"Does airsoft hurt more than paintball?" It's a question every airsofter hears, and the answer is almost always no, paintball is more painful. Since paintball is so popular, many people are familiar with the impact. Airsoft often catches people's attention when they realize it's a similar game but with plastic BBs instead of paint. The easiest way to describe it is simply: it's paintball without the paint and with less pain.
I've found that when playing paintball, you really have to layer up. Not only does it help with the sting, but it also keeps you from getting covered in paint. Airsoft is a bit different; you can't layer up too much because you still need to feel the hit to be able to call yourself out. For both games, a hit to any unprotected area is going to be painful. I can tell you from experience, getting shot in the hand is the worst, especially when you've forgotten your gloves! Even though airsoft guns can have a higher FPS, it's the weight of the paintball that really matters. The heavier paintball carries more energy, which is why it hurts more.
Taking all of these points into consideration, the key takeaway is that paintball is generally more painful than airsoft. While a close-range airsoft shot to an unprotected area can certainly sting, the heavier, larger paintball carries significantly more kinetic energy upon impact, leading to a harder hit and more pronounced bruising. The pain level for both sports depends on factors like shot distance and where you're hit, but ultimately, the difference in projectile mass is what makes paintball a more forceful and often messier experience.
Don’t forget to just go out and try both so you can be the judge of what hurts more. Based off my experience, airsoft is the experience I most enjoy and I tend to end up with less bruising playing it.
Kevin "RandomGuyKev" is a passionate airsoft content creator. Inspired by personal experience and a desire to grow airsoft, his engaging approach fosters community and inspires new players.
https://www.youtube.com/randomguykev