CO2 or Compressed Air? Which Type of Tank is Best for Your Paintball Gun?

I have been involved with the sport of paintball for over ten years. During that time I have worked at a paintball field and have become very familiar with the two main propulsion sources that make paintball markers work: CO2 and Compressed Air (also known as HPA, N2, and Nitro tanks.) One of the most common questions I've received by people while at my paintball field is which I think is better. First let me point out some things that make the two unique:

CO2

PROS

-Has been used with paintball guns since the beginning of the sport.

-CO2 tanks come in a larger variety of sizes (measured in ounces, range from about 4-20 oz in size).

-You will get more shots from an average CO2 tank. A 20 oz tank is good for over 1000 shots.

-CO2 is far more cost effective than compressed air. You can get a new 9 oz tank for about 20 bucks. 20 oz tanks cost about $30.

-99 percent of the fields you will ever play at will be able to fill your CO2 tank. It is far easier to find a fill for CO2 tanks compared to compressed air.

CONS

-CO2 is a liquid when it is in the gun. As you fire it, it will slowly wear on some of the valves and seals inside of your gun.

-CO2 is affected by temperature. It will not be very affective at temperatures under 40 degree F.

-You will also notice variations in speed if you shoot rapidly, or if you just got your tank filled (this is due to temperature fluctuations.)

-CO2 tanks take longer to fill. They also cannot be topped off very easily (it can be dangerous to fill them unless they are almost empty) and it is difficult to know how much CO2 you have in your tank.

COMPRESSED AIR

PROS

-Compressed air is becoming more and more popular within the sport of paintball.

-Compressed air fires clean. This is to say, there will be no wear and tear on your paintball gun when you use it.

-Can be used in any conditions. Fires the same at 0 degrees as it does at 100.

-Pressure gauges on all of the tanks. You always know how much air you have left in your tank.

-Can be topped off at any time. Gauges on tank and fill station prevent over filling.

-You will get a more consistent performance from your marker if you are using compressed air.

CONS

-Because compressed air isn't yet as common as CO2, some fields will not have the ability to fill the tanks.

-Compressed air tanks only come in two sizes (3000 psi and 4500 psi) and you will get less shots per fill from either them compared to a 20 oz CO2 tank.

-Compressed air tanks are more expensive. They will run anywhere from $60 dollars for an aluminum 3000 psi tank, to over 200 dollars for some carbon fiber 4500 psi tanks.

-Compressed air tanks are slightly larger than CO2 tanks, and usually heavier.

Those are the basics. If you are someone who plans on playing paintball multiple times each year, I'd find a local field or shop that can fill your compressed air tanks, and go with compressed air. For those of you that are new to paintball, I'd say go with CO2. Both definitely get the job done. In fact, most players who use compressed air still carry a small CO2 tank in case they run out of compressed air. Either can be attached to any gun and work immediately without any adjustments or conversions. If you are completely new to paintball I suggest you go to a local paintball field, rent the equipment, and give each type of tank a swirl.