Twelve years on from its release, the clean white and orange pattern of the Asiimov still reigns supreme. Both the AWP | Asiimov and the AK-47 | Asiimov feature in the top three most searched skins under $100 according to data from Skinscanner.gg, with AK-47 skins taking up 70 percent of the top 10. This ranking of the best cheap CS2 skins reflects genuine player demand, rather than our subjective opinion. The most-searched skin isn’t automatically the best-designed one, just the one players are searching for most at this price point right now.
With the CS2 skins market in a permanent state of flux, some of these weapons may fluctuate in their pricing, but by and large they remain accessible to budget-conscious players. So use this list as a jumping off point when you’re assembling your first loadout, or adding to an existing one.
Quick Summary
- AWP | Asiimov is the most popular CS2 skin under $100, based on Skinscanner.gg search data.
- AK-47 skins dominate, taking 70 percent of the top 10 and 13 of the top 20 spots overall.
- Crane Flight, Asiimov, and Aphrodite lead the AK-47 rankings under $100.
- Block-18 and AXIA are the only Glock-18 skins to crack the top 10.
Best cheap CS2 skins under $100
The table below shows the top 20 most-searched CS2 skins under $100, according to Skinscanner.gg. Combined, these skins represent 5.84 percent of all skin searches, concentrating a substantial chunk of budget-focused demand in a small pool of popular skins.
| Rank | Skin | Search Share | Approx. Price (FT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AWP Asiimov | 0.99% | $102 |
| 2 | AK-47 Crane Flight | 0.96% | $11 |
| 3 | AK-47 Asiimov | 0.92% | $37 |
| 4 | AK-47 Aphrodite | 0.51% | $13 |
| 5 | Glock-18 Block-18 | 0.44% | <$1 |
| 6 | AK-47 B the Monster | 0.37% | $82 |
| 7 | AK-47 Aquamarine Revenge | 0.33% | $32 |
| 8 | AK-47 AUTOEXEC | 0.29% | $85 |
| 9 | Glock-18 AXIA | 0.22% | $20 |
| 10 | AK-47 Cartel | 0.22% | $13 |
1. AWP | Asiimov
Once famous for being Kenny “kennyS” Schrub’s “Magic Stick”, the AWP | Asiimov tops the list overall. Its white, orange, and black design has made it one of the most recognizable skins in CS2 history. The AWP remains the most searched for skin in the sub-$100 category. If you want an AWP skin that will never look dated, no matter how the trends shift, the Asiimov is a sure bet on a budget.
Related—GuardiaN to retire signature CS:GO AWP used for 8 years in auction
2. AK-47 | Crane Flight
Dead Hand Collection’s Crane Flight leads the AK-47 rankings, slotting in at an overall rank of #2. Released in March 2026, the design pairs a hand-painted crane and gold accents over a black and white base, making it the newest skin to crack the top three. One of the newest skins on the budget list, the Crane Flight shines (literally), thanks to its incredible metallic finish. Whether you’re going for a Gold-themed loadout, or a Whiteout kit, Crane Flight will fit in well.
3. AK-47 | Asiimov
The Asiimov brings the same white, orange, and black look from the AWP over to the rifle, making it an instant classic from when it released in 2018. That legendary design ensures the Asiimov name appears twice in the top three, with two of the five skins featuring in this list. Alongside the aformentioned AWP, and the trio of M4, P250, and P90 skins also available, the Asiimov set is an affordable way to get a matching set of skins.
4. AK-47 | Aphrodite
One of just two Limited Edition Armory skins in the game’s history thus far, the AK-47 | Aphrodite slots in at #4. The pearlescent design swings between gold, bronze, and purple reflections depending on the light and the pattern. But its search share drops off sharply from the top three, at just over half a percent, showing just how dominant those top skins are in search results. Buy it if you want a shimmering, eye-catching finish without paying Covert-tier prices for it.
5. Glock-18 | Block-18
The only pistol skin to make the top five, the LEGO-inspired Glock-18 | Block-18 slots in at #5. It’s a Restricted-tier finish that released alongside the Kilowatt Case back in January of 2024, and its blocky plating has made it a firm favorite for pistol rounds ever since. If you want your pistol round skins to stand out as much as your rifle does, the Block-18 is an easy choice.
6. AK-47 | B the Monster
B the Monster takes #6, a 2024 release from The Overpass 2024 Collection that recreates the graffiti mural from the map’s iconic B site monster tunnel on the AK-47 canvas. The skin received a 0.37% share of all skin searches across August. If you’re one of the die-hard Overpass fans, buy this so you can keep a piece of the map with you in the current Map Pool.
7. AK-47 | Aquamarine Revenge
Another classic AK skin, the Aquamarine Revenge has been one of the most sought after weapon finishes since its release in 2015. Part of the Falchion Collection, its unique turquoise and red design fits well in any loadout. If you’re a Counter-Strike veteran, and want to rep the classics, the Aquamarine remains a stellar purchase.
8. AK-47 | AUTOEXEC
AUTOEXEC is actually the newest skin on this entire list, only released in July 2026 as part of The Spy Tech Collection. It slots in at #8 with a high-gloss blue and pink gradient finish, and a high-tech aesthetic with monochromatic circles and QR code-esque patterns covering the gun. Buy it if you want the freshest possible skin and a hacker-core look nobody else has cycled through yet.
Best cheap AK-47 skins in CS2
The AK-47 has always been the posterchild of Counter-Strike, so it tracks that budget buyers search for it more than anything else. Thirteen of the top 20 skins are designed for the AK-47, with both legendary skins and newcomers sharing the limelight:
- Crane Flight (#2)
- Asiimov (#3)
- Aphrodite (#4)
- B the Monster (#6)
- Aquamarine Revenge (#7)
- AUTOEXEC (#8)
- Cartel (#10)
- Frontside Misty (#12)
Related—Top 10 Most Valuable AK-47 Skins in CS2 (2026)
Seven of those eight sit inside the top 10 breakdown above. The lone exception is Frontside Misty, which carries the AK-47’s budget appeal further down the rankings. It’s a 2015 release from The Shadow Collection, and its vibrant arctic blue and white finish has stayed a fan favorite for a full decade, popular as a craft base for holo team stickers from that same era.
Sticker craft AK47 SkinsAlongside the more evocative designs like B the Monster, Aquamarine Revenge, and more, the top 20 also includes more tame skins like the Blue and Black Laminates. While these skins don’t stand apart on their own, they make for a particularly clean canvas for vibrant sticker crafts.
Best cheap Glock-18 skins in CS2
Pistols make up a smaller sliver of the top 20, but two Glock-18 skins still crack the top 10:
- Block-18 (#5)
- AXIA (#9)
- Brass (#11)
- Bullet Queen (#13)
- Blue Fissure (#15)
Alongside the Block-18, the AXIA makes up the Glock’s presence in the top 10. Its sharp, angular, blue design could easily be lifted from a futuristic shooter like Apex Legends or The Finals, yet it fits in well with any Counter-Strike loadout too. If you want a sci-fi aesthetic that stands apart from CS2’s usual camo and graffiti finishes, the AXIA may be your best choice.
Further down the rankings, Brass, Bullet Queen, and Blue Fissure round out the top 20. Bullet Queen stands out among them for its funky illustrations on the yellow-black base. The skin has been a staple of budget loadouts since its release in 2020.
Best cheap AWP skins in CS2
Only one AWP skin makes the cut in this budget ranking, but it’s also the single most-searched skin on the entire list. AWP | Asiimov claims #1 overall, outpacing many of its more modern counterparts, with an overall 0.99% share of the search volume. The skin’s design, paired with its impressive history, make it the default recommendation for an AWP skin on the budget.
How we ranked the most popular CS2 skins
This list is based entirely on Skinscanner.gg‘s search data rather than our editorial opinion. Search share reflects how often each skin was searched for relative to everything else in the site’s database, giving a genuine insight into player demand instead of a subjective list.
The $100 price limit was used to filter down the skins, but plays no part in the ranking itself. Given how quickly prices can fluctuate in the skins market, it’s worth double-checking current listings, or holding out for the right deal before you buy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the best cheap skins in CS2?Based on search data, the top performers under $100 are AWP | Asiimov, AK-47 | Crane Flight, and AK-47 | Asiimov, followed closely by Aphrodite and Block-18.
What is the most popular CS2 skin under $100?AWP | Asiimov is the most popular CS2 skin under $100 in this dataset, with the highest search share of any skin on the list.
Can you get good CS2 skins for under $100?Yes. As this list shows, popular finishes across the AK-47, Glock-18, and AWP are regularly available under $100, including well-known names like Asiimov, Crane Flight, and Block-18. Prices fluctuate constantly, so it’s worth checking current listings before you buy.
