Out of all of the essential equipment you’ll need for your spearfishing trips, the most critical will always be your primary weapon—and for many spearos, this is usually a speargun as it offers more power, better accuracy, and of course, the ability to shoot from afar.
If you’re looking to purchase a new speargun, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best and most popular models on the market today to help narrow down your choices. But before you make a random purchase, know that the most expensive ones are not necessarily the ideal pick for every spearo.
Here are a few factors you’ll need to consider to help you find the right kind of speargun for your specific needs.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Speargun
Spearfishing Type
The first thing you’ll need to consider when shopping for a speargun is to determine the type of spearfishing you plan to do. If you’re a beginner who’s going to be reef fishing or diving in shallow waters, less powerful guns with a shorter range would be just the right kind of gun for you. On the other hand, if you’re hoping to hunt for much larger fish in deeper waters with lower visibility, you’ll definitely need a bigger speargun with an extended range.
A more powerful speargun will kill your prey quickly so as not to prolong its suffering, but keep in mind that the more powerful your weapon, the more skill and experience you would need to have to be able to wield it safely, as they are usually heavier, faster, and sometimes more difficult to load.
Speargun Type
There are two types of spearguns: band spearguns and pneumatic spearguns. Both are widely used around the world to shoot fish, but in two very different ways. It’s important to know the difference in order to be able to choose which one best suits your spearfishing style.
Band Spearguns
Considered to be the original speargun, the band speargun remains to be the most popular choice for both beginners and experts. It makes use of rubber to fire spears at high speeds. It’s pretty high maintenance, plus you’ll have to replace the bands every 6-12 months, but it’s what you’ll need if you want to operate stealthily underwater as they are typically much quieter.
Pneumatic Spearguns
This more powerful type of speargun uses compressed air to fire spears and is typically used in deep waters. As the spears rely on compressed air for power, pneumatic spearguns are normally smaller and more compact. This makes them easier to carry and shoot with. The only downside to pneumatic spearguns is that loading them can be trickier if you’re inexperienced.
Length
The length of your speargun also plays a big role in your hunting success as it limits the size of the fish that you can hunt. For beginners, a shorter speargun would be easier and more comfortable to use. It’s also the most suitable option for shallow waters and tight areas. Longer spearguns are ideal for experienced hunters who need extra power and reach for hunting much larger fish (also known as game fishing) in deeper waters.
Spear Shaft
The type of shaft, or the actual spear that gets fired from the gun, can also vary depending on your target fish and spearfishing style. Manufacturers typically develop three different types of speargun shafts:
- Breakaway – The heaviest type of spear, which is mostly used on large fish.
- Single Flopper or Tahitian – Typically the fastest shaft available for use, making it ideal for reef fish. It features a single barb and is also the easiest to remove.
- Double Flopper – Features two barbs on opposing sides of the shaft to suit larger fish.
Price
The cost of a speargun is perhaps the most important factor to consider, as they’re not exactly cheap. Fortunately for beginners, there are a lot of good quality, entry-level short range spearguns priced at under $100 to less than $500. But if you’re a training spearo or a more advanced spearfisher, we highly recommend you invest in more powerful spearguns that will help you make the most out of your underwater hunting trips.
What are the Best Spearguns on the Market?
Whether you’re a spearfishing beginner or are aiming to upgrade and expand your gear, you’ll likely find a speargun that will fit your needs and budget from the list below.
Beuchat Espadon Speargun
A good entry-level speargun doesn’t have to break the bank. For many beginners, the ideal gun is the Beuchat Espadon, which is specifically designed for hunting small reef fish in shallow areas and low visibility conditions. It features a 25mm aluminum tube, compact muzzle, 13mm circular power bands, and a wire fishbone.
It mainly supports a light galvanized 7mm steel shaft with a screw-fixed single barb and an 8mm speartip with a 6mm thread, plus it comes in various short shaft lengths ranging from 13.8 inches (35cm) to 29.5 inches (75cm).
Overall, with its simple design, short length, plastic trigger, and affordable price, it makes a great secondary gun or first-time practice speargun for beginners.
Ideal For: Beginners, Small Reef Fish, Low Visibility Conditions
Speargun Type: Band
Length: 13.8in (35cm); 19.7in (50cm); 29.5in (75cm)
Spear Type: Tahitian or Single Flopper
Mares Bandit Speargun
Coming from a brand that is well-known for producing high-quality underwater sports equipment, many first-time and intermediate spearfishers have chosen the Mares Bandit as their primary gun. It’s made of lightweight aluminum and is great for hunting small to medium-sized fish with its varying lengths of 13.8 inches (35cm) up to 47.2 inches (120cm).
Not only is it easy to use and transport, but it also features an Australasian rigging and is constructed with a Dyneema wishbone, which helps novice spearos avoid gun-related accidents. Other standout features that make the Mares Bandit one of the best entry-level spearguns are its sturdy design, closed muzzle for quick and easy reloading, and its wide range of sizes to suit various spearfishing needs.
Ideal for: Entry-level Spearos, Small to Medium Fish
Speargun Type: Band
Length: 13.7in (35cm); 17.7in (45cm); 21.7in (55cm); 29.5in (75cm); 37.4in (95cm); 43.3in (110cm); 47.25in (120cm);
Spear Style: Tahitian or Single Flopper
Cressi Apache Speargun
At way less than $100, the Cressi Apache is a great option if you’re looking for an affordable (but good quality) entry-level speargun. It comes in four sizes—the shortest being 13.8 inches (35cm) and the longest being 29.5 inches (75cm)—and can handle small to medium-sized game fish. Aside from being a good first speargun for beginners, the Apache can be a great secondary weapon for those who need a compact speargun that offers easier maneuverability and higher accuracy when hunting fish in close proximity, such as in reefs and caves.
Other features that make the Apache a great choice are its closed muzzle and single 0.5-inch (13mm) band mechanism, which make loading quicker and easier. Its sealed 26mm 1-inch anodized aluminum barrel is made of high-quality material that is resistant to corrosion, so less maintenance is needed.
With a Tahitian or single flopper spear tip and a 26-inch (6.5mm) dual-notch stainless steel shaft, the speargun allows you to choose between two power options while ensuring speed and convenience for reef fishing.
Ideal For: Beginners, Reef Fishing
Speargun Type: Band
Length: 13.8in (35cm); 17.7in (45m); 23.6in (60cm); 29.5in (75cm)
Spear Style: Tahitian or Single Flopper
Beuchat Arka Competition Speargun
The Beuchat Arka Competition is one of the most reliable spearguns you can get without breaking the bank, which explains why it’s considered one of the best on the market today. This particular underwater weapon features a 25mm aluminum barrel and a 6mm shaft, making it suitable for fishing in reefs or shallow waters.
The Arka Competition ranges from 19.7 inches (50cm) to 39.4 inches (100cm) in length and is powered by an articulated wishbone and a screw-fixed 16mm power band.
It accommodates Tahitian spear shafts for critical close to mid-range shooting and features a low profile muzzle, shaft guides, automatic line release, soft pistol grip handle, and a stainless steel trigger.
If you’re looking for a more traditional-looking gun that’s been modernized in terms of power and performance, this might be the gun for you.
Ideal For: Reef Fishing, Shallow Fishing
Speargun Type: Band
Length: 19.7in (50cm); 23.6in (60cm); 29.5in (75cm); 35.4in (90cm); 39.3in (100cm)
Spear Style: Tahitian or Single Flopper
Cressi Moicano Brown Hunter Speargun
Thanks to its camouflage design, this unique Cressi speargun is the ideal choice for stealth spearfishing of small to medium-sized game fish. The Moicano comes in four sizes, with lengths ranging from 23.6 inches (60cm) to 35.45 inches (95cm).
The speargun comes with a dedicated .25-inch (6mm) 17.4 PH stainless steel notched shaft with a single flopper barb inox tip, as well as a 5-foot mono shot line, so you won’t have to purchase these separately. Its standard 16mm black bands are quick and reactive, plus it comes with an articulated wishbone. It also features anti-corrosion aluminum tubes to ensure that the barrel (which is 1-inch (26mm) in diameter) won’t bend over time.
You can choose to upgrade with a second band, but the Moicano ensures excellent power and incredible firing precision even without it. Also, in case you don’t like the print, you can always paint over it without affecting its performance.
Ideal for: Beginners, Stealth Reef Fishing
Speargun Type: Band
Length: 23.6in (60cm); 29.5in (75cm); 33.4in (85cm); 37.4in (95cm)
Spear Style: Tahitian or Single Flopper
Cressi Comanche Speargun
Many beginners and mid-level spearos tend to go for Cressi spearguns, and this includes the higher-end Comanche. Compared to the first two Cressi spearguns on this list, the biggest model of the Comanche is much longer at 43.3 inches (110cm). This high-quality speargun, which was crowned the world champion of spearguns in 2004, is equipped with several coveted features: an anatomical muzzle for optimum shaft alignment, anti-corrosion tubes to keep the barrel from bending, a four line release and butt extension for quiet and easy loading, and lower-positioned reactive bands.
The Comanche supports the use of 1-2 bands with a standard diameter of 16mm, but you can also upgrade to 18mm, 22mm, or S45 bands—and depending on the length you decide to go for, you can use threaded shafts measuring 6.5mm or 7mm.
If you’re looking for a high-performance, heavy-duty weapon, you simply can’t go wrong with this champion speargun.
Ideal for: Beginners and Professionals, Reef Spearfishing
Speargun Type: Band
Length: 23.6in (60cm); 29.5in (75cm); 35.4in (90cm); 39.3in (100cm); 43.3in (110cm)
Spear Style: Tahitian or Single Flopper
Mares Mini Mini Sten Pneumatic Speargun
The Mares Sten Mini Mini speargun is a powerful weapon that features a very short length, which makes it perfect for snorkeling, reef fishing, and hunting small game fish. It’s only 16.5 inches (41cm) long and uses a double barbed spear that secures various sizes of game fish when matched with its air-powered (pneumatic) shooting capabilities.
When you purchase the Mini Mini, it comes with a compatible pump, shock line, holster, and loader. An 8mm shaft with a double barbed tip as well as the gun’s hydrodynamic muzzle and shock-absorbing ergonomic handle help ensure shooting precision at great depths. Its high-capacity air tank also allows several powerful shots with each recharge.
For those who want an ultra-lightweight gun that doesn’t compromise on power and speed despite its short length, the Mares Sten Mini Mini is worth checking out.
Idea for: Beginners and Professionals, Reef and Game Fishing
Speargun Type: Pneumatic
Length: 16.5in (41cm); 22.8in (58cm); 27.5in (70cm)
Spear Style: Double Flopper
Cressi SL Star Speargun
In case you can’t tell at this point, Cressi spearguns are a clear favorite among modern spearfishers. Another one that joins the list is their pneumatic SL Star model, a classic that’s only 15.75 inches (40cm) at its shortest and 27.5 inches (70cm) at its longest. It’s made to be ultra-lightweight for convenient handling and easy aiming, plus it comes with a built-in safety catch to prevent you from accidentally firing the gun.
The SL Star is a just a tad bit more expensive compared to the world-famous Comanche, but the air-powered upgrade makes it worth the extra bucks. Its shaft threads fit most 7mm spear tips: 3-prong, mini, and mach spearheads. It also features a brightly colored, high-grip handle that makes it easier to spot in case you inadvertently drop it.
This compact speargun is ideal for reef fishing and promises to be fast, reliable, and precise when hunting small to medium-sized fish.
Ideal For: Beginners, Reef Fishing
Speargun Type: Pneumatic
Length: 15.75in (40cm); 21.5in (55cm); 27.5in (70cm)
Spear Style: Unavailable
JBL Woody Sawed Off Magnum Speargun (6W44)
Now, for hunting bigger fish, one of the best spearguns for the job is the JBL Woody Sawed Off Magnum. It’s a 44-inch, excellently crafted medium-length weapon with a sawed-off, ergonomic African Mahogany body that provides plenty of power and better buoyancy underwater. It also utilizes three bands: two Nitro 20-inch slings and one latex sling. Its three-piece M8 stainless steel trigger mechanism ensures smooth and strong operation, even under 2,400 pounds of pressure.
The spear of this high-end JBL workhorse is made of stainless steel measuring 39 inches in length and comes with a 5/16-inch rotating rockpoint spear tip for successful hunting of medium to much larger fish.
You also won’t have any difficulty loading this gun thanks to its closed muzzle and slide ring system.
Ideal For: Experienced Spearos, Medium to Large Fish
Speargun Type: Band
Length: 44in (17cm)
Spear Type: JBL Rotating Rockpoint
JBL Woody Magnum Speargun (6W46)
This next JBL speargun features an even longer length of 56 inches and the same three-piece M8 trigger mechanism, which features stainless steel components and a laser-cut design for a strong yet effortless trigger that offers a “butter-smooth” pull.
Like the previously mentioned Sawed Off model, the Woody Magnum is positively buoyant and is capable of handling up to 2,400 pounds of pressure. Also, with two #328 slings, a solid, machine-constructed African Mahogany barrel, and a built-in full spear shaft track, it delivers maximum firing accuracy up to 28 feet away.
For a high-end, long-range speargun that’s comfortable for both reef and deep water spearfishing, the Woody Magnum is one of your best bets.
Ideal For: Experienced Spearos, Deep Water and Reef Fishing
Speargun Type: Band
Length: 56in (22cm)
Spear Type: JBL Rotating Rockpoint
What’s your favorite speargun? Share your recommendations below!
