PUBG Best SMGs (From Worst To Best)

Updated:

29 May 2023

From the classic Thompson to the high-end P90, submachine guns offer deadly firepower in a compact package. Check out this article for an overview of the ideal weapons for beginners.

Introduction

The first submachine gun, the MP18, was developed by the German Hugo Schmeisser during World War I. The simple design laid the foundation for future submachine guns.

In World War II, every major country involved already had its own submachine gun: the German MP40, the British Sten, the American Thompson, and the Russian PPSh-41. These weapons were particularly useful in close-quarters combat and were later adopted by soldiers and law enforcement agencies alike.

Some of the modern submachine guns available in PUBG can be traced back to the design lineage of the MP18. Let's see the criteria for ranking the SMGs before getting further into the topic.

Criteria for ranking

As with the other weapon rankings, hit damage plays a major role in developing a ranking order for SMGs. This is why the submachine gun with the least damage is placed at the bottom of the list.

All weapons are fairly easy to handle and are very well suited for beginners, but they fail to be effective at mid- and especially long-range distances.

Ranking

7. Micro UZI

Micro UZI stats:

Hit damage: 26
Ammo type: 9mm
Rate of fire: ~1,200 rounds/min
Bullet speed: 350 m/s
Extended clip size: 35

The Micro Uzi is a compact, fully automatic submachine gun from Israel. It is a smaller version of the Uzi, which was developed in the early 1980s, particularly for close-quarters combat.

The Micro Uzi typically has a rate of fire of around 1,200 rounds per minute. This makes the weapon very effective at low ranges, but be aware that there is an effective maximum range of 50-100 meters. Beyond that range, you might as well use blanks.

Even though the Micro Uzi has the lowest hit damage of all SMGs, the extremely high rate of fire makes up for it. Especially in the realm of a hot drop, it is ideal to grab the Micro Uzi first. If you want to keep playing with this weapon, you always want to get very close to your opponent.

Bottom line:

Enormous rate of fire, ideal for fast-paced close-quarter combat.

How to get the Micro Uzi:

Spawns everywhere.

6. Vector

Vector stats:

Hit damage: 31
Ammo type: 9mm
Rate of fire: ~1,200 rounds/min
Bullet speed: 350 m/s
Extended clip size: 33

The Vector is a unique and innovative submachine gun developed in the United States. It was first introduced in 2007 and gained attention for its revolutionary recoil mitigation system. The weapon's bolt moves in a downward trajectory, reducing the recoil for stability.

The extraordinarily high rate of fire makes the Vector a powerful weapon for close-range combat. The submachine gun is relatively easy to control, as there are all attachments available. This weapon is very well suited for beginners. Just make sure to have sufficient ammunition, as the clip empties really fast.

Bottom line:

Very high rate of fire; superior in close-quarters combat.

How to get the Vector:

Find it anywhere across all maps.

5. MP5K

MP5K stats:

Hit damage: 33
Ammo type: 9mm
Rate of fire: ~900 rounds/min
Bullet speed: 400 m/s
Extended clip size: 40

The MP5K is a compact variant of the popular MP5 submachine gun, originally designed in the 1970s by the German firearms manufacturer Heckler & Koch. The "K" stands for "Kurz", which means short in German.

The submachine gun is known for its accuracy and reliability. Used in hostage rescue operations, the MP5K is a suitable weapon for close-quarters combat. Even though hostages usually get shot in PUBG, it is still advised to make use of the MP5K.

Fully attached, the submachine gun is easily handable. It comes with average hit damage and a large magazine capacity, making it an ideal weapon for beginners. It shoots further than the previous submachine guns, extending the effective range to a maximum of 200 meters.

Bottom line:

Average hit damage; speaks for itself.
Large magazine capacity; more bullets to hit or miss.
Easy to handle; suitable for beginners.

How to get the MP5K:

Used to be Vikendi only, but spawns on every map now.

4.P90

P90 stats:

Hit damage: 35
Ammo type: 5.7mm
Rate of fire: 1000 rounds/min
Bullet speed: ~715 m/s
Extended clip size: 50

The P90 is a recent addition to the PUBG firearms arsenal. It was originally designed by the Belgian firearms manufacturer FM Herstal in the 1990s with a focus on improving ergonomics, firepower, and versatility.

Due to the nature of the weapon’s bullpup design, the barrel length is longer than that of other SMGs. This allows for increased accuracy at longer ranges. This results in an effective distance range of 200-300 meters, which is equal to the reach of assault rifles.

The P90 is a drop-only weapon and comes with 200 rounds in total. It is equipped with a silencer and is fully attached. There is an integrated reflex sight, which makes it harder to aim down at longer ranges. Overall, it is highly advised to use this submachine gun when stumbling upon it.

Bottom line:

Large magazine capacity, suitable for engaging multiple targets.
High rate of fire; advantageous in close quarters combat.
High bullet speed; lethal at longer distances.

How to get the P90:

Can only be found in airdrops, secret rooms, lab camps, or pillar boxes.

3.PP-19 Bizon

PP-19 Bizon stats:

Hit damage: 36
Ammo type: 9mm
Rate of fire: 700 rounds/min
Bullet speed: 408 m/s
Extended clip size: 53

The PP-19 Bizon is a Russian submachine gun developed in the late 1990s. Its outstanding feature is the helical magazine below the weapon, which allows for a large magazine capacity while maintaining a compact design.

Due to this unique design, you are only able to mount a muzzle attachment and a scope. The other attachments are already included , which means that you get a fully equipped submachine gun right away.

The large magazine capacity makes the weapon ideal for early close-quarters combat situations. However, it was particularly designed for urban combat, so it lacks range out on the field.

Bottom line:

Large magazine capacity; ideal to engage multiple targets.

How to get the PP-19 Bizon:

Spawns everywhere.

2. Tommy Gun

Tommy Gun stats:

Hit damage: 40
Ammo type: .45ACP
Rate of fire: 750 rounds/min
Bullet speed: 280 m/s
Extended clip size: 50

The Tommy Gun is the most iconic of all submachine guns. An estimated 99% of players in the final stages of any PUBG game who carry the British submachine gun wear a long, dark coat. Well, there is something to it. The image of the anti-hero, the compelling characteristic of an unconventional fighter against evil forces in the world. Timeless.

The Thompson was developed at the same time as prohibition started in the early 1920s. It quickly gained popularity among law enforcement agencies and criminals alike. It was later adopted by the U.S. military forces in World War II.

In PUBG, the Thompson can have a 50-round extended cylindrical drum magazine. This proves to be very useful in close-quarters combat with multiple opponents in the vicinity.

However, the weapon has a somewhat strong recoil and is harder to control than other SMGs, which is a side effect of nearly every gun with high hit damage.

Bottom line:

Large magazine capacity; great for close-quarters combat.
High damage; always an advantage.

How to get the Tommy Gun:

Spawns everywhere.

1. UMP45

UMP45 stats:

Hit damage: 41
Ammo type: .45ACP
Rate of fire: 670 rounds/min
Bullet speed: 360 m/s
Extended clip size: 35

Another firearm from Heckler & Koch, actually the successor of the MP5, was introduced in the late 1990s. UMP stands for Universal Machine Pistol, due to its versatile nature.

In PUBG, the UMP45 is the submachine gun with the highest damage. This is why it's ranked #1 on this list. This is not the only reason, though. Despite the high damage, the weapon is easy to control, even if you choose to use the silencer instead of a compensator.

This makes the UMP45 a proper submachine gun for the final stages, for beginners as well as for advanced players. It might not have the extraordinarily high rate of fire as other submachine guns in this class, but the damage and control definitely make up for it.

Just bear in mind, again, that the UMP45, being a submachine gun, isn’t very effective at long ranges. This means that it’s not advised to use it beyond 150 meters.

Bottom line:

Highest damage of the SMG class; equally high as some assault rifles.
Easy to control; well suited for beginners.
Versatility: playable with a silencer for sneaky playstyles.

How to get the UMP45:

Spawns everywhere.

General tips and tricks on how to use SMGs

Here are some general tips and tricks on how to use SMGs in PUBG:

Always seek to make use of all available attachments, especially the extended magazine. You shouldn’t play the Vector without an extended magazine.
You will need a lot of spare ammunition, as some weapons have enormous bullet consumption.
Let your opponents come closer to maximize your weapon’s effectiveness.

Conclusion

Submachine guns have been made for close-quarters combat; using them at long ranges is a waste of time. Use this to your advantage by engaging enemies at low distances. When faced with the choice of moving to town or an open field, moving to town would be more suitable for this weapon type.

Submachine guns are great weapons for players who are new to the game. After a while, you will quickly gain self-confidence in battle. Show the big guys that size doesn’t matter; in this case, quantity does.