The AK-47 is definitely one of the most popular weapons in Counter-Strike, and skins for it are always in high demand. Here’s our list of the best AK-47 skins in CS2, with various price ranges and styles. Enjoy! 

Note: Where possible, we used Steam Community Market prices for skins without StatTrak as a reference—prices may differ on third-party websites, and StatTrak versions will cost considerably more. As for the method, we identified the best AK-47 skins by analyzing multiple Reddit and Steam threads and compiling a list of 15 skins most often mentioned by players as their favorites.

1. Bloodsport

Price: $100–$150

Bloodsport is one of the all-time player favorites, no matter where you look. According to its creator, SLIMEface, this and other skins in the Bloodsport collection are based around “racing and extreme sports sponsors”, which explains the seemingly unrelated logos featured in the design. And in case you’re wondering, the Japanese writing along the receiver cover says “Lightning”. 

SLIMEface created a Bloodsport skin for every weapon in the game, but most have yet to be accepted into Counter-Strike 2. For now, alongside the AK-47, you can get MP7 | Bloodsport and SCAR-20 | Bloodsport skins for under $10 each.

Open cases with AK-47 | Bloodsport

2. The Empress

Price: $25–$150

Another skin that tops most player-favorite lists, The Empress is not only strikingly beautiful, but also very affordable. AK-47 skins are relatively expensive, so $50 for a gorgeous skin in Minimum Wear is a real bargain. 

The Empress’ design is inspired by the Tarot card by the same name. In fact, this skin is part of a larger Tarot collection designed by Steam Community members OniLolz, Zaphk, and 2Minds. Each skin in the collection represents a different Tarot card. Here are the other Tarot skins that you can already find in CS2: 

• M4A4 | The Emperor
• AWP | Mortis (AKA Death)
• USP-S | The Traitor (AKA The Hanged Man)
• MAG-7 | Justice

Open cases with AK-47 | The Empress

3. Redline

Price: $15–$90

Combining carbon fiber and flat black with red accents, Redline is simple, elegant, and very popular. If you like the sleek look of this skin, go for the lowest float possible: above 0.30 or so, the gray base starts showing, interfering with the design. 

Thanks to its simplicity, Redline makes for a great skin for displaying your stickers, especially those with matching colors (black and red). You can also get an AWP | Redline skin from the same Elegant-Red collection, created by emkay. 

Open cases with AK-47 | Redline

4. Vulcan

Price: $90–$970

Another sports-inspired design created by a Community member (jim´s), Vulcan combines white, black/gray and bright blue for a clean, modern look. Holo stickers look especially cool on this skin. 

You’ll notice there’s a large price range here—that’s partly because Vulcan looks its best at the lowest floats. As a skin with the Custom Paint Job finish, it loses whole areas of paintwork as float increases. See for yourself using this skin wear preview—most players will definitely prefer the Factory New or Minimum Wear versions. 

Open cases with AK-47 | Vulcan

5. Case Hardened

Price: $250–$250 000+

Here it is: the (in)famous Case Hardened. It was added to the game by Valve in 2013, and it mimics the look of a weapon that’s undergone the case-hardening process. Case-hardening, in the absolute simplest words, is a type of heat treatment that gives the metal parts of a gun a protective finish. (Check out this article to learn more.)

Anyway, the thing about Case Hardened skins in CS2 is that they come in a large variety of patterns (literally hundreds), which alter the look of the weapon. Some patterns are in huge demand, which explains the price range: you can get a Case Hardened AK-47 skin for $250, but the rarest patterns sell for truly insane sums. 

In fact, in 2023, the AK-47 | Case Hardened became what the PC Gamer called “probably the most expensive gun in videogame history” when it sold as part of a $400k deal. The skin itself wasn’t worth quite that much—it came with super-valuable stickers that made for a large proportion of that sum—but still, it goes to show how expensive rare patterns can get.

Open cases with AK-47 | Case Hardened

6. Fuel Injector

Price: $100–$550

This skin was designed by Community member emu as part of their car-themed Supercharged collection. The yellow body of this skin is definitely eye-catching, but it’s the meticulously designed finer points of this skin that impress the most, bringing a luxury sports car to mind. 

The pattern on the magazine kind of looks like an engine timing chain system, while the stock and grip of the rifle resemble leather upholstery (or a leather steering wheel). Seriously, the longer you look, the more cool details you’ll discover.

So far, one other skin from the same collection has made it into the game: the Tec 9 | Fuel Injector. 

Open cases with AK-47 | Fuel Injector

7. Fire Serpent

Price: $700–$2850

The Fire Serpent is a true classic—it was one of the first skins added to CS:GO (in 2013, around a year after the game’s premiere). Today, Fire Serpents are fairly rare, which puts them on the expensive side: Factory New StatTrak versions of this skin are worth around $7000. 

If it’s a fire serpent, why is it green, though? The skin actually depicts a mythological creature, Xiuhcoatl—the spirit form of the Aztec deity of fire, whose name can be translated as “turquoise serpent”. Hence, the green color and the overall style of the skin. Xiuhcoatl guided the sun god across the sky, which explains the clouds seen in the design. 

Open cases with AK-47 | Fire Serpent

8. Asiimov

Price: $20–$240

Asiimovs are among the most distinctive skins in the game, thanks to the crisp design featuring white, orange, and black. Factory New Asiimovs are particularly valued, costing around $240—so, almost five times as much as the next-best thing, Minimal Wear ($50). 

The Asiimov collection has been designed by Community member Coridium, and there are several other Asiimov skins in Counter-Strike: 

• M4A4 | Asiimov
• AWP | Asiimov
• P90 | Asiimov
• P250 | Asiimov

All of these skins feature the same colors and style, though they’re generally cheaper than the AK-47 | Asiimov.

Open cases with AK-47 | Asiimov 

9. Wild Lotus

Price: $2250–$10 000+

As beautiful as it is rare, the Wild Lotus was added to CS:GO in 2019. Currently, there are fewer than 3000 Wild Lotuses in existence, so it’s no wonder that Factory New ones regularly sell for over $10k. 

There was one well-publicized case of a Wild Lotus selling for $160k, even—but in fact, it’s the four Katowice 2014 holo stickers that drove the price, not the skin itself. 

Open cases with AK-47 | Wild Lotus

10. Cartel

Price: $8–$25

At first glance, Cartel appears almost identical to the default AK-47 skin. Look a little closer, though, and you’ll notice the incredibly detailed engravings on every metal part of the rifle. 

The design (created by coyote37, Anders, and Hanzo) has a Mexican theme, drawing on traditional Mexican art and symbolism. You’ll find plenty of intricate floral patterns and calaveras (sugar skulls), alongside other Day of the Dead imagery. 

You can get a matching P250 | Cartel skin from the same collection.  

Open cases with AK-47 | Cartel

11. Slate

Price: $2–$10

Slate is an all-black skin that will appeal to every minimalist among you. It’s also incredibly wallet-friendly, costing only around $10 Factory New (up to $40 with StatTrak). 

This skin looks great in its own right, but players like to use it for displaying their best stickers, too. With no colors other than black and no distracting textures, Slate makes for the perfect sticker base. 

Open cases with AK-47 | Slate

12. Neon Rider

Price: $20–$150

The 80s-inspired retrowave aesthetic makes it impossible to mistake Neon Rider for any other AK-47 skin. The design features bright colors and an urban theme, plus a human figure wearing a monster-themed motorbike helmet. That guy is the eponymous Neon Rider, and he’s a character developed by Puffin, the creator of this skin. Check out their Steam page to learn more about Neon Rider, see vintage-style teasers for new skins, and get drawn into the world of Neon City. 

Currently, there’s one other skin from this series in the game: Mac-10 | Neon Rider. Fun fact: the Neon Rider’s creators have also collaborated with SteelSeries to create a limited edition, Neon Rider-themed gaming mouse and mousepads. 

Open cases with AK-47 | Neon Rider

13. Aquamarine Revenge

Price: $20–$110

Here’s an interesting design for a decent price. Aquamarine Revenge (originally named Courage Alt by its creator, PoignantEnvy) features stylized orange dolphins on a teal background of waves. The stock and handguard of the rifle appear black at first glance, but look closer, and you’ll notice the same pattern there, only in shades of dark gray.  

Open cases with AK-47 | Aquamarine Revenge

14. Hydroponic

Price: $630–$1500+

Hydroponic was added to the game by Valve in May 2015. It’s a relatively uncommon skin—not exactly rare, but the supply is limited enough to drive prices well above $1k. 

The bamboo pattern is randomized, which means that the skin will look slightly different depending on the pattern number. The only areas that change in appearance are the parts with the off-white background. 

Open cases with AK-47 | Hydroponic

15. Wasteland Rebel

Price: $30–$350

Gritty and rugged, Wasteland Rebel features a portion of the terrorists’ logo on the magazine. Among the other writing and markings on the rifle, you’ll find graffiti-style “1337 Krew” on the receiver, a skull and crossbones, and a smiley face. There’s also a bomb code inscription on the side of the rifle. 

If you like this design, you’ll be glad to know you can get a matching Glock-18 | Wasteland Rebel skin from the same collection by SA_22, as well as a Sawed-Off | Wasteland Princess skin (same creator, different vibe). 

Open cases with AK-47 | Wasteland Rebel

There you are: 15 of the best AK-47 skins in CS2. Here’s hoping your personal favorite made this list, or perhaps that you found a new favorite skin today. If you’re looking for budget options, our list of the best cheap AK-47 CS2 skins will have you covered: it contains 15 cool AK skins that cost under $20 each. Check out our AK-47 case, too—it contains tons of awesome AK skins, including Wild Lotus!