I’m an active paintballer and after testing various options in the field, I’ve reviewed the 5 best paintball masks under $50.
Are you looking for a paintball mask with true optical clarity and ultimate protection level without breaking the bank? Finding paintball gear under a limited budget is a little tricky as most budget products either compromise quality or performance. To help you choose the best paintball mask under $50 I’ve reviewed the 5 best options for you. I’m an active paintballer and after testing various options in this price range in the field, I’ve shortlisted the five best options for you.
Our dedicated team of experts, including John Anderson and Lisa Martinez, invested numerous hours rigorously testing and researching to bring you the best paintball masks under $50 for 2023. Their expertise guarantees the authenticity of our recommendations, ensuring you find the ideal mask for your paintball adventures.
5 Best Paintball Mask Under $50
| Award | Design | Skateboard Deck | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Paintball Mask Cheapest |  | HK Army HSTL Paintball Goggle with Thermal Lens | Check Price |
| Top Paintball Mask Under $50 |  | CRBN OPR Thermal Paintball Goggles / Masks | Check Price |
| Best Paintball Mask Under Budget |  | Empire Paintball Helix Thermal Lens Goggle | Check Price |
| Best Paintball Mask for Big Heads Under 50$ |  | G.I. Sports VForce Armor Field Paintball Goggle Mask44 | Check Price |
| Best Anti Fog Paintball Mask |  | Valken Paintball MI-5 Goggle/Mask | Check Price |
HK Army HSTL Paintball Goggle with Thermal Lens
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 13 x 7.5 x 9 inches
- Optics: Thermal lens
- Color: Black
- Weight: 20 Oz
- Nonslip adjustable straps
- Anti-fog thermal lens
- Supreme breathability
- Limited range and field of view
HK Army is my favorite brand for paintball gear as all their products offer an unbeatable price-performance ratio. I play paintball in summer so my biggest concern while buying paintball gear is breathability. Last year I purchased a mask-goggle combo from a local paintball shop.
It was quite breathable but protection level and dependability were limited. After extensive market research, I discovered this mask. This mask was delivered on time in safe packaging.
I Loved the quality straps, roomy structure, nice color blending, fully tinted anti-fog lenses, and nice padding. The mask isn’t made for big heads but is quite spacious. My hat size is 7 inches and with a little adjustment, it offered a very good fit. Another issue that I faced with my previous mask was that it pinched against my nose. This mask uses a foam insert just below the lens that improves the overall feel.
Also, there is plenty of ventilation that improves the airflow, letting the hot air escape keeping your face and dry even in tough humid environments. Optically correct dual-pane thermal lenses take their performance to a whole new level. The mask has never fogged me up.
The optical clarity is good, however, the range isn’t very good. The objects beyond 50 feet were not very clear, which is a little disappointing if you want to use this mask for competitive play.
However, the quick-changing lens retention system works like a charm. It works with the HK army and some off-brand lenses. If you want to improve the range, field of view, and optical clarity you can replace the lenses with a high-quality thermal lens. The mask is made with rugged polycarbonate and offers full head coverage, promotes the airflow, and offers a very snug fit making it the best paintball mask under $50.
HK Army HSTL paintball masks/goggles is the best paintball mask under $50 and is my go-to pick for summer paintballing sessions with my family. It has never fogged me up and offers a very good snug fitting. I thrice got hit on the mask and it resisted the impact very well, so I highly recommend this mask.
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CRBN OPR Thermal Paintball Goggles / Masks
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 9x9x9 inches
- Optics: Thermal lens
- Color: Multiple
- Weight: 23 Oz
- True optical clarity
- Contoured and padded profile
- Anti-fog, scratch-resistant lens
- Stiff padding on ears
HK Army HSTL paintball goggles are the most breathable and comfortable mask I’ve ever used. However, they have limited FOV and viewing range. If you’re looking for masks under $50 with high-quality lenses and true optical clarity consider Carbon OPR thermal paintball mask. The mask comes in a wide range of colors including many bright and some camouflage colors. I purchased this mask in Camo designs and color combo to complete my camouflage paintball package.
You haven’t experienced the quality and performance till you haven’t tried a mask-goggle combo like this. I was impressed with how the mask fits, how it stays intact and how it protects your face and head from injuries. The mask comes with a fully adjustable chin strap and goggle straps. Unlike the cheap mask, straps are super rugged with excellent elastic strength and high-quality hooks that let you get a snug fit and ensure stability throughout a long gaming session.
What was delivered seemed a little tight to me. However, the frame is made with silicone. It is super flexible and fits me really well. What sets this mask apart from all other affordable masks I own is the fog resistance and true optical clarity. The dual-pane thermal lens can resist fog for a long time. The peripheral field of view is wide and extensive making it the best mask for outdoor paintball.
Moreover, the lens comes with a scratch-resistant coating and can resist abuse for many sessions. Though this mask isn’t very big and spacious, its contoured profile padding makes it super comfortable. My only gripe with this mask is the padding around the ear. It feels a little stiff in the ear when you try to get a snug fit.
Carbon OPR Thermal mask and goggles with the best brand name value and unbeatable performance on the field is the best paintball mask under $50. The mask is built really well. I’ve been using it for the last 6 months and so far there is nothing to complain about.
Empire Paintball Helix Thermal Lens Goggle
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 9.5 x 9 x 6 inches
- Optics: Thermal lens
- Color: Black
- Weight: 16 Oz
- Highly breathable
- Snug fit with glasses
- Built-in visor
- Lens isn’t fog proof
Empire Paintball Helix mask and goggles with thermal lens is another affordable paintball mask that combines comfort and protection. The biggest issue I face with rented masks is that they don’t fit me with glasses. I wear wide-frame glasses and therefore finding a mask that can accommodate my glasses without limiting the fit was a real challenge for me.
It was reviewed as one of the most spacious masks on various platforms and I decided to give it a try. The fit of the mask with glasses is more than impressive. This is not the best mask I’ve ever used but it definitely worth the price. The mask is made with flexible plastic and offers full head and face coverage. I got hit on the mask multiple times and it offered a very good shock performance.
The mask comes with high-quality adjustable straps. The strap offers a snug fit without squeezing up my head. Also, these straps are strong and reliable and unlike other cheap helmets, you don’t need to replace them after a few uses. It uses a clear dual-pane thermal lens. The optical clarity is quite good and I was able to spot all targets within a range of 100 feet. Lenses can resist the fog for a long time but they are not fog proof.
They fog me up sometimes. However, I always keep an anti-fog spray to keep my lens fog free. A built-in visor offers additional protection for the lens and reduces the sun’s glare for improved visibility in the field. The masks are very well-ventilated. The airflow is good and I had no issues with the masks in all seasons.
Empire Paintball makes goggles with thermal lenses and nonslip straps is definitely the best paintball mask under $50 that you can buy today. The masks are super breathable and spacious and I don’t hate wearing glasses on the field anymore.
G.I. Sports VForce Armor Field Paintball Goggle Mask44
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 9.19×9.09×7.14
- Optics: Clear hard coat lens
- Color: Black
- Weight: 5.76 Oz
- Lightweight and breathable
- Dependable bio-fit design
- Impressive shock performance
- Subpar lens quality
V-force tactical gear is already famous for its unbeatable performance in the field and this paintball is also no exception. This mask is one of the most comfortable paintball masks I’ve ever used. This features patented V-Force bio-design. The mask comes in a well-contoured and flexible profile that eliminates the pressure points for log-terms stability and comfort.
The mask fits a big head rally wheel. My friend wears a 7 ½ inch hat and he loves the fit. It doesn’t pinch on the ears, above the nose or around the chin. I love how the mask feels weightless on your head, as if nothing is there. Yet it is actually made of rigid plastics that can resist impacts and absorb shocks, providing safe protection on the field. Designed for full coverage, the mask offers complete protection across your entire face.
It covers the head, forehead, face, and ears making it an efficient option for a paintball field. It comes with a clear hard-coated anti-scratch lens. The optical clarity is good but not as impressive as a thermal lens. The lens is resistant to scratching but fogs up quickly especially when it’s humid.
I replaced the lens with a tinted dual-pane thermal lens by the HK Army for improved visibility in the field. Quick release lens changing system is super intuitive and it took me less than 10 minutes to get new lenses on the board. The mask also comes with high-quality straps. Straps are built really well and there is plenty of ventilation in the mask.
G.I. V-force armour field mask and goggles offer ultimate protection in the paintball field making it the best paintball mask under $50. This mask is very well-contoured and offers a snug fit and its well-ventilated profile makes it easy to communicate with your teammates in the field.
Valken Paintball MI-5 Goggle/Mask
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 9x5x6 inches
- Optics: Dual lens
- Color: Black
- Weight: 6.4 Oz
- Highly breathable
- ASTM and CE certified
- Wide peripheral field of view
- Lens changing is a little tricky
The final option on the list is the Valken Paintball MI-5 mask. This mask is the only one in this price that I can wear confidently on the competitive field. The mask can outperform many premium-grade options when it comes to fit and impact performance. The mask combines a wide peripheral field of view with a thoroughly padded profile taking its protection and visibility to a whole new level.
My favorite part of the mask is the padding. It uses double foam inserts that offer excellent impact resistance. It can absorb the shocks even in the toughest encounters. I was a little concerned about breathability since there is a lot of padding inside the mask. However, this mask has unbeatable breathability and moisture performance.
Open-cell foam is used for padding that is super breathable and wicks moisture. The overall mask is very well-ventilated, which lets the fresh air go in and the hot air escape. It uses a dual anti-fog scratch-resistant lens. The field of view is wide-160 degrees vertically and 270 horizontally. Lens changing is a little tricky as the release lever often feels stuck.
Valken MI-5 is the only mask that is CE and ASTM certified. With a well-contoured profile, highly quality lens, and moisture-wicking foam padding this is the best paintball mask under $50 that you can buy today.
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Hours of Research
In-Depth Product Testing and Comparison
Experts Reviewed
FAQs
Can I wear glasses while playing paintball?
Yes, you can wear glasses while playing paintball. Today you can find many spacious paintball masks with adjustable foam inserts allowing you to wear glasses of all sizes while playing paintball.
Do paintball masks have to cover your ears?
Yes, a paintball mask must cover your eyes, nose, entire face, and head. The eyes are the most sensitive part and paintball can cause serious injury if it hits your eye.
Wrapping Up
I’m hopeful that this review will help you choose the best paintball mask under $50. I’ve tested all the options to see how they fit, how good the optical clarity is, and what protection levels they offer. All the options reviewed above offer the best price-performance ratio and you won’t regret it if you make a purchase. Here are my top two picks:
- HK Army HSTL Paintball Goggle with Thermal Lens for best brand name value, adjustable fit, and supreme breathability.
- CRBN OPR Thermal Paintball Goggles / Masks for true optical clarity, quick lens changing, and a rugged profile.
Finally, I recommend you look for masks with adjustable foam padding if you wear glasses. Such masks allow you to adjust the profile according to the size of your glasses.
In his impressive career, John M. Anderson has played alongside the best players in the world and earned the respect of many top competitors. His skill, versatility, and timing have helped him become one of the top players in the paintball world. He is a true pro who will likely be remembered as one of the greatest players in the game’s history. His impact goes beyond the field as well. He has become a spokesperson for the sport, sharing interesting stories and facts from the past, and he also regularly contributes to this blog to help and guide new players in the world of paintball.