Suppressor of the Year for 2025: Best Shotgun Suppressors
November 7, 2025Posted by derrek.sigler
Every year Guns & Ammo magazine gathers all of the editors and contributing writers together for a summit, and during that time, they discuss and vote on what they feel are the best firearm-related products for the year. They give out awards in different categories, and, of course, we pay close attention to the suppressor category and the different types of suppressors. That 2025’s selection is a shotgun suppressor is a pretty big deal. It got us thinking about the best shotgun suppressors.
What is it about a shotgun can?
The latest and best shotgun suppressors let you truly hunt waterfowl and other birds without additional modification to your shotgun. Photos by Morgan Gregory.
There are a couple of main things about shotguns that make it harder to suppress. Most shotguns use choke tubes to constrict the shot pattern, and not many shotgun suppressors allow for this.
Another factor against suppressing a shotgun comes from adding length and weight to the end of the barrel. Most shotguns used for hunting already have a longer barrel, and adding an additional 6+ inches of length to the end can be asking a lot. Then when you tack on additional weight, it can make a shotgun harder to swing to stay on target, and most shotgun experts will tell you that it is all about the swing.
And then there is the sight issue. Traditionally, shotguns are shot using the bead at the end of the barrel and a vent rib down t the length of the barrel as the sight. Your eye follows the target and the bead and you mentally arrange a meeting of the shot and the target at a point somewhere in front of where the target is moving. Some suppressors get in the way of that sight view, which then requires the use of a red dot sight and learning a whole new way to shoot a shotgun.
Which shotgun suppressor should I buy?
If you’re wondering which shotgun suppressor fits your setup best, it comes down to weight, balance, and whether you need interchangeable chokes. Below are three of the best 12-gauge options that balance performance and practicality.
And the winner is... BANISH 12
The winner of Guns & Ammo Magazine's Suppressor of the year for 2025 is the BANISH 12, the revolutionary shotgun suppressor designed for hunters and sport shooters. BANISH set out to develop a shotgun suppressor you could actually hunt with. It had to be small enough, light enough, and it couldn’t interfere with your line of sight down the barrel. It also had to perform well, in terms of noise reduction and at the patterning board – that's why they include interchangeable chokes. Honestly, it is a very practical hunting suppressor for the 12-gauge shotgun. It was named Suppressor of the Year for 2025 by the editors of Guns & Ammo.
Here’s what they said during testing of the BANISH 12:
“Starting with Federal’s Top Gun load – unsuppressed – we recorded a baseline,” wrote Guns & Ammo’s Mark Fingar. “The noise level was typical. Adding the BANISH 12, we fired a few shots – and wow! It was quiet enough to remove hearing protection and go through the remainder of the box. It sounded like shooting .22 shorts. Overall, the BANISH 12 will make shooting a 12-gauge shotgun more enjoyable for anyone who tries it.”
To determine each years’ winners, Guns & Ammo receives product nominations from their editorial staff and contributors.
Why we like the BANISH 12:
Lightweight
Doesn’t interfere with line of sight from the bead to the bird
Choke Tubes
What our customer’s say:
“I recently picked up the BANISH 12 and had the chance to take it out for the first time on my Browning Maxus while shooting birds over my dogs. Simply put, this suppressor is phenomenal. The sound suppression is way better than I expected and really elevates the shooting experience. I’ve owned and shot thousands of rounds through a Salvo 12 over many years, and while that was a solid piece of equipment, the BANISH 12 is in a different league." - David B.
The BANISH can was not the first shotgun suppressor. The first one to make a big splash in the industry was the SilencerCo Salvo. The Salvo 12 is designed to operate with nearly all shotguns and ammunition on the market today including pump actions, semi autos, and inertia driven models. Due to the modularity of the Salvo 12, the shooter can remove sections to balance their sound suppression, weight, and length needs and can attach the Salvo to their favorite shotgun with choke mounts available in improved cylinder, modified, improved modified, and full.
At its full length of 12 inches, sound is brought down to 136.8 dB at the muzzle — well below the 140 dB hearing-safe threshold set by OSHA. Pair this sound reduction with a noticeable decrease in felt recoil. It is rated for wadded shells up to 3 inches, including buckshot and slugs, and it can be shortened to an 8-inch configuration and remain hearing safe at the ear. Choke mounts and rod kits sold separately - choke mounts available in improved cylinder, modified, improved modified and full.
Why we like the SilencerCo Salvo:
There's something to be said about being first
SilencerCo quality
What our customers say:
"I went out and wanted to see the difference in noise and recoil. I took a 3-1/2” & 3” steel shot along with a 2-3/4” lead shot, and shot a round of each without the suppressor and a round of each with the suppressor. I’m shooting a Browning Maxus 2, with the full choke adapter. I haven’t done a decibel test on it yet but the suppressor definitely helps with noise as well as the recoil, especially in the 3-1/2” steel!. It’s a little heavy out there on the tip of the gun, I’m thinking of adding a counter weight in the butt stock. I foresee it being ideal for sitting a blind and pulling up for quick shots. The suppressor covers the front sight when installed. I haven’t had a chance to hunt with it yet, to see how it will affect my aim." - Dustin W.
The Rex Silentium SEG12 is a shotgun suppressor for 12-gauge, and it is quite a different concept from other ideas – and it works! Starting out, you do not need any special tools, just a good solid grip to reconfigure or clean this shotgun suppressor in the field. With the SEG12, half of the 8 aluminum baffles have Rex’s patent-pending 17-4 SS liner that is permanently locked inside the baffle. Simply alternate the baffle arrangement from the back of the can forward give you a sweet shotgun suppressor with great sound suppression and hearing protection.
Shoot whatever you want, too. It has no shell, load or barrel length restrictions. The design guides the payload from baffle to baffle. The RexQD choke system makes attaching and detaching the SEG12 fast and easy. Rex is currently offering cylinder bore at 0.730 in. for all the baffles.
Why I like the BANISH 12 is that it allows you to see the full sight picture from the bead to the bird. That and the interchangeable choke tubes. Photos by Morgan Gregory.
Finding the best shotgun suppressor depends on the intended use, of course. Head-to-head, I'd pick the BANISH 12 simply because I prefer how well shoots when I'm bird hunting. I spend a lot of time waterfowl hunting and have tried my fair share of shotgun cans. With how I hunt and how I shoot a shotgun, I like how well I can see the sight picture down the bead with a BANISH 12.
The Salvo and the SEG12 are great cans, too. The biggest detractor for me is the added weight. Even with the Salvo being modular, it still adds weight to my barrel.
What is the next big thing in shotgun suppressors?
With shotgun suppressors gaining in popularity, the market is expanding with new models just on the horizon. I fully expect to see several new ones revealed around SHOT Show 2026. In fact, I know of a couple of new cans that are coming around then that will be VERY interesting. No, I can't tell you yet. I wouldn't want to spoil the surprise.
One area that will see growth is the sub-12 Gauge area. There are already some 20-gauge cans out there and more are coming. This is big news for waterfowls who hunt thick timber, as the 20 gauge has taken over as the more popular shotgun for not blowing out these delicate ecosystems. This is also big news for the dove and quail hunting crowd. After all, if you're going to be shooting all day long, with multiple boxes of shells being fired so you can take home like three doves, why not shoot a 20 gauge and save your shoulder some. I kid of course. You might hit 4 doves. If you can make your 20 gauge a lot quieter, that's even better, right?
Ready to try a shotgun suppressor?
If you want the lightest, most field-ready shotgun suppressor, start with the BANISH 12. If modularity is your top priority, consider the SilencerCo Salvo 12. Both are available through Silencer Central with streamlined eForms and doorstep delivery.
Silencer Central has the best selection and is adding more all the time. Plus you get access to free trusts, excellent customer service, and more. You can have a simplified, pain-free process and excellent approval times, with your shotgun suppressor being shipped right to your door.
Yes, you can suppress a shotgun. There are several excellent shotgun suppressors, including some that still use traditional choke tubes. The category is growing and soon, there will be more shotgun suppressors available.
There are some limitations on what types of shot can be used with select shotgun suppressors. Be sure to check the model you are looking at to see if it will work with the type of shot you want to use. Silencer Central is happy to answer your questions, too. Just ask!
No, you don't have to modify your shotgun. Each shotgun suppressor on the market mounts without major changes to the shotgun. However, you may find that you want to switch to a shorter barrel option with a shotgun suppressor.
While many suppressors can be used on several different caliber firearms, we have some specific models that can make your shooting more enjoyable. Pick the caliber that you have in mind. If you don’t see your caliber, pick one close to it to see our recommendations.
