Compare the Empire BT D*Fender and Empire Mini (Original) side by side: price, specs, firing modes, weight, and maintenance — and see which paintball gun is the better buy for your style of play.
| Empire BT D*Fender | Empire Mini (Original) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Tier | Mid-Range | Mid-Range |
| Typical Price | $120-220 (used) | $150-250 (used) |
| Operation | Mechanical inline blowback | Electropneumatic poppet |
| Firing Modes | semi-auto | semi-auto, ramping |
| Caliber | .68 | .68 |
| Feed | Dual-feed (magazine + hopper) | Force-fed |
| Air | HPA/CO2 | HPA |
| Operating Pressure | ~250 psi | ~200 psi |
| Weight | 3.4 lb | 1.9 lb |
| Maintenance | Low | Moderate |
The Empire BT D*Fender and Empire Mini (Original) are both mid-range paintball guns, so the choice comes down to how each one fits your game rather than how much you spend. On price, the Empire BT D*Fender runs roughly $30 less, so budget-first buyers will lean its way. Players who want less upkeep should look at the Empire BT D*Fender, which rates low on maintenance and asks less of you between games. Both fire electronically, but the Empire Mini (Original) offers more firing modes for dialing in your rate of fire. At 1.9 lb the Empire Mini (Original) is the easier carry over a long day on the field. The Empire BT D*Fender is built with budget magfed and scenario in mind. Bottom line: pick the Empire BT D*Fender for a tight budget, or the Empire Mini (Original) for all-day comfort.