Buying guide for best Nerf blasters
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The Nerf blaster is an enduring toy that engages the mind and body in imaginative, active play. It doesn't matter if you're young or old, if you've got a Nerf blaster in your hand, you've also got a smile on your face. However, if it's been a while since you've purchased one, you're going to need help choosing the best one for you.
Do you prefer fast-paced, automated fire or greater precision? That choice is yours, but you'll need a blaster that's not too big or too heavy to handle, if you want to stay nimble. You can fire several styles of (safe) darts, but what really matters is range and reloading speed.
For tips and trade secrets that will make you a master of all things Nerf, keep reading. However, if you just want to be armed with one of the best Nerf blasters on the market, consider one of the models we've highlighted.
Manual vs. automatic
When you’re choosing a Nerf blaster, you must first decide whether you want a manual loader or an automatic.
A manual Nerf blaster requires you to load each dart or bead individually. The Zombie Strike on our shortlist is an example of this type of blaster; the ammo is stored in the butt end, and you must pop each piece in.
An automatic Nerf blaster, by contrast, has small cartridges into which you load the ammo ahead of time. As you engage in battle, rapid-fire mechanics take care of the rest. If you’re interested in an automatic, consider a product like the N-Strike Elite.
Did you know?
Automatic blasters usually implement large clips of ammo — some as an attached case (you load your ammo into the side where it’s stored) and others as an attachment (you preload your ammo into a cartridge and attach it to the blaster after).
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Manual advantages
- Better firing capacity without clogging the chamber
- Faster ammo reload time
Manual disadvantages
- Single fire
- Takes longer to load from the start
Automatic advantages
- Quick load from the start
- Rapid fire
- Faster response
Automatic disadvantages
- Longer reload time for ammo
- Uses up ammo quickly
Automatic Nerf blasters fire and respond quickly, but they also run through their ammo faster than manual Nerf blasters. Depending on your play style, you may prefer an automatic over a manual Nerf blaster.
When exploring Nerf blasters, we want to know if each is manual or automatic. Manual Nerf blaster darts must be loaded individually, but they don’t jam as often as automatic darts.
While many Nerf blasters have a spring-action mechanism, some rely on batteries for rapid firing. We find out which Nerf guns are ready to go and which need batteries before the fun starts.
We look for customizable Nerf blasters that offer different configuration options. Most Nerf blasters are self-contained units, but some allow you to configure the blaster in different ways.
Nerf blaster sizes vary widely, from single-handed pistols to bulky cannons. We aim to help consumers in their search for the right balance between power and portability.
We want to find out each Nerf blaster’s range. Many Nerf blasters can launch a dart 75 feet, but some are more accurate at that range than others.
Nerf blasters typically use three different types of ammo: classic standard darts, suction darts, or foam torpedoes. We think about the types of ammo used by each blaster when selecting the best Nerf blasters.
Do you want to avoid having to stop and reload during your Nerf battle? We note large-capacity Nerf blasters that let you fill a hopper with ammo—up to 100 rounds in some models.
Nerf blasters of all shapes, sizes, and ammo types can be found for roughly the same price. Most Nerf blasters cost between $25 to $50, while top-of-the-line models cost around $70.
To help Nerf blaster users have fun with minimal interruptions, we want to know each Nerf blaster’s reload time and whether it comes with an ammo clip for easier, faster reloading.
Blaster size
Weight matters when you’re in the heat of battle. No matter what kind of blaster you choose, they’re all made of plastic, and they all gain weight as you add more parts.
If you’re looking for something lightweight that doesn’t require much muscle, the Zombie Strike is your best bet because it’s self-contained with not a lot of ammo to carry around. Another product to consider is the Modulus Tri-Strike. This blaster can be taken apart and rearranged in different configurations, which means you can create a lighter model from its parts if you’re so inclined.
Did you know?
The ammo you use adds weight to the blaster, even if you’re just using foam darts.
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Ammo size
The type of ammo you use depends on the kind of blaster you purchase, but for the most part you’ll only be dealing with three specific types. Here are the most common choices.
- Suction Dart: This is a foam dart with a suction cup on the end. The velocity is usually enough to make it stick to anything.
- Standard Dart: These come with just about every blaster Nerf currently makes. Color varies, but most have an orange or yellow tip.
- Foam Torpedo: These have a wider radius than darts and include more foam. They also create more of a “thud” when the target is hit.
Most of your ammo will be roughly 4 to 5 inches in length with a 1-inch diameter. This makes the ammo easy to fire but also easy to lose. It’s not uncommon to find a random dusty dart wedged behind a piece of furniture months after it was “lost in battle.”
Single clip capacity
If your goal is to go in and wallop everyone in a single spray, you have two options: standing still and blasting everything in sight, or running around and picking off your opponents with more accuracy.
If you choose to stand still, you can’t go wrong with the Elite Rhino-Fire Blaster. It has a double-barrel blaster with two drums that hold 25 darts each, and it’s an automatic. The barrels alternate so as not to jam up, but for the most part, you’re staying stationary.
If you want to move around, the Elite Rampage Blaster is the way to go. It’s only a single drum, but that’s to give you mobility so you can run in and nail your target quickly and efficiently.
"There’s a fundamental psychology behind Nerf games: they’re meant to be “close combat” situations where you engage with each other as you play. There’s no real fun launching darts at people from great distances only to run and gather your ammo and try again."
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Range
When you’re in a Nerf battle, range means everything! Whether you’re on a playground, in a backyard, or out in the woods, range gives you a tactical advantage to where you can hit your opponents from afar before you go charging in.
Many Nerf blasters can produce enough of an air blast to catapult a dart 75 feet. That’s a lot of space. But that kind of range is more attainable in an automatic blaster, whereas a manual blaster will requires a little more aim and luck, since you’re doing one dart at a time without rapid succession.
Did you know?
Nerf’s foam darts range in size, but the standard is 1 inch. This is done so that savvy parents can buy multiple blasters that use the same ammo.
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Reloading
The ultimate problem that everyone eventually encounters is reload time. It’s usually customary to call a time-out while everyone gathers up darts and reloads. But if you’re in the middle of a game and there’s a time crunch, consider your other reloading options.
Both of the blasters with drums on our shortlist (the Rhino-Fire Blaster and the Rampage Blaster) may be awesome, but the drums themselves are a pain to reload, not to mention hooking up properly to fire again. Same thing with the clip attachment that you have to reload first before adding it to the barrel. If you need something quick and easy, best bet is the Zombie Strike. The Modulus Tri-Strike is also great in a pinch, depending on how you’ve configured it.
"The Modulus Tri-Strike is a great multiuse blaster that kids will get a kick out of using and adults will have fun changing up."
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Configuration
Speaking of configuration, many of the blasters we’ve discussed are self-contained. Only one blaster in our product list allows for customization: the Modulus Tri-Strike.
You can disassemble this blaster and make it into whatever you need. For example, you could:
- Remove the butt of the blaster and make it a one-handed model.
- Remove the missile section to make it lighter.
- You can even whittle the blaster down to a single-barrel model.
Did you know?
Some blasters can be configured into a mounted style. This is a fun option to have if you know the blaster is going to be used in more imaginative ways.
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Damage to property
If you’re a parent, one of your big concerns right now might be the potential for damage to your (or someone else’s) property. Fortunately, a Nerf blaster isn’t likely to put holes in walls or break giant windows or dent anything. Have you ever heard someone use the term “Nerfed” when talking about something being made effective? This is where that term came from.
However, that doesn’t mean a Nerf blaster couldn’t aid in damaging property. A flying dart could knock over a picture frame or an object on a shelf. If you’re going to buy a Nerf blaster, you must surrender to the possibility that someone may miss their target and hit something you don’t want them to hit.
Price
One of the perks of Nerf products is that everything is relatively cheap. Even if you got for the top of the line (which, in this case, is the Elite Rhino-Fire Blaster), the most you’ll likely pay is around $70.
Everything else falls in the $25 to $50 range, depending on what kind of functionality you want. The best Nerf blaster for your money at the moment is the Zombie Strike, with the Modulus Tri-Strike as a close second because of its changeability. But that’s all based on price. Ultimately, the best Nerf blaster for you is the one that best suits your needs.
Caution
Some secondary websites sell Nerf blasters that have been “modified.” In other words, the seller has cracked open the case and added a few extra toys to make the darts fly faster and hit harder. We don’t recommend purchasing these items for children.
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Tips
Before you rush off to buy a blaster, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:
- Know your blaster type. Not all blasters are created equal. It's wise to do some research to learn what kind of Nerf blaster you’re looking for.
- Review the ammo requirements. Most of the blasters featured here have standard foam ammo, but there are other types including Sonic ammo. Sonic ammo has small cuts in the foam, which cause it to make noise as it whizzes by.
- Look into accessories. Nerf has a bunch of cool add-ons, like a tactical vest to store ammo. There are also third-party manufacturers who make cool items like belts and targets for kids to enjoy.
FAQ
Q. Is there any possibility of injury?
A. The darts themselves do pose a potential choking hazard, especially for little kids. If aimed close enough, you could give someone a black eye. But we’ve never heard of anyone being cut or badly harmed by these darts.
Q. How long will the ammo last?
A. Everything made of foam degrades with time and use. In the case of Nerf, it depends how often they’re used and what conditions they’re put through. If they’re left in the rain or crushed under something, there’s a greater chance they will fall apart. Just be sure to take care of them.
Q. Does Nerf ever discontinue their products?
A. Yes. Eventually, your blaster will be discontinued for a new product. However, there is one silver lining to this. The darts that were manufactured for blasters going back to the mid-'80s still work in blasters designed today, because the technical design of the darts hasn’t changed. So while the blaster may go away, there’s no reason you won’t be able to use it years later with the next round of Nerf products.
"If you’ll be carrying the blaster around as you play, keep in mind that you’ll be toting your ammo, too."
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