CO2 is great for beginners because the startup costs are meager. A 20oz CO2 tank costs about $22 and can shoot approximately 1,000 paintballs without needing to be refilled. Refills are also very cheap; some fields even offer free refills, while others charge somewhere between $3 to $7.

On the downside, CO2 can only be used in warmer weather conditions. The CO2 stored within the tank is in liquid form. The ambient temperature must be approximately 75 degrees for the change from liquid to gas to occur. CO2 is also not great for high rates of fire as some of the components may freeze and cause a pressure drop.

Compressed air tanks, on the other hand, have been gaining popularity since the early 1990s. These tanks are also known as HPA, nitro, or nitrogen tanks since all they hold is compressed air. The main advantage of compressed air is consistency. HPA is not affected by temperatures the same way CO2 is and is ideal for cold weather and guns with a high fire rate.

The initial cost of HPA is higher, but fields often offer free refills on tanks or include the price within the cost of the field. Speedball players find HPA to be the cheapest option in the long term.

Ninja air tanks are some of the lightest air tanks on the market. They are 30% lighter than standard carbon fiber tanks. In addition, all of Ninja’s tanks are Department of Transportation approved, so they are guaranteed to withstand the wear and tear of regular use.

Infamous makes some of the lightest tanks on the market. The Infamous hyper-lightweight carbon fiber wrapped 80 cubic inch bottle is an excellent choice for intermediate and advanced players. Infamous tanks are also highly adaptable because of Infamous’ aftermarket accessories.

Powerhouse has some of the best competition regulators on the market. Even high-end markers may need upgrades with regulators and Powerhouse is a great option. The inner components are temperature resistant and precision-milled for the best results on the field.