When it comes to paintball, there are two main types of paintballs; low-impact and standard. If you’re new to paintball, you might be wondering if paintball is a paintball, then what is the difference between low impact and standard paintball? 

Well, you are right, paintballs are paintballs, and both low impact and standard paintballs are paintballs, but there are differences between them. Designed for fun and recreational play, low impact paintball is small and light. Standard paintballs, however, are heavier and larger, so they hurt harder with more impact force and are better suited to more serious play. The differences between these two types of paintballs don’t end here; many more are there to explore. 

Scroll down and be with me till the end to know them. This guide will tell you the differences and much more about these two types of paintballs that will help you in choosing the right paintball option for you. 

Difference Between Low Impact and Standard Paintball

Before we dive into the difference between low impact paintball and standard paintball it’s better we know what they are or how they influence the way to play paintball. Usually, paintballs come between .43 to .71 caliber; .50 caliber paintballs are known as low impact paintballs and .68 caliber paintballs are the standard paintballs. Let’s know the difference between these two.

Weight

As we know low impact paintballs are lightweight, but how much? A low impact paintball weighs approx 1.2 grams while a standard paintball weighs approx 3.2 grams nearly 3x in size that of a low impact paintball. The weight can vary depending on which brand of paintball you are using. 

Diameter

Although it seems that the differences are a little in number, if you look closely you’ll find that they are not. 0.68 caliber paintball dimension is .68 inch, .50 caliber dimension is .50 inch. It means 0.50 caliber or low impact paintball is 1/6th smaller in diameter compared to .68 caliber or regular paintball. 

Shot Speed

As the paintballs differ in size so the shot speed also differs. A .50 caliber paintball is shot at a lower speed, between 220-250 feet per second. And a .68 caliber paintball is shot at a higher speed 280-285 feet per second.

Volume

A .68 caliber paintball has a 35% better volume rate. How? Let’s calculate.

A .50″ sphere comes with PI*(0.25″)^2 which is a 0.1963″ square cross-section and a .68″ sphere has a 0.3632″ square cross-section. Now let’s calculate with the same density ( 1 ) for better understanding.

  • A 0.50″ sphere volume is 0.06545 inch ^3 (cubic inches)
  • A 0.68″ sphere volume is 0.1646 inch ^3 (cubic inches)

Pain

Pain is a part of paintball but how much pain does one have to endure to play this? If I say you can control the pain limit? If you want to enjoy paintball or let your kids, but are afraid of its pain, .50 caliber or low impact paintball is a perfect fit for you. It uses a smaller paintball than traditional ones, being able to shoot at a lower speed, so the targeted player feels less pain or no pain at all or a little pinch if gets shotted with it. While the impact energy of a standard paintball can give you enough pain or you can say the real fun of a paintball game. 

Handling

When it comes down to the equipment, low impact paintball offers an easy-to-carry experience due to its low weight, small air tanks, and other equipment. On the other hand, a standard paintball is heavy and needs more compressed air to shoot, and thus it’s not beginner friendly or suitable for kids. Only serious adults or physically fit paintballers can handle a traditional paintball (.68 caliber).

What Does Low Impact Paintball Mean?

Frankly saying, low impact paintball means low pain and more fun. Playing in low impact paintball format does not involve any high-power shots (220-250fps), large explosions (they are lightweight), or big hits (small in size). We (my family friends) loved to call low-impact paintball a family-friendly game, where kids to old age everyone can participate and enjoy without fearing any hard hit or pain. In fact, it makes the game more enjoyable because we focus more on hitting rather than getting hit.  Plus, we can play paintball on smaller fields with less equipment used, making it great for areas that don’t have enough space or budget for standard Paintballs outings. It’s also perfect for beginners who want an easy way to learn the game without having the fear of getting bruised or injured in the process!

Why is Low Impact Paintball Good for First Time Players?

Low impact paintball is good for first-time players, as it is designed for beginner paintball players or kids to experience the thrill of a paintball game without risking any serious injury. They are lightweight, less painful, and more enjoyable. 

First of all, playing with these paintballs doesn’t require any special skills or training, so it’s easy for beginners to learn how to shoot and dodge. 

Their shots are less powerful than a standard paintball and use low-powered ammunition that offers a soft landing and causes minimal damage to the player and environment.    

Plus, there is no need for protective gear other than comfortable clothing, which makes playing more convenient and affordable. 

FAQs

Are There Paintballs That Don’t Hurt?

Yes, there are paintballs that don’t hurt. What are they? They are .50 caliber low impact paintballs. These paintballs are very lightweight and shot at a lower speed, so they don’t hurt at all.   

What Does a Low-Impact Paintball Feel Like?

A low impact paintball will feel like a little pinch. Some kids even laugh instead of crying when they get to feel the fear of “getting hit.”

Does Low Impact Paintball Hurt?

No. Low impact paintball doesn’t hurt at all. It feels like a little pinch on most of the body parts. However, in some uncovered areas, it can feel a little more stingy.

How Fast is Low Impact Paintball?

Low impact paintball usually refers to the game where 50cal balls are shot at a speed of 220 to 250 fps. This speed is considered as lower speed because it’s less than the speed of a standard paintball shot. 

Low impact paintball preferable age limit?

Low-impact paintball is already known to be kids and senior-friendly.  However,  still, it has an age limit. You must be at least eight years old to participate in the low-impact paintball game, and the maximum has no limit. From 8 years to up to any age people can play low-impact paintball. 

How old do you have to play with standard paintballs?

Standard paintball requires players to be at least 10 years old, but still, they will need their parents’ sign until they turn 18. Because standard paintball is for the serious player and it hurts. 

Final Thoughts

In the end, I have explored all the differences between low impact and standard paintballs in detail. Both paintballs are popular and have their own users. Read the differences carefully and you will get to know which one is perfect for you to get the paintball experience. Along with the differences I have also covered a few more related questions that will clear the confusion that may arise in your mind. If you have something more to know, throw a comment without thinking twice. I am always available to answer you with proper information.  

Meta:

Low impact paintball is designed to reduce harm when compared to standard paintball. But how do they differ? Read this post to know the differences properly!