Best Paintball Regulators: Reviews And Complete Buying Guide

Have you been looking for the best paintball regulators? If you’re using a new paintball gun, you’ve likely given it little thought. Most of today’s latest markers include a regulator already installed.

If you are a paintball player who still uses an older-style paintball gun, the necessity for a regulator is all too real. As you already know, any regulator won’t suffice. You’ll need a sturdy device that provides an accurate reading.

Older paintball guns didn’t have regulators in most cases. You’re probably already familiar with the role of regulators if you own an older marker. However, if you’re just getting started with paintball, we’ll go over some of the best tank regulators on the market. We’ve picked five units that we believe will be useful to you.

We’ll tell you what we liked and didn’t like about them as we discuss the following regulators. We will give you all the details you need about PSI so that you can decide whether it’s a good fit for your paintball marker.

After reading our reviews, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide on paintball tank regulators below. This is going to be very beneficial if you are just starting out and have no idea what to look for in a paintball tank regulator.

Our Top Picks

The 5 Best Paintball Regulators

1. Outdoor Guy 4500PSI Air Tank Regulator

The Outdoor Guy’s 4500PSI regulator is the next item on our list. The output pressure may be set to 800, 1200, 1800, or 2200 PSI. The Outdoor Guy’s regulator is compatible with most high-pressure air tanks and uses a standard 5/8ths threading. This extremely lightweight unit comes with an easy-to-read gauge installed for your convenience. It’s also simple to rebuild and has a high airflow rate.

The Outdoor Guy Regulator has excellent build quality. It is less than 4 ounces in weight and feels solid to hold. This unit is inexpensive and has an accurate pressure readout. We discovered that some tanks required an extra O-ring for a tight fit. Most of the time, Outdoor Guy’s regulator fit well, and there were no leakage problems.

 

2. Airsoft PCP Paintball Tank Cylinder Adjustable Compressed Air Regulator

The Airsoft provides us with a solid regulator with decent output. Unfortunately, it does have some performance issues.

It has an adjustable output pressure between 0 to 2000 PSI. It can handle a maximum input pressure of 4500 PSI.

Airsoft guns are made of a hard metal alloy that feels strong and solid. However, this regulator has a slight air leak when used with certain tanks.

While the unit does include a built-in gauge, we found that its readout is not always accurate. This is because with some tanks, the unit leaks. However, the tanks that it did fit had a steady pressure, and the gauge functioned as designed.

 

3. IORMAN Universal 4500PSI Paintball Air Tank Regulator

The IORMAN Universal 4500PSI Paintball Air Tank Regulator is the next item on our list. This is a high-pressure regulator with a maximum input of 4500 PSI, as the name implies. The pressure output of the unit is fixed at 800 PSI.

IORMAN uses 5/8 thread so that it can fit most air tanks on the market. This unit is well-built and solid. It includes 3k and 7.5k burst disks.

IORMAN’s regulator makes filling easy and fast. It includes a standard 8mm quick-disconnect male Foster fitting adapter.

You’ll receive a regulator that provides a high airflow rate and is compatible with both CO2 and air. We found that it didn’t leak, was simple to use, and is easily rebuildable.

The only minor problem with the IORMAN regulator is that its output is fixed at a reasonably low rate. There are several options if you’re looking for a unit that offers a slightly better kick.

 

4. Ninja Paintball Pro V2 Regulators

The Ninja offers a lightweight tank regulator with some useful features. It includes a ball valve that opens easily and a built-in small gauge.

This unit allows you to change the PSI output between standard, medium, and low. You may adjust the pressure between 800 and 900 PSI with a standard, and you can adjust the pressure to 650 PSI with a medium. You can adjust it between 450 and 550 PSI on the lowest output.

This is done by simply removing shims. It also reduces the additional regulators and spring kits you’ll have to purchase.

It also features a tiny fill nipple and a rotational collar. The Pro V2 Ninja regulator claims to allow 30% more airflow than the previous version. It is certified by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), has a one-year warranty, and is safe.

 

5. Gurlleu Adjustable PCP Paintball Tanks Regulator

Gurlleu’s Adjustable PCP regulator completes the list. The output can be adjusted to any setting between 0 and 800.

It has a maximum input pressure of 1500 PSI. It comes equipped with a built-in gauge, which is convenient. This makes it simple to view the amount of pressure you’ve set.

The Gurlleu Regulator has excellent build quality. It’s solid, strong, and easy to read. The only problem we discovered was that the output pressure was difficult to adjust properly. This is an excellent unit if you don’t mind it maintaining the same amount of pressure.

 

What Should You Look For In A Paintball Tank Regulator?

Let’s begin with the basics of paintball guns before we get to know what you should look for in a paintball tank regulator. This will benefit everyone new to the field and serve as a refresher course for veterans.

All paintball guns require adequate air pressure in order to function properly. The paintball shoots out of your gun because of the air pressure. The farther and harder your shot will travel, the more pressure or gas you use.

When a paintball gun is adjusted to allow the velocity to be altered with a screw, the striker’s striking force is actually increased when it hits the valve, increasing the striker’s power. How long it will be stayed open depends on how hard it is hit. The longer it remains open, the more air there is to pass through the valve.

This is why the paintball pops out of your marker. When you want to increase your velocity, the reality is that it’s a boost in volume.

Do you need a regulator?

Regulators are required for all new paintball guns, but if you have an older model paintball gun, you’ll need to add one.

In today’s markers, the regulators are designed to reduce input pressure. Some models are only compatible with HPA tanks. If you have one of these guns, a tank regulator is useless to you.

If you’re interested in the idea of regulating your own pressure, you should search for a pre-owned paintball gun with a regulator attachment. Many people will argue that adding a regulator improves airflow.

This allows you to take more consistent shots with reliable performance. This somewhat raises the cost of your paintball gun, but you have a lot more control over where your shots go and how fast they travel.

You can set up your paintball gun to run on two separate regulators for the ultimate precision and accuracy. This is an expensive process, but if you participate in competitive or professional gaming, you may want to consider it. This brings us to

Choosing your setup

This is where you choose between HPA and CO2 as your propellant system. Once you’ve decided which one to use, the next step is to determine where it will be installed on your gun. Some people prefer their tank to be attached beneath the handle, whereas others want it to be vertical with the receiver.

You may need to run a remote line from your gun if you wish to utilize a bigger tank. If you want, then you should carry your tank on your back.

Keep in mind that the closer the tank is to your marker, the greater return you’ll get from it. The amount of pressure your marker receives from the tank can be changed.

Not all markers are created equal, so you may be forced to mount the regulator in specific spots. You’ll also need to ensure that the tank’s mounting location doesn’t impede your paintball gun’s handling.

You’ll want to do your best to set it up in a way that allows you to operate your gun still safely, and you don’t want the tank to unbalance your gun.

If you’re worried that installing a regulator or tank would make your gun too heavy to use, you might want to think about walking with the tank on your back. You may sacrifice a little bit of speed in your shots, but your safety will be assured. Safety, my friends, is one of the most important aspects of paintball.

The amount you are prepared to invest will have a big role in your setup. Once you’ve decided on these factors, you may proceed to select the best regulator for your requirements.

Choosing the right regulator

When you’re ready to purchase your regulator, there are a few factors to consider. What is the quality you like to build? Is it well-made, or do you feel like you’re buying low-quality merchandise? When it comes to regulators, you’ll almost always spend more money on one that performs well.

While this is not a hard-and-fast rule, more expensive regulators generally have less leaking and better pressure. If you purchase a less expensive regulator that leaks, you won’t be able to achieve the desired pressure. This will result in your shots being less powerful and hence less effective.

If a regulator is unable to produce sufficient PSI, you will be less likely to achieve your targets or fire accurately. The Ninja Professional V2 was the best of the group, as seen in our reviews above. Because it comes tightly and is correctly installed, it has such fantastic pressure.

It also minimizes the chances of leaks, which ensures that your shots are accurate and precise. The build and quality are also excellent. It feels solid. When compared with the other devices on our list, you can see that the Ninja Pro V2 is rather costly. The popular adage “you receive what you pay for” is certainly true in this case.

As you can see, most of the regulators we reviewed include a built-in pressure gauge. This is a significant advantage since it gives you access to the applied pressure. This will also make it simple to detect any decreases in pressure while utilizing it.

If you don’t have a built-in gauge regulator, I recommend buying one. They aren’t overly costly and will save you a lot of time while you are on the field.

Installing your paintball tank regulator

Now that you’ve got your regulator, it’s time to get started. Here we will talk about that how to install the regulator on your marker. If you already know where you’re going to put your regulator, you probably have a good idea of where you will mount it.

You will need to go through a few stages before your tank can provide the maximum performance possible. First, you must fill your entire tank of CO2 with air. Now, adjust the velocity screw to be on the lowest setting.

After completing the preceding steps, shoot your gun a dozen times. For this step, you’ll need to have no paintballs in your hopper. You’re just firing a gun into the air at the moment. Lower the output of your regulator and fire the same number of shots again if you believe your gun performed well.

Attempt this process over and over until your gun refuses to re-cock on its own. This is the time to increase the output pressure of the regulator. Continue to fire off another round of shots. If your gun does not cock after a few rounds, don’t worry. This is normal. Increase the output pressure once more and fire off another round of shots.

If your gun refuses to re-cock, follow these steps: Increase the pressure gradually until your gun starts working properly again. Why do you have to take all these steps?

This ensures that your gun gets the best possible pressure. You may now fill your hopper with paintballs and start firing your marker.

If you have a chronograph, check it often to ensure that the velocity is in accordance with your field’s requirements or not. The only caveat warning is that your velocity does not exceed 300 FPS.

Upstream and Downstream Regulator

If you plan to use two regulators, as we discussed earlier, the process for connecting two regulators is the same as it is for connecting a single unit. A downstream regulator and an upstream regulator are required for dual regulator setups. The regulator that is closest to the marker is known as the downstream regulator.

The upstream regulator is the unit that supplies water to the downstream regulator. It’s critical not to set the pressure on these units too close together. The upstream regulator may struggle to keep up with the downstream regulator if it is not properly lubricated.

If the pressure on your marker chant handle is below 600 PSI, you don’t require a second regulator.

The Best Paintball Regulator Brands

Ninja

The Ninja Paintball Company has a long history of paintball regulators. They’ve made more regulators than any other company on the planet in the last 15 years. They’ve been playing paintball for almost 20 years. Their past clients include Kee Action Sports, Procaps, National Paintball Supply, Tippmann, Kingman, Smart Parts, WGP, Custom Products, JT Sports, and several others.

Custom Products

Since 1996, custom products have been available. All products are located in Gilbert, Arizona, and manufactured in the USA. Custom products are one of the world’s most popular paintball goods, with components and accessories available in various countries.

Palmers’ Pursuit

Palmer’s Pursuit is a well-known name that has been around for many years. It was originally founded in 1988. They have one of the most copied brands in the paintball industry. They’ve expanded their business far outside of paintball gear, thanks to their experience.

FAQs

Q1. What does a regulator do?

Regulators convert the liquid into a gas in the most basic sense of the word. This implies you may utilize this gas for various purposes, and you are using this gas to propel paintballs from your paintball marker in the paintball industry.

If your gas was simply let out, it would have no impact and would just linger. The regulator allows you to reach a certain amount of pressure to utilize it for your intended purpose properly.

There are several industry regulators types, but they all function similarly. There are two chambers inside each regulator. It contains one of these chambers, while the other chamber controls the gas going through it.

A short passage connects these two chambers, which can be closed with a valve. A little piston within regulates the gas. Pistons in regulators have a spring mounted on each side of the unit, which allows you to adjust its pressure to your desired amount.

This is what allows you to achieve the degree of velocity you desire in each shot fired. It’s crucial to remember that some regulators prohibit you from making these kinds of adjustments. Some of these regulators have fixed outputs that remain at a single level.

You must find a regulator that allows you to make adjustments if you feel you will need different velocity levels while you are engaged in a competition.

Q2. Are paintball regulators universal?

They’re universal, but there are a few important bits to know about O-rings. The diameter of the tube’s bore determines its ID, OD, and cross-section. Suppose it’s a dash size like 015. You can have an ID or an OD and a cross-section combination and be just fine because math allows it. – Viton, buna-n and other types of material are used. Probably Buna-N, though and Durometer – IE hardness. It also affects how well they adhere to a surface.

Q3. How does a regulator work?

A few things are happening inside the regulator, altering the CO2’s form. The level of expansion is determined by the amount of space and heat required. Think about your CO2 tank to understand this better. It may only be filled up to around 9 ounces if it is a 10 oz tank. As a result, there is space inside the tank for the liquid to change into gas.

Manufacturers install anti-siphon tubes within the CO2 tank’s valve to prevent gas from seeping back into it after we mount the tanks horizontally. This is because the area that isn’t filled is positioned differently in the tank. It also prevents liquid CO2 from entering your gun before transforming into a gas.

If this procedure is not done correctly, then you face leaks and other difficulties. That’s why it’s so important for you to invest in a quality, though more expensive, regulator.

Some markers include expansion chambers to keep liquid CO2 from entering the valve. This allows a liquid more space to convert into a gas, resulting in more efficient performance on the field and improved results. It also makes the shift from liquid to gas easier.

The remote lines also serve as an expansion chamber because they give the liquid CO2 more room to complete the transition. Now that we’ve completed the space issue let’s move on to heat.

It requires the right amount of heat for the process to be completed for a liquid to make its change to gas.

The regulator gives you the proper amount of gas you need for each shot you fire, ensuring that the process runs efficiently and seamlessly.

Conclusion

Now that you know a bit more about the steps involved in creating a regulator to operate properly, we hope you have an easier time selecting the paintball regulator among these best paintball regulators for your needs.

There is a wealth of information on the internet to assist you in getting comfortable with your marker if you are new to paintball. We hope you found our paintball regulator reviews useful in directing you to the best paintball regulator. Always be careful and have fun.