Compare the Empire BT D*Fender and Tippmann X7 Phenom 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 | Tippmann X7 Phenom | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Tier | Mid-Range | Mid-Range |
| Typical Price | $120-220 (used) | $200-400 (used) |
| Operation | Mechanical inline blowback | Mechanical or electropneumatic (Phenom valve) |
| Firing Modes | semi-auto | semi-auto, burst, full-auto (e-frame) |
| Caliber | .68 | .68 |
| Feed | Dual-feed (magazine + hopper) | Hopper / magfed conversion |
| Air | HPA/CO2 | HPA/CO2 |
| Operating Pressure | ~250 psi | ~250 psi |
| Weight | 3.4 lb | 3.5 lb |
| Maintenance | Low | Moderate |
The Empire BT D*Fender and Tippmann X7 Phenom 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 $130 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 Tippmann X7 Phenom offers more firing modes for dialing in your rate of fire. The Empire BT D*Fender is built with budget magfed and scenario in mind. The Tippmann X7 Phenom is built with milsim collectors and scenario in mind. Bottom line: pick the Empire BT D*Fender for a tight budget, or the Tippmann X7 Phenom for programmable firing modes.