Starting at anything can be a daunting task. You have so many options to choose from and you have no idea whether the choices you are making now are the right ones. Getting started in airsoft is no different as it’s one of those things that intimidate you and make you ask, “how much does airsoft really cost?”
First, you have to know how much you need to start and then ask how much cost do you need to pay to continue. This is something that most beginners ask.
On Average, Airsoft will cost you between $200 – $300 to get started. This will cover the cost of your airsoft gun, an extra battery, a charger, BBs, and Face protection. On top of this, an average day of play will cost you $20 – $30 inclusive of the cost of BBs for that day.
With upgrades, these costs will rise upwards of $1000 but the starting budget of $200 to $300 is enough to get you going as a beginner. Let’s break this down and see what is the best approach.
Gear Set 1: How Much Do You Need to Start Playing?
Airsoft can be as expensive or as cheap as you would want. It all depends on the kind of gear you get and how fancy you’d want your setup to be. However, as a beginner, you’d expect to spend roughly around $200 to start. Here’s the kind of gear that $200 would get you on Amazon.
1. Airsoft Rifle
2. Extra Battery
8.4V Tenergy 1600mAh NiMH Stick Mini Battery Pack
3. Smart Charger
Tenergy Combo 8.4V 1600mAh Stick Mini NiMH Battery Pack+ 8.4V-9.6V NiMH Smart Charger
3. Eye Protection
Pyramex Highlander Safety Glasses
4. BBs
Crosman 6mm biodegradable airsoft BBs, 0.20g, 2000 BBs
This starter gear is good enough to provide you with a great experience when out in the field. Having just the gear on this list will be enough for a few matches. But if you want to add more, check the next list below.
Gear Set 2: Extra Gear Beyond the $200 Mark
With this gear, you are ready to start your very first airsoft game and it will serve you pretty well until you when you are ready to upgrade. If you have enough budget, getting these other necessary gear or gears that are nice to have would require more than the $200 you started with.
1. Face Protection
OutdoorMaster Full Face Airsoft Mask
2. Airsoft Vest
3. Airsoft Pistols
Soft Air Taurus 24/7 Airsoft Pistol
4. Airsoft Pistol Holster
Vivoi 3 pc Drop Leg Gun Holster
5. Combat Boots
Under Armour Men’s Valsetz RTS Military and Tactical Boot
How Much Does It Cost to Start?
It’s best not to buy your first airsoft gun before getting out in the field and trying it for yourself. Most airsoft fields provide rental guns that you can rent for a day on their field. You can test the rental guns first and see if you enjoy any of the guns. Then determine what kind of player you would most enjoy playing.
In an average field, you would expect the cost to range as follows:
| Item | Cost |
| Standard Admission | $25 |
| Rifle Rental | $45 |
| Pistol Rental | $20 |
| Magazine Rental | $5 |
| Mask Rental | $5 |
| Battery | $5 |
| Sling | $5 |
| Total Approximate Cost | $110 |
This step is really important because it will help you figure out what kind of equipment you need to be a great player. It’ll help you save money later as you make your decisions on the gear you need.
Once you’ve played a game or two and have gotten the feel of what works for you, you would then be in a good place to buy your first airsoft gun. Getting gear in airsoft can be as low as $150 to $250.
It will all depend on the kind of gear you choose and there is a lot to choose from. Some of the links that are included above are great places to start. However, going through each item listed on Amazon or other popular websites and reading through the reviews will be ideal so that you can plan your budget wisely.
How Much Is an Airsoft Game?
The cost of an airsoft game would be divided into two sections. The entry fee into the field and the cost of BBs.
Most airsoft fields charge between $15 to $30 to play per day. This price does not usually include any extras like BBs or equipment. These can be rented out at an extra fee.
Airsoft BBs are cheap and easily available on amazon. A bag of airsoft BBs with 2000 BBs in them would go for roughly between $10 to $20.
However, make sure that you get good quality BBs to avoid jamming your airsoft gun. Crosman 6mm biodegradable airsoft BBs are a good brand to go with. They are high quality and biodegradable.
How to Play Airsoft on a Budget?
If you are on a tight budget, there are ways you can try to get the maximum value for your money.
- Stock Up – Purchase bulk orders on BBs as these can go for lower prices if you purchase in big amounts.
- Second-hand – You can buy a second-hand rifle but before paying, make sure that you test out the gun and examine if there are any hidden malfunctions.
- Buy from Trusted Sellers – Buy your airsoft gun in person or from a trusted seller. Purchasing from shady sellers only adds to the risk of getting bad-quality items.
- Ask Around – You can ask around at your airsoft field to see if someone is looking to dispose of their current gun. They might sell at a lower price.
- Discounts and Promos – You can look around for airsoft fields that provide promos or membership fees. You may pay more upfront but you can save more in the long run.
Costs of Upgrading Your Airsoft Gear
Upgrading your gear can set you back a couple of thousand dollars if you want to go all out. However, it’s possible to upgrade your airsoft gear without spending too much.
There are a lot of accessories that you can add to your gear list and all of them are at different price points that allow you to choose gear that is close to what you can afford.
Here are some of the cool upgrades you can get once you have the budget for it.
1. Get a better Airsoft Rifle
Krytac Kriss Vector Automatic Electric Airsoft Gun
2. Sight
3. Helmet
Jadedragon PJ Tactical Fast Helmet
4. Gloves
5. Rifle Sling
To Sum It Up
Getting into airsoft can be an expensive hobby. But if you know how to do it right, you can save a lot of money and still enjoy a game or two a week. Guns, gear, and equipment are an integral part of the game. Knowing which to purchase and which set of gears to purchase first is important.
Once you find the right gears, you can easily budget and make sure that you only purchase those you need.
