Best PCP Air Rifles Under $500 (2026): 8 Picks We Stock
Prices and stock as of November 5, 2026. Purchasers must be 18 or older; check your state and local airgun laws before buying.
A good PCP (pre-charged pneumatic) air rifle no longer costs a fortune. Under $500 you can get regulated power, multi-shot magazines and real hunting accuracy. Below are eight in-stock rifles we'd point a friend to, each picked for a specific kind of shooter, with the specs taken straight from the manufacturer listings.
Quick picks
| Rifle | Best for | Calibers | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reximex NYX | Best overall | .22, .25 | from $429.99 |
| JTS AirStryke | Best budget regulated PCP | .22, .25 | $229.99 |
| Umarex Komplete NitroAir | No pump or tank needed | .177, .22 | $209.99 |
| Air Venturi Ascent | Built-in pump | .22, .25 | $329.99 |
| Crosman Prospect | Tunable budget rifle | .22 | $253.99 |
| JTS AirStryke Magnum | Most power under $500 | .22, .25, .30 | from $349.99 |
| Reximex Daystar | Classic wood-stock option | .22 | from $349.99 |
| Air Venturi Avenger Bullpup | Compact handling | .22 | $419.99 |
1. Reximex NYX: best overall
The NYX packs features you usually see on pricier rifles: an adjustable regulator, a large removable air bottle and a sidelever action that's quick to cycle from the shoulder. The big bottle means long sessions between fills, which matters if you fill with a hand pump.
- Regulated, with an adjustable regulator
- Removable 500cc aluminum bottle, max fill 3,625 PSI (250 BAR)
- Listed shots at optimal velocity: 130 (.22), 160 (.25)
- Magazine: 12 rounds (.22), 10 rounds (.25)
- Max velocity with lead pellets: 900 FPS (.22), 800 FPS (.25)
- Precision rifled barrel with integrated moderator; 1/2" UNF muzzle threads
See the Reximex NYX, from $429.99
2. JTS AirStryke: best budget regulated PCP
Regulation keeps shot-to-shot velocity consistent, which is what makes a PCP accurate. The AirStryke brings a full regulator and an internal moderator in at $229.99, about half the price of most regulated rifles.
- Fully regulated; internal moderator; rifled barrel
- Magazine: 10 rounds (.22), 9 rounds (.25)
- Max shots per fill: 47 (.22), 43 (.25)
- Max velocity: 820 FPS (.22, 18.13 gr pellet), 700 FPS (.25, 25.39 gr pellet)
See the JTS AirStryke, $229.99
3. Umarex Komplete NitroAir: no pump or tank needed
The biggest hidden cost of a PCP is the fill equipment. The NitroAir skips it entirely: it runs on NitroAir nitrogen cartridges, and it ships with a scope, rings and two magazines. It's the simplest way to start shooting PCP.
- NitroAir cartridge system; over 45 shots per cartridge
- Internally regulated; sidelever cocking; SilencAir noise suppression
- Rotary magazine: 12 rounds (.177), 10 rounds (.22)
- Max velocity with lead pellets: 1,075 FPS (.177), 950 FPS (.22)
- Includes 1 NitroAir cartridge, 4x32 scope with rings and 2 magazines
See the Umarex Komplete NitroAir, $209.99
4. Air Venturi Ascent: built-in pump
The Ascent has a pump built into the rifle, so you can top it up in the field without carrying a separate pump, tank or compressor. The trade-off is weight (listed at 8.45 lbs) and the pumping itself; the listing recommends a few pump strokes after each shot to keep velocity steady.
- Onboard pump; regulated
- Max fill pressure 3,625 PSI
- Includes 2 magazines and a male quick-disconnect fill probe, so you can also fill it from a tank
See the Air Venturi Ascent, $329.99
5. Crosman Prospect: tunable budget rifle
The Prospect is a regulated .22 repeater with two ways to adjust power: a transfer-port power wheel and adjustable hammer spring tension. You can turn it down for backyard plinking and back up for pest control.
- Regulated; sidelever repeater
- Max fill pressure 3,625 PSI (250 BAR)
- Transfer port power wheel; adjustable hammer spring tension
- Shrouded barrel with 1/2x20 muzzle threads
See the Crosman Prospect, $253.99
6. JTS AirStryke Magnum: most power under $500
For larger pests and longer shots, the Magnum is the heavy hitter on this list. It's regulated, offered in .22, .25 and .30, and the listing rates it at up to 89 foot-pounds of energy, far beyond typical budget PCPs.
- Regulated; available in .22, .25 and .30
- Listed velocity up to 1,200 FPS; energy up to 89 FPE
- Multi-shot magazine (capacity varies by caliber)
See the JTS AirStryke Magnum, from $349.99
7. Reximex Daystar: classic wood-stock option
Comes in a black synthetic stock or Turkish walnut. The Daystar is a sidelever .22 with a 12-round magazine and a removable threaded moderator, good for shooters who want a traditional-looking rifle without a premium price.
- Sidelever cocking
- Listed max velocity 950 FPS (.22)
- 12-round magazine
- Precision rifled barrel with removable 1/2" UNF threaded moderator
See the Reximex Daystar, $349.99 synthetic / $429.99 walnut
8. Air Venturi Avenger Bullpup: compact handling
This bullpup is built on the Avenger's regulated design, in a much shorter package with a forward sidelever. It's easier to carry through brush, handle from a blind or store, and the stock holds a spare magazine.
- Regulated; Bullpup II configuration with forward sidelever
- Magazine storage in the stock
- Available in .22
See the Air Venturi Avenger Bullpup, $419.99
How we picked
We started from every PCP air rifle we have in stock under $500 (60 models today) and picked for real-world use: consistent velocity (regulated rifles win most picks), enough shots per fill to make a session worthwhile, and a fit for a specific kind of shooter. We left out rifles that look cheap but need expensive add-ons before they're usable.
Don't forget the fill source
Unless you choose the NitroAir or the Ascent, you'll need a way to fill your rifle: a high-pressure hand pump, a carbon fiber tank or a portable compressor. Our PCP starter checklist walks through each option, plus the pellets, optics and backstop you'll want on day one.
FAQ
Should I get .22 or .25?
.22 is the most versatile caliber: flatter shooting, cheaper ammo and plenty for squirrels, rabbits and pest birds. Choose .25 if you mostly shoot larger pests or want more energy at longer ranges.
What does "regulated" mean?
A regulator delivers the same air pressure to every shot as the reservoir drains, so velocity stays consistent and your point of impact doesn't drift through the fill. Unregulated rifles still shoot well, but you'll get fewer shots in the useful pressure range.
Do I need a scuba tank?
No. A hand pump works for any PCP on this list, and the NitroAir and Ascent don't need separate fill gear at all. Tanks and compressors are about convenience, not a requirement.
Questions?
Email us at MileHighAirguns@Outlook.com with how you plan to shoot, and we'll help you choose.