Compare the Tippmann 98 Custom Basic and Tippmann A-5 side by side: price, specs, firing modes, weight, and maintenance — and see which paintball gun is the better buy for your style of play.
| Tippmann 98 Custom Basic | Tippmann A-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price Tier | Budget | Budget |
| Typical Price | $85-130 | $170-230 |
| Operation | Mechanical inline blowback | Mechanical inline blowback |
| Firing Modes | semi-auto | semi-auto |
| Caliber | .68 | .68 |
| Feed | Gravity hopper | Cyclone Feed (sprocket) |
| Air | HPA/CO2 | HPA/CO2 |
| Operating Pressure | ~250 psi | ~250 psi |
| Weight | 3 lb | 3.2 lb |
| Maintenance | Low | Low |
The Tippmann 98 Custom Basic and Tippmann A-5 are both budget paintball guns, so the choice comes down to how each one fits your game rather than how much you spend. On price, the Tippmann 98 Custom Basic runs roughly $70 less, so budget-first buyers will lean its way. Both run electronic firing modes, so trigger feel and board tuning matter more here than the spec sheet. The Tippmann 98 Custom Basic is built with rentals and budget woodsball in mind. The Tippmann A-5 is built with scenario/milsim and players who hate batteries in mind. Both are standard .68-caliber paintball guns, so they share the same paint, air, and most aftermarket upgrades, which means your running costs come down to how often you hit the field rather than which one you buy. Bottom line: the Tippmann 98 Custom Basic has the clearer edge, especially for a tight budget.