Are you looking forward to bring your paintball hobby to another level? Why don’t you prefer investing in the finest paintball mask on the market? A high-quality paintball mask can help you uplift your game.
Not only it will assist you in improving your game but more importantly, allow you to wear some sort of protection. With an excellent paintball mask, you will be no longer unsafe particularly if you are a beginner and your very first time to step on the battlefield.
A good paintball mask is exclusively designed to increase the chances of winning and at the same time guarantee your safety.
While paintball is a perfectly safe sport, it’s important to stick to the safety rules and regulations on the field to make sure you will not be hurt.
It’s essential to look out other things happening around you. Safety gear for paintball such as masks is an imperative requirement in every field.
The following buying guide will list down the top-ranked models. These masks are designed to protect and cover the eyes, ears, mouth, nose and even your throat guard. Read on to make an informed decision!
Top 10 Best Paintball Mask Reviews – Comparison Chart
Image | Name | Price | Best For | Features |
 | Empire EVS | Beginner To Professional | Tool-Free Lens Replacement. Triple Density Face Foam. 270-Degree Field of Vision. | |
 | Virtue VIO | Beginner To Professional | VIO Lens Tech Improves Visibility. 3D Foam Molded Pro Pad. Lightweight No Echo Ear Pads. | |
 | Bunkerkings CMD | Intermediate To Professional | VIO Thermal Lens Tech. Provides 300% Improved Breathability. Distortion Free Hearing. | |
 | Empire E-Flex | Beginner To Professional | Anti-Fog Clear Lens. Ultra Soft And Flexible Face. New E-Flex Thermo-Foam Ear Pieces. | |
 | Dye Precision I4 Thermal | Beginner To Professional | Best Field of Vision Tech. Extremely Lightweight. Best In Comfort For All Facial Contours. | |
 | Virtue VIO Ascend | Intermediate To Professional | Lightweight Combination of Protection. Removeable Dual Layer Eye Foam. Compatible With All VIO Line Visors. | |
 | V-Force G.I. Grill Goggles | Beginner To Professional | Antifog And Antiscratch Lenses. Unbeatable Distortion-Free Optics. Sunglass-Inspired 3D Lens Shape. | |
 | Virtue VIO Extended | Beginner To Intermediate | VIO Lens Tech Improves Visibility. 3D Foam Molded Pro Pad. Lightweight No Echo Ear Pads. | |
 | JT Spectra Flex 8 | Beginner To Professional | Dual Fusion Co-Molding Tech. Offers 260 Degree Field of Vision. Full Head Coverage For Max Protection. | |
 | V-Force Armor Fieldvision Gen 3 | Beginner To Intermediate | Clear-Vision Thermocured Non-fog Lens. Conveniently Fits Over Most Glasses. Quick Lens Replacement System. |
Best Paintball Mask
1- Empire EVS (Editor’s Choice)
Pros
- Spacious and comfortable interior
- Prevent the formation of fog
- Effective ventilation system
- Easily swap the lens
Cons
- Facial foam is somewhat stiff in the initial use
The Empire EVS Paintball Mask is one of the finest paintball masks featuring a roomy interior.
The spherical and dual-pane lens of this mask is pretty impressive for the maximum accuracy and zero distortion.
Besides, the lower skirt of this paintball mask is very flexible that works efficiently in stimulating ball bounces.
Also, we can’t forget to mention its ventilation system which makes communication quite easy.
Empire EVC comes with a clear lens that let you buy another color. It’s easy to change the lens without even using any tool. Nevertheless, be cautious about the triple-layered facial foam.
2- Virtue VIO (Top Rated)
Pros
- Versatile and creative design
- Features vents for breathability and proper ventilation
- Durable
- Fog-free
- Shock absorbent
- Offers adequate UV protection and a good field of vision
Cons
- Doesn’t offer a visor
Your paintballing experience will become more exciting with Virtue VIO Paintball Mask. This paintball gear is known for versatility and innovative design.
The diversity of its design makes it easy for any player to change each aspect of this mask according to his/her requirements. These primarily include lens, foam, ear pads and strap. Another popular feature is the venting mechanism.
You will see some moderately-sized vents at the lower part of this mask that ensures hot air stays out as well as prevent paint to come in contact with your face. Moreover, the mask is built from premium-quality plastic and foam materials to stay durable in the long run.
The best feature is that this mask is shock-absorbent and fog-free. Though it lacks a visor and that’s what you will surely miss.
3- Bunkerkings CMDr (Easy To Clean)
Pros
- Fanatic breathability
- Anti-fogging lens
- Comfortable foam
- Durable lens built and frame design
- Easy to operate
- Better field of view
Cons
- Limited color options
From the all-day scenarios to tournaments, you will love to use Bunkerkings CMD paintball mask. The large-size vents in the interior of the mask allow unmatched breathability.
In comparison to other masks, there was very slight condensation of heat trapped or buildup around the mouth area.
Combined with the finest thermal lens, you will hardly come across the issue of fogging.
As the mask is built around the Virtue Vio platform, it fits perfectly on the face. In general, it’s soft and flexible to allow enhanced fit and comfort.
The foam around the frame is somewhat thicker with an added layer. It is plush and comfy to fit securely to the head. Visibility is very clean and the coverage seems to be right at the jaw-line for most players.
4- Empire Paintball E-Flex (Better Protection)
Pros
- Enhanced breathability
- Maximum voice projection
- Thermal lens to protect eyes from UV light
Cons
- The mask is not glasses-friendly
If you are worried about any allergies, this Empire Paintball E-Flex mask is all you need as it comes with hypo-allergenic foams and is comfortable enough.
It features proven vents around the nose, mouth, and sides of the face which minimize fogging and offer exceptional breathability with sufficient voice projection.
Eye-protection permits a 270-degree view with no optical distortion.
A feature you must be looking for, isn’t it? Besides, the anti-fogging technology and UV protective dual-lens ensure optimal view and comfort.
Lastly, the design comes with multiple customizable options so make adjustments as you desire!
5- Dye Precision I4 Thermal (For Professional)
Pros
- Complete protection to the face
- The multidirectional design offers ease of communication
- Features a lens that can eliminate fog
- Comes with a wide peripheral field of vision
Cons
- A little tight for users with large heads
One of the most notable paintball masks on the market is the Dye Precision I4 Thermal. The mask comes with a great ability to provide all-inclusive protection to the face. It provides a wide outlying field of vision.
The best part is that even if you are wearing an eyeglass, you can still put on the mask without compromising the vision. With the multi-directional design, interacting with your team members is very easy. Also, the foam features wide temple cutouts to accommodate diverse thick or thin armed glasses.
Another major benefit is the high-definition lens to combat fogs. DIY I4 boasts low and close profiles which makes it a perfect option for mag-fed or woodsball games.
However, it is somewhat tighter for users with relatively large heads so make sure to try it once and see if it provides sufficient coverage.
6- Virtue VIO Ascend (Best Budget)
Pros
- Multiple customization options available
- Fanatic airflow and breathability
- Entirely replaceable foam
- Made of protective and rigid materials
Cons
- A little loose for some players
Whether you want a paintball mask for woodsball, speedball or other versions, the Virtue VIO Ascend Paintball Mask makes a great choice. You will have approximately sixteen options for the lens to choose from such as light and dark smoke, chromatic gold and sporty.
You will love to customize its design with the several strap options available. Further, you will have a diverse selection for its visor.
In addition to impressive customization, it provides you with adequate breathability and maintains consistent airflow. The foam in the mask is also replaceable which makes it long-lasting when you have the option of switching the lens or foam if required.
Virtue VIO Ascend is made of highly-durable materials to offer exceptional comfort, flexibility, and protection.
7- V-Force Grill (Lightweight)
Pros
- Low profile and ultra-lightweight design
- Highly customizable exchangeable foam, lens & strap
- Features scratch and fog-resistant lens
- Forehead visor for lens and face protection
Cons
- It’s not a full-size mask
The V-Force Grill is a lightweight paintball mask with minimal bulk to offer while providing high-performance protection. The low profile design focuses on the speed and full range motion with optimal safety.
It’s a great option for both beginners and proficient players due to the top-notch and low maintenance lenses it has to offer. The circular shape is inspired by sunglasses to give you a wide peripheral vision and clear image.
The epicenter face grill area comes with soft rubber to prevent any paintballs from exploding. Also, it offers adequate ventilation and ease of communication.
What’s more? Every part of the mask is replaceable so you can easily customize it as per your needs. Besides, we can’t forget to mention the soft dual-density interior foam and stubby visor to protect the lens.
The only slight drawback is that this is not a full-sized mask and therefore you need added protection. Overall, V-Force Grill is an optimal choice for both beginners and professional speedball players who value versatility, comfort, and high-performance.
8- Virtue VIO Extend (Most Comfortable)
Pros
- Enhanced breathability and voice projection
- Effective forehead and head protection
- Scratch-resistant
- Anti-fog and anti-reflective lens
Cons
- Not very glasses-friendly
- Facemask is somewhat hard to reattach
The last one on this list – Virtue VIO Extend is another popular design known for most customizable configurations. The VIO lens offers an impressive field of view that is completely UV protected. The lens can be easily removed or replaced with an incorporated hinge lock.
Also, it’s easy to clean and maintain. This is a lightweight streamlined mask that easily guards the eyes, face, ears, and chin.
With an extensive ventilation system around the nose and mouth, it provides easy breathing with minimal google fogging so you can comfortably communicate with your team.
This paintball mask is finished in durable scratch-resistant coasting, anti-fog hydrophobic coating, and anti-reflective coating to provide optical clarity.
9- JT Spectra Flex 8 (For Intermediate)
Pros
- Thermal-treated spectra lens
- Complete head protection
- Versatile and comfortable
- Customizable
- Dual-layer ventilation for increased breathability
Cons
- Can be a somewhat tight fit if you wear glasses
If you are stepping into long matches and tournaments, the JT Spectra Flex 8 Paintball Mask is a highly recommended option.
The adjustable visor doesn’t fog for its thermal treatment and provides a 260-degree view with zero distortion. The mask features a Vortex 2 fan system and double layer venting to allow superior breathability.
Furthermore, the skirt is flexible for effective paintball deflection while the soft foam protects your ears. Surprisingly, this helmet-like mask is super-light and comfortable. Also, you can wear regular glasses inside the paintball mask. Though it takes some time to get used to it. Overall, it offers great value for money.
10- V-Force Armor Fieldvision Gen 3 (Most Affordable)
Pros
- Optically correct vision
- Low profile ergonomic protection
- Anti-fog and scratch-resistant lens
- Easy switch lens replacement system
Cons
- It may not fit properly if you wear sunglasses/lens corrector
The V-Force Armor Gen 3 paintball mask comes with low-profile protection and offers an excellent vision. This paintball mask is a great choice for beginners who are looking forward to clear vision and maximum protection.
Featuring rounded lenses, you will not come across any distortion at the top and bottom of the lens similar to most high-quality paintball goggle systems.
Best Paintball Mask Buying Guide
You need to consider multiple factors when looking for a high-quality paintball mask which can particularly meet your individual needs.
Comfort
When searching for a reliable and high-quality paintball mask, you need to make sure that you are receiving the utmost comfort. Look for a mask that perfectly suits and fits well on your face. A paintball mask that moves a lot trigger discomfort. It may even spoil your gameplay and performance.
Remember one session of paintball means spending a whole day or several hours on the field. Considering the intense paintball sport, you would never want to wear an uncomfortable mask that needs to be adjusted time and again.
If you are looking for easy usability and comfort, look for a paintball mask that features a conveniently adjustable strap system. It would be great if the mask has soft foam padding since it further improves the level of comfort.
Typically, low-quality masks use cheap foam pads that are both rough and itchy. Keeping this in mind, you should see the quality of the foam padding in the mask.
Make sure it is soft and does not cause any sort of discomfort. Whether you are choosing a minimalist design covering your eyes and face or select a full-on helmet, comfort should be your topmost priority.
Remember the fact that paintballing is played for several hours so your mask must be as comfortable as possible. It must provide an excellent level of ventilation. That way, you can stay calm and comfortable.
Ears
You will never want paintball to hit your ear as not only it hurts but at the same time hard to clean out.
A good paintball mask should offer sufficient ear padding that perfectly conforms around the ears without affecting hearing or communicating with your team.
The rule of thumb is quite simple. If you have to shout to communicate, you should probably invest in a paintball mask with enhanced ear padding.
Here we would mention the V-Force Grill Paintball Mask which incredibly protects your ears and at the same time doesn’t reduce sound. If you are looking for even a better option, you may want to go for Dye Precision I4.
Lenses
Do not compromise on the vision or else you will be out of the game in no time. A lens is an important element of your paintball mask. Look for a field of vision as broad as 260 or 270 degrees. At times, cheap rentals limit the peripheral vision with a thin and flat lens.
On the other hand, high-grade lenses are sphere-shaped with no distortion. Being able to identify things even out of the corner of your eye is essential particularly in close quarters. Paintball is an intense sport and therefore sweating is very common.
Remember your body heat will fog your lens except it has been thermally treated. You are not allowed to take off your mask right in the middle of the game for safety reasons so make sure to consider this factor.
Go for an anti-fog lens that will let you wear glasses beneath and keeps your body heat far away. Further, we will talk about anti-scratch coating as it significantly increases the functional lifespan.
Also, exchangeable lenses make a great option if you want to substitute a broken one or customize your mask with advanced optics.
Besides, the colored and chromatic lens can help combat glare and work effectively in sunny conditions. A forehead visor guards from hits and extreme weather conditions.
Also check: Best Camera For Paintball in 2022 [Most important Features]
Durability
You surely want to make your one-time investment serve you in the long run. Look for materials that can withstand rough and tough situations. Hard plastics are durable and resistant but may result in stiffer gear.
High-end paintball masks come with a skirt and facial area from soft material that is both flexible and long-lasting. A dual-pane lens is certainly more durable in comparison to a single pane lens.
Weight
Weight is another important consideration that many people often ignore. We suggest you go for a lightweight mask so it can never compromise your gameplay and overall performance on the battlefield.
A heavy mask is burdensome to carry on the head once you start playing and after one or two hours you will feel completely exhausted.
Look for a mask that weighs around 1-2 lbs. It will be lightweight and never weigh you down even if you are paintballing the whole day.
Surely, it’s going to be your best companion to help you beat the opponents.
Airflow
If you are searching for a high-quality paintball mask, don’t forget about the airflow. You need to consider the fact that what sort of venting system it has. An adequate vent is essential to make sure you breathe easily.
Also, it helps you communicate with your team more effectively. Another key benefit they offer is reducing the amount of trapped hot air in your paintball mask. That being said, you can expect to stay cool and comfortable on the playfield.
UV Protection
UV protection is an imperative component in your paintball mask. You need to keep in mind that as a paintball player, there is a possibility that you will be out on the field throughout the day and consistently exposed to the sun.
Consequently, these harmful rays can hurt your eyes and skin. Therefore, it’s important to pick a paintball mask that is capable of offering the appropriate level of UV protection.
It should be effective enough to provide adequate sun protection to your eyes. This, in turn, assure that your love for paintball will not affect your eyesight and vision.
Strap
It’s not only about the size but the fit as well. A good strap will adjust your mask perfectly. Double straps are better since they allow vertical head adjustments whereas the other offers horizontal adjustments.
Make sure to pick the right quality and type. Be confident about your gear and enjoy the game at its best!
Fog Resistant
Seasons change and therefore fogging is an issue you will frequently come across. In that case, fog tends to disturb your gameplay and performance by distorting your vision.
Luckily, there are numerous fog-resistant masks available on the market and therefore we strongly suggest you consider this factor. Vision plays the utmost role to eliminate opponents.
Frequently Asked Questions
One effective way to clean your paintball mask is with a cloth and water along with paintball lens cleanser. You can find a cleaner specifically designed for the purpose and verified by the manufacturer on their official website.
Other foam cleaners can affect the quality of the lens and likewise polishing and other cleansing materials which may increase lens fogging.
A few common techniques are thermal lenses and anti-fog spray. Anti-fog spray avoids any vapor formation on the lens surfaces and an economical solution. On the other hand, thermal lenses are twofold lenses that share an air-filled space between them.
The temperature varies compared to the outside elements. An odd technique to prevent fogging is using a mask fan. Typically, the fan is positioned on top of the goggles and designed into the mask which operates a battery resulting in evaporation on the condensed humidity.
You can wear a paintball mask even if you are wearing glasses. For this, you just need to make sure that the selected paintball mask is designed for those with glasses. The mask should perfectly fit with your glasses even if it comes with a foam that is amended on both sides of the arms of your glasses.
This particular form of the mask can give your glasses with a certain range of motion. You can prevent your glasses from getting broken underneath your head. Though make sure there is no fog in the glasses. It should also reduce the risk of fogging inside your glasses as you put it on.
An anti-fog lens is a basic way to guard your mask against building up the fog. You will find most lenses with one solid product. On the other hand, the thermal lens is relatively more extensive. It is primarily because the lens is built from two separate lenses combined.
They are more likely to surround the edge of the paintball mask and have a small layer or air in between them. Frequently known as the dual-pane lens, both the inner and outer lens have their attributes.
For example, the outer lens is thick and big and protects the mask similar to a single-pane lens. On the contrary, the inner lens is light and thick. It works as the inner pane of the mask’s dual-pane design which makes it even more protective.
Yes, you are permitted to use your paintball mask for airsoft. The best part of the paintball mask is durable and solid construction. The mask holds the lens firmly for easy use when it comes to airsoft.
Final Thoughts:
A paintball mask is one of the most important gear you need to safely enjoy the big sports. No play field will let you in without the mask. Cool paintball masks are surely a great investment for anyone fond of paintball.
If you are one of them, it’s time to choose the right paintball mask primarily based on the in-depth information given in this article. If you have read this far, you are more likely to find the best masks currently available on the market. Our top picks offer the optimal combination of comfort, functionality, and safety. Play Safe!
Resources:
- Jt Paintball
https://jtpaintball.com/ - Virtue Paintball Official
https://virtuepb.com/ - Dye Paintball Website
dyepaintball.com