. The BAD AEG is not cheap and comes in either standard length or the SBR compact version, but if you want an AR 15 airsoft gun that is a bit edgier with an incredibly fast binary trigger for CQB game sites, this should be on your list.

Pros

  • Striking aesthetics Available in Carbine & SMG lengths
  • Sophisticated ECU trigger with ultra-responsive binary mode for CQB
  • Modular stock that can take a variety of batteries including TITAN Li-Ion


Cons

  • Racy styling might not be for everyone
  • The PDW style stock might not be for everyone

3. VFC AVALON SAMURAI EDGE CQB AEG AIRSOFT RIFLE

FUN★★★★
REALISM★★★
PERFORMANCE★★★★
Really good performance but does not truly replicate a real gun despite being based on an AR 15.
BUILD QUALITY★★★★
VALUE★★
COLLECTABILITY★★
The best that VFC has to offer with excellent quality and value.

High-performance AEGs with the best that VFC has to offer. While not technically an accurate replica of a real AR 15 variant, the gun is designed beautifully with billet style receivers and even sports a silver Samurai motif on the lower receiver giving it a modern and sleek look. Internally, the Samurai Edge features the latest Version 2.1 ECS and trigger unit that is programmable o add burst mode to the standard safe, semi, and auto. The gun is also fully ambidextrous. This is essentially VFC's showcase of its superior AEG abilities for people looking for an alternative to Krytac AEGs.

Pros

  • Full metal modern construction with eye-catching design
  • Numerous M-LOK slots for attachments
  • Programmable ECS allows for different fire modes
  • Relatively affordable


Cons

  • Design may be divisive
  • Not modelled after any particular real firearm

4. Umarex HK416A5 AEG - Tan (by VFC)

FUN★★★
REALISM★★★
PERFORMANCE★★★
Excellent shooting accuracy
BUILD QUALITY★★★★
VALUE★★★★
COLLECTABILITY
Unparalleled performance

If you are looking for an all-around great AEG airsoft M4 that won't break the bank, you'd be hard-pressed to find one better than the Umarex HK416A5. This rifle features tried and tested VFC AEG internals and a solid, sturdy construction that is truly built to last. The flexibility of the platform ensures you can run your favorite H&K rifle in colder weather conditions without having to worry about some of the downsides of a gas operating system. In addition, the internals are the tried and proven internals found in other VFC AEGs. The gun features a MOSFET like all modern AEGs and parts are compatible with other standard version 2 parts.

Pros

  • High FPS
  • Sturdy, Durable Construction
  • One of the most Reliable Internal Assemblies on the Market


Cons

  • Asia Edition Means that the Rifle Lacks EU F and 6mm Markings

5. VFC COLT M733 GBB Rifle (COLT Licensed)

FUN★★★★
REALISM★★★★★
PERFORMANCE★★★
Snappy, satisfying recoil impulse.
BUILD QUALITY★★★★
VALUE★★
COLLECTABILITY
A unique classic from VFC

The M733 is probably a rifle that is instantly recognizable my many movie buffs and firearms enthusiasts. The rifle is the precursor to the rifle that we now know today as the M4. However, its biggest claim to fame is its prominent featuring in the hit movie HEAT starring Robert De Niro and a variant being used by Delta Force in Black Hawk Down. The M733 is an excellently made rifle and comes with strong, snappy recoil with an ideal retro feel straight from the 80s and 90s, while it isn’t technically an M4, its certainly one of the best airsoft AR rifles out there.

Pros

  • Fully Licensed Product
  • Iconic Design
  • Strong recoil
  • Excellent gas efficiency
  • Compatible with VFC M4 magazines


Cons

  • Not Ideal for Long Range Engagements
  • Does Not Feature Picatinny Rail


6. SIG SAUER MCX VIRTUS SBR AEG AIRSOFT RIFLE (BY SIG AIR & VFC)

FUN★★★★
REALISM★★★★★
PERFORMANCE★★★★
As with all SIG SAUER rifles produced by SIG AIR, the details are spot on and make the gun look very realistic compared to the real rifle. Good performance but without the bells and whistles of an ECU trigger found on guns in this price range.
BUILD QUALITY★★
VALUE★★
COLLECTABILITY★★
Top-notch construction and materials, but SIG SAUER rifles do not come cheap.

Whilst not strictly an airsoft M4, the MCX is touted as an evolution of the AR-15 platform. Used by many special operations forces around the world, the MCX is highly modular, compact, and uses modern technologies designed to keep the weapon system usable far into the future. The airsoft version manufactured by SIG SAUER employs robust internals and dutifully replicates all details of its real steel counterpart!

Pros

  • New modern design that challenges the age-old AR platform
  • Highly modular
  • Quick Change Spring
  • Fully licensed product
  • Picatinny rail adaptor for stock mounting


Cons

  • Low base FPS
  • Relatively vanilla internals compared to other AEGs in its class
  • Small battery compartment

7. TOKYO MARUI MK18 MOD 1 GBB AIRSOFT RIFLE

FUN★★★★★
REALISM★★★
PERFORMANCE★★★★★
Hassle-free fun with great accuracy and a class-leading hop-up unit. However, unrealistic internal design disappoints.
BUILD QUALITY★★★★
VALUE★★
COLLECTABILITY
Class-leading build quality is worth the price.

Voted best gas blowback rifle by Popular Airsoft's Players Choice Awards, the Tokyo Marui MK18 MOD 1 is the latest from TM using the ZET system as seen in their highly acclaimed MWS guns. The fit and finish of the gun is what you have come to expect from Tokyo Marui, everything is solid and the rifle is also compatible with standard MWS parts making this an incredibly customizable gun right out of the box. Furthermore, the ZET system also gives the MK18 exceptional gas efficiency and consistency which translates into great performance on the field.

Pros

  • Cerakote finish
  • ZET GBB system for superior performance
  • Huge library for aftermarket upgrades and accessories


Cons

  • Expensive
  • Toy-like internals means unrealistic field-stripping

8. ARES SR25-M110K Sniper Rifle

FUN★★★★
REALISM★★★
PERFORMANCE★★★★
Excellent accuracy and performance
BUILD QUALITY★★
VALUE★★
COLLECTABILITY
The SR25/M110 is a semi-automatic sniper system that is currently heavily utilized as a DMR by modern US infantry units.

The ARES SR25-M110K, meanwhile, is the perfect airsoft replica of this tried-and-true DMR. The ARES SR25-M110K comes equipped with a MOSFET system for exceptional accuracy and range in addition to impressive features such as an ARES Electronic Gearbox Programmer for easily adjusting the way your rifle performs and a built-in SR-25 for securely mounting any optic.

Pros

  • The Ability to Customize the Rifle's Performance via its ARES Electric Gearbox Programmer
  • High-Quality Aluminum Alloy Construction
  • Adjustable Hop-Up


Cons

  • A Little Pricy
  • No Full-Auto Capabilities

9. Krytac Trident MK2 CRB AEG (M-LOK)

FUN★★★
REALISM★★★★
PERFORMANCE★★★★★
Sharp trigger action, superior accuracy and range compared to other rifles in its class.
BUILD QUALITY★★★
VALUE★★★
COLLECTABILITY★★
Not the most good looking AR 15 available, and the unsightly stock doesn't help. But solid internals and excellent build quality make this top choice for people who prioritize practicality over looks.

The Krytac Trident line is probably one of the most robust out of the box electric airsoft guns available, with the approach that they are pre-tuned and pre-upgraded for better than average performance. Combining modern design with tried and tested robust internals, these airsoft guns are fantastic for both in and outdoor airsoft games and are easily one of the best airsoft M4 rifles loved by players.

Pros

  • Modern AR design
  • Robust internals
  • Compatible with many standard Version 2 gearbox parts
  • Category leading performance


Cons

  • Slightly pricier than other non-blowback AEGs in its class

10. TOKYO MARUI M4 SOCOM NEXT GENERATION (NGRS EBB) AIRSOFT AEG RIFLE

FUN★★
REALISM★★★★
PERFORMANCE★★★★★
Realistic recoil with the convenience of an AEG
BUILD QUALITY★★★★
VALUE★★★
COLLECTABILITY

An innovative new system from Tokyo Marui is adapted into this new full metal M4 SOPMOD. The M4 NGRS includes an electric blowback system and also a lock-bolt function which stops the gun from firing on the last round of BB fired just like the real gun and similar to the more expensive Systema PTW. Pop in a new fully loaded magazine, press on the bolt-release button on the side of the receiver and you are ready to fire again. This new airsoft M4 is a blast to shoot with both sound and visual gratification guaranteed, the rifle comes with a standard Tokyo Marui 82 round magazine but it can be set to work in 30rd mode for added realism. The gun is of full metal construction with ABS stocks and grips for a more realistic feel and is easily one of the best airsoft M4 rifles out there.

Pros

  • Innovative new recoil system has the recoil and realistic function of a GBB but the convenience of an AEG
  • Empty magazine detection
  • Extremely accurate


Cons

  • Lack of upgradability options