
Best CS:GO Weapon Skins of 2023 – From Classic to Cutting Edge
CS:GO skins are integral to the game’s lasting popularity, with many of the best weapon skins CS:GO fetching a hefty price on the in-game market. A lot of players will sell CS:GO skins without knowing their actual value, though just as many choose to build an inventory of weapons as a point of pride for their Steam profile.

Image source: Steelseries
To buy skins for cash CS:GO players will usually use the Steam marketplace, though the sky-high prices of many of the skins mean that a third-party will often be used to ensure the money isn’t constricted to a Steam wallet. CS:GO free skins competitions also exist, though they’re more of a lucky draw compared to buying the skins yourself.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best weapon skins CS:GO of all time.
1. AWP – Asiimov
At this point, the Asiimov collection is synonymous with CS:GO. The AWP is the most iconic of the set, being the skin of choice for legendary AWPer dev1ce. Though the Asiimov collection is no longer amongst the most expensive CS:GO skins due to their age, using one will certainly gain you some respect on the server. Clean and classic, the AWP – Asiimov is sure to remain in style for the rest of CS:GO’s lifespan.
- Added: 20th February 2014
- Quality: Covert
- Lowest Price (Battle-Scarred): $57.90
- Case: Operation Phoenix Weapon Case
2. M4A1-S – Imminent Danger
The M4A1-S – Imminent Danger is the busiest skin on this list, and is definitely a love/hate skin. We love it. While it certainly won’t help you camouflage in-game, it’ll set you aside as a player with truly chaotic taste.
- Added: 22nd September 2021
- Quality: Covert
- Lowest Price (Battle-Scarred): $528.40
- Case: N/A
3. Karambit – Doppler (Sapphire)
The Karambit – Doppler (Sapphire) is amongst the most expensive CS:GO skins, with even a battle-scarred variant costing almost $1,000. If you sell CS:GO skins for profit, acquiring one of these knives could prove lucrative, with their rarity meaning they aren’t often trading openly on the Steam market.
- Added: 8th January 2015
- Quality: Covert
- Lowest Price (Battle-Scarred): $1067
- Case: Chroma, Chroma 2, Chroma 3
4. AK-47 – Leet Museo
While the AK-47 – Leet Museo isn’t amongst the rarest CS:GO skins, it has a unique aesthetic that makes it impossible to look away from. Looking like it has been pulled from a modern art museum, the Leet Museo is sure to catch eyes on the server. In terms of cost-to-uniqueness, the Leet Museo is amazing value for money for players wanting to distinguish themselves from the crowd.
- Added: 22nd September 2021
- Quality: Covert
- Lowest Price (Battle-Scarred): $14.08
- Case: Operation Riptide Case
5. AWP – Dragon Lore
It’s impossible to discuss the best CS:GO weapon skins and not discuss the AWP – Dragon Lore. For years, it made Counter-Strike news as the most expensive skin of all time, and with good reason. Used in-game by NAVI’s s1mple, a Souvenir Factory-New version of the skin can sell for up to $425,000. We like the price of the Battle-Scarred variant slightly better. *Slightly*.
- Added: 1st July 2014
- Quality: Covert
- Lowest Price (Battle-Scarred): $2999
- Case: N/A
6. AK-47 – Bloodsport
If you come across a player using the AK-47 Bloodsport, you’re doomed. The iconic red design has become synonymous with professional CS:GO riflers like f0rest and GeT_RiGhT, with the skin granting seemingly unnatural powers to all that use it on the server. It’s also available for a price that many gamers will actually be able to afford. The AK-47 Bloodsport is one of the only skins in CS:GO not available in Battle-Scarred, with Well-Worn being the lowest quality available to players.
Added: 16th March 2017
Quality: Covert
Lowest Price (Well-Worn): $90
Case: Spectrum Case
7. AWP – Neo-Noir
Style on a budget, the AWP Neo-Noir is the perfect starter CS:GO skin for any budding AWPers out there. While more experienced AWPers might reach for a more expensive skin, the AWP Neo-Noir still has its takers. In the past, it’s been known to be used by retired CS:GO player Pimp, as well as G2’s NiKo. This skin has the perfect price range. While the AWP Neo-Noir starts off at $25, a StatTrak Factory New version will cost up to $100.
Added: 6th December 2018
Quality: Covert
Lowest Price (Battle-Scarred): $25
Case: Danger Zone Case
8. M4A4 – Temukau
The newest CS:GO skin on this list, the M4A4 Temukau is the anime fan’s dream. It even has plenty of Easter eggs in Japanese for bilingual players to translate, including “Rush B!” and “Please do not forget to smoke ramp.” Although it’s still new, the M4A4 Temukau has already been spotted in dev1ce’s inventory, so look out for that in upcoming competitions. A StatTrak Factory New M4A4 Temukau can cost up to $1200, a far cry from the Battle-Scarred’s $55.
Added: 9th February 2023
Quality: Covert
Lowest Price (Battle-Scarred): $55
Case: Revolution Case
9. Desert Eagle – Code Red
We couldn’t make this list and not include a skin for the iconic hand cannon. The Desert Eagle Code Red provides a striking element of flair and makes a perfect match with the AK-47 Bloodsport. Its unique design has seen it used by legends of a bygone era, with kennyS, fnx, and GeT_RiGhT all using it during pro matches. Combine this one with the red Astralis, FaZe, or Heroic stickers from various competitions for extra style points.
Added: 1st August 2018
Quality: Covert
Lowest Price (Battle-Scarred): $20
Case: Horizon Case
10. M4A4 – Howl
The M4A4 Howl is one of the most legendary skins in the game. It’s the only Contraband quality skin, due to an art theft controversy all the way back in 2014. This has made it one of the rarest skins in CS:GO, but also one of the most sought-after for collectors. Because of this, the price of the M4A4 Howl can reach over $13,000, with the skin’s minimum condition being Well-Worn. Only the most successful professional CS:GO players have picked this one up, with Xyp9x being the most notable.
Added: 1st May 2014
Quality: Contraband
Lowest Price (Well-Worn): $3100
Case: Huntsman Weapon Case
Though these are our best CS:GO weapon skins, there are hundreds of variants out there that you might prefer. It’s why the CS:GO skin market is so addictive – its subjective nature means that everyone will have their own favorites.
FAQs
The reason that many CS:GO skins are so expensive to purchase can be down to a multitude of factors. Mainly, it comes down to rarity. Some CS:GO weapons skins are extremely hard to get in a case. If the case itself is rare too, then this only drives the price up further. It can also depend on the wear rating of the item, as well as whether it’s a StatTrak item or not. For example, a Whiteout skin is usually triple the price when Factory New as opposed to Minimal Wear, as it makes a massive difference to the appearance of the skin. Why are some CS:GO weapon skins so expensive?
It’s definitely possible to make money from selling CS:GO skins, although we wouldn’t recommend it as a guaranteed income. The CS:GO skin market can be extremely volatile, changing day to day. You’re also at the mercy of whatever platform you use to sell the skins, with most taking a chunky fee that eats away at your profits. Sometimes you can be in the right place at the right time to make a bit of money, but it’s definitely not a perfect money maker. Can I make money from selling CS:GO skins?
The only way to get free CS:GO skins is to receive them in a drop after a match. These drops are totally random, but you must have a CS:GO Prime-enabled account to receive them. Or maybe you have a kind friend with some skins left over in their inventory willing to give them to you. This can be a great way to get some starter skins, if nothing else. How can I get free CS:GO skins?
Thankfully, CS:GO isn’t a pay-to-win game, so the benefits are purely cosmetic. It’s up to you to decide if a fancy CS:GO weapon skin is worth your hard-earned cash, and if so, how much you’re willing to spend on it. The answer will be different for everyone. Regardless, expensive skins are certain to make you the center of attention on the server. Are there any in-game benefits to buying CS:GO skins?