If you want to win close-range fights on Erangel, Sanhok, or Rondo, picking the best SMG in PUBG is a decision that can make or break your match. Submachine guns dominate indoor gunfights, compound clears, and final-circle scrambles where every millisecond matters. We break down every SMG in PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS on PC, rank them by real-world use, and tell you exactly when to swap one in.
Why SMGs Matter in PUBG PC
SMGs sit in a sweet spot no other weapon class touches. They shred at short range, hipfire accurately, and reload fast enough to survive back-to-back peeks in a compound.
- Fast fire rate for close encounters under 50 meters
- Low recoil compared to ARs when hip-firing or ADS-strafing
- Light ammo (mostly 9mm) that’s easy to loot and carry
- Small size so they pair well with a DMR or sniper as your secondary
You’ll usually run an SMG as your close-range slot when your primary is a bolt-action or DMR. For a broader loadout breakdown, our pubg best weapons and attachments guide covers full pairings.
Best SMG in PUBG: Quick Tier List
Here’s how the current SMG pool stacks up based on damage, fire rate, magazine size, and how often top players actually pick them.
| Tier | SMG | Ammo | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | Vector | 9mm / .45 ACP | Close-range shredder with extended mag |
| S | MP5K | 9mm | All-round SMG, Vikendi exclusive spawn |
| A | UMP45 | .45 ACP | Balanced range and stopping power |
| A | P90 | 5.7mm | Care package, 50-round mag |
| B | Micro UZI | 9mm | Fastest fire rate, weak at range |
| B | Bizon | 9mm | 53-round drum, low damage per shot |
| C | Tommy Gun | .45 ACP | Legacy pick, outclassed by newer SMGs |
S-Tier: The Meta SMGs
Vector — The King of Close Range
The Vector is the highest-DPS SMG in the game once you slot an extended mag. Its stock 13-round magazine is a joke, but with an extended or extended quickdraw mag, it becomes a 33-round beast that melts Level 3 armor in under a second.
- Fire rate: Extremely high
- Ammo: 9mm or .45 ACP (depending on map spawn)
- Attachment slots: Muzzle, magazine, stock, grip, sight
Key takeaway: Never run the Vector without an extended mag. Base capacity is the single reason players sleep on it.
MP5K — Vikendi’s Specialist
The MP5K only spawns on Vikendi (the snow map), and it’s arguably the most balanced SMG in PUBG. It supports a tactical stock slot — a rare attachment that reduces recoil and speeds up ADS.
If you drop into a Vikendi rotation, prioritize the MP5K over almost any other close-range gun. For a full landing-spot breakdown, see our pubg vikendi map guide.
A-Tier: Reliable Workhorses
UMP45
The UMP45 is the “safe pick.” It uses .45 ACP, has manageable recoil, and stays accurate out to 100 meters — further than most SMGs have any business shooting. It’s the SMG you grab when you want to fight at slightly longer ranges without swapping to an AR.
P90
The P90 is a care-package-only weapon that uses 5.7mm ammo (also exclusive to the P90). It ships with a built-in 50-round magazine and red-dot sight. The downside: you cannot loot 5.7mm off other players’ bodies unless they also had a P90.
Bottom line: Great gun, awkward supply chain. Take it if you find it, but don’t rely on it.
B-Tier: Situational Picks
Micro UZI
The Micro UZI has the fastest fire rate of any SMG in PUBG. It’s brutal inside 15 meters and terrible past 30. Its tiny attachment set (muzzle, mag, stock only) caps its ceiling.
Grab it early game as a starter weapon, then replace it the moment something better drops.
Bizon
The Bizon ships with a built-in 53-round helical magazine and needs no mag attachment. Damage per bullet is low, but volume of fire compensates in tight quarters.
Best SMG Attachments
The right attachments matter as much as the gun itself. Here’s what to prioritize:
| Slot | First Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle | Compensator | Best recoil control for SMGs |
| Magazine | Extended Quickdraw | More rounds + faster reload |
| Stock | Tactical Stock (MP5K/Vector) | Reduces ADS time and vertical kick |
| Grip | Half Grip or Light Grip | Faster recoil recovery |
| Sight | Red Dot or Holographic | Fast target acquisition up close |
Suppressors are strong on SMGs for third-partying, but a compensator wins straight-up gunfights. Choose based on your playstyle.
When to Pick an SMG Over an AR
An SMG is the right call when:
- You’re pushing buildings or compounds
- Your primary is a bolt-action or DMR that can’t handle close range
- You’re dropping into a hot area and need fast time-to-kill inside 25m
- Final circles are shrinking into forests or compounds
If you’re at longer ranges, you’re better off with an AR — our best ar in pubg breakdown covers that side of the loadout. Prefer to snipe? Check the best sniper in pubg picks instead.
SMG Tips for Winning Close Fights
- Pre-aim doorways. SMG TTK is fastest when you’re already ADS as the enemy peeks.
- Use hipfire inside 5 meters. ADS is slower than a crosshair already on target — dial in your pubg crosshair for cleaner tracking.
- Reload behind cover, always. SMG mags empty fast, and mid-fight reloads lose gunfights.
- Pair with fragmentation grenades. Bounce a frag into a room, then push with the SMG ready.
Rondo’s dense compounds especially reward SMG play — our pubg rondo map guide covers the best drop spots to practice close-range engagements.
The Bottom Line
The Vector with an extended mag and the MP5K on Vikendi are the two SMGs top squads reach for first. The UMP45 is the safest general-purpose pick when neither is available. Weapon balance shifts with every PUBG patch, so if you notice recoil or damage feel different after an update, retest before trusting an old tier list.
Want to sharpen the rest of your game? Combine your new SMG knowledge with our pubg tips and tricks and the best pubg settings to give yourself every edge before your next chicken dinner run.