A good CS2 skin does not have to cost hundreds of dollars: the LIS-SKINS market has plenty of eye-catching items under $5. This selection covers ten of them for pistols, the AWP, AK-47, M4A4 and SMGs, from Glock-18 | Moonrise at $2 to $3 in Factory New to the M4A4 | Evil Daimyo at just under $5. For each one we note the wear that fits the budget, its collection and the current price. Prices are approximate and change daily.
Glock-18 | Moonrise (Factory New)
Pistol skins are the easiest category to fill on this budget. Take the Glock-18 | Moonrise, with a night city panorama on the slide. Exactly how the purple and black landscape looks depends on the pattern index. This Restricted skin belongs to The Clutch Collection and drops from the Clutch Case. Even a Factory New copy currently costs about $2 to $3 and Minimal Wear about $1, although rare versions with the star landing on the slide stop lever sell for considerably more.
USP-S | Cortex (Field-Tested)
Another pistol skin worth a look is the USP-S | Cortex. Its body is covered in graffiti-style drawings, mostly pink, that resemble the folds of a brain. The grip shows a skeleton with an open skull, the brain's apparent owner. It is a Classified skin from The Clutch Collection. Minimal Wear costs about $6, just above the budget, while Field-Tested copies and below go for about $3.
Glock-18 | Vogue (Field-Tested)
One more stylish option for the Glock. The Glock-18 | Vogue costs a bit more than the Moonrise, but it looks striking: the body is painted in shades of red and purple, and the slide features expressive female eyes. This Classified skin drops from the Fracture Case and exists in all five wears. Field-Tested copies and below cost about $3 to $4, and Minimal Wear about $5, right at the edge of the budget.
AWP | Atheris (Field-Tested)
Finding an AWP skin that is easy on the wallet is generally hard. The AWP | Atheris, with an emerald green snake wrapped around the stock, is a strong option. It is a Restricted skin from the Prisma Case. In Field-Tested it costs about $4, and the snake is still clearly visible, as are the bright green accents on the scope and barrel. For more affordable options for this weapon class, see our list of budget sniper rifle skins.
MP9 | Food Chain (Field-Tested)
The MP9 | Food Chain is one of the brightest skins in this selection. Psychedelic images of fantastic creatures with lots of small details are colored green, red, orange and yellow. This Classified skin drops from the Snakebite Case, and a Field-Tested copy costs about $3.
AK-47 | Ice Coaled (Field-Tested)
If you want an inexpensive rifle skin, the AK-47 | Ice Coaled is a good fit. It is a Classified skin from the Recoil Case. You will have to compromise a little on wear: Field-Tested and below costs about $4, while Minimal Wear is already around $7. The even blue-green finish hides wear well, and it makes a good background for stickers. More options for this rifle are collected in our article on budget AK-47 skins.
AK-47 | Rat Rod (Field-Tested)
If you prefer something more unusual, check out the AK-47 | Rat Rod. The skin looks like a weapon pulled out of a junkyard: the original blue coat has been painted over, scratched and worn through in places. It is a Restricted skin from The Shattered Web Collection and drops from the Shattered Web Case. Field-Tested costs about $4, while Minimal Wear is pricier at around $6.
M4A4 | Tooth Fairy (Field-Tested)
The M4A4 | Tooth Fairy has a dark theme: the body shows incisors, molars and a sinister version of the tooth fairy. It is a Classified skin from The Fracture Collection and drops from the Fracture Case. Field-Tested versions cost about $4, and Minimal Wear about $5, right on the budget line.
MAC-10 | Heat (Field-Tested)
Fans of bright colors should look at the MAC-10 | Heat. This SMG is painted as if it had just come out of a forge. The Restricted skin belongs to The Phoenix Collection and drops from the Operation Phoenix Weapon Case. Field-Tested copies cost about $2, and Minimal Wear about $4.
M4A4 | Evil Daimyo (Minimal Wear)
We close the list with the M4A4 | Evil Daimyo. The rifle is covered in a graphic red and black design. This Restricted skin belongs to The Falchion Collection and drops from the Falchion Case. Minimal Wear costs just under $5, and Field-Tested about $3. For more options for this rifle, see our picks of the best budget M4A4 skins.
All Skins Under $5 at a Glance
Prices are for the most affordable wear that fits the budget, based on the LIS-SKINS market.
| Skin | Wear | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Glock-18 | Moonrise | Factory New | ~$2-$3 |
| USP-S | Cortex | Field-Tested | ~$3 |
| Glock-18 | Vogue | Field-Tested | ~$4 |
| AWP | Atheris | Field-Tested | ~$4 |
| MP9 | Food Chain | Field-Tested | ~$3 |
| AK-47 | Ice Coaled | Field-Tested | ~$4 |
| AK-47 | Rat Rod | Field-Tested | ~$4 |
| M4A4 | Tooth Fairy | Field-Tested | ~$4 |
| MAC-10 | Heat | Field-Tested | ~$2 |
| M4A4 | Evil Daimyo | Minimal Wear | ~$5 |
If your budget is even tighter, see our skins under $1, and if you can spend more, there is a list of the best skins under $10.
FAQ
Which CS2 skins can you buy for under $5?
Many Restricted and Classified skins fit this budget in Field-Tested, including the AK-47 | Ice Coaled, AWP | Atheris, M4A4 | Tooth Fairy and Glock-18 | Vogue. The Glock-18 | Moonrise is available even in Factory New.
What is the best AK-47 skin under $5?
From this list, the AK-47 | Ice Coaled and AK-47 | Rat Rod both cost about $4 in Field-Tested.
Which wear should you pick on a small budget?
Field-Tested usually offers the best balance: Minimal Wear can cost almost twice as much, and on skins with large designs the wear is hard to notice. Our guide on how to choose a skin in CS2 covers float and wear in more detail.
Why might prices differ from the market?
Skin prices change every day, so the article gives approximate figures. Check the current price on the skin's page on LIS-SKINS.
