What is a Co2 Cannon Blaster and is it different from a "Co2 Jet Blaster"?

First off, a Co2 Cannon Blaster falls into two categories Handheld Co2 Cannon Blaster or a Stage Mounted Co2 Jet Blaster.

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CryoFX Co2 Cannon Blasters have appeared in numerous productions, events, and venue. Whether you need one or more, picking the right Co2 Blaster for your event is key.

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CO2 cannon blaster, how special effects make cryo smoke

The CO2 cannon blaster is a specific product in the handheld CO2 cannon category, and its defining characteristic is size. It's a large, chrome, electronically-activated handheld device, the biggest off-the-shelf handheld CO2 cannon CryoFX offers without going into custom fabrication.

 

If you've seen someone at a themed event, a nightclub performance, or a Hollywood production carrying what looks like a massive metal pipe that fires a billowing cloud of cryo smoke, you've seen a CO2 cannon blaster in operation.

 

What a CO2 cannon blaster is

The CO2 cannon blaster fires the same liquid CO2 as every other CO2 special effects device: siphon tank, high-pressure hose, valve, nozzle, phase change at -78.5°C (-109°F), frozen humidity forming the white plume. The liquid carbon dioxide mechanism doesn't change. What changes is the output character.

 

The CO2 cannon blaster produces a larger, thicker, more billowing plume than a standard handheld CO2 cannon. The CO2 expands more broadly at the nozzle, producing a wide cloud-like discharge. The tradeoff is throw distance: the blaster doesn't shoot as far as a standard handheld cannon. A standard CO2 cannon drives CO2 forward in a more directed stream, reaching 10 to 20 feet of throw. The blaster's wider nozzle geometry creates a billowing output that fills space close to the device rather than projecting distance.

 

For some applications, that's exactly what you want. A performer who wants a dramatic cloud of cryo smoke surrounding them during an entrance, a themed entertainer who needs an enveloping fog effect rather than a directed blast, or a production that wants a wide visual frame of CO2 at stage level, the blaster serves all of these better than a standard cannon gun.

 

Physically, it's a substantial device. The large chrome housing is part of the visual appeal: the blaster looks imposing, and that appearance is part of what makes it useful as a prop-integrated SFX piece. CryoFX's blaster is electronically activated rather than mechanically triggered, which affects how it's operated.

 

CO2 cannon blaster vs. CO2 cannon vs. CO2 blaster, the terminology

The naming landscape here overlaps in ways that confuse buyers. Let's be clear on what each term means.

 

"CO2 cannon" is the umbrella term for all CO2 special effects devices that discharge liquid carbon dioxide. Full CO2 cannons, stationary CO2 jets, handheld devices, LED CO2 cannons, blasters, all fall under this category. For a breakdown of CO2 cannon types and uses, see cryofx.com/co2-cannon.

 

"CO2 blaster" and "CO2 cannon blaster" refer to the same specific product type: a large-format handheld CO2 cannon with a wider discharge nozzle and greater output volume, at the expense of throw distance. The "blaster" designation is CryoFX's product naming convention for this form factor.

 

The CO2 blaster is not the same as a cryo gun. A cryo gun is a smaller, lighter handheld unit designed for close crowd interaction and direct audience engagement. The blaster is larger, heavier, more chrome, and produces more output. They serve different use cases, and most clients who inquire about the blaster are actually better served by a standard handheld cannon or cryo gun on cost grounds, unless the blaster's specific look or output character is what the project requires.

 

If a client calls asking for a "CO2 blaster cannon" and isn't sure what they need, CryoFX will ask about the environment (indoor vs. outdoor), the specific activation intent, and whether the operator needs to be mobile. The answers usually determine the right product quickly.

 

Applications

DJ shows are a natural fit, especially when the DJ wants a different visual character than the typical directed cannon blast. Instead of shooting CO2 up and over the crowd in a column, the blaster creates a wide cloud at the operator's level that expands outward. DJs who want the CO2 to appear to emanate from around them, rather than shooting away from them, often prefer the blaster form factor.

 

Outdoor events benefit from the blaster's higher volume output. More CO2 at the nozzle means more available plume mass before wind dissipates it. The blaster's wide discharge can maintain visual impact in mild outdoor air movement better than a tightly directed cannon stream.

 

Themed entertainment and brand activations are where the blaster is most often specified by clients who have a visual concept in mind. The LED man on stilts, a performer concept CryoFX has seen multiple times, carrying a CO2 blaster as part of their visual character is one example. Movie productions, theatrical experiences, Halloween events, and similar applications where the equipment is as much prop as tool are all appropriate uses.

 

Semi-fixed stage positioning also works well with the blaster. While it's a handheld CO2 cannon by classification, its size means it's often used from a consistent position, held by a performer at a fixed mark on a stage, for instance, rather than being carried and repositioned throughout a set.

 

Permanent club installations sometimes include a CO2 cannon blaster as part of the performer's kit, especially for residency-format shows where the equipment is specified as part of the show design.

 

Renting vs. buying

Renting a CO2 cannon blaster is a common choice for Hollywood special effects work, themed events, temporary brand activations, and any situation where the equipment is needed for a limited run. CryoFX offers rentals, and the typical rental includes the CO2 cannon blaster unit, the CO2 hose, and the power pack. CO2 tanks can also be arranged through CryoFX's services division depending on your market.

 

CryoFX's standard rental window includes 2 days of use, with shipping days not counted against your rental time.

 

Buying makes more sense if the blaster is going into a permanent or recurring installation, or if a performing DJ or entertainer plans to use it regularly over months of shows. The mechanical, functional, and electrical components inside the unit will last through sustained professional use when the equipment is cared for, no dust or debris in the mechanism, stored and transported properly between uses.

 

CO2 supply

All CO2 special effects equipment requires siphon tube tanks. The CO2 cannon blaster is no exception. A siphon tank holds liquid CO2 drawn through an internal dip tube. A standard gas CO2 tank won't produce the effect. Make sure you're sourcing the right tanks before your event.

 

For DJ use, multiple 20 lb siphon tanks are a practical choice, they're easier to transport and position than larger tanks, and if you run one out mid-set you can switch tanks without a major production interruption. For longer sets or higher output requirements, 50 to 75 lb siphon tanks are the right call. All tanks must be the siphon tube type.

 

CryoFX offers 2-to-1, 3-to-1, and 4-to-1 CO2 tank connection systems. These allow multiple siphon tanks to feed into a single hose and cannon, extending your runtime without requiring you to interrupt the show to swap tanks. All connected tanks are turned on at the start; when one empties, the system keeps drawing from the others.

 

If you run out of CO2 with a single-tank setup mid-set, the only option is to shut the tank off, bleed pressure from the hose, connect a new tank, and restart. Build your tank supply around your show length, not the other way around.

 

For current pricing and availability on the CO2 cannon blaster for sale, visit cryofx.com/products/co2-cannon-products.

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FAQ

What is a CO2 cannon blaster? A CO2 cannon blaster is a large, chrome, electronically-activated handheld CO2 cannon that produces a wide, billowing cryo smoke output. It's the largest off-the-shelf handheld CO2 special effects device CryoFX offers. The wider nozzle creates a thicker, more enveloping plume compared to a standard handheld cannon, though it doesn't throw as far in terms of distance.

 

How is a CO2 cannon blaster different from a standard CO2 cannon? The primary difference is output character. A standard handheld CO2 cannon directs a column of CO2 forward with more throw distance (10 to 20 feet). The blaster produces a wider, denser, more billowing discharge with less throw distance. Both run on the same liquid CO2 mechanism with a siphon tank.

 

What tank size do you recommend for a CO2 cannon blaster? For DJ use or shorter activations, multiple 20 lb siphon tanks or a single 50 to 75 lb siphon tank. For longer shows, use a multi-tank connection manifold (2-to-1, 3-to-1, or 4-to-1) to extend runtime without mid-set tank swaps. All tanks must be siphon tube tanks.

 

Is a CO2 cannon blaster good for outdoor events? Yes. The high-volume output of the blaster holds up better in mild outdoor air movement than a directed stream cannon. For outdoor use in windy conditions, positioning and timing the blasts to work with the environment rather than against it will significantly improve the visual result.

 

What does a CO2 cannon blaster rental include? CryoFX's CO2 cannon blaster rental includes the blaster unit, CO2 hose, and power pack. CO2 tanks can be added depending on your market. The standard rental window is 2 days of use, with shipping days not counted against that time.

 

Updated - 07/02/2026.