Whether you're looking for an air rifle for plinking in the back garden or whether you need one for pest control or competition shooting, here's a list of 23 top choices.
On the hunt for something? We’ve rounded up some of the best airguns around. (Take a look at our list of best airgun pellets too.)
You might also look at our guide to buying an FAC licence for your air rifle.
PCP air rifles
1.Airmaks Katran
Length: From 77.5cm
Weight: From 2.3kg
What it offers: Katran C/CB, Katran/B, Katran L/LB, Katran X/XB
Why you should buy it: AirMaks’ Katran is a high-end airgun that combines near-target rifle levels of adjustability with the practicality of a folding stock, making it a multi-role performer.
RRP: From £1,400
Read our Airmaks Katran B review here.
( Here’s our list of the best FAC rated air rifles. )
2.Brocock BRK Ghost Carbine
Length: 65.5 cm
Weight: 3.1 kg
What it offers: .177 and .22 calibres
Why you should buy it: Brocock BRK’s Ghost Carbine is an accurate and highly manoeuvrable little bullpup that lends itself extremely well to roving hunts as well as range time.
RRP: From £1,400
3.Brocock BRK Ranger XR
Length: 60-68cm
Weight: 2.2 kg (without scope)
What it offers: .177 and .22 calibres
Why you should buy it: This little airgun is a big performer, being accurate, reliable and solidly constructed, and its folding stock means it will fit inside a shorter gun bag. Definitely earns its place on our list of the best airguns.
RRP: From £1,244
4.BSA R-12 CLX Pro
Length: 102cm
Weight: 3.78kg
What it offers: .177 and .22 calibres
Why you should buy it: Features like the new regulator, magazine and sidelever action prove just how far BSA has taken the multi-shot concept forward on its new flagship PCP.
RRP: From £1,215
5.BSA Ultra CLX 160 Commemorative Edition
Length: 82cm
Weight: 2.6kg
What it offers: .177 and .22 calibres
Why you should buy it: This limited edition, sidelever-operated incarnation of the hugely successful Ultra manages to combine handsome aesthetics and high-end performance with a very competitive price tag.
RRP: £999
6.Daystate Alpha Wolf
Length: 72.2cm
Weight: 3.35 kg (without scope)
What it offers: .177, .22, .25, .30
Why you should buy it: Daystate has set a new standard for airgun advancement with an electronic rifle that blends looks, technology and performance to give it true supergun status.
RRP: £2,300
7.Daystate Huntsman Revere Safari
Length: 94cm
Weight: 2.9 kg (without scope
What it offers: .177 (tested), .22 and .25
Why you should buy it: The Huntsman Revere was already an excellent airgun, but the Safari edition handles better and boasts rugged good looks that make for a superior rifle.
RRP: £1,220
Read our full review on the Daystate Huntsman Revere Safari here.
8.FX Impact M3 Compact
Length: 50cm
Weight: 2.7kg
What it offers: .177, .22
Why you should buy it: The Impact M3 builds on FX’s proven reputation for producing high-quality and adaptable airguns and will be the airgun of choice for many tuning enthusiasts.
RRP: £1,839
9.FX Wildcat MKIII BT
Why you should buy it: FX’s Wildcat has been subjected to rolling development, with the latest dual-regulated BT variant of the bullpup offering greater power, greater pressure and greater tunability.
RRP: £1,343.99
10.Gamo Venari
Length: 47cm
Weight: 3kg
What it offers: .177, .22
Why you should buy it: The Venari is a highly competent rifle in its own right, but adding a scope, moderator and bipod makes it an ideal PCP starter package.
RRP: £499
11.Niksan Archero-S
Length: 103cm
Weight: 3.6kg
What it offers:
Why you should buy it: Its semi-tactical synthetic stock and inexpensive price make the Archero a practical sporter that’s ideal for the rigours of the field, especially when shot prone.
RRP: £559
Read our full review on the Niksan Archero-S here.
12.Rapid Air Weapons HM 1000X
Length: TBA
Weight: TBA
What it offers: .177
Why you should buy it: Evolved from the iconic Theoben Rapid, this is the flagship model in the RAW range and offers the ultimate in build quality and precision.
RRP: £2,149
13.Reximex Ixia Compact
Length: 70cm
Weight: TBA
What it offers: .177
Why you should buy it: Its performance rivals that of more expensive alternatives with pellets flying through the same hole for as long as you want to keep pulling the trigger.
RRP: £920
14.Reximex Pretensis
Length: 109cm
Weight: TBA
What it offers: .22
Why you should buy it: The Pretensis is a stylish, well-made and capable performer that offers excellent value for money.
RRP: £799.95
15.Walther Reign
Length: 68.5cm
Weight:2.5kg (without scope)
What it offers: .177, .22 and .25
Why you should buy it: The Walther Reign is a superbly balanced, light and compact bullpup that can easily withstand being bashed about when hunting, while delivering blistering performance too.
RRP: £799.95
Read our full review of the Walther Reign here.
16.Walther Rotex RM8 UC
Length: 79cm
Weight: 3.8kg (without scope)
What it offers: .177 and .22
Why you should buy it: Everything about the Rotex RM8 UC feels solid and substantial, so when it comes to rugged, affordable quality and performance, few air rifles can compete.
RRP: £539.95
Read our full review of the Walther Rotex RM8 UC here.
17.Weihrauch HW100 BP
Length: 82.4cm
Weight: 3.7kg (without scope)
What it offers: ,177 , .22
Why you should buy it: Far more than just a bullpup, the HW100 BP is a carefully scaled-down version of one of the best multi-shot pre-charged airguns on the market.
RRP: £910
Read our full review of the Weihrauch HW100 BP here.
18.Weihrauch HW110 Laminate
Length: 89cm
Weight: 3.1kg (without scope)
What it offers: .177, .20 and .22
Why you should buy it: Weihrauch’s HW110 was already an excellent airgun with its black soft-touch stock, but the addition of an elegant laminate option has made it extra special.
RRP: £910
Read our full review of the Weihrauch HW110 Laminate here.
Springers and gas-rams
19.BSA GRT LIGHTNING XL SE
Length: 99cm
Weight: 3kg (without scope)
What it offers: .177, .22
Why you should buy it: Solid build quality, dependable performance, minimal maintenance and a sensible price tag make the GRT a great choice for fuss-free shooting without breaking the bank.
RRP: £349
Read our full review of the BSA GRT Lightning XL SE here.
20.Crosman Fire
What it offers: .22
Why you should buy it: This durable but inexpensive rammer is ideal for those shooters who expect enough quality to reward good technique and send a few tin cans flying.
RRP: £179.99
21.Gamo Swarm Roadster Gen2
Length: 118cm
Weight: 2.6kg (without scope)
What it offers: .177, .22
Why you should buy it: This rifle offers the convenience of a self-contained powerplant plus rapid reloading courtesy of a multi-shot magazine, and even comes with a scope and mounts.
RRP: £269
Read our full review on the Gamo Swarm Roadster Gen2 here.
22.Norica Hawk GRS
Length: 118cm
Weight: 3.2kg (without scope)
What it offers: .177, .22
Why you should buy it: With one of the most striking features being its stock with a subtle green hue, the GRS strikes a balance between affordable simplicity and dependability.
RRP: £299
Read our full review on the Norica Hawk GRS here. ]
Last but not least on our list of the best airguns is
23.Weihrauch HW80 Luxus
Length: 113cm
Weight: 3.9kg (without scope
What it offers: .177, .22, .20, .25
Why you should buy it: Numerous updates have been made to this iconic spring gun’s internals over the years, and it’s now had a boost with a new ambidextrous stock.
RRP: £540
Read our review of the Weihrauch HW80 Luxus here.
This review on the best airguns was originally published in 2016 and has been updated.