MyPaintballNation

Top 10 Best Paintball Masks 2023 – Honest Reviews and Buyers Guide

Wearing a mask during a paintball battle is crucial for your safety, and choosing one of the best paintball masks is more of a need than a choice. Masks should be durable and long-lasting but also should have a cool look because it will make you stand apart from other players.

It will also help you improve your game with more focus on attacking mode rather than playing on defense. Paintball masks will lower down your level of fear and will allow you to go out on the field in a cooler way.

Always prioritize your safety because paintballs fly on very high velocity, and if it hits you on the eye, it can even make you blind or cause severe damage. After all, paintball is not a safe sport, but you must take safety measures and choose safety gear.

TOP PICKS

The Best One
Dye Precision I4 Thermal Paintball Mask

  • Multidirectional design
  • Anti-fog lens
  • Breathable vents
High-end Mask
Dye precision i5 Thermal Paintball Mask

  • Customizable
  • Wide variety of colors
  • Comfortable
Best for Value
Virtue VIO Paintball mask

  • Innovative design
  • Strong material
  • UV protected

Confidence during the battle is essential; thats why we have reviewed the best paintball masks ever. Go through the best reviews of the paintball masks and find a good match for yourself.

you can also check out the best paintball guns review on our website.

Best Paintball Masks

Paintball MaskPreviewRatingsPrice
Dye Precision I4 – Best Paintball Mask⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dye precision i5 – Best High-End paintball Mask⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Virtue VIO Paintball – Best Paintball Mask For value⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
BASE – Best Beginner paintball Mask⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
JT Spectra Flex 8 – Best Budget Paintball Mask⭐⭐⭐⭐
Virtue VIO Ascend – Best Thermal Paintball Mask⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Empire E-Flex – Best Cheap Paintball Masks⭐⭐⭐⭐
GI Vforce Profiler – Best Vforce Paintball Masks⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Empire EVS – Best Empire Paintball Masks⭐⭐⭐⭐
Empire X-Ray V2.1 – Best  paintball Helmet⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

1- Dye Precision I4 Thermal Paintball Mask - One Of the Best Paintball Masks

Dye Precision I4 is undoubtedly the most robust and impressive paintball masks that are used from beginners to pro players. The reason for being so popular is that it is a complete all in one package providing you safety for your entire face covering your ears and other sensitive parts of your face.

The broad vision allows you to see throughout the field and spotting your enemy. You can even wear glasses while using the I4 mask, and the view will still be as clear as it was before. Its a fog-free mask regardless of the weather. All this is made possible because of the multidirectional design.

It is small in size but yet can fit your face very effectively. The lightweight feature makes it stand apart from other masks, as it doesn’t feel heavy on the face, and you can carry it without knowing its presence on your face. You can see the far ranges without any distortion in the vision.

It also has a compression formed earpiece for your ears, which is very soft lightweight, and flexible. For ventilation, it uses precise blade angling and venting configuration, which allows it to be more breathable and comfortable for you to wear it throughout the day.

It can be a little bit tighter for users with more prominent face and larger heads, in this case, you can check out other masks on our review list, or you can try it physically before buying.
Pros

  • Full protection for face
  • Multidirectional design
  • Ease of communication
  • Anti-fog lens
  • Breathable vents

Cons

Slightly tighter for bigger people

2- Dye precision i5 Thermal Paintball Mask - Best High-End paintball Mask

If the i5 mask comes under your budget, just buy it before reading this long review because it is not just a mask, it’s perfection on its peak and is one of the cool paintball masks. First, let’s get the crucial factors out of the way. It comes with an anti-fog lens that will not fog even if you try to fog it. Having a 290-degree vision with a remarkable peripheral vision gives you coverage throughout the battlefield.

It comes with a GSR pro Strap, which is a thick and very comfortable strap at the back of the mask with an adjustable dial for the ease of your comfort. You can turn the notches to the left or right until it fits perfectly. Dye i5 is the only mask that comes with this feature.

It also has a multidirectional venting and patent blade that allows the air to pass continuously and make the mask more breathable throughout the day. Moreover, it also comes with the universal heads up POV mount that will enable you to mount your POV or Go Pro camera to record all of your fun moments and save it your memories.

People with bigger faces and heads should not worry about fitting. I4 has this problem of size for bigger players, but i5 has solved that problem. It’s about 15 to 20 percent bigger than the i4, and it’s not that i4 is not a good mask, but its just the matter of choice and likings.

I4 was unbeatable until the last year when i5 came out; it surpassed the i4 in terms of features. It seems like DYE loves to break their records and keep on launching better products than any other company.

The top isn’t covered, and for some players, it is beneficial, and for some, it is not, and it all comes to your choice.
Pros

  • Wide variety of colors
  • Customizable
  • Lightweight
  • Anti-fog lens
  • Comfortable

Cons

  • Exposed top

3- Virtue VIO Paintball mask/goggle - Best Paintball Mask For value

Virtue VIO mask is yet another one of the best paintball masks in the industry. You can consider it a very sophisticated investment because it has a very innovative design and cool looking features. It is very versatile, which makes it more appealing to players around the world.

It is highly customizable, and you can change things like the foam, straps, lens, and ear pads. The venting system is designed in a very subtle way but uses a very advanced technology that will make sure that hot air stays out and meanwhile prevents the balls from penetrating through the mask.

It uses very high-quality plastic and foam, which ensures your safety and comfortableness. It is also a durable and long-lasting mask because of the quality construction material. Most of the player has also experienced the shock-absorbent feature that makes it safer than other masks.

It uses a fog-free lens, which is very useful during gameplays because you cannot stop during the battle to clean your lens again and again. The vision angle is also wide enough for you to see your rivals on the field. It is also UV protected. This is what makes it a custom paintball face mask.

There is a single drawback that it lacks a visor.
Pros

  • Innovative design
  • Advanced vents
  • Strong material
  • Anti-fog
  • Shock absorbent and UV protected

Cons

No visor

4- BASE Paintball mask - Best Beginner paintball goggles/Masks

The base mask is also considered one of the best paintball masks and is very popular among newbies and intermediate players. Uses ballistic protection, which exceeds all the ASTM safety standards. It is designed to divert shells of both .50 and .68 caliber paints, and it also expels airsoft projectiles.

The mask provides complete coverage for your face and has a contoured profile, which is an excellent feature for people who prefers safety. The strap is also adjustable, and you can easily adjust it according to your comfort. The strap is also slip-proof.

It also ensures a high level of optical clarity. It features a dual-panel no distortion anti-fog lens allowing a player to fight their battle without worrying about fog and any other related kind of problem. The cool and robust visor offers more lens protection and reduces glare in any given condition.

Some players have experienced pressure on ears; however, it can be resolved by adding some padding around that area.
Pros

  • Full face coverage
  • Adjustable strap
  • Have visor
  • Strong and comfortable
  • Anti-fog while ensuring clear vision.

Cons

  • It can squeeze your ears

5- JT Spectra Flex 8 Thermal Paintball mask - Best Budget Paintball Mask

The JT spectra flex eight thermal masks is yet another one of the favorite and best paintball masks ever and is one of the cool paintball masks. It is also trendy among paintball players. It covers your entire face, which in result provides you a higher level of protection and safety.

JT spectra flex 8 is incredibly lightweight, weighing around 1.9 lbs. You can carry it around the battlefield and feel nothing on your face. This mask will never let you down and will provide a higher level of satisfaction from day one.

It is also customizable and allows you to detach different parts. Maintaining this mask is also very easy because of the ease it provides in the form of customization. It has a built-in visor, which can also be attached and detached easily.

The field vision is also comprehensive, allowing you to see up to 260 degrees with the spectra lens. The dual fusion molded technology venting system has its perks, which makes it more breathable, and you can wear it throughout the day without feeling any discomfort.

Some players have suggested using more padding on the inner top of the mask.
Pros

  • Full face protection
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Attach and detach easily
  • Easy to clean
  • Universal fit

Cons

The inner top may need more padding

6- Virtue VIO Ascend Thermal Paintball Mask - Best Thermal Paintball Mask

If you are confused about what to choose for different types of games, don’t worry. Virtue VIO Ascend paintball face mask can be worn for any kind of play, may it be speedball, woodsball, or any other type of gameplays. Another great feature is that it is customizable, and you can attach parts of your likings.

There is a wide range of colors for the lens like smoke, super-bright, dark smoke, chromatic gold, and sporty. You can also customize the strap as there are more designs and colors available for it. The visors also have up to 18 different options, which makes it more appealing for players.

The vents provide the right amount of airflow, which makes it very breathable, and you don’t have to worry about the distortion and echo sounds because this mask takes care of it in an ingenious way. You can replace the foam, which is used inside the mask, which makes it more durable and long-lasting because it can also be replaced once used.

Some players complained that this mask is a little loose for them. Overall, it is complete for players who play a different types of games.
Pros

  • Highly customizable
  • Wide range of options for the lens, visor, and straps
  • Breathable vents
  • Foam is replaceable
  • Rigid material

Cons

A little loose for some players

7- Empire E-Flex Paintball Mask - Best Cheap Paintball Masks

Empire E-flex Mask is another beautiful and one of the best paintball masks in the market. As you can see in the picture, it has some of the best ventilation systems, providing excellent airflow throughout the game.

It is also very lightweight and will not be a burden to carry around the field, which is another great feature to mention here. The face cover is also very comfortable because it uses a soft foam around the edges, which makes a very soft feeling and has a reduced silhouette.

The thermal anti-fog lens has great functionality that has a quick swapping system and also reduces distortion and echo for you to play without any hassle.

However, some players have complained that it has thick padding around the nose, which is a little uncomfortable feeling.
Pros

  • Excellent ventilation
  • No distortion
  • Lightweight
  • Anti-fog
  • Ear protection

Cons

  • Thick foam around the nose

8- GI Vforce Profiler Thermal paintball mask - Best Vforce Paintball Masks

The v-force brand has a higher level of expertise in making the best paintball masks. The GI vforce profiler mask is one of their significant innovations; It is a thermal goggle that allows its user to see up to 27 degrees of peripheral vision during the battles.

The low profile and hard constructed design is loved by pro players throughout the world and is very popular for this reason. That’s why it has thousands of positive reviews across the globe. It is also very lightweight and effortless to carry around in competitive gameplays.

The vents are of a very advanced technology that allows its user to breathe easily. It also has a built-in breathable face foam, which dries very fast. Many players are addicted to this mask.

Players with more prominent jaws might expose some part of their jaws.
Pros

  • Very comfortable
  • Suitable for players with bigger heads
  • Anti-fog top quality lens
  • Comes with a goggle bag
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • The jawline can be exposed

9- Empire EVS thermal paintball mask - Best Empire Paintball Masks

We did very extensive and in-depth research in finding the best paintball masks; that is why we found Empire EVS mask a very recommended mask for players who wants to have a designed mask. You can replace the lens without any tool or hassle. The lens is also scratch-resistant and anti-reflective, which ensures that the harmful radiation is blocked.

It allows its users to see with 270 degrees of peripheral field vision and is also approved by ASTM for its eye protection feature. This cool face mask is also very comfortable and feels very soft on the face due to the foaming and also fits perfectly on to the face.

It has a very innovative design and can be used for daily gameplays, and perfectly covers your ears, and the non-slip fit coverage also makes sure that you hear any sound loudly without any discomfort.

Our paintball researchers highly recommend it, and we make sure that each product is reviewed honestly and authentically.

However, if you have a more prominent nose and head, you might face problems while wearing this mask.
Pros

  • High-quality thermoplastic is used.
  • Max eye protection
  • Variety of colored lens
  • Comes with a microfiber bag
  • 270-degree vision

Cons

Material is lightweight may get damage

10- Empire X-Ray V2.1 Thermal Mask - Best paintball Helmet/Masks

Empire X-Ray V2.1 is another fabulous innovation by the Empire group. This full head paintball mask has many great features, like the dual panel thermal lens. It can face any weather conditions without fogging up. There is no distortion in its vision; however, it does not have a broad view, but you can still see the field enough.

It is also a full-coverage mask, which means there are no exposed areas on the upper area of your face, and it looks like a paintball helmet. Most of the masks have visors that still expose your head but no with this full head paintball helmet. If you are looking for a full coverage mask, then this is the one for you.

Along with other features, this mask provides full protection because it is made of hard plastic, which repels any paintball from penetration. It may seem to be a heavier mask by its looks, but It is very lightweight.

The ventilation system is perfect and up to the mark, which makes it breathable and stops hot air from coming inside the mask. The hearing feature is also very satisfactory because of the venting system.

However, the comfort level might not be as good as other masks.
Pros

  • Max coverage
  • Anti-fog
  • Lightweight
  • Advanced vents
  • Customizable

Cons

  • Average comfort level

Buyers Guide

Important Things to consider before buying a Paintball Mask.

You must consider some factors before buying a paintball Mask, especially when you want a mask to be durable and high quality. Those factors are:

Comfort

While searching for the best paintball masks, the first and foremost consideration is the comfort of a mask. By comfort, we mean that it should not move around your face too much, it should comfortably fit on to your face, and the foam should provide a firm grip and soft feeling.

Any experience of discomfort can ruin your entire effectiveness during the battle. Sometimes, you spend your whole day on the field, and for many hours, you have to wear a mask, so it’s better to make sure that your mask provides you the necessary quality.

Lenses

To play sharply, you should be able to have a clear vision without any distortion, so you have to select a lens that has all the qualities to provide a clear vision. A lens must have at least 260-270 degrees wide-angle, which will allow you to assess the field and see a broad angle of the area.

Don’t buy cheap masks that have lens issues. You will soon regret your decision, so you will have to buy another mask. So it’s always better to do your research before purchasing any gear. Also, you should always go for anti-fog lenses with thermal treatment, because it will allow you to play effectively without stopping for the lens to clean it up.

Durability

Durability is of the most important factors to consider before buying a paintball mask. You should always take care of your mask and maintain it after each game day but also ensure that the mask is made out of good quality material and is long-lasting.

Some people go for the masks made of hard plastic as it is more resistible and handle the penetration of a paintball but remember hard plastic material can make your mask stiffer and can’t handle paintball bounces.

If you have a reasonable budget, you should always consider masks made of flexible and high-end materials such as DYE precision i4, Virtual VIO, and DYE precision i5. These are some of the best examples of a good paintball mask.

Weight

The next thing to consider is the weight of the mask. Of course, you should always go for the lightest option available. But keep in mind that while considering the lightest mask, you should also not compromise with the quality because some times the mask is lightweight. The quality of the material is not up to the mark, which can result in embarrassment.

The best quality mask should weigh between 1-2 pounds.

Ear Protection

The ear is one of the sensitive parts of your face, keeping that in mind, you should always go for the mask, which offers ear safety. A flying wet paintball can hurt very much if it hits you on your ear, so always make sure the paintball mask has your ear covered. Some masks also offer extra padding for the earpiece, which is quite beneficial for absorbing shock.

Airflow

A good paintball mask should have an advanced ventilation system for airflow, which will allow its user to breathe in and out quickly. The best place for venting holes is in front of your chin, which can transfer a right amount of airflow. But always keep in mind that it should also block the paints from reaching your face because sometimes wide vents can’t stop paintball from penetrating the mask.

Uv Protection

While playing a game in sunny weather, you are exposed to the sun all day long, which can harm your eyes if you are wearing a mask without UV protection. So you must find a mask that is UV protected, which will keep your eyes from any damages.

FAQs

A thermal or dual-panel paintball lens is a kind of lens that protects the lens from fogging in any weather condition. They comprise two separate lenses and are separated about 1/8″ from each other, and glue is applied on the inner edges of both lenses.

Most of the times paintball mask comes with the lens, and no doubt it is a very crucial part which makes up a mask. The lens is responsible for keeping you safe from paints and provides a clear and broad vision of the field. You should always go for a UV protected lens mask.

If your mask doesn’t have a lens with the anti-fog feature, then you should buy a mask that offers this feature, but if you are unable to buy, then you should always keep your lens clean and using an anti-fog spray is also very beneficial.

Typically, a paintball mask is made out of hard or flexible plastic. Both have their values, but flexible plastic is considered a good option because they are more shock absorbent and allow paints to bounce off.

No DYE i4 masks don’t fog because they have dual pane lenses and are thermal and UV protected. It is one of the high-end masks available in the industry.

Starting from $29.5, you can go up to hundreds if not thousands of dollars. But keep in mind that the best paintball masks come with a reasonable price.
  • DYE precision i4 paintball mask
  • DYE precision i5 paintball mask
  • Virtual VIO paintball mask
  • BASE paintball mask
  • GI V-force profiler paintball mask
  • Empire EVS thermal paintball mask
If you are considering to buy one of the best paintball masks, you should always do your research and always consider the above-mentioned factors and keypoints and give importance to those factors.