Which Skin to Buy for $100 in CS2? Top Best Skins Under $100
One hundred dollars is a sum that at first glance seems impressive, but in the current realities of the CS2 market, you can’t buy top-tier S-tier skins like expensive knives or gloves for that amount. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t become the owner of a stylish and memorable item with such a budget! We’ve carefully studied the market and selected the best skins for the most popular weapons in the game that not only please the eye but also have investment potential. Each of these skins deserves your attention, so let’s dive in and see what you can snag for a hundred bucks!
Hydra Gloves | Rattler
- Field-Tested: $82.31
- Well-Worn: $87.37
- Battle-Scarred: $83.33
These gloves are made from classic dark brown leather with beige-brown snake texture inserts that give them a slightly predatory vibe. The design is complemented by brass spikes and patches with the Operation Hydra logo, adding brutality to them. While these aren’t the brightest or most flashy gloves in the game, they still look decent and add some flair to your inventory.
You can’t buy a knife for a hundred dollars nowadays, even in the most budget variant, but these gloves are almost the only ones that fit within our budget. This is a great way to diversify gameplay since your hands with gloves are visible constantly, regardless of the weapon. Hydra Gloves | Rattler is a starting point for creating a cool set: in the future, you can buy an inexpensive knife, and the combination of knife with gloves always looks much more impressive than these items separately. Plus, their universal design easily combines with other skins, making them a practical choice for those who want to stand out without huge investments.
M4A1-S | Vaporwave
- Field-Tested: $95.61
- Well-Worn: $75.00
- Battle-Scarred: $71.25
M4A1-S | Vaporwave is a true anthem to retro-futurism and 80s aesthetics. The skin is executed in bright pink, white, and blue tones with geometric patterns and cool, original art. This is the perfect choice for players who love bright, modern themes and want to add something trendy to their inventory. The skin was released as part of the Gallery Case from Operation Arsenal, and visually it surpasses many other M4A1-S skins.
Its modern design with antique accents, like the ancient Greek statue, makes it universal: it will fit into any set and will never lose relevance. Moreover, this isn’t just about style, but also about prospects. Operation Arsenal will end sooner or later and the case may become limited, which will push the skin’s price up. This makes it an excellent investment. Such a skin will delight you not only in the game but also in your wallet when its value starts to rise.
AK-47 | The Empress
- Minimal Wear: $85.72
- Field-Tested: $53.98
- Well-Worn: $44.69
- Battle-Scarred: $43.93
AK-47 | The Empress is a skin inspired by the Tarot card “The Empress.” The central part of the rifle is decorated with an image of a blonde girl in a crown, surrounded by a pattern resembling sun rays. The stock, handguard, and grip are painted in deep blue shades with intricate patterns, while the red magazine is complemented by geometric ornament. With increased wear, patina appears on the body, making the skin darker and adding vintage charm.
If you want to save money, go for Field-Tested or Well-Worn – they still look decent and cost significantly less than Minimal Wear, but it’s precisely in this quality that its advantages are revealed. For many, The Empress may not be the best AK-47 skin, but we chose it because it’s perfect for sticker crafts. You can customize the skin by adding a helmet, wings, or making the empress’s golden locks even brighter. It’s like a canvas for creativity that allows you to create a unique design without big expenses. This approach makes the skin not only beautiful but also personalized.
Desert Eagle | Cobalt Disruption
- Minimal Wear: $95.00
- Field-Tested: $94.55
Desert Eagle | Cobalt Disruption is a classic that appeared in the game back in 2013 as part of the eSports 2013 Winter collection. The pistol is painted in blue shades with a pixelated camouflage pattern that looks both minimalistic and stylish. This skin is a true CS veteran that hasn’t lost its relevance in 12 years. Its bright but unobtrusive design makes it a universal choice for any inventory.
Why is it in our selection? First, it’s a legend that commands respect from old-timers and attracts newcomers. Second, its stable price speaks of reliability: Cobalt Disruption definitely won’t depreciate, making it a safe investment that’s cooler than Bitcoin or savings under the pillow. It will suit both those who value minimalism and collectors who want to have something with history in their inventory.
AWP | Printstream
- Well-Worn: $73.60
- Battle-Scarred: $69.00
AWP | Printstream is a modern masterpiece in black and white with pearlescent accents that give the skin a premium look. Even with increased wear, it doesn’t lose its attractiveness: the texture is covered with patina, becoming darker and acquiring unique character. This allows you to confidently take Well-Worn or Battle-Scarred to fit the budget, since Minimal Wear would require going beyond $100.
Printstream is an undisputed classic that is highly valued in the CS2 community. Even after transitioning to the new engine, the skin remained in the tops, despite criticism from some players. Developers continue to make adjustments to the Printstream collection, which speaks to its significance and durability. This skin attracts attention in the game, looks stylish, and will be an excellent addition to any inventory.
USP-S | Orion
- Factory New: $89.09
- Minimal Wear: $86.37
- Field-Tested: $79.46
USP-S | Orion is a skin with rich history and laconic design. The pistol body is painted black, over which an animalistic pattern of gray stripes is applied. Bright orange accents and a dot pattern on the silencer with USP-S inscription add an old-school vibe to the skin.
Orion stands out not only for its appearance but also for its unique fate: it was removed from the case due to copyright infringement but left available in the Huntsman Collection. Therefore, it can still be crafted, but this is absolutely unprofitable, which is why there aren’t many offers of this item on the marketplace. The simple but stylish design perfectly combines with stickers, which also allows customizing the skin to your taste. If you want a skin that stands out for its rarity and versatility, this is your option.
Glock-18 | Gamma Doppler
- Field-Tested: $107.14
The pistol slide is covered with metallic paint with a wavy pattern resembling smoke clouds, in purple, green, and turquoise shades with smooth gradient transitions.
Yes, we went over budget by a couple of bucks, but Gamma Doppler is worth it. First, it’s a touch of the elite “Doppler” series, where knives start from $500. Second, the variety of phases allows you to choose a pattern that perfectly fits your style. Third, the skin again has investment potential: the Train 2021 case is no longer available, and the souvenir version received an update in 2025, so new Glock-18 | Gamma Doppler won’t appear on the market. To fit the budget, you can use marketplace services, and Steam Inventory Helper will help in finding profitable offers.
