When it comes to close-range duels, SMGs dominate Warzone’s meta. For this reason, using a powerful submachine gun equipped with the best loadout possible is a must to win more games.
While meta assault rifles and LMGs are great options for long-range gunfights, SMGs are far superior up close. Not only do they kill faster, but they also offer better mobility and handling for getting the jump on enemy players.
Both MW3 and Warzone provide plenty of SMGs to choose from, but it can be hard to figure out which are the best. This is especially true with all the buffs and nerfs in Season 6 that saw the meta shift yet again.
Using a weak SMG will leave you outgunned by others with faster TTKs, better handling, and less recoil. In contrast, our recommended SMG builds will help you rack up kills and win more Warzone matches.
Best SMG loadouts
These are the five best SMG loadouts to run in Season 6 to make sure that you are using the strongest builds possible:
1. Static-HV
Best Static-HV Warzone Loadout
- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Barrel: Garrote-8 Long Barrel
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Stock: Spry 34 Light Stock
- Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
After dominating last season, the Static-HV was hit by several nerfs targeted at its damage. These have weakened the meta SMG, but it started in such a strong position that it remains the best option even after the changes. Its TTK is no longer anything too special, but this gun offers plenty to make up for that, including swift handling, great bullet velocity, high range, and a fast reload.
This meta loadout focuses on improving recoil control while maintaining the Static’s excellent mobility. The Spry 34 Light Stock is the most important attachment for this build, as it provides an unrivalled boost to several key stats, including Sprint Speed, Movement Speed, and ADS Speed.
2. Striker
Best Striker Warzone Loadout
- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Barrel: Striker Recon Long Barrel
- Stock: Lachmann Mk2 Light Stock
- Underbarrel: Paracord Grip
- Magazine: 48 Round Mag
Last season’s buffs transformed the Striker into a true meta contender. It was already a strong gun, but a big boost to its damage ranges means it is now the most versatile SMG in the game. It offers great recoil control, incredible range, as well as solid mobility and handling. There’s nothing this gun can’t do, so it’s no surprise it’s quickly become one of Warzone’s most popular guns.
To hone in on that versatility, this build uses a range of attachments that improve mobility, recoil, and damage range. The Lachmann Mk2 Light Stock is the most important attachment, as it boosts Sprint Speed, keeping the Striker feeling snappy and responsive. Without this, it can feel too sluggish for an submachine gun, making it hard to justify using over meta options.
3. Superi 46
Best Superi 46 Warzone Loadout
- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Barrel: Lux 30 Heavy Barrel
- Stock: Rescue-9 Stock
- Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
- Magazine: 40 Round Mag
The Superi 46 has yet again avoided nerfs in Season 6, maintaining its incredible mobility. This SMG is perfect for rushing around the map and pushing other teams, making it a great option for high-skill players trying to rack up kills. This gun doesn’t offer quite the same damage range as some other entries on this list, but it remains a top option for close-quarters gunfights.
Regardless of what attachments you use, the Superi 46 won’t be overly ompetitive beyond 13m, so it’s better to hone in on mobility and make it as fast as possible. To do this, you need to use the Rescue-9 Stock, which is one of the best attachments in the entire game. It provides an enormous 9% increase to Sprint Speed, cementing the Superi’s place as the fastest gun in Warzone’s current meta.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Esports, Gaming and more.
4. WSP-9
Best WSP-9 Warzone Loadout
- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Barrel: Hiss Short Light Barrel
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Underbarrel: JAK Slash
- Magazine: 50 Round Mag
The WSP-9 isn’t the most lethal weapon up close, but its excellent damage range makes it one of the best SMG-AR hybrids. Its impressive versatility ensures that it is a good pick regardless of your preferred map or mode. This latest rendition of the Uzi is also an excellent sniper support weapon, with it excelling when partnered with a meta sniper.
Regardless of how you build the WSP-9, it’s going to be controllable and easy to use. Therefore, it’s better to focus on improving mobility and handling. To do this, use a loadout that utilizes both the JAK Slash and Hiss Short Light Barrel, as they raise the gun’s mobility stats to be in line with other meta submachine guns while only adding minimal recoil.
5. RAM-9
Best RAM-9 Warzone Loadout
- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Stock: HVS 3.4 Pad
- Underbarrel: Paracord Grip
- Magazine: 50 Round Mag
The RAM-9 received some big buffs in Season 6, with Raven increasing both its maximum and medium damage ranges. This has improved its already impressive versatility, allowing this gun to out range most other SMGs. It still has a fair amount of recoil and isn’t the fastest handling gun by any means, but there’s now a serious argument to use the RAM-9 if you are looking for an option that rewards skill.
Its high recoil is by far the biggest con of the RAM-9, so you’ll want to make a loadout that mitigates that. To do so, equip both the Quartermaster Suppressor and HVS 3.4 Pad, which provide a 23% boost to recoil control when used together. This makes the SMG much easier to control, allowing you to better take advantage of its impressive range.
All Warzone SMGs ranked
There are currently 23 SMGs in Warzone, with the latest addition being the Static-HV, which has established itself as one of the best close-range weapons in Season 6.
Here’s every SMG ranked from best to worst, with these rankings assuming you use the best loadout possible for each weapon:
| RANK | GUN |
|---|---|
| 1 | Static-HV |
| 2 | Striker |
| 3 | Superi 46 |
| 4 | WSP-9 |
| 5 | RAM-9 |
| 6 | FJX Horus |
| 7 | Lachmann Shroud |
| 8 | Striker 9 |
| 9 | AMR9 |
| 10 | WSP Swarm |
| 11 | HRM-9 |
| 12 | Vaznev-9K |
| 13 | MX9 |
| 14 | Fennec 45 |
| 15 | Rival-9 |
| 16 | BAS-P |
| 17 | Lachmann Sub |
| 18 | VEL 46 |
| 19 | FSS Hurricane |
| 20 | PDSW 528 |
| 21 | ISO 9MM |
| 22 | ISO 45 |
| 23 | Minibak |
Meta analysis
Most of the top SMGs remain unchanged from last season, with the Static-HV, Striker, and Superi 46 still being the three best options in Warzone. These guns did not receive any nerfs in Season 6, making them just as effective as they were before the update.
However, there were a few balance changes made to other SMGs, with the AMR9, HRM-9, and RAM-9 all getting buffs. Of these, the RAM-9 was the biggest beneficiary, with its added damage range seeing it regain its spot as one of Warzone’s top 5 submachine guns.
The other two saw slight jumps in our rankings but remain average picks at best. The AMR9’s increased range wasn’t enough to challenge other high-accuracy SMGs like the Striker, and the HRM-9 is still too inaccurate to compete with the top options.
Looking for a gun to partner with your SMG loadout? Check out the best one-shot snipers and which weapons are most popular right now. You’ll also want to make sure that you’re using the best console settings or PC settings, as well as optimized controller settings to get the smoothest experience possible.