SMGs in Battlefield 6 are primary weapons that emphasize mobility, fast fire rate, and good handling. These are extremely effective due to their quick fire rates and low recoil values. SMGs trade off some damage per shot or range for speed, mobility, and close-in lethality. Choosing the best SMG can be challenging for players, as each serves its purpose well in the game.
Best SMG Tier List
SMGs allow faster movement, quicker aim-down‐sights (ADS) transitions, and are well-suited to aggressive play. They have very high rates of fire, letting you drop enemies quickly in close ranges. PW5A3 is the best SMG in our tier list due to its high damage, accuracy, precision, and TTK. Choose SMGs when you expect a lot of close-to-mid range combat.
Below is the best SMG tier list in Battlefield 6.
|
Tier |
Weapon |
|
S-Tier |
PW5A3 |
|
A-Tier |
UMG-40, SGX, SCW-10 |
|
B-Tier |
SL9, PW7A2, KVP |
|
C-Tier |
USG-90 |
S-Tier
1. PW5A3
PW5A3 Battlefield 6
PW5A3 has become a sweeping favorite across the player base since the launch of Battlefield 6. This weapon rocks a maximum damage of 25 out of the 10m mark, dropping a total of five damage tiers before reaching its minimum damage of 12 beyond that 75m mark.
PW5A3 Tips & Usage
- Effective Range & Damage: The PW5A3 remains highly potent up to around 20 meters, with four shots to kill at 10m and up to six shots at 35m. Its consistent performance across short to medium distances makes it extremely dependable.
- Headshot Multiplier: With a 1.34x headshot multiplier, it improves its time-to-kill significantly, reducing the number of bullets needed to finish an opponent by one shot in most situations.
- Recoil & Control: The PW5A3 has very low recoil, allowing for accurate spray control even during rapid engagements.
- Class Synergy: Best paired with the Engineer class, benefiting from SMG-related bonuses like enhanced hip-fire control.
- Recommended Attachments: Focus on attachments that boost ADS speed, mobility, and hip-fire accuracy to maintain control during fast-paced fights.
- Ideal For: Players who enjoy high-mobility combat, close-range dominance, and consistent weapon handling without heavy recoil penalties.
A-Tier
1. UMG-40
UMG-40
The UMG-40 has the slowest fire rate of all the other SMGs in Battlefield 6; however, this weapon can easily kill a target from 60 meters away with six body shots. UMG-40 can outperform even carbines and assault rifles in BF6.
UMG-40 Tips & Usage
- Unlock Requirement: The UMG-40 becomes available at Rank 29, rewarding players with one of the most stable SMGs in the game.
- Accuracy & Control: Offers excellent base accuracy, making it easy to manage recoil and maintain precision even during sustained fire.
- Damage Profile: Chambered in .40 caliber, it delivers consistent mid-range damage, trading fire rate for better stability and accuracy.
- Class Synergy: Best used with the Engineer class, as SMGs benefit from enhanced hip-fire control and mobility bonuses.
- Tactical Playstyle: Focus on smart movement and positioning—flank enemies, hold corridors, and take advantage of semi-open areas where accuracy and control shine.
- Recommended Attachments: Equip stability-focused attachments to maximize precision and consistency in mid-range fights.
- Ideal For: Players who value accuracy, control, and methodical positioning over raw fire rate—perfect for engineers who thrive on tactical engagements.
2. SGX
SGX bf6
SGX dominates close quarters with 830 RPM and excellent hipfire accuracy in tight spaces. It can quickly overwhelm enemies, making it ideal for aggressive run-and-gun players.
SGX Tips & Usage
- Close-Range Specialist: The SGX excels in tight spaces, offering incredible time-to-kill when you take advantage of its rapid fire rate and mobility.
- Limited Mid-Range Use: While it lacks long-range precision, pairing it with mobility perks and suppression tactics can enable effective flanking and surprise attacks.
- Strength in Aggression: Its true power lies in close-range fights, where the combination of fire rate and controllable recoil gives you a clear edge.
- Tactical Awareness: Learn map layouts and choke points to make the most of this weapon—ambush enemies before they can react.
- Attachment Synergy: The extended barrel and 36-round magazine slightly extend its effective range, but be cautious—ammo runs out quickly during heavy firefights.
- Ideal For: Players who thrive on aggressive, fast-paced combat and prefer pushing objectives or catching opponents off-guard with surprise flanks.
3. SCW-10
SCW-10
SCW-10 is a banger of a freaking weapon. It does 800 RPM with 33 damage. This weapon is well known for its exceptionally fast Time-to-Kill (TTK) and dominance in close-quarters combat. It is unlocked via the “Close Quarters 1” assignment, which requires 300 close-range SMG kills and 10,000 damage with SMGs.
SCW-10 Tips & Usage
- Close-Range Power: The SCW-10 deals high damage per shot at close range, with an 800 RPM fire rate that melts enemies when you land accurate hits.
- Small Magazine Limitation: Its low default magazine size demands precision—every shot counts, especially in fast-paced gunfights.
- Attachment Recommendation: Use the Single-Port Brake for improved recoil control without sacrificing handling speed.
- Aggressive Playstyle: Best suited for flanking and corridor combat, where quick reactions and fast strafing dominate the fight.
- Ammunition Choice: Hollow Point rounds boost the headshot multiplier, rewarding skilled aim with faster kills.
- Ideal For: Players who excel at fast movement, precise shooting, and tactical positioning during close-quarters engagements.
B-tier
1. SL9
SL9
SL9 has 25 per shot damage and a fire rate of 675 RPM. Its damage, combined with a moderate fire rate, gives it a good base for mid-close engagements. The magazine size is moderate, but for a high-mobility SMG, you might expect larger mags or faster reloads.
SL9 Tips & Usage
- Damage and Fire Rate: With 25 base damage per shot, the SCW-10 hits slightly lighter than some SMGs, and its moderate fire rate means you’ll need consistent aim or headshots to secure fast kills.
- Close-to-Mid Range Strength: Performs best in tight to medium combat zones, maintaining accuracy and control where faster SMGs may struggle to stay on target.
- Headshot Advantage: Use Hollow Point ammunition to enhance headshot multiplier, allowing you to reduce bullets-to-kill and improve TTK.
- Controlled Engagements: Avoid extended spray duels at very close range—burst fire or controlled taps will yield better results.
- Attachment Recommendation: Equip Single-Port Brake and Slim Angled Grip to reduce recoil and maintain smooth handling.
- Ideal For: Players who favor measured aggression, accuracy, and control, especially when expecting short to medium engagements rather than all-out rushes.
2. PW7A2
PW7A2
PW7A2 combines extreme mobility with controllable recoil and impressive effective range for an SMG. With 947 RPM and high recoil, it allows players to dominate hipfire engagements without ADS.
PW7A2 Tips & Usage
- Flexible Engagements: Its flexibility makes it perfect for aggressive, push-heavy playstyles, while still performing well beyond typical SMG ranges.
- High Fire Rate & Control: With excellent recoil management and rapid fire, it allows for quick eliminations even in fast-paced encounters.
- Versatile Range Performance: Unlike many SMGs, the PW7A2 can hold its own in mid-range fights, maintaining accuracy and damage consistency with the right attachments.
- Aggressive Movement: Mastering its use enables rapid flanking, map traversal, and sustained pressure on enemies in both open and tight combat zones.
- Early-Game Advantage: In the early stages, SMGs like the PW7A2 outperform expectations, offering strong firepower and control before higher-tier weapons are unlocked.
- Recommended Setup: Focus on attachments that enhance mobility, ADS speed, and recoil stability to maintain dominance in close and mid-range fights.
- Ideal For: Players who prefer fast, dynamic combat, using positioning and movement to overwhelm enemies across all ranges.
3. KV9
KV9
KV9 is the strongest SMG in Battlefield 6 and has a whopping 1080 RPM and a max damage value of 25. This sleek SMG will near-instantly consume the ammunition within a standard magazine. The high fire-rate and strong close-quarters damage potential make it extremely deadly in the right situations.
KV9 Tips & Usage
- Close-Quarters Specialist: The KV9’s strengths are heavily focused in tight spaces and short-range fights, where its lightning-fast TTK gives you a massive advantage.
- Limited Magazine Size: With only 17 bullets by default and a max of 27 in the extended mag, every shot counts — reload timing is critical.
- Positioning & Movement: To fully exploit this weapon, rely on flanking routes, fast repositioning, and ambush tactics rather than head-on duels.
- Reload Vulnerability: The magazine empties quickly, leaving you vulnerable mid-reload — plan your engagements and retreat points carefully.
- Skill-Dependent Performance: The KV9 rewards accuracy, reflexes, and mobility — in the right hands, it’s a close-range monster capable of deleting enemies in milliseconds.
- Ideal For: Players who thrive on aggressive, high-speed gameplay and can handle pressure in close-quarters chaos.
C-Tier
1. USG-90
USG-90
USG-90 in Battlefield 6 has a high-capacity PDW with a unique design. Lower effective damage is offset by a high rate of fire. It has a rate of fire of approximately ~900 RPM, magazine size of ~50 rounds.
USG-90 Tips & Usage
- High Magazine Capacity: Comes with a 50-round default magazine, allowing for longer engagements and reduced reload interruptions in hectic fights.
- No Foregrip Attachments: The USG-90 cannot equip underbarrel grips, limiting recoil tuning options but maintaining strong base stability for an SMG.
- Engineer Synergy: When used with the Engineer class, it gains enhanced hip-fire control, improving close-quarters accuracy and reaction speed.
- Lower Damage Per Shot: It has lower per-bullet damage than power-focused SMGs, but its high fire rate and sustained fire easily make up for it in CQC.
- Close-Range Dominance: Best suited for tight spaces, flanks, and objective pushes, where its fast handling and magazine size can overwhelm multiple enemies.
- Recommended Setup: Use attachments that improve ADS speed and recoil stability, and rely on mobility to maintain control during prolonged firefights.
- Ideal For: Players who prefer relentless pressure and close-range engagements, taking advantage of volume fire over raw per-bullet power.
