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The sheer volume of Nerf guns is dizzying. No longer do they take up a single shelf in the toy aisle. Today, you’ll find the best Nerf guns throughout all the internet and every kind of store.
To help you make sense of them all, we reviewed 10 of the top-rated and best-selling guns. Here, we’ll go into detail as to what makes them so great. But before we get started, let’s have a look at a couple of our favorite picks.
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The N-Strike Elite Strongarm Sonic Fire Blaster is our favorite as the best overall. It’s lightweight, easy to handle, and can hit targets from far away. Best of all, it’s very affordable. If you’re looking for a solid addition to your arsenal, the Strongarm won’t disappoint.
If you’re wanting something with a bit more firepower, the Rival Nemesis MXVII-10K is just the ticket. This beast features rapid-fire capabilities and holds up to 100 rounds at a time. It’s fully automatic and motorized for easy shooting.
Now that you’ve seen a couple of our favorites, let’s take a look at the rest of the entries. We’re sure we’ve got just the gun for your Nerf-blasting needs.
The Strongarm is an all-around great shooter. If you’re new to Nerf or just want to add a solid gun to your collection, you’ll be pleased with this one. It’s a revolver-style gun, featuring cool details like a rotating barrel.
The Strongarm blasts out darts. It features a 6-round capacity, just like a real 6-shooter. We like the action of the gun and how it feels. It’s certainly not too heavy, although young ones might tire of it quickly.
It’s recommended for ages 8 and up, so buy with caution. Its darts are soft-tipped. While these things don’t hurt from a distance, you definitely want to avoid close-range shots. Nerf claims this blaster can nail targets of up to 75 feet away, but realistically, it’s about half that.
It does fire its rounds with reasonable force, however. If you’re wanting this for Nerf battles, the Strongarm definitely makes a great sidearm.
Simply load up the 6-round barrel and blast away. You may run into a jam here and there until you figure out how to properly load it. But once you do, you’ll have a solid companion that’ll back you up after your main shooter runs out of ammo.
Now here’s a completely different animal. The Nemesis is for the serious shooter, with more firepower and tougher ammunition.
The first thing you’ll notice is its size. It’s big. It has a detachable hopper that holds an impressive 100 rounds at any given time. High-Impact rounds are the ammunition of choice. Thanks to its motorized delivery system with rapid-fire, shots are delivered automatically.
If you battle often, this is definitely the gun for you. It fires off rounds quickly and does so at high velocities. We’re talking 100 feet a second. Obviously, the Nemesis is geared towards the older crowd, ages 14 and up.
This is an Amazon exclusive, so you may want to snatch it up while you can. It is pretty pricey for a Nerf gun. But it delivers as advertised and is very well-built. The Nemesis is available in either red or blue for team battles.
It doesn’t get much easier than this. Load the High-Impact rounds into the hopper and attach it to the gun. The Nemesis requires 6 D batteries to operate. Be sure to pick some up, because you don’t get any with the gun.
A quick glance at the Jolt Blaster may cause you to dismiss it. It’s small, very inexpensive, and only comes with two darts. Surely this thing can’t shoot worth a squat, can it? You’d be forgiven for thinking so. Truth is, it packs plenty of power and makes the perfect weapon in a last stand.
If you’re in battle and have depleted all your ammo, this is the gun you want to hunker down with and wait for an ambush. Your enemies will think you’re an easy kill. But having this baby in reserve can earn you the winning shot.
It’s very small and quite compact. For players who have bigger hands, it can almost be too small. It should fit in most pockets, and that’s what makes it so great. The opposing team will never know you have it.
It’s crazy how affordable this thing is. Yeah, it only comes with two darts. But that’s kind of the point. This is for when you have no other options. You don’t want to start a war with the Jolt Blaster. You only want to end it.
Put a dart in the chamber, pull down on the hammer, and squeeze the trigger. It’s easy, straightforward, and effective.
One look at the Megalodon will send most opponents packing. It sports a huge 20-round barrel and is built to resemble a Tommy gun. It has really good range and shoots Whistler Darts.
The firing mechanics are a bit cumbersome at first. But once you get used to them, it isn’t so bad. You see, you have to pull a lever back and forth to rotate the barrel to the next round.
You then squeeze the trigger to fire. Pull, push, shoot. Pull, push, shoot. You have to do this for every shot, as the Megalodon isn’t rapid-fire.
For such a monstrosity of a gun, it’s actually pretty affordable. The biggest advantage is its range. Nerf says you can hit targets up to 85 feet away. It’s more like 60, but that isn’t bad, either.
If you want to strike fear in the hearts of your enemies before you strike them down for good, the Megalodon is just the gun for the job.
Yes, the mechanics are a bit different. And yes, they take some getting used to. But once you master the Megalodon, all bets are off. Use stealth tactics and the last thing your enemy will hear is the squeal of the Whistler Dart before it takes them down.
This behemoth of a blaster is just what you need to be king of the hill. It’s a monster of a weapon, using a motorized delivery system for rapid-fire action.
The auto-feeding magazine holds an impressive 50 rounds of ammunition. It fires quickly and has excellent range. The Titan comes with a shoulder strap, which you will definitely want to use. Weighing nearly 8 pounds, this gun is all business.
We had a blast putting the Titan through its paces. Squeezing the trigger unleashes a barrage of Elite Darts. You can fire off 2 to 3 rounds a second. In the heat of battle, you will have an advantage over your foes like no other.
If you’re really serious about Nerf warfare, you might want to consider picking up a secondary magazine. This will save you precious reloading time, as the Titan takes a good while to fully reload.
You will also need to get 4 D batteries to operate the gun. If your games tend to run long, be sure to bring extras along just in case.
Loading the magazine is a tedious process. That’s why having a backup is so crucial. But once loaded, operating the Titan is a breeze. Just squeeze the trigger and hold on for dear life.
This is a really cool collector’s item. It also makes a really great gift. Any Star Wars fan will be happy to add this to their collection.
The Apollo blaster is decked out in a Mandalorian paint-job with decals. The included mask features the same art style and looks like something right out of the TV series. The fabric Mandalorian patch that comes with the bundle is a really cool touch, as well.
The mask is a great addition in itself. Its sports breathable holes along the mouth area and full-goggle eye protection. An elastic band keeps the mask in place. And you can adjust it to get the perfect fit.
The Apollo fires Mandalorian-themed High-Impact rounds. It comes with a 7-round magazine that’s used to house the ammunition. Other features of the blaster included a trigger safety lock and tactical rail.
This is one classy gun. But be prepared to throw down some serious scratch, because it’s pretty pricey. It is Star Wars, though, so it’s to be expected. Every part of the package is Star Wars-themed in one way or another.
If you or someone you know really loves Star Wars, you owe it to yourself to add this limited edition bundle to your collection.
Simply load up the magazine, ensure the safety is off, pull back the hammer, and fire away. A handy indicator lets you know when the Apollo is ready to fire. As a shooter, this gun has a really solid feel to it and nice balance.
It’s a lot of fun to shoot and boasts really excellent velocity and range. The High-Impact rounds are delivered at 100 feet per second, hitting your targets with greater accuracy.
The Zombie Strike Crossfire is definitely a departure from most of the other entries we reviewed. It has a completely different firing mechanism, as it more closely emulates a real crossbow. But don’t let that deter you from having a look.
What the Crossfire lacks in rapid firing is made up for by its powerful delivery. It does take some practice to get the firing sequence down to where you’re comfortable shooting in quick succession.
But once you’ve mastered the method, the Crossfire makes a great battle companion. It fires Strike Darts at a commendable distance thanks to its powerful delivery system.
The only real bummer is you get just 4 rounds of ammunition with the Crossfire. We recommend you bring plenty along if you’re getting together for some Nerf warfare. The good news is that Amazon sells massive bundles of 1,000 Strike Darts for less than what this weapon costs.
A word of caution: don’t fire this off at close range, especially near the face. The Crossfire boasts some of the most powerful ammunition delivery among Nerf’s lineup. If you’re not careful, you can definitely inflict some damage.
Like a real crossbow, the Crossfire features the same firing action. Nerf makes it a lot easier on the Crossfire, but it’s still quite powerful. We had loads of fun shooting targets with this one. It delivers the goods and comes at a great price.
Another Amazon exclusive, the Rhino-Fire is a very unique shooter. This massive gun weighs in at nearly 7 pounds. It sports a detachable tripod for sniper-like firing. And since it shoots rounds at incredible distances, it’s perfect for doing just that.
When enemies get near, detach from the tripod and run-and-gun your way to victory. A 25-round drum is equipped on both sides of the Rhino-Fire, giving you a total of 50 rounds of ammunition.
We really like the firing mechanics on this one. They are both fast and effective. And with plenty of ammo at your disposal, your chances of winning are better than ever. There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as nailing a target 30 yards away while you’re in stealth mode.
Since the Rhino-Fire uses a motorized delivery system, you’re going to need to stock up on batteries. It requires 6 D batteries, so make sure you bring extras if you plan on doing battle all day.
This is one of the more expensive Nerf shooters. But it’s also one of the more complex. Aside from batteries, you get quite a lot with it. You might want to invest in some extra rounds of Elite Darts, though.
Amazon sells them in huge bulk at really reasonable prices. Grab some before checkout to ensure you are fully-prepared for warfare.
Loading each drum is pretty straightforward, if not a little tedious. There are 50 rounds to load, so be sure you do so before engaging in battle. Shooting the Rhino-Fire is a lot of fun thanks to its lifelike trigger mechanism.
If accuracy is what you’re after, the FalconFire is the answer you’ve been looking for. This incredible little compact pistol delivers the precision of a sniper rifle in the palm of your hand. Firing a single shot at a time, the FalconFire impresses with how well it hits its targets.
Shooting off rounds is fun and effective. You simply pull back on the slide and fire away. You get 10 AccuStrike Darts with the FalconFire, although you can carry only 3 at a time (one in the chamber and 2 below).
You may want to grab a vest so you can carry extra rounds of ammunition during battle. Amazon has some really cool Nerf tactical vests that are capable of holding dozens of rounds. They make a great investment for those who are serious about winning.
We were floored by how accurate the FalconFire delivered its shots. To help in this matter, the gun is very well-balanced. It’s a treat to hold and a joy to shoot. It feels really comfortable in your hands and the grip is excellent.
For a gun so well-crafted, you’d expect it to cost a mint. But it’s quite the opposite. You can pick up the FalconFire for less than what most of the other entries cost. It makes a great addition to your collection.
If you’re anything like us, you’ll soon begin using this one as your main go-to weapon of choice. Because of its incredible accuracy, you’re almost guaranteed a direct hit every time.
Pull back the slide, pop in a round, and squeeze the trigger. It’s that easy. To help ensure you get the most accurate shots, Nerf included a reticule to line up your targets. There’s also a handy indicator that lets you know when the FalconFire is ready to shoot.
Talk about fast! The Zeus fires off High-Impact rounds at nearly 60 miles an hour. Your foes won’t know what hit them with firepower like that. The Zeus’ motorized delivery system ensures you nail your targets with speed and accuracy.
We really like the feel of this blaster. The built-in stock helps to keep your shots steady. Loading up rounds is quick and easy, as well. A 12-round magazine inserts into the gun for instant annihilation.
You can pick up the Zeus in either blue or red for better team differentiation. You get 12 rounds with the blaster to get you started, but you’ll likely want to invest in more to ensure you’re prepared for all-out war.
We appreciate that the Zeus is equipped with tactical rails. This allows you to add on extra Nerf accessories if you choose. We also like how precise this one delivers rounds. This is thanks to its incredible speed.
Since it features a motor, you’ll need to supply your own batteries. The Zeus requires 6 C batteries to operate. As always, be sure to pack extra if you plan on engaging in vigorous Nerf warfare.
It’s important to note that the Zeus can be dangerous at close range. If fires rounds with incredible force, so never aim toward the face. If you’re dealing with enemies up close, go for your hidden Jolt Blaster to take them down.
Nerf designed the Zeus blaster to be easy and straightforward. Loading the magazine is an effortless affair. Once you’ve inserted it into the gun, just make sure the safety is off and fire away.
To help you get the most accurate shots possible, Nerf included 2 flip-up sights along the top of the unit. We like that the magazine can be loaded into either side of the gun. This is really beneficial when you’re in the heat of battle and don’t have time to fight with reloading.
Nerf guns come in a large variety of size, power, ammo capacity, and ammo type. So, it is important to know a couple of things before you can make a smart purchase.
If you want to provide your child with the best Nerf guns, or you want an upper hand in combat, then the information we have put together for you might come in handy.
There are a couple of categories of nerf guns that you should know about. All of them have their benefits and drawbacks. So, it wise to know what each of the types brings to the table.
Basically, there aren’t a lot of differences when it comes to quality. The differences boil down to rate of fire, size, batteries, and ammo-type.
The first thing you should know is that nerf guns use different types of ammo. This means that some of the nerf guns can’t fire ammo that is meant for a different type of a nerf gun.
Fortunately, Hasbro has made it easier for you by standardizing types of ammo. Today, we can put nerf gun ammo into five different categories.
In short, the ammo used should suit the person using it. Kids under the age of 14 should stay away from high impact rounds, but other types of ammo are a fair game.
Motorized Nerf guns provide you with ease of use by taking care of the ammo loading. You simply place the darts in an ammo container, and the gun will load them. While they are convenient, they are a bit more expensive. Motorized Nerf guns utilize batteries, and they tend to be heavier.
Manual Nerf guns don’t require any batteries, but they force you to load each dart by yourself. They are smaller and a bit trickier to use, but they save money in the long run.
It all boils down to the playstyle. If you enjoy being a sniper, then a manual Nerf gun won’t be a problem. On the other hand, if you enjoy being in the thick of the fray, then you might consider a motorized Nerf gun.
Nerf guns come with a ton of accessories. Most of them are official, but there are some third-party manufacturers out there.
Some of the addons are only cosmetic, while the others are useful. You will find tactical vests that simplify ammo carrying, tactical scopes for sniper rifles, magazines with higher capacity, barrel extensions that provide more accuracy, and more.
Before you purchase an accessory, make sure that it is compatible with your Nerf gun.
Many concerned parents wonder about the safety of Nerf guns. But, there is no place for worry! Nerf guns are safe, and, most importantly, they are made out of lead-free materials. There aren’t many moveable components that can be considered a choking hazard, and the power of Nerf guns is quite limited.
But, you should take all of the necessary precautions to ensure that your child is safe while using a Nerf gun.
We have a couple basic safety precautions for you, so make sure that you are aware of them.
Follow the basic safety precautions and the chances of a problem occurring will be slim to none. The most important thing about safety is to be open with your children and to explain why certain things are not allowed.
Nerf guns are plastic, which causes them to be less durable than metal toys. If a Nerf gun is properly stored, then it might work for a couple of years. But, we all know that children don’t store toys to look at them – they play with them. So, you can expect that some Nerf guns won’t survive the first few months of use.
Unfortunately, this is the truth with most of the plastic toys. They might not be easy to break, but the imagination of kids knows no bounds. So, you can be sure that you will have to buy a couple of Nerf guns throughout the year. But, that’s what joys of parenthood are about.
On the other hand, if you are an adult who enjoys Nerf guns, then you can be sure that your favorite Nerf gun will remain in working condition for a long time; provided that you take care of it.