The perfect paintball marker comes with a various amount of different features. You can purchase different types, editions, and models.
However, to get the most out of your paintball game, you have to also distribute that quality among your other material, as well. Investing in the best paintball tank, which is a vital part of the marker, is one of the most important accessories. The quality of your tank will have a direct impact on the amount of time that you can play.
Buying the best HPA tank isn’t the easiest task and might seem pretty overwhelming. That’s where we come in. With this guide, you will learn the ins and outs of the certain qualities to look out for, what type of material to invest in, and ultimately, which paintball tank is the one you should purchase. Some of the qualities that you have to decide between are the size, the brand and the style of the tank, also depicting which pressure you need: high or low input pressure.
Let us take you through the process and help you on this step by step journey to finding the best paintball tank:
Two Different Types Of Paintball Tanks
You might be a bit lost on where to begin in the process. The first step is to decide whether you want an aluminum or carbon fiber tank. To make that decision, you need to be aware of measurements.
The term, PSI, means pounds per square inch or pound-force per square inch. This tells you how much pressure can fit completely into the tank. If this number is high, you can shoot more.
There are various advantages and disadvantages to choosing one over the other, so familiarize yourself with which matches your game best, including the amount of time you normally play and what your local field supplies.
CO2 Paintball Tanks
From the beginning of the history of paintball, CO2 has been there. It was the gas that was first used in the 1980s and has remained popular simply because of the cost of the gas. If you are preparing for a long game, you are able to buy several tanks for a full day.
They also offer the advantage of being able to fill them, even at welding or fire extinguisher supply shops, which means you don’t even have to go to a paintball pro shop.
How it works: the carbon dioxide uses a liquid form which quickly converts to gas once it leaves the tank. Make sure your marker has a quality control to not let any extra CO2 escape.
HPA (High-Pressure Air) Tanks
As history goes, the HPA tanks became popular in the 90s because the CO2 presented a lot of limitations when playing so they searched for a different solution. When they first began, they were filled with nitrogen gas, which explains why Nitro and N2 are still an option. However, nowadays, they are filled with highly compressed air.
These HPA tanks are popular and follow the fact that they are now developed to be able to last through all types of weather. They have also been developed to be able to hit those long ranges and can shoot rapid fire.
7 Best HPA Paintball Tanks Of 2018
Brand | Type | PSI | Weight | Rating | Check Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Ninja Carbon Pro V2 Editor's Choice | HPA | 4500 | 2.5 lbs | 100% | |
2. Ninja Air N2 Runner-Up | HPA | 3000 | 3.4 lbs | 97% | |
3. Ninja Fiber HPA High-End | HPA | 4500 | 3.5 lbs | 98% | |
4. Empire Basic Carbon | HPA | 4500 | 1.8 lbs | 93% | |
5. First Strike Hero | HPA | 3000 | 3.6 lbs | 95% | |
6. Maddog CO2 Tank | CO2 | 2500 | 2.2 lbs | 92% | |
7. Tippmann Air Tank | HPA | 3000 | 1.8 lbs | 98% |
Low Pressure vs High-Pressure Tanks
When you are investing in those tanks, you need to know the difference between high and low-pressure tanks. Where it differs is not in the type of air — all air tanks are loaded with high pressure —but how it comes out.
Take a look at your paintball marker, it will tell you everything you need to know. Although an HPA tank with a quality, adjustable regulator is a great investment, you can always adjust your pressure simply based on what kind your marker needs.
This operating pressure means the minimum input pressure that your gun will need to be able to work properly.
Now that we’ve covered most of the basics, we’ve scanned the web and compiled a list of our seven best choices:
1. Ninja Paintball Carbon 4500 Tanks Pro V2
Best Paintball Tank Overall (Editor's Choice)
The Ninja Paintball Carbon 4500 Tanks with Pro V2 Regulator is made with a super lightweight construction, boasting a 30 percent lighter full weight than other tanks on the market. It has a high quality regulator and comes in a variety of different sizes. One of its qualities that really sets it apart from the rest is the fact that it comes in so many different colors. The tank also has a new ball valve from the older model, which gives way for extremely speedy refilling rates.
2. Ninja AIr Aluminium HPA N2 Paintball Tank
Runner-Up
The Ninja Air Aluminum HPA N2 Paintball Tank 3000psi comes in four different sizes and one color. The great thing about this paintball tank is its simplicity. Available in just black, it has adjustability ranging form low to medium to high pressure. Therefore, whatever you need, you can get it from the Ninja Air Aluminum Tank. It is also made of aluminum, which means that it is extremely lightweight. It comes with the promise of a lot of shots with a full tank regardless of its lightweight material. It is also pretty sturdy even though aluminum have a bad reputation of being durable.
3. Ninja Paintball 4500 PSI Carbon Fiber HPA Tank
The Ninja Paintball 4500 PSI Carbon Fiber HPA Tanks with Regulator comes in five different colors. Not only is it made in the U.S., which allows for convenient customer service, it comes with a 4,500 PSI and a 5-year capable hydro. The tank is also D.O.T. and T.C. approved, which backs up and guarantees its quality. Especially for beginners, this tank is perfect since it works straight out of the box with all paintball guns with a default output of 8,000 PSI. So, even if you are unfamiliar with the details of paintball guns, you don’t have to do much adjusting before you play. Even though you might want to look out for regulation issues if you are a professional, if you are playing just for fun or in a lower league, you might not have a problem with this tank.
4. Empire Paintball Basic Carbon Fiber Air System
The Empire Paintball Basic Carbon Fiber Air System comes in two different sizes and only one color but focuses on quality over quantity. The tank has a proven regulator performance that’s main focus uses Pure Energy Technology. With a standard 800 PSI output pressure, it comes ready to use, straight out of the box. It has a fully serviceable regulator design at 68 cubic inches, standing at 4,500 PSI. The material of the Empire Paintball Basic Carbon Fiber Air System tank uses is made of an aircraft grade aluminum construction regulator. For those players looking to play aggressively and don't want to worry about their marker or tank getting banged up, the Empire Air System is for you.
5. First Strike Hero Guerrilla Aluminium Compressed Air Paintball HPA Tank
The First Strike Hero Guerrilla HPA Tank comes in black with two different sizes. The First Strike Hero has a 5-year hydro and it is approved with a tai-label by the UN ISO and is durable enough with the guarantee of lasting a lifetime. Weighing in at around three pounds, it is also pretty light. Comes in a short length, so might be much more comfortable on the shoulder than other tanks. It is made of aluminum so it is lightweight and comes with the look of a carbon fiber tank without having the steep price behind it. Comes with extra burst disks and plastic cab to protect the treads.
6. Maddog 24 Oz. Aluminium Paintball Tank
Best CO2 Paintball Tank
The Maddog Aluminum Paintball Tank comes in black with the options of purchasing it as a three pack, a pack of five, or just one tank. This CO2 tank is made of high quality aluminum with an industry-standard pin valve. It comes with an excellent air capacity, approximately lasting anywhere from 1,100 to 1,320 shots per fill. You can also use the additive feature of a multi-pack to reload even on the move.
7. Tippmann 48/3000 Aluminium Compressed Air Tank
The Tippmann Aluminum Compressed Air Tank comes as it clearly says in the name in a pack of three. The gauges of the bottles are relatively accurate and have a casual, sleek look to fit with any paintball marker. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, this Tippmann tank is a perfect addition to your equipment investment. Reliable and providing you a good solution to fill up your tank that won’t break your bank, this is a perfect suggestion tank for your paintball supply.
What Are The Common Paintball Tank Sizes
Instead of focusing simply on how many shots you will want to let out in a game or your firepower, you need to be able to focus on the measurements of the tank sizes in relation to you and your game.
For example, an impacting indicator of the size of your paintball tank is you. The length of the tank itself should stop at the crease of your elbow — so even if you cannot hold it in your hands before you purchase it, take a measuring tape and do your research.
Sizes also mean storage space. However, be aware that the more storage space your tank has, the more it will weigh.
For understanding the way the size is measured, the first number of a size measurement is the total cubic inches of space inside the actual tank. The second number is the total pound per square inch that your tank can produce.
When it comes to common sizes, you need to look for the most popular size, which is the 68-4500. However, you can also invest in the 468-3000 or the 48-4500.
Depending on your size and how much weight you can carry will vary from player to player, so try and get your measurements for yourself beforehand.
What Material Are Paintball Tanks Made Of
Since the beginning, paintball tanks have evolved, changing in many different ways. There are various materials you can invest in, and they each differ in weight, strength, safety and expense. They also differ in air capacity. The different materials you can choose from are aluminum, steel, fiber glass, or carbon fiber.
Steel
You need to set your priorities before you decide on a specific tank. However, if you are going to invest in steel, you need to know: steel tanks are heavy to carry. That means if you are planning on playing for hours or days at a time, it might not be the best investment.
However, steel material does have its advantages. They are very durable and normally cheaper than other materials on the market since they are usually the most unpopular.
Aluminum
Compared to steel, aluminum is much lighter, thus making it much easier to lug around with you in a paintball game. Even though they are less durable and can easily dent, they are more likely to last years after a steel one will rust.
More on the expensive side, aluminum tanks will cost you but if you make the investment and take care of it, they are worth it.
Carbon Fiber
The most expensive of them all and the best type of tank is carbon fiber. Made of very strong material and yet surprisingly lightweight, carbon fiber tanks are made to last years. It is one of the newest developments on the market and are used by professional paintballers worldwide.
It costs the most out of all the material but does so with a good reputation that will be there for you when all other equipment fails.
Final Verdict
If you are looking for the best paintball air tank or the best HPA tank on the market, we hope that this guide has helped you find what you're looking for. Not only have we laid out the step by step process of what you need to pinpoint before you purchase, we have also given you seven of our top choices which can also become your top choices.
Regardless if you are a beginner or an expert or professional paintball player, you can always use a little help. You might be needing to invest in a different brand and tired of the purchases you've made or are just wading the waters of paintball and its tanks, we hope that our guide has helped you find the perfect paintball tank for you and your paintball marker.