No need to carry an Exotic Weapon when you have the best submachine gun in Fortnite in your inventory. How will you know what the best submachine gun in Fortnite Battle Royale is? That’s where we come in!
Stinger SMG
Despite being a new Fortnite weapon being released by Epic Games in Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 1 the Stinger SMG is the best Fortnite weapon amongst submachine guns in Fortnite Battle Royale. This SMG packs a high fire rate and damage output to top our list.
The Stinger SMG also has a fairly tight bullet spread. Therefore, it can compete with the best assault rifles like the Heavy Assault Rifle, MK Seven Assault Rifle, or Suppressed Assault Rifle at mid range.
- Damage Per Second - 240
- Damage - 20
- Headshot Multiplier - 1.5x
- Fire Rate - 12
- Magazine Size - 30
- Reload Time - 2.25s
Unfortunately, there isn’t an Exotic Weapon for the SMG category. However there is a Mythic Stinger SMG that can be found at Covert Cavern.
Primal SMG
The Primal SMG was added to Fortnite Battle Royale in Fortnite Season 6 of Fortnite Chapter 2. The most unique feature of this SMG is the 2x headshot multiplier. The Primal SMG has the highest headshot multiplier of any other Fortnite weapons in the submachine gun class.
Another key advantage of the Primal SMG is the high fire rate paired with a large magazine size. Other SMGs like the Rapid Fire SMG burn through their clip at a speed that forces regular reloads. The Primal SMG gets around this problem because of their 35 round magazine size.
- Damage Per Second - 220
- Damage - 22
- Headshot Multiplier - 2x
- Fire Rate - 10
- Magazine Size - 35
- Reload Time - 1.9s
The Primal SMG is a unique one amongst competing Fortnite weapons in the submachine gun Fortnite weapon class. Players can find success using the Primal SMG as a submachine gun assault rifle hybrid in Fortnite Battle Royale. Therefore, the Primal SMG is a top tier all around pick, but falls short to other SMGs in certain scenarios.
Machine Pistol
The Machine Pistol is a new weapon in Fortnite which came along with the Heavy Shotgun, MK Seven Assault Rifle, Auto Shotgun, and the Stinger SMG. Epic Games added all these new weapons to Fortnite Battle Royale in Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 1.
The Machine Pistol is the Uzi of Fortnite. This new weapon packs a serious punch from the Machine Pistol’s absurd fire rate.
- Damage Per Second - 256
- Damage - 19
- Headshot Multiplier - 1.5x
- Fire Rate - 13.5
- Magazine Size - 35
- Reload Time - 2.03s
The Machine Pistol is still Epic Games’ newest weapon in Fortnite Battle Royale. Therefore, it’s too early to place higher on the list. However, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Machine Pistol climb the ranks of the best SMGs in Fortnite.
Burst SMG
After hearing the name Burst SMG you may think this will be the Bolt Action Sniper Rifle of the submachine gun Fortnite weapon class. That’s not necessarily the case. The burst SMG acts more like the Rapid Fire SMG than a Bolt Action Sniper Rifle, or even the Burst Assault Rifle for that matter.
The Burst SMG packs a decnt fire rate with a high damage to make for a eliminateous close range Fortnite weapon in Battle Royale.
- Damage Per Second - 195
- Damage - 26
- Headshot Multiplier - 1.75x
- Fire Rate - 7.5
- Magazine Size - 24
- Reload Time - 2.2s
The high damage and decent fire rate makes the Burst SMG a baller pairing for the Tactical Shotgun and a Rocket Launcher.
Tactical SMG
The Tactical SMG acts similarly to the Stinger SMG. They’re both fast firing submachine guns with a manageable bullet spread. This makes the Tactical SMG viable at mid ranges against the Heavy Assault Rifle.
The Tactical SMG can also be a great swap weapon when paired with the Pump Shotgun or Heavy Shotgun. The Tactical SMG is solid, but not the best Fortnite weapon by any means.
- Damage Per Second - 189
- Damage - 21
- Headshot Multiplier - 1.75x
- Fire Rate - 9
- Magazine Size - 25
- Reload Time - 1.9s
A great inventory pairing with the Tactical SMG would be a Pump shotgun and a Rocket Launcher. These three weapons all thrive at short to mid range, so if you’re a close quarters Fortnite player get this inventory intact!
Compact SMG
At first glance you might say, “hey that’s just the P90!” While you’re right the Compact SMG and Epic and Legendary Submachine Guns look the same, they have different stats.
The Compact SMG trades off fire rate for a higher damage profile. A lower fire rate makes this weapon less forgiving towards missed shots.
- Damage Per Second - 210
- Damage - 21
- Headshot Multiplier - 1.75x
- Fire Rate - 10
- Magazine Size - 40
- Reload Time - 3s
While the Compact SMG is a strong weapon, the P90 is a better fit for a Victory Royale chasing inventory.
Suppressed SMG
Next up, the first submachine gun Epic Games added to Fortnite Battle Royale. The Suppressed SMG was added to Battle Royale in Pre-Season Fortnite. The Suppressed SMG holds its weight in a mid range battle.
This means the Suppressed SMG can compete with weapons like the Suppressed Assault Rifle. You can even tap fire the Suppressed SMG at long ranges with accuracy. Therefore, it can compete with sniper rifles, but low damage will make it an uphill battle.
- Damage Per Second - 171.6
- Damage - 22
- Headshot Multiplier - 1.75x
- Fire Rate - 7.8
- Magazine Size - 30
- Reload Time - 2s
Funny enough the Suppressed SMG actually doesn’t compete at close range very well. The lower damage per second will make it struggle against the Pump Shotgun, or Auto Shotgun.
Rapid Fire SMG
The Rapid Fire SMG will send a spray of bullets at your opponents so fast they won’t be able to box up quick enough to save themselves. The Rapid Fire SMG serves a single purpose, and serves it well. You’ll want to use the Rapid Fire SMG strictly in close range battles.
If you manage to get in close with an opponent your Rapid Fire SMG has the potential to outshoot a Pump Shotgun, or a Tactical Shotgun with ease.
- Damage Per Second - 255
- Damage - 17
- Headshot Multiplier - 1.75x
- Fire Rate - 15
- Magazine Size - 26
- Reload Time - 1.32s
Where the Rapid Fire SMG will struggle is against assault rifles and sniper rifles. You’ll run through a clip in an instant and hit very little shots with the Rapid Fire SMG. Meanwhile you’ll be taking damage quickly by an opposing Suppressed Assault Rifle or MK Seven Assault rifle.
Submachine Gun (P90)
Epic Games’ OG Submachine Gun or P90, was added to Fortnite Battle Royale in Fortnite Season 5. Until Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 1 the OG Submachine Gun would have taken top place for the best SMG in Fortnite.
The P90 is a solid all around SMG. It’s the perfect swap weapon to pair with a Pump Shotgun, or a Heavy Shotgun. It can also replace a Suppressed Assault Rifle, or a Heavy Assault Rifle at medium distances.
- Damage Per Second - 220
- Damage - 20
- Headshot Multiplier - 1.75x
- Fire Rate - 11
- Magazine Size - 35
- Reload Time - 1.89s
If you pair the P90 with a Heavy Shotgun and a Bolt Action Sniper Rifle you’ll have no trouble picking off opposing players at any distance.
There you have it! The best weapon in the submachine gun class is the Stinger SMG. However, there isn’t a single submachine gun that Epic Games has made that I think is a bad weapon. If you’re looking for the best Fortnite skins to pair with the best submachine gun in Fortnite check out The Best 50 Skins For You To Stand Out In Fortnite.