Airsoft rifles are one of the most popular categories of airsoft guns by a significant degree and their library encompasses an immense range of different models with both AEGs and GBB included. This huge range of guns is naturally a daunting prospect for any player wishing to purchase their new gun, but rest assured we at Redwolf have you covered by presenting you with our carefully curated rifle recommendations for this year, so in no particular order; here are our top 20 picks for best airsoft rifle for 2023.
HOW WE CHOOSE THE BEST AIRSOFT GUN
There are a number of important factors we considered when compiling our list of Best Airsoft Rifle,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.
Responsive trigger and built from the same kind of polymer as the real EVO, with high accuracy and rate of fire.
BUILD QUALITY
★★★★
VALUE
★★★
COLLECTABILITY
★★★
It won Best AEG in Popular Airsoft's Players Choice Awards for many years running, which speaks to its quality and wide appeal.
Positioning itself as an affordable alternative to the much more expensive Systema PTWs, and the only airsoft gun designed & made in the EU (Denmark), the EVO's compact form factor and impressive electronic trigger won it the Best AEG category in the Players Choice Awards for many years running. One of, if not, the best SMG AEGs available.
Pros
Voted best AEG by Players Choice Awards for many years
Available in several variants
Same polymer material as a real gun
Most sophisticated ECU when it was first released
Well thought out usability features including quick-change spring
Fun to shoot with very strong recoil, a very real 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 pricy but offer great quality. 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 reigns supreme with authentic field-stripping and attention to the smallest details, although 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. 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
Aggressive weight-saving cuts throughout the receiver translates 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.
Eye-catching "custom AR 15" 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 Special stock design to accommodate Titan Lithium-Ion batteries is also very forward-looking. The BAD AEG is not cheap and comes in either standard length or the SBR compact version, but if you want an AR 15 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
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.
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
Huge blowback recoil impulse and loud too, thanks to the huge gas reservoir in the large magazine. Very realistic finishing. Loads of fun.
BUILD QUALITY
★★★★★
VALUE
★★★
COLLECTABILITY
★★★★★
Really rigid and solid with a stamped steel receiver, the G3 is beautiful yet understated. Super limited production numbers mean they are super rare.
The legendary German rifle was long delayed by Umarex and VFC, but despite a lukewarm reception by the player community, it is one of the most realistic and solid gas blowback rifles ever made. Doomed to be a collector gun, these are rare and hard to find but if you collect, this should be on your list. Many rare airsoft guns appreciate in value but it remains to be seen whether the G3A3 is sought after enough to be of investment value.
Pros
Very rigid, solid and heavy
Jaw-dropping blowback recoil and sound
Collector grade - ultra-realistic build allowing the use of many real parts
Cons
Very heavy and not suited for long skirmishes
Limited availability and rare to come by
No aftermarket parts
Perhaps was a transient model leading ultimately to the Umarex VFC PSG-1 so it's been out of production for some time
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.
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
Blowback is weak but crisp, and performance has been proven over two decades.
BUILD QUALITY
★★★
VALUE
★★★★★
COLLECTABILITY
★★★
Great value for money compared to other guns in this price range, but the look might not appeal to everyone.
Best performance for the buck, the KC-02's semi-auto blowback system remains unbeaten after nearly two decades since its original launch. Designed by legendary Airsoft engineer, Tanio Koba, the KC-02 offers crisp and stable blowback action in a compact no-frills design making this gun ripe for customization and upgrades to eye-watering power levels.
Pros
Super efficient gas system designed by legendary Tanio Koba
Uses by green gas & CO2 magazines
High upgrade potential
Small & versatile form factor
Cons
Light recoil
Non-tactical form factor based on 22 caliber real gun
Solid and strong recoil, with very high-quality finishing. We love this bullpup GBBR for its thrills and exclusivity.
BUILD QUALITY
★★★★★
VALUE
★★★
COLLECTABILITY
★★★★★
Rock-solid and super rare. Grab it if you find one.
One of the two all-time favorites we've seen come from GHK is this AUG and the SIG553. Priced for collectors and rare as always, the AUG comes in a couple colors and variants. Delivers very solid blowback and performance, and will surely turn heads. But this head-turner is not always available so grab one when you see it.
Amazing fun to shoot with strong recoil sensation. We absolutely love this gun.
BUILD QUALITY
★★★★★
VALUE
★★★
COLLECTABILITY
★★★★★
One of the best rifles that GHK has ever built, but rare and hard to find.
GHK is one of the most courageous companies out there that try to recreate iconic pieces instead of chasing popular models for financial gain. Beautifully recreated replica of the SG553 with a stamped receiver and fantastic blowback, this is such a rare gas blowback rifle that you know you're holding something special as soon as you pick it up. Collectors should not miss a chance to own a gun this special and rare.
Pros
Most realistic recreation of the 553
Three firing modes: Semi, three-round burst, full auto.
So loud that you need earplugs when firing from a shouldered position. Shoots rather hot.
BUILD QUALITY
★★★★
VALUE
★★★
COLLECTABILITY
★★★★★
Solid but perhaps a bit too heavy. Limited production numbers make it sought after.
Loud and massive blowback recoil that embarrasses most blowback rifles, with eye-watering power out of the box. It's so loud that your ears may ring if you're aiming with your cheek to the stock. The VFC G28 GBBR, fully licensed by Umarex, is a full metal licensed replica this time in GBB form, stretching to just under a meter in length and weighing in at 5kgs, this absolute unit of a weapon is not known for its lightweight and mobility. If you plan to be out in the field all day, think twice about carrying this beast out. Thankfully at 440 FPS the G28’s lack of mobility is negated by its ability to reach out to your intended target as a fully capable DMR. Featuring a quad rail system, collapsible stock, its own foregrip, Harris bipod and scope rings for a magnified scope and red dot sight, the G28 has almost everything you would need for a DMR setup right from the get-go and is ideal for any aspiring squad marksman.
Pros
Huge recoil impulse and loud
Large magazine means more shots between gas recharges
Solid build quality
Cons
Heavy
GBB may not have the best consistency for marksmanship compared to AEGs
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
Cyma's Type 3 gearbox is mature and reliable. Great value thanks to its budget price.
Best value for money AK electric airsoft rifle hands down, with a proven Type 3 gearbox that rocks with the best of them. Rough around the edges and doesn't quite match the refinement of Tokyo Marui or LCT's external builds, but that's what real AK rifles are like. Ample upgrade parts available for maintenance and upgrades, CYMA AK's have come a long way and matured into one of the best AK rifles you can buy. If you're on a budget and aren't fussed about the details, and just want an AK that can deliver the basics, then you can't beat the price.
Pros
Budget price
Proven Type 3 gearbox
Full metal
Cons
Decent build quality but falls short of alternatives from Marui & LCT Basic functionality
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
Crisp blowback with a high rate of fire in such a small package makes this really fun to shoot.
BUILD QUALITY
★★★★
VALUE
★★★
COLLECTABILITY
★★★
Well built SMG with good quality materials.
The legendary GHK G5 was a watershed moment for GBBRs when it was first released, it proved the efficacy of the open bolt GBB design for rifles and showed its potential by demonstrating a hard enough kick to take airsoft immersion to new heights. The G5 is incredibly slim and compact and as it is made of a solid ABS polymer it's also very light weighing in at just 2kg with the magazine inserted. This plastic construction also gives it some of the best recoil of any GBB in the market, in short, this is probably the closest you can come to firing a real gun in airsoft. Some say it looks incredibly like a Scorpion EVO, which is not available in the gas blowback version. So this is a sort of Scorpion EVO GBBR alternative.
The vanilla gearbox is a bit dated but can still keep up with the rest of the pack. Plastic is a bit shiny compared to the real FAMAS.
BUILD QUALITY
★★★★★
VALUE
★★★
COLLECTABILITY
★★★
The first AEG ever made, this gun spawned the entire electric airsoft gun industry as we know it today.
An airsoft gun with historical significance being Marui's first electric gun, the FA-MAS's advantage is its relatively long barrel which contributes to longer range, thanks to the rearward located firing chamber. Metal parts include barrel assembly and trigger. The F1 includes an integrated folding bipod. Installation of silencer requires an adapter since the barrel on the FAMAS is not threaded.
Best gas blowback AK rifle available today that is a lot of fun.
BUILD QUALITY
★★★★
VALUE
★★★
COLLECTABILITY
★★★★
Steel construction with realistic field stripping delivers a highly immersive experience that's worth the price.
The most realistic gas blowback AK based rifle in airsoft. The GHK AK series is the definitive GBB AKs on the market, having the best combination of realism, functionality and performance available. Coming in various models with many parts fully interchangeable with each other, the GHK AK series allows you to customise your AK into whatever version you want with the realistic shooting experience of firing an AK allowing you to dominate the field.
Pros
Arguably the best performing GBB AK around
Full metal
Good recoil and realistic operation
Wide variety of aftermarket parts
Cons
Half travel bolt
Difficult to mount accessories without purchasing aftermarket rails
Big-time fun with big-time recoil that will rattle your bones. Beautiful and realistic finish.
BUILD QUALITY
★★★★★
VALUE
★★★
COLLECTABILITY
★★★★
The mother of snipers, the iconic PSG-1 was long-awaited in GBBR form and does not disappoint.
The best and most awe-inspiring semi-auto sniper rifle after the now-defunct SOCOM GEAR M82. An epic collector rifle in the making for a decade, this rifle doesn't disappoint when it comes to the blowback and recoil. Construction is top-notch and solid with no creaks. Not coming with the scope and bipod is rather disappointing so it loses marks on realism, but collectors determined to own this amazing sniper rifle will surely find ways to make do with a similar scope or find a Marui PSG-1 scope.
Pros
First gas blowback rifle ever of this Iconic sniper rifle
Huge blowback and recoil effect
Beautiful build quality with realistic stamped receiver
The newest GBB offering from VFC with robust ergonomics and performance improvements.
Renowned for their simple yet robust designs, BCM rifles have been used by many well-known shooters in the firearms industry such as Travis Haley, the GBRS Group, and Larry Vickers, to name a few. It is to no surprise, BCM stands for quality and reliability.
With this rich history, BCM partnered with VFC to bring the airsoft community a fully licensed product sporting the latest BCM externals and VFC internals, pushing this airsoft gun to maximum performance.
Externally, the rifle is exquisitely crafted and an incredible amount of detail has been paid to each surface. Everything you see on the airsoft gun transfers extremely well to its real steel counterpart, making this rifle an ideal choice for those that might consider using it as a training platform.
Pros
Eight fully licensed BCM parts
Snappy and satisfying recoil impulse
New performance improvements result in consistent FPS
If you are looking for an all-around great M4-style AEG 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
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.
In conclusion to this, I will remind you that “best” is usually very subjective. However, I hope that you can use some of the points I have made to help you make a decision on what might be good for you.
