Top 10 Best Paintball Hoppers | Reviewed By Budget

Best Paintball Hopper

Investing heavily in purchasing quality paintball equipment can be a great way to make your paintballing experience a memorable one. Among all the paintball equipment available on the market, a paintball hopper is as critical as a paintball gun. If you have a quality paintball gun or marker, but the hopper is of low quality, your chances of winning your opponents may not be guaranteed. As such, we cannot overemphasize the need to purchase the best paintball hopper.

At its very core, a paintball hopper is a gear that connects to your paintball gun to aid firing. It holds several paintballs before releasing them to the gun or marker for firing. Unless you are an expert in the paintball game, there is a high chance that you’d be making a wrong buying decision when you hit the market to buy a quality paintball hopper. 

Most newbie paintball players are usually overwhelmed with selecting a paintball hopper out of the hundreds of hoppers on the market. Thankfully, we are here to help you. We have researched the Amazon marketplace for the best paintball hoppers. Reputable brands make these hoppers, and they have passed through different tests to guarantee quality and shooting accuracy.

At the end of this review, the information you would garner would help you make a buying decision. Before we go further, let’s quickly present these hoppers in a tabular form so that you see their differences and similarities in one spot.

Let’s get started!

The Best Paintball Hoppers

Below are the ten best paintball hoppers for you to make your choice. The list is divided into two – 5 Paintball Hoppers over $100 and a list of 5 Paintball Hoppers under $100. Let’s review each of these paintball hoppers to see what they entail.

Top 5 Best paintball Hoppers

Dye LT-R Electronic Paintball Loader

paintball hopper

If you want to improve your paintballing experience with an electronic-fed paintball hopper, then consider buying the Dye LT-R Electronic Paintball Loader. This model is different from other hoppers on the market because the producers used patented DYE loader technology to design it. Such technology guarantees a high level of performance, reliability, and excellent feed rates. If you would be playing in a tournament, this hopper is perfect for you, as it can fire more than 300 balls in a second. 

We find its battery capacity very efficient. It required 3 AA batteries before you can operate it. The batteries feed the hopper with the required electrical power to function. We are impressed with the fact that the Dye LT-R Electronic Paintball Loader can handle up to 80,000 ball count. Additionally, maintaining this device is a breeze. All you need is a cloth soaked inside warm water. Use the soaked cloth to wipe the leftover paint to avoid jamming.  

With the help of its black-ops, you can turn off the indicator light if you are participating in night games. While playing at the night, you don’t want your opponents to see or know your location; hence, this feature is very useful. However, the only noticeable drawback with this hopper is that it is somehow prone to jamming. According to some users, you can overcome this problem by turning the hopper upside down and removing the jammed mechanism. 

Pros

  • Easy to assemble and disassemble
  • This hopper is fully performance-driven
  • Perfect for beginners and even professionals
  • Highly efficient batteries
  • Dye LT-R hopper features an adjustable torque
  • It also has a water-resistant coated board.

Cons

  • Some users reported that this model is prone to jamming

Virtue Spire Electronic Paintball Hoppers

paintball hopper

Searching for the best paintball hopper that will help you conquer your opponents? Then give serious consideration to the Virtue Spire Electronic Paintball loader. As with the Dye LT-R Electronic Paintball Loader, this model is also an electronic-fed paintball hopper. It is very reliable and performance-driven. Whether you play professionally or you play paintball for the fun of it, you will enjoy using the Virtue Spire Electronic Paintball loader.  

One great feature that caught our attention is the design of this paintball hopper. The design is in multiple colors, and it comes in a sleek casing. This model can hole more than 200 paintballs at once. What about maintaining this gear for your next outing? The Virtue Spire Electronic Paintball loader is easy to clean and maintain. That’s not all; it is simple to assemble and disassemble when you need to clean the interiors. It also has a slide to unlock feature, making it easy to disassemble the device for cleaning.

Thanks to the anti-jam drive that comes with this hopper, it isn’t very easy for it to jam while using it on the field of play. With the ability to 200 more than 200 balls, means you are likely not to run out of paintballs during playtime. It has a decent weight and won’t be too heavy for you to carry around on the field of play. What’s more? One major drawback with this model is that you would have to shell out more money to buy this gear – It is costlier than other hoppers on this list.

Pros

  • This model has a comfortable profile
  • It doesn’t entertain jamming
  • Very easy to assemble and disassemble
  • The Virtue Spire Electronic Paintball loader can hold up to 200 balls
  • Easy to clean and maintain
  • Its performance is not in doubt and very good for beginner to pro

Cons

  • It is more expensive for beginner paintball players.

Dye R2 Electronic Paintball Loader

paintball hopper

The Dye R2 Electronic Paintball Loader is another paintball hopper option you should consider adding to your paintballing playing kits. In terms of weight and size, it performs better than other brands on this list. Even though it is lightweight, it can still hold more than 200 balls for your gameplay. If you are worried that you will quickly run out of balls when you are almost closing in on your opponents, then the Dye R2 Electronic Paintball Loader is a perfect choice for you. 

If you are playing speedball, this hopper will help you to align your firing so that the balls would target your opponents. It has a low-profile design and is perfect for both newcomers and experienced paintball players. Besides, this model uses tuff molding to protect its casing from break or damage even when it falls from a high distance. 

Another fantastic feature of the Dye R2 Electronic Paintball Loader is that it has a water-resistant coated board that prevents water or any other liquid from damaging the system. Its feed rate is highly impressive, and it can handle above 50 balls in a second. Plus, the reloading process is straightforward and quick. Lastly, it features see-through windows for you to track the paint level easily. Though a pricey hopper, the quality, and performance outweigh the price.  

Pros

  • DYE R2 hopper is fully water-resistant
  • It has a high feed speed rate
  • It delivers a smooth feed, rapid, and consistent performance on the field of play
  • It is lightweight and suitable for beginners
  • The Loader promotes a quick and easy reloading process
  • Easy to clean and maintain after use

Cons

  • It is expensive

Valken Paintball VSL

paintball hopper

The next paintball hopper in the over $100 category is the Valken Paintball VSL Tournament Electronic Loader. One feature of this hopper that really caught our attention is the weight and size of this equipment. Its lightweight nature is a significant advantage to newbies, as they can move it around at will targeting their opponents. Also, if you prefer a paintball hopper that you can quickly and easily load to your gun or marker without much hassle, then consider adding the Valken Paintball VSL Tournament Electronic Loader to your shopping list. 

This hopper uses the bend sensor technology to activate the loader when the players fire a shot at an opponent. The Valken Paintball VSL Tournament Electronic Loader also has an anti-jam or chopping feature, making it suitable for the average paintball players. The bend sensor technology will also aid in prolonging the hopper’s battery so that you can have sustained firing without the battery running down intermittently. 

It comes with an adjustable O-ring that’s integrated into the hopper. The O-ring ensures that there is no leakage as you use the hopper in the field of play. Additionally, the Valken Paintball VSL Tournament Electronic Loader comes with a wide-mouthed lid for easy installation to the paintball gun. One more feature is that it operates without any noise. A noiseless hopper ensures that your opponents don’t know the exact location you are hiding if you are playing woodsball.

Pros

  • If you prefer a more efficient hopper, this model is.
  • It doesn’t encounter jamming like other models
  • It fits most paintball guns on the market
  • The Valken Paintball VSL is lightweight and easy to carry around.
  • It works without making noise
  • Easy to clean and maintain

Cons

  • The price may discourage some newbie players.

Virtue Spire IV Electronic Paintball Hoppers

paintball hopper

The last paintball hopper in this category is the Virtue Spire IV Electronic Paintball Loaders. If you are looking to take your paintballing experience to the next level, this option is a great buy for the money. Aside from the fact that this hopper is expensive, it sure delivers excellent quality for the money. If you can shell out $251 for this hopper, you won’t regret you did. 

One feature you will easily notice with this model is that the available colors are so attractive. With multiple choice colors, it becomes easy for you to find a color that suits your preferences. We also cannot overlook its large holding capacity. This hopper can hold more than 200 balls at a time. This means you won’t ever run out of balls and won’t suffer the problem of continually loading balls inside the hopper. 

The Virtue Spire IV Electronic paintball Loaders is designed with paintball players who want to play a tournament in mind. So, if you have an upcoming tournament you wish to participate in, your best bet is to purchase this model to take your playing experience to the next level. Plus, it is lightweight and easy to carry around. Lastly, the shooting capability is not in doubt; in fact, we give this hopper an A in our overall judgment.  

Pros

  • You won’t reload too often using this hopper
  • It is easy to carry around
  • Virtue Spire IV features a large holding capacity
  • It is perfect for tournament games

Cons

  • The battery housing is poorly constructed

Best Budget Paintball Hoppers

If you don’t have up to $100 but still need a quality and reliable paintball hopper to improve your paintballing experience, then consider buying a model we would be reviewing in this category.

Best Budget paintball hopper

Proto Primo Paintball Hopper

paintball hopper

If you need the best budget-friendly paintball hopper, then consider buying the Proto Primo Paintball Loader. We find its battery capacity very efficient. It required 3 AA batteries before you can operate it. The batteries feed the hopper with the required electrical power to function. 

The Proto Primo Paintball Loader This model is different from other hoppers on the market, as the producers used cutting-edge technology to design it. Such technology guarantees a high level of performance, reliability, and excellent feed rates. If you would be playing in a tournament, this hopper is perfect for you, as it can fire more than 300 balls in a second. 

We are impressed with the fact that this paintball hopper can handle up to 80,000 ball count. Additionally, maintaining this device is a breeze. All you need is a cloth soaked inside warm water. Use the soaked cloth to wipe the leftover paint to avoid jamming.  

The only noticeable drawback with the Proto Primo Paintball Loader is that it is prone to jamming. However, you can overcome this problem by turning the hopper upside down.

Pros

  • It features an adjustable torque
  • It also has a water-resistant coated board.
  • Easy to assemble and disassemble
  • This Hopper is easy to clean and maintain
  • It has highly efficient batteries
  • Proto Prime is performance-driven.

Cons

  • Some users reported that this model is prone to jamming

Empire Paintball 200 Round Loader-Black

paintball hopper

Looking to buy the best gravity hopper that gives value for money? Then your best bet is to buy the Empire Paintball 200 Round Loader. One great feature that caught our attention is the design of this paintball hopper. The design is rugged, durable, and efficient. Thanks to the anti-jam drive that comes with this hopper, it is challenging to experience while using it on the field of play. With the ability to 200 more than 200 balls, this means you are likely not to run out of balls.

Additionally, it is capable of holding more than 200 paintballs. What about maintaining this gear for your next outing? The Empire Paintball 200 Round Loader is easy to clean and maintain. That’s not all; it is simple to assemble and disassemble when you need to clean the interiors. It also has a slide to unlock feature, making it easy to disassemble the device for cleaning. It has a decent weight and won’t be too heavy for you to carry around on the field of play. 

Pros

  • This Loader can hold up to 200 balls
  • It is comparatively very cheap
  • The hopper is easy to clean and maintain.
  • Its performance is not in doubt.
  • Empire Loader doesn’t entertain jamming.
  • Very easy to assemble and disassemble.

Cons

  • Some users complained of it being bulky.

Empire Halo Too Paintball Loader – Black

paintball hopper

The Empire 2017 Halo Too Paintball Loader is another generous hopper for a paintball gun you should consider adding to your playing kits. If you are playing speedball, this hopper will help you align your firing to fire a shot directly at your opponents. It has a low-profile design and is perfect for both newcomers and experienced paintball players. In terms of weight and size, it performs better than other brands on this list. Even though it is lightweight, it can still hold more than 200 balls for your gameplay. 

If you are worried that you will quickly run out of balls when you are almost closing in on your opponents, this hopper is a perfect choice for you. Also, this model uses tuff molding to protect its casing from break or damage even when it falls from a high distance. 

Pros

  • This Loader has a high feed rate
  • It is lightweight and suitable for beginners
  • This model is almost maintenance-free
  • It delivers a smooth feed, rapid, and consistent performance on the field of play.
  • It is water-resistant

Cons

  • The disassembly process is slightly tricky.

GENx Kit Hopper – 200 Rounds

paintball hopper

The GENx Kit Hopper is the best budget paintball hopperfor both newbies and experienced players. This hopper uses cutting edge technology to activate the loader when you fire a paintball gun at your opponents. It has an anti-jam or chopping feature, which makes it suitable for the average paintball players. 

Furthermore, it comes with a wide-mouthed lid for easy installation to the paintball gun. One more feature is that it operates without any noise. A noiseless hopper ensures that your opponents don’t know the exact location you are hiding if you are playing woodsball.

Its lightweight nature is a big advantage to newbies, as they can move it around as quickly as possible. If you prefer a paintball hopper that you can quickly and easily load to your gun or marker without much hassle, then the GENx Kit Hopper is a perfect choice. 

Pros

  • It doesn’t encounter jamming like other models
  • It fits most paintball guns on the market
  • It works without making noise
  • If you prefer a more lightweight hopper, this model is a perfect choice.

Cons

  • The hopper doesn’t feed efficiently sometimes.

JT Paintball Hopper, Black, XX-Large

paintball hopper

Lastly, in the under $100 category is the JT Paintball Hopper. If you are looking to take your paintballing experience to the next level, this hopper is the best paintball hopper for the money.

This paintball hopper is excellent for paintball players who want to play a tournament. So, if you have an upcoming tournament you wish to participate in, your best bet is to purchase this model to stand out in the crowd. We also cannot overlook its large holding capacity. This hopper can hold more than 200 balls at a time. 

This means you won’t ever run out of balls and won’t suffer the problem of constantly loading balls inside the hopper. Plus, it is lightweight and easy to carry around. It also has excellent shooting capability.

Pros

  • It is available in attractive colors
  • Easy to carry around without getting tired
  • You won’t reload too often using this hopper
  • It is perfect for tournament games
  • It features a large holding capacity

Cons

  • The battery housing is not so great.

BUYERS GUIDE

As you can now see, there is a wide range of paintball hoppers on the market, and unless you have experience playing paintball, you are likely to make a costly mistake when you want to buy one. However, to help you make the right buying decision, we have put together a buying guide that you can follow to buy the best paintball hopper to improve your paintballing experience.

Size and weight:

When you hit the market, one of the first things to look out for before making a buying decision is the paintball hopper’s size and weight. The reason is that if you buy a hopper that is too heavy for you to carry, it may ruin your paintballing experience. In fact, your opponents will quickly get at you since you’d pay more attention to take a heavy hopper instead of strategizing on how to fire a shot at them. 

A good paintball hopper should be able to hold more than 100 paintballs at a decent weight. With 100 balls and above, you won’t get to reload so often. Importantly, you should also look for a hopper that comes in a decent size. We bet you don’t want a hopper whose size would make you uncomfortable even as you wear your paintball clothing. 

The level of competition you intend to participate in:

The next thing to consider is the seriousness of the level of competition you intend to participate in. While there are different paintballing tournaments, players need to identify which level of the tournament they would like to play. Doing this will give you a heads-up to choose a suitable paintball hopper to enhance your experience. 

If you don’t play paintball too often, your best bet would be to purchase a hopper for beginners. These models of hoppers are reliable and relatively simple to use. Conversely, if you are only a weekend player, it makes sense to go for a mid-level model. Such a model will not only impress your teammates; it will give you an edge over your opponents. 

Finally, if you are a professional player, then we suggest purchasing a high-end paintball hopper. This will help you to sustain the tempo in the field of play. With a high-end hopper, you will have the confidence to fire a shot at your opponent without any disappointment.  

Compatibility with your gun:

The compatibility of a paintball hopper with your gun is another thing to look out for. If a hopper is not compatible with your gun, you would have a terrible playing experience on the field of play. Thankfully, the ten paintball hoppers we have reviewed in this article are compatible with most paintball guns on the market. 

However, you still have to do your own due diligence to ensure you are doing the right thing. You don’t want a situation where after paying for a hopper and taken delivery of it, you start seeking a way to return it to the retailer. So, check for compatibility before parting with your money.

Style:

The style of the paintball hopper is another area to review. Paintball hoppers come in different types; as such, look out for the one that style matches your marker or gun’s design and style. Besides, consider the color of your gun before making payment. The best thing is to have a gun and a hopper in the same color.  

The rate of fire:

The firing rate of a hopper is another significant factor you need to consider. The last thing you would wish for is to buy a hopper whose firing rate will ruin your chances of defeating your opponents. Paintball hoppers with a reasonable firing rate are those in the mid-range and high-end region. If you have the money to buy the best, we encourage you to purchase one in the mid-range and high-end region. However, as a newbie, you can still use an entry-level hopper since you won’t participate in serious tournaments. 

Durability:

The list of the things to look out for when you hit the market would not be complete without mentioning the paintball hopper’s durability. While most hoppers are made with plastic materials, some are highly durable and will last long as long as you maintain them properly. Whether you intend to buy an electric-feed or gravity-feed hopper, it is essential to pay attention to your gear’s durability. 

We suggest you buy a hopper that can withstand the hit of your gun. Ensure you don’t buy a paintball hopper that won’t stand the taste of time. If you are hoping to play a professional paintball, you need to invest in a hopper that will last you for some years without compromising your safety. 

FAQ

The General Knowledge
Before buying a perfect paintball hopper we need to know this equipment in detail. Here, we have gathered the most common questions people often ask. Let’s take a look.

  • What is a paintball hopper?

    A paintball hopper is a device that attaches to a paintball gun. It stores paint before discharging it to the marker or gun for firing.

  • How big is the paintball hopper?

    Generally, the standard paintball hopper can hold around 200 balls. With standard firing, these balls can be discharged entirely in 10 seconds.

  • Is the hopper compatible with your paintball gun?

    Of course, the hopper should be compatible with your paintball gun; otherwise, it may ruin your chances of winning your opponents. 

  • How do I safely carry a paintball hopper?

    Having shell out so much money to buy the best paintball hopper, the last thing you would want to do is not care for your equipment. Manufacturers of paintball hoppers have made it easy for players to convey a hopper safely. The casing can safely contain all the parts, including the rain lids and the battery. If you can safely keep all the components that make up a hopper, it would last long for you.
     

  • How do I maintain a paintball hopper?

    Maintaining a paintball hopper is not as difficult as most newbie players think. To keep your hopper in good condition so that it doesn’t disappoint during gameplay, adhere to the following maintenance tips:
    1. Disassemble the hopper carefully so that when reassembling it, no part will get missing
    2. Use a clean cloth to clean the leftover paint so that it would not cause any jam
    3. Do not use any other chemical detergent to clean the hopper except water and soap.
    4. Preserve the paintball hopper’s surfaces with the recommended oil
    5. Use the appropriate casing to store the paintball to avoid dirt accumulation.

  • How many paintballs fit in a hopper?

    Most hoppers you see on the market hold around 200 paintballs..

  • Does paintball hopper come with batteries?

    Not all hoppers have batteries. If you buy the gravity type, you have nothing to worry about, as they don’t come with batteries. However, the electronics type are fitted with batteries to supply electrical power to enable the hopper to function correctly. 

  • How does a paintball hopper work?

    A paintball hopper is usually attached to the paintball gun’s feed neck. It works by feeding balls to the gun’s breech by the law of gravity. It feeds about 10 to 20 balls per second. 

  • How To Choose The Best Paintball Hopper Loader?

    Before you shell out your hard-earned money to buy a paintball hopper, ensure you check the boxes in terms of size and weight, your experience level, compatibility with your marker, rate of fire, style, as well as durability. Looking out for these factors before you buy a hopper will help you avoid making a wrong buying decision.

  • What is the best hopper for paintball?

    While there are several great hoppers on the market, the ten we have reviewed in this article are the best that money can buy. So, you can check these ten hoppers and then make your buying decision from the list.

  • What qualities to look for in a paintball hopper?

    Before buying any hopper, check for the size and weight, firing rate, style, durability, as well as compatibility with your gun.

Final Verdict

There you have it! The best paintball hopper for money can improve your paintballing experience. Whether you are a newbie or you have been playing paintball for years, a low-quality hopper could ruin your chances of conquering your opponents on the field of play. Before you buy any paintball hopper, do your due diligence in addition to what you have learned from this article.
One of the areas you need to research is the features and quality of the hopper. Importantly, consider your experience level and budget before parting with your money. If you don’t know how to operate a hopper, the owner’s manual will help you use your equipment.  
Importantly, you can also participate in a training session to further improve your playing and shooting skills. If you have an upcoming tournament, we suggest that you enroll in a training session to learn the new tactics and techniques for playing both woodsball and speedball.
Enjoy Paintballing!

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