SMGs are a great close-range weapon choice in Apex Legends for many reasons. They have a high rate of fire, good hip-fire accuracy, and a short time to kill. There are five submachine guns in Apex Legends and they all handle differently from one another. All SMGs in the game are balanced, but some outperform others.
SMGs are a popular weapon choice for defensive legends as they perform best in close quarters. Controller class legends are able to utilize SMGs to their full potential due to their ability to force fights in closer quarters. A player using an SMG will have the upper hand in a close-quarter fight compared to a player using an assault rifle.
5 Alternator SMG
The Alternator is the most iconic SMG and is worthy of respect. While the gun ranks lowest in the list, it is still a powerful weapon that is devastating in the early phase of the game. In the later stages, the Alternator struggles to compete against red shield opponents due to the increased time to kill. During the end zones, enemy players will use weapons with a short time to kill which provides them with an advantage. The Alternator is best used for the early game as players will mostly be limited to white and blue shields.
While the time to kill is higher than other SMGs, the Alternator has one redeeming factor that allows it to perform great in the early game. The recoil pattern for the Alternator is easy to negate and can be used at ranges other than close quarters. Additionally, the Alternator has stellar hip-fire accuracy and is perfect for players that utilize movement. The easy recoil and accurate hip-fire turn the Alternator into a popular pick for many beginner load-outs in Apex Legends. The Alternator has a DPS of 160 and can support up to 27 bullets with a purple light magazine.
4 Prowler Burst PDW
For now, the Prowler is currently the only burst SMG in Apex Legends. The Prowler has the highest magazine capacity of all SMGs in the game and allows it to be devastating in close range. The extra bullets allow players to miss a few shots and still get a knock. The R-99 comes second in magazine capacity with 28 bullets, this leaves the Prowler with 7 additional bullets. The Prowler has lethal close-range potential due to its precise hip-fire accuracy. Getting used to the burst nature of the gun is the only obstacle required to dominate with the Prowler. The Prowler works great for medium-ranged encounters and is easy to control, but suffers from inconsistency due to the burst nature of the weapon.
The early Prowler had the ability to fire full auto with the help of a Selectfire Receiver Hop-up and was regarded as one of the best Hop-ups in Apex Legends until its removal in season 7. Currently, the Prowler is a solid choice for players that prefer a burst SMG. The Prowler has a DPS of 174 causing it to be a more viable option compared to the Alternator.
3 Volt SMG
Nothing can rival the Volt as the most balanced SMG in the game. The gun packs a punch but remains an easy-to-handle gun for newcomers. The recoil control is manageable with light practice and is a strong weapon for all stages of the game. The Volt is beloved by many members of the Apex community due to its easy-to-learn nature.
The only department where the Volt falls short is its hip-fire accuracy. Finding a purple laser sight is essential for players that depend on hip-fire frequently in close-ranged fights. The Volt has a whopping 180 DPS and has the fastest reload time of all SMGs.
2 CAR SMG
The CAR is the newest addition to the SMG roster and had a strong impact on the game. The weapon successfully created diversity among SMGs and caused many players to reconsider picking up the R-99 in favor of the CAR. With the season 16 update, the CAR received a nerf by having 1 bullet removed from its magazine capacity. Despite this nerf, the CAR is a mighty SMG that is devastating in the right hands. Learning the recoil pattern to the CAR will take time and practice but will allow players to unleash lots of damage with the high fire rate of the CAR.
The best benefit is the CAR's inventory economy by allowing players to use the two most common ammo types and attachments. Players will have an easier time finding an extended magazine and ammo, compared to the Volt or R-99. The CAR has a high DPS of 202 and swift reload times.
1 R-99 SMG
The classic SMG choice for the majority of seasons has been the R-99. While the CAR puts up a fight, the recent buff to the R-99 has allowed it to regain its former glory. The R-99 received a 1-point damage increase which vastly increased the weapon's performance. The crazy fast fire rate of the R-99 will require tons of practice to achieve consistency with the gun, but it is a worthwhile investment.
Learning how to use SMGs such as the R-99 is the best way for players to improve in Apex Legends. The R-99 has average hip-fire accuracy and manageable recoil control that will shred enemies in the hands of a skilled player. The R-99 struggles for fights that extend past short range and will consume lots of ammo due to its insane fire rate. The R-99 has a DPS of 216, which places it as the highest DPS of all SMGs.
Apex Legends is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.