If you’ve always wanted a full red CS2 inventory, this 2025 guide is for you. In this article, we’ll build a red CS2 loadout across rifles, pistols, knives, and gloves using some of the best red skins in the game — from accessible picks to high-end flex pieces. If you’re putting together your first themed setup or refining a premium red collection, you’ll find options here for every budget.
If you want to round out your inventory with more color, check out our breakdown of the best purple CS2 skins for matching rifles, pistols, and knives.
Contents
- 1 Best Red Weapon Skins in CS2 (2025)
- 2 M4A4 | Howl
- 3 M4A1-S | Hot Rod
- 4 MP9 | Hot Rod
- 5 AK-47 | Bloodsport
- 6 AWP | Wildfire
- 7 Desert Eagle | Code Red
- 8 Dual Berettas | Hemoglobin
- 9 FAMAS | Styx
- 10 USP-S | Bleeding Edge
- 11 P250 | Nevermore
- 12 Glock-18 | Candy Apple
- 13 Galil AR | Signal
- 14 Best Red Knives in CS2
- 15 Butterfly Knife | Doppler – Ruby
- 16 M9 Bayonet | Autotronic
- 17 Skeleton Knife | Slaughter
- 18 Best Red Gloves in CS2
- 19 Specialist Gloves | Crimson Kimono
- 20 Hand Wraps | Slaughter
- 21 Sport Gloves | Slingshot
- 22 Conclusion
- 23 FAQ – Best Red Skins & Loadouts in CS2
Best Red Weapon Skins in CS2 (2025)
| Skin Name | Release Date | Price (from MW) | Quality | Case / Collection |
| M4A4 | Howl | May 1, 2014 | ~$4,375 | Contraband Rifle | No longer obtainable (Contraband item) |
| M4A1-S | Hot Rod | May 26, 2015 | ~$2,022 | Classified Rifle | The Chop Shop Collection |
| MP9 | Hot Rod | Nov 27, 2013 | ~$315 | Mil-Spec SMG | The Mirage Collection |
| AK-47 | Bloodsport | Mar 16, 2017 | ~$192.14 | Covert Rifle | Spectrum Case / The Spectrum Collection |
| AWP | Wildfire | Oct 18, 2019 | ~$57 | Covert Sniper Rifle | CS20 Case / The CS20 Collection |
| Desert Eagle | Code Red | Aug 3, 2018 | ~$51.34 | Covert Pistol | Horizon Case / The Horizon Collection |
| Dual Berettas | Hemoglobin | Nov 8, 2013 | ~$14.23 | Restricted Pistol | CS:GO Weapon Case 2 / The Arms Deal 2 Collection |
| FAMAS | Styx | Aug 8, 2014 | ~$6.81 | Restricted Rifle | The Cache Collection |
| USP-S | Bleeding Edge | Apr 1, 2025 | ~$3.99 | Restricted Pistol | The Radiant Collection |
| P250 | Nevermore | Dec 6, 2018 | ~$1.56 | Restricted Pistol | Danger Zone Case / The Danger Zone Collection |
| Glock-18 | Candy Apple | Nov 27, 2013 | ~$1.03 | Mil-Spec Pistol | The Italy Collection |
| Galil AR | Signal | Dec 6, 2018 | ~$0.85 | Restricted Rifle | Danger Zone Case / The Danger Zone Collection |
In this list, we’ve picked the best red weapon skins across rifles, pistols, and more, so you can build a clean, aggressive setup that stands out in every match.
M4A4 | Howl
- Release Date: May 1, 2014
- Price: ~$4,375 – $7,368
- Quality: Contraband Rifle
- Case: no longer obtainable
One of the most recognizable rifles ever created. Valve applied this status in 2014 after the original artwork was found to be plagiarized. When the case was updated with new art, the Howl was removed from the drop pool entirely and turned into a Contraband item. Only accessible via Steam Market, trading, or third-party marketplaces.
M4A1-S | Hot Rod
- Release Date: May 26, 2015
- Price: ~$2,022 – $2,888
- Quality: Classified Rifle
- Collection: The Chop Shop Collection
Because Valve rarely releases pure-color anodized weapons, this skin stands out from almost every other rifle in the game. Chop Shop Collection has high-demand skins (e.g., Deagle Blaze) but an extremely low supply. As a result, Hot Rods are naturally scarce and expensive.
MP9 | Hot Rod
- Release Date: November 27, 2013
- Price: ~$315 – $769
- Quality: Mil-Spec SMG
- Collection: The Mirage Collection
Known for its pure metallic red anodized finish and extremely low supply. It’s part of the legendary “Hot Rod” family alongside the M4A1-S Hot Rod, sharing the same glossy, clean red aesthetic that collectors love. Only Factory New and Minimal Wear items are available.
AK-47 | Bloodsport
- Release Date: March 16, 2017
- Price: ~$192.14 – $330
- Quality: Covert Rifle
- Case: Spectrum Case
- Collection: The Spectrum Collection
Features a bright red base covered with white and black sponsor-style logos, numbers, and warning labels, giving it a motorsport / cyber-racing vibe rather than a traditional military look. As a Covert AK with a busy, modern design, it’s hugely popular among players building red or “esports” style loadouts. It looks best in Factory New / Minimal Wear, where the text and decals stay crisp.
AWP | Wildfire
- Release Date: October 18, 2019
- Price: ~$57 – $239.33
- Quality: Covert Sniper Rifle
- Case: CS20 Case
- Collection: The CS20 Collection
Features a large flaming dragon motif across the body, with bright orange/yellow fire over a deep black base, giving it a dramatic legendary look. Popular with players building red/orange or fire-themed loadouts who want something flashy.
Desert Eagle | Code Red
- Release Date: August 3, 2018
- Price: ~$51.34 – $316.41
- Quality: Covert Pistol
- Case: Horizon Case
- Collection: The Horizon Collection
Bold red, white, and black color scheme with clean panels, text markings, and a big “XIII” style graphic, giving it a modern, sporty look.
Dual Berettas | Hemoglobin
- Release Date: November 8, 2013
- Price: ~$14.23 – $16.38
- Quality: Restricted Pistol
- Case: CS:GO Weapon Case 2
- Collection: The Arms Deal 2 Collection
Dark metallic base with rich, deep red “blood” accents on the slides and grips. Works great in darker, more serious red/black loadouts (not cartoony or “overdesigned”).
FAMAS | Styx
- Release Date: August 8, 2014
- Price: ~$6.81 – $55.24
- Quality: Restricted Rifle
- Collection: The Cache Collection
Among FAMAS skins, Styx sits in that sweet spot between budget and collector piece – extremely popular in the market, highly rated by players, and one of the go-to options if you want a bloody, skull-themed rifle without paying knife-level prices.
USP-S | Bleeding Edge
- Release Date: April 1, 2025
- Price: ~$3.99 – $27.97
- Quality: Restricted Pistol
- Collection: The Radiant Collection
USP-S | Bleeding Edge is a brutal, blood-red take on the classic pistol – a worn, sprayed pattern that looks like it’s just come out of a brawl.
P250 | Nevermore
- Release Date: December 6, 2018
- Price: ~$1.56 – $2.88
- Quality: Restricted Pistol
- Case: Danger Zone Case
- Collection: The Danger Zone Collection
P250 | Nevermore covers the pistol in vivid orange-red skeletal ravens over a dark base, giving it a fiery, aggressive look that still feels clean in-hand. It pairs perfectly with red and black loadouts, especially when you’re stacking other bold skins like red knives, gloves, or rifles.
Glock-18 | Candy Apple
- Release Date: November 27, 2013
- Price: ~$1.03 – $3.33
- Quality: Mil-Spec Pistol
- Collection: The Italy Collection
Glock-18 | Candy Apple keeps things simple and clean with a glossy solid-red slide over black hardware, basically the textbook example of a budget red sidearm. The bold, shiny red finish slots perfectly into any red/black loadout.
Galil AR | Signal
- Release Date: December 6, 2018
- Price: ~$0.85 – $2.69
- Quality: Restricted Rifle
- Case: Danger Zone Case
- Collection: The Danger Zone Collection
Galil AR | Signal mixes a dark, industrial base with bright red warning stripes and accents, so it looks like a weapon ripped straight from a hazard zone.
Best Red Knives in CS2
Red knives are the crown jewels of any CS2 red loadout, and in this section we’ll highlight the most iconic once.
| Skin Name | Release Date | Price (from MW) | Quality | Case / Collection |
| Butterfly Knife | Doppler – Ruby | March 16, 2017 | ~$11,095 | Covert Knife | Spectrum Case / Spectrum 2 Case |
| M9 Bayonet | Autotronic | June 16, 2016 | ~$800 | Covert Knife | Gamma Case / Gamma 2 Case |
| Skeleton Knife | Slaughter | November 19, 2019 | ~$572.79 | Covert Knife | Fracture Case / Shattered Web Case |
Butterfly Knife | Doppler – Ruby
- Release Date: March 16, 2017
- Price: ~$11,095 – $12,038
- Quality: Covert Knife
- Case: Spectrum Case, Spectrum 2 Case
Butterfly Knife | Doppler (Ruby) is one of the most sought-after red knives in CS2, thanks to its deep, gemstone-like crimson blade and almost fully red color coverage compared to other Doppler phases. As a Covert knife with an ultra-rare Ruby pattern, it sits in the top luxury tier of skins, often costing thousands of dollars depending on float and pattern quality.
M9 Bayonet | Autotronic
- Release Date: June 16, 2016
- Price: ~$800 – $1,458
- Quality: Covert Knife
- Case: Gamma Case, Gamma 2 Case
M9 Bayonet | Autotronic has that futuristic, industrial look with its clean steel blade, red hollowed-out channels, and matching red details on the handle. The strong crimson accents make it a perfect fit for techy red/black loadouts, pairing especially well with skins like AK | Bloodsport, M4A1-S | Hot Rod, or any red-themed gloves.
Skeleton Knife | Slaughter
- Release Date: November 19, 2019
- Price: ~$572.79 – $688.50
- Quality: Covert Knife
- Case: Fracture Case, Shattered Web Case
Skeleton Knife | Slaughter combines a blood-red, patterned blade with that distinctive cut-out handle, so it looks brutal both in-hand and in inspect animations. The rich red Slaughter finish ties in perfectly with red-heavy inventories, matching especially well with crimson gloves and aggressive red rifles like the AK or M4.
If you’re trying to save money on the knife slot, our list of the best cheap knives in CS2 (2025) covers 15 budget-friendly options that still look clean in-game.
Best Red Gloves in CS2
Red gloves are what pull a red CS2 loadout together, and here we’ll cover the best red gloves.
| Skin Name | Release Date | Price (from MW) | Quality | Case / Collection |
| Specialist Gloves | Crimson Kimono | November 29, 2016 | ~$1,455 | Extraordinary Gloves | Glove Case, Operation Hydra Case |
| Hand Wraps | Slaughter | November 29, 2016 | ~$408.86 | Extraordinary Gloves | Glove Case, Operation Hydra Case |
| Sport Gloves | Slingshot | December 3, 2020 | ~$332.94 | Extraordinary Gloves | Recoil Case, Snakebite Case, Operation Broken Fang Case |
Specialist Gloves | Crimson Kimono
- Release Date: November 29, 2016
- Price: ~$1,455 – $13,552
- Quality: Extraordinary Gloves
- Case: Glove Case, Operation Hydra Case
Specialist Gloves | Crimson Kimono are one of the most iconic red glove skins, with a striking crimson and black pattern that instantly stands out in first person.
Hand Wraps | Slaughter
- Release Date: November 29, 2016
- Price: ~$408.86 – $970.10
- Quality: Extraordinary Gloves
- Case: Glove Case, Operation Hydra Case
Hand Wraps | Slaughter wrap your hands in a blood-red pattern with messy, almost splattered shapes that look savage in first person. The deep crimson tone makes them a perfect match for red knives and rifles.
Sport Gloves | Slingshot
- Release Date: December 3, 2020
- Price: ~$332.94 – $1524.99
- Quality: Extraordinary Gloves
- Case: Recoil Case, Snakebite Case, Operation Broken Fang Case
Sport Gloves | Slingshot wrap your hands in a bold mix of deep red and dark grey, with a sporty pattern that looks great in both first-person and inspect. They’re one of the best glove picks for a red loadout.
To keep up with future red skins and new collections, follow our hub for new CS2 cases and souvenir packages, where we track every fresh drop.
Conclusion
A full red CS2 loadout can be anything from a flex with Howl, Ruby, and Crimson Kimonos to a clean budget setup built around Candy Apple, Nevermore, and Signal — it all depends on how deep you want to go.
The skins above cover every slot and every price point, so you can start small with cheap pistols and rifles, then slowly upgrade into premium knives and gloves as your balance (and ego) grows. However you mix it, if you stick to these picks, your inventory will always look sharp, aggressive, and unmistakably red on the server.
FAQ – Best Red Skins & Loadouts in CS2
What is the best red skin in CS2?
There’s no single “best” red skin, but M4A4 | Howl, Butterfly Knife | Doppler (Ruby), and Specialist Gloves | Crimson Kimono are usually considered the top-tier flex picks if you ignore budget.
How much does a full red CS2 loadout cost?
It depends completely on what you choose. A true luxury setup with Howl, Ruby, and Crimson Kimonos can run into tens of thousands of dollars, while a clean budget loadout with skins like Glock-18 | Candy Apple, P250 | Nevermore, and Galil AR | Signal can be built for well under $100.
What are the best cheap red skins for low budgets?
If you’re starting small, focus on value picks like Glock-18 | Candy Apple, P250 | Nevermore, Galil AR | Signal, and FAMAS | Styx. They still look great in-game and give you a proper red theme without draining your balance.
What’s the best way to start building a red inventory?
Pick one or two main-play weapons (like your AK/M4 and pistol), grab affordable red skins for those first, and then slowly upgrade into more expensive knives, gloves, and premium rifles as your budget and inventory grow.
