7 Best Airsoft Shotguns for 2024 (Ranked and Reviewed)

An airsoft shotgun can be a great alternative to other types of airsoft guns, especially in close-quarters combat. However, choosing the best airsoft shotgun from the hundreds of options available can be difficult. To help you make that choice, we ranked and reviewed 7 of the best airsoft shotguns in 2023.

If you’re in a hurry:

An airsoft shotgun is a type of airsoft gun that are made to replicate real life shotguns. One thing that sets them apart is that they’re able to fire multiple BBs in a single shot. While airsoft shotguns aren’t as popular as AEGs, they can still be useful on the field. This is especially the case in close-quarters combat.

While other types of airsoft guns shoot BBs one after another, the shotgun can shoot multiple BBs, enabling you to hit multiple targets with one shot. One other advantage of airsoft shotguns is that they’re intimidating, owing to their larger size.

The choice of airsoft shotguns on the market is relatively large, with hundreds of options available. On one hand, the large number of shotguns is great, since it gives you a lot of options to choose from. But, it also makes it very difficult for you to choose the best airsoft shotguns. And to make matters worse, a lot of the airsoft shotguns available are low-quality and should be avoided. That’s why having a reliable guide in choosing an airsoft shotgun is crucial.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a shotgun, just as with any weapon type in airsoft. Some of the more important ones that we took into account when we made this list are shooting performance (FPS), accuracy, reliability, build quality (both internal and external), value for money (we made sure to only include airsoft shotguns on the list if they’re definitely worth their respective price), the reputation of the manufacturer, as well as others.

If you’re not really sure what airsoft guns even are, how they are used, what to look for in them, how to stay safe when using them, and what types of airsoft guns are there, you can check out our buyer’s guide on airsoft guns.

And now, here are the best airsoft shotguns on the market in 2023.

Best Airsoft Shotguns for 2023

Best Airsoft Shotgun Overall (And Most Realistic Airsoft Shotgun)

1. EMG Salient Arms Licensed M870 MKII Airsoft Training Shotgun

EMG Salient Arms M870 airsoft shotgun
FPS280
Length700mm
Magazine6+1 shells
Gas type88g Co2 Cartridge
Hop upNo Hopup, No Inner Barrel
Firing ModeSafe / Fire
SystemGas, Pump Action
ManufacturerEMG / Salient Arms International

Among the many shotguns on the market, we chose the EMG Salient Arms Licensed M870 MKII Airsoft Training Shotgun as the best one out there. This is probably the most high quality (but also expensive) shotgun on the market.

The EMG Salient Arms M870 is a lightweight shotgun, with awesome design, features, and operation. It’s very powerful, and incredibly fun to use. It comes great straight from the box, so upgrades are not necessary. The EMG Salient Arms M870 is also highly realistic, and very likely the most realistic airsoft shotgun out there.

Features:

  • Heavy duty aluminum receiver w/ weather resistant anodized finish & laser engraved Salient Arms International trademarks
  • Ultra-light weight design; vent-ribbed barrel w/ porting & high visibility fiber optic shotgun front sight
  • Magpul forearm and stock for an aggressive, combat-oriented grip setup
  • Steel action bars for smoother cycling and improved durability; improved steel lift-gate; heavy duty steel extractor; reinforced aluminum trigger guard
  • Pre-installed +2 shot shell extension for 6+1 shell capacity
  • Custom CNC machined anodized aluminum bolt w/ laser engraved SAI trademarks
  • Easy fill gas-in-bolt design eliminates time consuming process of filling individual shells (7-8 shots per gas fill); a single 88g CO2 canister can refill shotgun up to 10 times
  • Capable of mixing and matching shell loads per-user preference. Can fire up to 12x 6mm BBs with one pull of the trigger w/ realistic shot patterning; resembles standard defensive loads; realistically ejects and loads shells like an actual pump-action shotgun

This shotgun shoots BBs at an FPS of around 280. It’s 980 mm (38.5″) long, and comes with a magazine capacity of 6+1 shells. The shotgun can shoot 12 BBs at once. It’s manufactured by EMG and Salient Arms International, which should be a guarantee for its high quality.

The only disadvantage of the EMG Salient Arms M870 is its price, which is definitely on the higher end. While this airsoft shotgun justifies the price tag and you will absolutely get what you pay for, you can also find solid shotguns for a much smaller price. Still, if money isn’t an issue, this is very likely the best option to go with.

Another Great Option

2. Tokyo Marui M870 Tactical Airsoft Pump Action Gas Shotgun

Tokyo Marui M870 Tactical Airsoft Pump Action Gas Shotgun
FPS300-350
Length955mm
Magazine30rds
Gas typeGreen Gas, 134a
Hop upYes, Fixed
Firing Mode3rd / 6rd, selectable
SystemGas, Pump Action
ManufacturerTokyo Marui

Another great shotgun replica is the Tokyo Marui M870 Tactical Airsoft Pump Action Gas Shotgun. It’s a perfect gun for any airsoft enthusiast. Another M870 on the list, this one is much cheaper than the EMG/Salient Arms M870.

This shotgun is manufactured by by one of the most famous airsoft companies ever, the legendary and always reliable Japanese Tokyo Marui. Therefore, its quality is definitely not questionable. It’s also highly realistic, being as close as airsoft guns can get to a real shotgun.

Features:

  • Selectable 3rd / 6rd firing system
  • Removable 30rd Shell
  • Heavyweight metal receiver
  • Metal barrel and magazine tube
  • Heavy duty polymer stock and handguard
  • Removable gas reservoir hidden inside buttstock
  • Integrated scope rail
  • Built-in ghost ring iron sights
  • Magazine tube holds extra shells
  • Smooth racking action
  • Uses standard TM spring shotgun shells

The Tokyo Marui M870 fires BBs at an FPS of between 300 and 350. You can choose between shooting 3 or 6 BBs with each pull of the trigger. It features a magazine with a capacity of 30 rounds and a fixed hop up. The Tokyo Marui M870 is very durable, and is heavyweight compared to the EMG/Salient Arms M870. It’s powered by green gas.

All in all, the Tokyo Marui M870 is a great choice and one of the best options for an airsoft shotgun. It’s much cheaper than the EMG/Salient Arms M870, so that’s one reason to go with the TM instead of the EMG. However, the Tokyo Marui M870 is still among the expensive options, and there are solid cheaper options.

Best Value for Money

3. Golden Eagle Dusker Gas Airsoft Shotgun

Golden Eagle Dusker Gas Airsoft Shotgun
FPS300-350
Length955mm
Magazine28 rounds
Gas typeGreen Gas
Hop upYes, Fixed
Firing Mode3rd / 6rd, selectable
SystemGas, Pump Action
ManufacturerGolden Eagle

While both of the previous options are truly great, and are probably the two best airsoft shotguns on the market, both are pretty expensive. In the rest of this list we’ll focus on more affordable airsoft shotguns, starting with the Golden Eagle Dusker Gas Airsoft Shotgun, which is the best airsoft shotgun for the money.

This is another pretty great shotgun, made of high quality metal and polymer. It’s very realistic, and also looks very good, although that’s up to your preferences. Also, it comes with a rail system to which you can mount attachments such as lighting systems or cameras. This shotguns is durable, gas-efficient, and has a great range.

Features:

  • Gas powered 3 Burst & 6 Burst Firing Modes
  • M4 Stock Adapter with Collapsable LE Stock
  • Metal Construction with Polymer Hand Guard & Grip
  • Removable Gas Tank – Located in the Butt Stock
  • Top picatinny Rail system
  • Fixed Hop up system
  • Side Saddle
  • QS Sling Points

The Golden Eagle Dusker Gas Airsoft Shotgun fires BBs at an FPS of between 300 and 350. Just like the Tokyo Marui M870, you can choose between shooting 3 or 6 BBs with each pull of the trigger. It comes with a fixed hopup and a magazine capacity of 28 rounds. It’s also powered by green gas.

In a nutshell, the Golden Eagle Dusker Gas Airsoft Shotgun is as close as you can get to the quality of the EMG or TM M870 without breaking the bank. It’s a great, undervalued shotgun, with a price that can be considered low given its quality.

Best Airsoft Shotgun under $100

4. A&K Sawed Off M870 Type Full Metal 400 FPS Airsoft Training Shotgun

A&K Sawed Off M870 Type Full Metal 400 FPS Airsoft Training Shotgun
FPS380-400
Length560mm
Magazine40 rounds
Pump ActionGas, Pump Action
ManufacturerA&K

While the Golden Eagle Dusker Gas Airsoft Shotgun is cheaper than the previously reviewed, it can still be out of your budget. Therefore, we looked at more affordable options. Among those, we chose the A&K Sawed Off M870 Type Full Metal 400 FPS Airsoft Training Shotgun as the best airsoft shotgun under $100.

Another M870 on the list, this one differs significantly from the other reviewed M870s. This is true both in terms of quality and looks (it’s significantly shorter than the other reviewed airsoft shotguns). However, this shotgun is very powerful, and also accurate.

Features:

  • Rugged full metal receiver and barrel
  • Imitation wood furniture for a more realistic appearance
  • Extreme high power and accuracy
  • Trigger safety
  • Included 40 round magazine
  • Matte black finish
  • Built in sling points
  • Adjustable hop up

The A&K Sawed Off M870 shoots BBs at a high FPS of around 380-400. It features an adjustable hop up and a high capacity 40 round metal magazine. It also has a surprisingly great range.

All in all, the A&K Sawed Off M870 is a very solid and undervalued airsoft gun, and very likely the best airsoft shotgun under $100.

Best Airsoft Shotgun under $70

5. CYMA Sport M3 3-Round Burst Multi-Shot Shell Loading Airsoft Shotgun

CYMA Sport M3 3-Round Burst Multi-Shot Shell Loading Airsoft Shotgun
FPS280-300
Length1041mm
Magazine30 rounds per shell
Hop upYes, Fixed / Non-Adjustable
Firing Mode3-Round Burst, Safety
SystemPump Action
ManufacturerCYMA

Another solid and affordable choice is the CYMA Sport M3 3-Round Burst Multi-Shot Shell Loading Airsoft Shotgun, which we ranked as the best airsoft shotgun under $70.

The CYMA Sport M3 is spring powered, unlike the more high quality options on the list. It’s very durable, owing in part to the full metal receiver and metal outer barrel. This shotgun is a redesign of the Tokyo Marui M3 shotgun, but it can shoot harder since it’s not limited by strict Japanese laws. And there are actually multiple models of the shotgun, so you can pick your favorite among those.

Features:

  • Durable injection molded polymer construction
  • Polymer receiver and barrel assembly
  • Polymer furniture
  • Pump action design, each pump chambers three rounds
  • Tri-shot design fires three BBs with each trigger pull
  • Ideal for CQB scenarios
  • Utilizes Tokyo Marui style 30 round Airsoft shotgun shells

The CYMA Sport M3 shoots BBs at an FPS of between 280 and 300. It comes with a fixed hop up, a magazine capacity of 30 rounds per shell, and shoots 3 BBs at once. It’s also one of the longest shotguns on this list, coming at 1041mm (41 inches), but you can actually opt for a shorter model.

For a price of around $70, it’s safe to say that the CYMA Sport M3 is a great deal. While it can’t match the quality of some of the other airsoft shotguns on the list, in its price bracket it’s very likely the best option.

Best Airsoft Shotgun under $50

6. Double Eagle M3 3-Round Burst Multi-Shot Shell Loading Airsoft Shotgun

Double Eagle M3 3-Round Burst Multi-Shot Shell Loading Airsoft Shotgun
FPS290-330
Magazine30 rounds
Hop upYes, Fixed
Firing Mode3-Round Burst, Safety
SystemPump Action
ManufacturerDouble Eagle

Features:

  • High-Tech Triple barrel system – 3 Round Burst BB Simultaneously with Great Power and PinPoint Accuracy
  • Authentic Shot Shell Cartridge Holding 30 BBs for 10 Powerful Shots Per Shell
  • Double Steel Spring Propeller.
  • Serrated hand guard quick cocking system.
  • Muscle Spring Action with Most Dominant Force
  • Professionally designed front and rear sights for quick aim under most demanding CQB applications
  • Pump and Fire Full Power Combat Loads to Carry out Critical Airsoft Skirmish Missions
  • Complete with Spare Shell, Speed Loader and Quality Sling
  • Matte Black Non-glare Finish
  • Metal outer barrel.
  • Integrated Fixed Hopup for enhanced range.
  • Allows for Single Triple Shot and Continuous Triple Shots

Another Solid Option

7. CYMA Standard Full Metal M870 3-Round Burst Multi-Shot Shell Loading Airsoft Shotgun

CYMA Standard Full Metal M870 3-Round Burst Multi-Shot Shell Loading Airsoft Shotgun
FPS280-300
Magazine30 rounds per shell
Hop upYes, Fixed
Firing Mode3-Round Burst, Safety
SystemHigh Power Spring
ManufacturerCYMA

Features:

  • Full metal receiver and barrel assembly provides additional ruggedness and durability to an already exceptional platform
  • Pump action design chambers three rounds at once with each rack of the pump
  • Tri-shot design fires three BBs with each pull of the trigger
  • Top folding metal stock
  • Front and rear sling swivels
  • Utilizes Tokyo Marui 30 round shotshells
  • Authentic 870 styling

Comparison Table of Best Airsoft Shotguns

EMG Salient Arms Licensed M870Tokyo Marui M870Golden Eagle Dusker Gas A&K Sawed Off M870CYMA Sport M3 3-Round BurstDouble Eagle M3 3-Round BurstCYMA Standard Full Metal M870 3-Round Burst
FPS280300-350300-350380-400280-300290-330280-300
Length700mm955mm955mm560mm1041mm
Magazine6+1 shells30rds28 rounds40 rounds30 rounds per shell30 rounds30 rounds per shell
Gas type88g Co2 CartridgeGreen Gas, 134aGreen Gas
Hop upNoYes, FixedYes, FixedYes, Fixed / Non-AdjustableYes, FixedYes, Fixed
Firing ModeSafe / Fire3rd / 6rd, selectable3rd / 6rd, selectable3-Round Burst, Safety3-Round Burst, Safety3-Round Burst, Safety
SystemGas, Pump ActionGas, Pump ActionGas, Pump ActionGas, Pump ActionPump ActionPump ActionHigh Power Spring
ManufacturerEMG / Salient Arms InternationalTokyo MaruiGolden EagleA&KCYMADouble EagleCYMA

Conclusion

With hundreds of airsoft shotguns out there, it’s difficult to distinguish the quality from the junk. So, we took into account the shooting performance, accuracy, reliability, build quality, value for money, and the manufacturer of the numerous guns on the market to create a list of the best airsoft shotguns for 2023.

In this article, we presented the 7 best airsoft shotguns currently on the market. Some of the best of the best are the:

Although there are many options on this list, you really can’t go wrong with any of these picks.

FAQ

Are airsoft shotguns useful?

Airsoft shotguns can be very useful, especially in close-quarters combat or as a secondary weapon. Also, they’re usually very durable, intimidating, and easy to maintain, making them a good choice for airsofters.

Is there an airsoft shotgun?

Yes, airsoft shotguns exist and are a pretty popular type of an airsoft gun. They are made to replicate real life shotguns, and the thing that sets them apart is that they’re able to fire multiple BBs in a single shot, enabling you to hit multiple targets with one shot.

Affiliate disclaimer: Airsoft Freaks is reader supported. If you buy some of the products on this list through our links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.