When discussing gel blasters, the initial image that likely comes to mind is that of a battery-powered electric toy gun. However, there are variants powered by compressed gas, such as HPA or CO2, which offer increased speed, rate of fire, and shooting range.
Electric gel guns are significantly more popular in the USA compared to gas-powered blasters in Australia, and this preference can be attributed to several reasons.
In this article, I will conduct a comparative analysis of gas vs electric gel blasters, sharing my experiences, detailing uses, and outlining the pros and cons of both types.
Gas Gel Blasters: Are They Good Enough?
These blasters are exactly what the name suggests—they’re powered by compressed gas rather than electricity. As you might have guessed, a gas gel blaster lacks any electric components. Instead, the gellets are propelled by compressed gas, similar to paintball or airsoft guns.
But what sets them apart? To understand how these toy guns and pistols operate, it’s essential to grasp the magazine’s design. Unlike the clip mag of an electric blaster, the majority of space in a gas gel blaster magazine is reserved for a CO2 or HPA capsule.
To play with them, you have to slide the capsule into its chamber and then fill the space with gellets. When you pull the trigger, the beads enter the barrel. The gas inside is typically compressed to 800 psi, expanding immediately upon release and forcefully expelling the ammo out of the barrel.
My Experience With Gel Blasters Powered By Gas
I’ve always had a penchant for realistic simulations, especially in shooting games. My first experience with a gas gel blaster left me absolutely stunned, and guess what? I felt it was more authentic than most electric gel guns I had used before.
The blowback mechanism created a recoil effect, mirroring a real firearm. The same applied to the sound effects—gas-powered blasters usually produce much more realistic sounds. The most noticeable aspect of realism lies in their design—almost all are perfect replicas of guns.
However, here is a setback: According to laws in most US states, toy guns and pistols must be clearly identifiable as toys, a feature lacking in most gas gel blasters. For this reason, I have only come across very few brands that sell high-quality CO2 gel guns, compared to the huge market of electric blasters.
So, my experience? When I played, I felt that gel ball blasters powered by gas are much more satisfying and snappier to use. These guns also pack a lot more power, thanks to the pressure generated by the highly compressed CO2. On average, these guns boast a muzzle velocity beyond 300 FPS, surpassing most electric Orbeez guns.
So, GAS GEL BLASTERS are perfectly suitable if your local laws permit them, and you prefer a more challenging and realistic gameplay experience. For dedicated players like myself, it’s all about experimenting with every type of gel gun and testing skills against new challenges.
The Best Uses Of CO2 Gel Ball Blasters
Unfortunately, gas-powered gel blasters aren’t as versatile as their electric variants. Since most of the magazine is dedicated to housing the gas capsule, there’s little space for ammo. One of the CO2-powered gel ball blaster pistols I tried had an ammo capacity of only 8 to 10 gel balls.
Using them against opponents with an electric Orbeez gun would significantly limit their effectiveness, with the only exception being when everyone has a gas-powered gel gun, ensuring fair play for all participants.
Gas gel blasters are excellent for adults, but I wouldn’t recommend giving them to kids or playing around them due to the high muzzle velocity. Getting hit by these high-velocity gellets at close ranges can be rather painful for children and those who have not used them before.
PROS
Gas gel blasters feel much more realistic than electric ones due to the recoil effect.
With the average muzzle velocity ranging from 250 to 300 FPS (sometimes higher), they are more powerful.
Almost every CO2 gel ball blaster, including the pistols, looks very realistic.
It’s more satisfying to shoot a gas-powered splat gun.
The high muzzle velocity allows you to hit targets from farther away.
CONS
Due to the complex mechanism, these toy guns are much more expensive – you may have to shell out well over $200 in most cases.
Ammo capacity is extremely low compared to electric gel blasters.
Refilling the magazine is a bit of a hassle since you also have to replace the gas capsule when it runs out.
What Makes Electric Gel Blasters A Top Choice?
Most of my blasters fall into this category—the type of Orbeez guns you’re probably already familiar with. These are battery-run gel guns that do not use any gas or other propellants. The MECHANISM of an electric gel gun comprises a motor, a gearbox, and a piston.
In those blasters, the ammo is placed right in front of the piston (fed by a hopper or magazine) as it enters the barrel. Powered by the motor, the gearbox moves the piston back and forth rapidly to hit the gel beads and shoot them out of the barrel. All you have to do is charge the battery, load the hopper, turn on the blaster, and start playing.
But guess what? While you can also find realistic-looking electric gel guns, most are easily identifiable as TOYS. For this reason, they are often suitable for kids above 9 years, as well as for adults. Having a safer FPS, less power, and more user-friendly operation than gas blasters, they are more popular in the market.
My Experience With Electric Gel Ball Blasters
I always found electric gel ball blasters to be more fun and simpler to use.
Firstly, I don’t have to worry about buying and loading a propellant gas – charging the battery for a couple of hours beforehand is all it takes. The relatively high ammo capacity also saves me the hassle of having to reload frequently.
Secondly, electric gel blasters may or may not be realistic in their design. While some of them are amazing replicas (especially the M4A1 Orbeez guns), most of the top brands produce gel guns that are very clearly toys. This isn’t a bad thing, though—some of them, like the Surge XL or the CosmoxToys, are pretty cool and resemble something out of science fiction.
Thirdly, the muzzle velocity can range anywhere from 90 FPS to 250 FPS, depending on the specific model. A handful of gel guns shoot at lower velocities or allow you to adjust it to a low-FPS setting. For instance, the Gel Blaster Starfire comes with two barrels – one shoots at 170 FPS while the other lowers the muzzle velocity to 90 FPS.
Overall, my experience with ELECTRIC BLASTERS has been an absolute blast. They are more enjoyable for a wide age range, with safer gameplay, and offer plenty of customization options. For this reason, I have included high-efficiency electrically operated guns in the list of Best Gel Blasters available in the market.
What Are The Best Uses Of Electric Gel Guns?
You can use an electric blaster pretty much anywhere – be it at a dedicated arena or a casual game in your backyard. Since most people prefer electric gel guns, unfair competition won’t be as much of an issue unless there’s a huge disparity in performance.
Besides adults, these Orbeez guns are typically rated for teenagers aged 14 years and older, though some of the low-FPS models are safe for younger kids (9 years or more). Overall, I’d say that electric gel blasters are the way to go for newcomers and casual players.
PROS
Electric gel blasters are cheaper, both upfront and in the long run since you don’t have to buy gas.
The magazine capacity of most of these Orbeez guns ranges from 400 to 1500 (some are smaller), which is way greater than any gas-powered gellyball blasters.
Reloading these toy guns is much easier, as all you have to do is refill the clips or hoppers with gel beads.
Thanks to the lower muzzle velocity, electric gel guns are a safer option for younger players.
They are easier to master since you don’t usually have to worry about limited ammo.
CONS
Most electric gel blasters don’t look or feel as realistic as their gas-operated variants.
They have lower muzzle velocity than gas-powered models and, consequently, shorter ranges.
Gas Vs Electric Gel Blasters: A Quick Comparison
| Point Of Difference | Gas Gel Blasters | Electric Gel Blasters |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity | Beyond 300 FPS on average | 90 to 300 FPS |
| Shooting Range | Usually 150 feet or more. | 40-150 feet. |
| Firing Modes | Single, Semi, and Full Auto | Burst fire, Semi, and Full Auto |
| Design | Very realistic appearance similar to real firearms. | Identifiable as toy guns. Not so realistic. |
| Magazine Capacity | 8 to 25 gellets depending on the clip size. | 400 to 1500 shots on average. Some models have smaller magazines or hoppers. |
| Source Of Power | Compressed gas (HPA or CO2) | Li-ion or Li-Po Battery |
| Ease Of Use | More complicated due to the gas capsule refill mechanism. | Simple and easy to operate. |
| Safety | Due to high-speed blasting, players require additional safety measures. | Googles with full-sleeve shirts and pants are good enough. |
| Age Limit | Suitable more to adults above 18 years. | Great for kids, teens, and adults (the exact age limit varies depending on the model). |
| Price | $200-$800 | $30 to $150 |
Can You Install A CO2 Cylinder On An Electric Gel Blaster?
Unfortunately, your gel ball blaster can only be either electric or gas-powered, not both. The two types of Orbeez guns have completely different mechanisms.
Despite attempting to test and determine if it was possible, I quickly discovered that there was no way to achieve it. The magazine of an electric splatter ball gun does not have a chamber for the CO2 cylinder, and a gas gel blaster magazine won’t work with their electric variants.
So, Which Is Better: Gas Or Electric Gel Blaster Gun?
While I love both gas and electric gel blasters, here’s what I think – the former is more suitable for advanced players and those passionate about Orbeez guns. The low ammo capacity and the complexities of reloading make them a bit challenging for new and casual players to use.
Electric gel ball blasters, on the other hand, are much more versatile, simple, and convenient. Pretty much everyone can play with these, be it a newbie, a pro, or a kid. However, don’t get me wrong—CO2 gel guns are extremely fun to play with, and the punch of realism is worth the price.
So, feel free to explore all your options and try them out if possible before choosing one.
