12g CO2 Chargers

What Is a 12g CO2 Charger?

A 12g CO2 charger is a small steel cartridge filled with 12 grams of pure carbon dioxide. Some people call them 12g CO2 cartridges, capsules or bulbs. Each one is sealed and single-use, giving the same result every time.

You use a 12g CO2 charger with a device that pierces the top and releases the gas, such as a soda syphon or an airsoft pistol. One cartridge holds enough gas for one job. Once it's empty, recycle the steel.

Threaded vs Non-Threaded: How to Choose

The two types are not interchangeable, so getting this right matters more than anything else on this page.

Non-threaded (smooth neck). No screw thread, since the device pierces the cartridge itself. This is the standard fit for soda syphons, and most airsoft guns, air rifles and paintball markers.

Threaded (screw top). Has a machined screw thread that screws directly into the valve. This is the fit for gear such as life jackets and small flotation devices.

If you're not sure which one you need, check the maker's guide for your syphon or gun, or look at an empty cartridge that already fits it properly.

Key Features

• Gas fill: each cartridge holds 12g of pure carbon dioxide.
• Two fittings: non-threaded for soda and airsoft, threaded for other screw-fit gear.
• Steel body: made from recyclable steel, and not refillable.
• Standard size: about 18mm wide and 83mm long, a size shared across most brands.
• Trusted brands: genuine Liss (non-threaded in 10 and 300 packs, threaded in a 300 pack) and Umarex (non-threaded in a 100 pack).
• Pack sizes: a 10-pack to try, up to bulk cases of 100 or 300 for regular use.

What You Can Use 12g CO2 Chargers For?

Soda syphons and carbonation. Adds fizz to water, cocktails and mixers, with a food-grade cartridge and a compatible syphon or portable carbonator. Some smaller syphons take an 8.4g CO2 charger instead of 12g, so check your model first.

Airsoft, paintball and air guns. Powers CO2 pistols, air rifles, gel blasters and paintball markers, firing each shot with no pumping in between. Shot count per cartridge varies by gun, but many players get tens of shots from one 12g cartridge.

Other uses. Threaded CO2 is also used in small flotation devices and to add CO2 to planted aquariums.

CO2 cartridges and N2O cream charger cartridges can look almost the same from the outside but hold different gas. Always confirm which one your device needs before ordering.

How Much Gas Does One 12g CO2 Charger Give?

Each 12g cartridge holds 12 grams of liquid CO2, which turns into about 6 litres of gas once released. For carbonation, that's roughly one full fizz cycle for a drink or syphon fill. For airsoft, it's enough for a run of shots before the pressure drops. Because it's a measured, single-use design, you only use the gas you need.

Food-Grade CO2 for Drinks

If your 12g CO2 is going into a drink, purity matters. Food-grade (beverage-grade) CO2 is at least 99.9% pure, with tight limits on hydrocarbons, moisture and other contaminants. That's the difference between a clean, fresh fizz and a drink with an off taste. Choose food-grade for soda syphons and cocktails. For airsoft or tyres, standard pure CO2 is fine, since taste isn't a factor there.

Buying 12g CO2 Chargers in Bulk

For a busy bar, kitchen, airsoft site or cycling club, a bulk case is worth it: the cost per cartridge drops in larger packs, you're less likely to run out mid-shift or mid-game, and you're placing fewer orders overall. Check the price on our larger packs to see the best value for how often you use them.

How to Store 12g CO2 Chargers Safely?

• Keep them somewhere cool and dry, away from direct sunlight, heat and open flames.
• Store them upright where you can.
• Don't use a cartridge past any use-by date printed on it.
• Never puncture a full cartridge or put one in a fire. Only recycle cartridges once they're empty and pierced.

FAQs

Q: Are all 12g CO2 chargers the same?
A: No. They come in threaded and non-threaded tops, and in food-grade or standard purity. Match the fitting to your device, and choose food-grade for drinks.

Q: Can I use a 12g CO2 charger in a soda syphon?
A: Yes, if your syphon takes a 12g cartridge and you use a food-grade one. Some smaller syphons use an 8.4g CO2 charger instead, so check your model first.

Q: Can I use the same cartridge for airsoft and threaded gear?
A: No. Airsoft guns take non-threaded cartridges, while screw-fit devices need a threaded one.

Q: Is CO2 the same as a cream charger?
A: No. Cream chargers hold N2O (nitrous oxide) for whipping cream. These 12g chargers hold CO2 (carbon dioxide) for fizz, airsoft and tyres. They look similar but aren't the same.

Q: How much gas is in one cartridge?
A: About 12 grams of CO2, which becomes roughly 6 litres of gas once released.

Q: Are the cartridges recyclable?
A: Yes, made from recyclable steel. Once empty and pierced, recycle them with your scrap metal.

Q: Do I need to be 18 to buy?
A: Yes, we follow an over-18 policy on gas chargers.