We are pleased to bring you Fox Airsoft’s top 7 best airsoft guns for 2022. Our criteria for selecting these are first based on what we carry, the merits of the gun, and who it might be good for.
This is not a beginner guide, nor does it encompass one price range or category; instead, it represents the best qualities in all price ranges and quality levels.
The top 7 Best Airsoft Guns in 2022 highlight a variety of Electric tactical airsoft rifles that stand out for their quality, performance, and value across different categories and price ranges. These selections are based on the guns' merits and the roles they can best serve, from beginners to experienced players, ensuring a top option for everyone in airsoft. You can visit Fox Airsoft's website for a detailed look at each recommended airsoft gun.
Make sure to read more below if you want the full details! Here is a list of the Top 7 best airsoft guns in 2022 [Updated July 2022]:
- ASG Armalite M15 Light Tactical Carbine
- ASG Armalite M15 Defense MLOK 10
- Echo1 N4 Mk18 Mod 1
- ASG Archwick Mk13 Mod 5
- ASG Archwick Mk13 Mod 7
- G&G CM16 LMG
1. ASG Armalite M15 Light Tactical Carbine and MLOK Defense Airsoft Gun
The ASG Sportline Armalite series guns are not new by any means but deserve to be here just because they are good for the money. For at or around $200, these guns are perfect for a beginner, yet the response and rate of fire feel like that of a more expensive gun. They sound good and shoot smoothly out of the box, much better than their peers in this price range.
The tight bore out of the box makes it more accurate. The gearbox has a QD spring guide, so swapping springs for the desired velocity is easy enough.
Believe it or not, the motor is a nice torque motor out of the box and is better than some of the ones I have found in $400 guns. The Light Tactical Carbine and MLOK Defense are going to be the same inside, except that the MLOK Defense adds a programmable MOSFET.
A MOSFET offers electronic protection for the switch assembly, which tends to wear out faster if you use a Lipo battery. The MOSFET in this gun is also programmable, so you can set the different fire modes to your liking.
There are two models available from us. Click one of the links below to check out the full product details.
2.Echo 1 Mk18 Mod 1 Airsoft Gun
The Echo1 Mk18 Mod 1 is what I call a KISS airsoft gun. KISS stands for keep it simple, stupid, and it means that the beauty of this setup is its simplicity. On paper, looking at a polymer body gun, metal rail system, and V2 gearboxes is not remarkable.
The beauty of this gun is that it is very simple and gets the job done. It is also put together very well and will be a dependable AEG for you.
No MOSFETs to fry and nothing complex to go wrong; this is an easy choice for the no-nonsense type. Being a fully standard Version 2 compatible gun, this is also a great base for upgrading and putting whatever you want into it.
3. ASG Archwick Mk13 Mod 5/Mod 7 Airsoft Gun
The Action Sport Games Mk13 series sniper rifles are some of the best I’ve ever held out of the box, and I don’t say that lightly. Everything else feels like a toy by comparison. This gun is fully built from the factory with high-quality externals and very well-thought-out internals. The internal parts include a whole host of upgraded parts from Archwick.
There is amazing attention to detail to every component, for which you get a 6.03mm brass tight bore as standard, reinforced hop-up chamber with a top dead centered nub adjustment, flat hop out of the box, adjustable lightweight pull trigger (aka zero triggers), and reinforced bolt assembly. The gun is based on a VSR-10 platform, so if you had some reason to upgrade the parts or replace anything with an oversized cylinder, you would have more air volume to boot.
The Mod 5 is the short version, and the Mod 7 is the longer version. The barrel length and air volume for the Mod 5 are perfect, and the weight overall is more manageable for the Mod 5 as well.
As I always said, going too long diminishes the return, and the Mod 5 is at that sweet spot. If you need the most barrel length, get the Mod 7. Having owned the Mod 7 and used both versions, I like the Mod 5 more and more, but the Mod 7 just looks so good! If you go with either version, just know that these are not lightweight guns, especially not the Mod 7.
4. G&G CM16 LMG
This is a hybrid of an M4(CM16) with an LMG upper akin to the Shrike or perhaps other popular M4-ish LMGs. What makes this one different is that since it’s based on the CM16 platform from G&G, it will be made mostly of nylon fiber. That is a lightweight yet highly durable plastic mixed with some metal components. If you’re looking for something very hefty, look elsewhere. This is a little heavier than a normal CM16, especially considering the box mag; however, it is still light enough to maneuver. And that is where this LMG shines. It is light enough for most players to wield, and it is highly mobile and quick to employ, unlike a traditional airsoft LMG that will be full metal and weigh more than 10 lbs. They also won’t have the ergonomics you would get with an M4 platform.
5. Lancer Tactical Gen 3 M4
The Lancer Tactical guns have always been very feature-rich for what I classify as beginner guns. Everyone who is critical about Lancer or beginner guns generally seems to forget that we all have to start somewhere, and budget is a big factor for many people. Having guns like these gives you options and allows more people to enter the sport of airsoft.
Lancer Tactical Gen 3 series guns take all the hallmarks of the awesome Gen 2 models, such as quick-change gearbox, tight-bore barrel, and high parts compatibility, and enhance them further with a programmable trigger system via MOSFET, Dean connectors out of the box, and a revised ergonomic grip. At the time of this writing, the Gen 2 is also available and is not being replaced by the Gen 3, offering the same great feature list minus the programmable trigger some people might not care about.
6. G&G CM16
Although our idea of a Top 10 list is arbitrary, the G&G CM16 series does bear mentioning again for the second time. These beginner/entry-level guns represent the nicest build quality. The nylon fiber bodies, fit, and finish are the nicest of all the beginner guns, and within the CM16 series, you have so many styles and lengths to choose from. Of all the choices, the CM16s are the most spartan in their price range, and they do not offer anything like a quick change system, tight bore, or other fancy features. This gun is a KISS gun and great for people who prioritize quality over a bunch of features that are either useless to them or are likely to present an issue down the road.
7. JAG Arms/Echo1 Hi Capa
The Hi Capa is a great platform embraced by many, which is why it has such a huge aftermarket, which in turn feeds players' designs to get more of these types of pistols and make their customizations to them. A Hi Capa is essentially a wide body with a capacity of 1911. All the things people love about them, from their solid ergonomics to light trigger, are represented here but with more ammo, which is the downfall of the original 1911 compared to a modern handgun.
With that, the original Hi Capa is a great base gun if you plan to gut it out and know that the stock plastic slide and other components are expected to break. But for those who are not as inclined to do all that, a Hi Capa clone will typically offer a metal slide, making it more durable. If you get a JAG Arms or Echo1 Hi Capa clone, it is even better because they are right in line with the specs found on the original. Too often, the clones out there go off script, and while they are decent in their own right, they cannot customize or replace parts with the huge aftermarket that is available.
I like the JAG Arms and Echo1 Hi Capas because they can be customized as well as any Hi Capa out there and offer a metal slide and great styling. If you’ve heard all these great things about Hi Capas and want to see what they are about without dropping a bunch of money for basic durability upgrades, give these a look. I use mine for mock shooting matches that emulate what you find on the real competition circuit. Just like the real wide-body 1911s (2011’s) that you see out there, the need for a great trigger, sights, and big aftermarket played a part in me choosing these guns to shoot our pickup matches.
8. G&G ARP 9
The ARP 9 and ARP 556 are premium sporting guns. For years, G&G has carved out a niche by offering a high-quality polymer body gun with premium features. This sits a bit higher on the totem pole than the CM16 series but is just below the full-metal Top Tech series (G&G’s proline series). They offer MOSFETs, which are not found on beginner-tier G&Gs.
This gun is popular because it is an SMG/PCC version of the M4 series. That means its short length is perfect for CQB, performance and parts compatibility are there if you need them, and the ergonomics make it natural, just like a standard M4.
9. ASG Action Army AAP-01
Making the list again is undoubtedly the ASG/Action Army AAP-01 Assassin. This is a very affordable gas blowback pistol capable of full auto. Don't be fooled by the price; it is actually quite a well-built gun that takes advantage of its lightweight body and frame with a very low moving mass inside. This translates to crisp, fast blowback in semi-auto and full-auto.
The gun is reliable and highly customizable, making it a crowd favorite. We are always selling out of this pistol as it arrives in batches, so if you desire one for yourself, use the out-of-stock notifications on our website to be the first to know when it hits. Previous buyers of the AAP-01 have been able to acquire it within the minute that it arrives because of that.
10. ASG Arsenal SA M7 AK
For beginners out there who want an AK that has the old-school flavor, the ASG Arsenal AKs are a great one to check. These guns are not heavy like the full steel AKs I had mentioned earlier, making them perfect for newer players who want something inexpensive but still skirmish-worthy.
These will be compatible and patterned with other AKs out there but backed by a great name. When I started many years ago, I had a TM AK with a similar feel that cost me almost $400 locally. The barrier to entry has lowered over the years, making the sport more accessible, which is a good thing.
Explore our curated selection to find the perfect AR 15 airsoft gun that matches your tactical preferences and performance requirements. Discover the ideal airsoft rifle to complement your play style and join the ranks of players who demand the best quality, performance, and value.
In the quest for the coolest airsoft gun, enthusiasts and players alike are always on the lookout for models that not only deliver outstanding performance and reliability but also boast unique aesthetics and features that set them apart on the battlefield. Fox Airsoft proudly presents our expertly curated selection of the top airsoft guns for 2022, designed to cater to a broad range of enthusiasts, from newcomers to seasoned veterans. This comprehensive list isn't just about showcasing airsoft guns within a single price range or category; it's about highlighting models that represent the pinnacle of quality, performance, and value across the spectrum. Whether you're in the market for a cheap airsoft gun that doesn't skimp on quality or a high-end model to elevate your game, our top picks will surely include the perfect match for your needs and preferences.
