To get started with gel blasters, you’ll need at least three things: the blaster itself, a power source (battery or gas), and gel balls.

Gel Blaster Power Source

When it comes to choosing a blaster, there are two main types: battery powered (AEG) and gas powered (GBB). Both have their pros and cons, so it’s really up to personal preference which one you choose.

AEG Gel Blasters

Battery powered gel blasters are typically less expensive, and require less maintenance than gas powered blasters. However, they can be affected by cold weather, and may need to be recharged more frequently than gas powered blasters. For AEG gel blasters, you need a battery to power both the gearbox and the motor. For every AEG we sell at iHobby, it comes with a battery included in the case. The battery is usually 7.4V or 11.1V and looks like this:

Aeg img 017.4V battery (left) and 11.1V battery (right)

Many people want to or wonder if they can use 11.1V battery to replace their 7.4V one in their AEG gel blaster. The higher voltage means a higher “pressure” and so it will force the motor to work faster. This increases the cycling rate, thus increasing the wear of vital parts. So make sure to use the right battery according to the description on our website. Using the wrong battery could damage your blaster, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry!

GBB Gel Blasters

As for gas powered gel blasters, they’re usually more expensive than AEGs, but don’t require as much maintenance. Gas powered blasters typically have a longer range and more fire power than AEGs, but they may be affected by cold weather just like battery powered blasters. There are two types of gas you can use for GBB gel blasters: green gas and CO2. Green gas (pictured on the left below), and it can directly used to refill the mag. These are available in 12kg and 14kg options. The CO2 gas canisters (pictured on the right) are one-time use bottles. These are all available at iHobby.

Aeg img 02Green gas canisters (left & middle) and CO2 can (right)

Gel Ball Ammo

The last thing you need for your gel blaster is, of course, ammo! Gel balls are typically made of water, carboxymethylcellulose, and food colouring. They come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but the most common size is 6mm. To find out what size gel balls your blaster uses, just check the description on our website.

Different kinds of gel blasters need certain gel balls to work well. For example, some blasters might need softer gel balls because they have a shorter barrel length.

We’ve put a recommendation link below to help you choose the perfect ammo for your blaster:

Aeg img 03Click here for the best recommendation for gel balls

Growing Your Gels

To grow your own gels, just pour the desired amount of ingredients into a container and let them sit for 3-4 hours to reach the proper size. If you find that the gel balls are too big or small to fire smoothly, you can adjust the growing time accordingly.

Start Blasting With iHobby!

As you can see, there are a few things to consider when getting started with gel blasters. But don’t worry, our team at iHobby is always here to help! Just shoot us an email or give us a call and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.

Now that you have all the essentials, it’s time to have some fun! Gel blasters are perfect for casual backyard plinking, indoor target practice, or even intense wars with friends. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start blasting!