Are you looking for the best paintball mask on the market? Whether balling is a new habit for you or you have already established yourself as an experienced player, you want something that is comfortable and fits well but can also protect your head and face from any potential impact or injury, all while looking cool in the process.
What kind of mask best suits your style, though? Some people are looking for a particularly soft foam to create something super comfortable. Some want to stick out, while others want to keep a low profile. Some don’t care so much about protection if it means sacrificing vision. Some want a thermal lens, UV protection, and style- but they don’t want to sacrifice any of their peripheral vision.
Many options will keep your field of vision clear, whether it’s a classic full-head mask, paintball goggle set-up, or a full-on paintball helmet. And, at the end of the day, every serious player needs headgear, ear protection or not. So, this article is taking on the challenge of rating the best masks on the market so you know which one to get. We’ll look at five different masks that are perfect for both beginners and pros alike.
So whether you’re just starting or looking for an upgrade, read on for our top 5 best paintball masks. All reviewed products will be available on Amazon– also, we will keep cost in mind.
Which are the best paintball Masks?
Virtue VIO Ascend
G.I. Sportz E-Flex
JT Flex 8 Full Coverage
Dye Precision i4
5. Empire EVS Hex
Some play indoor paintball, while others play outdoors. Regardless, protection is essential to keeping you safe when you are on the battlefield. Gear to protect your head and face (particularly your eyes, nose, ears, and mouth) is pretty essential. If you are playing in any official capacity, you will definitely be required to purchase a paintball mask of some kind. There are so many kinds and so many styles, so you will never have to sacrifice your aesthetic for safety.
Let’s dive in and look at the best paintball masks currently available.
1. Virtue VIO Paintball Goggles
The Virtue VIO paintball goggle has the perfect blend of protection and style. Functionally these goggles operate much like any others in the high-end goggle segment — Thermal Lenses with anti-fog coating, protection from your chin to the back of your ears, and plenty of ventilation for airflow. The Virtue VIO thermal lenses perform very well under humid conditions. The lenses are available in various tints and finishes, allowing you to customize your look on the field.
Virtue utilizes a quick change lens system which is excellent if the conditions change from sunny to cloudy. The swap took us about 30 seconds to go from a smoke lens to a clear lens, and we were good.
Pro Tip: Make sure you have a spare clear or dark lens in your bag for changing conditions in the field. The goggle frames and protective elements are available in various colors, including Electric Blue, Red Smoke, Camo, and graphic packages.
In terms of comfort, let’s say these are second to none. Incredibly soft on the inside with a flexibly durable face skirt on the inside and a high-end on-brand strap featuring a silicone bead. These are professional-grade goggles at an affordable price. Compared to other options on the market (i.e., the DYE $200 goggles), they have very similar features and come in a very stylish package. This is the best bang for your buck in terms of performance and style.
2. G.I. Sportz E-Flex
This lightweight mask offers full-on protection and features a visor made from Thermo-Cured Anti-Fog and Anti-Scratch lenses. This stylish mask works for anybody, whether you are just starting or you’ve been paintballing for decades. It is super comfortable, extremely light, and doesn’t negatively impact movement. Some padding in the mask can be removed and re-attached to best suit you and your scenario.
The visor also protects you from the elements, built for both the heaviest rain and the most powerful sun. Included with the mask, when purchased from Amazon, is a silicone strap, the visor, and a bag specifically built to transport the mask and keep it in top shape. The design is also a very cool part of this mask, as it has an incredible samurai design that is truly unique. At the end of the day, this is one of the best masks on the market.
4. JT Flex 8 Full Coverage Goggle
If you’re looking for complete coverage of all parts of your head, this helmet by JT is one of the best on the market for sure and will leave you feeling extremely protected. If you’re into woodsball, we can’t recommend another helmet as much as this one, as it is perfectly suited for intense tournaments that go on for as long as your tournaments generally go.
The JT Flex 8 is a paintball mask that was clearly built with day-long tournaments and other such events in mind, which plays into why it is so immaculately designed. Since this helmet is aimed at high-end players who truly care about the game, the removable visor will never get fogged up, thanks to thermal engineering. Speaking of the visor, your vision will remain extremely clear and wide, with a field of vision of a full 260 degrees. Not bad at all, right?
4. Dye Precision i4
The Dye Precision i4 Thermal goggles are always a good call for paintballers– I think it is safe even to say many paintballers who have been around the block for a while deem these and the i5’s “worth every penny spent.” Many goggles claim anti-fog, and many deliver, but I can honestly say that out of the entire history of owning my Dye i4 Mask, it has never ONCE fogged. These even remain to be true for all my heavy sweaters out there!
With hundreds of excellent ratings online, these intensive goggles really do the trick. They feature an excellent retention system that keeps them glued to your dome, a multi-directional venting to keep things cool and fresh, rapid lens change, and perfect comfort for the ears, mouth, and all around the head.
There is one thing I will say, though, the i4 is designed to be on the smaller side. If you have a larger facial structure, I highly recommend the Dye Precision i5. You will not regret it, or the i4 for that matter!
5. Empire EVS Hex Goggles
Before we get into the meat of this review, we have to get this first thing out of the way… Say whatever you want about the Empire EVS Hex; these things look SICK! Easy to intimidate an opponent as you hurdle through the field, looking like Master Cheif from Halo.
Alright, we are back. So the goggles themselves are made of a rugged, flexible silicone frame that conforms to your face and provides excellent protection. The EVS mask seems to defy logic and gets somehow more comfortable during long periods of use. They have an anti-fog lens that will keep your vision clear even in the heat of battle.
The goggles come in various colors, so you can find the perfect pair to match your style. We found these to be almost comparable to the Dye i4 and i5, although trailing slightly in padding quality but making up for it in a slightly better field of view. We highly recommend the Empire EVS Hex goggles for anyone who wants to play paintball in safety and style.
Pro Tip: If you do pick the Empire EVS, know that there have been some minor issues with the glue used on the velcro internal to the mast. It isn’t common in every single one but seen enough to be somewhat normal to sometimes doctor the velcro a little with some super glue if the issue ever arises.
Need some gloves to go along with your new mask? Check out our post – Best Paintball Gloves. Or maybe you are ready to learn all there is for your first (or 10th, no one is judging here) marker, check out our review here for the best paintball gun.
FAQ
How much does a paintball mask cost?
You can find paintball masks ranging from under 25$ to over 200$ (the majority being in between that range) available in nearby retail stores and online platforms like Amazon.
How do you keep your paintball mask from fogging up?
Masks fogging up are a common occurrence. A simple solution would be getting a mask fan, but it is most effective in warmer outings, e.g., during the summer and fall, but in colder conditions, it is still a problem. To curb this, get a nice thermal mask and a reliable anti-fog lens cleaner to help you in your game this winter.
Can you wear glasses under paintball masks?
You definitely can wear glasses under a paintball mask, depending on your mask and spectacles design in relation to your facial structure. The only problem that may arise is even though they fit, fogging may occur, causing you to have a harder time navigating and looking down sites to make your shot.
What are paintball masks made of?
The standard material used in making paintball masks is solid plastic for the overall body/frame of the mask. The visor is usually made from polycarbonate material, which is sturdy and will not shatter.
If you are still looking for more information on some of the paintball masks we recommended, along with a few others, Howcast released a great video giving a quick rundown on picking a great mask that works for you and your playstyle.
Let us know what you think!
