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, our top pick is the mighty Nerf Elite 2.0 Commander RD-6 Dart Blaster, which features a six-dart rotating drum for rapid-fire play.
Editors’ picks
Nerf Elite 2.0 Commander RD-6 Dart Blaster
Editors’ Favorite
Dimensions: 14.3" L x 2.6" W x 9.5" H | Weight: 17.6 oz | Max Range: 90 ft | Number of Darts: 12
The Nerf Elite 2.0 Commander RD-6 delivers reliable performance and consistent accuracy. It has a rotating six-round drum, and darts can travel as far as 90 feet through the air.
It features pump-action blasting, allowing for plenty of versatility so kids can fire off darts one by one or all six into the air in rapid succession. The blaster is easy to use thanks to its sliding pump, and the dual tactical rails and attachment points provide a stock and a barrel, letting kids customize their blaster with Nerf accessories..
Its sleek, lightweight build makes it suitable for fast-paced indoor or outdoor action. Plus, extra darts mean kids can reload without having to pick up the first round of darts.
Nerf N Series Agility Blaster
Great Value
Dimensions: 12” L x 2.6” W x 8” H | Weight: 14.1 oz | Max Range: NA | Number of Darts: 12
If you have a little one who wants to get in on Nerf fun with other kids, the Nerf N Series Agility Blaster is an excellent starter blaster. It’s a sleek and compact blaster with a six-dart revolving drum for rapid-fire action.
Its lightweight build makes it excellent for younger kids, and the mechanism is designed to fire one smooth sequence using the intuitive pull-back function. It comes with a dozen foam darts for quick and convenient reloading during indoor or outdoor duels.
It’s not as advanced as other Nerf Blasters, but for beginners who want something easy to hold and use, it’s a fine choice that’ll help them get used to the basics.
Nerf Pro Gelfire Raid Blaster
Best for Experienced Players
Dimensions: 24" L x 2.6" W x 9" H | Weight: 27.9 oz | Max Range: 100’ | Number of Darts: 10,000
Experienced Nerf enthusiasts who want something more robust to gain an edge over the competition will find plenty to love about the NERF Pro Gelfire Raid Blaster.
This blaster delivers a dynamic five-round scattershot with each pull of the trigger and features an 800-round capacity. It includes 10,000 rounds for fast-paced action during outdoor skirmishes and can fire rounds as fast as 150 feet per second. Rounds are made of dehydrated fire, meaning they burst upon contact and eliminate the need to pick up anything.
This blaster is a solid choice for players aged 14 and up. There is more of a learning curve with this gun than standard pump-action blasters, but players who want more stopping power will appreciate this blaster’s fast-fire capabilities. Plus, it comes with protective eyewear and a trigger lock for safety.
How we analyzed
All Nerf blasters are high-quality and the go-to standard for children’s blaster games, so it’s tough to know which one to choose. To help you narrow down the options, we thoroughly researched the latest models to come up with our list of favorites. We found that the best blasters are lightweight and feature an intuitive trigger and reload functions. Our top picks also boast impressive range, speed and a generous number of rounds for nonstop action.
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. For example, the ammo may be 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.
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
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. Choosing a blaster that can be taken apart and rearranged in different configurations means you can create a lighter model from its parts if you’re so inclined.
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, an automatic double-barrel blaster with two drums that hold plenty of darts, for example, would be your best bet. The barrels on Nerf blasters alternate so as not to jam up, so you can keep firing without interruption.
If you want to move around, something like a single-drum blaster gives you mobility, letting you run in and nail your target quickly and efficiently.
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.
Reloading
Reloading your Nerf blaster an be a headache. Some players agree on playing with time-outs while everyone gathers up darts and reloads. But if you’re in the middle of a game and there’s a time crunch, it’s best to use a blaster that requires minimal reloads.
Blasters with rotating drums are the most common, but reloading can be a pain since darts need to be reinserted one by one. The same goes for the clip attachment, which you have to reload before adding it to the barrel. If you need something quick and easy, consider a blaster that fires off many rounds in quick succession.
Configuration
Many Nerf blasters are modular, meaning they offer tactical rails, stock mounts and barrel extension points for customization. Size is also a key consideration. For example, compact pistols are best for quick-draw action, rifles for accuracy and heavy support blasters for firing off several dozen rounds in seconds. Understanding these customization options helps players choose a setup that feels right for them, whether they prioritize speed, range or capacity.
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, 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. Ultimately, the best Nerf blaster for you is the one that best suits your needs.
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.
