Best Paintball Hoppers for 2023 – Top Picks & Buying Guide

In case you want to take your game to a professional level, using the best paintball hoppers can change your fate. These hoppers are rated based on their weight, material, capacity, and feed rate. You can use the paintball hoppers to continuously feed your gun without wasting time in manual load. 

However, choosing a top-rated paintball hopper can become a nightmare if you are new to a paintball game. 

To solve this problem, we have put together top paintball hoppers reviews altogether to bring the best knowledge. You can also understand how to buy the best paintball hoppers by knowing the factors that may narrow down your research of buying the hopper. 

So without further delay, let’s start. 

1.Dye R2 

Specifications:

Dye R2 Electronic Paintball Loader is the topmost best paintball hopper on our list. It is famous for its large capacity with fast speed of loading. Also, it is the world’s first adjustable loader that allows a paintballer to choose among the number of balls he wants to load. This multi-capacity loader helps you to choose between 200-260 balls without needing any extra shells. 

Furthermore, you get a 20% larger design that keeps loading with ease while you look at your game. 

The amazing speed of 30+ balls per second comes from its patented rotor force-feed technology that requires 3 AA batteries, capable of shooting 100000 shots in total.  See Also: Best Paintball Mask 2022

You don’t need to keep an eye on its reloading as it has a reload alert with a low battery indicator, helping you to charge the batteries again. Last but not the least, the hopper is easy to clean and maintain which saves your time. 

The only downside of this loader is its plastic body. It may bother you and give you a feeling of less durability as compared to metallic hoppers. The plastic is a little fragile and needs to be handled with care.

2.Proto Primo

Specifications:

Proto Primo is the most affordable paintball loader that sorts and funnels paintballs while you are shooting resulting in constant vertical feed. It offers a large capacity of 200 paintballs that are powered by 20oz. CO2 tank. The loader can be operated without the need for batteries or a motor as it is gravity-fed, operating smoothly while providing large storage.

It features a positive shelf designed to minimize the pressure on the paintballs and reducing the risk of jams. Furthermore, this loader comes with a clear loaded spring lid that is there for easy loading. 

The amazing speed of shooting mixed with large capacity makes this loader capable of delivering high feed rates with less risk of jams.

The only drawback to this loader is that it is bulkier than other loaders meaning it takes up more space than required. This might bother you while you are in play as it might be blocking your movement.

3.Dye LT-R 

Specifications:

Dye LT-R is an electronic loader that is known for its reliability in everything from ball shot count to per second shots. The paintball hopper can fire up to 80,000 balls shot count and in a second it can fire 30 balls which is quite impressive. Furthermore, cleaning the loader is super easy as its design makes maintenance and cleaning seem like a child’s play; with just a push of a button or by gliding a locking tap, maintenance and cleaning are done.

It requires AAA batteries to operate and is fully functional even underwater but for a short duration of time.

The constant feed rate of the loader with tool-less cleaning and a jam release trigger that releases the jammed paint instantly makes it a wonderful product. Featuring torque whose settings can be manually adjusted and it displays a warning on low battery and you can turn off that warning light too in case of playing during nighttime to avoid giving position away.

The only downside to this loader is that it is easily blocked as it can fire 80,000 rounds but that can be also managed by pressing the sharkfin trigger for jamming. It will instantly be unjammed.

4.Virtue Spire IR

Specifications:

Virtue IR is the loader that provides astounding mobility that you can find on the market and can be used by both beginners and intermediates. The loader can hold 200 paintballs and has a sleek design that makes cleaning easy while providing freedom of movement. Another well-known feature is built-in-slide-to-unlock that makes assembling and disassembling easy. It is smaller and lightweight which results in more mobility that you can’t find in any other loaders.

The technology used in the loader ensures that no jam occurs and shoots while being quiet. Furthermore, a strong nylon back shell makes the loader durable even in harsh conditions. A flex cycle paddle ensures there is little to no risk of breaking down and the rubber finger feeds shots even the brittle paintball without breaking down.

The only thing you need to watch out for is that it is quite expensive than all the other loaders and if you have enough budget then this would be the best choice for you.

5.Empire Paintball Halo Loader

Specifications:

Empire Halo Too has the most durable shell that is made of Polycarbonate and offers a smooth fire rate. With a lightweight and compact design, it can feed up to 20 paintballs per second with the storage of 180 ball capacity. Furthermore, the battery is required but you can easily replace the battery without any extra movement due to the battery door with no screws. It notifies when the battery is low on an LED display.

The sound-activated program and sensors are present with a feed stack monitor that ensures that no jam occurs and gives a warning if a jam occurs and you can clean it.

Moreover, it is a quiet loader and you can set the sensitivity of the sound according to the level you want. Assembling and disassembling is quite easy as it requires little to no work in doing this function.

The downside to this loader is that it has screws which makes it not very easy to clean as you have to remove the screws to clean and if you don’t clean the risk of jam increases.

6.Virtue Spire IV 

Specifications:

Virtue Spire IV is an electronic loader that is famous for its high performance as it provides fast and consistent feeding. The most interesting thing about this loader is that it can be connected to your phone and you can reload it from your phone. Furthermore, it has an app that you can download on your phone and get alerts and features like reloading. It holds a capacity of 220-280 paintballs and can feed faster and efficiently. It starts feeding instantly and continues firing until the stack is full to give the top performance.

It is lightweight due to its compact design and can be maintained and cleaned easily to avoid jams.

Moreover, it can handle soft paints/brittle paints and feed softly on brittle paints. Comes in a long-lasting nylon shell that ensures that in every condition it performs the best.

The only con of this loader is the cost of it and it provides the performance you are looking for and you might be surprised with its features when you use it.

7.Empire Paintball Prophecy Z2 Gun

Specifications:

The Empire Z2 is the most affordable choice that has features that rival other loaders and is made of high-quality material, it will last a long time. The hopper is capable of holding about 200 paintballs at a time, which is exceptional for long-range shots. Further, it’s designed to be stress-free so you don’t have to frequently reload. With such a compact profile, walking around the playground will be easier than ever.

In addition, it has a voice-activated feature and quick shooting capability. It has a system that maintains the performance by constantly monitoring the fire rate. In case of a jam, the fire rate drops and it automatically gives a warning.

Moreover, it has a sound-activated feature that helps in using the loader efficiently with a quick shooting. The only drawback of this loader is that battery house construction is not good. It doesn’t live up to its mark and other than that you will not get this much performance out of the money you spend.

8.Tippmann Cyclone

Specifications:

Tippmann Cyclone is a user-friendly loader that doesn’t require batteries but is fast and easy to operate. It offers a capacity of 200 paintballs powered by 20 oz. CO2 tank that sorts and funnels paintballs resulting in the constant vertical feed when you are shooting. Furthermore, it is gravity-fed but it operates smoothing while providing the storage for paintballs.

Its feeder is connected to the loader’s air system that ensures synchronized feed and the process of installing this system is easy. Also, it features a quick feed rate that shoots paintballs faster and a jam clearing system that makes sure the jam doesn’t occur. 

The loader can feed up to 15 balls per second and 200 paintballs storage that is attached via quick-release elbow.

The downside of this loader is its feeding system as it requires air to operate which means low air means low performance.

9.TIPPMANN SSL-200

Specifications:

TIPPMANN SSL-200 is the primary choice for beginners which is lightweight and easily manageable. Featuring 200 paintballs storage and is capable of firing 15 balls per second and uses a 9v battery that you have to buy separately. The bend sensor technology activates the loader and works to prevent jams to ensure a consistent feed. Furthermore, the reloads sound is little to no making reloading quieter and giving your opponents zero advantage.

You will not have to worry about a low battery before going into battle as it has an LED battery indicator that warns you when the battery is low. Moreover, it is compatible with almost all the markers making it the all-around loader.

The O-ring neck maintains a low profile design of the loader which is an essential element in winning the battles. The only drawback is the weight of the load which is quite heavy when compared to other loaders so it might restrict your movements in need.

10.HK Army TFX

Specifications:

HK Army is a top-rated loader that is made from high-quality material, making it last longer. It is another famous option with a capacity of 216 rounds with a shooting speed of 22 to 50 balls per second. Isn’t that impressive? This model is water-resistant and has anti-jam technology that allows you to have the ultimate paint-bowling experience in every environment.

It has a zero-gravity lift tray that gives you a natural posture while shooting each time you use it. Furthermore, the easy-to-use design and eye sensors will enhance your experience to the fullest. Swoop stack assembly drives the paintball into the markers continuously for better performance. Moreover, it offers a 2-months warranty meaning you can replace it within 2 months in case of problems.

However, the LED display is too bright for users and the other drawback is the lid as it doesn’t open as easily as expected. Other than that, the loader provides you with everything that is necessary for paintball matches and is reliable.

How to buy Paintball hoppers?

After having the top hoppers reviews, a question arises that how can you choose a paintball hopper among all of these loaders. To solve this conundrum, we have put together some important factors that might help you choose the best paintball hopper for you.

1.Knowing your skill level:

Before buying a paintball hopper look for the skill level you want to buy for. If you are just a newbie and at beginner’s level, you don’t need to spend tons of dollars to have an expensive, high-end paintball hopper. All of your gears will have an initial cost and you might end up wasting your money without any proper goals. 

Choose a paintball hopper according to the skill level you are at. 

• Hopper for a beginner:

As a beginner, the first recommendation is to look for the best budget hoppers that don’t cost you high. These hoppers come with a lightweight and easy-to-use options so that it becomes easier for a novice to get used to them. You can either choose a gravity-fed or electronic model. Gravity-fed hoppers are dependant on the user’s movements while working on a simple mechanism. Electronic models are operated on batteries. The beginner-level hoppers feed 8 to 16 balls per second and a beginner can easily accommodate the speed. 

• Hopper for medium-skilled users:

These hoppers are meant to serve those users who have the skill but are not professionals yet. The medium-level users still need more command in their game, so need a medium-level shooting skill. Further, these hoppers are advance than beginner-level hoppers and have built-in sensors in them. These sensors identify when a paintball is shot and they release another paintball on their own.

• Hoppers for professionals:

Advance-level paintball hoppers are for professional paintballers. These hoppers come with motors and sensors to ensure a fast feed speed without any jamming. Professional paintballers need a fast action speed to compete with others. The advanced hoppers have superior technology for a speedy feed without interruptions. 

2.What size and weight are suitable for you:

Beginners can’t have big-size hoppers because the heavyweight may cause trouble while handling the paintball gun. So always choose a hopper keeping its weight and size in your mind. Choose a hopper that is giving you enough speed and the number of balls you need in your game. A beginner’s level hopper can hold 50 balls at a time, sufficient enough to help you play a smooth game. On a professional level, you can choose an advanced hopper that has heavyweight, large capacity, and maximum speed.

3.Convenience and compatibility

Are you capable of handling 300 balls per second or do you still want a feed speed of 30 balls per second? Do you like lightweight hoppers or good to go with a heavy-duty hopper that is dense and hard to handle for a novice. Like everything, paintball hoppers also come with different drawbacks and heavyweight is one of them. Do you like a gravity-fed hopper or you will go fine with changing the batteries very often. These few questions not only help you narrow down your search but also figures out the compatibility and convenience of using a paintball hopper. Furthermore, you need to find the compatibility of your paintball gun marker with the hopper. Does your selected paintball hopper suit your paintball marker or not? Any hopper which is compatible with the gun can be your choice. 

4.Style that matches your gun:

What if you buy a paintball hopper that does not match your gun in style and model. You need to choose the hopper that suits the gu in its genre, style, and color. So it is always recommended to choose a stylish, sleek, and compact design hopper that helps you play the game efficiently and smoothly.

5.Firing speed:

As you know that all the paintball hoppers come with different firing speeds as discussed earlier, you must buy a hopper that suits you. Newbies are always recommended to chooses from low firing speeds while professionals can select high-speed hoppers to compete in the game. 

6.Durability of material:

Durability is also another important factor. As you will not like to adopt something prone to breaking and cracking. Many hoppers are made of plastic which is lightweight and easy to carry. But they are fragile and can get cracked. 

The hoppers come in the following materials with their characteristic properties:

• Plastic: 

Plastic hoppers are lightweight and easy to use at an affordable price, though fragile and breakable. These hoppers are best suitable for newbies. 

• Aluminum:

Aluminum hoppers come with fairly good strength and are lightweight but expensive. Further, they provide medium to high feed speed so can be a good option for medium to pro skilled payers. But they can come across little breakage.

• Steel:

Steel is the most versatile and durable metal. While making hoppers, steel offers maximum strength, durability, and reliability. So professional-level hoppers are usually made of steel. However, they are heavyweight and have higher costs. 

• Composites

Apart from the above-mentioned materials, another economical and reliable material is composite. The most popular composites are polypropylene fibers that are used for making hoppers. These hoppers are extremely popular among all types of users because of their compatibility, reliability, lightweight, durability, and affordable prices. 

7.Technique:

Most of the hoppers are either gravity fed or use batteries. Gravity-fed hoppers have gained huge fame among the users and they are easy to use with moderate speed and don’t need any additional expenses of batteries. Again as a reminder, make sure to choose a hopper that suits your style of play and paintball gun. 

8.Budget

Budget plays an important role in choosing the hopper. You don’t want to spend all of your money in the search for a hopper only. Our experts recommend buying an affordable and low-priced hopper when you are a beginner. As your skill improves and you become a professional player, you can have a professional style hopper with a little more investment. 

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FAQS

How many balls can a paintball hopper hold?

Usually, a hopper is expected to hold almost 100 balls in the medium range. You can also have a hopper that can hold up to 200-300 balls. Professionals always advise having a hopper with a high capacity to play a smooth game without interruptions. 

Can you use any hopper with a non-electric gun?

Yes, you can use an electric hopper with a non-electric gun and vice versa. But practically, players don’t do that as it reduces the feed speed and does not let you compete in the game. 

What’s the fastest paintball loader?

Empire Halo Too Paintball Loader is rated as the fastest paintball hopper because of its smooth working, 20 balls per second feed speed, and lightweight features. 

Conclusion: