A long time paintball battle- CO2 vs Compressed Air

Here’s a simple way to explain the differences between CO2 and Compressed Air for paintball guns:

CO2 (Carbon Dioxide):

• How it works: CO2 is a gas that turns into a liquid when it's stored in your tank. When you fire your paintball gun, the liquid CO2 changes back into gas to power your shots.
• Pros:CO2 tanks are usually cheaper to buy.
• Cons:CO2 doesn’t always work well when it’s really cold outside. The liquid might not turn into gas fast enough, which can make your gun shoot weird or stop working.
• Some high-tech paintball guns can’t use CO2 because it can mess up the gun's parts.
• Though many starter kits come with CO2, it is hard to come by these days! Only our Calera location, Central Alabama Paintball, fills these type of tanks.

Compressed Air (HPA or High-Pressure Air):

• How it works: Compressed Air is just regular air (like what we breathe) that’s squished into a tank at high pressure. It stays a gas the whole time.
• Pros:Compressed Air works better in all kinds of weather, even when it’s cold.
• It’s better for high-tech paintball guns because it’s cleaner and more consistent.
• Nearly every paintball field uses Compressed Air these days- both of our parks fill them for only $8.50+tax
• Cons:Compressed Air tanks cost more to buy.

Which one should you choose? We recommend HPA or High Pressure Air/Compressed Air!

• If you’re just starting out or playing casually, CO2 might be fine because it’s cheaper, but you can only fill them locally at Central Alabama Paintball.
• If you’re looking for convenience, are serious about paintball, or have a fancy paintball gun, Compressed Air is probably a better choice because it works more reliably and is easier to find places to refill.

Both can be fun to use—it just depends on what works best for you and your paintball gun!