What Are The Top Airsoft Alternatives?

In the early 1980s, Japan banned private individuals from owning firearms. This series of events is what gave birth to what is now known as one of the leading sports and recreational activities in the world: airsoft.

But, with its rising popularity came several problems and concerns. Thousands of parents are starting to question whether airsoft is really the best game for their kids and if there are better alternatives to it.

That's why today, we're going to take a deep dive on the subject and help you make the best decision possible. We'll cover all the major concerns with playing airsoft, along with the top airsoft alternative currently out there - you don't want to miss this, so read all the way through to the end!

What are the major concerns with playing airsoft?

It's easy to understand why so many people enjoy playing airsoft. It really is an exciting game. It combines physical activity, strategy, teamwork, and precision all in one.

But, when you play with toys that look and act like real guns, what can you expect? Problems are sure to arise at some point. Here are a few problems with airsoft:

Injuries

When you play with a "toy" that acts like a real firearm, you are bound to get hurt. Most players will come home covered in cuts, bruises, and welts after a game. Some may even experience ankle injuries, strains, or broken bones from overexertion or falls.

But one of the more severe concerns with airsoft is the high possibility of an eye injury. In fact, airsoft is one of the main causes of eye injuries in children. Airsoft guns can shoot pellets at a high enough velocity to rupture an eyeball, and may even result in loss of sight. Of course, this can be alleviated by wearing eye protection - but not everyone always takes the same level of care.

Another concern comes from gas-powered airsoft guns. Some players may opt to use propane as a cheaper alternative to CO2 and 134A gases also used for airsoft guns. In some cases, these gas-powered CO2 guns can be almost as powerful as actual bb guns.

It isn't common for players to refill their gas cans. Most players suggest just buying a new can of gas. But to save on some cash and prevent waste, some people will still try to refill empty cans on their own. Because of this, there have been several cases of players getting severe ice burns trying to refill their cans with propane.

Legal concerns

In countries such as Australia, Singapore, Syria, Yemen, and North Korea, airsoft guns are considered illegal. But why is that?

An airsoft gun looks like a real firearm and is thus treated like one. Lawmakers in these countries also believe the game itself promotes violence and war. Airsoft in general is considered inherently evil due to the nature of the game.

They also believe that people who take interest in airsoft are more likely to be interested in real guns as well. Lawmakers take this as a warning sign, and possibly even a threat. They believe that taking interest in airsoft guns may turn into something more sinister.

Non-biodegradable airsoft gun pellets

Aside from the legal concerns and other possible harm airsoft does to humans. Airsoft guns also negatively affect the environment.

Most airsoft guns use non-biodegradable pellets. They are made with a cheap and durable plastic called acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. Because it's cheaper than biodegradable pellets, many players still prefer to use non-biodegradable pellets for their airsoft guns.

Each player will use around 1000 pellets in a single game of airsoft. If there are 50 players coming to the field every day, this can create over 500lbs of waste a week, maybe even more. This is a huge problem since the pellets take several years to fully degrade.

Studies have shown that non-biodegradable airsoft pellets can take as long as seven years to only partially degrade — partially!

Each pellet is so tiny, it can be anywhere around 6mm to 8mm in diameter, making them very hard to find, especially in outdoor airsoft fields. These pellets are almost never picked up and are just left there to pollute the grounds.

The pellets can leak toxic chemicals that will be absorbed by the soil. There is also a possibility for wildlife to swallow the pellets, and smaller animals might even choke on them.

Airsoft gun batteries

There are several types of airsoft guns on the market. One of the most common is the battery-powered or automatic electric airsoft guns. Although batteries may seem harmless to use, so many of these end up in landfills and heavily contribute to pollution.

Each battery contains a large number of chemicals that can cause harm to humans and the environment if not properly disposed of. It contains lead, cadmium, and sulfuric acid that can be absorbed into the soil or into water supplies.

Non-rechargeable batteries are usually the main concern. Rechargeable batteries are often said to be less detrimental to the environment since they are thrown away less often.

The Top 4 Airsoft Alternatives

It's clear to see why parents are concerned about their kids playing airsoft nowadays. They aren't just thinking about the safety of their kids, but the impact it has on the environment as well.

If you're looking for other airsoft alternatives that you and your kids can play together, or that they can play with their friends safely, here are a few options and their respective pros and cons:

Paintball

Paintball and airsoft are the most similar in terms of how the game is played.

A huge advantage with playing paintball is that a paintball gun actually does look harmless. It doesn't replicate a real gun, unlike most airsoft and bb guns, and isn't illegal anywhere, really.

However, paintball pellets are known to be more painful than airsoft pellets and are extremely messy too. Not to mention it isn't the most eco-friendly game either since the paint is also made of toxic ingredients. It also costs a bit more money to play.

Nerf tag

Nerf guns are a great alternative to airsoft. Not only is it painless and mess-free, but it also comes in a variety of shapes and sizes that fit any personality!

The only problem with nerf—and a lot of people will agree to this—is that the ammo gets damaged quite easily and they're easy to lose as well. Once the ammo gets damaged it gets more and more difficult to reload a nerf gun.

Nerf guns also tend to break faster. After a while, it eventually jams and refuses to shoot. The ammo is also quite limited, with nerf guns being sold with only 5 to 20 darts each, it's certainly not enough ammo for an entire game.

Laser tag

Laser tag is another great airsoft alternative! Like Nerf, it is also harmless, but it's definitely more exciting to play.

The only downside to it is that it's also quite pricey and you can't play it at home. You are also more prone to injuries if you aren't careful since it's usually played in the dark. The chances of you tripping or falling over is very high. 

Children with photosensitive epilepsy may not be allowed to play as well, due to the flashing and multi-colored lights in the arena.

Why Gel Blaster is the Best Airsoft Alternative

There are so many great and fun alternatives to airsoft, but they're either harmful to the environment, painful, extremely messy, or pricey. There is really only one alternative that checks all the boxes, and that's the Gel Blaster Surge!

Our gel ball gun offers you a painless, mess-free, and eco-friendly airsoft alternative that is perfect for all age groups. It's truly the best alternative out there!

Why Gel Blaster's "Gellets" Are The Way To Go

Each Gel Blaster comes with a packet of gel pellets or Gellets that is made from all-natural starch-based non-toxic biodegradable super-absorbent polymers or SAP that is safe for humans, animals, and the environment. So you won't have to worry about any harmful chemicals polluting the soil

These Gellets explode on contact and evaporate immediately. You don't have to worry about these leaving stains or residue on your clothes or furniture. The Gellets are 100% mess-free and safe to play even indoors. Each Gel Blaster comes with 6,000 rounds of Gellets. That is more than enough ammo for an entire day of non-stop fun with your friends and family!

If you want to customize your Gel Blaster, you can choose from a variety of fins and barrel colors. You can even match the color of your Gellets to your Gel Blaster Surge. Pick from yellow, orange, blue, green, purple, or transparent. Mix and match the colors to your liking — get creative and have fun with it!

Grab a set of Gel Blasters today and get ready for some eco-friendly, pain-free, and mess-free fun! While you're grabbing a set for yourself, why not grab a set for your friends and family as well? Gel Blaster offers a Double Player set and a Family Pack that includes four blasters for a discounted price.

Each set comes with its own packet of Gellets, a USB C charger and cable, interchangeable blue and orange fins and barrel, plus a pair of safety goggles.

Set up a Gel Blaster tournament in your own backyard, challenge your friends and family to a friendly competition, and be prepared to have a blast!