Initially, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive was merely a hollow project for Valve to amass Counter-Strike 1.6 and Counter-Strike: Source players. The primary objective was to deliberate upon the ever divergent communities and blend them into a common game with a definite intent.
Until a year after its release, CS:GO wasn’t even the most popular version of Counter-Strike franchise, let alone being what it is today – most popular first-person shooter title. Here is how animated skins and lavish knives altered the fortunes of CS:GO while saving it from a colossal debacle.
Aesthetic skins might have initiated the boom for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive in 2013 and succeeding years. But, the insertion of skins led to the creation of an underground cabal for gambling and betting industry that eventually did wonders.
The industry was at its peak in 2016 when the bubble was burst, compelling Valve to take necessary actions. Critics, however, claim that Valve at first turned a blind eye apparently because the growth of gambling and betting industry was, in turn, beneficial for CS:GO.
Today, the game has broken records after records. After the release of Operation Shattered Web, CS:GO broke the all time concurrent player count record of DotA 2 (1.29M). In April 2020, CS:GO concurrent player count peaked at 1.3M users.
Besides the constancy and growth, the esport side of CS:GO is no less. The game has a healthy and highly competitive scene with multiple tournament organizers and a couple of Valve sponsored major events each year. It is also regarded as one of the most, if not the most, spectator friendly esports title.
But, this isn’t why you’re here. Let us quickly begin the guide that includes some of the best CS:GO skins under $10 for the low-budget skin enthusiasts.
Pistols
USP-S
- Our Pick: Cortex
- Other Options to look out for: Cyrex & Stainless
Glock
- Our Pick: Water Elemental
- Other Options to look out for: Wasteland Rebel & Nuclear Garden
Dual Berettas
- Our Pick: Royal Consorts
- Other Options to look out for: Cobra Strike & Duelist
P250
- Our Pick: See Ya Later
- Other Options to look out for: Asiimov & Mehndi
CZ75-Auto
- Our Pick: Xiangliu
- Other Options to look out for: Victoria & The Fuschia Is Now
Five-SeveN
- Our Pick: Angry Mob
- Other Options to look out for: Money Business & Fowl Play
Tec-9
- Our Pick: Decimator
- Other Options to look out for: Remote Control & Avalanche
Desert Eagle
- Our Pick: Kumicho Dragon
- Other Options to look out for: Light Rail & Conspiracy
Heavy
Nova
- Our Pick: Hyper Beast
- Other Options to look out for: Graphite & Bloomstick
XM1014
- Our Pick: Tranquility
- Other Options to look out for: Incinegator & Teclu Burner
MAG-7
- Our Pick: Justice
- Other Options to look out for: Bulldozer & SWAG-7
M249
- Our Pick: Nebula Crusader
- Other Options to look out for: Spectre & System Lock
Negev
- Our Pick: Power Loader
- Other Options to look out for: Loud Mouth & Dazzle
SMGs
MP9
- Our Pick: Hydra
- Other Options to look out for: Rose Iron & Hypnotic
MAC-10
- Our Pick: Neon Rider
- Other Options to look out for: Disco Tech & Curse
MP7
- Our Pick: Bloodsport
- Other Options to look out for: Nemesis & Cirrus
MP5-SD
- Our Pick: Phosphor
- Other Options to look out for: Co-Processor & Agent
UMP-45
- Our Pick: Primal Saber
- Other Options to look out for: Momentum & Scaffold
P90
- Our Pick: Asiimov
- Other Options to look out for: Trigon & Nostalgia
PP-Bizon
- Our Pick: Fuel Rod
- Other Options to look out for: Judgement of Anubis & Embargo
Rifles
FAMAS
- Our Pick: Eye of Athena
- Other Options to look out for: Commemoration & Roll Cage
Galil AR
- Our Pick: Sugar Rush
- Other Options to look out for: Stone Cold & Cerberus
M4A1-S
- Our Pick: Nightmare
- Other Options to look out for: Decimator & Cyrex
M4A4
- Our Pick: 龍王 (Dragon King)
- Other Options to look out for: Desolate Space & Griffin
AK-47
- Our Pick: Redline
- Other Options to look out for: Orbit & Emerald Pinstripe
SSG 08
- Our Pick: Bloodshot
- Other Options to look out for: Big Iron & Death’s Head
AUG
- Our Pick: Momentum
- Other Options to look out for: Chameleon & Stymphalian
SG 553
- Our Pick: Colony IV
- Other Options to look out for: Tiger Moth & Darkwing
AWP
- Our Pick: Mortis
- Other Options to look out for: Atheris & Fever Dream
SCAR-20
- Our Pick: Cardiac
- Other Options to look out for: Bloodsport & Emerald
G3SG1
- Our Pick: Flux
- Other Options to look out for: The Executioner & Stinge
The author intends to emphasize the preference for Field-Tested (FT) quality of the aforementioned skins. FT variant for the majority of the skins with decent float value (<0.20) is effortlessly obtainable. The opinion of the readers may vary, however, the author has strived to ally with the generality.
