Minimal Wear skins usually look cleaner and cost more, while Field-Tested ones are slightly more worn but cheaper. Choosing between them depends on your budget and how much the small visual difference matters to you. In this article, we’ll break down what really sets them apart and help you decide which option makes more sense.
What does “skin wear” mean in the game?
Every skin in CS:GO and CS2 has a wear level, which shows how “used” it looks. This system is called float value – a number between 0 and 1 that decides how clean or scratched the skin appears. Based on the float, each skin falls into one of five categories:
- Factory New (0.00 – 0.07) – looks almost perfect, no scratches.
- Minimal Wear (0.07 – 0.15) – very small wear, hard to notice in-game.
- Field-Tested (0.15 – 0.37) – visible wear, but still looks good for most skins.
- Well-Worn (0.37 – 0.45) – more scratches, more damage.
- Battle-Scarred (0.45 – 1.00) – heavy wear, often faded or badly scratched.
Even if two skins have the same name and design, they can look very different depending on the wear. That’s why some players are willing to pay more for a cleaner version. So, when you’re buying a skin, the wear level isn’t just a label – it tells you how the skin looks, how rare it is, and how much it might be worth.
Read: Skin Float – What Is It and How Does It Work? [CS2 / CS:GO]
Field-Tested vs Minimal Wear – what’s the difference?
Both Field-Tested and Minimal Wear skins are popular in CS:GO and CS2. They sit right in the middle of the wear scale, which means they usually offer a good balance between looks and price. So what’s the difference?
- Minimal Wear skins have less visible damage. They look almost like new, with just a few tiny marks here and there. If you’re looking closely, you might see small scratches or faded spots, but in-game it’s often hard to tell.
- Field-Tested skins have more wear. Scratches and faded areas are more noticeable, especially on clean surfaces like the blade of a knife or large parts of a rifle. But depending on the float, some Field-Tested skins can still look very clean.
In short: Minimal Wear = slightly better condition, Field-Tested = a bit more scratched, but usually cheaper. The difference isn’t always huge. And sometimes, you won’t even notice it unless you zoom in. But when comparing prices, that small drop in wear can mean a much bigger jump in cost.
Do they look different in-game?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. For some skins, the difference between Minimal Wear and Field-Tested is hard to notice while playing – especially during fast action. But for others, the scratches or fading can be more obvious. It depends on the skin’s design and the exact float value. If you care about looks, it’s worth checking a skin in 3D preview before buying.
Is Minimal Wear worth the extra cost?
Minimal Wear skins usually cost more than Field-Tested, sometimes even double. Why? Because they look cleaner and are closer to Factory New. But that doesn’t always mean they’re worth the price. If the visual difference is small, you might be paying extra for something you barely notice in-game.
Is Field-Tested always cheaper?
In general – yes. Field-Tested skins are more worn, so they cost less. But not always. A Field-Tested skin with a really low float (close to Minimal Wear) can be more expensive than one with a higher float. Also, for some rare skins, all versions are expensive – even Field-Tested. So price depends on both the wear and how wanted the skin is.
Field-Tested or Minimal Wear? Go with your eyes and your wallet
It depends on what you care about more – looks or budget. If you want a skin that’s clean and close to Factory New, and you’re ready to spend a bit more, go for Minimal Wear. But if you’re okay with a few scratches and want to save money, Field-Tested is often the better deal. Also, not all Field-Tested skins look bad. Some have low float values and still look almost like Minimal Wear. That’s why it’s smart to preview the skin or check the exact float before buying.
In the end, both Field-Tested and Minimal Wear can be good choices. What matters is how the skin looks to you, and how much you’re willing to pay. Don’t focus only on the wear label – look at the actual float and preview the skin if you can. Sometimes the cheaper option looks almost the same. So trust your eyes, check your wallet, and choose what feels right for you.
