Gel Balls: The Ultimate Guide

Gel Balls

Attention all shooting sports, target practice, and close-quarters combat fans! 

Have you heard of Gel Balls yet? This relatively new product has been taking the shooting world by storm lately due to its low cost, cleanliness, and its ability to navigate the legal issues sometimes associated with Airsoft and Paintball guns. 

A fairly new concept in the shooting world, these guns are known as ‘Gel Blasters’ (sometimes called Gel Guns, Gel Shooters, Gel Markers, Hydro Markers, or Gelsoft) and are manufactured specifically as ‘toy guns’. They are often very similar in design to Airsoft guns, however Gel Blasters differ from Airsoft due to their price, ammunition, fire power and internal firing mechanisms. 

Airsoft guns shoot plastic pallets over 350 feet per second and typically use compressed air. Gel Blasters are often spring-powered, battery-operated plastic toy guns that shoot soft gel projectiles up to 250 feet per second. 

Gel Blaster guns fire these balls as projectiles (sometimes known as Gel Beads, Hydrogel Balls or Gels), which are 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31”) diameter super-absorbent polymer water beads usually made from Sodium Polyacrylate. Similar products are often sold commercially as garden moisture retainers. 

It’s safe to say that GB’s are a lot cleaner and more environmentally-friendly than either Paintball rounds or Airsoft BBs. Made from non-toxic, biodegradable materials, and over 90% water; burst upon impact leaving virtually no residue or mess. After a short while they soon dissipate making them perfect for both indoor and outdoor shooting sessions where you don’t want to leave any mess behind! 

‘Gel Balling’ or ‘Gel Blasting’ as a team sport is often played in CQB-style shooting skirmishes similar to Paintball by squads or local clubs of enthusiasts who follow an Airsoft-style honor-based gameplay umpiring system. MilSim games usually involve teams of players wearing camouflage, whilst “SpeedGel” players are often more casual with team jerseys. In addition to safety gear such as eye protection and masks, the sport is heavily regulated on the field and players must adhere to safety rules.

FAQs:

What are Gel Balls?

Gel Balls are non-toxic, environmentally-friendly, water beads used as ammunition for Gel Blaster toy guns. Gel Balls are typically 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31”) in diameter once they have been placed in water, growing up to 200x their original size. Gel Balls are also sometimes referred to as Jelly Beads, Water Orbs, Hydro Orbs, Polymer beads, or Gel Beads. We prefer the term Gel Ball as it makes the most sense.

How are they made?

The gel ball itself is usually composed of a water-absorbing polymer such as Polyacrylamide, Poly methyl acrylate (PMA), or Sodium polyacrylate. These are often referred to as being a super-absorbent polymer (SAP). The balls themselves are extruded and then dropped into a solution before being dehydrated. Most Gel Balls are manufactured in China. Scientific information on how Gel Beads are made can be found here: https://smile.oregonstate.edu/sites/smile.oregonstate.edu/files/gel_beads_1.pdf

Are Gel Balls toxic?

No, Gel Balls are not toxic, in fact, they are biodegradable and environmentally-friendly. Strangely enough they are popular among gardeners because of their moisture retention properties, so this just goes to show how safe they are for the environment. 

That being said, we do advise however that Gel Balls should not be consumed internally by humans or animals because they significantly grow in size when hydrated in water.

What are the best ones on the market?

This is a subjective question and often depends on the shooter’s personal preferences. Price, size, and hardness can all have an effect on the GB’s shooting performance. The Gel Blaster you choose to use will also have an impact on performance. The best thing to do is to experiment and see what set-up works best for you.

It should be noted that the preparation process of hydrating your GB’s also has a big impact on their accuracy and performance. This includes the type of water you use. 

How long do they last?

Once hydrated, you can store them in the fridge. Place them in an airtight container, away from the elements and direct sunlight. If stored properly, they will last around 2 weeks.

For dry ones, they can last many, many years if stored in the right conditions. Obviously they need to be stored in a sealed container and kept away from water, humidity, or direct sunlight.

How should I store Gel Balls?

As mentioned above, it is best to store hydrated Gel Balls in the fridge. Store them in an airtight container, away from the elements and direct sunlight.

For dry ones, they can last several years if stored in the right conditions. Obviously, they need to be stored in a sealed container and kept away from water, humidity, or direct sunlight.

Do not store your balls in the freezer, contrary to popular belief, this will not make your balls harder. Freezing will actually make your GB’s brittle and more prone to breaking when firing.

Are Gel Balls biodegradable?

Yes. Gel Balls are non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and typically 94-98% water. Because they explode upon impact they will soon disperse and break-down fairly quickly.

Do Gel Balls hurt?

This depends. Typically the pain caused by a Gel Ball is very low. Gel Balls do not cause significant damage or piercing to the skin making them safe to use with friends and family if you follow basic safety precautions.

Obviously the model of Gel Blaster which you get shot by does have an impact on how likely it is to hurt, as does the distance at which you get shot from, and also the type of Gel Ball. Typically, pistol Gel Blasters don’t shoot as hard or as far as the rifle Gel Blasters do.

In most cases being shot by a Gel Blaster pistol will feel like a quick pinch and may occasionally result in a temporary mark.

If shot by a rifle, it will result in significant short-lived pain and possibly a small welt that may last a day.

We always recommend following basic safety precautions, such as following the manufacturer’s guidelines and wearing safety equipment when using Gel Balls or Gel Blasters.

How long do I soak the Gel Balls in water for?

Gel Balls generally take a minimum of 4 hours to fully hydrate. It is best to use distilled or demineralized water to hydrate your Gel Balls with. In general it is best to experiment with soaking times to see what works best for you and your Gel Blaster.

3 x Product Highlights

Warinterest Harder Heavier Milky White Gel Balls (7-8mm diameter) 

10,000 Round Pack

The ultimate competition Gel Ball! The new Warinterest milky white Gel Ball is now heavier and harder than ever. Packing more of a punch out of the barrel than ever before, this competition-grade Gel Ball is manufactured from non-toxic and environmentally friendly materials. It leaves no residue or stains as the balls dissipate after a short time. Accept no substitutes! 

These competition-grade Gel Balls are manufactured from non-toxic and environmentally friendly materials. They leave no residue or stains as the balls dissipate after a short time. The diameter of each ball is approximately 7-8mm. We recommend using a 7.5cm or smaller barrel for the best shooting performance. 

Included:

1 x Warinterest 10,000 round pack of Milky White Gel Balls (Heavier)

Instructions:

Add the Gel Balls to water for at least 4 hours and the balls will grow to 7-8mm. For storage put your hydrated Gel Balls in a sealed container in the fridge and use within 2 weeks for best results. Drain as necessary.

Please note: Do not leave Gel Balls in the magazine or gun for extended periods without use as they will begin to shrink to the internals, causing blockages and affecting your gun’s overall performance.

Warinterest Tracer ‘Glow in the Dark’ Gel Balls (7-8mm diameter) 3,000 Round Pack

Imagine all the quality and performance of Warinterest GB’s but with a special ‘glow in the dark’ dye feature added. Whether alone or in a group setting, you can now enjoy shooting Gel Balls that glow in the dark! This awesome feature of the Warinterest Tracer GB’s allows you to enjoy Gel Blasting well into the night. Add a new dimension to the sport you love as well as impressing your friends and family with these glow in the dark hardened GB’s. 

These competition-grade GB’s are manufactured from non-toxic and environmentally friendly materials. They leave no residue or stains as the balls dissipate after a short time. The diameter of each ball is approximately 7-8mm. We recommend using a 7.5cm or smaller barrel for the best shooting performance. 

Please note: You will need to obtain a special magazine in order to achieve the optimum ‘glow in the dark’ look from these GB’s.

Included:

1 x Warinterest 3,000 round pack of Tracer ‘Glow in the Dark’ GB’s (7-8mm diameter)

Instructions:

Add the GB’s to water for at least 4 hours and the balls will grow to 7-8mm. For storage put your hydrated GB’s in a sealed container in the fridge and use within 2 weeks for best results. Drain as necessary.

Please note: Do not leave Gel Balls in the magazine or gun for extended periods without use as they will begin to shrink to the internals, causing blockages and affecting your gun’s overall performance.

Alpha King 7-8mm HARDEST White Gel Ball Ammo (10,000 Pack)

The Competition standard! After extensive research and testing, we have discovered that Alfa King Gel Balls are some of the hardest and best performing available, much firmer than the standard clear Gel Balls. These Gels can be compressed much more allowing them to be fired much further making a greater impact before bursting. 

These competition grade GB’s are manufactured from non-toxic and environmentally friendly materials. They leave no residue or stains as the balls dissipate after a short time. The diameter of each ball is approximately 7-8mm. We recommend using a 7.5cm or smaller barrel for the best shooting performance.

Included:

1 x Alpha King 10,000 round pack of Hardened White GB’s (7-8mm diameter)  

Instructions:

Add the gel balls to water for at least 4 hours and the balls will grow to 7-8mm. For storage put your hydrated Gel Balls in a sealed container in the fridge and use within 2 weeks for best results. Drain as necessary.

Please note: Do not leave Gel Balls in the magazine or gun for extended periods without use as they will begin to shrink to the internals, causing blockages and affecting your gun’s overall performance.

So be sure to check out our awesome range of the best Gel Balls on the market and explore our special offers today!